Offseason rumors/discussion thread

[CSF77]

http://www.milb.com/milb/events/winter_meetings/y2018/agenda_events.jsp

 

[anotheridiot]

Its almost impossible to believe that Chatwood can be as bad or worse than he was. It was not a ton of money he got, but it was the most he had ever received so when even guys like Lester struggle with the big first deal, you gotta figure it happens to more than we see.

The McCutchen, Ellsbury moves are not positives. I can see Theo wanting some of his first picks back with him, but when I think that way I always remember Almora was his first one here so I cant see him continuing to block him.

Hopefully someone bails Theo out on the Heyward deal and that gives us some room to even pick up someone at the deadline. I know, people will think its Machado or Harper, but they even need money to make little moves. Unless you are going into this year with Morrow as setup and Strop as Closer, there still needs to be another plan. I just find it hard to believe that some other GM is going to bail him out.

 

[chibears55]

I just realize the Cardinals traded a draft pick for Goldschmidt..

I thought MLB didn't do that, when did that change

 

[chibears55]

Usually when Nightengale says something happening the complete opposite happens..lol

https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1071842922654445568?s=19

 

[beckdawg]

I just realize the Cardinals traded a draft pick for Goldschmidt..

I thought MLB didn't do that, when did that change

You can only trade compensation picks not picks you get for your record.... it's dumb... actually i think it's just competitive balance picks. I don't think you can trade QO picks either.

 

[chibears55]

You can only trade compensation picks not picks you get for your record.... it's dumb... actually i think it's just competitive balance picks. I don't think you can trade QO picks either.

So the Cardinals didn't really lose anything because I heard they will get a pick if they make him a QO and he turns it down..
Assuming they don't extend

 

[beckdawg]

So the Cardinals didn't really lose anything because I heard they will get a pick if they make him a QO and he turns it down..
Assuming they don't extend

Sort of. It's the whole opportunity cost aspect of things. Also could matter which draft you have more money to spend in.

 

[beckdawg]

Supposedly boras only expect 3 suitors in harper race.... get the strong feeling his market is WAY overstated.

 

[Omeletpants]

Not comfortable with a 10 year commitment to Harper. I beleive he is overrated and will financially handcuff Cubs.

Also, worst beard in the MLB. Looks like a serial killer

 

[Castor76]

Not comfortable with a 10 year commitment to Harper. I beleive he is overrated and will financially handcuff Cubs.

Also, worst beard in the MLB. Looks like a serial killer

Any commitment to Harper will probably be 4 years at most in reality as he'll have an opt out clause by then.

And how many serial killers can you name that have beards?

 

[Omeletpants]

Any commitment to Harper will probably be 4 years at most in reality as he'll have an opt out clause by then.

And how many serial killers can you name that have beards?

Here is a search on bearded serial killers

https://www.google.com/search?clien....1..gws-wiz-img.......0j0i67j0i24.e5oWxhNAZY8

 

[Castor76]

Here is a search on bearded serial killers

https://www.google.com/search?clien....1..gws-wiz-img.......0j0i67j0i24.e5oWxhNAZY8

Most of those are of Manson who never actually killed anybody. He got people to kill for him. And Kaczynky (sp?) is the only other one who's recognizable, and he's barely that. It could even be argued he's not a serial killer as most of his work injured and maimed. I'm also not too certain he targeted a specific kind of person. But I digress.

Rest easy that unless ownership gets a crazy boner for Harper, he won't be a Cub. Finances have stopped that.

 

[Omeletpants]

Most of those are of Manson who never actually killed anybody. He got people to kill for him. And Kaczynky (sp?) is the only other one who's recognizable, and he's barely that. It could even be argued he's not a serial killer as most of his work injured and maimed. I'm also not too certain he targeted a specific kind of person. But I digress.

Rest easy that unless ownership gets a crazy boner for Harper, he won't be a Cub. Finances have stopped that.

