For the last few years, members of the Snakepit, along with fans from the other 29 MLB teams, have taken part in a three-day event in which we all play the role of GM for our team. This year, that event will begin on November 5th, and I, with possibly a couple other ‘pitters, will once again be doing our level-best to see what we can do about putting the Diamondbacks on a path to future success.
In the past, we have taken a couple different approaches. The one that probably stands out the most is when I worked to snipe Zack Greinke away from the Dodgers at the last minute, signing him to a six-year contract worth $210 million. Unlike Ken Kendrick a few weeks later though, we did not stop with Greinke. Clearing Tomas’ salary, we were able to stay aggressive in that market and maintain a payroll budget under $100 million.
Last year we attempted to do smaller moves, but as the simulation wore on, we found ourselves with little choice but to either give up on keeping Greinke, or to simply run with Greinke and a bunch of question marks, as no team was interested in any players we had available for trade. Some teams expressed interest in Paul Goldschmidt, but only if we wanted to sell low on him (and I mean REALLY low).
After the team’s success this season, and with the number of players the team needs to make decisions on with regard to free agency and arbitration, this is shaping to be be a simulation that is going to be very interesting to navigate.
So, I put it to the Snakepit; what sort of result would you all like to see? Should the simulated team cash in on the value of the success it just experienced in 2017 and rebuild now, including moving assets such as Greinke, Goldschmidt, Lamb, and Ray? Or, should the GM team look to re-tool the team and take another shot at the NL West? Free up salary? Attempt to acquire prospects? Go ahead and vote in the poll, and leave your thoughts in the comment section. I’ll be checking in to see what the consensus was on the fourth. Then, I’ll do my best to execute the plan.
Poll
What strategy should the GM Team employ in the upcoming GM simulation?
This poll is closed
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14%
All-in, re-tool and go for broke!
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16%
Sell high on success to jump-start a rebuild.
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20%
Cut salary anywhere possible while still fielding a competitive team.
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1%
Cut salary anywhere possible and worry about the competitiveness afterward.
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30%
Stay the course, bringing back as much of the 2017 team as possible.
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17%
I don’t care as long as we be back J.D. Martinez!