MLB HOT STOVE ‘25-‘26

[MU82]

Interesting tidbit from Yahoo Sports:

Longtime MLB reliever David Robertson — a 2009 World Series champion with the Yankees — announced his retirement on Friday, leaving a nearly unprecedented vacuum in the sport: For just the second time since New York's inaugural title in 1923, there's not a single active player who won a ring with the Bronx Bombers. The only other time that happened? 1995.

The Yankees' current 16-year World Series drought is just one shy of their longest ever (1979-95), not including the 21 years it took to win their first championship. 10 teams have won a title since New York's most recent in 2009: Dodgers (3x), Giants (3x), Astros (2x), Red Sox (2x), Rangers, Braves, Nationals, Royals, Cubs and Cardinals.

[18thandWells]

There will soon be a bidet in the White Sox clubhouse.

[Pakuni]

There will soon be a bidet in the White Sox clubhouse.

Yet another area where the U.S. trails the world.

[GB Warrior]

There will soon be a bidet in the White Sox clubhouse.

This is like Man in the High Castle where the US lost the war and had Japanese culture thrust upon us

[MU82]

The Mariners with a nice move, landing Brendan Donovan in a deal that didn't cost them any of their top prospects.

Just the latest dump from the Cardinals, who obviously are in serious rebuilding mode.

[tower912]

I did not have Detroit Tigers signing Framber Valdez for 3 years and $115m anywhere in my bingo card.

There will be some fascinating and entertaining reactions to this.

[Dish]

I'm sure paying Valdez $38M a year while going to court shortly to argue Skubal should get $19M a year is going to go over well.

[18thandWells]

Detroit signed Framburgular to a $38M AAV before even finding out if they'll pay Skubal $19M or $32M next year.

[Pakuni]

Precursor to another move?

[tower912]

Making a move to push for a WS in what they accept will be Skubal's final season?

Fascinating that they could be so acrimonious with Boras regarding Skubal, yet give another of his clients that big of a deal.

Like Bregman a season ago, I predict it will come out that Detroit had been offering Skubal a huge yearly amount but for a shorter contract, say 3 years, $200m, but Skubal/Boras wanted a longer deal.

I also predict that Skubal wins the arbitration and is in Detroit all season.

Interesting decision.

[18thandWells]

Detroit's backstop, Dillon Dingler (great name!) was seen shopping for extra gear.

[tower912]

He doesn't need a new glove since he received a gold one in the offseason

[18thandWells]

He doesn't need a new glove since he received a gold one in the offseason

Just don't shake him off.

[tower912]

The Tigers went to the portal and signed a huge transfer and you are worried about relationships?

[MU82]

Can't be easy for the Tigers to argue in the arbitration hearing that Skubal is worth only about half of what they just gave Valdez.

[tower912]

That is one of the interesting dynamics of this signing.  I also think the Tigers assumed they would lose the arbitration and decided to go all in.

Rotation of Skubal, Valdez, Mize, Flaherty, Olson
Back end of Holton, Vest, Finnegan, Jansen.   That is three relievers with 20+ saves last season.

Probably the end of pitching chaos.