The Officially Official Off Season Thread (2016)

[donaldson79]

Thursday's FWSTelegram had an article saying Rangers were not bringing him back.Read that in the barber shop so I don't have a copy to quote.[/QUOTE]

interesting......wonder what our new line of thinking is going to be?

 

[DT LUNA]

Thursday's FWSTelegram had an article saying Rangers were not bringing him back.Read that in the barber shop so I don't have a copy to quote.

interesting......wonder what our new line of thinking is going to be?[/QUOTE]
Really don't like the current situation. Nap and Prince weakens the defense and Nap only hits lefties. Having one of them always on the bench when Mitch is playing really something to think about. On the other hand, Mitch has an injury history and his value is at the right time for trading. Glad JD gets to make our decisions.

 

[donaldson79]

Really don't like the current situation. Nap and Prince weakens the defense and Nap only hits lefties. Having one of them always on the bench when Mitch is playing really something to think about. On the other hand, Mitch has an injury history and his value is at the right time for trading. Glad JD gets to make our decisions.[/QUOTE]

I thought going into this off season one thing we were hell-bent on achieving was to start 2016 less LH hitting dependent. And to do so, at least it seems to me, the most movable personnel move is MM.

Although I agree with ya that having Nap/Prince would weaken the defense. But I do think Napoli has become a decent to above average 1st baseman. Prince, wasn't/isn't much of a defender.

But according to what you're reading Nap isn't in our future plans. Wasn't the signing of Napoli once considered a priority by JD/team? Not so long ago too.

 

[scotsman1948]

Really don't like the current situation. Nap and Prince weakens the defense and Nap only hits lefties. Having one of them always on the bench when Mitch is playing really something to think about. On the other hand, Mitch has an injury history and his value is at the right time for trading. Glad JD gets to make our decisions.[/QUOTE]

I thought going into this off season one thing we were hell-bent on achieving was to start 2016 less LH hitting dependent. And to do so, at least it seems to me, the most movable personnel move is MM.

Although I agree with ya that having Nap/Prince would weaken the defense. But I do think Napoli has become a decent to above average 1st baseman. Prince, wasn't/isn't much of a defender.

But according to what you're reading Nap isn't in our future plans. Wasn't the signing of Napoli once considered a priority by JD/team? Not so long ago too.

beginning to think we came into this off-season without a real plan or any priorities

 

[DT LUNA]

beginning to think we came into this off-season without a real plan or any priorities

We had a plan I'm sure. They don't always work out. Probably haven't gotten what they think MM is worth i.e. If not keep MM and let Nap go. who knows? Meetings aren't over yet.

 

[scotsman1948]

We had a plan I'm sure. They don't always work out. Probably haven't gotten what they think MM is worth i.e. If not keep MM and let Nap go. who knows? Meetings aren't over yet.

if their plan consisted of nothing but waiting for a trade to appear it seems to have failed

 

[Kelleyman]

We had a plan I'm sure. They don't always work out. Probably haven't gotten what they think MM is worth i.e. If not keep MM and let Nap go. who knows? Meetings aren't over yet.

Right, it is still very early. Who knows what will happen re Mitch. I still bet we wish we could move him for SP or catcher

 

[romeo212000]

beginning to think we came into this off-season without a real plan or any priorities

I wish I could give this 100 times.

 

[donaldson79]

if their plan consisted of nothing but waiting for a trade to appear it seems to have failed

What would make you say something like this? Honestly.

Here it is 12 Dec and the trade chips haven't fallen right, or we haven't paid a quarter of a billion dollars for a FA and therefore, we're totally fucked. Right?

 

[romeo212000]

What would make you say something like this? Honestly.

Here it is 12 Dec and the trade chips haven't fallen right, or we haven't paid a quarter of a billion dollars for a FA and therefore, we're totally fucked. Right?

Stop. You're being too logical.

 

[donaldson79]

Well, we don't have to worry about Morton heading our way.

PHILLIES GET CHARLIE MORTON FROM PIRATES
Philadelphia traded minor league pitcher David Whitehead for Morton, who had a 4.81 ERA in 23 starts for Pittsburgh last season. Morton performed much better from 2013-14, when he posted a 3.52 ERA in 46 starts.

