MLB 2015/2016 off season thread

jack presley

Could be a bidding war brewing to trade for Jose Fernandez. There's a mystery team, believed to be Houston also in the mix.

I love all this rumour and counter rumour stuff.

circular flexing

Edwin Encarnación would like a new contract thank you very much or he's going to go free agency next year.

jack presley

Ben Zobrist signs with the Cubs which allows them to trade Starling Castro to the Yankees. Zobrist was the main target the Mets seemed to have been after so I should be disappointed but 4 years and $56m for a 35 year old? That seems a bit much, even if he would have been a big upgrade for them. Let's hope they have a plan B although from what I've read, they don't.

Arizona making more moves by getting Shelby Miller from Atlanta. They really are going all in this year by the looks of things. The west could give the central a run for its money for the best division next season

krustydoyle

Can anyone tell me much about Castro??

smackbunnybaby

krustydoyle wrote: »

Can anyone tell me much about Castro??

Castro is a good athletic shortstop that played 2nd base as well last year.
Had a big dip in form and was struggling badly, but had re-surgence in the 2nd half and regained his position at 2nd.
Can bat above average and has pace.

What i would be worried about is his concentration and tendancy for some errors.
He'd get away with this stuff at a smaller club.
But a team like the Yankees is very media hungry. Hopefully his nerves dont get the better of him and the crowds dont get on his back if things dont start off well.

jack presley

Mets and Pirates just swapped Jon Niese and Neil Walker. Not a big trade by any standards with 2 'non stars' moving but at least the Mets are doing something.

I like Niese, a good 4-5 starter. And you can never have enough starting pitching so hopefully they won't miss his innings if/when someone goes down. And while he probably is a bit better than Murph, it's not really a huge upgrade at 2B

jack presley

Rule 5 draft is imminent. Here's a good article about players that could be worth stealing

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2015-rule-5-draft-preview-names-remember/

krustydoyle

The Dodgers will not be pursuing the Chapman trade now.. Apparently looking at other possibilities

krustydoyle

Orioles have pulled their 7 year 150 million offer to Chris Davis

krustydoyle

Nationals trade INF Yunel Escobar to the Angels

Igotadose

jack presley wrote: »

Mets and Pirates just swapped Jon Niese and Neil Walker. Not a big trade by any standards with 2 'non stars' moving but at least the Mets are doing something.

I like Niese, a good 4-5 starter. And you can never have enough starting pitching so hopefully they won't miss his innings if/when someone goes down. And while he probably is a bit better than Murph, it's not really a huge upgrade at 2B

This move and the Cabrera signing have really brightened my perspective for next year. Flores and Tejada are both hurt, Flores for the 2d time, and going into next year with just Herrera and who knows at SS (Reynolds?) was scarifying. Plus Wheeler comes back, strengthening the strength.

Interesting they really couldn't get anything last year for Niese, now, they got a serviceable infielder.

Plus they didn't land Zobrist. Probably too much money that can be used elsewhere like in signing Cespedes. I'd like to see him finish his career as a Met. Given the hateful thieving ownership pleading poverty all the darn time, however, I doubt it.

And their erstwhile competitors have all done some interesting things - Cubs, Braves, Washington, and even Arizona might be heard from, so the Mets can't stand still.

Need another arm in the bullpen; I've seen the name Josh Edgin on a few blogs, he really wasn't ever that great for them and I'm coming around to signing the likes of Clippard, I think he'll be better than Edgin at his best.

Offseason's finally not stressing me now; only 68 days till pitchers and catchers report!

krustydoyle

Cubs come out on top in the Jason Heyward stakes..

He's expected to sign for them today

Edit : Deal is worth 184 million over 8 years

jack presley

krustydoyle wrote: »

Cubs come out on top in the Jason Heyward stakes..

He's expected to sign for them today

Edit : Deal is worth 184 million over 8 years

Bloody hell, the Cubs are all in for 2016.

A good deal for Hayward. If he doesn't opt out he'll still only be 34-35 when this deal expires so providing he isn't declining, he could get himself another 4-5 year deal.

MoyVilla9

krustydoyle wrote: »

Cubs come out on top in the Jason Heyward stakes..

