MLB hot stove discussion 2018/19 off season

[buckchuckler]

Watching DiPoto run a fire sale is a thing to behold.

Also the Dodgers appear like theu4 are going to pursue Harper.  Thay seems like his ideal fit, sad to say.

[Chili]

Watching DiPoto run a fire sale is a thing to behold.

Also the Dodgers appear like theu4 are going to pursue Harper.  Thay seems like his ideal fit, sad to say.

The Dodgers signing Harper would allow them to trade prospects for additional pieces then. Gives them more ammo.

[Dish]

Nats aren't messing around. They knew they could lose Harper and be fine.

[buckchuckler]

Nats aren't messing around. They knew they could lose Harper and be fine.

Soto and Robles are a nice fall back.

[MUBurrow]

And now Goldy to the Cards.  He's awesome, but I don't think I'd have made that deal - 5 years of team control on Luke Weaver is a heck of an asset.

[buckchuckler]

And now Goldy to the Cards.  He's awesome, but I don't think I'd have made that deal - 5 years of team control on Luke Weaver is a heck of an asset.

Kelly may be a good piece in that trade as well, big move for the Cards though, they don't get much better than Goldschmidt.  That is the middle-of-the-order bat they have needed for a while. 

I also wouldn't be shocked if the Cards made it a priority to keep him in St. Louis.  Who knows, and I'm sure he will test free agency, but still, they a year to sell him on the team. 

[Lennys Tap]

Kelly may be a good piece in that trade as well, big move for the Cards though, they don't get much better than Goldschmidt.  That is the middle-of-the-order bat they have needed for a while. 

I also wouldn't be shocked if the Cards made it a priority to keep him in St. Louis.  Who knows, and I'm sure he will test free agency, but still, they a year to sell him on the team.

Goldschmidt is really good. But that's a lot to give up for one year of control.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

And now Goldy to the Cards.

It's a shame.  I used to really like Paul Goldschmidt.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Schoop to the twins for $7.5/1 yr.

Glad the crew non-tendered  him.

[CTWarrior]

Red Sox sign Eovaldi to go along with Pearce to keep their postseason heroes.  Their young cheap talent will be ready for free agency in the next couple years.  I think they got a year or two and it has to fall apart.  I love those three kids in the outfield and would hate to see any of them leave.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Red Sox sign Eovaldi to go along with Pearce to keep their postseason heroes.  Their young cheap talent will be ready for free agency in the next couple years.  I think they got a year or two and it has to fall apart.  I love those three kids in the outfield and would hate to see any of them leave.

Well, the Brewers will need a replacement for Braun about then...though we'd prefer to trade you middle reliever whose arm is falling off for one of them now.

[Cheeks]

Former Halo (released in August), Luis Valbuena and former Pirate Jose Castillo were killed in car crash last night in Venezuela.  Both only in their 30's.

RIP.

[WarriorDad]

Former Halo (released in August), Luis Valbuena and former Pirate Jose Castillo were killed in car crash last night in Venezuela.  Both only in their 30's.

RIP.

That is tragic.  Much too young.

Don't forget that Valbuena also played for the Cubs, Astros, Indians and Mariners.   Castillo played for the Giants and Astros in addition to the Pirates.

[Lennys Tap]

Chico replying to Chico - God I love Scoop!!!

[wadesworld]

Chico replying to Chico - God I love Scoop!!!

On this we agree Lenny.  Got a good laugh.

[Cheeks]

Chico replying to Chico - God I love Scoop!!!

Who am I replying to?  Sigh.....whatever....I hear that I am Billy Hoyle, too. I'm sure he is getting a kick out of the accusations as are the others.

Looks like Valbuena and Castillo were killed in a robbery gone wrong.  Very sad.  Not a lot of good things happening in Venezuela. 

https://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-luis-valbuena-20181206-story.html

[buckchuckler]

Winter Meetings are here!  Anyone have any bold predictions?

I'm saying Realmuto goes to the Mets this week.

Bauer goes to the Dodgers.

and of course....

Harper to the White Sox on a completely outlandish deal.

[Pakuni]

Winter Meetings are here!  Anyone have any bold predictions?

I'm saying Realmuto goes to the Mets this week.

Bauer goes to the Dodgers.

and of course....

Harper to the White Sox on a completely outlandish deal.

Harper to Philly.
Machado to the Yankees.
Dallas Keuchel to the White Sox.

[Dish]

Harold Baines has zero business being in the HOF.

[Jockey]

Harold Baines has zero business being in the HOF.

Amen!!

I don't think he ever got even 10% of the vote.

[CTWarrior]

Harold Baines has zero business being in the HOF.

Holy cow, are you right.  He's Dwight Evans if Dwight Evans couldn't play the field.  Just a brutal choice.  These committees feel like they have to elect somebody.  I wouldn't have voted any of them in, but I could at least see someone like Albert Belle, who was a dominant player for a time, at least.

There are at least 20 better right fielders than Harold Baines who are not in the Hall   He was a below average outfielder whose knees turned him into a DH.  He had only two top 10 MVP voting finishes (10th in 1983 and 9th in 1985) and only two other seasons where he got so much as a vote.

I just don't get it at all.  He topped out at 6% on the writers ballots.  These committees are supposed to fix oversights.    There was nothing about Harold Baines that was missed the first time around.

[Dish]

I mean, I'm a White Sox fan, and I had to re-read Twitter when I saw the Baines news. I thought it was an Onion tweet.

[buckchuckler]

Harold Baines has zero business being in the HOF.

I'm happy he is in as he was always one of my favorite players.  I would argue that the reason he never had an impact on the HOF ballot was because he was primarily a DH.  DH is a position.  It is a real thing.  And Harold was the first great DH. 

He is 34th all time in RBI, 46th all time in hits, and 65th all time in HRs and basically pioneered a position.  He was a .290 hitter for over 11000 plate appearances.

He has more RBI than guys like Schmidt, Dawson, Stargell, McCovey and Killebrew.

The guy right in front of him on the hit list, is the Babe.  Behind him, you will find names like Robinson, Griffey Jr, Dawson, Chipper, Gehrig, Banks and Vlad.

While he isn't the best guy in the HOF, he is far from the worst.  His numbers fit in with some of the greatest hitters in the history of the game.  Those numbers, 2866 Hits, 384 HRS, 488 2B, 1628 RBIs, aren't out of place in the Hall of Fame. 

According to BBref, his 5 most similar hitters, are Tony Perez, Al Kaline, Dave Parker, Billy Williams and Dawson.  If you are keeping score, 4 of those are HOF-ers.  And really, none were known for their gloves.

I'm biased.  I completely admit it.  I am glad he is in.  He was a great hitter.  He was an All Star at age 40, and he did it putting up an OPS of .919, again --as a 40 year old.  That is unreal.  He was always one of my favorites.  Always a tough out and a great AB. 

Tip of the cap to Harold.

[GGGG]

Accumulation stats, especially when you don't play the field, really don't impress me from a HOF perspective.  He was a very, very good player.  But at no point when he was playing did I think he was HOF worthy - I don't recall anyone talking about him in that manner.

But you are right to tip your cap to him.  He owes no one an explanation or an apology.  He got in by the process the HOF created.

[4everwarriors]

Tru Blew Brue Krew have ta make a move at #2 position. Woodant bee a shocka if Real joins his bud in MKE, aina?