MLB offseason thread

[Mr Fantasy 158]

41 minutes ago, TBayXXXVII said:

As a Pirates fan, I'm not too high on this deal.  I mean, I know why they did it... it was to save money, not improve the team.  They're trading a guy who last year pitched 40 innings with a 3.57 ERA.  Had a 3.46 ERA in 30 innings in a warmup to get back to the majors.  He's a guy that would likely be, at worst, a solid #5 starter.  They traded him for a poor man's Oneil Cruz.

Garcia is a power bat who can't hit.  That's Cruz.  He has a strong arm.  That's Cruz.  He has great range.  That's Cruz.  His fielding, by Pipeline is a 50.  That's Cruz.  

Garcia is replacing who?  Tommy Pham?  Look, I'm not going to sit here and say Tommy Pham was great... I wouldn't even say he's "good".  But, he was a decent left fielder and slightly below average hitter.  Is Garcia even going to make the 26-man rostar out of Spring Training?  Maybe.  Reynolds is the RF.  Cruz is going to be the CF.  If the Pirates add (I know, "IF"), an outfield bat, Garcia will never see the field and likely start the season in AAA.  There's no reason to keep him on the 26, if he's not gonig to be an every day player to develop.  What they did was weaken the rotation for a guy who won't really truely help the team for at least a year, maybe 2.  They did it to save about $1.5M.  The Pirates should be adding guys who will actually help the team, THIS year... not in 2027.  That's why it's a dumb trade.

I’m a  fan and really think you are selling Jhostynxon short. He’s in the 90% exit velo and has a plus arm. He’s not a perfect prospect but still a top 100 guy with skills. I hope Breslow is right about Oviedo

[TBayXXXVII 2,679]

1 hour ago, WhiteWonder said:

I absolutely hate Oneil Cruz

I mostly say that because he was so bad they were barely playing him down the stretch which hurt my Geek Homers team 

Understood.   I'm not much of a fan either.

[TBayXXXVII 2,679]

1 hour ago, Mr Fantasy said:

I’m a  fan and really think you are selling Jhostynxon short. He’s in the 90% exit velo and has a plus arm. He’s not a perfect prospect but still a top 100 guy with skills. I hope Breslow is right about Oviedo

So was Oneil Cruz.  There's nothing about his game that is better than Cruz.  I'm not saying I dislike him, what I'm saying is that he's not going to help the team this year more than Oviedo would have.  I'm saying this is the kind of trade that should've happened 2 years ago.  In so much that, if there were a pitcher to move on from for a potential MLB caliber hitter in a year or two (or 3... or 4), from now, prior to Skenes being here, is when it should've been done.  There's a very legit chance that this kid never sees the the field until 2027 or 2028.

[Mr Fantasy 158]

43 minutes ago, TBayXXXVII said:

There's a very legit chance that this kid never sees the the field until 2027 or 2028.

I don’t see how he doesn’t get 400 ABs at minimum next season unless he’s a total bust. Although knowing this organization they will sign an Alex Verdugo type 

[Mookz 1,390]

18 hours ago, WhiteWonder said:

the Rays signed someone? ... if cedric Mullins can count 

good luck ,  @Mookz ! 

I'll be surprised if he's still on the roster at the end of the season.  Dude is warshed. 

[TBayXXXVII 2,679]

15 hours ago, Mr Fantasy said:

I don’t see how he doesn’t get 400 ABs at minimum next season unless he’s a total bust. Although knowing this organization they will sign an Alex Verdugo type 

If this kid is their "solution" for the outfield, this season is already over.  Otherwise, they'll have Cruz in CF and Reynolds in RF and someone else in LF, who's a more proven player.  At best he's a 4th OF.  I don't think this kid is even going to start the season in Pittsburgh.  My guess is that he'll be at Indy for at least 2.5 months unless he gets off to a hot start and the starting OF sucks or someone gets hurt.  If he gets even 300 PA's, I'll be shocked. 

[Maximum Overkill 2,620]

The Phillies are making a significant push into the Japanese baseball market, recently signing their first-ever amateur player from Japan, RHP Alexandre Moreti, to a minor league deal, and are heavily scouting major Japanese free agents like slugger Munetaka Murakami and pitcher Tatsuya Imai, aiming to break their historical struggle to sign Japanese talent and compete with other MLB clubs. 

[Mr Fantasy 158]

Edwin Diaz to the Dodgers 3/69

 

Kyle Schwarber back to the Phillies 5/150

[posty 2,849]

4 minutes ago, Mr Fantasy said:

Edwin Diaz to the Dodgers 3/69

Of course...

Really hoping that there is a lockout after next season is completed...

