The Offseason Thread

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Hmm, not shocking but don't like hearing this. Still need another guy back there.

Maybe they'll use that money for a catcher instead of another BP arm?

I'd be okay with that, depending on of course who that catcher would be...but the new GM better act quick, as the pickins are getting slimmer it seems.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

The list of all FA's....

2019 MLB Free Agents



Catchers:

Yasmani Grandal (30 years old, 3.6 WAR)
Wilson Ramos (31, 2.4)
Kurt Suzuki (35, 2.0) -- Signed 2-year deal with WSH (11/20).
Robinson Chirinos (35, 1.6) -- Signed 1-year deal with HOU (12/6).
Martin Maldonado (32, 0.9)
Nick Hundley (35, 0.9)
Matt Wieters (33, 0.9)
A.J. Ellis (38, 0.8)
Devin Mesoraco (31, 0.7)
Jonathan Lucroy (33, 0.6)
Chris Herrmann (31, 0.6) -- Signed 1-year deal with OAK (12/11).
Brian McCann (35, 0.5) -- Signed 1-year deal with ATL (11/26).
Rene Rivera (35, 0.3)
Juan Graterol, C (29, 0.1) -- non-tendered
Caleb Joseph (32, 0.0) -- non-tendered
James McCann (28, -0.1) -- non-tendered
Chris Stewart (37, -0.1)
Jarrod Saltalamacchia (34, -0.2)
Jose Lobaton (34, -0.3) -- Agreed to MiLB deal with SEA (12/10)
Drew Butera (35, -0.3)
Jeff Mathis (36, -0.5) -- Signed 2-year deal with TEX (11/19).
Bobby Wilson (36, -0.5) -- Signed MiLB deal with DET (12/5).
Stephen Vogt (34, N/A) -- Didn't appear in MLB in 2018.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Wilson Ramos 2 years, $19 million, love it.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Wilson Ramos 2 years, $19 million, love it.

Damn. Good. Get.

Mets reportedly land veteran catcher Ramos

New York officials met last week with Ramos at the winter meetings in Las Vegas and with Yasmani Grandal, another free-agent catcher, in Arizona. Ramos became the priority for the Mets, partly because of compensation required for signing Grandal, who turned down a $17.9 million qualifying offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers. If New York had signed Grandal, the Mets would have forfeited their second-highest pick in next June's amateur draft and $500,000 of international signing bonus allocation in 2019-20.

The Mets also had been rumored to be in the trade mix for catcher J.T. Realmuto, so the agreement with Ramos would seemingly take them out of the mix for the Miami Marlins All-Star.

Getting Ramos crosses another item of the to-do list of new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen. The former agent made a blockbuster deal with Seattle for second baseman Robinson Cano and closer Edwin Diaz this month and also brought back former New York closer Jeurys Familia on a $30 million, three-year deal last week. The team may still pursue an upgrade in center field and a left-handed reliever.

Spring Training is less than 2 months away

LGM!

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Makes too much sense.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Rajai Davis signed to a minor league deal with a major league invite. I like it, depth move with potential to pay off and almost no risk.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Familia prioritized Mets return over role as closer


also:

The Mets also called a news conference for Tuesday to introduce catcher Wilson Ramos, who finalized a $19 million, two-year contract. He receives a $2 million signing bonus payable next July 1, $6.25 million in 2019 and $9.25 million in 2020. The Mets have a $10 million option for 2021 with a $1.5 million buyout. Ramos would earn a $500,000 bonus in each season he has 100 starts at catcher.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

I certainly like the moves BVW has made so far, but he might want to dial back on the hubris a bit....

Mets GM: Would argue we're NL East favorites

 

[Nasty_Magician]

I certainly like the moves BVW has made so far, but he might want to dial back on the hubris a bit....

Mets GM: Would argue we're NL East favorites

Yeah we're probably still behind Washington and Atlanta. A couple of more moves though and we're in good shape.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Would like to see us make a run at Yusei Kikuchi. We received an extra million in international bonus pool money last year with the Familia trade, I'd imagine we can outbid most.

Having that extra arm gives us a lot of flexibility/depth. We could potentially move a starter then.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Missed this one last week....

Mets reach minors deal with Blanco

That deal, along with the earlier Rajai Davis deal could mean they're possibly ready to unload Juan Lagares to free up some more money for another arm.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

2 things with this:

1) I like the Ramos deal way better
2) Does this mean there is more money to spend?

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

2 things with this:

1) I like the Ramos deal way better
2) Does this mean there is more money to spend?

1: Me too.
2: I hope so.

 

[SideSwipe52]

Will 2019 finally be the year that Tim Tebow, finally makes his way in the Major League and play in a game or two for the Mets?

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Will 2019 finally be the year that Tim Tebow, finally makes his way in the Major League and play in a game or two for the Mets?

I don't think the Wilpons could pass up the slight pay bump associated with the jersey sales/sideshow aspect.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Would like to see us make a run at Yusei Kikuchi. We received an extra million in international bonus pool money last year with the Familia trade, I'd imagine we can outbid most.

Having that extra arm gives us a lot of flexibility/depth. We could potentially move a starter then.

He ended up signing with Seattle...

Sources: M's agree with Japanese LHP Kikuchi

 

[Nasty_Magician]

He ended up signing with Seattle...

Sources: M's agree with Japanese LHP Kikuchi

Saw that, missed opportunity. Oh well.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Saw that, missed opportunity. Oh well.

Yeah...I figured he'd sign with a west coast team, and the Mariners are a good fit in that aspect, but I am a bit surprised the Dodgers or Giants didn't pursue him more heavily.

That being said, I do like our rotation, and the BP got an upgrade.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Well, it's something.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

JD Davis move is intriguing, the relief pitcher doesn't have great numbers but couldn't expect much for a fringe major league catcher.