MLB HOT STOVE ‘25-‘26

[TSmith34, Inc.]

There is now a lot of left-handed pitching in the Brewers bullpen. I wouldn't be surprised if someone (Ashby?) slides into the rotation.

As a starter, will they send him out there every game, like in the playoffs?

[GB Warrior]

As a starter, will they send him out there every game, like in the playoffs?

Blown openers will continue until morale improves

[Shaka Shart]

Blown openers will continue until morale improves

Pulling a Mickey Mantle?

[tower912]

Stop me if you've heard this before, but it sure looks like the Tigers are counting on growth and development for 2026.
Now that it appears the Tigers are not going to trade Skubal, 12 out of 13 position players are easily predictable and the same that were projected to start last season, pre injuries.  4 out of 5 starting pitching slots are known.  The 4 at the back end of the bullpen are known.    Basically, the only unknown is whether Detroit is going to have McGonigle on the opening day roster.  If so, at shortstop or third?  If at shortstop, is Baez the CF or is Meadows?

Other than that, very MU-like.

[GB Warrior]

Stop me if you've heard this before, but it sure looks like the Tigers are counting on growth and development for 2026.
Now that it appears the Tigers are not going to trade Skubal, 12 out of 13 position players are easily predictable and the same that were projected to start last season, pre injuries.  4 out of 5 starting pitching slots are known.  The 4 at the back end of the bullpen are known.    Basically, the only unknown is whether Detroit is going to have McGonigle on the opening day roster.  If so, at shortstop or third?  If at shortstop, is Baez the CF or is Meadows?

Other than that, very MU-like.

What does it say that I have more faith in Javi hitting a breaking ball low and outside than I do in this basketball program

[tower912]

Sometimes, but not often, Javy can resist swinging at that crap pitch.  We should all try the same.

[Pakuni]

Munetaka Murakami picks ... the White Sox.
Are the Sox back?

[wadesworld]

Munetaka Murakami picks ... the White Sox.
Are the Sox back?

Can't be excited until they're in a Playoff race.

[WhiteTrash]

Munetaka Murakami picks ... the White Sox.
Are the Sox back?

Well, the best case scenario is he plays well enough to be traded for prospects. Not a horrible strategy.

[18thandWells]

Can't be excited until they're in a Playoff race.

And stop being excited immediately after Game 1 of the NLCS and switch to complaining about revenue sharing.

[Jockey]

Shades of Dave Kingman?

[MUBurrow]

Well, the best case scenario is he plays well enough to be traded for prospects. Not a horrible strategy.

Especially for the price. Given the potential upside, that's a good lottery ticket imo.

[Pakuni]

Shades of Dave Kingman?

Quote from The Athletic about sums it up:

"That just kind of is who he is, so the strikeout percentage is going to be there," a National League Pacific Rim scout told The Athletic in November. "It's just going to be, 'Can he get to enough home-run damage to make it worth it?' Is it going to be closer to Kyle Schwarber production or Joey Gallo production?"

[Dish]

Quote from The Athletic about sums it up:

"That just kind of is who he is, so the strikeout percentage is going to be there," a National League Pacific Rim scout told The Athletic in November. "It's just going to be, 'Can he get to enough home-run damage to make it worth it?' Is it going to be closer to Kyle Schwarber production or Joey Gallo production?"

I immediately thought Adam Dunn, but Gallo/Schwarber makes a lot of sense.

Definitely makes their lineup more interesting for 2026, this is probably the most left handed hitting Sox team I can recall.

[18thandWells]

I have never seen a second of the league in which he played, but if Murakami can't hit anything above 94mph, that may pose a problem in MLB.

[WhiteTrash]

I have never seen a second of the league in which he played, but if Murakami can't hit anything above 94mph, that may pose a problem in MLB.

He'll be a killer against all the knuckle ball pitchers.

[Jockey]

Quote from The Athletic about sums it up:

"That just kind of is who he is, so the strikeout percentage is going to be there," a National League Pacific Rim scout told The Athletic in November. "It's just going to be, 'Can he get to enough home-run damage to make it worth it?' Is it going to be closer to Kyle Schwarber production or Joey Gallo production?"

Better than Gallo - maybe by a lot.

Using Scwarber's name in the comparison is sacreligious.

[Shaka Shart]

Can't be excited until they're in a Playoff race.

Say it louder for those in the back!!!