MLB Hot Stove 2019-20

[Lennys Tap]

Kopech to sit out 2020.

The White Sox pitching coach has said that he is "worried" about Michael Kopech, who has suffered from anxiety and depression in the past.

[🏀]

The White Sox pitching coach has said that he is "worried" about Michael Kopech, who has suffered from anxiety and depression in the past.

I'm sure telling the Sun Times you're worried will ease Michael's anxiety.

[Pakuni]

The White Sox pitching coach has said that he is "worried" about Michael Kopech, who has suffered from anxiety and depression in the past.

FWIW, James Fegan of The Athletic reported that multiple sources from both Kopech's camp and the White Sox told him mental health was not a factor in Kopech's decision.

Sources close to Kopech indicate he was driven by a litany of concerns, not limited to a short ramp-up to action, an uncertain role, uncertainty over the fate of the 2020 season, caution in determining how and when to best return to action from Tommy John surgery, and despite not being medically deemed high-risk himself, concern over how playing amid the pandemic could threaten the health of those close to him.

[JWags85]

FWIW, James Fegan of The Athletic reported that multiple sources from both Kopech's camp and the White Sox told him mental health was not a factor in Kopech's decision.

Sources close to Kopech indicate he was driven by a litany of concerns, not limited to a short ramp-up to action, an uncertain role, uncertainty over the fate of the 2020 season, caution in determining how and when to best return to action from Tommy John surgery, and despite not being medically deemed high-risk himself, concern over how playing amid the pandemic could threaten the health of those close to him.

Translation: COVID is giving me the opportunity to not make a weird, abnormal return from a major career affecting surgery, so I'm gonna express concern and sit it out so I can be ready for a proper season, not this abbreviated stuff.

[Lennys Tap]

Translation: COVID is giving me the opportunity to not make a weird, abnormal return from a major career affecting surgery, so I'm gonna express concern and sit it out so I can be ready for a proper season, not this abbreviated stuff.

My fingers are crossed that your "translation" is accurate. I fear there's more to it.

[Dish]

Luis Robert is +10000 to lead MLB in HR's this season.

Just sayin.

[Dish]

Sox offense is going to be a major problem for the rest of baseball.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Sox offense is going to be a major problem for the rest of baseball.

Indeed

[buckchuckler]

Sox offense is going to be a major problem for the rest of baseball.

Can't wait.  These guys are going to be fun.  I'm not sure how the lineup will play out, but they could legitimately have Eloy and Robert hitting like 6 and 7.  Which is insane. 

[Jockey]

Can't wait.  These guys are going to be fun.  I'm not sure how the lineup will play out, but they could legitimately have Eloy and Robert hitting like 6 and 7.  Which is insane.

I love both those guys and think both will soon be perennial all-stars.

Not sure what to expect this year though. Robert is a rookie, so we don't know what to expect short term. Eloy is going into his 2nd year. Pitcher will make adjustments and it often takes a while for a young guy to adjust to being pitched differently. If he is able to adjust, he could be a huge star. Or it could take a little longer.

[shoothoops]

T-Mobile/Sprint released a deal today for free season of MLB.TV, and a free year of The Athletic, if anyone has either carrier. I believe you get a week or two to redeem the deal.

[Dish]

I honestly didn't know how I was going to feel about this season, but I'm really excited. That being said, this season could end in a heartbeat at any moment. I like the shortened season in what it means to every game meaning way more. I think managers will have to be much more creative (we'll see how that plays out). I'm a fan of the universal DH this year, and I just genuinely still love baseball. The Sox potentially being good colors those glasses a lot I'm sure though, if they were really any of the last few years versions, maybe my enthusiasm would be way less.

I have no idea who's winning the NL Central, I think really any team outside Pittsburgh can make a run. That's fun to me though, 4 teams with a shot, in a shortened season, I'm for it. The AL Central still feels like the Twins to lose. If the Dodgers, Yankees, or Astros get off to slow starts, do those teams start to feel a bit uneasy?

I'm overly excited, I actually was bummed tonight that neither the Cubs or Sox were playing a practice game, as I found myself missing baseball tonight after a couple days in a row of watching.

[MU82]

Major-league tip of the cap to Gabe Kapler. I'll be rooting for him and the Phillies Giants this season. (D'oh!)

[buckchuckler]

Major-league tip of the cap to Gabe Kapler. I'll be rooting for him and the Phillies this season.

I think Gabe would prefer you root for the Giants.

[MU82]

I think Gabe would prefer you root for the Giants.

D'oh!

