2024/25 MLB Hot Stove League

[JSngry]

So Chris Martin is a Ranger now? I am happy enough to but not excita-thrilled, correct?

[Dan Gould]

7 hours ago, JSngry said:

So Chris Martin is a Ranger now? I am happy enough to but not excita-thrilled, correct?

Martin was about the most effective/consistent option out of the Red Sox bullpen for the last few years.  He's not young by any means but should instantly slot into the 8th inning mix with the potential to close on an emergency basis.  Excellent control, still strikes out a lot of hitters.

Put it this way, I would have been pleased if the Sox had re-signed him. Whether that makes you excita-thrilled depends on the other high-leverage relievers you have.

[JSngry]

If he's not viable as a regular closer, then we still have work to do. But the 8 slot, that's filling a need.

[JSngry]

Are the Astros rebuilding?

[GA Russell]

Felix Mantilla has died at 90.  RIP.

One of MLB's first Puerto Rican players dies at 90

[JSngry]

Felix Mantilla could play some ball. RIP.

[JSngry]

RIP Bob Uecker

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/bob-uecker-beloved-baseball-announcer-major-league-actor-dies-90-rcna187969

How did you not love that guy?

[Mark Stryker]

R.I.P. 

He made it to 90 -- a long and fulfilling life, but the world will be a far less funny place going forward without him. There was only one of those! If you haven't watched his Hall of Fame induction speech, please set aside time to do so. So many hilarious lines, but two I particularly love:

"My kids used to aggravate me too. I'd take 'em to a game & they'd want to come home with a different player."

Gene Mauch to Uecker: "Grab a bat and stop this rally."

 

 

Edited January 16 by Mark Stryker

[JSngry]

Am I gonna be expected to get sentimental about the Dodgers now because of the fires, like about the Yankees after 9/11?

Didn't happen then, ain't gonna happen now.

[ghost of miles]

Dodgers are the 21st century Yankees.

Sasaki signs with L.A.

[Dan Gould]

Was it some butt-hurt NY writer who denied Ichiro a unanimous ballot?

Because let's be honest, Ichiro is equivalent to (and defensively, light-years ahead of) Jeter as HoF candidate.

[JSngry]

RIP Fay Vincent

This says it shortly and succinctly:

https://www.lonestarball.com/2025/2/2/24357332/former-mlb-commissioner-fay-vincent-has-died

[Matthew]

On 2/2/2025 at 6:51 PM, JSngry said:

RIP Fay Vincent

This says it shortly and succinctly:

https://www.lonestarball.com/2025/2/2/24357332/former-mlb-commissioner-fay-vincent-has-died

Sad announcement, I thought he did a good job. What followed has been a disaster for MLB. Bud Selig in the ultimate hypocrite, making bank off the PED crisis, no one can ever convince me he didn't know what was happening. He get in the Hall of Fame, while the players, who did the heavy lifting during that era, are left out. Imagine being a puppet for Jerry Reinsdorf! I'm convinced that Manfred hates baseball and has no idea what's in MLB's best interest.  

[ghost of miles]

Another Boras bust: Pete Alonso, who turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension offer from the Mets a year and a half ago, has now signed a two-year $54 million deal with them that includes an opt-out clause after 2025. If this is the best the market is going to offer Alonso at age 30, how does it get better in a year, even if he has a monster 2025 season? 

[felser]

17 minutes ago, ghost of miles said:

Another Boras bust: Pete Alonso, who turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension offer from the Mets a year and a half ago, has now signed a two-year $54 million deal with them that includes an opt-out clause after 2025. If this is the best the market is going to offer Alonso at age 30, how does it get better in a year, even if he has a monster 2025 season? 

Yeah, he doesn't seem like a player who is going to age well, and he has already regressed some the past two seasons.  Of course, we in Philly are haunted by the ghost of the Ryan Howard extension, where he averaged about a game below replacement WAR per year over the five years.

Edited February 6 by felser

[Brad]

On 2/6/2025 at 11:21 AM, ghost of miles said:

Another Boras bust: Pete Alonso, who turned down a seven-year, $158 million extension offer from the Mets a year and a half ago, has now signed a two-year $54 million deal with them that includes an opt-out clause after 2025. If this is the best the market is going to offer Alonso at age 30, how does it get better in a year, even if he has a monster 2025 season? 

If he has a monster season, which I doubt, he will find suitors.  I’m sure Mets are hoping he has a good season so they can return to the playoffs and so he opts out; they wish to sign Vlady. 

[Dan Gould]

The only way I am happy with the Red Sox signing Bregman is if they send Masataka away and install Devers as DH.  (And I am not convinced Masa is an abject failure as a hitter in the big leagues).

Bregman at 2B blocks the #7 prospect in the game and plays Bregman out of a position he's earned a Gold Glove at, and I don't care how high a Baseball IQ he has, you cut out half of the purpose of signing him - right handed power bat and superior defense. 

Devers moved to 1B means Casas and a likely 30-40 homers a season has to go.  Unless you get major pitching talent back, that's a stupid move when the guy is 4 years away from free agency. 

 

[JSngry]

Bregman will make you love him. He's a charmer.

[Dan Gould]

1 minute ago, JSngry said:

Bregman will make you love him. He's a charmer.

Not convinced. Wrong side of 30 and declining stats for last 2-3 seasons.   Maybe Fenway helps ... but three years with two opt outs can easily be 3 years at a huge salary for declining numbers. The best possible outcome is that Fenway helps his bat and they go deep into the postseason, then regardless of final result, he opts out and becomes somebody else's problem. 

[JSngry]

Just kidding about the charm. In our town he's a certified asshole.

[Dan Gould]

Until now I haven't had a terrible problem with the year-old regime at Fenway.

But spending 40 million dollars a year to play a Gold Glover out of position ... its madness.  And everybody knows that the defensive shortcomings of that team are in the infield.

At this point they should just plan on releasing Yoshida by the end of spring training and convince Devers that being full time DH is best for him physically. Then play the certified asshole at 3B and let the 7th ranked prospect in all of baseball play 2B.