Well, the two biggest gaping holes are CF and the pen, as we all know. The pen has been addressed somewhat with the acquisitions of Gregg, Owens, and Lindstrom. The first two, barring injury, should be in the pen all season. We'll see about Lindstrom. I still think they need to go after a vet or two. No indications that Borowski is or isn't coming back, but the fact that he didn't immediately land one of these overly huge contracts is encouraging. A Keith Foulke, Octavio Dotel, or Dustin Hermanson would fit the m.o. pretty well, with the last one being the most affordable. But they're going to allocate (hopefully) a couple million to the pen because that's the going rate. Should they go the trade route again, Jacobs for Pittsburgh's Mike Gonzalez would probably satisfy both teams, especially Florida.
CF is a total crapshoot because there are so many routes they could take. Rocco Baldelli should be the first, second, and third choice. I think Nolasco, Jacobs, and a mediocre pitching prospect, like a Petit, lands him, or if TB demands one of the big four, you offer Johnson but ask for Chad Orvella in return with Rocco. Or you can go the prospect route by looking at a Reggie Willits (LAA, older) or a blockbuster for Chris Young (ARI, younger) or you can try to sign a FA stopgap like Kenny Lofton, although with the prices right now, it's out of reach and should be. Anything more than $3 million for a Lofton or someone of his caliber is not worth it.
Then they have to replace Helms (Eduardo Perez? Phil Nevin?) and Jacobs if they trade him. Hammer would move to first, which opens up LF...host of choices there, running the gamut from Bonds to Jay Payton or a spec. I'd also like them to upgrade Treanor's spot, preferably with Mike Lieberthal or Guillermo Quiroz. All that could be done with $11 million unless Bonds is in the picture.
