Fargoguy

We are going to have to agree to disagree. I'm not sure that Escobar is coming back. There is no equivalent option in free agency or anywhere in the organization. Playing Sano at 1B puts a utility infielder at 2nd and 3rd. Austin's best position is probably DH. I don't want to count on him to play much 1B or in the outfield. I think you need to limit your pitching staff to 12 to justify keeping a player like Mauer. I would actually prefer to carry a player like Mauer than an 8th relief pitcher, but I don't see it happening.

In the era of 3 man benches, your standard bench players almost have to be a backup catcher, backup infielder, and backup outfielder. Slotting Mauer into a bench spot requires your backup cf, catcher, or ss into the starting lineup. Kepler could start and backup Buxton in CF if needed. Keeping Mauer would mean a bench of Mauer, backup IF (probably Adrianza), and backup catcher. Adrianza or Garver would need to play in the outfield to give an outfielder a day off and force Cave back to AAA. Seems like a pretty weak lineup. That's the real cost of keeping Mauer with a 13 man pitching staff.

Mauer was every bit is good as Machado is today. Hell, he was probably better. Mauer played a position with more attrition than Machado. That's why I would bet that Machado has a better chance of providing value throughout the contract than Mauer. I'm not saying that Machado is a better player than Mauer was when he was signed. Sorry if I was unclear. Not that it matters anyway. I seriously doubt that Machado will even consider coming here.

Did you watch the game? He pitched terribly. He's lucky he got through 4 innings throwing that garbage. 88mph belt high fastballs shouldn't get anybody out. He kept throwing one after another. He has Bartolo Colon type velocity with terrible command. It sends a bad message to the team to trot him out there again. He has nothing left in the tank.

Sign Machado and move Polanco to 2B. Trade Polanco when Gordon is ready. Move Machado or Lewis to 3B or 2B when Lewis is ready. Trade Gordon or move Sano to 1B to make room for Lewis. I know it's a pipe dream, but Machado will be worth whatever money is necessary to get him since it probably allows us to solidify the entire infield for nearly a decade. He shouldn't cost too much more than Mauer did with a much better chance of providing value through the entire contract.

He looks a lot slimmer/healthier in this picture than he did in April/May. That makes me optimistic about his future outlook.