The Hotstove Thread

[FT35]

Originally Posted by Boo

I'm not sure any news or rumors about the WS are interesting.

Hey you just watch yourself, buddy!! Lol

[Homerun]

Originally Posted by FT35

With ya man. I know Soxtalk has been lighting up with Machado talk, but I'm just not as sure about him as I was this time last year. He's going to cost a billion dollars and we are more than Machado away form contending. I'd let the elite fight over this contract and use the $ we have on pieces that are based around winning today's game--SP/roster flexibility/BULLPEN. In other words, use Milwaukee's model rather than the Cubs'. We can't afford the Cubs' model. But we can still add 1-2 nice bats AND begin to assemble some sort of pitching staff if we can begin to add some pieces.

I do believe they will spend THIS WINTER...there are too many options out there not to spend...and we all know Jerry wants to knock as many years off this re-build as humanly possible. Just don't know if Harper/Machado make sense right now. Neither have proven they are capable of leading a team to a championship--and both are prone to "off" years. Remember this number when weighing Machado and Harper. 2. That's the TOTAL number of 100 RBI seasons that they have COMBINED. 1 each and both came this year in contract years...I'm sorry...I bleed black/white, but for a team like the White Sox, that SCREAMS pass...we'd ABSOLUTELY get the "under" on all their unmotivated Sox years--at record-breaking rates. We completely FAIL at Free Agency.

Give me Moose, Grandal on the cheap with something to prove, Marwin Gonzalez, Eovaldi or Happ, and BULLPEN CENTRAL for the same money as Machado/Harper.

The quantity over quality approach is probably best for the Sox at this point in time, but the thought of having a legit superstar in the middle of the lineup is so appealing to me. But yeah, they could take the money they would spend on Machado and sign like 5-6 lesser guys to fill more holes which would make the team better as opposed to getting just one guy, even though he's an elite talent. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

[jataman2612]

Ok let's throw some topics out there to get the thread moving:

1) Will Kershaw opt out? Is that smart given his back issues he's had the last few years?

2) What the hell is Baltimore doing? No GM, no manager and free agency starting.

3) Most intriguing FA after Harper and Machado?

4) What uniform will Goldschmidt be wearing on Opening Day 2019?

[FT35]

Originally Posted by Homerun

The quantity over quality approach is probably best for the Sox at this point in time, but the thought of having a legit superstar in the middle of the lineup is so appealing to me. But yeah, they could take the money they would spend on Machado and sign like 5-6 lesser guys to fill more holes which would make the team better as opposed to getting just one guy, even though he's an elite talent. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.

It will be interesting! They could go after a stud, but at least they have options. I just want to see the grit back. Plus I think they have a superstar in waiting with Eloy. That might just be the superstar we've all been waiting for. Now if only Yoan could step up. I know I'd be stoked from a card standpoint too if that happened! Good buy-low candidate for the hobby.

[rman112]

Originally Posted by jataman2612

Ok let's throw some topics out there to get the thread moving:

1) Will Kershaw opt out? Is that smart given his back issues he's had the last few years?

2) What the hell is Baltimore doing? No GM, no manager and free agency starting.

3) Most intriguing FA after Harper and Machado?

4) What uniform will Goldschmidt be wearing on Opening Day 2019?

Personally, I'd go with Eovaldi, because I think some team will be willing to really pay him. Not much on the market as far as SP go, and I think Corbin getting paid is a given.

[erock28]

Originally Posted by jataman2612

Ok let's throw some topics out there to get the thread moving:

1) Will Kershaw opt out? Is that smart given his back issues he's had the last few years?

2) What the hell is Baltimore doing? No GM, no manager and free agency starting.

3) Most intriguing FA after Harper and Machado?

4) What uniform will Goldschmidt be wearing on Opening Day 2019?

My opinions...
1) He's a fool to opt out. All 29 other teams know about the back injuries and diminished stuff. While I could still see teams giving a 5 year deal, it won't be anywhere near the annual pay. Play out the two years and see where you stand.

2) Sucking. That organization is a grade A mess. Will take years to turn it around...

3) There are some intriguing pitchers, but I'd be more interested to see where Bumgarner ends up, or possibly Goldschmidt (both 2020 FA to be). I have a hunch the biggest news this off-season will be a Bumgarner trade.

