Finally! Official Hot Stove League Thread

[D-train]

News to this poster:

MLBTR has confirmed that the two-year deal Flexen signed upon returning from the KBO allows him to become a free agent next winter. As such, he’s a one-year rental.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/ ... zales.html

Would this make Marco a more likely trade candidate? He has 2 years left, right? (All else being equal, which it’s not)

I would rather keep Flexen that Marco. That's for sure.

[harmony]

News to this poster:

MLBTR has confirmed that the two-year deal Flexen signed upon returning from the KBO allows him to become a free agent next winter. As such, he’s a one-year rental.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/ ... zales.html

Yes, these players coming back from overseas sometimes have different contracts.

This poster has messaged the agency representing Chris Flexen to see how the contract gets around the MLB service time rules.

[ice99]

News to this poster:

MLBTR has confirmed that the two-year deal Flexen signed upon returning from the KBO allows him to become a free agent next winter. As such, he’s a one-year rental.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/ ... zales.html

Would this make Marco a more likely trade candidate? He has 2 years left, right? (All else being equal, which it’s not)

Either one or even both, would be fine.

[Seattle or Bust]

News to this poster:

MLBTR has confirmed that the two-year deal Flexen signed upon returning from the KBO allows him to become a free agent next winter. As such, he’s a one-year rental.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/ ... zales.html

Would this make Marco a more likely trade candidate? He has 2 years left, right? (All else being equal, which it’s not)

Flexen is the one they're trading. Dipoto mentioned his name specifically at the GM meetings. They benched him for 95% of the second half of the season, seemingly as a way to manipulate cash which they ended up paying out anyway. Dumb as hell if you ask me, but the writing is on the wall.

[harmony]

News to this poster:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/ ... zales.html

Would this make Marco a more likely trade candidate? He has 2 years left, right? (All else being equal, which it’s not)

Flexen is the one they're trading. Dipoto mentioned his name specifically at the GM meetings. They benched him for 95% of the second half of the season, seemingly as a way to manipulate cash which they ended up paying out anyway. Dumb as hell if you ask me, but the writing is on the wall.

The Mariners knew going into the season that Chris Flexen's option would vest if the righthander remained in the rotation for the first four months of the season. The M's thought Flexen's presence in the early rotation was worth it.

No attempted manipulation.

[Seattle or Bust]

Would this make Marco a more likely trade candidate? He has 2 years left, right? (All else being equal, which it’s not)

Flexen is the one they're trading. Dipoto mentioned his name specifically at the GM meetings. They benched him for 95% of the second half of the season, seemingly as a way to manipulate cash which they ended up paying out anyway. Dumb as hell if you ask me, but the writing is on the wall.

The Mariners knew going into the season that Chris Flexen's option would vest if the righthander remained in the rotation for the first four months of the season. The M's thought Flexen's presence in the early rotation was worth it.

No attempted manipulation.

So they elected to bench a pitcher with a sub 4.00 ERA for the second half of a season for no other reason than "his presence in the early rotation" being "worth it?"

It wasn't a coincidence that as soon as he neared that innings number that they stopped him from pitching?

I believe they were forced to throw Flexen at times to save the bullpen but they wish they hadn't and that he hadn't met the innings number to vest his option.

[Sexymarinersfan]

So hopelessly vague as to be noncommittally irrelevant...


imageedit_20_8255084594.png


What does "expressed formal interest" mean. Did they ask him if anyone was taking him to prom? Tell them they like the cut of his jib? Swipe right on his Tinder profile?

Either way, I suppose this is encouraging news.

I'm not sure why Nimmo would sign for a team where a positional change would diminish his value.

The M's are not moving Julio from CF and Nimmo is most valuable as a CF.

He's also a Boras client... Boras would never let him sign with a team that intends to play him in a corner OF spot. He said it himself, "many teams in this league are in need of a centerfielder... maybe they'll go 'finding Nimmo.'" or some shit.

Who cares if Julio has more value there? Nimmo is the greater defender. And they'll absolutely move him as he gets older. His body is built for a corner OF spot. If Nimmo signs with the team be prepared for that shift immediately.

[Big_Maple]

Who cares if Julio has more value there? Nimmo is the greater defender. And they'll absolutely move him as he gets older. His body is built for a corner OF spot. If Nimmo signs with the team be prepared for that shift immediately.

Indeed. Judge is a marquee player and he's a right fielder, not CF.

[Sexymarinersfan]

Who cares if Julio has more value there? Nimmo is the greater defender. And they'll absolutely move him as he gets older. His body is built for a corner OF spot. If Nimmo signs with the team be prepared for that shift immediately.

Indeed. Judge is a marquee player and he's a right fielder, not CF.

Congrats to Julio on recognizing we had a major need in CF and putting in the work to go out and transition his body to the rigors of CF. That hole can easily be replaced. Nimmo would bring better CF defense just because that's the type of body and "Natural" athlete that he is. The FO doesn't need Julio in CF to be the face of the franchise. That is so laughable. Ok Ichiro! The point is moot until the M's go out and sign a CF or Nimmo regardless. Until then Julio IS our CF. So it makes no sense arguing about it, until the time actually comes. "IF" a signing does happen, well then that's an argument for another day.

[D-train]

Who cares if Julio has more value there? Nimmo is the greater defender. And they'll absolutely move him as he gets older. His body is built for a corner OF spot. If Nimmo signs with the team be prepared for that shift immediately.

Indeed. Judge is a marquee player and he's a right fielder, not CF.

Congrats to Julio on recognizing we had a major need in CF and putting in the work to go out and transition his body to the rigors of CF. That hole can easily be replaced. Nimmo would bring better CF defense just because that's the type of body and "Natural" athlete that he is. The FO doesn't need Julio in CF to be the face of the franchise. That is so laughable. Ok Ichiro! The point is moot until the M's go out and sign a CF or Nimmo regardless. Until then Julio IS our CF. So it makes no sense arguing about it, until the time actually comes. "IF" a signing does happen, well then that's an argument for another day.

Totally agree the amount of energy spent on arguing hypotheticals could power the Sun.