I can't help but see the Mariners from a fantasy league perspective, though the other teams in MLB don't have equal budgets. Still, we've got Felix as our ace and Cano as the best 2B in the game, both for a long time to come. They match up well, head to head, with their counterparts at their positions. Beyond those two, the rest is roster filler. Maybe Spec is right about roster development strategy and you are right about risk aversion with FA pitchers. But teams need to take risks to win, especially when you risk losing (again, still) by standing pat. Yes, you can choose your risks, somewhat, but the crop of FAs changes each year, and obtaining players in trade requires a willing partner or two. In real life, it is generally a keeper league without very much roster turnover from fall to spring. You must choose wisely among the available players, but you must choose or lose.