He's expected to sign for them today

Edit : Deal is worth 184 million over 8 years

Is Heyward that good? Genuine question, don't know him that well.

jack presley

MoyVilla9 wrote: »

Is Heyward that good? Genuine question, don't know him that well.

I don't know to be honest. His age I suppose is a goof thing that made the deal attractive. Most free agents are closer to 30 when looking for their big deal so the fact that he's only 26 so won't be in his late 30's with declining production in the last couple of years of the deal.

Igotadose

jack presley wrote: »

I don't know to be honest. His age I suppose is a goof thing that made the deal attractive. Most free agents are closer to 30 when looking for their big deal so the fact that he's only 26 so won't be in his late 30's with declining production in the last couple of years of the deal.

Best news of the postseason: Michael "The Cadaver" Cuddyer just announced his retirement! Mets are off the hook for his $12.5Million contract. Now can go out and re-sign Cespedes as they already had like $17-18Million left.

With the earlier moves of Cabrera and Walker, Wheeler returning and hopefully they re-sign my athletic model Bartolo Colon to be the 4th then 5th starter, they should be fine once they sign Cespedes.

Yay! Good riddance, Cuddyer

jack presley

Igotadose wrote: »

Yay! Good riddance, Cuddyer

I think that's a bit hard. While he play as well as we had hoped, he did improve once he moved to a platoon with Conforto and apparently he was a good mentor to the younger players. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have his salary available to spend elsewhere, but he was no Jason Bay so I don't think celebrating him having to retire because of an injury is called for. You should blame Alderson for signing him to such a lucrative contract in the first place considering his age.

Igotadose

jack presley wrote: »

I think that's a bit hard. While he play as well as we had hoped, he did improve once he moved to a platoon with Conforto and apparently he was a good mentor to the younger players. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have his salary available to spend elsewhere, but he was no Jason Bay so I don't think celebrating him having to retire because of an injury is called for. You should blame Alderson for signing him to such a lucrative contract in the first place considering his age.

He's gone. All good. He took the money and didn't perform despite assuring ownership he could. As I say, good riddance, he cost the Mets games with his awful defense and bad hitting in key situations. Oh, I'm not happy with ownership or the GM on this team at all, and his was a dreadful signing, but at some point, the guy gets the blame for not performing.

Is he saying he's retiring due to injury? Didn't see that but it's a convenient excuse. Yet another Mets free agent bust in a long history of them, Jason Bay's not the worst, in my view that's a tossup between George Foster and Bobby Bonilla, guess I'm leaning Bonilla because of what a plague he was in the clubhouse deliberately, where Foster was divisive due to a condescending, no work attitude.

MoyVilla9

Igotadose wrote: »

Best news of the postseason: Michael "The Cadaver" Cuddyer just announced his retirement! Mets are off the hook for his $12.5Million contract. Now can go out and re-sign Cespedes as they already had like $17-18Million left.

With the earlier moves of Cabrera and Walker, Wheeler returning and hopefully they re-sign my athletic model Bartolo Colon to be the 4th then 5th starter, they should be fine once they sign Cespedes.

Yay! Good riddance, Cuddyer

I doubt the Mets are off the hook for the $12.5 million. I presume there was a buyout of some kind. Wouldn't make sense for Cuddyer to just walk away from that kind of money.

circular flexing

Mariners have signed pitcher Steve Cishek to be the closer.

jack presley

No pardon for Pete Rose

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14365554/pete-rose-remains-banned-major-league-baseball-per-commissioner-rob-manfred-decision

In my opinion he doesn't help himself. I know he has to earn a living but still hanging out in casinos or admitting that he still 'casually' still bets on baseball was never going to go down well.

krustydoyle

Just read that.. What a pity but he's a fool for admitting to still gambling on the game..

What did he expect...

News: Giants are apparently back in for Cueto

jack presley

krustydoyle wrote: »

News: Giants are apparently back in for Cueto

Done deal (pending physical) according to ESPN. Major arms race (pun intended) going on in the NLW.

krustydoyle

The deal is 6 years and 130 million with an opt out after 2 years

Waitsian

His not being in the, in my humble opinion, 'so-called Hall of Fame' does not detract from the fact that he is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. They can't take that away from him.

