2018/2019 Off-Season Thread

jack presley · 04-12-2018 11:15pm

circular flexing wrote: »

Sounds like the Mets went after Diaz hard from what Brodie Van Wagenen said at the press conference.

I heard that and that he wanted to stop the Phillies getting him. Is that a reason to sign a player and give up some top prospects though? Seems a bit weird to be worrying about who other team are signing. Focus on your own roster and who's good for your team.

jack presley · 05-12-2018 10:21pm

Great conversation with former Marlins president David Sansom on the local hour of Dan LeBatard's radio show today. He comes on the show quite often but has been on 'gardening leave' from the Marlins since Jeter's crew took over so legally he couldn't say anything about his time working there. But his contract ended recently so he came on and spilt the beans in a humorous way (nothing too incriminating) about some of the decisions made when he worked for the team. It's well worth a listen if you have 40 minutes or so to spare.

boccy23 · 06-12-2018 11:10am

Dbacks trade Paul Goldschmidt to the Cards for Luke Weaver, Carson Kelly (Major League ready Catcher) infielder Andy Young and a pick.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25462239/mlb-st-louis-cardinals-land-superstar-slugger-needed-trade-paul-goldschmidt

As a Dbacks fan, I am sad that Goldie is leaving. Can see the business sense and from reading reviews, it is fair on both sides. Up to the Cards now to extend him. Making $14M in 2019 which is peanuts for his production.

rebelyell99 · 11-12-2018 12:42am

So the Bryce Harper saga is ongoing , Yankees gm came out today and said theres no room for him in the outfield and that there happy at 1st base.Personally I feel he will head to the Dodgers and maybe puig will head the other way .Its gonna be intresting to see how it pans out.

Igotadose · 11-12-2018 9:45am

Interesting rumors (hey, it's the winter meetings) about a 3 way Marlins/Yankees/Mets trade involving Realmuto and Syndegaard

Mets get Realmuto (and others, maybe Sonny Gray?)
Yankees get Syndegaard, Lagares and Todd Frazier
MIA gets some rookies from NYY - sanchez and byrd (I think they're on the NYY)

I dunno, there's some high end pitching out there, not sure why the Yankees do this deal, frankly. Realmuto's a prize, seems like MIA could get more.

jack presley · 11-12-2018 8:42pm

Andrew McCutchen to the Phillies.

ShyMets · 11-12-2018 8:58pm

jack presley wrote: »

Andrew McCutchen to the Phillies.

Reporting 3 year deal at 50 million. McCutchen did well. NL East is shaping up to be very interesting

jack presley · 11-12-2018 9:03pm

Troy Tulowitski has been released by Toronto too. Any takers do you reckon? Won't cost any players in a trade.

jack presley · 11-12-2018 9:04pm

Twitter's great during the winter meetings. I have the tab open while watching the football and it's great seeing the news and rumours (mostly unfounded ones) coming through. Very entertaining!

circular flexing · 11-12-2018 9:22pm

jack presley wrote: »

Troy Tulowitski has been released by Toronto too. Any takers do you reckon? Won't cost any players in a trade.

Unlikely. Part of the reason the Blue Jays released him is he didn't want to play anywhere other than shortstop. I doubt he can still be a good shortstop at 34 years of age after a couple of years out with injury.

jack presley · 11-12-2018 9:27pm

ShyMets wrote: »

Reporting 3 year deal at 50 million. McCutchen did well. NL East is shaping up to be very interesting

Does that rule them out of the Bryce Harper sweepstakes do you reckon? They were the favourites all off-season

ShyMets · 12-12-2018 8:25am

jack presley wrote: »

ShyMets wrote: »

Reporting 3 year deal at 50 million. McCutchen did well. NL East is shaping up to be very interesting

Does that rule them out of the Bryce Harper sweepstakes do you reckon? They were the favourites all off-season

By all accounts they are still very much in on Harper. Personally think he'll sign with the Dodgers

jack presley · 12-12-2018 5:11pm

AJ Haap resigning with the Yankees which probably rules out their interest in Syndergaard and nicks the 3 way trade for Realmuto.

jack presley · 12-12-2018 7:13pm

jack presley wrote: »

Twitter's great during the winter meetings. I have the tab open while watching the football and it's great seeing the news and rumours (mostly unfounded ones) coming through. Very entertaining!

Although the amount of posts that contain the following about teams is laughable;

"are showing interest in"
"are seriously talking about"
"have discussed"

I'd imagine most teams are discussing and assessing EVERY player that's out there.

ShyMets · 13-12-2018 10:58am

Back to the future for the Mets. They resigned Jeurys Familia. Reported to be 30 million for 3 years. I'd imagine he'll slot into the set up role

circular flexing · 13-12-2018 8:06pm

Mariners acquired Encarnacion from Indians in exchange for Carlos Santana, indications are that Mariners plan to send Encarnacion to the Rays.

jack presley · 16-12-2018 10:42pm

Wilson Ramos to the Mets. Obviously not in the same league as Realmuto but at least this way they don’t have to give up Rosario and Nimmo.

jack presley · 16-12-2018 10:44pm

Braves have said they’re out on Realmuto too. I wonder have the Marlins overplayed their hand with their demands for a trade.

