MLB Hot Stove 2019-20

[tower912]

If Scholl hasn't already reached out to Theo Epstein.....

[wadesworld]

If Scholl hasn't already reached out to Theo Epstein.....

Lol.  Start up the baseball program now!

[shoothoops]

He only had one more year, not likely to get contract renewed. Lots of change and uncertainties.

Epstein said he is sitting out next season as well. He can return post COVID-19 and see what big $ teams are available. Or he could be part of a new ownership group somewhere.

[Uncle Rico]

Robinson Cano tested positive for PEDs for a second time and will be suspended for the entire 2021 season.  What a dope

[Pakuni]

Robinson Cano tested positive for PEDs for a second time and will be suspended for the entire 2021 season.  What a dope

Literally pissed away $24 million.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Robinson Cano tested positive for PEDs for a second time and will be suspended for the entire 2021 season.  What a dope

Based on the reaction of Mets fans on WFAN the last 3 years they most likely will be happy he's suspended.

[Lennys Tap]

Robinson Cano tested positive for PEDs for a second time and will be suspended for the entire 2021 season.  What a dope

Well, at least we have a logical reason for his comeback last season.

[Jockey]

Well, at least we have a logical reason for his comeback last season.

That was my first thought.

[CTWarrior]

Wow, Theo Epstein stepping down for the Cubs

I think Theo could be a great MLB commissioner.

[JWags85]

I think Theo could be a great MLB commissioner.

I think he likes winning and competition and the challenge too much. If not somewhere like the Mets, I think there is a better chance he ends up in the FO of a team in a different sport than a Commissioner role.

[shoothoops]

A tale of two teams, any guesses? A hint is that it is a current topic this past week.

Team A:

753 wins
9 winning seasons
4 Division Titles
6 playoff appearances
25 playoff wins
1 World Series appearance (loss)

Team B:

705 wins
6 winning seasons
3 Division Titles
5 playoff appearances
19 playoff wins
1 World Series (win)

[BM1090]

A tale of two teams, any guesses? A hint is that it is a current topic this past week.

Team A:

753 wins
9 winning seasons
4 Division Titles
6 playoff appearances
25 playoff wins
1 World Series appearance (loss)

Team B:

705 wins
6 winning seasons
3 Division Titles
5 playoff appearances
19 playoff wins
1 World Series (win)

Team B is the Cubs under Epstein. I'm guessing Team A is the Cardinals under that same time frame. If so, I never realized that they had 9 straight winning seasons. But I can't think of another team that would fit that description.

[shoothoops]

Team B is the Cubs under Epstein. I'm guessing Team A is the Cardinals under that same time frame. If so, I never realized that they had 9 straight winning seasons. But I can't think of another team that would fit that description.

It is, those two teams during Epstein's 9 year Cubs run.

The Cardinals have long had an organizational philosophy of being "competitive" annually. They have had one losing season in the past 20 years. They wouldn't for example be a team to tank for draft picks etc ..which has also been a successful means to an end etc...different ways to do it. The Cardinals are a mid market team with higher revenue and higher spending than the typical mid market team. (Roughly 10th) 8-12 range. They would be similar to Atlanta in some $ ways.  Tampa made the WS vs the Dodgers for a different compare and contrast example.

Some, perhaps many Cards fans would like to see changes etc...out of disappointment in the last stat of the above stats. Some, perhaps many Cubs fans have been pleased with winning the World Series and having more recent success. It's interesting.

(The Cardinals won the World Series in 2011, the season before what I included above 9 years, which was while Epstein was being hired. Epstein's first full Cubs season was the following year.)

It isn't likely to happen but I would like to see what Epstein could (and couldn't) do with a mid or smaller market team.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

A tale of two teams, any guesses? A hint is that it is a current topic this past week.

Team A:

753 wins
9 winning seasons
4 Division Titles
6 playoff appearances
25 playoff wins
1 World Series appearance (loss)

Team B:

705 wins
6 winning seasons
3 Division Titles
5 playoff appearances
19 playoff wins
1 World Series (win)

NM.

