I think you just have to shore up the pitching depth with a couple of Strahm/Turnbull/Ross type signings (never mind that Ross never started, or was good), and otherwise presume Wheeler will be back (if not by Aprl, June) and Painter is your #5, sink or swim. If it doesn't work out, trade deadline moves.
Now, if the Phillies are willing to spend at a level even higher than they ever have before, by all means, re-sign Ranger, and sure, keep Bader and eat most of Nick's deal too.
I think there will be a market for Nick at $10 million. He is not necessarily cooked, and if aging is a factor in his flagging offense moving to DH should help. He still won't get the ABs that he used to certainly. Maybe he goes to the Marlins, or a non-contender that hopes to flip him.
In response to Julio, yes of course they QO both Schwarbs and Ranger and no one else. There is no chance they accept (though it would be awesome if they do) and it gives the Phillies a slight edge in the FA market. The only sad thing is that in the current CBA the high-spending Phillies don't even get much if they lose them. But better than nothing.
It's wild that Schwarber never got a QO but he of course he was non-tendered one year and the traded the next (making him ineligible during that one).
