# MLB Hot Stove / Offseason 2015-2016 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 2, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418 "2015-11-02T14:38:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2016, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/221 "2016-01-17T01:47:22Z")
I’m not convinced by the Cubs’ plan to back-burner Theo Epstein’s contract extension with a laissez-faire attitude. The Red Sox accidentally blew up their front office twice with that technique–the guy’s contract negotiations have proven surprisingly difficult in the past. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/222 "2016-01-20T15:45:39Z")
Great news for cord-cutting viewers: > **[MLB Settles Suit Over Lack of TV Package Choice, Will Expand Menu](https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/mlb-settles-suit-over-lack-tv-package-choice-will-expand-n499911)** > > Just as a trial was to begin, Major League Baseball and its fans reached agreement Tuesday to expand the menu of online packages for televised games. > [@](#): > > Just as a trial was to begin, Major League Baseball and its fans reached agreement Tuesday to expand the menu of online packages for televised games. > > The deal came weeks after baseball’s lawyers told a judge that for the first time the league was going to let fans buy single-team online TV packages. In the past, viewers who didn’t live in their favored teams’ home markets had to buy access to every single televised MLB game. > > According to lawyers for fans who filed the class-action lawsuit in 2012, MLB will offer unbundled Internet packages for the next five years, including single-team packages for $84.99 next season. They said that’s a 23 percent drop from the cheapest version previously available. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/223 "2016-01-20T20:04:12Z")
[http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb-news/4691672-designated-hitter-national-league-dh-mlb](http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb-news/4691672-designated-hitter-national-league-dh-mlb) Cardinals’ GM John Mozeliak says the DH in NL baseball has been discussed at the owner and GM level. There is momentum. Don’t expect to see it in the next couple years, but change may be on the horizon. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2016, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/224 "2016-01-20T22:33:37Z")
With season long interleague play, it’s inevitable that the DH will come to the NL ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/225 "2016-01-21T01:24:59Z")
I’ve said for years that, during interleague play, they should reverse the rules. In an AL park, pitchers bat. DH in the NL only for IL games. Let fans see a different way of playing. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/226 "2016-01-21T02:17:37Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Great news for cord-cutting viewers: > > [MLB Settles Suit Over Lack of TV Package Choice, Will Expand Menu](http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/mlb-settles-suit-over-lack-tv-package-choice-will-expand-n499911) It’s a great development, but it still screws fans within the blackout area of their favorite team. There’s no reason for Cubs fans in Indianapolis, Mariners fans in eastern Montana, Braves fans in Mississippi, etc. to be blacked out, especially if given the opportunity to pay for a season pass. We’re getting there, but it’s still bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/227 "2016-01-21T21:22:29Z")
No charges for Aroldis Chapman. I’m hoping MLB doesn’t implement their ‘domestic violence’ policy and attempt to punish him.Criminal matters should be left to the police and baseball incidents for MLB. The police aren’t going to investigate if someone used a corked bat or was scuffing the ball. That’s for MLB to investigate and potentially impose fines or suspensions. > **[Chapman won't be charged in domestic dispute](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/14620135/aroldis-chapman-not-face-charges-domestic-dispute)** > > Florida prosecutors have decided not to file charges in a domestic disturbance case involving Aroldis Chapman. MLB still could discipline the Yankees left-hander. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2016, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/228 "2016-01-23T04:25:40Z")
[ESPN.com](http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14629430/yoenis-cespedes-agrees-deal-new-york-mets) is reporting (and I’ve seen it on MLBTV, as well) that Yeonis Cespedes has agreed to a 3-year deal with the Mets. The deal is for $75mil, and includes an opt-out after ONE season. He also had an offer from the Nationals on a 5-year deal with $100mil or so. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2016, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/229 "2016-01-23T05:16:38Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > No charges for Aroldis Chapman. I’m hoping MLB doesn’t implement their ‘domestic violence’ policy and attempt to punish him.Criminal matters should be left to the police and baseball incidents for MLB. The police aren’t going to investigate if someone used a corked bat or was scuffing the ball. That’s for MLB to investigate and potentially impose fines or suspensions. > > [Aroldis Chapman will not face charges from domestic dispute - ESPN](http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14620135/aroldis-chapman-not-face-charges-domestic-dispute) So u think Ray Rice shouldn’t have been suspended? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2016, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/230 "2016-01-23T14:28:49Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > [ESPN.com](http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14629430/yoenis-cespedes-agrees-deal-new-york-mets) is reporting (and I’ve seen it on MLBTV, as well) that Yeonis Cespedes has agreed to a 3-year deal with the Mets. The deal is for $75mil, and includes an opt-out after ONE season. > > He also had an offer from the Nationals on a 5-year deal with $100mil or so. It’s been confirmed by many sources now. It’s a great deal for the Mets and for Cespedes. It puts them in the driver’s seat in the NL east this year, and if Cespedes has a killer year, he walks and gets the big long-term contract he wanted. The Nationals have tried hard to get most of the big name free agents, but I think the image of Papelbon strangling Harper (and knowing both players will be on the team next year\*) made them less than ideal as a location. \*They’d never trade Harper, and Papelbon is not wanted anywhere, despite his talents on the field. