In order for this team to ever win, it needs to develop players. The current regime has shown almost zero ability to do so, so I'm not overly confident. That said, IMO the path for this year needs to be to play they're young(ish) guys. If guys like Wallner, Lewis, Lee, etc., don't figure it out there's no way they win this year or next. Time to find out if we need to move on or not. Assuming health (a big if), guys like Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, Wallner, Jeffers should be in the lineup nearly every day.
In terms of Tom's comments about them being competitive this year it entirely depends on those guys taking a step forward. Any financial freedom they might have should be spent on the bullpen.
Bottom line...a year from now we have to know if Lewis, Lee, Wallner, Larnach (if he's not traded), etc. have a future or not. This year can also be used to sort out the pitching depth - who stays as a starter, who goes to the bullpen.