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

[GL_Storm]

A New York Mets podcaster discusses a proposed trade for Luis Castillo with third baseman Brett Baty and possibly left-hander David Peterson in the return:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMMQI-_bjo8

At 23:40.

This year Peterson, a University of Oregon product, posted a 2.90 ERA and 136 ERA+ in 21 starts. Peterson comes with two years of team control with a projected 2025 arbitration salary of $4.4 million.

The Mets would be unlikely to do that trade. A more realistic trade would substitute right-hander Paul Blackburn for Peterson. This year Blackburn posted an ERA of 4.66 in 14 starts and is projected to earn $4.4 million next year in his final season of arbitration. fr

Other Mets podcasters had a similar Luis Castillo idea:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEDo3M45dK4&t=781s

At 7:40.

Peterson is kind of an interesting arm, one of the better groundball pitchers in the league. Seems like the type of pitcher that could sort of quietly exist in the bottom half of a rotation and be very effective in that role without a whole lot of flash. He would come with two years of control. Baty I'm not so sure about. There's some upside there and a left-handed bat, but nothing like a sure thing. But I guess if you want to move Castillo's salary this would be one way to do it.

[D-train]

As SOB mentioned Castillo's value is whacked but those to don't have much value either...

[GL_Storm]

As SOB mentioned Castillo's value is whacked but those to don't have much value either...

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Regardless of what the trade values thing says, I think that trade would probably be an overpay by the Mariners and we can probably do better. Of course, there's no indication they want to move Castillo. He's been good, not great, but so far the contract is fine. This isn't bad money on the roster.

[bpj]

Castillo had a 4.25 ERA in Away games this season.

If they think Hancock or Logan can take the 5th SP spot, I'd be moving on from Castillo if there were any takers.

I think a package of Castillo+Arozarena plus a prospect would make a lot of sense for a guy like Casas, which then gives Raley the LF spot, and we're a better team going forward imo.

Looks like they're after an OF...
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/ ... andez.html

[D-train]

How about a TO reunion for DH/OF and maybe he can play 1B vs. LH starters. He had and insane 1.180 OPS vs lefties last season. 16 HRs in only 156 PAs.

[Donn Beach]

Keith Law:

https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1789161/ ... e-orioles/

I just don't see the M's giving $20+ million a year to a 34 YO 1B.

"You can't be going after the Mitch Hanigers." - such a lazy comment. They weren't "going after" Haniger. They were dumping Ray's salary and hoped Haniger still had some life in his bat as a 4th OF.

He is correct that the trade route is the more likely scenario.

With the amount of money owed to haniger dipoto had to have definitely wanted him, doesn't make sense otherwise

[D-train]

Keith Law:

https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1789161/ ... e-orioles/

I just don't see the M's giving $20+ million a year to a 34 YO 1B.

"You can't be going after the Mitch Hanigers." - such a lazy comment. They weren't "going after" Haniger. They were dumping Ray's salary and hoped Haniger still had some life in his bat as a 4th OF.

He is correct that the trade route is the more likely scenario.

With the amount of money owed to haniger dipoto had to have definitely wanted him, doesn't make sense otherwise

RR is still owed $50M. That is the primary reason he did it but yeah he probably didn't think Mitch was totally cooked.

[Donn Beach]

Why move him to 2B though. Seems more logical to going after a natural 2B.

Um. Flexibility, I guess.

The FA class for 2B is thin. Like anorexically thin. There's a couple of options in Torres and Kim, but beyond that, most available 2B are utility guys. We need a legit answer to 2B, and I don't think anyone in this year's class should be someone we spend money on.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/09/ ... -base.html

We could go after someone in trade, but why limit ourselves if we have some positional flexibility. Bregman's bat plays well at any infield position, and arguably he's a defensive beast at 3B. But his arm will play just as well at 2B as third. If he is willing to move, and if there are not a lot of better options at 2B out there, why wouldn't we move him?

Remember over the last 2 years how pissed everyone was at JP's unwillingness to move 2B? That hamstrung our options in trades and in free agency while lots of other teams were moving guys around the infield. The Rangers moved Semien to 2B from SS even after he won a gold glove at that position. The Padres switched Xander Boegarts and Ha-Seong Kim between SS and 2B. The Dodgers moved Mookie Betts to 2B from SS. The Brewers moved Travis Shaw from 3B to 2B after signing Moustakas some years ago.

I guess the better question would be - why not?

BTW - the M's actually signed Chone Figgins to play 3B, but then had him switch positions with 2B Jose Lopez. But I like to forget the Chone Figgins years.

I guess it would keep 3B open for Bohm....

Boras has brought it up, it would raise his value

Bregman, who has spent his entire career with the Houston Astros, has received interest from several teams asking whether he’d be willing to move to second base," Nightengale wrote, "which he’s amenable to doing, Boras said

[Donn Beach]

I just don't see the M's giving $20+ million a year to a 34 YO 1B.

"You can't be going after the Mitch Hanigers." - such a lazy comment. They weren't "going after" Haniger. They were dumping Ray's salary and hoped Haniger still had some life in his bat as a 4th OF.

He is correct that the trade route is the more likely scenario.

With the amount of money owed to haniger dipoto had to have definitely wanted him, doesn't make sense otherwise

RR is still owed $50M. That is the primary reason he did it but yeah he probably didn't think Mitch was totally cooked.

I don't know, I can't imagine totally dumping a Cy Young award winner salary like that because he's having tj surgery

[Seattle or Bust]

He would need to put in a lot of work turning DPs for the first time in his career.

He'd be the best hitting 2B in the AL. We then double him up with a big bashing 3B.

Or. We could bring back Robbie Cano. He maybe 41, but he's mashing .431 in the Mexican League (what the fuck are they pitching down there - beach balls?). Besides, he's likely still on our payroll.

And then bring back 40 year old Justin Turner.

Then replace the Gatorade in the dugout with Geritol.

He's a great defender at 3B.

He's not coming to the Mariners to play 2nd. This message was to teams like the Phillies, Yankees, Dodgers ... not the M's We have a vacancy.