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2016, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/231 "2016-01-23T16:19:42Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > So u think Ray Rice shouldn’t have been suspended? Nope. The NFL got ridiculous last year with all their nanny suspensions. MLB should only suspend or fine players for baseball related infractions. Let the legal system handle anything that occurs away from baseball. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2016, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/232 "2016-01-23T16:36:50Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > No charges for Aroldis Chapman. I’m hoping MLB doesn’t implement their ‘domestic violence’ policy and attempt to punish him.Criminal matters should be left to the police and baseball incidents for MLB. The police aren’t going to investigate if someone used a corked bat or was scuffing the ball. That’s for MLB to investigate and potentially impose fines or suspensions. > > [Aroldis Chapman will not face charges from domestic dispute - ESPN](http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14620135/aroldis-chapman-not-face-charges-domestic-dispute) There’s an inherent difference between breaking the law (note that you said that there are no charges, which doesn’t mean that he didn’t break the law…just that they may not be able to prove it. His wife could have withdrawn the complaint, for example) and breaking the rules of a sport. Corked bats are not against the law, but against the rules. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2016, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/233 "2016-01-23T18:34:42Z")
I pretty much think if a player is legally allowed to travel out of state, he should be able to play, but if they’re going to suspend players for smoking pot (because of the chilllldren) then they shouldn’t get a pass on domestic violence. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/234 "2016-01-24T03:06:34Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > I pretty much think if a player is legally allowed to travel out of state, he should be able to play, but if they’re going to suspend players for smoking pot (because of the chilllldren) then they shouldn’t get a pass on domestic violence. MLB players [aren’t randomly tested](http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/marijuana-and-the-joint-drug-agreement/) for recreational drugs. As for marijuana, it’s damned near impossible to get suspended for smoking pot. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/235 "2016-02-08T21:21:07Z")
Demon Young in another drunken racist incident. NBC Sports - HardballTalk: Delmon Young arrested for choking, threatening a valet > **[Delmon Young arrested for choking, threatening a valet - MLB | NBC Sports](https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/02/08/delmon-young-arrested-for-choking-threatening-a-valet/)** > > This is not the first run-in with the law, or first experience with racial slurs, for Delmon Young. Pitchers and catchers can’t report soon enough. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/236 "2016-02-08T21:24:59Z")
Now that that other, lesser “sport” is over (Thank Ghu!), we can get back to discussing things that are **important**. Like Howie Kendrick re-signing with the Dodgers because absolutely nobody wanted his free agent ass. 😉 He and Hernandez will platoon at 2nd, with Utley likely to spell Turner every now and then. Now for the annual Dodgers plea: “Please don’t let our pitching suck! Please don’t let our pitching suck!” ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/237 "2016-02-08T22:51:10Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Now for the annual Dodgers plea: “Please don’t let our pitching suck! Please don’t let our pitching suck!” Surely you don’t think losing at top 3 pitcher would effect the quality of our rotation? USA today had an interesting [article](http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/02/04/dodgers-howie-kendrick-mlb-free-agent-system-s-hurting-everybody/79816870/) on Howie’s deal with the Dodgers and how it’s going to be a center piece of the next round of negotiations between MLB and the PA. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/238 "2016-02-08T23:07:51Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Now that that other, lesser “sport” is over (Thank Ghu!), we can get back to discussing things that are **important**. Like Howie Kendrick re-signing with the Dodgers because absolutely nobody wanted his free agent ass. 😉 > > He and Hernandez will platoon at 2nd, with Utley likely to spell Turner every now and then. Now for the annual Dodgers plea: “Please don’t let our pitching suck! Please don’t let our pitching suck!” Because of the draft pick compensation 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2016, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/239 "2016-02-09T02:13:04Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Demon Young in another drunken racist incident. > NBC Sports - HardballTalk: Delmon Young arrested for choking, threatening a valet > [Delmon Young arrested for choking, threatening a valet - NBC Sports](http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/02/08/delmon-young-arrested-for-choking-threatening-a-valet/) > [@](#): > > He allegedly put his hands around the valet’s throat and said “Stupid Cuban, open the f\*\*\*ing door" If that had been Mark Cuban, no one would’ve had a problem. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2016, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/240 "2016-02-09T19:31:05Z")
Toronto signs Josh Donaldson to a two-year, $29 million deal to avoid arbitration. They had previously submitted an arbitration claim that was within 4% of Donaldson’s claim, leading everyone to wonder why the hell they bothered. I guess they worked it out, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418.md?page=13)