The balance/competition factor

There is a balance/competition factor in everything the Jockety/LaRussa/Duncan braintrust do...  

...Let's not forget that factor before lamenting who we HAVEN'T acquired yet.  We have solid #1 and #2 starters (Carpenter/Mulder), two experienced 3-5 rotation guys (Suppan/Marquis), young talent who could force their way into the rotation in spring training (Reyes/Wainwright) and so far one small cost gamble (Ponson) who doesn't have to make the rotation for us to be successful.  Remember, Carpenter was a huge risk at one time and to a lesser extent so were Suppan and Marquis.  You want to cause some competition, take some chances, and be flexible enough to go with whatever shakes out to work the best.  At least until May we will not have to face a dominating 1-2-3 in the N.L. (Wood hurting in Chicago and Clemens out of Houston until at least May).  By the time we get to July we will know what we have and what we will need to compete in the N.L. and then see what the A.L. has for way down the road.  At least we are in a position to be flexible.  We may even take another chance on a Rueter or Walt may still fall into a great trade situation and pull out a pitcher who will be a FA next year (Garland?).  Regardless, he has shored up the 'pen with many options and competition and is building the rotation up the same way.

The same goes for the line-up.  If Eckstein/Pujols/Rolen/Edmonds/Molina can play at the upper end of their levels we can take some chances for a while with So/Bigbie/Rodriquez/Luna/Miles/Cruz/Daubach/Gall until June or July. A couple of people always step-up and surprise us.  And some of the recent non-tenures from other teams could get minor league deals and challenge in spring training.  The only team that starts to scare me right now is the Mets in the N.L.  If we did nothing else we will at least be competitive and be in position to make the mid-summer trade to make the late season run again.  However, I fully expect Walt will add another quality OF and look at top three pitchers thru trade.  He just won't be stupid about it.  There are other GM's who will make mistakes and/or have an overload at positions and that is what Walt will wait for.