Official 2018 MLB Off Season Thread.

[midnightpulp]

One of the biggest off-season in awhile, with Machado, Harper, and Kershaw all FAs. I'll start by getting FrostKing 's hopes up.


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[FrostKing]

One of the biggest off-season in awhile, with Machado, Harper, and Kershaw all FAs. I'll start by getting FrostKing (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=51741) 's hopes up.


1057271845953650689
Kimbrel - likely

Perfect combo IMO. Crawled to the Red Sox title finish line. If he takes a paycut I think this is slam dunk


Harper - i wish

Machado - his price tag is out of our range

[FrostKing]

:oink

[midnightpulp]

Kimbrel - likely

Perfect combo IMO. Crawled to the Red Sox title finish line. If he takes a paycut I think this is slam dunk


Harper - i wish

Machado - his price tag is out of our range

I think the Braves are the future of the NL in any event. Their team hitting stats are similar to those of the Astros and Sox, relatively low strikeouts, a lot of balls in play, speed. Hell, maybe they don't even pursue Harper since he can be a strikeout machine. I think we're at the end of the homerun or bust era. They just need another quality starter and some bullpen reinforcement, which makes Kimbrel more than likely.

[FrostKing]

I think the Braves are the future of the NL in any event. Their team hitting stats are similar to those of the Astros and Sox, relatively low strikeouts, a lot of balls in play, speed. Hell, maybe they don't even pursue Harper since he can be a strikeout machine. I think we're at the end of the homerun or bust era. They just need another quality starter and some bullpen reinforcement, which makes Kimbrel more than likely.
Yah it sure looks that way right now. As Cora coaching tree turns MLB into anti/Moneyball style. Braves still need an Ace. Alot of good pitchers but no hammer. And Markakis is likely gone.

Plenty of reason why Braves can trip up. Positives are full farm system and new ball park increasing spending. I think the Braves/South Baseball heritage lives on and we continue to be successful.

[Reck]

midnightpulp (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=5430) you get 3 more years of Kershaw.

Makes sense. Too much money left on the table to walk away from had he opted out.

[Chris]

1058573068141019136

Also they let go of Chirinos - he is a free agent with Kiner-Falefa expected to take over full time.

[lefty20]

Heard that Indians are shopping Kluber & other vets. Looks like they're thinking rebuild.

Which playoff team has the prospects to land a whale like that? I know for sure that the Cubbies don't.

[djohn2oo8]

Heard that Indians are shopping Kluber & other vets. Looks like they're thinking rebuild.

Which playoff team has the prospects to land a whale like that? I know for sure that the Cubbies don't.
Astros.

[midnightpulp]

midnightpulp (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=5430) you get 3 more years of Kershaw.

Makes sense. Too much money left on the table to walk away from had he opted out.

Happy with it as long as the back holds out. Invaluable performer during the regular season, and if Price can kill his post-season demons, so can Kersh.

[lefty20]

Astros.

Really? Even after all the studs that have been promoted to bigs already?

[Robz4000]

So Bryce Harper was a phone call from Nationals ownership away from being an Astro. Would that of gotten them over the Red Sox this past postseason?

[djohn2oo8]

So Bryce Harper was a phone call from Nationals ownership away from being an Astro. Would that of gotten them over the Red Sox this past postseason?
Not sure. But still interesting.

[midnightpulp]

So Bryce Harper was a phone call from Nationals ownership away from being an Astro. Would that of gotten them over the Red Sox this past postseason?

Don't think the Astros need to make any panic moves to their offense. Altuve and Correa weren't healthy for the majority of the season and playoffs. Bryce is a great talent, but I'm skeptical of his consistency. Shift gave him problems all year and turned him into a strikeout machine.

[Robz4000]

Don't think the Astros need to make any panic moves to their offense. Altuve and Correa weren't healthy for the majority of the season and playoffs. Bryce is a great talent, but I'm skeptical of his consistency. Shift gave him problems all year and turned him into a strikeout machine.

Happened around the waiver trade deadline, so at this point it's moot since he's prolly Yankees bound. Don't think much of him and he's a playoff choker ala Kershaw tbh.

[Fabbs]

Angels.
Will they pull off another stunner like Ohtani?

Or is Arte Moreno content with the continued .500 Skosha hangover?

[Reck]

Mookie Betts wins AL MVP shocking...no one.

