2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

[kenp86]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

My thoughts exactly. Theo must have assurances that adding Almora gets a deal done. Not totally jazzed about adding Cain. It seems to be going under the radar that he will be playing 99% of 2018 already at age 32.


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Wonder if they package a Russell or Happ with Heyward to get rid of him

[TheMatrix31]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

The sport capitalizes on two really intriguing playoffs in a row with this free agent snoozefest. Would have been cool to continue that momentum with some crazy free agency bonanza action.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

My thoughts exactly. Theo must have assurances that adding Almora gets a deal done. Not totally jazzed about adding Cain. It seems to be going under the radar that he will be playing 99% of 2018 already at age 32.

I don't mind the age thing, unless they try to give him a Jason Heyward-length contract. While a lot of Cain's appeal is based on his speed and Gold Glove defense, he's showing skills that help players age gracefully--power and getting on base. His walk rate has gone up each of the past 4 seasons. He set career best BB% and K% last season.

I see Cain as a slightly more aggressive Dexter Fowler that only bats righty, but plays elite defense and steals more bases. For the right price, that's a very useful player--especially considering the dearth of leadoff options on the team. KC hasn't really used him as a leadoff guy, but his skill set is a good fit. A player like Fowler/Cain is something our free swinging Cubbies sorely lacked last season.

I'd be ok with the Cubs giving him 4/75 in this market given that he's a 4-5 WAR player. Ideally, I'd give him 3/60, but I really doubt a 31-year old with his bargaining position accepts a 3-year deal. I'm equally ok just bequeathing CF to Almora full time and seeing how he does with it.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

The sport capitalizes on two really intriguing playoffs in a row with this free agent snoozefest. Would have been cool to continue that momentum with some crazy free agency bonanza action.

It has been a snooze fest...but the guys will get signed at some point, so it just means it's going to get crazy. All it will take is someone blinking and then I think we'll see a run on players.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

That's weird. They must have a trade ready including Almora or Heyward (pretty pleaseeeee)

Heyward isn't going anywhere. but they might not be Sold on Almora playing everyday kinda like I'm not. He made improvements but idk.

Cain's defense will regress though through the early parts it could still remain elite or + but to me he isn't a Bourn type that relies soley on his speed which means his decline won't be as drastic imo and he gives the lineup a different type of hitter though his OBP is average more contact oriented less OBP kinda what they tried to do with Zobrist and Heyward few years back.

I just dunno if they have the money for Cain and a 5th starter. I would be completely fine with 3 Years for Cain though.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

Dammit, Dave!

Just give JD the 7 years so we can get a move on!

[kenp86]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

With STL continuing to try and get Donaldson, what do you think would get a deal done?

[countryboy]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

We already sent them Aledmys Diaz, what more should they need?

I would think it starts with one of the pitching prospects (Alex Reyes, Jack Flaherty, Sandy Alcantara) and would have to include someone from the outfield (Randal Grichuk, Harrison Bader, or another prospect)

[kenp86]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

We already sent them Aledmys Diaz, what more should they need?

I would think it starts with one of the pitching prospects (Alex Reyes, Jack Flaherty, Sandy Alcantara) and would have to include someone from the outfield (Randal Grichuk, Harrison Bader, or another prospect)

Pretty much what i had in mind. Flaherty and either ONeill/Bader

If im Toronto, why not do it? JD has said he wants to stay in Toronto. So why not work the system. Trade him for the package youll get from STL (A Flaherty and ONeill/Bader combo.) Then resign him in offseason

[Majingir]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

Pretty much what i had in mind. Flaherty and either ONeill/Bader

If im Toronto, why not do it? JD has said he wants to stay in Toronto. So why not work the system. Trade him for the package youll get from STL (A Flaherty and ONeill/Bader combo.) Then resign him in offseason

Because most guys say they want to stay in a specific city, doesn't mean they actually will. How often does a guy be like "no, I'm not resigning with them so they better deal me"?

A perfect scenario would be trading him then signing him back next year, but that is highly unlikely it'd even happen.

[kenp86]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

Because most guys say they want to stay in a specific city, doesn't mean they actually will. How often does a guy be like "no, I'm not resigning with them so they better deal me"?

A perfect scenario would be trading him then signing him back next year, but that is highly unlikely it'd even happen.

But it does happen occasionally (I.E. Chapman). Still think they need to trade him and try to resign him. Personally dont think they have a shot this year (injuries aside), so should try and maximize his value

[SPTO]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

If im Toronto, why not do it? JD has said he wants to stay in Toronto. So why not work the system. Trade him for the package youll get from STL (A Flaherty and ONeill/Bader combo.) Then resign him in offseason

Because they want to keep their window open at almost all costs. The feeling is the Jays will keep JD until the trade deadline if they're still in the hunt. The Blue Jays are only really a couple pieces from being a viable Wild Card contender. As long as the starting pitching remains healthy they should do pretty well. A lot of the issues with pitching came from having injuries in the rotation which put stress on the bullpen to eat up innings because there wasn't any adequate pitching talent in the rotation to keep them afloat.

[Majingir]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

I don't think it's simply about if they can contend or not. It's about selling tickets.

If they trade Donaldson, good luck selling any tickets. Dropped off big time in 2017, and then losing 2 of their biggest and most beloved stars in same offseason (after losing another big and beloved star the year before), fans will revolt big time.

Doesn't mean Donaldson being traded hurts the on field product long term, but we all saw the embarrassing attendance jays had during the 00s pretender years. It could get as bad again in a hurry, especially with Rogers pricing out families with the huge ticket pricing increases past 3 years.

Speaking of Rogers, they want to sell the team, and from their comments on jays, it really feels like they just view them as a commodity rather than sports team. It's not about winning, its about pleasing shareholders, which is harder in baseball to do both when shareholders don't like team spending money with no immediate results, but in baseball, things are so unpredictable, you can't guarantee anything on a year to year basis, which isn't what shareholders like hearing.

[kenp86]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

Despite injuries, i just dont see them contending this year. With the likes of Boston, NY, Cleveland, Minnesota, LaA and Houston, think itll be a tough road

And you cant run a team like that. Possibly lose him for nothing in offseason or trade him now, get assests back in return which could help you get back to what they were a few years ago sooner than losing him for nothing

[Majingir]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

Despite injuries, i just dont see them contending this year. With the likes of Boston, NY, Cleveland, Minnesota, LaA and Houston, think itll be a tough road

And you cant run a team like that. Possibly lose him for nothing in offseason or trade him now, get assests back in return which could help you get back to what they were a few years ago sooner than losing him for nothing

You can't, but the jays aren't exactly known for being a well run team. There's a reason they went over 20 years without making playoffs.