Proposition Joe said:
Texas isn't going to sign Perez to a multi-year bullpen deal.
Perez will get a deal as a starter somewhere. Only way it is in Texas is if we strikeout with Montgomery and don't feel great about our chances of filling out a rotation and bite the bullet on Perez being our #5.
I agree. Only way Perez ends back in Arlington is a RP. No way we take him as a SP. We don't need him for what he can get elsewhere. It isn't a big enough need for Texas to invest long-term in him.
Montgomery would be nice, although, if Heaney decides to stay, how do you shuffle?! I'd trade Gray.
As I noted above... adding some peripheral info:
Scherzer (38): 8GS, 45.0 IP, 3.20 ERA <- 1yr $43M, FA after 2024
Dunning (28): 26GS, 172.2 IP, 3.70 ERA <- 3 yrs of Arb ahead.
Gray (31): 29 GS, 157.1 IP, 4.12 ERA <- 2 more yrs at $13M per
Heaney (32): 28GS, 147.1 IP, 4.15 ERA <- Asssume he takes the Option
Eovaldi (33): 25GS, 144.0 IP, 3.62 ERA <- $17M with vesting (300IP in '23+'24) for 2025. He has 144IP.
Bradford (5.30) is 25 and looks ready to contribute.
For 2024 my 5 are in order:
Scherzer
Eovaldi
Dunning
Gray
Heaney
You are returning 4 guys (Dunning, Gray, Heaney, Eovaldi) who filled 108 GS of 129 possible GSs. Bradford and Scherzer added 16, which comes to about 126GS.
I like the idea of returning Montgomery. More of a Want than a Need. Maybe Heaney doesn't take his Player Option for 2024.
I've always liked the idea of using your #5 as a place for development. Dunning this past year, Bradford\White in 2024. I wouldn't be surprised to see CY sign a couple retreads to minor league deals and watch them through Spring Training. I'm also a fan of keeping your powder dry for trade-deadline addition.
For 2024, we're looking at the 5 returning pieces with these currently on the 40:
Bradford (25)
Owen White (24)
Cole Winn (23) <- Showed nothing this year
We'll have to figure out these Rule V after this season
Dugger (27-AAA): 29G, 4.31, 146.1, 143 SO
Leiter (23): 4.13 ERA in Aug+Sept @AAA
Others (not Rule V until after 2024):
Dane Acker (24-AA): 12GS, 2.74 ERA, 46.0 IP, 51 SO