2025-2026 offseason thread

Hudson2 said:
I'd rather use the resources for a young controllable SS. I've said Whetherholt a lot but he could be had for young pitching more than likely bc they have Winn. They may not wanna trade either. You could use the money savings at SS to get 2 SP.
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Cardinals are not in a stage where they trade prospects. Winn there is a chance because of service time. Zero percent chance they trade Wetherholt.
 
Hudson2 said:
I don't think they'd make an extension announcement at this point either. They'd just wait til after the WS. I have a feeling both sides wanna make a deal though. It'd be good to get on Boras good side.
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They do have until 5 days after the WS but you'd think they're trying to workout an extension with Kim. If he hits the market, it's anyones game.
 
If Kim hits the market, he's gone. AA is going to give Kim the top offer he wants to pay, and if Kim still elects FA, why would AA suddenly increase his offer later?

The fact Kim hasn't hit the market yet is a good sign for the Braves (compared to others who recently opted out immediately). I fully expect AA to make the right decision here and find a way to extend the only real SS option available.
 
I think Kim gets done pretty soon after the WS is over. If we can extend Kim early and hire one of Lombard or Lehmann we are in really good shape heading into the big part of the offseason.
 
MLBTR just broke down the QO eligible pitchers: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/previewing-qualifying-offer-decisions-pitchers.html

I guess I didn't realize guys like Cease, Suarez and Valdez will have QOs attached to them (stupid, I know). To me, that greatly reduces the likelihood AA signs them. Same goes with Woodruff if he ultimately rejects a QO.

There aren't many interesting names on the Ineligible list, so taking on Gray's last year may be the most likely path for AA to take.
 
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Enscheff said:
MLBTR just broke down the QO eligible pitchers: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/previewing-qualifying-offer-decisions-pitchers.html

I guess I didn't realize guys like Cease, Suarez and Valdez will have QOs attached to them (stupid, I know). To me, that greatly reduces the likelihood AA signs them. Same goes with Woodruff if he ultimately rejects a QO.

There aren't many interesting names on the Ineligible list, so taking on Gray's last year may be the most likely path for AA to take.
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I think we're gonna see a couple of big trades but not a lot given up. Gray for peanuts basically and then they'll revisit Buxton again. Buxton can play all 3 OF spots and he can rotate through DH with Ronnie and the C to keep their legs fresh. Almost makes to much sense.
 
Someone mentioned that if Drake wins the ROTY, that pick would actually be protected in the event we sign a FA with a QO attached, and it would actually be our 2nd round pick that would be forfeited.

Anyone know if that is true? It could certainly change things a bit if that were the case.
 
If Rangers really are cutting payroll, then go get Seager and eat the majority of the contract. That’s if the Braves really are serious about blowing past the tax threshold. Injury risk, but I’d take the chance over Kim for the much higher ceiling. Hell, probably higher floor too. He put up 6+ WAR in just over a 100 games this season.
 
CyYoung31 said:
If Rangers really are cutting payroll, then go get Seager and eat the majority of the contract. That’s if the Braves really are serious about blowing past the tax threshold. Injury risk, but I’d take the chance over Kim for the much higher ceiling. Hell, probably higher floor too. He put up 6+ WAR in just over a 100 games this season.
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How about Seager at SS and Kim at 2B?
 
Carp said:
Someone mentioned that if Drake wins the ROTY, that pick would actually be protected in the event we sign a FA with a QO attached, and it would actually be our 2nd round pick that would be forfeited.

Anyone know if that is true? It could certainly change things a bit if that were the case.
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I don't think that is true. I don't think the PPI pick is protected and would be subjected to the QO forfeit penalty.
 
not that is is the absolute truth.. but AI agrees with me.

AI Overview


Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) picks in MLB are not directly protected from the effects of the Qualifying Offer (QO) system
. The two types of draft pick compensation operate independently, and a team that signs a QO free agent could potentially lose a PPI pick as part of the penalty.
Here is a breakdown of how PPI picks and QO-related draft penalties work.
Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) picks
  • How a team earns one: Under the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, a team can receive a bonus draft pick if one of their top prospects, called up early in the season, goes on to win a major award (Rookie of the Year, MVP, or Cy Young) before becoming arbitration-eligible.
  • The pick's placement: A PPI bonus pick is typically awarded immediately after the first round of the draft.
  • Independent from the QO: The PPI program was created to incentivize teams to promote elite prospects and has no formal connection to the Qualifying Offer system.
The Qualifying Offer (QO) and draft pick penalties
    • How draft picks are affected: A team that signs a free agent who has rejected a qualifying offer will forfeit one or more of its draft picks, depending on its financial status (whether it paid the Competitive Balance Tax or received revenue sharing).
    • The highest pick is "protected": Under the current rules, a team's highest first-round pick is exempt from forfeiture. This is the main form of "protection" in the system.
    • PPI picks are not a "protected" first-round pick: Because a PPI pick is a bonus selection that falls after the first round, it is not considered the team's highest first-round pick. This means a team could potentially lose its bonus PPI pick if it signs a QO free agent.
    • Example scenario: A team earns a PPI bonus pick after the first round. Later, during the free-agent signing period, that team signs a free agent who had rejected a qualifying offer. Because the team's PPI pick is not its highest first-round pick, it is potentially subject to forfeiture as a penalty for signing the QO free agent.
 
Huge Seager fan. Texas is supposedly cutting payroll and Walcott is ready so I'm sure they'd like to sell high on Seager. If Lim opts out then see what Texas wants
 
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