Around the League: 2017 offseason edition / 2018 Season

The smart get smarter.

The dumb stay dumb.

Another opportunity to modernize missed by the Braves.

Williams to baker to Martinez is not smart getting smarter. It is dumb getting slightly less dumb to maybe getting somewhat smart. I was hoping they would stick with Baker longer.
 
I get that we're hamstrung by the FO mess and arguably don't have as much market appeal and resources as some of the other teams with managerial openings, but, damn, it feels like we missed out on a good crop of candidates this off-season.
 
5/106 sets the bar for FAs early. $100M+ plus deals are rarely good deals for teams, but this one is about as good as can be expected.

I still think it is a bad deal for the Angels specifically. They are in bad shape as an organization. Horrific farm system, saddled by big contracts, and have the curse of having the best player in the game who is untradable. I don't know what the answer is for their organization, but taking on more big long term contracts just seems like a bad idea for them. Unless they think they have a chance to compete, but I just don't see it.
 
5/106 sets the bar for FAs early. $100M+ plus deals are rarely good deals for teams, but this one is about as good as can be expected.

Yeah, this is a surprisingly team friendly deal. Covers his age 30-34 seasons. Cost per expected win about 8M. I think Justin wanted to say in SoCal. Deal is significantly back-loaded, making it even more team friendly.
 
I still think it is a bad deal for the Angels specifically. They are in bad shape as an organization. Horrific farm system, saddled by big contracts, and have the curse of having the best player in the game who is untradable. I don't know what the answer is for their organization, but taking on more big long term contracts just seems like a bad idea for them. Unless they think they have a chance to compete, but I just don't see it.

They view themselves as a competitive team, and were as a matter of fact in the thick of the wild car race well into September. Their lineup does tilt strongly right handed. I imagine they will go after a left-handed hitting first baseman. Someone like Morrison.
 
I still think it is a bad deal for the Angels specifically. They are in bad shape as an organization. Horrific farm system, saddled by big contracts, and have the curse of having the best player in the game who is untradable. I don't know what the answer is for their organization, but taking on more big long term contracts just seems like a bad idea for them. Unless they think they have a chance to compete, but I just don't see it.

The corner OF and 1B market will be flooded again this year. They almost certainly could have gotten 75% of Upton's production for 10% of the price.
 
MLBTraderumors has top free agents and their predictions on where they sign...

Braves sign Moustakas 5 yr/ $85m
Braves sign Hunter 2 yr/ $12m

6. Mike Moustakas – Braves. Five years, $85MM. Moustakas, 29, set a Royals franchise record with 38 home runs this year. The second overall draft pick in 2007, Moustakas didn’t click as a hitter until 2015. The third baseman suffered an ACL tear in May 2016, ending that season early, but exhibited no health problems in his return this year. The biggest flaw in Moose’s game is his low 5.7% walk rate this year, resulting in a .314 OBP that drove down his overall value as a hitter despite the power. Defensive metrics were also down on his once well-regarded glovework this year, though teams may be willing to chalk that up to rust coming off his knee injury. Regardless, he should do well in free agency. If the Royals move on, the Angels, Braves, and Cardinals could be options. Like Hosmer, Moustakas is going to receive and reject a qualifying offer.

41. Tommy Hunter – Braves. Two years, $12MM. Hunter hopes to follow in the footsteps of Joaquin Benoit and Fernando Rodney, who resurrected their careers with the Rays and found lucrative free agent contracts. Hunter, 31, employed a 96 mile per hour fastball to put up a 2.61 ERA, 9.8 K/9, and 2.1 BB/9 in 58 2/3 innings, unlocking a strikeout ability he did not previously possess in nine seasons for the Rangers, Orioles, Cubs, and Indians.

Link
 
5/106 sets the bar for FAs early. $100M+ plus deals are rarely good deals for teams, but this one is about as good as can be expected.

Do you know what he walked away from by opting out? I can't remember and am too busy (or lazy, take your pick) to look it up.
 
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