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.

[Pakuni]

https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/2019490989019181228?s=20

[tower912]

Good for Tarik.

[18thandWells]

Detroit should trade Skubal to a rich coastal franchise willing to pay for his single year of service.

After all, who needs a a better shot at the World Series when there's a chance to improve your ranking in Keith Law's Top Farm Systems?

[wadesworld]

Detroit should trade Skubal to a rich coastal franchise willing to pay for his single year of service.

After all, who needs a a better shot at the World Series when there's a chance to improve your ranking in Keith Law's Top Farm Systems?

Why make a trade for Skubal when you can just win the World Series this year and then give him $100MM more than anyone else can offer him and defer all of that out into the future, and give up nothing for him?

[tower912]

Detroit went all in by signing Valdez.  I cannot imagine a trade package for Skubal that gets Detroit closer to a World Series than keeping Skubal.

[MU82]

Good moves for the Tigers. We'll see y'all in Seattle in October again!

[tower912]

The games will be on TV there?


There was chatter over the last couple weeks about the Tigers picking up a free agent pitcher before spring training.   The speculation was a middle of the rotation, inning eating, depth guy.  Valdez is an expectation changer.