MLB Hot Stove 2019-20

[Dish]

I've thought for years that the NCAA should let teams that qualify for the tournament pick their first round opponents on live tv during the selection show. Announce the 68 teams that qualify, name the play in teams, and then let the #1 ranked team pick their opponent, and then so on.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Im all for more playoff teams if they shorten the season a couple of weeks.

The MLB Playoffs have never had the "second season" feel that the NHL or NBA does, and for that reason making the playoffs in baseball has always been at least somewhat or a success.  I would personally prefer MLB keeps it that way.

My favorite MLB playoff format is still when the winners of the East played the winners of the West to represent the league in the WS, (1969 to 1997, I think)  The '82 Brewers, '83 White Sox, and '84 Cubs are still revered because making the playoffs was a big deal.  I don't think WC teams like the '15 Pirates or '16 Orioles will be remembered with such pride.

[Pakuni]

Only a matter of time, I suppose.
Former MLB pitcher sues Astros, alleging sign-stealing cut short his career. Gave up four runs to the Astros while pitching in relief for the Blue Jays, never played in the majors again.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/10/us/mlb-pitcher-mike-bolsinger-lawsuit-houston-astros-spt/index.html

[MU82]

Upon reporting to spring training, Mike Fiers actually told ESPN that he didn't know why they or any other media outlet would want to talk to him.

[Jockey]

Only a matter of time, I suppose.
Former MLB pitcher sues Astros, alleging sign-stealing cut short his career. Gave up four runs to the Astros while pitching in relief for the Blue Jays, never played in the majors again.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/10/us/mlb-pitcher-mike-bolsinger-lawsuit-houston-astros-spt/index.html

Who is he gonna sue for the times he sucked  before this happened?

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Who is he gonna sue for the times he sucked  before this happened?

And after.  I mean, show that you belong and you'll get another call-up.

Dumb lawsuit.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Last year, PECTOA projected the following win totals for the NL Central:
MIL 89 Actual= 89
STL 89 Actual= 91
CHC 84 Actual =84
CIN 84 Actual =79
PIT 66 Actual =69

The projections for this year are:
CIN 86
CHC 85
STL 80
MIL 79
PIT 70

[MUEng92]

Last year, PECTOA projected the following win totals for the NL Central:
MIL 89 Actual= 89
STL 89 Actual= 91
CHC 84 Actual =84
CIN 84 Actual =79
PIT 66 Actual =69

The projections for this year are:
CIN 86
CHC 85
STL 80
MIL 79
PIT 70

C'mon man, at least type Spoiler Alert when you tell us what is going to happen this season.  Now I'm gonna have to find something else to do all summer

[TSmith34, Inc.]

C'mon man, at least type Spoiler Alert when you tell us what is going to happen this season.  Now I'm gonna have to find something else to do all summer

I predict Braun will be dealt to a contender  before July 31st.  Just can't see Counsell and Stearns pulling another rabbit out of the hat this year.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

I predict Braun will be dealt to a contender  before July 31st.  Just can't see Counsell and Stearns pulling another rabbit out of the hat this year.

That's a bold prediction.  Braun is set to make $17M this year, and had a WAR of 1.8 last season.  He can block a trade to any team other than LAA, LAD, TB, MIA, or WSH.  I really, really don't think he's going anywhere.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

That's a bold prediction.  Braun is set to make $17M this year, and had a WAR of 1.8 last season.  He can block a trade to any team other than LAA, LAD, TB, MIA, or WSH.  I really, really don't think he's going anywhere.

Last year of his contract, fading vet looking for one more playoff run, and a team out of contention looking for salary relief and any decent return prospect?  Doable.

[CreightonWarrior]

Well anyone that wasn't considering plunking the astros this year probably will now. What a non-apology apology today.

[The Sultan]

Last year of his contract, fading vet looking for one more playoff run, and a team out of contention looking for salary relief and any decent return prospect?  Doable.

If the Brewers are even remotely in the playoff hunt, they won't trade him IMO unless there is another viable option available. 

[MU82]

Nice to see Woman Abuser Chapman taking the moral high ground.

[Lennys Tap]

Knee surgery for Mike Clevinger.

[Bad_Reporter]

If the Brewers are even remotely in the playoff hunt, they won't trade him IMO unless there is another viable option available.