A lot of great players aren't in it; a substantial number of mediocre players are there. His stats speak for themselves.

jack presley

mod9maple wrote: »

His not being in the, in my humble opinion, 'so-called Hall of Fame' does not detract from the fact that he is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. They can't take that away from him.

A lot of great players aren't in it; a substantial number of mediocre players are there. His stats speak for themselves.

Yeah, his stats do speak for themselves but this is about more than the HoF. I think he really wants to get back involved in baseball in some capacity. Obviously not as a manager at this stage in his life but in some role doing something. So this really is a blow to him I believe. I think he's making a statement or doing a press conference or something today so we'll hear what he has to say then I suppose.

krustydoyle

White Sox acquire 3B Todd Frazier from the Reds in a 3 team trade with the Dodgers

Dodgers get sox pitching prospect Francelis Montas

Reds are getting shortstop Jose Peraza, outfielder Scott Shebler and second baseman Brandon Dixon from the Dodgers

Igotadose

Reds basically gave Frazier away. Still probably will get rid of Chapman (ooh...Mets need a reliever) and Brandon Phillips. Even Votto's supposedly available but has a mega-contract.

Busy offseason indeed, Cubs and Giants I think are favorites to be in the NLCS, not sure who the ALCS picks are, Boston's in the mix for sure, can't count out Toronto, KC... not so sure.

MoyVilla9

jack presley wrote: »

Yeah, his stats do speak for themselves but this is about more than the HoF. I think he really wants to get back involved in baseball in some capacity. Obviously not as a manager at this stage in his life but in some role doing something. So this really is a blow to him I believe. I think he's making a statement or doing a press conference or something today so we'll hear what he has to say then I suppose.

He has dug this hole from himself, so I don't have a huge amount of sympathy, BUT I do think that he should be in the Hall of Fame. This also is not on Rob Manferd, it's a decision by the Hall to not allow permanently banned players into the Hall, which is something that I believe they should lift. The writers association may still decide not to, but they should have the opportunity.

krustydoyle

Mets are re signing Colon to a 1 year deal

jack presley

krustydoyle wrote: »

Mets are re signing Colon to a 1 year deal

Woo hoo! Always entertaining when Bart plays. Whether he doesn't even swing or hitting a double or not bothering his arse running out a ground ball, he's great to watch. Not bad on the mound either for a 42 year old.

Igotadose

jack presley wrote: »

Woo hoo! Always entertaining when Bart plays. Whether he doesn't even swing or hitting a double or not bothering his arse running out a ground ball, he's great to watch. Not bad on the mound either for a 42 year old.

Agree on all counts. Also, won 15 games 2 years ago and hasn't squawked when his role has changed. Much better signing than Blevins on paper; maybe Blevins will be effective again, he was but in a short stint.

jack presley

Igotadose wrote: »

Agree on all counts. Also, won 15 games 2 years ago and hasn't squawked when his role has changed. Much better signing than Blevins on paper; maybe Blevins will be effective again, he was but in a short stint.

Hopefully Blevins has learned how to walk on paths without falling off the curb and he won't refracture his arm again.

krustydoyle

There's now issues with Iwakuma's physical with the Dodgers

Edit: He's off back to the Mariners on a 1 year deal with vesting options for 2017,2018.

Uncle_moe

Leaves the Dodgers' rotation in a bit of a mess.

circular flexing

Uncle_moe wrote: »

Leaves the Dodgers' rotation in a bit of a mess.

And leaves the Mariners looking overloaded nearly

Hernandez
Iwakuma
Miley
Paxton
Walker
Karns

Admittedly Paxton is injury prone and Iwakuma definitely has injury worries so will be interesting to see how it pans out.

jack presley

circular flexing wrote: »

And leaves the Mariners looking overloaded nearly

Hernandez
Iwakuma
Miley
Paxton
Walker
Karns

Admittedly Paxton is injury prone and Iwakuma definitely has injury worries so will be interesting to see how it pans out.

As the old saying goes, you can never have enough pitching.

