The Cubs and Pirates are rebuilding with new managers (I hear that the Cubs are going to try to deal Contreras and possibly more players). The Reds are talented, but their pitching is questionable at times. I think the Central is open for quite some time between us and the Brewers, and the Brewers' pitching doesn't scare me, Hader aside.
I think he offered money to Ozuna for the draft pick. Point is, Ozuna is no Holliday. Holliday was an awful fielder, but when healthy, he was a top hitter. Ozuna has only one year of being a top hitter, and that's proven to be a mirage. And say what you want about Holliday's fielding, but the dude had an arm. Ozuna has neither fielding nor arm, and he's only getting worse with time.
I mentioned Carpenter as designated for assignment. That's what I would do. The extra term that Mozeliak/Girsch gave Carpenter before last season should've been a fireable offense; it was quite easily one of the worst moves I've seen this baseball team make. Edman was flat-out better than Carpenter, both offensively and defensively, and as much as I loved what Carpenter did in the past, he's clearly not the same player, and likely never will be the same player again.
Fowler and Jose Martinez, I'd trade, if I can. Neither of them will get much, and you'd probably have to retain salary, but the point is clearing spots for the outfield. I'd like to see what Bader, O'Neill, Thomas, Arozarena, and others (Dylan Carlson comes to mind) can do.
Also, forgot to mention pitching. Cecil and Leone should also be DFA'd. Wainwright should be a re-sign because we simply don't have much else.
Then there's the forty-man roster protection to consider. Woodford and Montero, in particular, should be protected, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Carlson somewhere on that list very soon.
www.cbssports.com