 

[DT LUNA]

As banged up and bad as we were last season we still won the west. If we get healthy we might win the super bowl. Did I get that right?

 

[Bmurph]

Stros giving up Appel too?

Giles heads to Houston but the Phillies land a former No. 1 overall pick
By Mike Axisa | Baseball Writer

December 12, 2015 1:42 pm

On Saturday, the Phillies and Astros finalized the Ken Giles trade, and it is larger than originally reported. It's a 5-for-2 swap and former No. 1 pick Mark Appel is among the five heading to Philadelphia. Both teams have announced the trade.

Here's a breakdown of the deal.

ASTROS GET: PHILLIES GET:
P Ken Giles
INF Jonathan Arauz P Vincent Velasquez
P Mark Appel
P Brett Oberholtzer
P Thomas Eshelman
P Harold Arauz
The deal was reported to be a 4-for-1 swap, with Velasquez, Oberholtzer, minor league outfielder Derek Fisher and an unknown fourth player heading to the Phillies for Giles.

Appel, 24, was the first-overall pick in the 2012 draft, ahead of Kris Bryant, who went second to the Cubs. Appel has struggled in his career to date, pitching to a 5.12 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 253 minor league innings. He has reached Triple-A though, and may reach the majors in 2016.

MLB.com ranks Appel as Houston's No. 3 prospect and the No. 43 prospect in baseball overall, though his stock is clearly down. He still throws hard and has good stuff, but he remains way too hittable, and batters are able to get comfortable swings. MLB.com says Appel still has a chance "to become a frontline starter in the big leagues."

With both Appel and Dansby Swanson traded in recent days, the last three No. 1 overall picks are no longer with the team that drafted them. Swanson, the first-overall pick in 2015, was part of the recent Shelby Miller trade. Brady Aiken, the 2014 top pick, did not sign with the Astros after something popped up in his physical.

Appel is the fourth No. 1 overall pick to be traded as a minor leaguer, joining Swanson, Adrian Gonzalez and Shawn Abner. Gonzalez was the top pick in 2000 and the Marlins traded him to the Rangers for Ugueth Urbina in 2003. Abner was the No. 1 pick in 1984. The Mets traded him to the Padres in the eight-player Kevin Mitchell/Kevin McReynolds deal in 1986.

Giles, 25, emerged as a top-flight setup man last season and took over as closer when Jonathan Papelbon was traded at the deadline. He had a 1.80 ERA (221 ERA+) with 87 strikeouts in 70 innings in 2015. GM Jeff Luhnow said Giles' role will be up to manager A.J. Hinch. He could serve as Luke Gregerson's setup man.

The Astros have been looking to add a high-end reliever this offseason and Giles fits the bill. Gregerson did a fine closing this past season (3.10 ERA, 130 ERA,+ 31 saves) after spending the majority of his career in a setup role. Houston also pursued Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller this winter before getting Giles.

Velasquez is the second key piece to the deal for the Phillies. The 23-year-old had a 4.37 ERA (93 ERA+) with a 58/21 K/BB in 55 2/3 innings this past season, his MLB debut. He's got a huge fastball and a bat-missing curveball, though he often battles control problems. Some think Velasquez will end up in the bullpen, though the Phillies can afford to be patient.

Oberholtzer, 26, has spent parts of the last three seasons with the Astros. He has a career 3.94 ERA (100 ERA+) in 253 2/3 MLB innings spread across 42 starts and three relief appearances. Oberholtzer is a finesse lefty who gives the Phillies a cheap innings guy for the back of their rotation. He's under team control through 2020.

Neither Eshelman nor Arauz are among the Astros' top 30 prospects, according to MLB.com. The 21-year-old Eshelman was Houston's second-round pick in 2015. He allowed five runs in 10 1/3 innings after turning pro. Arauz, 20, had a 6.79 ERA in 54 2/3 rookie ball innings in 2015.

The other Arauz, the 17-year-old shortstop Jonathan, hit .254/.309/.370 with two home runs in 44 rookie ball games in 2015. MLB.com ranked him as the No. 29 prospect in the Phillies' system and called him a "Freddy Galvis type of player."

Though both Harold and Jonathan Arauz are from Panama, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sportsreports the two are not related.