Thanks for being a good editor!

Point still stands, of course (even though Gabe respectfully kneels).

[buckchuckler]

I love both those guys and think both will soon be perennial all-stars.

Not sure what to expect this year though. Robert is a rookie, so we don't know what to expect short term. Eloy is going into his 2nd year. Pitcher will make adjustments and it often takes a while for a young guy to adjust to being pitched differently. If he is able to adjust, he could be a huge star. Or it could take a little longer.

Which is why it is nice they are down in the lineup.  I think both will still be very dangerous this year.  Eloy took half the season to figure it out last year, then increased his OPS by about 100 points.  Robert may be the same, but he doesn't have the luxury of a full season, and Eloy may even fall back a bit, but that is why it is so great to have among others, Abreu, Encarnacion and Grandal hitting in the middle of the lineup to take pressure off Eloy and Robert.

And for the record, I think Robert will hit about 100 homeruns, even in this shortened season.

[MUBurrow]

Rumor has it that Betts is on the brink of a massive 10-year extension with LAD.  I'm really interested to see the terms of this one.  Betts has stood firm in demanding to join the $300MM club, so I would be shocked if its for any less.  But LAD is a smart club, and despite their payroll flexibility, I imagine they've baked in some covid-related risk on the front end of the deal to go with typical player decline on the back end.  Covid uncertainty, CBA uncertainty, interesting time to get a deal done.

[shoothoops]

Betts would become the 6th MLB player with a $300 million contract, along with Trout, Cole, Harper, Stanton, Machado.

[shoothoops]

13 years, $380 million per Jeff Passan for Betts and Dodgers.

[Mr. Nielsen]

National TV Schedule for this weekend

Thu, Jul 23 6:08 pm   New York Yankees   Washington Nationals   ESPN
Thu, Jul 23    9:08 pm   San Francisco Giants   Los Angeles Dodgers   ESPN

Fri, Jul 24   3:10 pm   Atlanta Braves   New York Mets   ESPN
Fri, Jul 24   5:10 pm   Detroit Tigers   Cincinnati Reds   MLBN
Fri, Jul 24   6:10 pm   Milwaukee Brewers   Chicago Cubs   ESPN
Fri, Jul 24   9:10 pm   Los Angeles Angels   Oakland Athletics   ESPN

Sat, Jul 25   12:05 pm   Milwaukee Brewers   Chicago Cubs   FOX
Sat, Jul 25   1:15 pm   Pittsburgh Pirates   St. Louis Cardinals   MLBN
Sat, Jul 25   3:10 pm   San Francisco Giants   Los Angeles Dodgers   FOX
Sat, Jul 25   6:15 pm   New York Yankees   Washington Nationals   FOX
Sat, Jul 25   8:10 pm   Arizona Diamondbacks   San Diego Padres   FS1

Sun, Jul 26   12:05 pm   New York Yankees   Washington Nationals   TBS
Sun, Jul 26   3:10 pm   Los Angeles Angels   Oakland Athletics   MLBN
Sun, Jul 26   6:08 pm   Atlanta Braves   New York Mets   ESPN
Sun, Jul 26   9:08 pm   San Francisco Giants   Los Angeles Dodgers   ESPN

[shoothoops]

13 years, $380 million per Jeff Passan for Betts and Dodgers.
[/quote

Updated contract details. The extension is 12 years $365 million.

https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1286042491171504130?s=19

[Jockey]

Are any of you White Sox fans "at" Sox park in the stands?

[Dish]

Are any of you White Sox fans "at" Sox park in the stands?

No, I think the cutouts are kinda lame.

Sidenote, I kinda like this Brewers team. The look/feel like a good ball club. I know they had some offseason departures, but I think they'll still be very solid. I think the NL Central is going to be a real battle.

[Jockey]

No, I think the cutouts are kinda lame.

Sidenote, I kinda like this Brewers team. The look/feel like a good ball club. I know they had some offseason departures, but I think they'll still be very solid. I think the NL Central is going to be a real battle.

When the Sox announced this, I figured most people was use it as a joke - like a wife who is a Sox fan buying a Cutout of her Cub fan husband.

[buckchuckler]

When the Sox announced this, I figured most people was use it as a joke - like a wife who is a Sox fan buying a Cutout of her Cub fan husband.

I saw some of the KBO teams were doing it, so I wasn't surprised when it was announced for the Sox.  I think its kind of fun.  Probably won't do it.  But I think it is a fun idea.

My favorite thing I saw in the KBO was a team put up cutouts of a bunch of minor league mascots.