I would agree with this 100% if Framber was the only one needing to be replaced but. . . Framber, Gusto, and Garcia are gone Wesneski, Blanco, and Walter are all recovering from TJS and unavailable for at least the first 2/3 of the season. Javier, McCullers, and Arrighetti all missed over half the season with significant injuries last year and were inconsistent, at best, when healthy. Even when they needed a starter they kept France in the bullpen. It has been publically reported that they have no confidence in Blubaugh facing a lineup multiple times. If JV can be depended on* for 25-30 starts and 125-150 innings at less than $16ish million AND they still address the TOR, I think its very smart. Maybe $12M +$1M at each 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200 IP Identical team option w/$4M buyout that vests at 150 IP. $16M 1yr guarantee w/ likely $30M and possible $36M over 2 * as dependable as any SP that is.
I don’t like it. Our organizational strength is identifying and developing pitching. Instead of spending that coin on JV, we need to get that production out of a reclamation/bounceback project, internal candidate or both, and have several of them. We need to be like the TB Rays or hell just be like ourselves and let that strength be a strength. This is assuming we land a SP1 or SP2. I fully understand that not having enough starting pitching depth can wreck your pen and destroy your season. I’m just saying I would do it in a different way from spending money on JV.
This is reasonable. I just feel the SP depth is too thin and the best SP prospects are too far away for that THIS YEAR unless you want to risk another year of missing the playoffs during Yordan and Correa's primes and Altuve's career. If some combination of 2-3 of Arrighetti, Javier, Wesneski, Blanco, Blubaugh, and/or Alexander are projected to be top 3 SP in a rotation this time next season AND Some combination of Ullola, Brito, Hicks, Forcucci, Mayer, Pecko, Tredwell, etc have Hunter Brown in AAA type seasons Then stop looking at SP outside of the organization. But right now that's only fantasy.
I’m not suggesting we rely on internal options only. I would rather spend in FA on options other than JV
