2017/18 Hot Stove Thread

[Kimmi]

Even in hindsight you wouldn't sign Scherzer?

 

The actual cost of his contract in present dollars was around $195 million, I think.

 

FanGraphs says he's already earned $144 million of that.

 

Well hindsight is a completely different story. In hindsight, I might do it. That said, he still has 4 years remaining on his contract which is very backloaded. It's not the first 3-4 years that you usually have to worry about.

[bowman]

Right now none of it matters, unless DD comes away with 2 Machado and JD, or we will be chasing the Yanks and never catch them. They are a move or 2 away from dominating for the next 5 years. It's a critical time for this team.

[cp176]

Right now none of it matters, unless DD comes away with 2 Machado and JD, or we will be chasing the Yanks and never catch them. They are a move or 2 away from dominating for the next 5 years. It's a critical time for this team.

 

oh boy - If he comes away with both Martinez and Machado, the Yankees and their illustrious fan base will be crapping in their hats -lol. Doubt that it happens but you never know.

[Elktonnick]

oh boy - If he comes away with both Martinez and Machado, the Yankees and their illustrious fan base will be crapping in their hats -lol. Doubt that it happens but you never know.

 

I will never believe that Peter Angelos will permit Manny Machado to play for the Boston Red Sox this year. That being said, I don't think the Yankees as currently constructed are any better than the Boston Red Sox. Both project to be 90+ win teams. The rest of the ALE is substantially weaker.

 

Arguably the Bombers may be better constructed once the playoffs begin but given the age and the past injury record of some their key players I just can't see them having a cake walk to the ALE title.

 

Don't be blinded by the Yankees signing of Stanton. They gave up Castro to get him. While Stanton may be a far better player than Castro, the latter's spark, defense and 16 home runs will be missed in the infield by the Bombers. As currently constructed the Yankees have defensive issues. In my view they need Machado probably as much as Boston, but neither will get him.

[Carpin]

I will never believe that Peter Angelos will permit Manny Machado to play for the Boston Red Sox this year. That being said, I don't think the Yankees as currently constructed are any better than the Boston Red Sox. Both project to be 90+ win teams. The rest of the ALE is substantially weaker.

 

Arguably the Bombers may be better constructed once the playoffs begin but given the age and the past injury record of some their key players I just can't see them having a cake walk to the ALE title.

 

Don't be blinded by the Yankees signing of Stanton. They gave up Castro to get him. While Stanton may be a far better player than Castro, the latter's spark, defense and 16 home runs will be missed in the infield by the Bombers. As currently constructed the Yankees have defensive issues. In my view they need Machado probably as much as Boston, but neither will get him.

 

You have a good point regarding the 16 HRs by Castro last year, but we have Gleyber to fill for him, Andujar at third to replace Headley/Frazier and (finally) a full season of Bird, I Torres and or Bird are anywhere close to their projections I don't think there would be a problem replacing Castro's production.

[Elktonnick]

You have a good point regarding the 16 HRs by Castro last year, but we have Gleyber to fill for him, Andujar at third to replace Headley/Frazier and (finally) a full season of Bird, I Torres and or Bird are anywhere close to their projections I don't think there would be a problem replacing Castro's production.

 

May be but Castro is a tenuous ball player. I don't know if those players have his spark and leadership skills. In any case, I expect the Yanks and Sox will be battling for ALE supremacy until the end of September. I just don't see anyone else in the division being a factor.

[Carpin]

May be but Castro is a tenuous ball player. I don't know if those players have his spark and leadership skills. In any case, I expect the Yanks and Sox will be battling for ALE supremacy until the end of September. I just don't see anyone else in the division being a factor.

 

We'll see about the spark of the newcomers, regarding leadership skills we have Gardner, Didi and I believe it was the main reason CC was resigned.

 

Either way, I agree with you, it will be a race all the way to the end, probably decided in the last two weeks of the season between Sox and Yankees, the other teams are not in the same class.

[a700hitter]

oh boy - If he comes away with both Martinez and Machado, the Yankees and their illustrious fan base will be crapping in their hats -lol. Doubt that it happens but you never know.

