The official Hot Stove League Thread 2025-26 Offseason

[Donn Beach]

Mets blogger suggesting Castillo as a possible target in a Jeff McNeil trade. I guess McNeil has become redundant with the arrival of Semien.

https://risingapple.com/ny-mets-jeff-mc ... rs-players

[D-train]

Mariners are supposedly comparing Colt Emerson to Jrod. He could have that sort of impact in spring training. If they really are that high on him it seem hard to really commit to another bat beyond getting polanco signed. Or leaving it at Naylor and calling it good. Another Corey Seager, hype him like that they can rationalize not adding an additional bat

Rodríguez left little doubt during spring training, earning the opening-day job as the Mariners’ center fielder and, soon enough, becoming the face of the franchise. (You know the rest.)

Four years later, the Mariners are now taking the same tack with another precocious prospect, 20-year-old Colt Emerson.

The Mariners are convinced Emerson is that good, and they want to give him the chance in spring training to convince them he’s ready for an everyday role with the big-league club in 2026.

Long term, Emerson is widely viewed as J.P. Crawford’s successor at shortstop. Emerson is the Mariners’ No. 1 prospect and generally ranked as a top-10 prospect in the sport, drawing comparisons to Texas All-Star shortstop Corey Seager from some in the scouting community.

Short term, the Mariners are open to the idea of Emerson starting 2026 as their third baseman, potentially succeeding veteran free-agent Eugenio Suárez and supplanting 25-year-old defensive wizard Ben Williamson.

Emerson could also be in the mix at second base, along with 22-year-old Cole Young and the switch-hitting Leo Rivas (and any other expected roster additions this winter)

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mar ... son-plans/

I hadn't realized the Corey seager comp

AI Overview



Colt Emerson is a top prospect for the Seattle Mariners who is frequently compared to MLB star Corey Seager by scouts and the media. The comparison stems from Emerson's potential and skills, though some caution that it's a high bar for the young prospect. Corey Seager is an established MLB superstar who has won multiple World Series MVP awards.

All you have to do is look at Julio and Seeger's minor league stats and compare them to Colt and there is no comparison. It's a silly comp

[D-train]

Mariners are supposedly comparing Colt Emerson to Jrod. He could have that sort of impact in spring training. If they really are that high on him it seem hard to really commit to another bat beyond getting polanco signed. Or leaving it at Naylor and calling it good. Another Corey Seager, hype him like that they can rationalize not adding an additional bat

Rodríguez left little doubt during spring training, earning the opening-day job as the Mariners’ center fielder and, soon enough, becoming the face of the franchise. (You know the rest.)

Four years later, the Mariners are now taking the same tack with another precocious prospect, 20-year-old Colt Emerson.

The Mariners are convinced Emerson is that good, and they want to give him the chance in spring training to convince them he’s ready for an everyday role with the big-league club in 2026.

Long term, Emerson is widely viewed as J.P. Crawford’s successor at shortstop. Emerson is the Mariners’ No. 1 prospect and generally ranked as a top-10 prospect in the sport, drawing comparisons to Texas All-Star shortstop Corey Seager from some in the scouting community.

Short term, the Mariners are open to the idea of Emerson starting 2026 as their third baseman, potentially succeeding veteran free-agent Eugenio Suárez and supplanting 25-year-old defensive wizard Ben Williamson.

Emerson could also be in the mix at second base, along with 22-year-old Cole Young and the switch-hitting Leo Rivas (and any other expected roster additions this winter)

https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mar ... son-plans/

I hadn't realized the Corey seager comp

AI Overview



Colt Emerson is a top prospect for the Seattle Mariners who is frequently compared to MLB star Corey Seager by scouts and the media. The comparison stems from Emerson's potential and skills, though some caution that it's a high bar for the young prospect. Corey Seager is an established MLB superstar who has won multiple World Series MVP awards.