4) They still have some talent and marquee names, I highly doubt they pack it in already and move Goldy. If/when they fall out of contention, he likely gets moved in July.

[rman112]

Originally Posted by erock28

My opinions...
1) He's a fool to opt out. All 29 other teams know about the back injuries and diminished stuff. While I could still see teams giving a 5 year deal, it won't be anywhere near the annual pay. Play out the two years and see where you stand.

2) Sucking. That organization is a grade A mess. Will take years to turn it around...

3) There are some intriguing pitchers, but I'd be more interested to see where Bumgarner ends up, or possibly Goldschmidt (both 2020 FA to be). I have a hunch the biggest news this off-season will be a Bumgarner trade.

4) They still have some talent and marquee names, I highly doubt they pack it in already and move Goldy. If/when they fall out of contention, he likely gets moved in July.

I wonder if the Astros would make a legit push.

[erock28]

Originally Posted by rman112

I wonder if the Astros would make a legit push.

It's definitely a weak spot for them, with only having Verlander, Cole and Morton returning next season they need help.

All sarcasm aside, there could (and should) be a prospect/controllable talent bidding war for him. Any of the 10-12 teams that have a legitimate shot next year should make a push. Only $12MM for 2019...hell, that's $19MM less than Zack Greinke is getting! So long as teams believe his stat drop the last two years is related to his injuries (which shouldn't be chronic), you won't find a better pitcher for that dollar amount.

[rman112]

Originally Posted by erock28

It's definitely a weak spot for them, with only having Verlander, Cole and Morton returning next season they need help.

All sarcasm aside, there could (and should) be a prospect/controllable talent bidding war for him. Any of the 10-12 teams that have a legitimate shot next year should make a push. Only $12MM for 2019...hell, that's $19MM less than Zack Greinke is getting! So long as teams believe his stat drop the last two years is related to his injuries (which shouldn't be chronic), you won't find a better pitcher for that dollar amount.

Morton's contract is up, too.

[Gatorsmld]

Originally Posted by JackThree

I don’t think the Sox will go “all in” on a free agent just yet. I figure around the 2020/2021 offseason, once all their young core guys are called up - Robert, Rutherford, Madrigal, etc...

This offseason I could see them sign a couple guys for 2 years with an option year added. I figure Moustakas, Brantley & Gio Gonzalez and a bullpen arm would fit the bill until those guys above are ready. The Sox could start to compete for a Wild Card spot in 2019 with those three, while bringing up some new blood from the minors - Eloy, Hansen, Adams, Stephens, Zavala, Burdi and probably Collins & Basabe in September.

Just wanted to say it has been and will continue to be a BLAST getting to see these guys come through Birmingham. Can't wait to see how Madrigal plays also.

[Hollywood42]

My takes-

1. There's no reason for him to. I don't know why it's not known yet

2. Tanking

3. Honestly, this is a super weak class. Harper and Machado are there, but they're really the only top tier players. The top few starters will be interesting to watch, but the one of the bats I'm most interested in following is Marwin Gonzalez. Guys that play literally everything other than pitcher/catcher just don't come up that often, and he's a super solid player as well. I'd love to see the Twins get him, but either way I'm intrigued to see how much he's suited and how much he ultimately gets

4. No idea

Originally Posted by jataman2612

Ok let's throw some topics out there to get the thread moving:

1) Will Kershaw opt out? Is that smart given his back issues he's had the last few years?

2) What the hell is Baltimore doing? No GM, no manager and free agency starting.

3) Most intriguing FA after Harper and Machado?

4) What uniform will Goldschmidt be wearing on Opening Day 2019?

[enbambam6986]

I don’t think it’s a weak class.

Harper/Machado/Donaldson/Murphy/Pollock/Cruz/Romos/Dozier/Grandal/Gonzalez/Brantley plus the 50 relievers

All better hitters and more entertaining players than Trumbo/Chris Davis/Heyward/Hosmer/Ellsbury/Bruce/Mustakas/etc.

It’s not Trout, Altuve, or Betts. But plenty of these guys would be a great fit for a bunch of teams. Im hoping my team doesn’t spend stupid money on some of these top relievers.

