So it begins, The official Hot Stove League Thread 2024-25 Offseason

[D-train]

Arkins doesn't think they should do it, points at the age factor.

Dating back to 2014, catchers who were 31-or-older made at least 300 plate appearances in a season 92 times. Of those 92 instances, a WAR of three-or-better was accrued on just 14 occasions. The following illustrates the 10 catchers accomplishing the feat. Only three did so multiple times - J.T. Realmuto, Russell Martin, and Yadier Molina.

Is there an argument for certain types of players? I could see catchers being a higher risk factor than other positions. And then there's the pitching staff. How risky would that be?

Guys a clown but I would agree with that. His bat doesn't play at DH.

[Donn Beach]

Think you're exaggerating the production teams get out of DH. His bat would play pretty well there at it's current rate. But you'd be paying him a lot for it.



David Schoenfield from 2023 on the lack of hitting at the position, kinda of an interesting article. Teams don't generally want to fill the position with a full time dh or pay a lot for it...

Three teams are hitting under .200 from the DH spot. Another six are hitting under .225.

The major league average OPS is .729. Thirteen teams are seeing their DHs produce an OPS worse than a league-average hitter.

Seattle Mariners DHs are hitting .161 with a .553 OPS -- and that isn't even the worst OPS in the majors. Milwaukee Brewers DHs are hitting .184 with three home runs for a .533 OPS.

The Detroit Tigers have used 16 different DHs and started nine different players there -- and they've combined to hit .206 with three home runs.

These numbers aren't anomalies. Last season, four teams hit under .200, and a whopping 14 teams saw their DHs produce an OPS under .700, despite a leaguewide OPS of .707.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/ ... itters-hit

[Pharmabro]

Another day, another day of nothing

51 days until game 1 of ST

[D-train]

Think you're exaggerating the production teams get out of DH. His bat would play pretty well there at it's current rate. But you'd be paying him a lot for it.



David Schoenfield from 2023 on the lack of hitting at the position, kinda of an interesting article. Teams don't generally want to fill the position with a full time dh or pay a lot for it...

Three teams are hitting under .200 from the DH spot. Another six are hitting under .225.

The major league average OPS is .729. Thirteen teams are seeing their DHs produce an OPS worse than a league-average hitter.

Seattle Mariners DHs are hitting .161 with a .553 OPS -- and that isn't even the worst OPS in the majors. Milwaukee Brewers DHs are hitting .184 with three home runs for a .533 OPS.

The Detroit Tigers have used 16 different DHs and started nine different players there -- and they've combined to hit .206 with three home runs.

These numbers aren't anomalies. Last season, four teams hit under .200, and a whopping 14 teams saw their DHs produce an OPS under .700, despite a leaguewide OPS of .707.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/ ... itters-hit

.748 OPS would be ok but he did that at 28 yo. We are talking his 31,32, 33 even 34 yo seasons. Basically he becomes Mitch Garver only much higher salary.

[D-train]

Think you're exaggerating the production teams get out of DH. His bat would play pretty well there at it's current rate. But you'd be paying him a lot for it.



David Schoenfield from 2023 on the lack of hitting at the position, kinda of an interesting article. Teams don't generally want to fill the position with a full time dh or pay a lot for it...

Three teams are hitting under .200 from the DH spot. Another six are hitting under .225.

The major league average OPS is .729. Thirteen teams are seeing their DHs produce an OPS worse than a league-average hitter.

Seattle Mariners DHs are hitting .161 with a .553 OPS -- and that isn't even the worst OPS in the majors. Milwaukee Brewers DHs are hitting .184 with three home runs for a .533 OPS.

The Detroit Tigers have used 16 different DHs and started nine different players there -- and they've combined to hit .206 with three home runs.

These numbers aren't anomalies. Last season, four teams hit under .200, and a whopping 14 teams saw their DHs produce an OPS under .700, despite a leaguewide OPS of .707.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/ ... itters-hit

I am sure the Astros are happier with Alvarez than all those teams with pencil bat DHs. Just because they exist doesn't justify it as a good roster construction.

[Donn Beach]

Think you're exaggerating the production teams get out of DH. His bat would play pretty well there at it's current rate. But you'd be paying him a lot for it.



David Schoenfield from 2023 on the lack of hitting at the position, kinda of an interesting article. Teams don't generally want to fill the position with a full time dh or pay a lot for it...

Three teams are hitting under .200 from the DH spot. Another six are hitting under .225.

The major league average OPS is .729. Thirteen teams are seeing their DHs produce an OPS worse than a league-average hitter.

Seattle Mariners DHs are hitting .161 with a .553 OPS -- and that isn't even the worst OPS in the majors. Milwaukee Brewers DHs are hitting .184 with three home runs for a .533 OPS.

The Detroit Tigers have used 16 different DHs and started nine different players there -- and they've combined to hit .206 with three home runs.

These numbers aren't anomalies. Last season, four teams hit under .200, and a whopping 14 teams saw their DHs produce an OPS under .700, despite a leaguewide OPS of .707.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/ ... itters-hit

.748 OPS would be ok but he did that at 28 yo. We are talking his 31,32, 33 even 34 yo seasons. Basically he becomes Mitch Garver only much higher salary.

Those are the seasons he needs to be catching. You're not paying him what he's going to be worth and dh him. There aren't many players that would be worth it, that fit the mold. Just viewing his offense he'd be an above average dh.

[Donn Beach]

Recent comment from Sasaki's agent

"He doesn't seem to look at it in the typical way that other players do," Wolfe said. "He has a more long-term, global view of things. I believe Roki is also very interested in the pitching development and how a team is going to help him get better, both in the near future and over the course of his career. He didn't seem overly concerned about whether a team had Japanese players on their team or not, which, in the past, when I represented Japanese players, that was sometimes an issue. That was never a topic of discussion."

[Hasslecracked]

Recent comment from Sasaki's agent

"He doesn't seem to look at it in the typical way that other players do," Wolfe said. "He has a more long-term, global view of things. I believe Roki is also very interested in the pitching development and how a team is going to help him get better, both in the near future and over the course of his career. He didn't seem overly concerned about whether a team had Japanese players on their team or not, which, in the past, when I represented Japanese players, that was sometimes an issue. That was never a topic of discussion."

Thought I read on MLB trade rumors that he was down to his final 7 teams and the Ms weren’t on that list

[Donn Beach]

I don't think it's known who's on the list

[Hasslecracked]

I don't think it's known who's on the list

Rangers, Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Padres, Giants and Cubs were all mentioned. Red Sox and Blue Jays were denied a meeting