[midnightpulp]

Dads want Thor. Robz4000

https://www.mlb.com/video/friars-rumored-to-pursue-thor/c-2519452683?tid=40172882

[Robz4000]

Dads want Thor. Robz4000

https://www.mlb.com/video/friars-rumored-to-pursue-thor/c-2519452683?tid=40172882

Do not want

[Pelicans78]

Yeah Padres need to focus on rebuilding.

[Robz4000]

:depressed Beltre retired today. Fuck the Rangers for not sending him to a contender so he could get one last shot at a ring.

[midnightpulp]

Mookie Betts wins AL MVP shocking...no one.

Yanks gunning for you. Just got Paxton.

[midnightpulp]

:depressed Beltre retired today. Fuck the Rangers for not sending him to a contender so he could get one last shot at a ring.

Quietly a top five 3rd baseman of all time.

[Reck]

Yanks gunning for you. Just got Paxton.

Nice get. They got him for cheap too.

Fucking Mariners are essentially the Yankees farm system. Pathetic

Will be interesting to see how Boston responds. Definitely need to beef up that bullpen.

[Reck]

Oh wait, no. That's the Marlins, not Mariners.

:lol Jeter running that team like a juke box for the Yankees.

[ducks]

So Bryce Harper was a phone call from Nationals ownership away from being an Astro. Would that of gotten them over the Red Sox this past postseason?

Harper sucks

[Robz4000]

Harper sucks

Agreed

[FrostKing]

BRAVES DAY

Welcome back McCann and welcome aboard Donaldson

[MultiTroll]

Dodgers' Kenley Jansen 'ready for spring training' after second heart surgery

[midnightpulp]

Dodgers' Kenley Jansen 'ready for spring training' after second heart surgery

Get well.

[midnightpulp]

I think Harper will be a Dodger:

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Advantages Dodgers have over Phils: Still a contending team (Harper hasn't been past the NLDS), warm weather climate, glam appeal. I'm all for the gamble. Busts in baseball can't set franchises back decades like they do in the NBA. Don't know if MVP Harper is ever returning, though. They seemed to figure him out last season. Dodgers also don't need more strikeout/homerun players. But Bryce can indeed hit for average, potentially.

Robz4000

[Robz4000]

I think Harper will be a Dodger:

1071191159236714496

Advantages Dodgers have over Phils: Still a contending team (Harper hasn't been past the NLDS), warm weather climate, glam appeal. I'm all for the gamble. Busts in baseball can't set franchises back decades like they do in the NBA. Don't know if MVP Harper is ever returning, though. They seemed to figure him out last season. Dodgers also don't need more strikeout/homerun players. But Bryce can indeed hit for average, potentially.

Robz4000

Would just be another loser to add to a franchise that already likes to choke. He'd make sense for the Phillies since he prolly makes them a legit playoff team while they have plenty of youth/potential in the pipeline to where Philly won't need Harper to be the best player on the team to contend.

[FrostKing]

Phillies will likely get Harper or Trout. As a rival, I'll settle for Harper

[midnightpulp]

Would just be another loser to add to a franchise that already likes to choke. He'd make sense for the Phillies since he prolly makes them a legit playoff team while they have plenty of youth/potential in the pipeline to where Philly won't need Harper to be the best player on the team to contend.

Yeah, don't really want him when I further looked into his stats this season, especially defensively. An abysmal -3.2 DWAR and -25 defensive runs saved, good for an overall 1.3 WAR. Puig had a 2.7 WAR this season. Bryce seems to be a reputation player at this point, getting chased by clubs because they hope he'll revert back to his Barry Bonds-level season where he was feared like no other. Pitching is outpacing hitting, so that ain't happening. I want a Lorenzo Cain type player, speed, contact, low K-rate.

[lefty20]

White Sox have the advantage since KB and Harper are butt buddies, imo.

I'm glad that Cubbies are not seriously chasing him. He's basically a slightly better offensive version of Schwarbs and I don't think the upgrade is worth spending shelling out 30 mil +

[FrostKing]

Braves coming for the NL

1 starting pitcher away. Maybe reliever

[djohn2oo8]

1074816589915131904

fuck yes

[djohn2oo8]

Gotta sign Nelson Cruz now.

[MultiTroll]

Matt Harvey to the Angels as projected starter.

Wtf?

