2023-24 MLB Hot Stove League

[Brad]

11 hours ago, soulpope said:

Louis Severino to the Mets .... wonder how this will work out ....

It’s Wilponesque. 

[ghost of miles]

It’s done:

Juan Soto to the Yankees

Going all-in on a one-year rental while Cole and Judge are still in their prime… I’m on board with it, but it’s costing them pitching depth. 

[soulpope]

4 hours ago, ghost of miles said:

It’s done:

Juan Soto to the Yankees

Going all-in on a one-year rental while Cole and Judge are still in their prime… I’m on board with it, but it’s costing them pitching depth. 

Omitting King the pitchers have Big League potential (only) .... but a high price for a one year party nevertheless ....

[Dan Gould]

I know its early in hot stove season but I just have this feeling that despite new management they will get outbid on everybody and the most impactful thing maybe sending their starting RF to NY for three possible/maybe/kinda sorta usable bullpen pieces. In the future.

[GA Russell]

Vic Davalillo, RIP.

Longtime MLB outfielder Vic Davalillo dies at 84 (msn.com)

Edited December 7, 2023 by GA Russell

[JSngry]

21 hours ago, ghost of miles said:

It’s done:

Juan Soto to the Yankees

Going all-in on a one-year rental while Cole and Judge are still in their prime… I’m on board with it, but it’s costing them pitching depth. 

What's this about center field being too risky a position for Judge, that it's too much of a strain? Seriously?

 

[ghost of miles]

17 hours ago, JSngry said:

What's this about center field being too risky a position for Judge, that it's too much of a strain? Seriously?

 

I think the concern stems from Judge’s size, his injury history, and the greater physical demands of playing CF. Judge himself seems fine with it. It’s probably only for most of all of 2023 anyway, as Jasson Dominguez is on tap to take over the position once he’s fully recovered from TJS. 

[ghost of miles]

Dodgers’ SB Nation site reporting that Ohtani is signing with Toronto.

If true, the AL East just got even beastlier.

This guy otoh says no decision yet.

Edited December 8, 2023 by ghost of miles

[Dan Gould]

28 minutes ago, ghost of miles said:

Dodgers’ SB Nation site reporting that Ohtani is signing with Toronto.

If true, the AL East just got even beastlier.

This guy otoh says no decision yet.

I wonder what the premium is to cover his Canadian taxes. They won't be inconsequential for a salary as high as he will be getting.

[JSngry]

2 hours ago, ghost of miles said:

I think the concern stems from Judge’s size, his injury history, and the greater physical demands of playing CF.

Well then, hard for me to sympathize with any of that and think of him as some kind of all-around badass.

 

[Dan Gould]

3 hours ago, ghost of miles said:

I think the concern stems from Judge’s size, his injury history, and the greater physical demands of playing CF. Judge himself seems fine with it. It’s probably only for most of all of 2023 anyway, as Jasson Dominguez is on tap to take over the position once he’s fully recovered from TJS. 

Also there are no bullpen doors in centerfield that I am aware of.

Seriously though he missed another what, 50 games? 32 years old next year, and has played 148 or more games three seasons in his career. Equal to the 3 seasons he played 112 or fewer.  Anything to keep him on the active roster.

[Dan Gould]

I am deeply concerned that the best thing to happen in Boston this month will be Joe Castiglione being elected to the Hall.

[soulpope]

Ohtani to the Dodgers for USD 700 .... in 2024 no pitching and in 2025 - after Tommy John - still questionable .... hmmmmh ....

[ghost of miles]

19 minutes ago, soulpope said:

Ohtani to the Dodgers for USD 700 .... in 2024 no pitching and in 2025 - after Tommy John - still questionable .... hmmmmh ....

Very glad he’s going to be in the NL and not the AL East! Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Ohtani all in the same batting order… yikes.
 

 

[felser]

Did anyone really think Ohtani end up with any team other than the Dodgers?

[Dan Gould]

$700 Million for 10 years but apparently loads of $$ deferred, to ease the impact on the competitive balance tax.

Refresh my memory but isn't Judge taking his $40 million a year, give or take, every year with no such allowance?  I give Ohtani credit for thinking about the impact of such a crazy dollar figure.  Although the Dodgers are printing money these days.

[Matthew]

Ohtani to the Dodgers is not unexpected. Once Dave Roberts spoke publicly about Ohtani meeting with the Dodgers last week, I felt it was over. Supposedly the Giants made a strong run, but given the amount, I'm kind of glad they lost out. I don't see Ohtani pitching long term, but moving to first base in the next couple of years. No hitter can impact a club that much to earn 700 million, look at Bonds, he was unreal as a Giant (won't get into the PED stuff, the stats are incredible though), but he never won a World Series with them. Plus, Roberts will find a way to mess up the post season as always.

[JSngry]

[Brad]

42 minutes ago, felser said:

Did anyone really think Ohtani end up with any team other than the Dodgers?

Nope. 

[felser]

47 minutes ago, JSngry said:

Still collecting that deferred money every year through 2035.  Actually getting checks from both the Mets and the Orioles every year though 2028, then just the Mets.

[JSngry]

Taking him off the Anaheim wall already! 

[JSngry]

Austin Hedges will be missed.

[ghost of miles]

$680 million of Ohtani’s Dodgers contract is deferred

Wow. I mean, sure, he can afford it, given his enormous endorsement earnings, as the article points out. But still an eyepopping amount in any context.

[JSngry]

I saw a breakdown of what his estimated tax liabilities will be pre-shelters and such. If the numbers were reliable, it's a lot!!! 

[soulpope]

https://www.mlb.com/news/tyler-glasnow-manuel-margot-traded-to-dodgers

A new "evil empire" 👹 .... off course not taking into account  Gasnow's durability issues ....