Even if they fire him, no GM will be able to succeed if the guy doing the hiring/firing won't go over the Competitive Balance Tax. By my calcs, we are at $148 million in competitve balance salary next year with the tax kicking in at $189 million, and $140 million in actual salary. This isn't taking into total account first year arbs Trumbo, Frieri, and Bourjos. And I don't think a $50,000 raise to Trout would go over well either. On top of that, we still need 2 starting pitchers, and 1-2 relievers, and a thirdbaseman wouldn't hurt.