Lineup A assumes that a Realmuto for Nimmo, Gimenez, and one out of Mauricio/Vientos deal goes through followed by a Pollock signing.
McNeil-lf Pollock-cf Cano-2b Frazier-3b Conforto-rf Realmuto-c Alonso-1b pitcher Rosario-ss
Lineup B (and B1) assumes that they pivot from Realmuto and sign Grandal, conclude that they cannot also sign Pollock because he is also a guy who rejected a QO, and turn to Jones or Gonzalez instead.
Nimmo-cf Jones-rf or Gonzalez-lf Cano-2b Frazier-3b Conforto-lf/rf Grandal-c Alonso-1b pitcher Rosario-ss
Offensively, it's basically the same thing to me with different people in the 1, 2, and 6 holes (although I still think that Realmuto is a degree or two better than Grandal, but whatever). Defensively, I think that you benefit more with Lineup A because you have the "true" centerfielder in Pollock (although I do not think that Nimmo would embarrass himself out there), and, once again, I believe that Realmuto here as well is a degree or two better. However, Lineup A carries the risk of placing McNeil in an unfamiliar spot. Going with Lineup B would mitigate that risk.
I think that one out of these three is the likely outcome, barring something unforeseen at this point.
|