[mwash1983]

I'd love to have Marwin on the Braves

[mwash1983]

Think Atlanta is going to make the move for Bumgarner. I can see a package of Riley, Mullins, and another pitching prospect for him.

[Hollywood42]

Meh

Harper, Machado, no arguments. Murphy and Cruz will be solid short term options, Cruz shorter than Murphy. Pollock's good when healthy, but he never is. Gonzalez will be a fun target since he plays everything. But then:

Old and fragile Donaldson

Dozier should be better next year than this year but he destroyed his value, and likely won't get back to 2016 or 2016 levels

Grandal is only semi relevant because catching sucks league wide

Brantley could be good if you think he'll be healthy longer than a year

Starting pitching is a mess. Corbin could be good, but he feels like he could easily be a 1-hit wonder. Keuchel is hit or miss and will be 31. Morton's had 2 good seasons but wasn't much before that and will be 35 in a few days

The relievers are pretty deep

Originally Posted by enbambam6986

I don’t think it’s a weak class.

Harper/Machado/Donaldson/Murphy/Pollock/Cruz/Romos/Dozier/Grandal/Gonzalez/Brantley plus the 50 relievers

All better hitters and more entertaining players than Trumbo/Chris Davis/Heyward/Hosmer/Ellsbury/Bruce/Mustakas/etc.

It’s not Trout, Altuve, or Betts. But plenty of these guys would be a great fit for a bunch of teams. Im hoping my team doesn’t spend stupid money on some of these top relievers.

[Hollywood42]

Marco Gonzalez (pre-arb) signed with the Mariners for 2 years, $1.9 million

[atoaz12]

Originally Posted by mwash1983

Think Atlanta is going to make the move for Bumgarner. I can see a package of Riley, Mullins, and another pitching prospect for him.

They're not moving Riley for one year of a guy who hasn't pitched a whole season in 2 years and isn't an undisputed ace any more

[premium1981]

Originally Posted by mwash1983

I'd love to have Marwin on the Braves

Why? He is pretty much the same as Nick Markakis.

Originally Posted by mwash1983

Think Atlanta is going to make the move for Bumgarner. I can see a package of Riley, Mullins, and another pitching prospect for him.

Riley moving is not happening unless it is for a controllable player coming back. Not sure who Mullins is. Never heard of him. You mean Kyle Muller maybe? I hope he doesn't go. He will be good.

[Hollywood42]

Kershaw still with the Dodgers, 3 years, $92 million

[Hollywood42]

Rockies will not issue any qualifying offers by today's deadline, Jeff Bridich said. So Adam Ottavino and DJ LeMahieu will be free free-agents.

https://twitter.com/nickgroke/status...12844222300160

[Hollywood42]

So 7 received the $17.9M qualifying offer: Corbin, Grandal, Harper, Keuchel, Kimbrel, Pollock, Ryu. (Remembered: traded players like Machado and Eovaldi cant get one, and neither can players who’ve had them before like Nelson Cruz)

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status...77272343240704

[Homerun]

I'm shocked Brantley and LeMahieu didn't get qualifying offers. I think each of them will easily get more than 1 year/$17.5 million from some other team.

[rman112]

Grandal should take that and run.

Lemahieu's career away from Coors has not been very good.

[btmcrushers]

Originally Posted by mwash1983

I'd love to have Marwin on the Braves

I'd like him too but wonder if he is just not a more expensive version of Culberson or Camargo (assuming he ends up as Super utility)

Originally Posted by mwash1983

Think Atlanta is going to make the move for Bumgarner. I can see a package of Riley, Mullins, and another pitching prospect for him.

1. I am going to assume you mean Muller instead of Mullins?
2. I am also going to assume you are a Giants Fan
3. Assuming 1 and 2 - no, just no. Riley, Muller + another Spec is the beginning light offer version for JTR (Assuming your additional arm is in our 15-30 range)

Madison probably cost you a Muller / Wilson / Wentz type + a WC type think Braxton/Demeritte/AJax/Sanchez.

MG has only pitched 240 combined innings in the last two years.

[metsandweezer]

You guys are crazy if you think this is a weak class.