Blue Jays Pivot After Sasaki Signing, Cardinals Still Shopping Arenado, Cubs Eyeing Deadline Deals 

The Blue Jays offseason: A case study in near misses? They swung and missed on Roki Sasaki, now they seem to be pivoting to Anthony Santander and potentially even eyeing Pete Alonso. Is this a sign of desperation or shrewd maneuvering? Are they settling for second-tier options, or are these players undervalued assets? How much does missing out on Sasaki impact their overall strategy? Does this put more pressure on their existing pitching rotation, and should they prioritize adding another arm over a bat?

The Cardinals appear determined to move Nolan Arenado, but his veto power poses a significant hurdle. If Arenado continues to block trades, how long before the Cardinals are forced to lower their asking price? Could a desperate contender swoop in with a last-minute offer, or are the Cardinals playing a dangerous game of chicken? What are the long-term implications for the Cardinals if they are unable to find a suitable trade partner?

The Cubs owner talks about the potential to add payroll at the trade deadline, but shouldn't the focus be on maximizing the current window of opportunity? Is this a sign of hesitancy to commit financially, or a calculated strategy to assess the team's performance before making further investments? What moves should the Cubs prioritize now to ensure they're in a competitive position come July? Does this signal a lack of confidence in their current roster construction?