The other big consideration is whether the Ms need pitching more or that final veteran piece in the lineup to allow Haniger, Gamel, and Vogelbach to come up to speed more gently, and keep pressure off Zunino.
With the pitchers on the way (esp. Povse and Moore) signing somebody on a short-term "make-good" contract makes more sense to me than trying to compete in this market for a Quintana, unless the White Sox indicate that a package from the Ms led by O'Neill (still worried about his Ks) and Gohara (still a ways away) would be competitive. The same would go for Drew Smyly and the Rays.
I know the main-stream opinion is that Felix has declined and is not likely to ever be the King of yore. And while it is prudent to hedge for the possibility, I'm with Shannon Drayer, that people are underestimating Felix's pride and work ethic. Perhaps like Zunino and Walker he needed a jolt to get him to change some things, but I'm VERY optimistic he'll dominate in the WBC and come roaring into the season with something to prove.
Does this mean I think that getting a #2 starter is not a worthwhile effort?
I'm not in favor of trading Kyle Lewis because I believe he may be Griffey-level special. Paxton and Diaz and Haniger are keys to the current chances for contention. Just about anyone else of the Ms prospects I might feel bad about losing, but wouldn't worry about. Can the Ms get a top-flight guy with those limitations? In my mind, no. The Ms would be better off improving the lineup and then selling Tyson Ross on the chance to prove he's back while playing for a winner.
Thoughts of a dry brain in a snowy season.