Harper is cultivating the Hunter Spence look and that's not good

 

[chibears55]

Supposedly boras only expect 3 suitors in harper race.... get the strong feeling his market is WAY overstated.

Said that all along..
Doubt anyone offering up the years and money they want

 

[Castor76]

I almost wonder if Harper might decide to grab a one year deal like Donaldson and see if more teams and money would be available next off season.

 

[CSF77]

Supposedly boras only expect 3 suitors in harper race.... get the strong feeling his market is WAY overstated.

philly
CWS

Dodgers would have to move Kemp.
Cubs would have to move Heyward.

I’m pretty sure Manny signs first to set the market. I’m thinking he gets 300M. But his market is not as defined . Philly traded for a SS. If I had to guess it would be NYM honestly as they have been very active under their new GM. A DP combo of Machado and Cano is sexy.

After that Harper most likely is in a battle between STL and Philly. Both teams have to add talent to compete in their divisions. So they are more willing to spend on a mega than CHC and LAD.

I’m still holding to Andrew Miller as the main target. Then the use the rule V to pick up a SS to hold down back up SS for April.

It feels like a low impact meeting honestly. Cubs are already a top 3 NL team talent wise.

 

[beckdawg]

Dodgers would have to move Kemp.

I'm not sure I see it. Supposedly early in the offseason there were reports of the Dodgers being very heavy in terms of leverage the first few years of new ownership and that they intended to cut back heavily. The thought obviously was last year that this was for Harper and or Machado but it could also just be they spent super heavy early and now need to cut back as mentioned. Plus, their best prospect is a RF so it's a bit weird to begin with.

I think it is pretty obvious Harper wants to play for the cubs. What will be interesting is if they can get really creative with his contract. Here's what I'm thinking. If his market is that limited and if he really does want to play for the cubs the issue is really just the cubs not having cap room in 2019. Beyond they can likely fit him in. The thought I've seen some throw out is extending him to say 15 years. I'm not sure I agree with that. But what you might do is set up a lengthier deal in the 12-13 year range with basically designed opt outs in it after 3-4 years. The idea being that length would allow the cubs to get him under the $246 mil threshold and he would presumably opt out in that 3-4 years.

Personally, Harper isn't my favorite here. But theo basically suggested in order to make any big signing happen they would have to get really creative. That seems like an interesting way to drive down the AAV and yet set Harper up in a situation where he can maximize his profit. You could conceivably give him like $35-40 mil the first 2-3 years but because of the length of the deal it would count substantially less.

 

[CSF77]

I'm not sure I see it. Supposedly early in the offseason there were reports of the Dodgers being very heavy in terms of leverage the first few years of new ownership and that they intended to cut back heavily. The thought obviously was last year that this was for Harper and or Machado but it could also just be they spent super heavy early and now need to cut back as mentioned. Plus, their best prospect is a RF so it's a bit weird to begin with.

I think it is pretty obvious Harper wants to play for the cubs. What will be interesting is if they can get really creative with his contract. Here's what I'm thinking. If his market is that limited and if he really does want to play for the cubs the issue is really just the cubs not having cap room in 2019. Beyond they can likely fit him in. The thought I've seen some throw out is extending him to say 15 years. I'm not sure I agree with that. But what you might do is set up a lengthier deal in the 12-13 year range with basically designed opt outs in it after 3-4 years. The idea being that length would allow the cubs to get him under the $246 mil threshold and he would presumably opt out in that 3-4 years.

Personally, Harper isn't my favorite here. But theo basically suggested in order to make any big signing happen they would have to get really creative. That seems like an interesting way to drive down the AAV and yet set Harper up in a situation where he can maximize his profit. You could conceivably give him like $35-40 mil the first 2-3 years but because of the length of the deal it would count substantially less.

I believe the industry sees him at 10/340

 

[CSF77]

But fav:

Mets-Manny

Phil’s-Harper

 

[anotheridiot]

I read somewhere that Harper is not interested in Philly. I dont think he wants to go to washington 8 or 9 times a year. He leaves the division its one trip.