After talks with our first target Tommy Bridges broke down over price (he eventually signs with the Tigers for 4/$90k), we switch our focus to a cheaper option and eventually sign Whit Wyatt to a 3+1/$49k deal.
He is the ideal SP4 who has to this point been used more in a relief / swing role. I've set Dave Brown onto him and hopefully he provides the solidity we need at that end of the rotation.
I have a bit of a sniff around the trade market but after last season want to keep both tickets and see how things pan out.
And, later, I learn a valuable lesson that might not be of any consequence at this very moment but is something to store away for the future.
The nature of this league in this era is that there are very few true "prospects" to consider. Usually, the good guys are on your Active Roster and the rest are AAA fodder. This allows me to run a really tight 40-man, with barely more than the 24 active players ever on there.
Of course, this means your AAA guys eventually become exposed at R5 time.
Now there is absolutely no need for me to operate like this other than it's how I like to, but I realise I'm going to need to be more careful and protective of our players moving forward as the economic factors tighten.
Case in point, I leave a pitcher by the name of Jack Wilson unprotected and the Indians take him. Jack is a borderline MLB type who would be in line for a call-up should injuries and / or form decree. Now, unless he is returned, we don't have him and will need to find reinforcement elsewhere - perhaps even use up a precious trade ticket.
So I need to improve in this regard moving forward.
Lesson learned.