The 2021-2022 Offseason Thread

[notin]

14 Team MLB Playoffs?

 

6 "wild card teams" play a 3 game series.

 

Under MLB’s vision, the two division winners in each league that don’t receive the bye would choose their Wild Card series opponents. The division winner with the second-best record would choose its opponent from the bottom three Wild Card clubs; the remaining division winner would have its pick of the bottom two Wild Card teams still available; the remaining Wild Card winners would face one another. The higher-seeded team in each league would host all three games of the opening series.

 

-MLBTR

 

No!!!!!

 

We don't need December baseball!!!

[moonslav59]

No!!!!!

 

We don't need December baseball!!!

 

I thought the major reason for play a 162 games season was to determine the fewer teams worthy of the playoffs.

 

I hate the 3 game format, too. Too much luck involved.

 

They'll probably settle for 6 teams. The top 2 get byes, and the next 4 play a 3 game series. I wonder if "rust" can adversely affect the bye teams.

 

The best part about the one game play-in is that no teams sit around for a long time.

[mvp 78]

Especially since the union historically could not give a s*** about draft picks and minor leaguers....

 

That is one thing that won't change with this CBA.

[mvp 78]

No!!!!!

 

We don't need December baseball!!!

 

Just reduce the amount of regular season games.

[Bellhorn04]

Just reduce the amount of regular season games.

 

Never happening.

[moonslav59]

My prediction:

1. Universal DH

2. Playoffs to 6 teams in each league.

3. Min wage from $570.5K to $750K in 2022 and $850K by the end of the deal.

4. Time to get to first arb shortened by 1 year. (Time to reach free agency shortened by 1 year.)

5. Lux Tax stays in place and increases by about $7M each year.

 

I think the owners will get something else, not listed here.

 

I'd like to see a min budget set as a floor for team player budgets, but I can't see the players getting this.

 

[dgalehouse]

Especially since the union historically could not give a s*** about draft picks and minor leaguers....

Unions generally care more about seniority than they do about the newer , probationary type, employees. The problem in baseball is that the senior players are making more money , but often are in the declining phase of their productivity. The newer , younger, guys are often healthier, cheaper, more motivated and sometimes more productive. But an increase in their opportunities and compensation will often come at the expense of the senior players ( employees).

[oldtimer]

My prediction:

1. Universal DH

2. Playoffs to 6 teams in each league.

3. Min wage from $570.5K to $750K in 2022 and $850K by the end of the deal.

4. Time to get to first arb shortened by 1 year. (Time to reach free agency shortened by 1 year.)

5. Lux Tax stays in place and increases by about $7M each year.

 

I think the owners will get something else, not listed here.

 

I'd like to see a min budget set as a floor for team player budgets, but I can't see the players getting this.

 

 

By your point numbers:

 

1. Both parties should be able to agree to a Universal DH and it does create openings for older players who still can hit..

 

2. Expanded playoffs are something owners want to increase revenues and may offset to some degree what the players want in financial increases.

 

3. Minimum wage increases for new or marginal players is a cost to the owners. I don't think it has to grow to $750K in 2022 but I also expect an increase. I can also see it increase over the CBA period. Since it is aimed at a large number of players it should help move the vote.

 

4. Time to get to arbitration shortened by one year is also favored by a large number of players and should help move the acceptance of a CBA. I would expect the owners would want to see that the playoff move would defray the cost associated with this move. I don't think the owners will accept shortening the period to reach FA. It opens the door to further chaos and cost.

 

5. Some sort of so called Competitive Balance Tax with penalties favors he owners but effectively applying an upper limit on yearly spending. I can see that being raised a percentage yearly, but not what the players would like. Something like 3 % a year over the contract seems reasonable to expect.

 

You didn't mention one which bothers players. That is where the team management holds back prospects ready to play to push back their time to reach arbitration. Rule changes to make it not beneficial to hold a player back should be favored by the prospect most and they aren't yet voters, so may not be a union priority.

