Yes; ether he becomes an extravagant luxury they can use to address a more urgent need, or 2018 is a catastrophic year. Understand, I don't think they would or should, it's just more viable today than it was yesterday IF the idea is that they are indeed now set on letting him walk.
Whitley is one of the 5 pitchers ever to crack into AA one year out of High School, along with Kershaw and Grenkie. I'd rather give up Tucker than Whitley.
Including Whitley sucks for the long term outlook. It wasn't as Whitley was kicking at the door; but there is a plethora of guys who need to move up but are being blocked.