[Nightfyre]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Buying an ace at this point would be buying Zack Greinke, as he's the only guy who qualifies.

You're talking 6-7 years, 160 million. The Royals aren't going to do that (and honestly, only a handful of teams can afford to take that big of a contract risk on him. So I don't blame the Royals in shying away there).

The next-best option is Anibal Sanchez, who is asking for 8 years, $120 million. I really didn't see that market opening up for him (half the years, half the money, sure). Sanchez is at best a nice No. 2, but he's not worth the risk of that length or amount of investment to any but a handful of teams.

After that, there's a severe enough drop-off that I honestly would not mind signing someone in the Marcum tier as your third addition, and hoping at least 2/3 guys you've brought in are solid-good No. 3 level guys for you, and that's good enough to get you above .500.

That team COULD conceivably win 85 games or so, IF Hosmer rebounds, none of the other offensive guys suffers a massive drop-off, and team health is a little better in 13 than it was in 12. Then you go into the next offseason in better position. I doubt Santana is brought back, but hopefully he pitches well enough you can make him a qualifying offer (and get a draft pick!). You'd probably let guy No. 3 walk. And you'd have a lot of slots and payroll flexibility going in 14:

--
--
Guthrie
Odorizzi
Lamb/Ventura/Zimmer

And maybe the farm system depth to go out and get a true No. 1 guy via trade while still signing another OK guy to slot into the other open rotation spot.

Don't forget that Duffy and Paulino come off of TJ's in the latter part of this year. We should be able to find a suitable pitcher in that mess, right?