 

You also didn't mention computer assisted ball and strike calling and other rules to pick up the pace of play, such as a clock on pitchers to avoid the slowest in that regard. Many of these will be considered but are not the key financial elements so may be left off if controversial to one party or the other.

[moonslav59]

Unions generally care more about seniority than they do about the newer , probationary type, employees. The problem in baseball is that the senior players are making more money , but often are in the declining phase of their productivity. The newer , younger, guys are often healthier, cheaper, more motivated and sometimes more productive. But an increase in their opportunities and compensation will often come at the expense of the senior players ( employees).

 

The thing about other unions is that the lower people know that if they stay with the company, they will eventually reach much higher pay & benefits.

 

That's not true about MLB.

[moonslav59]

By your point numbers:

 

1. Both parties should be able to agree to a Universal DH and it does create openings for older players who still can hit..

 

2. Expanded playoffs are something owners want to increase revenues and may offset to some degree what the players want in financial increases.

 

3. Minimum wage increases for new or marginal players is a cost to the owners. I don't think it has to grow to $750K in 2022 but I also expect an increase. I can also see it increase over the CBA period. Since it is aimed at a large number of players it should help move the vote.

 

4. Time to get to arbitration shortened by one year is also favored by a large number of players and should help move the acceptance of a CBA. I would expect the owners would want to see that the playoff move would defray the cost associated with this move. I don't think the owners will accept shortening the period to reach FA. It opens the door to further chaos and cost.

 

5. Some sort of so called Competitive Balance Tax with penalties favors he owners but effectively applying an upper limit on yearly spending. I can see that being raised a percentage yearly, but not what the players would like. Something like 3 % a year over the contract seems reasonable to expect.

 

You didn't mention one which bothers players. That is where the team management holds back prospects ready to play to push back their time to reach arbitration. Rule changes to make it not beneficial to hold a player back should be favored by the prospect most and they aren't yet voters, so may not be a union priority.

 

You also didn't mention computer assisted ball and strike calling and other rules to pick up the pace of play, such as a clock on pitchers to avoid the slowest in that regard. Many of these will be considered but are not the key financial elements so may be left off if controversial to one party or the other.

 

Nice reply.

 

Yes, the arb rules are manipulated by management, but shaving a year off would be a nice compromise.

 

Min wage has not gone up much, recently, and since so many players make below $750K, I think this would get a yes vote from the players without killing owners.

 

The 3% tax increase is about the $7M a year I mentioned. (3% of 210 is $6.3M)

 

I'm not sure about robo umps being agreed on, but I want it.

[Swiharts Ghost]

That is one thing that won't change with this CBA.

 

This was actually what the main stoppage was about though ? According to Players .

[Swiharts Ghost]

I hate the universal DH and expanding playoffs even more .If I’m an owner I cave on one less year of Arb and raising minor league salaries along with a minor bump in MLB min salaries.The Bye idea seems very fair .

[mvp 78]

@ChrisCotillo

Can confirm: WooSox are naming Chad Tracy as their new manager. He was the Angels’ minor league field coordinator. Official announcement expected soon.

@JoeyMacHockey first.

[mvp 78]

@ChrisCotillo

Can confirm: WooSox are naming Chad Tracy as their new manager. He was the Angels’ minor league field coordinator. Official announcement expected soon.

@JoeyMacHockey first.

 

Tracy's dad was in consideration to be hired as bench coach for Cora in 2018.

Edited December 13, 2021 by mvp 78

[mvp 78]

@jcmccaffrey

Red Sox make their Triple-A Worcester coaching hirings official:

 

Chad Tracy, manager

José David Flores, bench coach

Mike Montville, assistant hitting coach

Paul Abbott (pitching coach) and Rich Gedman (hitting coach) will resume their roles on the Worcester coaching staff

[mvp 78]

You may ask, "but what does this do for me?"

 

@PeteAbe

There were indications this hire could somewhat coincide with the MLB team naming a new 1B coach and an additional hitting coach.

