Jerry

[Big_Maple]

If the Pitching staff stays good it will be pretty expensive by 2027. Right now they are paying them a combined 30.5 Million with most of that going to Castillo. All of the young guys will be well into Arbitration in 2027 which can get pricey if you are good. For instance Corbin Burnes got 15.6 Million in his final year of Arbitration, Framber Valdez got 12.1 Million in his 3rd year of Arbitration and Zach Gallen got 10 Million in his second year of arbitration. In 2027, the M's could easily be looking at 70 Million just on the rotation and a whole lot more than that if they extend guys.

Not only that, but these pitchers are cheap now, and controllable now because they were drafted, groomed and brought up through the minors. In other words, they're homegrown, and they have no choice in whether to stay or leave.

But once these guys get their 6 years of service time in, they are gonna hit free agency. And I doubt a single one of them would sign an extension. Not only can they make more money somewhere else, but they can likely get more wins.

The M's will never spend big on FA, and getting some big name veterans is what you need to win games and win championships. If I was a pitcher on a team that had tepid offense and had zero interest in building an offense around me, you can bet I would hit the bricks for a team with better offensive production to go with my elite pitching.

I can see Kirby, Woo, Miller and Gilbert all developing into TOR guys, and any team in baseball will want them.

[Captain 97]

Kirby and Gilbert are already top of the rotation guys right now.

[Big_Maple]

Kirby and Gilbert are already top of the rotation guys right now.

I could see a year where we have 2, maybe 3 guys vying for the AL Cy Young - at the same time. Every team in baseball is gonna want a piece of our guys when they hit FA.

[D-train]

We are cursed:

1996 team had a .850 OPS and 5.21 ERA
2024 team has a .649 OPS and a 3.03 ERA

[Millikin]

We are cursed:

1996 team had a .850 OPS and 5.21 ERA
2024 team has a .649 OPS and a 3.03 ERA

1996 team was more fun to watch

[D-train]

We are cursed:

1996 team had a .850 OPS and 5.21 ERA
2024 team has a .649 OPS and a 3.03 ERA

1996 team was more fun to watch

1000%

Pauli Boy Sorrento had the same number of HRs in 1997 as our entire team has right now....31

[acctingman]

I thought were supposed to cut back on their KO's?

[Juliooooo]

Kirby and Gilbert are already top of the rotation guys right now.

I could see a year where we have 2, maybe 3 guys vying for the AL Cy Young - at the same time. Every team in baseball is gonna want a piece of our guys when they hit FA.

Honestly, that could be this year. There are 4 guys that could do it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if 2-3 in the top 6-8 guys

[Big_Maple]

AHonestly, that could be this year. There are 4 guys that could do it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if 2-3 in the top 6-8 guys

Agreed.

So let’s just say - and I am not advocating for screwing up our rotation - but let’s just say we dangle a Logan Gilbert out there. Say he finishes third or fourth. He could net us one good offensive piece and help restock the farm.

[Juliooooo]

AHonestly, that could be this year. There are 4 guys that could do it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if 2-3 in the top 6-8 guys

Agreed.

So let’s just say - and I am not advocating for screwing up our rotation - but let’s just say we dangle a Logan Gilbert out there. Say he finishes third or fourth. He could net us one good offensive piece and help restock the farm.

He’s the guy I think they should most consider trading. They will have Castillo off the books by the time Kirby comes due, and they can start drafting a few guys next year to hopefully take place of the Miller/Woo/Hancock/Kirby group that may fizzle out, get injured or not get resigned.