[Amazin69]

Sure, they can let Jake walk. IF they trade Max, IF they keep their hands off Veteran Verlander.

But I'm not exactly seeing a commitment to youth and/or sensible budgeting. So if they were going to throw money at old warhorses, I'd rather it was Jake, who is a) ours and b) 5 years younger than his replacements.

The "Jake wants 5 years, but Max only has 2 years left and Verlander might take 3 years (although he says he wants 5)" argument is stupid. Do we think that Uncle Stevie will work through those contracts and then commit to youth in 2025 or whenever? On what basis?

More likely, the big-name big-ticket oldsters will be replaced by OTHER b-n b-ts, when the time comes. I've already mentioned Chris Sale, why not Cole? Why not Darvish?

So Eppler isn't opting for cheaper or younger…just different. Pooh. I'd rather keep Jake.

ETA: Which local hack hatched that hackery, precisely? Just wondering.