I will never understand how a baseball player at the age of 21 years old runs out of gas when they have 21 hours to rest between each game typically. Why was he the only one to run out of gas. LOL I know it's probably the first time he's played that many games but you don't build up endurance from year to year when there's an entire 4 months between seasons

[D-train]

Mets blogger suggesting Castillo as a possible target in a Jeff McNeil trade. I guess McNeil has become redundant with the arrival of Semien.

https://risingapple.com/ny-mets-jeff-mc ... rs-players

I would much rather just go with Cole Young. He's 34 years old and making 16 million a season and isn't very good anymore.

[GL_Storm]

I will never understand how a baseball player at the age of 21 years old runs out of gas when they have 21 hours to rest between each game typically. Why was he the only one to run out of gas. LOL I know it's probably the first time he's played that many games but you don't build up endurance from year to year when there's an entire 4 months between seasons

You're talking about Hollander's quote on Cole Young as "running out of gas" towards the end of the season? I read that but I didn't take it as meaning that the player was physically fatigued but rather having more to do with the mental fatigue of having to continually adjust to how major league pitchers were coming at him.

[D-train]

I will never understand how a baseball player at the age of 21 years old runs out of gas when they have 21 hours to rest between each game typically. Why was he the only one to run out of gas. LOL I know it's probably the first time he's played that many games but you don't build up endurance from year to year when there's an entire 4 months between seasons

You're talking about Hollander's quote on Cole Young as "running out of gas" towards the end of the season? I read that but I didn't take it as meaning that the player was physically fatigued but rather having more to do with the mental fatigue of having to continually adjust to how major league pitchers were coming at him.

Hmmm that seems more reasonable but running out of gas is a euphemism for being worn out.

"Running out of gas" in sports is a phenomenon called bonking or hitting the wall, which happens when an athlete's glycogen stores are depleted, causing sudden fatigue and a loss of energy. It is typically caused by insufficient fueling and hydration, and can also be linked to other factors like heat, poor sleep, and inefficient breathing techniques. To prevent it, athletes must properly fuel with carbohydrates and protein before and during exercise, and stay hydrated.

[D-train]

You know you are in great company when you are talking Castillo trades along with Sodomojo.com lol

https://sodomojo.com/red-sox-and-blue-j ... kb5m5dzwk9

[Seattle or Bust]

You know you are in great company when you are talking Castillo trades along with Sodomojo.com lol

https://sodomojo.com/red-sox-and-blue-j ... kb5m5dzwk9

Seems a lazy take that b/c Boston made a stupid move and traded for a 36 year old or that a the Jays, a team the M's would never have sent Castillo to, signed Cease... that it complicates where they could trade Castillo.

If anything, the Gray trade highlights the desperation for workhorse, veteran pitching around the league. The Mariners said they fielded a lot of calls about Castillo last off season. I don't think that's stopping now.

[D-train]

Sure how about Castillo for Marte straight up. Castillo is only 10 months older and owed about $50M less. Why not?

[GL_Storm]

I will never understand how a baseball player at the age of 21 years old runs out of gas when they have 21 hours to rest between each game typically. Why was he the only one to run out of gas. LOL I know it's probably the first time he's played that many games but you don't build up endurance from year to year when there's an entire 4 months between seasons

You're talking about Hollander's quote on Cole Young as "running out of gas" towards the end of the season? I read that but I didn't take it as meaning that the player was physically fatigued but rather having more to do with the mental fatigue of having to continually adjust to how major league pitchers were coming at him.

Hmmm that seems more reasonable but running out of gas is a euphemism for being worn out.

"Running out of gas" in sports is a phenomenon called bonking or hitting the wall, which happens when an athlete's glycogen stores are depleted, causing sudden fatigue and a loss of energy. It is typically caused by insufficient fueling and hydration, and can also be linked to other factors like heat, poor sleep, and inefficient breathing techniques. To prevent it, athletes must properly fuel with carbohydrates and protein before and during exercise, and stay hydrated.

Yes, that's true but baseball isn't a game of physical exhaustion like basketball, football, etc.