2018-19 Offseason (Non-Nats)

[Mathguy]

This is a really great article on some sad state of affairs in MLB

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/what-do-you-call-a-game-in-which-half-the-participants-arent-trying-to-win-mlb/2019/01/31/930a48e6-258c-11e9-ad53-824486280311_story.html?utm_term=.1d93a256c455

[UMDNats]

This is a really great article on some sad state of affairs in MLB

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/what-do-you-call-a-game-in-which-half-the-participants-arent-trying-to-win-mlb/2019/01/31/930a48e6-258c-11e9-ad53-824486280311_story.html?utm_term=.1d93a256c455

Essentially, what's the point of being a Twins, Pirates, Rays, etc. fan when you have to hope the stars align perfectly to have a 1 or 2 year window? Only 5-6 teams spend any big-time money and at this point teams are all using data and analytics, etc. There's no secret sauce anymore and if I was, like, a Pirates fan, I'd say, "what's the point?"

At least 70% of MLB owners don't actually care if the team wins and that's pathetic.

[imref]

Essentially, what's the point of being a Twins, Pirates, Rays, etc. fan when you have to hope the stars align perfectly to have a 1 or 2 year window? Only 5-6 teams spend any big-time money and at this point teams are all using data and analytics, etc. There's no secret sauce anymore and if I was, like, a Pirates fan, I'd say, "what's the point?"

At least 70% of MLB owners don't actually care if the team wins and that's pathetic.

It seems like we're heading for quite the work stoppage once the current CBA expires.  Players would be crazy not to get a salary floor out of any future deal.

[DPMOmaha]

Essentially, what's the point of being a Twins, Pirates, Rays, etc. fan when you have to hope the stars align perfectly to have a 1 or 2 year window? Only 5-6 teams spend any big-time money and at this point teams are all using data and analytics, etc. There's no secret sauce anymore and if I was, like, a Pirates fan, I'd say, "what's the point?"

At least 70% of MLB owners don't actually care if the team wins and that's pathetic.

You hope your team catches the wave the Royals caught at some point.

[Natsinpwc]

Just when you thought the offseason couldn't be more bizarre.

Is this the Philies floating this to put pressure on Machado or Harper to sign?  Of just the Marlins trying to up the return for Realmuto?  I know folks get upset with Boras and other agents for floating rumors to maximize returns but the owners do it just as much.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/02/phillies-reportedly-back-in-mix-for-j-t-realmuto.html

[bluestreak]

Just when you thought the offseason couldn't be more bizarre.

Is this the Philies floating this to put pressure on Machado or Harper to sign?  Of just the Marlins trying to up the return for Realmuto?  I know folks get upset with Boras and other agents for floating rumors to maximize returns but the owners do it just as much.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/02/phillies-reportedly-back-in-mix-for-j-t-realmuto.html

I assume if you don’t want a guy, you pretend you are to make your competition overpay. But this makes little sense.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Just when you thought the offseason couldn't be more bizarre.

Is this the Philies floating this to put pressure on Machado or Harper to sign?  Of just the Marlins trying to up the return for Realmuto?  I know folks get upset with Boras and other agents for floating rumors to maximize returns but the owners do it just as much.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/02/phillies-reportedly-back-in-mix-for-j-t-realmuto.html

makes perfect sense.  Get Realmuto, then go to Harper / Machado and say, see, we are even better contenders.  You don't have to count on a youth movement alone. It makes the Phillies more attractive, and it will not cost much money.

[Natsinpwc]

makes perfect sense.  Get Realmuto, then go to Harper / Machado and say, see, we are even better contenders.  You don't have to count on a youth movement alone. It makes the Phillies more attractive, and it will not cost much money.

Agree. That’s why I thought maybe it’s Philly floating those rumors.

[imref]

Rosenthal says the Phillies are nearing a deal for Realmuto and view him as an enticement for Harper or Machado. The NL east is getting interesting.

[Natsinpwc]

Rosenthal says the Phillies are nearing a deal for Realmuto and view him as an enticement for Harper or Machado. The NL east is getting interesting.

Loading....

[imref]

here's the tweet:

Sources confirm: #Phillies moving toward deal for #Marlins’ Realmuto. Jorge Alfaro, Sixto Sanchez will head to MIA if trade is completed. Teams still working on third piece, working through medical reviews. On it: @Joelsherman1, @jonmorosi.

[aBaltoNat]

Realmuto deal done.

[UMDNats]

finally. so tired of the realmuto talk. everyone is gonna be slurping the phillies now but we'll see what happens this year

[imref]

finally. so tired of the realmuto talk. everyone is gonna be slurping the phillies now but we'll see what happens this year

Seems like quite the haul for Miami.  Sanchez was Philly's top prospect, and #13 overall by Baseball America and Alfaro isn't that far of a fall-off from Realmuto: 262/.324/.407 last year, 26 years old and under team control through 2023.  Philly took a big gamble with this move, it seems now that they have to secure either Machado or Harper.

[Natsinpwc]

Realmuto deal done.

Alfaro and Sanchez. Their number one pitching prospect. And a couple others.

[Natsinpwc]

Seems like quite the haul for Miami.  Sanchez was Philly's top prospect, and #13 overall by Baseball America and Alfaro isn't that far of a fall-off from Realmuto: 262/.324/.407 last year, 26 years old and under team control through 2023.  Philly took a big gamble with this move, it seems now that they have to secure either Machado or Harper.

It’s not a gamble really. Alfaro has a BABIP that’s not sustainable. He will have to learn to make more contact. He’s also abysmal behind the plate although he has a cannon for an arm. Sanchez missed much of last year with shoulder issues. If they sign Realmuto long term it’s a good deal. If not then maybe not.

[Slateman]

here's the tweet:

Wow ... that's a lot. That's them going all in.

[imref]

It’s not a gamble really. Alfaro has a BABIP that’s not sustainable. He will have to learn to make more contact. He’s also abysmal behind the plate although he has a cannon for an arm. Sanchez missed much of last year with shoulder issues. If they sign Realmuto long term it’s a good deal. If not then maybe not.

Sanchez is reportedly 100%, but I guess we'll see.  From what I read earlier, he's a front of the rotation pitcher and should arrive in 2020.

[varoadking]

Wow ... that's a lot. That's them going all in.

Is that what you think?   

[CoryTheFormerExposFan]

Not thrilled the Phillies got Realmuto.  If they add Harper or Machado, that lineup is deep.

[Natsinpwc]

Sanchez is reportedly 100%, but I guess we'll see.  From what I read earlier, he's a front of the rotation pitcher and should arrive in 2020.

Ive seen some mixed reports. He is much like Reynaldo Lopez.

[Natsinpwc]

Looks to me like the Dodgers won’t have much competition in the West. But the East and Central should both be wild rides. Four solid teams in each division. So looks like 8 teams going for 4 spots: two division titles and two wild card.

[imref]

So Acta has to manage in Philly, right?

[mitlen]

So Acta has to manage in Philly, right?

I had forgotten all about him.

[imref]

A's pitchers/catches report today