[Dish]

Going to be an interesting 24 plus hours leading up to the tender deadline. Fascinating to see what the Cubs do with Bryant and if they really non tender him. I've mentioned on here pre-Covid that I've heard whispers that the Cubs had severe financial issues, and I (still) expect the Ricketts to sell before the end of this decade.

[MU82]

Oh no! Not Schwarbs!!!!!

[MUBurrow]

Busy day for the Crew. Knebel to LA for future considerations.  I'm guessing basically nothing if he doesn't make the team, as he was slated to be nontendered anyway.  Nontendered Gamel, Claudio, and Jace Peterson.  Agreed to slight pay cut deals with Arcia, Narvaez, Pina, and Vogelbach.  Nothing too flashy, but shores up a lot of uncertainty about what the roster would look like.  I especially like bringing back Arcia and Vogelbach - the upside on both are worth committing the money now.  Even moreso with Vogelbach if the DH sticks next year.  Only move I'm not a fan of is Narvaez, as I think I'd prefer to save the money and go into next year with Pina, Maile, and Nottingham.  I know he managed some decent batting averages before coming to the Crew, but he makes surprisingly weak contact (he's never going to approach the 22 HRs he hit with Seattle again), his walk and strikeout numbers are going in the wrong direction, and his defense is poor.  I think that Claudio out of the pen or Gamel as a solid fourth outfielder would both be more valuable to the team next year for the same or less money. 

[MU82]

Going to be an interesting 24 plus hours leading up to the tender deadline. Fascinating to see what the Cubs do with Bryant and if they really non tender him. I've mentioned on here pre-Covid that I've heard whispers that the Cubs had severe financial issues, and I (still) expect the Ricketts to sell before the end of this decade.

Bryant tendered. Could still trade him, of course.

As expected, Baez and Contreras were tendered. So were Happ and Caratini.

[drewm88]

Going to be an interesting 24 plus hours leading up to the tender deadline. Fascinating to see what the Cubs do with Bryant and if they really non tender him. I've mentioned on here pre-Covid that I've heard whispers that the Cubs had severe financial issues, and I (still) expect the Ricketts to sell before the end of this decade.

I hope they sell tomorrow. For four years, they've made it more and more clear they see the title as their ticket to coast and cash checks.

[Dish]

Len Kasper leaving the Cubs to replace Andy Masur as the Sox radio play by play guy.

[Dish]

Chris Myers (yuck) will replace Kasper in the Cubs tv booth. Jim Deshaies will still be the color analyst on tv with Myers.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Chris Myers (yuck) will replace Kasper in the Cubs tv booth. Jim Deshaies will still be the color analyst on tv with Myers.

I haven't liked the Cubs TV booth since.... I don't really know; maybe pre-stroke Harry Caray?

I also don't like the Marquee Network, think the Rickett's are legitimately evil people, and disagree with almost all the changes made to and around Wrigley. I admit I'm basically left rooting for the laundry worn by the home team, but I still really, really like the Cubs.

I can't picture most Cubs fans getting too upset over the swapping out of very vanilla announcers.

[Dish]

I haven't liked the Cubs TV booth since.... I don't really know; maybe pre-stroke Harry Caray?

I also don't like the Marquee Network, think the Rickett's are legitimately evil people, and disagree with almost all the changes made to and around Wrigley. I admit I'm basically left rooting for the laundry worn by the home team, but I still really, really like the Cubs.

I can't picture most Cubs fans getting too upset over the swapping out of very vanilla announcers.

From the initial reactions on Twitter this evening, I think you're in the minority regarding your last comment.

[MU82]

Len is a pretty solid play-by-play man. He's also a Marquette alum and, FWIW, a really good guy.

[Silent Verbal]

I'm a huge fan of Len and JD.  Announcers are part of the fan experience, and this is a big loss for the Cubs fan base.  (Not a Cubs fan myself but enjoy their broadcasts immensely.)