2018-2019 MLB Hot Stove Discussion

[MRP]

Well it looks like the offseason action is underway in earnest. Big trade sand big free agent signings already.

Mariners seem to be dismantling their team to rebuild, shipping Segura to the Phils in a multi-player trade and Cano to the Mets, a week or so after sending Paxton to the Yanks.

Diamondbacks too, to a lesser extent, trading Goldschmidt to the Cardinals after losing Corbin in free agency (and likely Pollack too). Maybe they trade Grienke too?

Yanks look like they will have to beef up their rotation through trades, they are 0-2 on signing big name pitchers as Corbin signed with the Nats and Eovaldi resigned with the Sox today. Who in their right mind would want to sign with the Yanks and have t throw to Gary Snachez-he can't handle low breaking pitches or frame anything, makes strikes look like balls, leads the world in passed balls and can't call a game to save his life. He is the albatross around the Yankees' pitching staff neck and no pitcher wants to go someplace where the catcher will make them worse and hurt their career. And they can't move him to DH because htey have too many corner outfielder types to field each game, more if they sign Harper.

Winter Meetings are almost upon us, and maybe we will get answers to where Machado and Harper land. Plus who will sign Kimbrel and start the domino effect on all the relief arms in free agency?

Also looks like the commissioners plan to limit shifts in the game is getting some support, so I wonder what will come of that?

Looks like an interesting offseason shaping up, and some of the big moves have already started.

-M

[Joker]

Dipoto refuses to call it a full on rebuild, but... it seems that ultimately what he's doing is unloading the big contracts to free up money for the 2021 season when he sees the Mariners as a contender again. If the prospects pan out, that is. But if there's a solid youthful, athletic core, he'll have the money to go and buy free agents to help push the team over the top.

I'm going to miss a lot of those players, though. Hopefully this plan works out. It's going to most likely put us at a 20 year playoff drought, at best.

[MRP]

Andrew McCutchen signs a 3 year $50 million deal with the Fightin' Phils. He's an upgrade and a clubhouse leader, but they might have overpaid for the player he is now.

-M

[Joker]

Pretty quiet Winter Meetings so far.

Spoke too soon... Dipoto makin' moves from his hospital bed.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Andrew McCutchen signs a 3 year $50 million deal with the Fightin' Phils. He's an upgrade and a clubhouse leader, but they might have overpaid for the player he is now.

-M

Agreed. My first thought is this was Carlos Santana 2.0, but at least Cutch won't mean having 1B Rhys Hoskins playing out of position like he had done last season. However, this will mean someone from the outfield might have to go, either Odubel Herrera who may have fallen out of favor with the front office because of his gaffes at the plate and in the field, or Nick Williams or Aaron Altherr.

[MRP]

Former Sox bullpen arm Joe Kelly signs with the WS losers, the LA Dodgers for 3 years $25 million. Kelly was someone I was hoping would come back to shore up the bullpen, but he is a Southern Cal native, so I can see the appeal of going to LA for him. He likely will be the top set up man for the Dodgers to bridge to Jannsen.

Mariners get Encarcion from the Indians in a 3 team trade involving the Rays, the Indians get Santana from the M's, who had just acquired him in a trade last week. Dipoto was hospitalized while in Vegas for the winter meetings, but Mariners were still one of the more active teams at the meetings.

Mets re-sign Familia, so the first closer piece is off the board. Kelly signed soon after, so the domino effect on relief arms may start, but Kimbrel is likely the logjam that has to go first to open the floodgates.

Pujols days may be numbered as Angels sign 1B Justin Bour and Ohtani is slated to be the full time DH, so his AB will be much less next season, as he is likely the right-handed part of a platoon at 1B for the Halos.

Winter Meetings are now done and no word on either Machado or Harper signings yet. I wonder if we will see any big moves for those 2 or any other big name left out there before Christmas.

[Joker]

Mariners get Encarcion from the Indians in a 3 team trade involving the Rays, the Indians get Santana from the M's, who had just acquired him in a trade last week. Dipoto was hospitalized while in Vegas for the winter meetings, but Mariners were still one of the more active teams at the meetings.

Don't really expect him to ever see a Mariners uniform.