So it begins, The official Hot Stove League Thread 2024-25 Offseason

[bpj]

Here is Jose Abreu and Christian Walker in the three seasons before the Astros signed them-

[Donn Beach]

Here's another comparison


https://x.com/BenDuBose/status/18701689 ... gr%5Etweet

[Donn Beach]

Seems to be a lesson there not to ignore peripherals. I don't think the Astros had a GM when they signed abreu, that was Hart

It was an unfathomable decline for a former AL MVP who was a consistent force in the middle of the White Sox lineup for nine years prior to signing in Houston. Even detractors who pointed to red flags in his batted-ball profile and declining power in his final year with Chicago couldn’t have reasonably predicted a drop-off of such extreme magnitude.

[D-train]

Glad to see Walker signing elsewhere.

Yep, I didn't get the love affair with that guy.....$20M a year for his age 34-36 seasons. Good luck with that.

[bpj]

Here's another comparison


https://x.com/BenDuBose/status/18701689 ... gr%5Etweet

Like Abreu, it wouldn't be the end of the world if it was a one year deal.

[GL_Storm]

Seems to be a lesson there not to ignore peripherals. I don't think the Astros had a GM when they signed abreu, that was Hart

It was an unfathomable decline for a former AL MVP who was a consistent force in the middle of the White Sox lineup for nine years prior to signing in Houston. Even detractors who pointed to red flags in his batted-ball profile and declining power in his final year with Chicago couldn’t have reasonably predicted a drop-off of such extreme magnitude.

I think these things extreme drop offs will become more common in the current era of pitching.

[D-train]

Seems to be a lesson there not to ignore peripherals. I don't think the Astros had a GM when they signed abreu, that was Hart

It was an unfathomable decline for a former AL MVP who was a consistent force in the middle of the White Sox lineup for nine years prior to signing in Houston. Even detractors who pointed to red flags in his batted-ball profile and declining power in his final year with Chicago couldn’t have reasonably predicted a drop-off of such extreme magnitude.

I think these things extreme drop offs will become more common in the current era of pitching.

And as I mentioned they will happen earlier and earlier....turning 30 will be a death sentence.

[Big_Maple]

According to Nightengale, we are one of 5 teams having conversations about Goldschmidt.

5 or 10 years ago I would have been all “hell, yeah!” Now? Not so much.

[tehmc]

According to Nightengale, we are one of 5 teams having conversations about Goldschmidt.

5 or 10 years ago I would have been all “hell, yeah!” Now? Not so much.

To be fair he had a 136 OPS+ against LHP last year so if hes at a low cost and is just sharing time with Luke Raley at 1B only then maybe it'll turn out ok.

I do hate these dumpster diving acquisitions, stop trying to outsmart everyone else and just acquire players that put your team in the best position to succeed.

[Captain 97]

Here is Jose Abreu and Christian Walker in the three seasons before the Astros signed them-

They have completely different body types and swings. What evidence is there to say that Walker will follow Abreu's trajectory? I could just as easily put up a comparison of Nelson Cruz who came to the M's at age 34 with an 91 HR, and an OPS of OPS of .826 in the previous 3 seasons.