The official Hot Stove League Thread 2025-26 Offseason

[Sexymarinersfan]

Passan and Olney on the Winter Meetings, no paywall: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/472 ... eff-passan

Good stuff

[D-train]

As things stand, the Mariners are planning to turn to several young players to fill out two openings in the infield. Cole Young, 22, is the favorite to open next season at second base while Ben Williamson, 25, and Colt Emerson, 20, will compete in spring training for the third-base job.

“Giving young players runway to figure things out (at the MLB level) is valuable,” general manager Justin Hollander said earlier this offseason. “You will learn things. Somebody will be better than being somebody will be worse than you think, and you can adjust on the fly.”

All that said, the Mariners entered the Winter Meetings with an open mind about potential roster upgrades and they aren’t opposed to doing “something big” this week, one source with knowledge of the club’s plans said.

Could that big move be a reunion with Ketel Marte?

The Mariners have expressed interest in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ star second baseman, sources say, though it’s not known if the Mariners have engaged in serious talks with the Diamondbacks.

[Big_Maple]

Remember Coop? Looks like he's flamed out and is playing in Japan next year.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/ ... stars.html

I don't know much (anything) about Japanese baseball, but how could anyone sign a guy with zero name recognition and a career -1.9 WAR?

[harmony]

Remember Coop? Looks like he's flamed out and is playing in Japan next year.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/ ... stars.html

I don't know much (anything) about Japanese baseball, but how could anyone sign a guy with zero name recognition and a career -1.9 WAR?

Perhaps the local Oregon product out of Lakeridge High School and the University of Portland has decent underlying skills.

Cooper Hummel should avoid street food in the Chinatown adjacent to Yolohama Stadium.

[D-train]

Remember Coop? Looks like he's flamed out and is playing in Japan next year.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/ ... stars.html

I don't know much (anything) about Japanese baseball, but how could anyone sign a guy with zero name recognition and a career -1.9 WAR?

Perhaps the local Oregon product out of Lakeridge High School and the University of Portland has decent underlying skills.

Cooper Hummel should avoid street food in the Chinatown adjacent to Yolohama Stadium.

There's a Chinatown in Japan???

[harmony]

Remember Coop? Looks like he's flamed out and is playing in Japan next year.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/12/ ... stars.html

I don't know much (anything) about Japanese baseball, but how could anyone sign a guy with zero name recognition and a career -1.9 WAR?

Perhaps the local Oregon product out of Lakeridge High School and the University of Portland has decent underlying skills.

Cooper Hummel should avoid street food in the Chinatown adjacent to Yolohama Stadium.

There's a Chinatown in Japan???

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3201.html

Even the United States has Chinatowns.

[Big_Maple]

Edwin Diaz - shockingly - signs with the Dodgers.

"Closer Edwin Díaz's deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is for three years and $69 million, sources tell ESPN. The Dodgers, who were targeting bullpen help this winter, got the best closer on the market, setting a new AAV record for relievers."

Fuck, I hate the Dodgers.

https://www.mlb.com/news/edwin-diaz-dodgers-contract

And Shwarber is back with the Phillies - 5 years, $150MM

https://www.mlb.com/news/kyle-schwarber ... t-contract

The dominoes are falling.

[D-train]

[D-train]

Perhaps the local Oregon product out of Lakeridge High School and the University of Portland has decent underlying skills.

Cooper Hummel should avoid street food in the Chinatown adjacent to Yolohama Stadium.

There's a Chinatown in Japan???

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3201.html

Even the United States has Chinatowns.

Well aware of that but it would be like us having a Canada town. Seems odd. I now live near a world famous Bavarian town. I wonder if Bavaria has an America town with strip malls bowling alleys, strip clubs, McDonalds and baseball fields....

[Seattle or Bust]

I wonder if the M's had any conversations about Abrams in the Ferrer trade.

Guy is an enigma...

1st half: .831 OPS '24/ .836 OPS '25

2nd half: .586 OPS '24/ .633 OPS '25

If he can put together better 2nd halves he'd be a 5 WAR SS.