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

[Big_Maple]

He was in 2017 and 2018 but he doesn't seem to be that guy anymore. 3.91 ERA, 1.242 WHIP and 1.6 bWAR in 2024. Pitching in Oakland would help, except for one thing...

The No-akland A's?

[D-train]

And the A's continue to get incrementally better.

https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-severino- ... t-contract

Well so much for rooker

[Big_Maple]

And the A's continue to get incrementally better.

https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-severino- ... t-contract

Well so much for rooker

Yep. Looks like they want to contend. Or pretend.

[bpj]

How would you guys like Cody Bellinger added to the mix at 1B/DH/OF?

One year, big money contract. Maybe Haniger factors in as part of what goes back?

Raises the floor from Haniger at least. 1 year and 3 year stats-

[TraderGary]

Why not just get rid of the 9-man batting order altogether? Instead, the manager just plays his best available hitters. You can also sub out baserunners with no limitations. So if Soto hits a single, he's immediately subbed for a pinch runner but that doesn't take him out of the game.

My point is: where do you draw the line in changing the game before you have a completely new game?

It is so asinine it doesn't even warrant discussion. But I am sure this is what people said about the DH and what most including me thought up the ghost runner so...And I like both now. But I will never like that nonsense. I don't think....lol

Before radically changing the nature of the game to add offense, maybe try taking away a pitcher on the 26-man, or even 2 pitchers. This would force managers to push starters farther and maybe even bring back the long reliever role, while adding another position player (or two) to the roster.

Brilliant! I love that idea! Ever considered running for commissioner? Sarcasm of course, but I honestly think that's a great idea and far better than the silly 'golden at bat' idea they're considering.

[TraderGary]

And the A's continue to get incrementally better.

https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-severino- ... t-contract

Let me get this straight. So a poverty franchise like the A's can afford to add an annual $22m+ player to their roster, but a franchise like the Mariners who have been at or near the top of the league in net profit for the last several years caps their available payroll at $16m. Got it.

[tehmc]

And the A's continue to get incrementally better.

https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-severino- ... t-contract

Let me get this straight. So a poverty franchise like the A's can afford to add an annual $22m+ player to their roster, but a franchise like the Mariners who have been at or near the top of the league in net profit for the last several years caps their available payroll at $16m. Got it.

The A's had already stated they planned to spend more this year, they only had about $62 million on the books and they were planning on spending about $100 million. It wasn't just that they were broke, they were trying to move the team and it just makes sense to add to the team while the stadium is being built to get the Las Vegas fans on their side.

I would be more mad about the Mariner's having "no money" to spend while being 16th in payroll while both the New York teams are looking to spend big while already having a payroll twice what the Mariner's current payroll is. Imagine what we could do if we could add another $150 million in payroll this year.

[Big_Maple]

And the A's continue to get incrementally better.

https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-severino- ... t-contract

Let me get this straight. So a poverty franchise like the A's can afford to add an annual $22m+ player to their roster, but a franchise like the Mariners who have been at or near the top of the league in net profit for the last several years caps their available payroll at $16m. Got it.

Don't start thinking about this too much. You'll get a rectal prolapse.

No one in the front office ever said they wanted to win a division or world series. Just stay under budget and win 54% of the time.

As long as everyone else in the division is 53% or lower, we can take the AL West and Stanton and company can take a bath in swimming pools of cash like Scrooge McDuck.

[Donn Beach]

And the A's continue to get incrementally better.

https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-severino- ... t-contract

I was just about to post this too, I think that this will end up being the dumbest move of the off-season. He did make it through 2024 injury-free, but still, he only made 45 starts the previous five seasons, he's 30, and he's average at best. I can't believe that the A'ss of all organizations did this. That's a total Jack Z move right there.

If he can stay healthy, they have a legit TOR guy. But I agree with you - he's like James Paxton. Only a little healthier!

https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/luis-seve ... r-injuries

https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/james-pax ... r-injuries

They needed a player to agree to play at a minor league stadium

[Donn Beach]

It is so asinine it doesn't even warrant discussion. But I am sure this is what people said about the DH and what most including me thought up the ghost runner so...And I like both now. But I will never like that nonsense. I don't think....lol

Before radically changing the nature of the game to add offense, maybe try taking away a pitcher on the 26-man, or even 2 pitchers. This would force managers to push starters farther and maybe even bring back the long reliever role, while adding another position player (or two) to the roster.

Brilliant! I love that idea! Ever considered running for commissioner? Sarcasm of course, but I honestly think that's a great idea and far better than the silly 'golden at bat' idea they're considering.

That's the thing, it's about adding offensive. So let's see, the mariners are playing the dodgers in the WS. They are nursing a one run lead going into the ninth. You manage to get Ohtani out in the eighth and guess what, he gets to come up again in the ninth. How unfair would that seem, incredibly dumb idea