OFFICIAL OFF SEASON THREAD ( 2017 )

[saddles]

Watching hot stove this morning. While they're talking to JD, they put up the the Rangers projected lineup and they have Gallo penciled in at DH. Are you kidding me. I guess they didn't see his 1 for 25 and .040 average. I always thought you put someone in the DH spot that could actually hit.

You would think so, but they did bring in Lance Berkman to DH one year.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

You would think so, but they did bring in Lance Berkman to DH one year.

Let us never speak of that.

 

[DT LUNA]

You would think so, but they did bring in Lance Berkman to DH one year.

Bite your tongue my man. Lawdy! lol

 

[Kelleyman]

You would think so, but they did bring in Lance Berkman to DH one year.

Funny. That one is on Nolan. Haha. But..... Maybe Gallo would be better than LB. hmm. We can always hope for a turnaround. The Boras influence

 

[saddles]

Funny. That one is on Nolan. Haha. But..... Maybe Gallo would be better than LB. hmm. We can always hope for a turnaround. The Boras influence

Young guys do turn it around sometimes and occasionally in dramatic fashion. Just look at the difference in Holland in the 2011 postseason compared to the 2010 postseason.

 

[Duane1952]

You would think so, but they did bring in Lance Berkman to DH one year.

I didn't like that move either. Tried tell people he was going to be a cancer on the team and he was.

 

[Bmurph]

Latest On Market For Edwin Encarnacion

By Jeff Todd | December 15, 2016 at 8:48pm CDT

8:53pm: Texas has been in touch with Encarnacion’s reps to gauge his price, but it’s not known if the team has made an offer, Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweets.

8:48pm: It has been a while since we’ve checked in on the market for Edwin Encarnacion, the best free agent who remains on the market (as ranked by MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes). Here’s the latest chatter on the veteran.

Though there’s a great match on paper, the Indians seemingly remain uninterested in going beyond their typical comfort zone for Encarnacion, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. While the concept of a higher-AAV, three-year deal with an opt-out after the first season has been floated, that may be a non-starter — though it’s fair to note that the organization has given reasonably significant guarantees out in free agency before (Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn). And while it appears reasonable to think that Cleveland might bite with a big number for a single season only — if Encarnacion is reduced to seeking such an arrangement — Rosenthal suggests that the team may be loath to part with a draft pick to add him for just one year.

Meanwhile, the Athletics are “at least considering” an attempt to sign the free-agent slugger, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag. Importantly, though, it’s not entirely clear whether the A’s are positioning themselves to catch Encarnacion if his market collapses, or whether they’d put together a significant, multi-year offer. Though Oakland has options at first base and designated hitter — it avoided arbitration with Yonder Alonso and could platoon him with Mark Canha, and could feature Stephen Vogt at DH — those assignments aren’t exactly etched in stone, and there’s little question the team could stand to add some thump.

Perhaps the most obvious remaining landing spot for Encarnacion on a sizable deal would be the Rangers, but GM Jon Daniels dumped yet another sizable bucket of ice water on that idea, as MLB.com’s TR Sullivan writes. Texas is “highly unlikely” to move on the best remaining free agent, said GM Jon Daniels. While other outside targets are still being weighed, the executive suggests that the first-base position is still most likely to be filled from within.

All said, it’s increasingly difficult to see where Encarnacion will land a major contract. The Blue Jays were said to have offered $80MM over four years, but took that off the table — though they are said to be maintaining contact. As Rosenthal recently explained, though they may give the idea some thought, the Cardinals may not make a ton of sense, particularly since they play in the National League and have already said they’ll utilize Matt Carpenter at first. And it remains to be seen whether any other suitors — such as the Rockies or (speculatively) the Orioles or Red Sox — may ultimately emerge in full pursuit.

Of course, as agent Paul Kinzer recently noted, there’s no denying that Encarnacion offers a massive bat that isn’t otherwise available (at least, not via free agency). He’s certainly a good enough hitter that it would not be entirely surprising to a see a team re-arrange other aspects of its roster to create a fit. The Encarnacion camp’s declared willingness to be patient may be tested, but a sizable contract can’t be ruled out at this point by any stretch.

