Around the League: 2017 offseason edition / 2018 Season

[thewupk]

And he'd still be going to the team with less talent in that scenario. There's no doubt that we have the edge as far as pitching DEPTH is concerned, but Stroman and sanchez make one *elluva 1-2 punch at the top, they have a shutdown Closer, and more offensive talent overall.

The only reason to hope he'd choose Atlanta if both offered similar money is that he's originally from the area. If he's interested in winning a ring, the Braves would eventually have to beat the Yankees or Sox as well.

It's questionable if the Braves or Jays have more on the field talent in 2019. And the Braves don't necessarily have to beat the Yankees or Sox to get a ring. And there is a huge difference between beating out a team over 162 games and a 7 game series.

[Enscheff]

Donaldson could be more affordable that previously thought next year should the Braves entertain that idea. There has been a trend the last few years of the % of MLB salary shifting from the older crowd to the younger guys. So the new market inefficiency may just be aging vets which is crazy to think about as enscheff mentioned previously. Next year will say a lot about the market for certain types of players. Is this just a huge lull due to teams saving their money for next off season or a continued trend that's led to a new market to exploit.

Indeed it will be interesting.

Everyone talks like it's a given that Machado and Harper will get paid, and I agree. Everyone then takes the less solidly logical leap that all other FAs will also get paid as usual.

I wouldn't be shocked if teams are still reluctant to give big money to mediocre aging players. It was always a bad idea, and it will still be a bad idea next year.

However, JDM is sitting on an offer of around 5/125, so I would be shocked if Donaldson doesn't get 5/140 or 6/150+.

[clvclv]

It's questionable if the Braves or Jays have more on the field talent in 2019. And the Braves don't necessarily have to beat the Yankees or Sox to get a ring. And there is a huge difference between beating out a team over 162 games and a 7 game series.

With the wildcard now in place, the Jays wouldn't HAVE to beat the Yankees (or Sox) over that 162 games and win the division - they'd only have to beat them in that 5 or 7-game series as long as they qualify for the dance.

Who would have the "better chance" simply depends on which way you choose to look at it. At the end of the day, the Jays have a history of larger payrolls (partly because they're in that Division, of course) and Donaldson is already on record saying that he's definitely open to talking extension with them since he's comfortable there. As far as anybody knows, he wouldn't be expected to say otherwise from a PR standpoint - but players that DON'T say that (Machado) obviously have no interest whatsoever in returning unless their present team winds up being the highest bidder for their services.

As things stand today, there's a much better chance Donaldson wraps up his career up north of the border than there is he does it wearing a Braves' jersey.

[thewupk]

With the wildcard now in place, the Jays wouldn't HAVE to beat the Yankees (or Sox) over that 162 games and win the division - they'd only have to beat them in that 5 or 7-game series as long as they qualify for the dance.

Who would have the "better chance" simply depends on which way you choose to look at it. At the end of the day, the Jays have a history of larger payrolls (partly because they're in that Division, of course) and Donaldson is already on record saying that he's definitely open to talking extension with them since he's comfortable there. As far as anybody knows, he wouldn't be expected to say otherwise from a PR standpoint - but players that DON'T say that (Machado) obviously have no interest whatsoever in returning unless their present team winds up being the highest bidder for their services.

As things stand today, there's a much better chance Donaldson wraps up his career up north of the border than there is he does it wearing a Braves' jersey.

I'd agree with that. I also think there is a much better chance he goes to FA than just re upping in Toronto. And say what you will but the path to the playoffs is going to be easier in any division other than the AL East. And the Braves will be in a prime position to take over the NL East after the Nats window closes with Harper, etc likely leaving.

[Tapate50]

I think the Nats dick us pretty hard and end up getting Harper back

[thewupk]

I think the Nats dick us pretty hard and end up getting Harper back

I hope they do. I don't think he's going to be worth the contract he supposedly is going to get or want. Paying ~40 million for a 4 WAR player isn't the best use of resources even if you can afford him. Would effect them in keeping/getting other players as well. Or maybe they become the Dodgers and have seemingly unlimited funds. Who knows.