[mvp 78]

Also, it's this Chad Tracy: https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tracy-002cha

 

Not this one: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tracych01.shtml

[harmony]

On Monday columnist Jim Bowden at The Athletic gave the Red Sox an early offseason grade of B:

 

https://theathletic.com/3009948/2021/12/13/early-offseason-grades-for-every-american-league-team-rangers-tigers-mariners-on-their-way-to-as/

 

Subscription required but here is one fair-use quote: "I expect the Red Sox to make one splash signing this offseason, and I’m hoping it’s shortstop Carlos Correa, who has a great relationship with Cora."

[mvp 78]

On Monday columnist Jim Bowden at The Athletic gave the Red Sox an early offseason grade of B:

 

https://theathletic.com/3009948/2021/12/13/early-offseason-grades-for-every-american-league-team-rangers-tigers-mariners-on-their-way-to-as/

 

Subscription required but here is one fair-use quote: "I expect the Red Sox to make one splash signing this offseason, and I’m hoping it’s shortstop Carlos Correa, who has a great relationship with Cora."

 

I just don't see it.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

I just don't see it.

 

A few posters say they expect it, but I'll bet it will still be a stunner if the Sox sign anyone to say, five years, for as much as $50 million. But if it happens, it might be like trying to eat just one spicy corn chip...

[notin]

Also, it's this Chad Tracy: https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tracy-002cha

 

Not this one: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tracych01.shtml

 

Good. I was worried we had the wrong Chad Tracy…

[mvp 78]

A few posters say they expect it, but I'll bet it will still be a stunner if the Sox sign anyone to say, five years, for as much as $50 million. But if it happens, it might be like trying to eat just one spicy corn chip...

 

10M AAV doesn't seem like a shocker to me. I don't see them doing a 300M deal with Bloom as GM.

 

The closest they could get to it is extending Bogey and Raffy.

[mvp 78]

Good. I was worried we had the wrong Chad Tracy…

 

I didn't know there were two.

[mvp 78]

@MattRyCollins

Potential Offseason Target: Ryan Tepera

 

https://www.overthemonster.com/2021/12/14/22834057/red-sox-rumors-free-agent-ryan-tepera-contract-bullpen-raisel-iglesias-kenley-jansen

[moonslav59]

A few posters say they expect it, but I'll bet it will still be a stunner if the Sox sign anyone to say, five years, for as much as $50 million. But if it happens, it might be like trying to eat just one spicy corn chip...

 

You mean this winter or for as long as Bloom is the GM?

 

The word that we kicked the tires hard on Baez makes me think Bloom is not against longer deals, but he's yet to value a player more than the other GMs and or his budget is too tight to allow him the opportunity to overpay on any one player seeking a long and large contract.

 

Looking at Cots contracts, it's interesting to see that the Rays have only signed 3 free agents to contracts of 4+ years and none above 5.

 

Wilson Alvarez $35M/5 (1998)

Greg Vaughn $34M/4 (2000)

Roberto Hernandez $22.5M/4 (1998)

 

Their biggest 2 year FA signing was Charlie Morton at $30M/2 (2019).

 

Now, they have extended their own players to very long deals, several times, but this is just free agency.

 

Of course, Bloom was not with the Rays, this whole time, and their budgets have been highly restricted, so I'm not sure we can read that as being Bloom's M. O.

 

[mvp 78]

Wilson Alvarez $35M/5 (1998)

Greg Vaughn $34M/4 (2000)

Roberto Hernandez $22.5M/4 (1998)

 

Not sure how Bloom was able to split time between High School Calculus and running the Rays in 2000.

[moonslav59]

Not sure how Bloom was able to split time between High School Calculus and running the Rays in 2000.

 

Try reading where I said Bloom was not there.

 

I was speaking to the Rays' historical tendancies not to go large and long on free agents. Their last ones were 2 decades ago.

[Swiharts Ghost]

Do we extend Xander and Kike this Winter ? I think that’s the Route I’d take .

[Kimmi]

Needless to say, I'm still a huge Bloom fan.

 

I like what I've seen so far this offseason.

[notin]

Not sure how Bloom was able to split time between High School Calculus and running the Rays in 2000.

 

 

Running the Rays was his Senior Project. The Rays take any cheap help they can get…