The issue with Bader is still overall fit. It's all well and good to say you can bench or even fully platoon Nick but you still have to actually do it, and let's face it, that wouldn't go well, nor would it be a great use of a 4th or 5th OF spot even as a sunk cost. But you solve that problem by trading or releasing Nick before you bring Bader back, after the mutual option has expired.
JT is coming back, Ranger isn't it, IMO. The Wheeler injury really doesn't change things, you still have to probably trade either Walker or Luzardo to keep Ranger. They'll just need a few more Turnbull types behind Painter,or it might turn into a year where they have to acquire a starting pitcher at the deadline as they did in 2022 (and technically 2023 as well).
Bigger questions are really still Bohm and Marsh and the overall make-up of the outfield and offensive mix. A Crawford/Marsh/Bader OF with JT and Schwarber back is still pretty much the same-old same old. If they're going to replace Nick (or trade Bohm or Marsh) they are probably looking for thump, and ideally one or two years younger than Bader too. Of course only Tucker fits that description at the high end.
