I am betting on AA giving him the big contract. With the kids in his rotation and their control issues, he will buy into Grandal huge as that missing piece. Right now, I am thinking Alex Wood for Francisco Cervelli for our hole behind the plate. I would love Realmuto, but with Ruiz and Smith knocking on the door, I don’t see Zaidi going for someone who is looking for a huge contract. The only downside is Cervelli’s injury history.
You really think that they will trade Wood? I am just not sure. He is cheap and they love stockpiling arms like this. I think that they should trade him but I just wonder if they will give up on a guy who got $6 million in arbitration and will go in again this year following a poor year. He won't get a big bump and has 1 more year until he is a free agent. Knowing how this FO works, I see them keeping Wood rather than pay Ryu. Ryu is going to get 4 years and a chunk of money. When I look at what a pitcher like Alex Cobb got, I want no part of a big deal. Cobb was 31 and got a 4 year deal for $57,000,000.
When you look at the LH SP's out there as Free Agents, the names that jump out to me are Corbin, Keuchel, Gonzales, Hamels, Happ and then you have Price and Kershaw who can opt out. Ryu has the best ERA of all of them. He is going to be overpaid.
I wonder who is going to take a chance on Garrett Richards? This is a guy who has ace stuff if healthy. He is just a gamble but at 30 could be a bargain if someone is will to wait.
As for a catcher, I wonder where the contract will be for Wilson Ramos?
Here is a pretty cool article on the pending FA's:
https://www.mlbdailydish.com/2018/9/7/17780982/previewing-2018-2019-mlb-free-agent-class