Finally! Official Hot Stove League Thread

[Coeurd’Alene J]

The same guy that gave White a multi million dollar contract and tried the same shit with Kelenic cudo’s to the kid for betting on himself lol. After heavily scouting Yoshida we have once again bet on the kid to suddenly be that guy. We shall see if JK holds a candle to Yoshida

[D-train]

Little dopey Curtis lol

This Idea that because they made the playoffs means that Jerry knows what he is doing and doesn't deserve any criticism irritates me me beyond belief. It took him 7 freaking years to sneak the team into the playoffs. During that time 27 other major league teams also made the playoffs. Everybody is all over the guys jock because he did something that literally every other franchise other than the Angels and the Tigers has done. In his first year here they were a second place team with a little bit of star power several holes and a depleted farm system. 7 years later they are a 2nd place team with a little bit of star power several holes and a depleted farm system. The blind adoration for This guys is mind boggling.

And he takes a total strawman saying people are complaining about not giving a 13 year deal as opposed to only giving out a $1.2M one year deal for a worthless reliever...

[Big_Maple]

Just a couple of quick things here.

First, the M's signed Casey Sadler to a minors deal. He could be a nice piece in the bullpen:

https://www.mlb.com/news/casey-sadler-s ... h-mariners

Second, there's an article from the Athletic I just read on where they think the remaining FAs will sign. There isn't a whole lot that is new here, and it's all rampant speculation, but the article mentions 5 FAs that would be a good fit for the M's. Most have been mentioned here, but some are new (or at least they haven't garnered a lot of discussion): Michael Brantley (WAR: 1.3 OPS+: 125), Trey Mancini (WAR: 1.4 OPS+: 101), JD Martinez (WAR: 1.1 OPS+: 117), Andrew McCutchen (WAR: 1.1 OPS+: 99) and AJ Pollock (WAR: 0.4 OPS+: 91).

Most of these guys are in their mid-30's, so obviously they'd be short time, band-aids.

https://theathletic.com/3996361/2022/12 ... n-swanson/

[D-train]

Just a couple of quick things here.

First, the M's signed Casey Sadler to a minors deal. He could be a nice piece in the bullpen:

https://www.mlb.com/news/casey-sadler-s ... h-mariners

Second, there's an article from the Athletic I just read on where they think the remaining FAs will sign. There isn't a whole lot that is new here, and it's all rampant speculation, but the article mentions 5 FAs that would be a good fit for the M's. Most have been mentioned here, but some are new (or at least they haven't garnered a lot of discussion): Michael Brantley (WAR: 1.3 OPS+: 125), Trey Mancini (WAR: 1.4 OPS+: 101), JD Martinez (WAR: 1.1 OPS+: 117), Andrew McCutchen (WAR: 1.1 OPS+: 99) and AJ Pollock (WAR: 0.4 OPS+: 91).

Most of these guys are in their mid-30's, so obviously they'd be short time, band-aids.

https://theathletic.com/3996361/2022/12 ... n-swanson/

Outside of Brantley they are total dumpster dives. They could sign Brantley tomorrow but they are waiting for the hat in hand guys to come to them.

[Big_Maple]

Outside of Brantley they are total dumpster dives. They could sign Brantley tomorrow but they are waiting for the hat in hand guys to come to them.

Dumpster diving is Dipoto's specialty.

[ddraig]

It has become obvious through a series of owners that the be-all and end-all for this organizatino is the Playoffs. There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR THE ORGANIZATION TO GO ANY FURTHER! Strive for excellence? Not the M's. All they ask for is a place at the playoff table and then they can say to the fans, "We're trying." They are nothing more than a AAAA farm system for the organizations that want to win a WS ring.

[bpj]

It has become obvious through a series of owners that the be-all and end-all for this organizatino is the Playoffs. There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR THE ORGANIZATION TO GO ANY FURTHER! Strive for excellence? Not the M's. All they ask for is a place at the playoff table and then they can say to the fans, "We're trying." They are nothing more than a AAAA farm system for the organizations that want to win a WS ring.

That sounds pretty spot on to me. Dipoto even said as much on one of his interviews, that getting to the playoffs was what's important because then anything can happen.

Which, is funny, because that approach would have been great to have in 2021 when they could have easily been a contender if they weren't wasting time on guys like Torrens at DH , Kelenic getting a way too early callup, Shed LOLong, Evan Kotchman White, Jake Bauers, and Jose Marmolejos instead of putting a real team on the field. 1,304 plate appearances to those bums. That was 21.7% of the teams total plate appearances. And we missed the playoffs by a game.........

Anyways, it doesn't appear they're trying to be as good as possible even now. That's why fans are frustrated imo.

[desbcoach]

Binettendi off board tomWhite Sox 5/75 mill

[Big_Maple]

Benentendi and Joey Gallo are off the board.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal

[bpj]

Binettendi off board tomWhite Sox 5/75 mill

Listed as 5'9" and 180 pounds.

Carried by OBP and coming off the lowest SLG of his career. We need guys who can clear the bases, not just get on.

Glad we missed out on this one.