It's Time Again for the Hot Stove League!

I wonder what the Mets could offer for the Marlins catcher?  Harvey?

FilmCarp said:

I wonder what the Mets could offer for the Marlins catcher?  Harvey?

At this point it seems like the Marlins want young, cheap prospects, so I don't think Harvey would fill the bill.  Conforto might be of interest since he is young, controllable for four more years, and relatively cheap right now (although he is arbitration eligible starting in 2019).

Perhaps if the Mets offered one of their top minor league arms such as Peterson, Dunn, or Szapucki they might have something of interest.

If this pans out, Yankees get some salary off their books post Stanton trade.

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2017/12/12/report-yankees-trade-chase-headley-to-the-padres/

ska said:

If this pans out, Yankees get some salary off their books post Stanton trade.

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2017/12/12/report-yankees-trade-chase-headley-to-the-padres/

What, you don't think Headley and Mitchell for Jabari Blash is not a fair straight-up trade?    

My hunch is that the Padres may look to move Headley somewhere else soon.  He had a really hot second half of last year, is a good veteran clubhouse presence, and has only one year on his contract (albeit at $13M).  My other hunch is that the Padres really wanted Mitchell who has upside along with a controllable contract.

So what do the Yankees do at third base now?  Gleybar Torres?  Todd Frazier for another year?

And what do the Padres do with Spangberg who covered third for them adequately in 2017?  He is young and going into his first year of arbitration.  I can see him traded for prospects, Headley slotted at third for this year, and then moving Solarte to third for the future.

Ozuna goes from the Fish to the Redbirds for a young, untested pitcher as the Marlins' salary dump--and talent drain--continues.  Jeter is taking to heart the recommendation that he burn the current club to the ground before starting to rebuild from the ashes.  As it is he will be lucky to have 500 fans per game next summer given the lack of interesting players ready for the Majors on his roster.  Yellich is still there, with some rumors saying he is available and others saying he is staying put for now.

The Cards get a damned fine outfielder for a high ceiling pitching prospect and not much more.  And they will likely trade Piscotti to the A's for a decent prospect.

I like the Anthony Swarzak signing by the Mets, and not just because it is fun to say his name.

He can fill a great middle relief role to help save the young starter arms and bridge to the closers (or bail the starters out in the fifth, as was needed far too often last year).  I am hoping 2017 was not a fluke for him--by far his best year in the MLB at age 31.  If he can sustain the MPH he had last year and the action on his slider he will be a needed improvement for the Mets.

Why can't the Mets get any Marlins?  A good catcher, or a pitcher or two would be nice.  We've got to have some talent to trade, like Dominic Smith.

FilmCarp said:

Why can't the Mets get any Marlins?  A good catcher, or a pitcher or two would be nice.  We've got to have some talent to trade, like Dominic Smith.

Dominick Smith has far too many questions.  Even the Mets are not sure about him.  I don't think he would be a major piece in any trade at this point.

But even more than prospects, the Mets would have to be willing to eat a lot of contract to get the Marlins' attention.

With Ian Kinsler going to the Angels, it is possible the Mets will try to get Castro from the Marlins.  Castro is locked in for two years ($10M and then $11M with a club option at $16M) and the Mets can absorb this.  Frankly, I think Castro would be a much better fit for the Mets than Kinsler anyway.  Castro is the third highest 2018 salary on the Marlins now that the real stars are gone, so he might be available in this fire sale year for the team.

I frequent Cards Talk, a Cardinals message board, and as you might imagine, it's filled with angry, sarcastic, know-it-alls who hate everything that the Manager and the GM and the owners so...except for the Ozuna trade.  There is almost 100% agreement that this is a great deal for the Cards.  And Piscottyis going to Oakland for two prospects, as yet unnamed. 

mfpark said:

Ozuna goes from the Fish to the Redbirds for a young, untested pitcher as the Marlins' salary dump--and talent drain--continues.  Jeter is taking to heart the recommendation that he burn the current club to the ground before starting to rebuild from the ashes.  As it is he will be lucky to have 500 fans per game next summer given the lack of interesting players ready for the Majors on his roster.  Yellich is still there, with some rumors saying he is available and others saying he is staying put for now.

