Which it had every other year. If Stras repeats 2018, he doesn't opt out.

His injuries have been minor since TJ.  He's averaged 28 starts a year since TJ.

If Rendon comes back, you have Kieboom and 2nd, Zimm and 1st, and Howie as the third option.  Kieboom could also play short or third.  So maybe you sign one more IF option, Dozier perhaps, or go with Difo.

Without Rendon, Kieboom starts at third, Howie at 2nd, Zimm and 1st, and you need two more bench players. 

As much as love Howie and Zimm, an infield of Kieboom, Turner, Howie, and Zimm isn't all that awe-inspiring.

I don't see Zim being a regular at 1B over Howie.  I'd expect them to split, and I'd expect Howie to play the most unless Zim all the sudden starts being a better hitter than Howie.  It really hasn't been close in recent years though.  I also don't see Howie playing much 2B at this point.  It's taxing on his body and he's not very good there anymore.  If Rendon returns, I think Kieboom is the 2B.  If Rendon doesn't return, we likely sign a full-time 3B or 2B and play Kieboom at the other spot. 

Because Howie ideally plays 2/3 of the time at 1B.  Giving Zim 5 or 6 mill to play the rest of the time is a lot.  That's likely what happens, but it's more a reward to him as a Cornerstone. 

If Rendon comes back, you have Kieboom and 2nd, Zimm and 1st, and Howie as the third option.  Kieboom could also play short or third.  So maybe you sign one more IF option, Dozier perhaps, or go with Difo.

Without Rendon, Kieboom starts at third, Howie at 2nd, Zimm and 1st, and you need two more bench players. 

As much as I love Howie and Zimm, an infield of Kieboom, Turner, Howie, and Zimm isn't all that awe-inspiring.

Hmm. I always expected Stras to opt out. I mean, if he had spent the last three years recovering from a 2nd TJ, no, but otherwise...

Yea, unless Stras had a signigicant injury this year and/or just had severely diminished results, he was going to opt out and at least look to add years to his deal if not AAV. 

Not sure why you think Zimm doesn't fit? His foot injuries are behind him. He can still hit the ball hard. I mean, his arm is crap, but he's still got a great glove.

About 400 PA's at or near the level he's been hitting is well worth it, not to mention his value in the clubhouse that isn't in the stat sheets.  I love Zim, but he's really the guy here who doesn't quite fit.  I think he'll back to split 1B with Howie, but a lot of that is just sentimental.  I'd like to have Howie playing 4 days a week at 1B and maybe a super-utility guy playing the other days at 1B in addition to filling in some other spots.  I don't care for an Adams type.