Igotadose

Hoping out hope for my '2d' team the Mariners - lived in Seattle for 10 years before moving eastward and eventually Dingle. Hernandez is working on a Hall of Fame career, Paxton & Walker are impressive. Last year they laid an egg but got rid of their GM finally. Year before they missed the playoffs by losing the last game, so they're not far away. Hopefully Mets/Mariners in the WS in 2016!

circular flexing

Always interesting to find out about the add-ons that they get. For Iwakuma:

He received a full no-trade provision, eight business class plane tickets annually between Japan and the U.S, an interpreter and a trainer with a $100,000 salary.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14396309/hisashi-iwakuma-speaks-signing-new-deal-seattle-mariners

jack presley

'All dirt' infield coming to the Rogers Centre next season.

http://mweb.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25420876/blue-jays-plan-for-all-dirt-infield-at-rogers-centre-starting-in-2016

Will be good I think. Always looked weird seeing all the grass.

jack presley

circular flexing wrote: »

Always interesting to find out about the add-ons that they get. For Iwakuma:



http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14396309/hisashi-iwakuma-speaks-signing-new-deal-seattle-mariners

Pretty cool that a guy earning $12m a year can get his bosses to pay $100k for a personal trainer on top of that. You think they would said, "we're paying you $12m, pay for your own bloody trainer".

8-10

jack presley wrote: »

'All dirt' infield coming to the Rogers Centre next season.

http://mweb.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25420876/blue-jays-plan-for-all-dirt-infield-at-rogers-centre-starting-in-2016

Will be good I think. Always looked weird seeing all the grass.

Think they had to wait for the Argonauts to move out. Couldnt have the CFL stands on the dirt

krustydoyle

For as long as I have loved the game, I'll never understand how the contracts ended up been so player friendly

krustydoyle

SP Mike Leake has agreed terms with the Cardinals

circular flexing

krustydoyle wrote: »

For as long as I have loved the game, I'll never understand how the contracts ended up been so player friendly

I honestly think it's the players getting their fair share of the money they help create for the owners.

krustydoyle

Daniel Murphy to the Nats, 3 year deal

Happy Christmas folks

8-10

krustydoyle wrote: »

Daniel Murphy to the Nats, 3 year deal

Happy Christmas folks

And Cespedes not playing for the Mets in 2016

jack presley

8-10 wrote: »

And Cespedes not playing for the Mets in 2016

No Cespedes but they do have Alejandro De Aza so it's not all too bad......!!!!!

Seriously though, who the hell is he? I must admit I'd never heard of him before this so hopefully he's only there for depth and isn't only outfielder they sign this offseason.

But getting back to Murph, I'm really going to miss him and am worried that he's now with a division rival. I know his play off run was a fluke and he'll probably never hit like that again but even before that he was a really consistent hitter who hit plenty of doubles and double digit home runs. I know his defence isn't great but I don't think it was a bad as some would have you believe. He's a great guy to have on your team as well so I'd be delighted with this signing if I was a Nats fan.

Happy Christmas everyone...!!!!

Igotadose

jack presley wrote: »

No Cespedes but they do have Alejandro De Aza so it's not all too bad......!!!!!

Seriously though, who the hell is he? I must admit I'd never heard of him before this so hopefully he's only there for depth and isn't only outfielder they sign this offseason.

But getting back to Murph, I'm really going to miss him and am worried that he's now with a division rival. I know his play off run was a fluke and he'll probably never hit like that again but even before that he was a really consistent hitter who hit plenty of doubles and double digit home runs. I know his defence isn't great but I don't think it was a bad as some would have you believe. He's a great guy to have on your team as well so I'd be delighted with this signing if I was a Nats fan.

Happy Christmas everyone...!!!!

de Aza's an average MLB player who hits right handers better than Lagares. Nice bench piece, not so sure how well he does playing 100+ games. Time will tell. An upgrade over Niewenhuis.

Nollaig Shona!

krustydoyle

Yankees acquire RP Aroldis Chapman from the Reds

Waiting to hear what they've sent to the Reds in return

Edit : Yankees acquire LHP Aroldis Chapman from Reds for RHPs Caleb Cotham, Rookie Davis & INFs Eric Jagielo, Tony Renda.