[Robz4000]

Dodgers traded Kemp, Puig, and Wood to the Reds for Homer Bailey.

[midnightpulp]

Dodgers traded Kemp, Puig, and Wood to the Reds for Homer Bailey.

Freeing up space I guess to pursue a name. Looks like Harper might be Chicago bound. Huge hole in RF now (maybe they have faith in Verdugo). Puig is criminally underrated. 2.7 WAR in the 125 games, shuts down the running game with his arm, .830 OPS and seems to step up in the playoffs. Harper had like a 1.5 WAR this year and is a terrible defender.

[midnightpulp]

Matt Harvey to the Angels as projected starter.

Wtf?

:lmao

[midnightpulp]

Old but new news.


Angels agreed to terms with RHP Cam Bedrosian,


Nice signing, Fabbs

[Fabbs]

Padres finally spend some money.
Instead they massively overspend on that douchebag Machado.

:depressed

[Robz4000]

:vomit: Machado. At least it was an FA signing and they didn't lose anyone in a retarded trade.

[midnightpulp]

:vomit: Machado. At least it was an FA signing and they didn't lose anyone in a retarded trade.

Finally the stove got turned on. Shit, long wait for anything to happen. He can be a faggot, but still an exceptional talent. Just have to hope he doesn't get contract lazy.

[midnightpulp]

Dads also got the most loaded farm system in baseball right now. Future is bright, Robz4000

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-padres-are-actually-signing-manny-machado/

[Chris Fall]

Once again with baseball ownership, stupidity wins out. It only takes one team to be stupid though.

Look at all the big 9+ contracts over the past decade or so to position players. How did A-Rod’s last few years of his contract work out for the Yankees? Look at the corpses of Pujols and Miggy as they wind down their longterm deals. Cano already got traded with his stupid deal. Stanton got traded what a year or two after signing for 13 seasons.

Owners should never go over 7 years. And even that is too long should the player get injured considering these are guaranteed contracts.

[midnightpulp]

Once again with baseball ownership, stupidity wins out. It only takes one team to be stupid though.

Look at all the big 9+ contracts over the past decade or so to position players. How did A-Rod’s last few years of his contract work out for the Yankees? Look at the corpses of Pujols and Miggy as they wind down their longterm deals. Cano already got traded with his stupid deal. Stanton got traded what a year or two after signing for 13 seasons.

Owners should never go over 7 years. And even that is too long should the player get injured considering these are guaranteed contracts.

I agree. Production for hitters tanks after 30 in general. I think what throws a monkey wrench into all of this is the players union, though. If owners got tightfisted and started to refuse long term contracts, we'd probably see a strike.

[AlexJones]

Bryce Harper is the most overrated player of this generation and I can't wait to see who's gonna throw 320M at him.

The Nats have a better outfielder than Bryce on their own team. Juan Soto is better. I'm not kidding.

[midnightpulp]

Bryce Harper is the most overrated player of this generation and I can't wait to see who's gonna throw 320M at him.

The Nats have a better outfielder than Bryce on their own team. Juan Soto is better. I'm not kidding.

300 mil for 1.3 war :lol

2015 is probably never walking through that door again.

[lefty20]

Players Union better start building a state for Scott Boras if he gets Harper a contract north of 300M.

[AaronY]

Harper signed for 13 years and $330 million with phillies
https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-deal-with-phillies

[midnightpulp]

Harper signed for 13 years and $330 million with phillies
https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-deal-with-phillies

:lol 1.5 WAR. Harper is still a great natural talent with a great work ethic, so perhaps he finds that 2015 form again when he was about as feared as Barry Bonds.

[AaronY]

:lol 1.5 WAR. Harper is still a great natural talent with a great work ethic, so perhaps he finds that 2015 form again when he was about as feared as Barry Bonds.

Off the top of my head positives are that per year it's only 25 million so less than manny and less than the 30 million average Nationals offered. That 5 helps them if they are a luxury tax team. They should contend right away. If he plays like he did in 2015 even for three or four years could offset the shit seasons at the end.

Negatives it would be better if they were an AL team and could dh him in his late 30s. His defense was supposedly real bad after being good earlier. Philly is fucking brutal so if he struggles they could turn real nasty on him.

[midnightpulp]

Off the top of my head positives are that per year it's only 25 million so less than manny and less than the 30 million average Nationals offered. That 5 helps them if they are a luxury tax team. They should contend right away. If he plays like he did in 2015 even for three or four years could offset the shit seasons at the end.