The Cards get a damned fine outfielder for a high ceiling pitching prospect and not much more.  And they will likely trade Piscotti to the A's for a decent prospect.

I think the Mets are waiting to see what market develops for a few free agents.  Bruce, Walker and Frazier would each fill a need, but at their ages, it doesn't make sense to sign any of them for too many years.  Personally, I think Walker is the guy they should sign.  Make 3B a Flores/Cabrera platoon, and solidify the defense up the middle.  Pending Conforto's physical this week, maybe they stand pat in the OF. They could get through a month with Cespedes, Lagares and Nimmo, and evenutally the OF is a combination of Cespedes, Conforto, Lagares and Nimmo.  Both Conforto and Nimmo were very high OBP guys last year, and Conforto has shown he's actually a decent CF.  

Then the big question remains 1B.  Maybe it's a platoon of Smith and Flores and Cabrera is the main 3B.

Jay Bruce is still waiting for a five year deal, and has drawn interest from the Blue Jays along with the Mets.   Some reports have the Rockies sniffing at him as well, but the Jays and Mets seem to be the ones most mentioned.

I really hope the Mets don't take a five year $65M swan dive on Bruce.  Even three years at $39M will tie up a lot of valuable resources for a good but aging player.  I can see pressure increasing on the Mets if Conforto's shoulder does not look good.

Jeepers.  Daily News reporting that the Yankees might be trying to trade for Machado now.  

Imagine a lineup going Judge, Stanton, Machado, Sanchez, Bird, Gregorious.  Pretty damned sick.

Downside for Yankees is that Machado is in his last year of arbitration and becomes an unrestricted free agent for 2019.  Trading for him will not be cheap--Torres or Sheffield most likely, plus more.  Hard to justify for a potentially one year rental.

Then again, the Orioles face losing Machado with nothing in return if they don't trade him before the end of this season.  Perhaps like with Stanton they will let him go for either a middling contract in return or perhaps a few far-from-the-Bigs prospects, of which the Yankees have a lot.

Of course, there are a few others not in the same division who could pull off the same scenario, including both Chicago teams and the Angels (who would love to surround Trout with some more protection).

Edited to add:  Now the News is saying that the Chisox might get Machado for a young arm, then trade him later this season to the Yankees (or someone else) if they cannot secure a long-term deal with him.  Ostensibly this means Machado will be able to negotiate a deal with his preferred team(s) and then let the new suitor and Chicago see if they can line something up--and if not he hits the FA market for 2019 anyway.

Stay tuned for more Yankee trades.  Clint Frazier is next to go.

Phillies signed Carlos Santana to play lead guitar first base.  Big $60M 3 year deal, immediately improves their offense and he is a superb first baseman.  Big move that will not be answered by the Mutts I think.

Meanwhile the Angels signed Zack Cozart, likely to play third since they have the amazing Andrelton Simmons already at short.  They earlier signed Ian Kinsler to play second.  Very solid fielding infield now, some pop at all four positions, and some more protection for Trout in the lineup.  All in all the Angels are having a fine hot stove season.  Then again, they always seem to pay a lot for free agents but come up short every year.  Maybe it is that whole laid back California thing in the water?  (And maybe the Dodgers drink imported water?).

Sabathia signs with Yankees for one year, $10MM.  As most expected.  Excellent deal for both team and player.  Word is he had other competitive offers but wants to finish up some business in the Bronx.  Great guy.

Still wondering if the Mets wind up with Castro or Kipnis at second base.

No matter what, the Mets keep acting like a small market team in the biggest market in baseball.  Not sure how to understand this.  An article I read this weekend said that the Mets were one of the only teams that does not have a strategic budget set up each off-season, and this means Alderson needs to run every potential deal by ownership before he can really pursue it, so he is often late to the dance.  Seems hard to believe in this day and age.

Meanwhile, Boston has been unusually quiet this off-season.  They took a pass on Santana as being too costly, and are playing footsie with JD Martinez but not closing the deal yet.  Martinez wants to play outfield and not first base, but may settle for DH.  Hard to see him displacing Betts or Benintendi at the corner outfield positions.