[MikeMatt 482]

1 hour ago, Mr Fantasy said:

Edwin Diaz to the Dodgers 3/69

He’s dead to me. Fock him. Reportedly Mets offered 3/66. He wanted out and all I can say is Fock you Diaz. 

[MDC 8,110]

1 hour ago, Mr Fantasy said:

Edwin Diaz to the Dodgers 3/69

 

Kyle Schwarber back to the Phillies 5/150

That’s a lot cheaper than I expected for Schwarb.

[Maximum Overkill 2,620]

47 minutes ago, MDC said:

That’s a lot cheaper than I expected for Schwarb.

Phillies got him at a great price 

[WhiteWonder 3,005]

Alonso to the Orioles 

[edjr 7,039]

32 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

Alonso to the Orioles 

5 for 155. 

[Mookz 1,390]

38 minutes ago, WhiteWonder said:

Alonso to the Orioles 

[Mr Fantasy 158]

17 minutes ago, edjr said:

5 for 155. 

Josh Naylor was a bargain at 5/92

[edjr 7,039]

1 minute ago, Mr Fantasy said:

Josh Naylor was a bargain at 5/92

Sox are going to lose Bregman too. 

[Mr Fantasy 158]

8 minutes ago, edjr said:

Sox are going to lose Bregman too. 

Same with a Marte trade and the they will sign Polanco  

[Maximum Overkill 2,620]

Phillies Acquire Yoniel Curet

[cmh6476 1,156]

On 12/9/2025 at 10:43 AM, posty said:

Of course...

Really hoping that there is a lockout after next season is completed...

it's been getting dumb for a real long time.  Not sure what the answer is to fix it.

[Mr Fantasy 158]

I’m thinking Alex Bregman regrets opting out of his 2/80 option 

[Grace Under Pressure 238]

16 minutes ago, cmh6476 said:

it's been getting dumb for a real long time.  Not sure what the answer is to fix it.

Salary cap, salary floor, no deferred compensation for starters. 

[Maximum Overkill 2,620]

Bobby Bonilla says hold my beer 

[edjr 7,039]

Cheap Sox. only team in MLB to not sign a free agent  

[edjr 7,039]

On 12/11/2025 at 12:18 PM, Mr Fantasy said:

I’m thinking Alex Bregman regrets opting out of his 2/80 option 

he will be lucky to get 35 per. He is hoping for 5 years though. Fock him

[Maximum Overkill 2,620]

The Philadelphia Phillies added much-needed righty relief to their bullpen, agreeing on Wednesday to a two-year, $22 million contract with right-hander Brad Keller, league sources told The Athletic.

Signed as a non-roster invite by the Cubs before the 2025 season, Keller, who ranked No. 36 on The Athletic’s Big Board and was projected by Tim Britton to receive a three-year deal worth $30 million, had a breakout year. The righty made 68 appearances (69 2/3 innings pitched), posted a 2.07 ERA with impressive peripherals and emerged as one of the best relievers for a playoff team.

[TBayXXXVII 2,679]

On 12/11/2025 at 12:20 PM, Grace Under Pressure said:

Salary cap, salary floor, no deferred compensation for starters. 

After learning more about deferred payments, that issue will fix itself with a cap and floor.  According to Steve Phillips on MLB Radio, 100% of all deferred money is paid by and charged to the team who signed the deal.  So with Ohtani's contract, he's under contract until 2033 and after that, until 2043 he'll be getting $68M each year.  If the Dodgers trade him in 2030, they'll still on the hook for the $680M.  They can't trade that.  Teams won't defer payments of that size if there's a cap.  If they agree on a $280M cap (for example), the Dodgers for 10 years will have $68M charged against them for 10 years, for a player they don't even have any more.  So, no one will sign such deals.  Will they defer $10M a year?  Possibly.  That would be like the NFL and their voidable years... but something like $68M every year for 10 years will never happen.

Now, my guess is that if there is a cap, there'll be some kind of forgiveness for teams like the Dodgers who signed a deal like this beforehand.  They'll probably have some kind of compromise of like $20M per year will be charged instead of $68M.

[posty 2,849]

1 minute ago, TBayXXXVII said:

After learning more about deferred payments, that issue will fix itself with a cap and floor.  According to Steve Phillips on MLB Radio, 100% of all deferred money is paid by and charged to the team who signed the deal.  So with Ohtani's contract, he's under contract until 2033 and after that, until 2043 he'll be getting $68M each year.  If the Dodgers trade him in 2030, they'll still on the hook for the $680M.  They can't trade that.  Teams won't defer payments of that size if there's a cap.  If they agree on a $280M cap (for example), the Dodgers for 10 years will have $68M charged against them for 10 years, for a player they don't even have any more.  So, no one will sign such deals.  Will they defer $10M a year?  Possibly.  That would be like the NFL and their voidable years... but something like $68M every year for 10 years will never happen.

