2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

Hosmer is out of his ever loving mind. The era of those kind of contracts are long over.

We'll see at least 2 next offseason.

[notsobabybombers]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22371100/the-mlb-players-association-img-academy-florida-partner-host-spring-training-camp-free-agents-bradenton

[SPTO]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

We'll see at least 2 next offseason.

Next offseason is definitely going to tell what's really going on.


Anywho, John Axford is coming back home as the reliever has reached an agreement with the Jays on a contract per Rosenthal.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

We'll see at least 2 next offseason.

Either that or normal Spring Training will be entirely replaced by FA Spring Training at IMG Academy. I am looking forward to an eventual World Series matchup between the AL Free Agents and NL Free Agents.

[Rocket32]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

Hosmer is out of his ever loving mind. The era of those kind of contracts are long over.

Especially for players of Hosmer’s caliber. Hosmer is good but not great. Certainly not a star player in the league. Even 7 years is questionable for Hosmer in my opinion, never mind 8 or 9. He’s really insane though if he thinks he has any chance of getting 8 or 9 years in this market though.


Who would have thought we’d be at February 8th and the Hot Stove would still be ice cold free agent signing wise. I wonder if we might see at least a few notable players taking their contract demand standoff’s with teams into the regular season. Can’t be ruled out with how many names are still out there. We are starting to get somewhat close.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

I'd say Hosmer is a "star" due to his impact on Kansas City baseball the last few years but he's not an incredibly great player by any means.

I'd say he's nuts for thinking he could get that, but hey. I'm loving the salary correction taking place but all it takes is one team to ruin it again.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

What is there to like about this as a fan? A salary correction would imply that there was a mistake or bubble, as if everyone had money and now they don't have money anymore. Instead, the sport just posted record revenue for the 15th consecutive year and no one is getting signed. Why would any fan want this?

[The Kid 24]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

I heard on MLB Network radio this morning that Boras FAs won't be attending ST the PA is setting up... They have their own camp or some ****.

This Boras guy really must think he's something... Jesus

[ShowTyme15]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

I heard on MLB Network radio this morning that Boras FAs won't be attending ST the PA is setting up... They have their own camp or some ****.

This Boras guy really must think he's something... Jesus

Some of his guys are gonna go. Most will train at the Boras Athletes Performance Centers in Los Angeles or Miami. Also, some players already under contract will be attending as well before they have to report to their camps as a showing of solidarity.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

I heard on MLB Network radio this morning that Boras FAs won't be attending ST the PA is setting up... They have their own camp or some ****.

This Boras guy really must think he's something... Jesus

He said his guys don't have to go because his facilities have diamonds and equipment and everything they need.

What he thinks he is is... really prepared. People really want to hate this guy huh?

[The Kid 24]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

He said his guys don't have to go because his facilities have diamonds and equipment and everything they need.

What he thinks he is is... really prepared. People really want to hate this guy huh?

Haha... I'm just annoyed that his FAs are holding everything up.

[fugazi]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

Is there really that much difference between Darvish, Arrietta, and Lynn?

Perhaps Darvish by a tiny bit...but the numbers for all three compare pretty well. Lynn's agent should be touting the fact that he is a year younger than Arrietta and put up number that were every bit as good over a couple dozen more innings.

As a Cubs fan, I wouldn't mind signing any of them...but Darvish and Arrietta want too much over too long...Lynn will be a value pick when he signs for less than them.

[KSUowls]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

What is there to like about this as a fan? A salary correction would imply that there was a mistake or bubble, as if everyone had money and now they don't have money anymore. Instead, the sport just posted record revenue for the 15th consecutive year and no one is getting signed. Why would any fan want this?

From everything I've read the revenue argument is a bit misleading. Revenue is up across the board, but most of the real gains are concentrated in a handful of teams. 19 out of 30 teams fall below the average revenue for the league with the top 5 teams averaging close to 200 million more Revenue than the median of the league (Forbes). Even when you remove the bottom 5 teams from the equation, those 5 teams are average 60% more revenue than the middle 20 teams do. Also, according to Forbes the average EBIT in 2017 was $40m per team with 5 teams operating at a loss (doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room at the average).

