Context of Watkins Trade

[MattM]

It occurred to me after a quick look at our roster that our combination of youth and contract status going into 2015 may have dictated our willingness to trade up for Watkins. Namely, we have very few starters aging out next year (Fred and Pears came to mind) and relatively few guys to resign next offseason (Spiller, Hughes and Spikes).

 

With the pick of CK and trading of Stevie, we've taken care of the Pears issue and helped ourselves financially to resign at least 2 of those 3 if we want to. Personally, I suspect Hughes walks (someone else will overpay), but we may resign Spiller and Spikes. We should have some ammunition to sign FAs, too, I suspect, depending on the new owner's appetite.

 

I think all of the above factored into the decision to roll the dice with Sammy and with that context the trade makes more sense .