It's been over a month since the first analysis on this #OffseasonTargets series. As mentioned in early October, I consider that the current roster should prioritise, in order, a RHB 3B (already addressed), a starting pitcher (I hope they get two), and a closer. I would also add a backup catcher, since it is obvious to me that Gus Ramírez cannot handle the job.

Some might wonder: the rotation isn't particularly dire. Option recently picked Sandy, and Eury finished the season strong. Max Meyer should be ready by opening day. That's a pretty solid half rotation. The back end isn't so bad either: Tyler Phillips, Janson Junk, and even Ryan Gusto had solid performances in 2026. Snelling should come back by June. Then, why does the Fish need to get a Quantrill-Paddack type of arm once again?

Well, for starters (LOL), if any of the top three gets injured (God forbid), then there is trouble. None of the Phillips-Junk-Gusto trio average 5 IP per start -though Junk was very close-, which is pretty weak. The youngest of them is Gusto and will start next season at 28 years old, so one should not expect massive improvements. And you keep wondering if Phillips should be used in the bullpen, given his outstanding results there (3.90 ERA as a starter, 1.96 as a reliever). Regardless of the top 3's health status, a regression from any of the "bottom three" starters is already a big concern.

The names I'm about to propose will show how ambitious the FO pretends to be next season. If they decide to strengthen the "top 3" (Sandy-Eury-Max) it will be a clear message that they are ready to compete next season; if reinforcements are to the "bottom 3" (Phillips-Junk-Gusto), then the team is focused on more of the same as this past season.

Following the same recipe as the last entry, let's check some trade candidates via arbitration salaries combined with a couple of free agents who won't demand a large contract; that is, none of the top 50 Free Agents this season.

1. Dean Kremer - The Minnesota Twins are the team to trade for SP this offseason. Several reasons suggest Kremer is the odd man out (age, salary, one year of control), even though his 10-start showing with his new team was encouraging. For the Marlins, Kremer represents an option for the bottom three, but he's solid enough to guarantee you 120 innings of 4-4.50 ball.

2. Reid Detmers - This one won't be cheap, but if acquired and the top 3 is healthy, the starting rotation will immediately be a top 5 in the League. Detmers pitched tremendously this year, reaching 211 K's in 185 IP. The package to be sent to Anaheim for 3 years of the lefty should include one of the White, Arquette, or Snelling.

3. Ryan Pepiot - This one is a bit counter-intuitive because the team needs dependable starters, and Pepiot did not pitch last season. However, Ryan started 26 and 31 games in the previous two seasons and projects as a legitimate #3 in any rotation. Bendix loves to trade with Tampa, and there might be room for yet another trade since the AL champs have seven starters on their depth chart, even after losing Martínez and Peralta to free agency.

4. Erick Fedde - Fedde is, simply put, another Quantrill/Paddack profile. The slight advantage Fedde has is that he's has pitched at least 141 innings over the last two seasons. That alone should demand at least $8-10M a year, and I'm not sure Sherman is ready to do that.

5. Patrick Sandoval - Another "bottom 3" option. Sandoval is coming from a down year (5.08 ERA in 79.2 IP for BOS last season), but he has much better numbers under the hood (3.77 FIP, SO/9 around 9). I don't think he'll receive a lot of attention this offseason, should he benefit from a buffer contract to re-establish himself as a reliable starter, but at the very least he offers a LH long-reliever option.