Someone still might bite I suppose but I wonder will they get what they’re looking for.

ShyMets · 17-12-2018 8:35am

jack presley wrote: »

Wilson Ramos to the Mets. Obviously not in the same league as Realmuto but at least this way they don’t have to give up Rosario and Nimmo.

Offensively he's an upgrade. Defensively he's better then what we have but not majorly. At 19 million for two years think we've overpaid

jack presley · 17-12-2018 10:12am

ShyMets wrote: »

Offensively he's an upgrade. Defensively he's better then what we have but not majorly. At 19 million for two years think we've overpaid

He was projected to get 2/$24 and most of the comments from the Mets beat reporters on Twitter seem to think he’s a bargain at that price (as long as he stays healthy)

Igotadose · 17-12-2018 10:13am

ShyMets wrote: »

Offensively he's an upgrade. Defensively he's better then what we have but not majorly. At 19 million for two years think we've overpaid

There's not a lot of good catching out there. The Mets spending money is welcome, it's unusual. And if we've seen the last of TdA, oh well. Maybe he's a trade piece now.

I don't think any team bar a few can claim great catching, though. Hardest position in baseball and why great ones like Piazza and Bench are so rare.

ShyMets · 17-12-2018 1:41pm

jack presley wrote: »

He was projected to get 2/$24 and most of the comments from the Mets beat reporters on Twitter seem to think he’s a bargain at that price (as long as he stays healthy)

Apologies, you're right. For some reason I had it in my head he was projected to receive 9 million over two years.

Looking at the breakdown of the figures the Mets have got a bit of a bargain

ShyMets · 18-12-2018 3:56pm

Mets sign Rajai Davis to a Minor League deal. Actually thought he had retired. Will almost certainly play in the outfield at some point. His figures for the last few years are decent enough. Looks like he could still do a job if needed

jack presley · 19-12-2018 10:44am

Matt Harvey to the Angles on a 1 year deal.

ShyMets · 19-12-2018 11:34am

jack presley wrote: »

Matt Harvey to the Angles on a 1 year deal.

Incredible to think that just a couple of years ago people were talking about Harvey getting a multi year 200 million plus free agency deal.

circular flexing · 19-12-2018 9:14pm

Safeco Field has been officially renamed T-Mobile Park.

jack presley · 22-12-2018 12:33am

Big trade for the Reds and Dodgers. Puig, Kemp and Alex Wood off to Cincinnati for Homer Bailey and a couple of prospects.

ShyMets · 22-12-2018 8:22am

jack presley wrote: »

Big trade for the Reds and Dodgers. Puig, Kemp and Alex Wood off to Cincinnati for Homer Bailey and a couple of prospects.

Nice return for the Reds. The Dodgers shed some payroll and create space in the Outfield.

Looks like their going for Harper

22-12-2018 1:40pm

Sorry to see Puig leave. Loved that guy, but it was always on the cards.
Delighted Kemp got one last season with the Dodgers too.
Was a fan of Wood as well. Hope it works out well for him

circular flexing · 27-12-2018 6:20pm

Twins picked up Nelson Cruz - 1 year/ $14 million with a $12 million club option for 2020.

circular flexing · 02-01-2019 11:23am

Seems like Tulo is off to the Yankees, which makes sense. They are still in for Machado as well but Gregorius is only out for a few months so maybe Tulo is a stopgap.

Wonder if he will get a video tribute when he returns to Rogers Centre.

ShyMets · 04-01-2019 9:44am

David Robertson to the Phillies. Two years at 21 million.

Good signing IMO. He's been Mr Consistent for most of his career

krustydoyle · 06-01-2019 3:01am

Yankees sign Reliever Zach Britton to a 3yr deal..

Slightly annoyed they couldn't keep Robertson as well to be honest

spud06 · 06-01-2019 3:39pm

https://www.lonestarball.com/2019/1/5/18169922/mlb-rumors-texas-rangers-free-agent-adam-ottavino-zach-britton

Would have loved if the rangers got Zach Britton but alas the yankees get him again. Good signing

jack presley · 09-01-2019 7:43pm

When there's no news to report

https://www.mlb.com/cut4/where-did-all-the-bobs-in-baseball-go/c-301633434

jack presley · 10-01-2019 4:42pm

Brian Dozier to the Nat's. 1 year, $9m. Nice pick up for them.

ShyMets · 11-01-2019 12:05pm

Mets Sign Jed Lowrie to Two-Year Deal. Looks to be 20 million over the two years.

