Finally! Official Hot Stove League Thread

[D-train]

New swing:

Old swing:

Seems to be less lean back on the new swing to center the swing out and hit more liners. He has problems swinging over the top of pitches so keeping his swing more centered vs upper cutty seems to be a strategy. He's also not releasing the bat to a right arm finish... must be to stay on pitches more and not let his body fly open.

Kind of has some Vogey to it with the short follow through

[Juliooooo]

What I notice on his new swing is how low his hands get in the leg kick. Seems to be more movement with the new swing, but at the same time a bit more relaxed.

[Sexymarinersfan]

What I notice on his new swing is how low his hands get in the leg kick. Seems to be more movement with the new swing, but at the same time a bit more relaxed.

I noticed that too, how he loads his hands with that leg kick right before the pitch. Hopefully it helps get his timing down.

[bpj]

Kelenics closest comps remain Jesus Montero (once he got to the Mariners) and Carlos Peguero with some Mallex Smith and Jeremy Reed sprinkled in.

His upside is Mike Zunino which is acceptable as a catcher, but is still bad as a corner outfielder. Zunino's career .681 OPS is equal to what AJ Pollock put up in 2022 that earned him a platoon role.

His downside is.. Kelenic.

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx? ... &sort=16,d

Not seeing Montero really, his first mariners season wasn't terrible, .260/ .298/ .386. I think what was more concerning at the time was witnessing what a poor catcher and athlete he was. But from then on his hitting went off the rails.

Maybe comp was not accurate. What I had been curious about were players that had at some point made fairly significant improvement in their production. It was interesting looking over some of the names he came up with. You're going to say it has nothing to do with JK, he is too far gone, fine with me.

It's true, it's not easy to find comps that have actually been as bad as Kelenic, because he's been historically bad.

Including the decent first year Montero's OPS with the Mariners was .668 compared to Kelenics .589.

No doubt Kelenic has been worse. But that's the case for nearly every other player in history. That's why many of us are concerned.

Montero was young also, which is what makes him about as close of a comp as there is, especially the down scenario.

Maybe Kelenic takes the Zunino path. Zunino came up at 22, and through his first two seasons (669 PA) he had a .648 OPS.

He went on to have a couple years that would look semi decent for a LF.

[harmony]

The Seattle Mariners reportedly will sign a minor league contract with 35-year-old lefthand-hitting outfielder Kole Calhoun, a one-time Gold Glove winner:

https://twitter.com/shannondrayer/statu ... 15713?s=20

https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... ko01.shtml

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kole- ... osition=OF

[D-train]

The Seattle Mariners reportedly will sign a minor league contract with 35-year-old lefthand-hitting outfielder Kole Calhoun, a one-time Gold Glove winner:

https://twitter.com/shannondrayer/statu ... 15713?s=20

https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... ko01.shtml

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kole- ... osition=OF

Wow, I remember when he was a trade target a few years ago.

[D-train]

I could definitely be Bishop here. lol

[ice99]

I saw that the Twins placed someone on the 60 day IL, so it's active again.

The M's could free up a roster spot. I'm not sure, maybe TT can go on the 60 day IL.

[gil]

The Seattle Mariners reportedly will sign a minor league contract with 35-year-old lefthand-hitting outfielder Kole Calhoun, a one-time Gold Glove winner:

https://twitter.com/shannondrayer/statu ... 15713?s=20

https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... ko01.shtml

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kole- ... osition=OF

Wow, I remember when he was a trade target a few years ago.

I just looked up his stats. He was a stud in 2020. Maybe we need another pandemic!

[D-train]

The Seattle Mariners reportedly will sign a minor league contract with 35-year-old lefthand-hitting outfielder Kole Calhoun, a one-time Gold Glove winner:

https://twitter.com/shannondrayer/statu ... 15713?s=20

https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... ko01.shtml

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kole- ... osition=OF

Wow, I remember when he was a trade target a few years ago.

I just looked up his stats. He was a stud in 2020. Maybe we need another pandemic!

I went into a back for a Notary for the first time in years. Every employee was wearing a mask. Even a guy alone in his office!

I asked, "Do they make you wear masks" She says, "No we all decided to do it" Beyond belief. I just read a peer reviewed scientific study that masks to little to nothing to prevent the spread of viruses.