Negatives it would be better if they were an AL team and could dh him in his late 30s. His defense was supposedly real bad after being good earlier. Philly is fucking brutal so if he struggles they could turn real nasty on him.

Yeah, it's not bad. Bad contracts don't really cripple you in baseball like they do in the NBA and such.

[AaronY]

Yeah, it's not bad. Bad contracts don't really cripple you in baseball like they do in the NBA and such.
That's somewhat true but a team like the Angels could have had $30 million all those years to put another guy next to Trout if they didn't give Pujols that bad contract

[midnightpulp]

That's somewhat true but a team like the Angels could have had $30 million all those years to put another guy next to Trout if they didn't give Pujols that bad contract

They could sit him and just eat it :lol

Moreno is kind of cheap though, and the Angels were milking that whole 600 homers thing. I regularly watch the Angels and he just kills them. Case in point:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUFLUCK2eyk

Why I also hate the DH. Thankfully, the slow, fat DHs are dying out. Unless they hit Barry Bonds level, their advanced numbers are typically terrible due to lack of speed.

[AaronY]

They could sit him and just eat it :lol

Moreno is kind of cheap though, and the Angels were milking that whole 600 homers thing. I regularly watch the Angels and he just kills them. Case in point:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUFLUCK2eyk

Why I also hate the DH. Thankfully, the slow, fat DHs are dying out. Unless they hit Barry Bonds level, their advanced numbers are typically terrible due to lack of speed.
:lol that double play they showed second. The 2nd basemen took his time and didn't even throw it hard

[midnightpulp]

:lol that double play they showed second. The 2nd basemen took his time and didn't even throw it hard

Found this cool graph. Pujols was basically worth -119 million :lol. Trout is God. +188 million. :wow

https://public.tableau.com/views/AreBigContractsinBaseballEverWorthIt/HitterContracts?:embed=y&:display_count=yes&publish=yes:showVizHome=no

[djohn2oo8]

Still can’t believe just how much Pujols has fallen off

[FrostKing]

Still can’t believe just how much Pujols has fallen off
Before leaving St.Louis, Pujols was a blistering .328 career hitter. He is now hovering at .302


AVG SEASON
-----------------------
St.Louis: .328, 40 HRs, 121 RBIs, 1.037 OPS
Anaheim: .260, 27 HRs, 93 RBIs, .768 OPS

[Fabbs]

^
Steroids are wearing off / getting older.

Probably not on the Tom Brady health and exercise regimen.

[Chris Fall]

MLB and players’ union agree on rules changes:

Starting this season, there will be only one trade deadline, July 31. No more secondary waiver trade deadline.

This season, mound visits reduced from 6 to 5, potentially reduced to 4 starting in 2020.

Starting next season, active rosters expanded to 26 with 13 pitcher maximum, September call-ups active roster restricted to 28 players, 14 pitcher max.

Other changes to the All Star selection and money payout to home run derby participants.

BUT...

The most noteworthy and controversial rule change is that the league has agreed to implement the three batter rule for relief pitchers starting in 2020. No more LOOGY specialists. I believe it’s three batters or finish the inning. So in theory, teams can still utilize the lefty specialist with 2 outs if they’re able to do their job effectively. Whatever the additional details of the rule, it certainly does open a big can of worms and impacts not only individual games but roster construction and job opportunities for certain relievers.


MLB has drawn a line in the sand. They’re supremely concerned with pace of play and trying to get its fanbase younger. Are some of these changes too much? Will it be worth it? Will it work? Are they fundamentally changing the game? There are even reports that moving the mound back two feet is still on the table for discussion as a future change. Whatever it ends up being, MLB is being proactive and bold in confronting issues they believe need to be addressed and changed. I don’t know if it’s the right thing to do...

[Darth_Pelican]

Trout just told Bryce Harper “330 million? Hold my beer”

430 million :lol

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26306935/sources-angels-trout-430m-extension

[midnightpulp]

Trout just told Bryce Harper “330 million? Hold my beer”

430 million :lol

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26306935/sources-angels-trout-430m-extension

Worth it. Just have to figure out what to do with Pooholes. Fabbs, your boy got paiddd!

[midnightpulp]

MLB and players’ union agree on rules changes:

Starting this season, there will be only one trade deadline, July 31. No more secondary waiver trade deadline.

