What I'd do:
- Sign Andrew McCutchen for 2 years, $16 M. He's a solid vet, a good clubhouse presence, provides decent defense, and gives you a leadoff hitter to allow you to bump Lindor toward the middle of the lineup.
- Trade Yonder Alonso for a reliever. He looked awful in the 2nd half and I fear it will get worse next year. Dumping him offsets the McCutchen signing salary-wise.
- Trade Kipnis for a reliever. I love Kip, but he doesn't fit anymore, and his salary hurts flexibility to do other things. It's Yandy time.
- Trade with the Cardinals for Jose Martinez. He's somewhat positionless with the Cards, meaning he wouldn't cost premier prospects. He'd be a little rough at 1B, but his bat would look great in the lineup.
- Offer Cody Allen and Kelvin Herrera the same 2 year, $20 M deal and hope one takes it. I still believe Allen can be a very good reliever.
- Sign Oliver Perez for 1 year, $3 M
- Convert Salazar to a reliever.
- Give Diaz and Allen starting jobs. If they don't produce, look to replace them at the deadline.
- Let Miller, Brantley, and Donaldson walk and decline Guyer's option.
- Look at bringing back Tomlin and Chisenhall on minor league deals. Tomlin to mentor the young pitchers in Spring Training and to allow himself a showcase of sorts for other teams, Napoli-style. Chisenhall to see if he can get healthy. If they can get major league deals elsewhere, I wish them both the best.
Lineup
R-RF-McCutchen
S-2B-Ramirez
S-SS-Lindor
R-1B-Martinez
R-DH-Encarnacion
R-3B-Diaz
R-C-Gomes
L-CF-Martin
S-LF-Allen
Rotation
Bauer
Carrasco
Kluber
Clevinger
Bieber
Bullpen
Hand
Allen/Herrera
Salazar
Cimber
Perez
RP acquired with Kipnis deal
RP acquired with Alonso deal