I'm with you.
In this new playoff alignment (which is getting way too close to the NBA or NHL for my tastes) the sellers are fewer, and their asking prices are higher.
The AL has 10 teams with W/L records above .500, none more than 3 games out of the last WC berth.
The NL has 9 above .500. San Diego is two games below .500, and only 5 out of a WC.
In this format, there were only so many teams to cannibalize from.
I'm in the camp that believes incremental moves for improvement in 2023 only prepares us for complete domination moving forward. Our organizational depth remains strong, and can be spent better in the future when there is a greater need.