 

[DT LUNA]

Latest On Market For Edwin Encarnacion

By Jeff Todd | December 15, 2016 at 8:48pm CDT

8:53pm: Texas has been in touch with Encarnacion’s reps to gauge his price, but it’s not known if the team has made an offer, Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweets.

8:48pm: It has been a while since we’ve checked in on the market for Edwin Encarnacion, the best free agent who remains on the market (as ranked by MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes). Here’s the latest chatter on the veteran.

Though there’s a great match on paper, the Indians seemingly remain uninterested in going beyond their typical comfort zone for Encarnacion, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. While the concept of a higher-AAV, three-year deal with an opt-out after the first season has been floated, that may be a non-starter — though it’s fair to note that the organization has given reasonably significant guarantees out in free agency before (Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn). And while it appears reasonable to think that Cleveland might bite with a big number for a single season only — if Encarnacion is reduced to seeking such an arrangement — Rosenthal suggests that the team may be loath to part with a draft pick to add him for just one year.

Meanwhile, the Athletics are “at least considering” an attempt to sign the free-agent slugger, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag. Importantly, though, it’s not entirely clear whether the A’s are positioning themselves to catch Encarnacion if his market collapses, or whether they’d put together a significant, multi-year offer. Though Oakland has options at first base and designated hitter — it avoided arbitration with Yonder Alonso and could platoon him with Mark Canha, and could feature Stephen Vogt at DH — those assignments aren’t exactly etched in stone, and there’s little question the team could stand to add some thump.

Perhaps the most obvious remaining landing spot for Encarnacion on a sizable deal would be the Rangers, but GM Jon Daniels dumped yet another sizable bucket of ice water on that idea, as MLB.com’s TR Sullivan writes. Texas is “highly unlikely” to move on the best remaining free agent, said GM Jon Daniels. While other outside targets are still being weighed, the executive suggests that the first-base position is still most likely to be filled from within.

All said, it’s increasingly difficult to see where Encarnacion will land a major contract. The Blue Jays were said to have offered $80MM over four years, but took that off the table — though they are said to be maintaining contact. As Rosenthal recently explained, though they may give the idea some thought, the Cardinals may not make a ton of sense, particularly since they play in the National League and have already said they’ll utilize Matt Carpenter at first. And it remains to be seen whether any other suitors — such as the Rockies or (speculatively) the Orioles or Red Sox — may ultimately emerge in full pursuit.

Of course, as agent Paul Kinzer recently noted, there’s no denying that Encarnacion offers a massive bat that isn’t otherwise available (at least, not via free agency). He’s certainly a good enough hitter that it would not be entirely surprising to a see a team re-arrange other aspects of its roster to create a fit. The Encarnacion camp’s declared willingness to be patient may be tested, but a sizable contract can’t be ruled out at this point by any stretch.

What did I just read? Lot to digest.

 

[saddles]

Congratulations to Elvis on his engagement.

 

[Nightcrawler]

What did I just read? Lot to digest.

Blow Jays aren't exactly taking free agency by storm like they assumed they would.

 

[saddles]

Rangers’ first-base candidates include Rua, Profar and Gallo

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Rangers’ first-base candidates include Rua, Profar and Gallo

what's next, an article that says Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish are candidates for the rotation?

 

[Duane1952]

Rangers’ first-base candidates include Rua, Profar and Gallo

I just don't see how anybody can consider Gallo a front runner for first base. All the power doesn't do you any good if don't make contact.

 

[DT LUNA]

I just don't see how anybody can consider Gallo a front runner for first base. All the power doesn't do you any good if don't make contact.

Article also said Rua and Gallo both have a leg up on Profar.

 

[Duane1952]

Article also said Rua and Gallo both have a leg up on Profar.

I think Guzman is more major league ready than Gallo is right now. Hoping Guzman will be able to make the jump to Arlington in 2018.

 

[saddles]

 

[Duane1952]

Seems like this guy is a year or two away from making it to the bigs.

 

[saddles]

Seems like this guy is a year or two away from making it to the bigs.

Or even 3 or 4 years away.

 

[Duane1952]

Whoever turned the air down needs to turn it back up.

 

[scotsman1948]

Stay warm my friends