Finally! Official Hot Stove League thread!

[Big_Maple]

Thoughts on Soler?

Soler was on my offseason plan. That said, I'm not crazy about him - as others have pointed out, he's up and down. But when he's up, he is a more than competent DH. There aren't a ton of other options for a full time DH out there. Soler is likely the best bet, and he wouldn't demand a lengthy contract.

[harmony]

Thoughts on Soler?

Soler was on my offseason plan. That said, I'm not crazy about him - as others have pointed out, he's up and down. But when he's up, he is a more than competent DH. There aren't a ton of other options for a full time DH out there. Soler is likely the best bet, and he wouldn't demand a lengthy contract.

Jorge Soler has a certain Teoscar Hernandez vibe ... which has at least some value.

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jorge ... tion=DH/OF

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/teosc ... osition=OF

Soler and Hernandez, who were born the same year, are coming off seasons of 1.9 and 1.8 fWAR (but 126 and 105 wRC+), respectively. However, Soler played in only 137 games while Hernandez played in 160 games.

[Big_Maple]

Thoughts on Soler?

Soler was on my offseason plan. That said, I'm not crazy about him - as others have pointed out, he's up and down. But when he's up, he is a more than competent DH. There aren't a ton of other options for a full time DH out there. Soler is likely the best bet, and he wouldn't demand a lengthy contract.

Jorge Soler has a certain Teoscar Hernandez vibe ... which has at least some value.

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jorge ... tion=DH/OF

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/teosc ... osition=OF

Soler and Hernandez, who were born the same year, are coming off seasons of 1.9 and 1.8 fWAR (but 126 and 105 wRC+), respectively. However, Soler played in only 137 games while Hernandez played in 160 games.

Thanks for that, harmony.

He does tend to strike out a lot which, I guess, shouldn't surprise us. Guys who swing for the fences tend to do that.

[D-train]

54% and caution and sustainability is WAY more important than this.

[harmony]

The rough draft of my offseason plan had the Mariners trading for Fernando Tatis Jr, until I realized that Tatis has a blanket no-trade clause. Tatis would approve a trade to Seattle only in my dreams.

Nevertheless the Mariners are likely to trade a starting pitcher for a bat (and could trade high on relievers Justin Topa and/or Gabe Speier).

My early free agent targets and their projected contracts (per The Athletic):

SP Lucas Giolito, 4 years, $70 million (although Keith Law thinks Giolito could settle for a one-year pillow contract)
Always looking for bargains on players coming off down seasons. A Jim Bowden blurb on the 29-year-old righthander caught my attention:

He needs to sign with a team with a strong pitching coach and analytics staff that will treat him as a reclamation project. With the right pitching plan, Giolito could rediscover what he had during his prime years of production.

https://theathletic.com/5008102/2023/10 ... edictions/
https://theathletic.com/4987045/2023/11 ... bellinger/
https://theathletic.com/5015723/2023/11 ... ojections/

OF Jung Hoo Lee (Jung Lee-hoo), 4 years, $56 million
The 25-year-old Lee lacks power (the opiate of the baseball masses) but has posted superb contact numbers in the KBO. Lee's outfield defense has received positive reviews.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/regi ... e---009jun

LRP Yuki Matsui, no contract projection
The now 28-year-old, who was the youngest pitcher to reach 200 saves in Japan, covers the possible departure of lefty Gabe Speier and provides longshot insurance behind sometimes shaky closer Andres Munoz.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/regi ... tsui000yuk
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/202 ... 200-saves/

Let me take cover before you fire off responses.

[D-train]

[D-train]

Almost 100 WAR traded. He should get an award

[bpj]

Thoughts on Soler?

Soler was on my offseason plan. That said, I'm not crazy about him - as others have pointed out, he's up and down. But when he's up, he is a more than competent DH. There aren't a ton of other options for a full time DH out there. Soler is likely the best bet, and he wouldn't demand a lengthy contract.

Jorge Soler has a certain Teoscar Hernandez vibe ... which has at least some value.

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jorge ... tion=DH/OF

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/teosc ... osition=OF

Soler and Hernandez, who were born the same year, are coming off seasons of 1.9 and 1.8 fWAR (but 126 and 105 wRC+), respectively. However, Soler played in only 137 games while Hernandez played in 160 games.

Good points, here are their cumulative numbers from 2021-2023. Teoscar was quite a bit better.

Hopefully Jerry is aiming higher.




https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major ... eason=2023

[D-train]

Hittin WS Bombs and Livin the dream. All over dat ass. lol

[bpj]

Hittin WS Bombs and Livin the dream. All over dat ass. lol

cs.JPG

Wow. Well played, Corey Seager. Well played.