The Sox must think that there are no other teams seriously chasing Martinez, and that may be true.  He is a Boras client, so you can bet Martinez will be waiting deep into January for a contract he likes.  If the Diamondbacks trade Greinke they may clear budget room for a four year deal for Martinez.  And the Giants were losers in several recent signings and may be feeling pressure to open their wallet.  

The Sox are also checking in on Hosmer, another Boras client who is a natural first baseman and whose swing would fit Fenway Park sweetly.  Of course, the Mets could really use Hosmer's bat and glove, since I think Dominic Smith is a bust, but as I noted above, I don't see the Mets being serious contenders for many FAs this season, except for perhaps Bruce whom they seem to be locked in on.

I'm not happy that the Mets haven't filled any roster holes yet.  But I also don't want them to do something stupid and throw a 5 year deal at a 30+ year old infielder.  

mfpark said:

Still wondering if the Mets wind up with Castro or Kipnis at second base.

No matter what, the Mets keep acting like a small market team in the biggest market in baseball.  Not sure how to understand this.  An article I read this weekend said that the Mets were one of the only teams that does not have a strategic budget set up each off-season, and this means Alderson needs to run every potential deal by ownership before he can really pursue it, so he is often late to the dance.  Seems hard to believe in this day and age.

Kipnis is two years ($13.5M and 14.5M) with a club option for a third year ($16M).  

Castro is two years ($10M and $11M) with a club option for a third year ($16M).

I think both are worth it if they can be obtained for middling level prospects.  I favor Castro who adds more bat to a pretty limp Mets lineup.

I know it is mean, but I am really hoping for a sexual harassment claim against a Wilpon to force them to sell the team.

If they weren't forced to sell the team after the Madoff fiasco what makes you think MLB will do it even if they are accused of being Weinstein 2?   But I agree with your sentiment that it would be best for Mets fans if a new ownership group was in control.  Not going to happen anytime soon.

ska said:

I know it is mean, but I am really hoping for a sexual harassment claim against a Wilpon to force them to sell the team.

In this environment I think a sexual harassment claim is the only sure way to force a sale. See Jerry Richardson. He announced a sale immediately after a claim became public.

The Mets are going to wait it out re Jay Bruce. No one is going to give Bruce 5 years. The Mets will get him at 4 years, I wager. The Indians are really trying to unload Kipnis. Wouldn't be surprised if he lands on the Mets in a salary dump.

NotoriousEAM said:

The Mets are going to wait it out re Jay Bruce. No one is going to give Bruce 5 years. The Mets will get him at 4 years, I wager. The Indians are really trying to unload Kipnis. Wouldn't be surprised if he lands on the Mets in a salary dump.

Kipnis might be a good deal. He was injured a good deal of last year, and getting him now would possibly be at a bargain. I'm kind of surprised Cleveland would be shopping him when his trade value might be lower.

I like Bruce, but I would not give him more than 2 years.  I think with his age, style of play, and stats, he is just another of many free agents.

FilmCarp said:

I like Bruce, but I would not give him more than 2 years.  I think with his age, style of play, and stats, he is just another of many free agents.

I largely agree. I think his familiarity with the team, his willingness to play some first base, playing in NYC and being a good clubhouse guy, he'll get serious consideration for a four-year deal or a three-year deal with a higher per year average.

Bruce has already dropped his ask to four years.  My guess is he gets three years with a vesting option for a fourth year depending on games played and stats.

As I said above, I like Castro more than Kipnis, but you are right that Kipnis likely comes a lot cheaper in terms of prospects.  OTOH, Castro is $1M per year cheaper to start with.

No big surprise here.  Realmuto is asking to be traded, and Yelich is making similar noise down in Miami.  There are a lot of teams that would love to have one or both.

mfpark said:

Bruce has already dropped his ask to four years.  My guess is he gets three years with a vesting option for a fourth year depending on games played and stats.

As I said above, I like Castro more than Kipnis, but you are right that Kipnis likely comes a lot cheaper in terms of prospects.  OTOH, Castro is $1M per year cheaper to start with.

I like Kipnis more than Castro.  Castro isn't a great fielder, and Kipnis has been a very solid hitter with the exception of his injury-plagued 2017.