MLB hot stove discussion 2018/19 off season

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Players will no longer be on the DL; they'll be on the "Injured List."  I actually think that's kinda nice.

https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-renaming-disabled-list-injured-212923283.html

[buckchuckler]

in 1962, Frank Robinson hit 51 doubles to lead the league, along with 39 home runs, 136 RBI, he hit .342/.421/.624 for an OPS of 1.045.  He led the league in OBP and SLG, and of course OPS.  He had 76 BB to 62 K.  He had 208 hits, and 11 HBP (he reached base 295 times!). 

This was not either of his MVP seasons.  Just a monster hitter.  4th all time in home runs at the time of his retirement.  He had a .537 SLG career, in over 10,000 ABs.  Just amazing. 

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Frank Robinson won the MVP in both leagues.  He also has a statue at 3 ballparks: Cincinnati, Baltimore, and Cleveland.

[TinyTimsLittleBrother]

Frank Robinson passes.  Truly a legend of the game.  One of the best ever.

High school basketball teammate of Bill Russell's.

[wadesworld]

Moose back to Milwaukee on a one year deal. Love it.

[The Sultan]

Moose back to Milwaukee on a one year deal. Love it.

$9M. He turned down a $15M mutual option after the end of 2018. I'm assuming that the Brewers wouldn't have picked up that option either. Smart move by the team.

[jsglow]

Moose back to Milwaukee on a one year deal. Love it.

Great move.

[WarriorDad]

Padres could land either Machado or Harper. 

[buckchuckler]

Padres could land either Machado or Harper.

Breaking news!

They could also land neither.

[Cheeks]

Padres could land either Machado or Harper.

Phillies for Harper....maybe Pads for Machado, but I will believe when I see it.

[MUBurrow]

CC is going to try Moose at second during spring training. I see the logic - Shaw and Arcia are both plus defenders so if they can shrink Moose's range, they might be able to hide him. It could end up being be Crew's best overall lineup but probably only against righty heavy lineups - Moose and Aguilar playing the right side will get hammered by lefties.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Bochy to hang them up after the season.  Certain HOFer.

https://www.google.com/amp/www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26025976/giants-manager-bruce-bochy-retire-2019-season%3fplatform=amp

[ZiggysFryBoy]

CC is going to try Moose at second during spring training. I see the logic - Shaw and Arcia are both plus defenders so if they can shrink Moose's range, they might be able to hide him. It could end up being be Crew's best overall lineup but probably only against righty heavy lineups - Moose and Aguilar playing the right side will get hammered by lefties.

Also keeps shaw at 3rd for when Hiura is called up.

[MUBurrow]

Also keeps shaw at 3rd for when Hiura is called up.

That's a good point. I wonder if part of the plan is for Moose to also see some time at 1B in a rough late season platoon with Aguilar once Hiura is up. Otherwise, comparing Moose's stats vs say, Josh Harrison, is interesting.  Assuming Harrison will sign for like $4M, Stearns is paying about $6M to play Moose out of position on the promise of approximately 20 more bombs. Moose's familiarity with the clubhouse and lefthandedness would seem to play a role in justifying that outlay, but speaks to why I was so enamored with Asdrubal Cabrera (plays all over the infield, projects to about 20 bombs, and hits from both sides).

[Pakuni]

Machado to the Padres. 10 years, $300 million.

As a Sox fan, I'm bummed he didn't land on the South Side.
Also as a Sox fan, I'm glad they didn't give him a 10-year deal.

Odds the Padres are looking to move his contract within three years?

[CTWarrior]

Machado to the Padres. 10 years, $300 million.

Interesting, talent continues to migrate to the NL. 

Machado is young enough that you figure the Padres will get value for the front half of the contract.  Back half depends on how healthy he stays (he won't pull any muscles trying to beat out a ground ball, that's for sure  ) and where the average salary goes from here.

[MUBBau]

Interesting, talent continues to migrate to the NL.

Technically he was already in the NL

[Dish]

Frustrating day, as I had heard repeatedly they were all in and wouldn't be beat on cash (going back to early 2017). I know they thought they were really close in mid January. Of the players that are or may be available via free agency this offseason and next, I really believe Machado was the combo of player/age/position worth the coin.

They'll be out on Harper, and this will be a long year, that hopefully results in another top 5 pick. Have to hit on the third pick this year and see development from Moncada, Robert, Adolfo, Madrigal. Future is still bright, just have to wait another year.

[MUBurrow]

Frustrating day, as I had heard repeatedly they were all in and wouldn't be beat on cash (going back to early 2017). I know they thought they were really close in mid January. Of the players that are or may be available via free agency this offseason and next, I really believe Machado was the combo of player/age/position worth the coin.

Dish, do you think the Sox offer was fewer years but higher AAV? Kenny's comments are kind of confusing - says the Sox couldn't go to $300M, but also says that "there was potential for Machado to make more [in Chicago] than his deal with San Diego."  Any idea what that means? Something like $35-40 per year over 5 years? His SD opt out is after 5.

[Cheeks]

Padres could land either Machado or Harper.

Nice call

[🏀]

Dish, do you think the Sox offer was fewer years but higher AAV? Kenny's comments are kind of confusing - says the Sox couldn't go to $300M, but also says that "there was potential for Machado to make more [in Chicago] than his deal with San Diego."  Any idea what that means? Something like $35-40 per year over 5 years? His SD opt out is after 5.

Endorsements would be my initial guess.

[Dish]

Dish, do you think the Sox offer was fewer years but higher AAV? Kenny's comments are kind of confusing - says the Sox couldn't go to $300M, but also says that "there was potential for Machado to make more [in Chicago] than his deal with San Diego."  Any idea what that means? Something like $35-40 per year over 5 years? His SD opt out is after 5.

Pure guess, but I'm guessing Kenny's comments were dictated around lower jock tax rate. Manny's salary and signing bonus would be under Florida state income tax (0%), but his jock tax playing for the Sox versus the Padres would be far less.

Kenny's comments are all over the place today, he really should just shut up and let Hahn talk. Kenny's not making the Sox look good (and maybe they should be embarassed?).

[Pakuni]

Kenny's comments are all over the place today, he really should just shut up and let Hahn talk. Kenny's not making the Sox look good (and maybe they should be embarassed?).

No idea whether the Sox should be embarrassed. If it came down to them deciding that 10/$300 million was too much, it's a reasonable take. A couple dozen other teams seem to agree.
But it's safe to say Kenny has rarely said anything helpful off-the-cuff and he should let Hahn do the talking.

[wadesworld]

Nice call

Chicos Angels fan patting Chicos Cubs fan on the back.  Nice.

[Pakuni]

 Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Source: #WhiteSox offer to Machado was 8/$250M (a higher AAV than he will receive from #Padres.  Total value of deal - with incentives and vesting options - could have been "well north" of $300M.