[CrimsonCowboy]

The Rays May finally have a site for a new ballpark

http://www.tampabay.com/news/busines...says_165299825

[clvclv]

I'd agree with that. I also think there is a much better chance he goes to FA than just re upping in Toronto. And say what you will but the path to the playoffs is going to be easier in any division other than the AL East. And the Braves will be in a prime position to take over the NL East after the Nats window closes with Harper, etc likely leaving.

I don't disagree that Nunez makes much more sense for the Yankees or Sox for this year either given his versatility, but I'm guessing neither of them are offering more than one year either.

If he's looking for CONSISTENT playing time to land one more season, the choice is probably pretty clear at this point - IF the money's close, of course.

[bravesfanforlife88]

Williams Perez arrested in Venezuela for accidentally shooting his former coach. Sounds like he was handing the gun to his coach when it went off, killing the coach.

[Heyward]

Cubs just signed Darvish. 6 years/150 million, according to Rosenthal.

Maybe some big name guys will sign now.

[Enscheff]

Cubs just signed Darvish. 6 years/150 million, according to Rosenthal.

Maybe some big name guys will sign now.

Guaranteed 6/126 and can get to 6/150. I’m guessing that means the 6th year is a $25M option with a $1M buyout?

The Cubs are already at the point in their contention window where the farm is basically dry and they are signing old players to stay on top.

If the Brewers and Twins can avoid doing something stupid, their window to contend should open in a few seasons.

[msstate7]

Williams Perez arrested in Venezuela for accidentally shooting his former coach. Sounds like he was handing the gun to his coach when it went off, killing the coach.

Awful.

[msstate7]

Guaranteed 6/126 and can get to 6/150. I’m guessing that means the 6th year is a $25M option with a $1M buyout?

The Cubs are already at the point in their contention window where the farm is basically dry and they are signing old players to stay on top.

If the Brewers and Twins can avoid doing something stupid, their window to contend should open in a few seasons.

Crazy. I thought the cubs were set up to contend for a long time

[Heyward]

Crazy. I thought the cubs were set up to contend for a long time

They are but their farm system is just about ravaged.

[thewupk]

Crazy. I thought the cubs were set up to contend for a long time

They have a lot of young talent on that team and they have the funds to extend them. That's the differnece between the Cubs and say the Braves. Braves will watch primo players leave via FA while the Cubs can extend and sign additional FA's. They are also 3 years into their contention window and have been to 3 NLCS's and won a WS.

[Enscheff]

The Cubs have made some tactical errors. While their window is still wide open, it is easy to see the events that will lead to it closing.

They probably have 2-3 more excellent years until Quintana, Lester and Darvish decline enough that they are major roster burden.

[Southcack77]

They have a lot of young talent on that team and they have the funds to extend them. That's the differnece between the Cubs and say the Braves. Braves will watch primo players leave via FA while the Cubs can extend and sign additional FA's. They are also 3 years into their contention window and have been to 3 NLCS's and won a WS.

And much like other big market teams there will be a point where extending their window will likely lead to more and more short sighted decisions while younger cheaper teams makes moves around them until the weight of it breaks them.

We’ve seen the Yankees and Sox and Tigers and White Sox do it. The Nats are on their way.

[thewupk]

And much like other big market teams there will be a point where extending their window will likely lead to more and more short sighted decisions while younger cheaper teams makes moves around them until the weight of it breaks them.

We’ve seen the Yankees and Sox and Tigers and White Sox do it. The Nats are on their way.

Yeah. Eventually all teams need to rebuild. The teams that are run well with large payrolls just don't have much downtime.

[Hudson2]

Astros are the front runners for Realmuto, said that Kyle Tucker could be the headliner.

[Carp]

The Cubs have made some tactical errors. While their window is still wide open, it is easy to see the events that will lead to it closing.

They probably have 2-3 more excellent years until Quintana, Lester and Darvish decline enough that they are major roster burden.

Lester will be gone in in 3 years and so will Zobrist. Quintana is still young enough to provide value for longer than 3 years, but if not he will be gone by 2021 as well.

The Cubs will be good for a long while as long as Epstein is there and they continue to have a top 5-10 payroll.