alex

Second that. Really any of the 5-6 top SS will help the team quite a bit. Saying "...multiple needs" is interesting. Would the team be better off with just Correa or say Baez and another 15mil+/- player(s) as well who could help make a difference for a few yrs?

Agreed. I would think Javy would be a fine addition - all things considered (price, age, power, D, running ability, so far durability, etc.). He is a talented player and just might 'become' more open to some changes in his approach as his career moves along. Of course any of the 5-6 top SS will help quite a bit. Just saying all things considered, Javy, IMHO, might workout well also.

I would think by now Al is relying heavily on his new scouting and analytics departments?

Yep, seems pretty spot on - and we have all heard about the org looking to improve. IMHO, RP's seem so volatile, one year to the next, it might not be wise to spend too much on any - yet, during the season IF things are going well, can always look into. The other thing that is Very important is depth. As mentioned before, gone may be the days of 7-8 position players playing 150 games. Same with SPs, 3-4 going 200 IP. Every team needs to be 2 players deep per say at each position. Some able to play several positions. The IL list the last few seasons shows this and to expect that to change - well... The mix and match of quality UT/starter types. Even if we get a SS, we will need a player or two that can play 30-40 games there (ex Kreidler, Niko, Harold, etc. combo). Same player(s) may be at multi positions. It is now a 40 man go to roster. Teams know this. There could be CBA influence as well ex 27 man rosters? etc. Perhaps the Tigs may be in the market for previously mentioned names here like a C TBarnhart, etc. Also, one year re-establish value types MConforto - but they may wait to see who is available after priority shopping (SS & SP) for that particular type. They may actually be able to package a couple younger players (not the core types) and get a need. It should be an interesting off season!

Agreed. Should be an interesting off season with the team and CBA coming up. One thing that hopefully teams and fans alike hopefully can see - IMHO, the days of 7-8 starting position players playing in 150+ games may be gone. Same for 3-4 SPs on a team pitching 200 innings. Sure there will be an outlier or two here and there - but depth at 'every' position is more important than ever. The rosters should increase by another 1-2 players it would seem... Say counting from the last 5 years on it may be more rare to see anybody win 250 games again. To hit 400-500 HRs (again an outlier here and there)... IMHO, the game has changed in this regard as well.