Non-Mariners Free Agent Signings/Moves

[wazzu31]

Hader to the Astros. So now the Mariners have the 2nd best pen in the division. If the Rangers get Snell, then the M’s aren’t head and shoulders the best staff.

 

[NWinAZ]

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Angels have agreed to a three-year contract with right-hander Robert Stephenson.
No word yet on the financials of the pact, but the deal is expected to exceed $30 million and will include a team option for the 2027 season. It’s not surprising to see Stephenson scooped up quickly as he became the top relief pitcher on the open market after Josh Hader agreed to a deal with the Astros on Friday afternoon. Stephenson could step right in as the favorite for saves in front of incumbent Carlos Estevez — or he’ll begin in a setup role and work his way there. The 30-year-old hurler posted a 2.35 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and a 60/8 K/BB ratio over 38 1/3 innings in 42 appearances with the Rays in 2023.

 

[NWinAZ]

Hader to the Astros. So now the Mariners have the 2nd best pen in the division. If the Rangers get Snell, then the M’s aren’t head and shoulders the best staff.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports the Astros and free agent left-hander Josh Hader are in agreement on a five-year, $95 million contract.

 

[wazzu31]

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Angels have agreed to a three-year contract with right-hander Robert Stephenson.
No word yet on the financials of the pact, but the deal is expected to exceed $30 million and will include a team option for the 2027 season. It’s not surprising to see Stephenson scooped up quickly as he became the top relief pitcher on the open market after Josh Hader agreed to a deal with the Astros on Friday afternoon. Stephenson could step right in as the favorite for saves in front of incumbent Carlos Estevez — or he’ll begin in a setup role and work his way there. The 30-year-old hurler posted a 2.35 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and a 60/8 K/BB ratio over 38 1/3 innings in 42 appearances with the Rays in 2023.

I would’ve liked him for the M’s but I truly don’t get the Angels signing him. On paper they are worse than the A’s.

 

[NWinAZ]

I would’ve liked him for the M’s but I truly don’t get the Angels signing him. On paper they are worse than the A’s.

I thought the exact same thing. Really odd we didn't sign him (Not odd just cheap) but extremely odd for the Angels.

 

[NWinAZ]

The Dodgers and James Paxton are close to agreeing to a one-year, $12 million deal.
While some would surely prefer the Dodgers go with Emmet Sheehan as their fifth starter, it always figured that they’d bring in a veteran. Paxton isn’t going to be a threat to make 30 starts, but chances are he’ll be pretty good when healthy. This will make him a fine late-round pick in mixed leagues.

 

[NWinAZ]

Independent journalist Francys Romero reports that the Pirates have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent left-hander Aroldis Chapman.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post adds that the deal will be for $10.5 million guaranteed. The 35-year-old southpaw posted a 3.09 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and a 103/36 K/BB ratio over 58 1/3 innings between the Royals and Rangers during the 2023 campaign. As far as his fantasy value goes though, the Pirates aren’t a great landing spot as they already have David Bednar entrenched in the closer’s role. Chapman should be able to pile up strikeouts and he’ll nab the occasional save chance, but don’t expect him to usurp the ninth inning from Bednar.

 

[PolarVortex]

With how pissed all of us Mariners fans are, can you imagine being a fan of the Cubs, Mets or Red Sox…I’d say the Angels but I don’t believe they actually have fans. None of the clubs that have Dodgers money have spent money. Even the trade market is boring besides the Dodgers and Braves trading for guys who will probably have 10 starts combined, there really hasn’t been a big move.

Edit, I forgot Soto, but again that doesn’t move the needle for the Yankees.

Soto is basically filling the offensive hole GStanton left when nosedived into career decline. So, maybe he brings the offense back to the level it was at in 2021.

Speaking of Stanton, he once looked like a shoo-in for the 500 homer club. But he's now sitting on 402. With his rapid decline, I don't think he'll get to 500. Be most certainly will become the 8th member of the illustrious 2000 career strikeout club.

 

[PolarVortex]

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports the Astros and free agent left-hander Josh Hader are in agreement on a five-year, $95 million contract.

$19 million a year for a guy who comes into the game with the bases empty and only pitches one inning.

 

[wazzu31]

Soto is basically filling the offensive hole GStanton left when nosedived into career decline. So, maybe he brings the offense back to the level it was at in 2021.

Speaking of Stanton, he once looked like a shoo-in for the 500 homer club. But he's now sitting on 402. With his rapid decline, I don't think he'll get to 500. Be most certainly will become the 8th member of the illustrious 2000 career strikeout club.

Soto going to the Yankees confused me. With Verdugo, Judge, Stanton and Soto, that is an abysmal defensive OF. Which IMO is kind of an issue since the pitching staff isn’t good. I guess they could become the Phillies but I don’t think the Yankees offense is in the same category as the Phillies.

Stanton needs change of scenery. Maybe the Dodgers will take on that salary but he needs out of that shithole in NY. The Yankees aren’t the Yankees since George died.

