MLB 16 Franchise Progress Thread

[countryboy]

The free agent market is big this year:

SP - Jake Arrietta
SP - Madison Bumgarner
SP - Chris Sale
SP - Yu Darvish
1B - Eric Hosmer
3B - Mike Moustakas
2B - Jose Altuve


Our biggest signing thus far:

SP - Michael Wacha to 4 years $48M
1B - Matt Holliday 1 year at $5M

Bunch of minor signings as well.

Indians traded C Nick Hundley to the Rangers for 1B Prince Fielder.

Crazy offseason thus far.

Now we need to decide what to do with Adam Wainwright. His production is declining and he's owed nearly $19M this year. I thought about moving him the pen, but that much money dedicated to a single player pitching in the pen. We have guys in AAA who are ready to take a shot at the majors.

I will say this, we are going to make a push for Chris Sale or Madison Bumgarner even though Wacha was signed to be our ACE. We really could use a LH starter since re-signing Brett Anderson is out of the question. Either Sale or Bumgarner will require a major payday ($30M/yr) and I'm not really willing to sign either to a long term deal as I don't want that much money tied up, but I'm thinking if either will take a 2-3 year deal, preferrably with an option at the end, I definitely, even with Wainwright's contract, have the funds to make it happen. If we signed one or the other, we will most likely try to find a suitor for Wainwright.

Free Agency begins!

[countryboy]

Molina retiring has really "messed" things up.

Plan was to sign him to a 1-2 year deal and bring up Carson Kelly and let them platoon at catcher.

Now Molina and Bryan Pena have both retired leaving us scrambling for catchers, especially one ready to play at the MLB level.

And the market for catchers is scarce


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[Bullit]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

Molina retiring has really "messed" things up. Plan was to sign him to a 1-2 year deal and bring up Carson Kelly and let them platoon at catcher. Now Molina and Bryan Pena have both retired leaving us scrambling for catchers, especially one ready to play at the MLB level. And the market for catchers is scarce Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

GET BACK TO WORK!!

[countryboy]

Some updates:

The Yankees traded Joe Mauer to the Pirates for prospects

The Angels signed SP Yu Darvish

The Orioles signed RF Carlos Gonzalez


We are still working on seeing if we can't sign Sale or Bumgarner, but it's not looking too good at the moment

[countryboy]

Well we are officially out the market for Chris Sale and Madison Bumgarner. They are both seeking long term deals and our offers have been rejected.

Funny thing is the White Sox are bound and determined to sign an Ace this year. They have long term, high dollar offers to Jake Arrietta, Chris Sale, and Madison Bumgarner.

Frustrated with myself as we messed around with trying to get Sale or Bumgarner, and inquiring about Eric Hosmer, we neglected Johnathon Broxton to wound up signing with the Marlins. The relief pitching market is pretty weak, and I wanted to check in with Broxton, but that won't be happening now.

We did sign A.J. Ellis to be the "mentor" for Carson Kelly. I'm looking at making a trade for a young prospect catcher, but we will wait until later in the offseason to see who all shows up on the market as arbritration isn't offered and non-tendered contracts.

[countryboy]

WE DID IT! WE DID IT! WE DID IT!

We wheeled and we dealed and it took a tough decision but the Cardinals have signed Madison Bumgarner to a 2 year/$60M deal, with both a player and club option for the 2nd year. We worked hard to get either Sale or Bumgarner but we were constantly getting booted on offers, but with determination we got our man!

It took making a heartstrings tugging trade, in sending Adam Wainwright to the A's for a relief pitcher prospect. The A's were constantly interested in Wainwright when seeking trade partner/options. So we decided to pull the trigger as we really have no spot for Wainwright on our club, especially after the season he just had.

We took a gigantic step into getting over the hump and beating the Dodgers in the NLCS. We also matched the Cubs who signed Alex Cobb this offseason to bolster their rotation. We took another step against the Dodgers by signing J.P. Howell to a one year deal for $2M to beef up our bullpen.

Chris Sale went back to the White Sox on a max deal. The White Sox just missed the playoffs this past season.

Jake Arrietta is still unsigned as he had a bad year and is seeking a max deal.

I am so estatic! Our rotation for next season:

Michael Wacha
Madison Bumgarner
Carlos Martinez
Lance Lynn
Mike Leake

Additional options:

Alex Reyes
Jack Flaherty

We are still shopping Matt Adams who we signed, but don't have a spot for. Seeking a catching prospect in return.

Now to see what else we can do to finally get over the hump and back into the World Series!


Other big news, the Twins signed free agent 1B Eric Hosmer to a 6 year deal!

[countryboy]

We continue to try to figure out how the best to construct our roster to be the best we can be. We continue to also shop Matt Adams. Have interested teams, just want to get the best value for him that I can.

Right now our focus is how to construct our bench. Our everyday lineup is pretty much set, but determining our bench is proving to be a bigger chore than I anticipated.

[dowie]

Hey Country Boy - i am enjoying the read. Question for ya - what sliders and level are you running with?

Thanks in advance!