Brewers can't trade him and they know it.  The brewers would have liked him gone a long, long time ago.

[The Sultan]

Brewers can't trade him and they know it.  The brewers would have liked him gone a long, long time ago.

But that's the whole point.  His contract was larger "a long, long time ago."  Now it only has two years left, and is actually decreasing in value.  If he continues to produce offensively, his tradability goes way up. 

[Jockey]

But that's the whole point.  His contract was larger "a long, long time ago."  Now it only has two years left, and is actually decreasing in value.  If he continues to produce offensively, his tradability goes way up.

His contract - $16 mil for this year is not a bad value. If he is healthy and the Brewers are out of it before the trade deadline, I think they will definitely try to move him. It should be easy to do as a team that trades for him will only be on the hook for $4 mil in '21.

[The Sultan]

His contract - $16 mil for this year is not a bad value. If he is healthy and the Brewers are out of it before the trade deadline, I think they will definitely try to move him. It should be easy to do as a team that trades for him will only be on the hook for $4 mil in '21.

Exactly.

[Bad_Reporter]

But that's the whole point.  His contract was larger "a long, long time ago."  Now it only has two years left, and is actually decreasing in value.  If he continues to produce offensively, his tradability goes way up.

Sultan,

Not sure how many teams would be interested in Braun.  My guess is less then a few.  Brewers would be ecstatic to move off of him.

[HutchwasClutch]

Sultan,

Not sure how many teams would be interested in Braun.  My guess is less then a few.  Brewers would be ecstatic to move off of him.

Absolutely, who wouldn't be ecstatic to unload last year's .285/ 22/ 75, and .849 OPS.  Not to mention defensive versatility, including at 1b, where question marks outside of him are huge. Not to mention final year of his contract.  Plus, he's as still clutch as they come. His grand slam last September at St Louis was arguably their clutch hit of 2019. 

No, his numbers no longer support how much they're paying this year, but your opinion is about 2 or 3 years outdated. 

[The Sultan]

Sultan,

Not sure how many teams would be interested in Braun.  My guess is less then a few.  Brewers would be ecstatic to move off of him.

The whole point is that a mid year trade is most definitely a possibility if the Brewers are out of it.

Absolutely, who wouldn't be ecstatic to unload last year's .285/ 22/ 75, and .849 OPS.  Not to mention defensive versatility, including at 1b, where question marks outside of him are huge. Not to mention final year of his contract.  Plus, he's as still clutch as they come. His grand slam last September at St Louis was arguably their clutch hit of 2019. 

No, his numbers no longer support how much they're paying this year, but your opinion is about 2 or 3 years outdated. 

Yep.

[wadesworld]

Absolutely, who wouldn't be ecstatic to unload last year's .285/ 22/ 75, and .849 OPS.  Not to mention defensive versatility, including at 1b, where question marks outside of him are huge. Not to mention final year of his contract.  Plus, he's as still clutch as they come. His grand slam last September at St Louis was arguably their clutch hit of 2019. 

No, his numbers no longer support how much they're paying this year, but your opinion is about 2 or 3 years outdated.

Yeah I'm guessing this is coming from the same source that let our pilot know everyone in the Brewers organization thinks Mark Attanosio is a cheap penny pincher.

[Bad_Reporter]

Absolutely, who wouldn't be ecstatic to unload last year's .285/ 22/ 75, and .849 OPS.  Not to mention defensive versatility, including at 1b, where question marks outside of him are huge. Not to mention final year of his contract.  Plus, he's as still clutch as they come. His grand slam last September at St Louis was arguably their clutch hit of 2019. 

No, his numbers no longer support how much they're paying this year, but your opinion is about 2 or 3 years outdated.

I hear you on the numbers standpoint.  But my point isn't just about productivity, there's other issues with Braun.   I'll leave it at that

Wades,
Feeling man enough this year to accept my offer on tickets and a meet and greet  with the players?

[Keithtisbarf]

I hear you on the numbers standpoint.  But my point isn't just about productivity, there's other issues with Braun.   I'll leave it at that

Wades,
Feeling man enough this year to accept my offer on tickets and a meet and greet  with the players?

I'll take the offer if wade's won't. How do you set up a meet and greet with players?