 

[wazzu31]

$19 million a year for a guy who comes into the game with the bases empty and only pitches one inning.

The one thing I will say back to that, is he isn’t a conventional closer so he can’t racked up the saves total. He is the sabermetrics type closer where he isn’t the typical closer and pitches in the 9th for the save. Kind of like in 22 when Munoz kept getting called a closer even though Sewald was one of the best closers in the game. I can’t remember the name Servais gave his spot (I remember it was stupid) but I also disagree with the stats guys thinking a closer can come into the 6th and a middle relief guy can come into the 9th for a save. Jeff Nelson and Arthur Rhodes are prime examples of that, both struggled in the 9th and both have spoken out against Moneyball type guys who hate the traditional set up guy and closer.

 

[PolarVortex]

Soto going to the Yankees confused me. With Verdugo, Judge, Stanton and Soto, that is an abysmal defensive OF. Which IMO is kind of an issue since the pitching staff isn’t good. I guess they could become the Phillies but I don’t think the Yankees offense is in the same category as the Phillies.

Stanton needs change of scenery. Maybe the Dodgers will take on that salary but he needs out of that shithole in NY. The Yankees aren’t the Yankees since George died.

Aaron Judge isn't too far away from career decline either. As tall as he is, he has a huge strike zone. If he loses just a smidgeon of bat speed, he's going to be screwed. I can see that happening this year. Early 30s is when players typically start losing bat speed (unless their name is Nelson Cruz).

 

[NWinAZ]

Speaking of Stanton, he once looked like a shoo-in for the 500 homer club. But he's now sitting on 402. With his rapid decline, I don't think he'll get to 500. Be most certainly will become the 8th member of the illustrious 2000 career strikeout club.

So what you are saying is you think he will be a Mariner by opening day...lol.

 

[PolarVortex]

The one thing I will say back to that, is he isn’t a conventional closer so he can’t racked up the saves total. He is the sabermetrics type closer where he isn’t the typical closer and pitches in the 9th for the save. Kind of like in 22 when Munoz kept getting called a closer even though Sewald was one of the best closers in the game. I can’t remember the name Servais gave his spot (I remember it was stupid) but I also disagree with the stats guys thinking a closer can come into the 6th and a middle relief guy can come into the 9th for a save. Jeff Nelson and Arthur Rhodes are prime examples of that, both struggled in the 9th and both have spoken out against Moneyball type guys who hate the traditional set up guy and closer.

It's been an over-glorified role since the days of Goose Gossage and Rollie Fingers, even those guys were not used like modern closers. But if you bring in a setup guy with runners on base and nobody out, and he shuts down the offense, it seems like there should be a more prolific stat for that than a 'Hold'. Rhodes and Nelson were in those situations plenty. If they wanted a guy to get 5-9 outs, they went to Ryan Franklin.

 

[PolarVortex]

So what you are saying is you think he will be a Mariner by opening day...lol.

I figured you or Waz would come back with that. Maybe Jerry can bring Mark Reynolds and Chris Carter out of retirement. They'd fit right in too. Those two never saw a pitch they didn't want to hit.

 

[NWinAZ]

I figured you or Waz would come back with that. Maybe Jerry can bring Mark Reynolds and Chris Carter out of retirement. They'd fit right in too. Those two never saw a pitch they didn't want to hit.

Just you saying that might put it into existence. We are all damned.

 

[ulmax]

Hader to the Astros. So now the Mariners have the 2nd best pen in the division. If the Rangers get Snell, then the M’s aren’t head and shoulders the best staff.

Ranger buy an other I'm not.
Surprised..
I'm.not against buying a bat.
But pitching ..mariners have it..
And while harder.is good.
What about the rest of there guys..
Mariners..will.be better this year...cross . fingers.
Lololooo

 

[ulmax]

Rangers rotation..
Nathan eavaldi......90..33
Jon gray.................91..32
Andrew heaney.....91...32
Tyler mahle...born 94..30
Dane dunning..born.94..30
They are all old..
Compared.to mariners.

Castillo.........31..92
Desclafani ..33..90

Gilbert.....97
Kirby. ......98
Miller ......98
Hancock..99.
Woo ........2000
Mariners have more upside..
Rangers are what they.
Are..
But they are prob not finneshed ..yet..

 

[ulmax]

The way the ranger spend.
They are prob on a couple..
Good pitchers.
Snell.
Jordan montgomry..
Maybe..they spend like the mets
Excuse..me..money has been.in style..for a while.
Now .
Marinres .
Owners .still wearing high waters .ayi.yi..yi..
Lololoolo

 

[ulmax]

Castillo..in prime..
Topa.....in it to win it.pen
GiLbert..just starting
Kerby....same..
Hard to say with.schlafani.

Just starting to hit there.
Prime..not yet not really.
Monuz .pen
Brash..pen
Miller.
Woo..he is where brash was.
His first.year..we will.see.
Hancock.
Dollard..