Now, my guess is that if there is a cap, there'll be some kind of forgiveness for teams like the Dodgers who signed a deal like this beforehand.  They'll probably have some kind of compromise of like $20M per year will be charged instead of $68M.

Deferred money needs to be abolished in the next CBA, somehow...

[TBayXXXVII 2,679]

1 minute ago, posty said:

Deferred money needs to be abolished in the next CBA, somehow...

I'm fine with that, but again, it's no different than voidable years in the NFL... you have to account for it.  Honestly, I don't care, for that reason.  If a team wants to defer $50M, I'm fine with it, as long as it's short term and counts against the cap.  I'm ok with it  as long as there is some kind of contract length restriction.  Something like teams can't defer any money for a contract longer than 5 years, and all deferrment must be accounted for within 2 years. 

Team A gives a player a 5 year $100M (w/ $30M defered), to where they pay $14M AAV for 5 years, then $15M for the next 2 years.

Team B gives a player a 6 year $120M, they can't defer any of it, just pay the $20M AAV.

That I'm fine with.  I'm not in favor of defering it 10 years and spreading that out for 10 years, regardless of the amount.

[MikeMatt 482]

I’m fine with it too as long as it benefits my team. 

[Hardcore troubadour 16,049]

Mets keep signing Yankee cast offs. lol. 

[Mookz 1,390]

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Orioles have agreed to acquire starter Shane Baz from the Rays.

In return, the Rays will receive a package of minor league players that includes outfielders Slater de Brun and Austin Overn, catcher Caden Bodine and right-hander Michael Forret as well as a Competitive Balance Round A pick. The deal is still pending medicals. Baz posted a disappointing 4.87 ERA over 166 1/3 innings in 2025 despite a strong 24.8 strikeout rate. He represents a major upgrade to the Orioles’ rotation mix

@WhiteWonder  

[WhiteWonder 3,005]

12 minutes ago, Mookz said:

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Orioles have agreed to acquire starter Shane Baz from the Rays.

In return, the Rays will receive a package of minor league players that includes outfielders Slater de Brun and Austin Overn, catcher Caden Bodine and right-hander Michael Forret as well as a Competitive Balance Round A pick. The deal is still pending medicals. Baz posted a disappointing 4.87 ERA over 166 1/3 innings in 2025 despite a strong 24.8 strikeout rate. He represents a major upgrade to the Orioles’ rotation mix

@WhiteWonder  

i'm starting to get tired of them. Injuries happen but I would have liked to see their ideal rotation with McClanahan, Rasmussen, Baz, Bradley... they dealt Bradley last season, now Baz is gone, and we just traded Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum. Granted we had a surplus of outfielders and Lowe has been in trade rumors for a few seasons but dealing away one of the better power hitting 2nd baseman in baseball and a young starter with some nasty stuff and getting more and more prospects is just disheartening.  

just keep adding prospects but then sign a guy like Cedric Mullins... it just doesn't make much sense anymore.

[Mr Fantasy 158]

This trade is so good for the Sox even @edjr can’t complain

MLB source confirms the #RedSox are trading for 1B/DH Willson Contreras for a package of RHP Hunter Dobbins, RHP Yhoiker Fajardo and RHP Blake Aita

 

St. Louis and Boston have completed there second trade of the offseason. Let’s tally it up into 1 move:

Red Sox Acquire:

Sonny Gray + 20 million
Wilson Contreras + 8 million

Cardinals Acquire:

Hunter Dobbins
Richard Fitts
Brandon Clarke (BOS #5 prospect)
Yhoiker Fajardo (BOS #23 prospect)
Blake Aita (NR)

[edjr 7,039]

7 hours ago, Mr Fantasy said:

This trade is so good for the Sox even @edjr can’t complain

MLB source confirms the #RedSox are trading for 1B/DH Willson Contreras for a package of RHP Hunter Dobbins, RHP Yhoiker Fajardo and RHP Blake Aita

 

St. Louis and Boston have completed there second trade of the offseason. Let’s tally it up into 1 move:

Red Sox Acquire:

Sonny Gray + 20 million
Wilson Contreras + 8 million

Cardinals Acquire:

Hunter Dobbins
Richard Fitts
Brandon Clarke (BOS #5 prospect)
Yhoiker Fajardo (BOS #23 prospect)
Blake Aita (NR)

why the +28 million? cheap focks, giving away prospects to save money? the red sox? laughable