Lamb and Pederson would be ideal - in theory - but they fit as platoon guys for a lot of teams, so how cheaply they'll come COULD be a problem. They're not going to break the bank, but they're also not likely going to get 1 year/$3 or $4 million deals either. As had been discussed before they seem like great fits, but they're both going to be strict platoon guys. If you're signing them to have Riley and Duvall sit against RH Pitchers, who are you going to have DH on those days?
I just don't see Bryant as a fit anymore, even if the money he gets in arbitration isn't extravagant. Why bring in another RH guy to play 3B or LF? Particularly one who's hurt all the time coming off of a really bad season that will cost you prospects? Find a platoon partner for the guys you've got - if Bryant has a bounceback year, consider signing him following 2021 when there's a chance AA has more money available. The one-year deals work when you're only giving up payroll space - why give up prospects for a guy who isn't even a slam-dunk to get you past the Dodgers next season, much less win you the World Series?
Not sure how Polanco would be a fit, even if they'd take Ender's money back. Are you really going to give up a decent/good prospect to make that happen? Polanco has had two career seasons with an OPS+ over 100, AND that kind of swap costs you $2 million you could spend elsewhere - might as well keep Ender on the roster until you've gamed Pache's (and possibly Waters') clock and hope he can give you something before you DFA him. Really sucks, but I think you just have to treat Ender's salary as a sunk cost at this point - not even the rebuilding clubs are going to give you anything of value for him. Someone mentioned swapping him for a RP making a good chunk of money. That'd be a great idea, but who has a decent pen arm AND a need to have someone keeping CF warm for a prospect? Given the fact that teams like the Marlins, Tigers, Orioles, and Rangers have already called Harrison, Cameron, Mountcastle, and Taveras up, who has a need for Inciarte?
Has there EVER been a statement and question a certain someone should absolutely never have made and asked publicly more than...
Kinda pathetic to see yourself as a message board knight in shining armor. How impotent does someone have to be in real life to resort to playing hero on a message board?
Rangers cuts coming...
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/...l-in-2021.html
Has there EVER been a statement and question a certain someone should absolutely never have made and asked publicly more than...
Kinda pathetic to see yourself as a message board knight in shining armor. How impotent does someone have to be in real life to resort to playing hero on a message board?
They have some expensive contracts coming off the books. They aren’t outright releasing or cutting players because they’d still be on the hook for their contracts. I understand what you meant though.
I am curious as to how many team options on players will be picked up and how many players will be non-tendered. I'm guessing the market is going to be flooded with mid-range players and perhaps a couple of upper-tier guys who haven't reached free agency. A lot of us were disappointed that Anthopoulos wasn't more aggressive at the deadline, but he may have been reading the off-season tea leaves.
I don’t see a huge free agent deal coming this offseason. Ozuna may come cheaper than we thought with people scared of having a repeat of 2020 with revenue and possible labor issues the year after. I didn’t realize Kluber was a FA this offseason. Might be an interesting pickup.
jpx7 (10-05-2020)
forgot about Bryant. actually makes a ton of sense (again). he's my most-likely guess and also my most-preferred.
"Well, you’ll learn soon enough that this was a massive red wave landslide." - thethe on the 2020 election that trump lost bigly
“I can’t fix my life, but I can fix the world.” - sturg
Bryant makes me nervous... he was God awful this year, has always had subpar Statcast metrics... and this was like a short prove it year and he failed. He doesn't fit AA's model IMO... Ozuna had a bit of a down year before we signed him, but at least he still had the insane Statcast data to suggest a tweak or two and he may be dominant again. I'm not seeing that in Bryant's profile at all.
jpx7 (10-05-2020)
Yeah big pass on Bryant but Cubs should probably blow it up. They do have some interesting pieces, just none i think the Braves should consider unless the cost is very low.
Time to ask about our old friend Heyward
jpx7 (10-05-2020)
jpx7 (10-05-2020)
jpx7 (10-05-2020)
Every agent and player (and front office) have to be weighing what they think the long term baseball money is going to look like.
If lower revenues are the new normal then getting security this year at lower numbers might be the best play. If baseball bounces back to normal in 2021, one or two year deals at good money might not be such a bad move.
I have doubts that Liberty will allow AA to pitch Enders money into the wind. If he cant trade him then he will have to eat a bench seat. Heyward comes up every year as potential target (kinda like Lucroy) when folks disremember why he was traded in the first place. Not to mention there is already an overloaded OF on hand (please dont think Pache and Waters arent in plans). I think (maybe wish) that rest of playoffs and performance of Wright and Anderson will play big in pitching moves, if any, this winter. If Cubs do go into semi rebuild Ender would be viable as they need a CF. Ideal way for them to move some Bryant money (or Heyward but doubtful Braves would have interest in Jason). Is Pederson that much of a target considering already have Duvall on board and Pederson cant hit LHers?