Former No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel has been traded to the Phillies. (USATSI)

 

[Bmurph]

Chris probably should have taken the O's offer?

Orioles pull offer to Chris Davis, now 'going down different tracks'
By Mike Axisa | Baseball Writer

December 12, 2015 12:02 pm ET

The Orioles have pulled their contract offer to free agent slugger Chris Davis, vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette confirmed to reporters at the team's FanFest event Saturday. The club is now "going down different tracks."

Earlier this week, CBS Sports MLB Insider Jon Heyman reported the Orioles offered Davis more than $150 million, though he noted there was still a gap in talks. Davis is said to be looking for a contract in line with the eight-year, $180 million deal the Yankees gave Mark Teixeira a few years ago.

Duquette said the team will now explore other options to boost their lineup. Heyman saysthey have their eye on the recently non-tendered Pedro Alvarez.

In addition to Alvarez, the Orioles could look at outfield bats like Alex Gordon, Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes. They made a big offer to Davis, so they have money to spend, obviously. A starter like Mike Leake or Scott Kazmir may be a target as well.

The O's have already re-signed Darren O'Day to a four-year contract, but they stand to lose Davis and Wei-Yin Chen to free agency. They still boast an impressive core led by Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Zach Britton.

Baltimore went 81-81 in 2015 and finished five games back of a wild-card spot. Even if they manage to re-sign Davis and Chen, it only gets them back to where they were in 2015. They're not upgrades.

Davis, 29, hit .262/.361/.562 (146 OPS+) with an MLB leading 47 home runs in 2015. His 126 homers from 2013-15 are the most in baseball, as are his 580 strikeouts.












The Orioles have pulled their offer to Chris Davis. (USATSI)

 

[Bmurph]

New closer for the M's?

Hot Stove: Mariners sign Steve Cishek to two-year, $10 million contract
By Mike Axisa | Baseball Writer

December 12, 2015 10:34 am ET

The Mariners have signed veteran right-handed reliever Steve Cishek to a two-year contract worth $10 million, CBS Sports MLB Insider Jon Heyman has confirmed. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick first reported the deal. The team has not yet confirmed the signing.

The contract includes significant incentives based on games finished -- Heyman says the deal could be worth as much as $17 million -- indicating Cishek will take over as Seattle's closer. The Mariners traded incumbent closer Carson Smith to the Red Sox for Wade Miley during the Winter Meetings.

Cishek, 29, was one of the best relievers in baseball from 2010-14, pitching to a 2.65 ERA (147 ERA+) with 9.9 K/9 in 257 2/3 innings for the Marlins. He saved 91 games during those five years. Cishek struggled big time early in 2015 though, so much so that he was demoted to Double A at midseason.

In 55 1/3 big league innings in 2015, Cishek had a 3.58 ERA (111 ERA+) with 7.8 K/9 and lost his closer's job to A.J. Ramos. The Marlins traded him to the Cardinals at the deadline and he was left off their postseason roster. St. Louis non-tendered him earlier this month.

Because of his service time, Cishek would have remained under team control as an arbitration-eligible player in 2017 anyway. The Mariners guaranteed him that second year in the contract and that's likely while he signed with Seattle.

Cishek will join, among others, holdover Charlie Furbush and fellow new additions Joaquin Benoit, Evan Scribner and Justin De Fratus in the Mariners bullpen this season.








Steve Cishek is expected to take over as Seattle's new closer. (USATSI)

 

[donaldson79]

Go Murph Go! You're doing great.........keep it up....seriously.

I was unaware of each of these and the info is educational.

Way to go sir............

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Phillies are stock piling the starting rotation. Good rebuilding plan.

 

[Bmurph]

Go Murph Go! You're doing great.........keep it up....seriously.

I was unaware of each of these and the info is educational.

Way to go sir............

Just trying to keep up, thought some others might have interest in some of the news as well. Trying to do my part

 

[Duane1952]

Just trying to keep up, thought some others might have interest in some of the news as well. Trying to do my part

Thanks Murph. Keep them coming.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

beginning to think we came into this off-season without a real plan or any priorities

JD is not the type of GM that makes a move simply to make one. There's been loads of articles about what the Rangers' priorities were this offseason... which is nowhere close to being over. Plenty of time.