Before spring training provides a fresh breath of air to stimulate our hopes, the front office will consider trade proposals and/or make offers to free agents regarding a left-handed bat with pop for a corner outfield spot on the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Starting Eight:

If you have more than one opportunity, you might overcome every obstacle on an extremely challenging path.

Regarding restructuring progress, the numbers are a tale of opposites: No acquired starting pitcher is out of the running, and no new outfield possibility has landed a regular role. For instance, even if general manager Matt Klentak does not re-sign or pick up a veteran to head the rotation, not every young arm from last summer would be starter in April. Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin, Jake Thompson and Alec Asher are six hurlers for a maximum five openings.

Fixing the offense is this offseason’s priority, but the catcher, first baseman, second sacker, shortstop, third baseman and center fielder were here–surprising stats and all–before the new execs. Granted, Roman Quinn, Aaron Altherr and shortstop J.P. Crawford are the previous pipeline candidates; whereas receiver Jorge Alfaro and outfielder Nick Williams are the rebuilding pieces from the Texas Rangers. Of course, Quinn will have competition from Altherr, Cody Asche and Darin Ruf in Clearwater if they are still with the organization.