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

[Hasslecracked]

Per MLB rumors many teams were informed they were out of running for Sasaki, Ms were not listed but not sure if we are in running

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/ ... nning.html

It’s rumored that it’s down to the Dodgers, Padres and Blue Jays

[Hasslecracked]

Not going to pretend I love it but he should be reliable for a mid 700s OPS if used correctly.

Also his T-mobile stat line looks good in a limited sample size.
11-29 with 2 doubles and 3 walks .379/.429/.448 for a .903 OPS

I’m okay with the move. It can’t be the only move though

[harmony]

Is Donovan Solano an upgrade over Josh Rojas, who signed a similar one-year, $3.5 million contract with the White Sox?

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/donov ... #dashboard

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/josh- ... #dashboard

Solano is likely a better platoon partner with Luke Raley at first base.

[ddraig]

I guess Solano will be our "big acquisition" for the 2025 season!

[Seattle or Bust]

Crushes lefties. Raley's platoon partner.

Can kiss Turner goodbye.

Bleh acquisition. Is what it is.

[rockycola]

Crushes lefties. Raley's platoon partner.

Can kiss Turner goodbye.

Bleh acquisition. Is what it is.

Bleh is the definitive response. He doesn't crush anybody. He's an adequate bat-to-baller.
You don't want a 5'8" first baseman. His nickname is not "stretch".
~

Over the past six years, Solano has played for the Giants, Reds, Twins and Padres. He got into 546 games over that stretch, stepping to the plate 1,838 times. He has managed to produce a batting line of .294/.353/.413 in that time, which translates to a wRC+ of 112, indicating he’s been 12% above league average overall.

For those years, he has a combined .360 batting average on balls in play. That would normally be a concern, since the league average is usually below .300, but he’s been maintaining high BABIPs for several years now. Of the six most recent seasons, his BABIP bottomed out at .321 in 2021. He was at .346 or higher in the other five seasons. That suggests the numbers are more a reflection of his swing than mere luck.

Solano won’t provide huge power, with last year’s eight home runs actually marking a career high. His walk rates aren’t especially strong either. However, his style of offense could be a good fit for Seattle, as that club has been wary of its strikeout problems for a while now.

Solano has played all four infield spots in his career but hasn’t played shortstop since 2021. He has more experience at second base than anywhere else but has spent more time at the corners in recent years.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/ ... olano.html

[Hasslecracked]

I feel he’s our new starting second baseman…

[Lamda]

I feel he’s our new starting second baseman…

Right now yeah with Moore playing 3B - an inspiring infield if you ever saw one with Moore/JP/Solano/Raley.

[D-train]

Is Donovan Solano an upgrade over Josh Rojas, who signed a similar one-year, $3.5 million contract with the White Sox?

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/donov ... #dashboard

https://www.fangraphs.com/players/josh- ... #dashboard

Solano is likely a better platoon partner with Luke Raley at first base.

Yes.

[GL_Storm]

I like the move though he'll probably get more playing time than I would prefer. I think the sweet spot for him is around 250 plate appearances and he'll probably get more like 400. But we'll see how it goes.