Sign JD. Put him in LF and move Benintendi to RF and trade Bradley for Machado. That would be a potent offense.

[cp176]

Sign JD. Put him in LF and move Benintendi to RF and trade Bradley for Machado. That would be a potent offense.

 

I really think that it would be an awesome lineup for quite some time. I'm no real fan of Machados but his power and ability speaks for itself. Martinez, I think is for sure the catch that this team needs. I don't think that it is likely to happen but you never know. Our GM wants to win - yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It is who he is. Baltimore won't be resigning Machado after this season. Most realize that. A deal for either JBJ or Bogaerts and prospects may seem pretty enticing to them. I have no doubt that if the Sox trade for Machado and they want him that they will sign him long term. He is one of the big fish.

[Spudboy]

I just read a report that there are currently 3 teams with five year offers on the table for JD. The article did not say which teams and for how much but they did say Toronto, AZ, and SF are interested.

 

I can see this turning really expensive for the Sox.

 

I assume that one of the three teams is the Sox but the article was poorly written.

 

No I don't have the link.

[cp176]

I just read a report that there are currently 3 teams with five year offers on the table for JD. The article did not say which teams and for how much but they did say Toronto, AZ, and SF are interested.

 

I can see this turning really expensive for the Sox.

 

I assume that one of the three teams is the Sox but the article was poorly written.

 

No I don't have the link.

 

sounds as though something is starting to happen at least.

[notin]

Sign JD. Put him in LF and move Benintendi to RF and trade Bradley for Machado. That would be a potent offense.

 

Duquette wouldn't trade Bradley for Machado if you held his whole family at gunpoint.

 

But other than that, I do think it is a good plan...

[cp176]

Duquette wouldn't trade Bradley for Machado if you held his whole family at gunpoint.

 

But other than that, I do think it is a good plan...

 

He might not but for Bogaerts and prospects you just never know.

[fxkatt]

The first six hitters in the Yankee lineup are about as intimidating as you can get, esp. 2-6 Gregorius, Judge, Stanton, Sanchez and Bird.

 

At this point I think the only possible weak link in this Blue Machine is the starting rotation. Most could go either way, but Severino and Montgomery should be pretty steady... of the others, who knows for sure... big names but questionable in various ways. Advantage Red Sox here.

[harmony]

PRANK ALERT

 

... from Dave Dombrowski's Wikipedia page: "In the offseason before the 2018 season, Dombrowski sent star outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr, pitching prospect Brian Johnson and a prospect TBA for Christian Yelich of the Miami Marlins, passing on possible free agent target JD Martinez in order to keep the team younger and save money for the 2018/2019 offseason."

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Dombrowski

 

It makes no sense and deserves no weight.

[baseball jones]

PRANK ALERT

 

... from Dave Dombrowski's Wikipedia page: "In the offseason before the 2018 season, Dombrowski sent star outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr, pitching prospect Brian Johnson and a prospect TBA for Christian Yelich of the Miami Marlins, passing on possible free agent target JD Martinez in order to keep the team younger and save money for the 2018/2019 offseason."

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Dombrowski

 

It makes no sense and deserves no weight.

 

wow,its a good one though.yankees fans will stop at nothing

[harmony]

wow,its a good one though.yankees fans will stop at nothing

I learned of the prank from a post on a Yankee forum (the post identified it as a prank).

[cp176]

I learned of the prank from a post on a Yankee forum (the post identified it as a prank).

 

So you just posted it here for a good laugh right.

[cp176]

I just read a report that there are currently 3 teams with five year offers on the table for JD. The article did not say which teams and for how much but they did say Toronto, AZ, and SF are interested.

 

I can see this turning really expensive for the Sox.

 

I assume that one of the three teams is the Sox but the article was poorly written.

 

No I don't have the link.

 

I really hope that DD holds the line at 5 years. The money I don't think is much of an issue. The Red Sox I imagine can more than hold their own against rival bidders. If Boras goes directly to ownership and the deal becomes more than 5 - oh well. Ultimately I guess it would be JH who makes the call. He knows that bringing in Martinez will help to invigorate the fan base.