Now, even if all of that was miresported by Forbes, as a fan all I really care about is how my team can compete. The way the market has trended over the last number of years it has made it so that if you aren't one of the top 10 financially successful teams in the game then you are out of the running of every top free agent before they ever hit Free Agency. So, the only way to get good is to draft/develop better than everyone else, and do it in the 6 year window of control you have guys for. Also, doesn't it kind of suck as a fan when a portion of your team's paroll flexibility is being tied up by a guy on the back end of a 7 year deal he got when he was 28 and no longer a valuable asset to the team.

Take the Braves as an example of how the market trend hurts fans. Atlanta has been a middle of the pack team in payroll for most years this century. 3 years ago fans in Atlanta had to watch our team trade the best closer in baseball just to get out of a bad contract, and that contract was only 5years/$75m. Most teams don't have the luxury of trading for one of the richest contracts in baseball and still not being worried about being able to sign your home grown stars in a few years. That's why fans care about the salary market.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

From everything I've read the revenue argument is a bit misleading. Revenue is up across the board, but most of the real gains are concentrated in a handful of teams. 19 out of 30 teams fall below the average revenue for the league with the top 5 teams averaging close to 200 million more Revenue than the median of the league (Forbes). Even when you remove the bottom 5 teams from the equation, those 5 teams are average 60% more revenue than the middle 20 teams do. Also, according to Forbes the average EBIT in 2017 was $40m per team with 5 teams operating at a loss (doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room at the average).

Now, even if all of that was miresported by Forbes, as a fan all I really care about is how my team can compete. The way the market has trended over the last number of years it has made it so that if you aren't one of the top 10 financially successful teams in the game then you are out of the running of every top free agent before they ever hit Free Agency. So, the only way to get good is to draft/develop better than everyone else, and do it in the 6 year window of control you have guys for. Also, doesn't it kind of suck as a fan when a portion of your team's paroll flexibility is being tied up by a guy on the back end of a 7 year deal he got when he was 28 and no longer a valuable asset to the team.

Take the Braves as an example of how the market trend hurts fans. Atlanta has been a middle of the pack team in payroll for most years this century. 3 years ago fans in Atlanta had to watch our team trade the best closer in baseball just to get out of a bad contract, and that contract was only 5years/$75m. Most teams don't have the luxury of trading for one of the richest contracts in baseball and still not being worried about being able to sign your home grown stars in a few years. That's why fans care about the salary market.

The Diamondbacks signed Zack Greinke, are they one of the top 10 most financially successful teams? The Mariners signed Cano, and kept Felix. The Brewers signed Lorenzo Cain, the Rockies just paid big money to get Wade Davis. It's so outdated. In the last 5 years how many big free agents have the Yankees signed? Tanaka? I'm sure there's more but the Evil Empire just doesn't exist in the same way. I just don't see the market trending the way you do I guess. Big market teams will always have an advantage to a degree, but money talks. We're waiting for the Phillies to run into their new TV deal and throw big money at Trout because we already know they have it. They were the most profitable team 2 years ago. Sure it sucks on the back end of the 10 year A-Rod deal, the first 5 were awesome. That's the price we paid.

I'm seeing Kimbrel having signed a 4/42 extension, if that contract was putting them under they should have sold the team. And they certainly shouldn't have gone to the public and asked for public funds to build their stadium. As it is, it's impossible to feel bad for them. They say their revenue decline comes from lower game attendance and less concession sales, they're compounding the issue by making the team worse.

I just looked at a chart that shows total player compensation going down from almost 70% of revenue to a little over 50%. The money is there, it's just not going to the players. If half the league isn't going to pay anyone and would rather use their team as an ATM, then get rid of revenue sharing and the luxury tax and let the teams that will compete. Record revenues, TV deals coming in all over the place, and free money from the BamTech deal, and I'm supposed to believe the Braves can't afford to sign anyone?

I also just don't get the mentality. The Knicks suck, I don't want every other team to suck. That's just the burden we as Knicks fans carry. Why, because your team is broke, would you want every other team to operate in the same way? Do you honestly believe the "salary correction" is best for the league or best for the Braves?

[countryboy]

Re: 2017-2018 MLB Hot Stove Thread

Blue Jays contemplating Andrew Cashner.