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

[D-train]

FG projecting us for 90 wins but behind Astros and Rangers. 6th best in the AL.

https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.a ... &teamid=11

[tehmc]

I love when writers get taken in by fake twitter accounts

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/ma ... c160&ei=13

[AZOldDawg]

Typical New Year article from mlb trade rumors showing M’s in the cellar on FA spending at $0

[Pharmabro]

Another day, another day of nothing.

51 days until game 1 of ST

[ddraig]

I've been saying this for years. Pretenders, not Contenders. And time is running out on guys like Cal. Does anyone here think he will re-sign with the M's when he can make more money elsewhere with a real contender?

[Donn Beach]

Well he did fire Boras...I was thinking since we were discussing Ford. If he progresses he'd be pretty much timed to take over. Seems like it could be a dilemma for them. Extending Cal or a low cost replacement.

[ddraig]

You know they will go for the lower cost instead of a sure fire Hall Of Fame catcher!

[D-train]

Well he did fire Boras...I was thinking since we were discussing Ford. If he progresses he'd be pretty much timed to take over. Seems like it could be a dilemma for them. Extending Cal or a low cost replacement.

Cal isn't an FA until 2028. That is a long time to be cooling his heels in Tacoma for Ford.

[Donn Beach]

He's got at least another season there, again that's if you keep him at catcher. Then you put him on the roster for a season. Then you're faced with what to do. Could trade cal at that point.

[Donn Beach]

Arkins doesn't think they should do it, points at the age factor.

Dating back to 2014, catchers who were 31-or-older made at least 300 plate appearances in a season 92 times. Of those 92 instances, a WAR of three-or-better was accrued on just 14 occasions. The following illustrates the 10 catchers accomplishing the feat. Only three did so multiple times - J.T. Realmuto, Russell Martin, and Yadier Molina.

Is there an argument for certain types of players? I could see catchers being a higher risk factor than other positions. And then there's the pitching staff. How risky would that be?