[Bellhorn04]

Well hindsight is a completely different story. In hindsight, I might do it. That said, he still has 4 years remaining on his contract which is very backloaded. It's not the first 3-4 years that you usually have to worry about.

 

Well, if Theo thought it was OK to sign Lester for 6 years it can't be the worst idea in the world *sometimes* to risk it...

[oldtimer]

Well, if Theo thought it was OK to sign Lester for 6 years it can't be the worst idea in the world *sometimes* to risk it...

 

Maybe some would say that 5 years is a risk. I would for sure. How much money does someone need and how long does someone expect to play? At the end of 5 years JD would be rich beyond any of our beliefs and if he still can play if he wants to and can make the decision at that time. Cap it at 5 years.

[Bellhorn04]

Maybe some would say that 5 years is a risk. I would for sure. How much money does someone need and how long does someone expect to play? At the end of 5 years JD would be rich beyond any of our beliefs and if he still can play if he wants to and can make the decision at that time. Cap it at 5 years.

 

I'm having a little back and forth with Kimmi about the wisdom of signing 30 year old pitchers to 6 or 7 year deals.

 

As for JDM, yes, hopefully we'll sign him for 5 years. Obviously he and Boras are in the waiting game now and hoping someone cracks and goes to 6 years.

 

If we come out of this offseason without some sort of major acquisition, whether it be a hitter or a pitcher, it'll be disappointing.

[cp176]

I'm having a little back and forth with Kimmi about the wisdom of signing 30 year old pitchers to 6 or 7 year deals.

 

As for JDM, yes, hopefully we'll sign him for 5 years. Obviously he and Boras are in the waiting game now and hoping someone cracks and goes to 6 years.

 

If we come out of this offseason without some sort of major acquisition, whether it be a hitter or a pitcher, it'll be disappointing.

 

I think I will take the optimistic route on this one. Management has to know that standing pat going in to this season likely won't make it. Some think that in ways this team under achieved last year. I don't. I think that they actually over achieved - won a lot of close games that surprised me for sure. At least one big headliner is going to be signed. Maybe even two.

[Bellhorn04]

I think I will take the optimistic route on this one. Management has to know that standing pat going in to this season likely won't make it. Some think that in ways this team under achieved last year. I don't. I think that they actually over achieved - won a lot of close games that surprised me for sure. At least one big headliner is going to be signed. Maybe even two.

 

I'm optimistic too, in fact I'll be pretty shocked if something major doesn't happen.

[S5Dewey]

Wouldn't you like to know what's going on behind the scenes? My bet is that DD has a Plan A, a Plan B, and a Plan C, and I'd like to know what they are!

[Bellhorn04]

Wouldn't you like to know what's going on behind the scenes? My bet is that DD has a Plan A, a Plan B, and a Plan C, and I'd like to know what they are!

 

Yes, that'd be great. But since it's impossible, the next best thing is our own wild, often unfounded and unrealistic speculation.

[cp176]

Wouldn't you like to know what's going on behind the scenes? My bet is that DD has a Plan A, a Plan B, and a Plan C, and I'd like to know what they are!

 

I would like to know as well but in a way I think that it is a good thing that I don't. Like you, I absolutely believe that he has multiple plans. The suggestions that come from the fan base over the internet are literally all over the place. I bet he understands pretty well that some are going to be upset and some are going to be happy with what gets done. I really hope that other than making use of his cell phone he doesn't go near the net. More opinions (both good and bad) get expressed these days than ever before.

[cp176]

Yes, that'd be great. But since it's impossible, the next best thing is our own wild, often unfounded and unrealistic speculation.

 

 

keeps us all going during the deep freeze!

[Bellhorn04]

keeps us all going during the deep freeze!

 

Deep freeze is right. Right now it's 7 degrees Fahrenheit outside here with a wind chill of -11.

[cp176]

Deep freeze is right. Right now it's 7 degrees Fahrenheit outside here with a wind chill of -11.

 

You are above 0??? You Canadians get all the breaks !!! -10 here.