Finally! Official Hot Stove League Thread

[Sexymarinersfan]

In regards to trading Flexen I think one of the issues is Mariners want MLB ready players not prospects, Flexen isn't that useful for a rebuilding team and a bigger team that wants to shore up the back end of their rotation doesn't want to part with major league contributors.

I think if a trade does come its part of a 3 team trade where we flip Flexen for a prospect to package for an MLB player. Since most of the FA pitchers are off the market now I can see trade offers pick up again as teams look to supplement the rotation

[Hasslecracked]

Who even, outside Reynolds which I don’t think will happen, could we add that would feel like a win for our offense? There’s hardly any FAs left and we don’t have enough great prospects to land a major hitter

[harmony]

Conforto to Giants for 2 years, 36 mill. What is Dipoto doing?

The San Francisco Giants snagged two of one poster's outfield targets this offseason:

https://www.marinertalk.com/viewtopic.p ... er#p215280

MLB Trade Rumors projected Michael Conforto with a one-year, $15 million contract while FanGraphs had Conforto at one year and $12 million.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/ ... 22-23.html

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2023-top-50-free-agents/

Conforto (and Scott Boras) did well.

[bpj]

What a slap in the face to fans this offseason.

"We're looking for two outfielders, a 2B, a DH/1B type, and we're even checking in on a few starting pitching!"

They filled two out of five holes.

Now all the improvements are off the market and trades just got more expensive.

Jerry just needs to keep his horse face off of interviews if he's just full of shit.

These guys are more concerned about their fame and visibility than they are with improving the team.

[ddraig]

Conforto to Giants for 2 years, 36 mill. What is Dipoto doing?

Nothing. But we already know that.

As for being amateurs, look up Bobby Jones, golfer. He was an amateur.

[harmony]

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The Dodgers have until January 6 to add him to the roster……They just added $32 Big ones

Minnesota Twins fans discuss Trevor Bauer as a target (in more than one way):

https://twinsdaily.com/minnesota-twins- ... bauer-r63/

[harmony]

I read stuff about how Winker’s work ethic fell off a cliff after he made it as an all star. That, and his apparently toxic personality led to struggles in Seattle. Don’t work? Don’t get better. Asshole in the clubhouse? No one wants to be with you.

Don’t know how much validity there is to any of that, nor do I know much about Reynolds’ work ethic, but he might thrive in Seattle if he tries. Equally, Winker could get his shit together and be an all star again next season.

Not only that, but Winker played in what has been the no. 1 friendliest ballpark to lefty hitters over the past 3 seasons. Winker also hit in a lineup that featured .939 OPS Nick Castellanos, .938 OPS Joey Votto, .835 OPS Jon India, and .809 OPS Tyler Naquin in '21.

In Winker's first 3 seasons, his mid .800 OPS's were the product of a clear home-field advantage where he dropped .900+ OPS's in Cinci but low .700's away. In '21 he had his first true great season on the road (I don't count 2020 for much).

Bryan Reynolds on the other hand... has always been a better hitter on the road. In '19, Reynolds had a .820/.938 home/road split, in '21 .901/.925 and in '22 .759/.851... indicating that he's not simply a product of an easy ballpark to mash in. And he's hit in FAR worse lineups through out his career than Winker did.

But Harmony knows this about Reynolds... I explained this to him the other day.

Winker also faced a lot of shit pitching in the NL Central.

Annnnnd there goes Conforto to the Giants. At least he's close to home.

Indeed.

Although Jesse Winker in 2021 and Bryan Reynolds in 2022 both played in the NL Central, Winker did not face a 2021 Reds staff that posted an ERA+ of 107 while Reynolds did not face a 2022 Pirates staff that posted an ERA+ of 90 (although Reynolds played 18 games against a 2022 Reds staff that posted an ERA+ of 93).

[Donn Beach]

. Michael Mayer
@mikemayer22
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Right now the Mets (Steve Cohen) are set to pay about $110 million on luxury tax PENALTIES for 2023. That's more than the TEAM PAYROLL for following teams in 2023:

Diamondbacks
Nationals
Marlins
Guardians
Royals
Rays
Reds
Pirates
Orioles
A's

The penalty is distributed among the other clubs, so Cohen is paying for Gott and a bit more for the mariners

[Big_Maple]

With the Red Sox apparently unable to find something long term for Devers, the internet is buzzing with trade rumors and speculative, proposed trade ideas.

Here’s one from Fansided involving the M’s:

https://fansided.com/2022/12/23/rafael- ... ackages/3/

I’d love to get Devers, but it’s a lot to give up for what May amount to a 1 year rental. Unless they locked him up like they did with Castillo, I’d pass.

[Donn Beach]

The Red Sox can't extend him but the mariners can, okay