This season, mound visits reduced from 6 to 5, potentially reduced to 4 starting in 2020.

Starting next season, active rosters expanded to 26 with 13 pitcher maximum, September call-ups active roster restricted to 28 players, 14 pitcher max.

Other changes to the All Star selection and money payout to home run derby participants.

BUT...

The most noteworthy and controversial rule change is that the league has agreed to implement the three batter rule for relief pitchers starting in 2020. No more LOOGY specialists. I believe it’s three batters or finish the inning. So in theory, teams can still utilize the lefty specialist with 2 outs if they’re able to do their job effectively. Whatever the additional details of the rule, it certainly does open a big can of worms and impacts not only individual games but roster construction and job opportunities for certain relievers.


MLB has drawn a line in the sand. They’re supremely concerned with pace of play and trying to get its fanbase younger. Are some of these changes too much? Will it be worth it? Will it work? Are they fundamentally changing the game? There are even reports that moving the mound back two feet is still on the table for discussion as a future change. Whatever it ends up being, MLB is being proactive and bold in confronting issues they believe need to be addressed and changed. I don’t know if it’s the right thing to do...

Really like the 3 batter minimum as it takes much of the rote-ness out of pitching change decisions. The usual tactic in a late inning leverage situation is: Lefty batting threat up, put in LOOGY. Take LOOGY out after the AB to bring in your general purpose reliever to face the next (presumably right handed) batters. This gives the manager much more to chew on.

Say it's a 3-2 game you're leading in the 7th (Bullpen is warm). Starter is at 85 pitches and still looks pretty good. Lead off man gets on via an error. Starter walks the next batter. Lefty slugger up (but behind are two right-handed threats). Under the old rules, decision is absurdly easy. Now, the manager has a real decision to make. Starter still has his stuff for the most part, and the Lefty slugger has a .265/.340/.400 slash against our starter, while against our bullpen LOOGY, he's .150/.300/.320. However, our starter has owned the two right-handed threats due to come up, while our LOOGY is shaky against right handed hitting. What used to be a rote decision has become more of a dilemma. Stick with your starter? Take a chance on the LOOGY? Bring in your general purpose reliever?

Essentially, this rule will create more coin-flip scenarios, which are more entertaining to watch/ponder than by-the-book decisions. In any event, bullpens and pitching in general have become rather overpowered the last decade, so hitters needed a bit of an equalizer. Sure, run production is still historically the same, but the side-effect of launch-angle philosophy is more strikeouts, baseball's most boring event (but in some contexts, a strikeout is most entertaining climax).

I also think MLB is wringing its hands too much about the "youth problem." I'm sure you've seen some of my posts to the soccer crew, et al that debunk the myth that baseball's fanbase is old to the point that the sport will "die" with the boomer generation. No facts support that aside from cherry picked television ratings. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be proactive and constantly look for ways to improve the sport as an entertainment product (and lessening strikeouts and more balls in play makes the MLB a better baseball product). I also like the eventual decision of moving the mound back. Again, you got guys throwing 95mph sliders these days. Furthermore, the mound further back will hopefully make stolen bases a bit easier mathematically, translating into more attempts.

[Chris]

Trout to receive largest contract in professional sports' history.

[Chris Fall]

$430 million is an absurd amount of money for any professional athlete.

Angels can’t even make the playoffs. They’ve made the post season once in Trout’s seven full seasons.

I thought MLB owners were starting to become more financially smart and frugal. And then Machado happened. And then Harper happened. And now Trout...

[FrostKing]

1/2 - half billion dollar contract

0 - career playoff wins

Lols Angeles

[Fabbs]

Worth it. Just have to figure out what to do with Pooholes. Fabbs, your boy got paiddd!
Good news of course.
Not sure how much it helps this year tho with things like the bizarre signing of Matt Harvey as a projected starter. Maybe the Angels strength and training staff has some most excellent PEDs they hope to revive Harvey with. Ditto PooHoles altho all indications are his steady decline will continue. Whoever bats around Trout and Otahni is going to see some sweet pitches. Hope they are not all wasted on Pujols.

But with all the one year contracts and now Trouts career extension, appears the Angels must have some kind of long range plan.

[FrostKing]

Should have dealt him for overhaul of prospects. Angels not serious bout winning, just selling tickets