MLB Hot Stove 2024/25

[MoeFOH]

59 minutes ago, JohnS said:

For Boston Red Sox fans, do you really want Nolan Arenado to come to your team?

Short answer: yes. 

Long answer: really depends on the deal. We definitely need to improve at 3rd because Devers' defensive numbers are consistently poor. That said, I don't think there are many fans comfortable in giving up Tristan Casas's bat for him - even though he hasn't hit any great heights as yet, many regard him as a 30+ homer guy. He's only 24, and I think we have plenty of club control with him.

But good trades are meant to make you a little uncomfortable, right? Both sides are looking for a win. 

I can't speak to Arenado's attitude, but I'd love to add his defensive capabilities alone, with any potential revival of his offence being a huge bonus. So maybe there's a world where that trade works well. But at 33 with declining numbers... 

As the article states, I definitely feel St Louis eating a large portion of what he's owed will be key. 

In any case, we need to do something, as the infield is not play-off calibre as is... and they don't appear willing to give Bregman a long-term, big dollar deal. 

 

[MoeFOH]

3 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

I mean, he is a 10 x gold glover and an all star. Maybe he will pan out better than the Sox did with the Panda🤣

Never mention the Panda!! 🤦‍♂️

[Ford2112]

1 minute ago, MoeFOH said:

Never mention the Panda!! 🤦‍♂️

Haha. To be fair he was buddies with Big Papi. 

[Ford2112]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/giants-to-sign-justin-verlander.html

😵‍💫😵‍💫

[MoeFOH]

19 minutes ago, Ford2112 said:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/giants-to-sign-justin-verlander.html

😵‍💫😵‍💫

Pitching from a wheelchair? 

[Ford2112]

1 hour ago, MoeFOH said:

Pitching from a wheelchair? 

Has to be a publicity stunt. My buddy just told me all I care about is seeing his wife in the stands. This isn't entirely true. Actually yes it is.

[JohnS]

5 minutes ago, Ford2112 said:

Has to be a publicity stunt. 

It's looking more likely to be real.

https://www.mlb.com/news/justin-verlander-giants-free-agent-contract

[KCCubano]

2 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/giants-to-sign-justin-verlander.html

😵‍💫😵‍💫

At least his grandkids can see him pitch

[Ford2112]

A 42 year old getting 15 mil for 1 year is bonkers.

[JohnS]

I think Charlie Morton got a similar deal this week for joining the Baltimore Orioles. He's 41. Yeah, starting pitching is expensive these days!

[BigGuns]

2 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/giants-to-sign-justin-verlander.html

😵‍💫😵‍💫

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣🤣🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂😂😂🤣😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂🤣😂

[KCCubano]

7 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

A 42 year old getting 15 mil for 1 year is bonkers.

That will be Gerritt Cole in 10 yrs but it will be 30 mil by then.

[MoeFOH]

Thinking of you @Ford2112  

(I shouldn't joke, he'll probably win the Cy Young) 

[Ford2112]

He's a feel good signing. I miss Timmy.

[JohnS]

The NY Mets have run out of patience with Pete Alonso and have begun to pivot elsewhere. It seems they called his bluff over contract negotiations. All the best Pete!

https://www.mlb.com/news/pete-alonso-rumors

[JohnS]

For me, the Hot Stove has been a little quiet since the Diamondbacks acquired Corbin Burnes at the end of December, but now that the Mets told Pete Alonso to "take it or leave it" this week, it seems that things are moving. The Mets said that they'll turn their attention to the bullpen and today they've acquired A.J Minter, while the Blue Jays increased their international bonus pool money allotment via a trade with the Guardians. So Roki Sasaki has until the 23rd to make a decision, and it seems that the Dodgers and Blue Jays are those two teams. The Padres have turned their attention elsewhere.

[KCCubano]

12 minutes ago, JohnS said:

For me, the Hot Stove has been a little quiet since the Diamondbacks acquired Corbin Burnes at the end of December, but now that the Mets told Pete Alonso to "take it or leave it" this week, it seems that things are moving. The Mets said that they'll turn their attention to the bullpen and today they've acquired A.J Minter, while the Blue Jays increased their international bonus pool money allotment via a trade with the Guardians. So Roki Sasaki has until the 23rd to make a decision, and it seems that the Dodgers and Blue Jays are those two teams. The Padres have turned their attention elsewhere.

Sasaki just signed with the LAD

[Ford2112]

https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/toronto-blue-jays-officially-miss-out-again-as-roki-sasaki-signs-with-los-angeles-dodgers

 

As if I couldn't dislike the Plodgers any more.

[JohnS]

Oh Man...you have to feel for the Toronto Blue Jays! 😔

[MoeFOH]

On 1/18/2025 at 10:52 AM, Ford2112 said:

As if I couldn't dislike the Plodgers any more.

Tanner Scott as well. How 'bout now? 

This is getting beyond a joke. 

[Ford2112]

Mlb is investigating the Sasaki signing. These deferred contracts are causing a rift between markets.

They are ruining the game, unless you are a paid charlatan like this publication... 

https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/dodgers-arent-ruining-baseball-after-signing-roki-sasaki-theyre-just-better-it-everyone-else-2017179

[JohnS]

Yeah, I noticed that article in regard to Sasaki's acquisition. I was just thinking this morning how Clayton Kershaw could be brought back without paying a luxury tax? Defer completely a 1-year deal? @MrBirdmanand I had a good discussion about this last month. There's a strong risk when a team has done what the Dodgers has done because in the future they will be potentially left paying millions and millions of dollars to aging former superstars.

[MoeFOH]

[Goldeneye]

Been a tough off season for Blue Jay fans and I think this year will only be getting worse as it feels like they won't be able to sign Guerrero Jr to a long term extension.  The way things are going I suspect he will be signing with the Dodgers after the 2025 season.

[JohnS]

14 hours ago, JohnS said:

Yeah, I noticed that article in regard to Sasaki's acquisition. I was just thinking this morning how Clayton Kershaw could be brought back without paying a luxury tax? Defer completely a 1-year deal? @MrBirdmanand I had a good discussion about this last month. There's a strong risk when a team has done what the Dodgers has done because in the future they will be potentially left paying millions and millions of dollars to aging former superstars.

To add further, if the current owners, the Guggenheim Baseball Management team, run into financial difficulty and are forced to sell, the new owners would potentially be left with a massive debt to retired players for a very long time. Which is what the Guggenheim Baseball Management team did in 2012 when they bought the LA Dodgers from Frank McCourt when he had to declare bankruptcy and sell the team in 2012. Serenity now, insanity later!