A little pricey, maybe? Anyway, let the battle for second base commence

krustydoyle · 11-01-2019 6:59pm

Yankees sign 2B DJ LeMahieu on a 2 yr deal for 24 million

circular flexing · 14-01-2019 7:22am

This is interesting - Oakland A's signed Kyler Murray in the draft last year on the understanding that he would play one more season of college football and then join the A's minor league system. Well Murray only went and won the Heisman trophy and is now threatening to declare for the NFL draft and ditch baseball completely, leaving Oakland without their top pick from the draft last year. Apparently representatives from A's and also MLB have been meeting him today to try and stop him from changing his mind - he has until tomorrow to declare for NFL draft.

jack presley · 14-01-2019 8:01am

circular flexing wrote: »

This is interesting - Oakland A's signed Kyler Murray in the draft last year on the understanding that he would play one more season of college football and then join the A's minor league system. Well Murray only went and won the Heisman trophy and is now threatening to declare for the NFL draft and ditch baseball completely, leaving Oakland without their top pick from the draft last year. Apparently representatives from A's and also MLB have been meeting him today to try and stop him from changing his mind - he has until tomorrow to declare for NFL draft.

He’s looking for $15m to stay now. Oakland would have to give him a major league contract to do so which would mean putting him on the 40 man and therefore using his first year of options before he’s even faced a pitch. They really must think he’s a sure thing if they do it.

circular flexing · 14-01-2019 6:52pm

jack presley wrote: »

He’s looking for $15m to stay now. Oakland would have to give him a major league contract to do so which would mean putting him on the 40 man and therefore using his first year of options before he’s even faced a pitch. They really must think he’s a sure thing if they do it.

I think the extra money was later shown to be an inaccurate report - latest reports are that it's more to do with making sure he doesn't spend three years knocking around the minors.

It is interesting to think of the differences between drafting in MLB and all other major sports. In NBA/NHL/NFL, it's very easy (if you are good) to start playing at the top level straight away, whereas MLB is the only one that has this concept of having to do time in the minors.

jack presley · 14-01-2019 7:05pm

circular flexing wrote: »

I think the extra money was later shown to be an inaccurate report - latest reports are that it's more to do with making sure he doesn't spend three years knocking around the minors.

It is interesting to think of the differences between drafting in MLB and all other major sports. In NBA/NHL/NFL, it's very easy (if you are good) to start playing at the top level straight away, whereas MLB is the only one that has this concept of having to do time in the minors.

I'd be more concerned about the stipulation that he doesn't spend 3 years in the minors than the money. If he's good enough, he'll earn his call up whereas with this, they might be forced to bring him up even if he isn't ready.

Baseball prospects are harder to predict too (Trout, Harper etc. excluded). There are more 'misses' on high draft picks in baseball than there is in the NFL.

circular flexing · 14-01-2019 10:11pm

He declared for the NFL draft anyway and has let the A's know he wants to play football.

Will be interesting to see how this one pans out

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1084909319576043520

jack presley · 15-01-2019 10:56am

Losing Murray to the NFL will be disappointing for MLB I suppose.

But as they wanted to restrict the money draftees can get and persist in paying minor leaguers pittance, you can understand why.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 17-01-2019 11:57am

jack presley wrote: »

Losing Murray to the NFL will be disappointing for MLB I suppose.

But as they wanted to restrict the money draftees can get and persist in paying minor leaguers pittance, you can understand why.

Money talks ...

circular flexing · 17-01-2019 8:10pm

Just in case you were wondering how valuable and good Mike Trout is

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2018&month=0&season1=2012&ind=0&team=&rost=&age=&filter=&players=

circular flexing · 20-01-2019 12:22am

About 3 weeks until pitchers and catchers report and still Machado and Harper remain unsigned.

White Sox offered Machado a 7 year $175 million deal, his agent but out a statement basically calling the reports a lie (which probably means they are true). Nothing on Harper though.

jack presley · 20-01-2019 2:29am

circular flexing wrote: »

About 3 weeks until pitchers and catchers report and still Machado and Harper remain unsigned.

White Sox offered Machado a 7 year $175 million deal, his agent but out a statement basically calling the reports a lie (which probably means they are true). Nothing on Harper though.

Harper’s a Boras client so I wouldn’t expect any news until he actually signs. And he’ll still find a way to get him a huge contract.

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman · 21-01-2019 10:46am

jack presley wrote: »

Harper’s a Boras client so I wouldn’t expect any news until he actually signs. And he’ll still find a way to get him a huge contract.

He deserves a big contract, the $300m mark might not be i but he will ge a huge contract and he will probably end up justifying most of it.

I feel like he might end up back in Washington at the moment on about 10 years and 25 a year.

circular flexing · 21-01-2019 5:40pm

The Reservoir Dubs Anchorman wrote: »

He deserves a big contract, the $300m mark might not be i but he will ge a huge contract and he will probably end up justifying most of it.

I feel like he might end up back in Washington at the moment on about 10 years and 25 a year.

The Nationals previously offered him 300m and 10 years though? I think given his age and profile he is probably worth more than 25m a year. Closest comparison I think is the Stanton contract which was avg 25m a year but was also signed 4 years ago and baseball owners now have more money.

Honestly this feels like the owners are not giving out contracts to FA like they used to and to which the players feel entitled.

2018/2019 Off-Season Thread

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