# 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:** 17
**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:** [March 14, 2016, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/321 "2016-03-14T21:17:32Z")
Interesting note: Dexter Fowler says that the Baltimore deal fell through, at least in part, because the wanted him to pay them the value of the forfeited draft pick (the Cubs had made a qualifying offer). He said okay, on the condition that they give him an opt-out clause. When the Orioles balked, he decided not to sign. > **[Dexter Fowler: "\[The Orioles\] wanted me to pay them" for forfeited draft pick...](https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/03/14/dexter-fowler-the-orioles-wanted-me-to-pay-them-for-forfeited-draft-pick/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs&ref=yfp)** > > Dexter Fowler was going to cost the Orioles a first round pick, so they wanted him to pay them for it. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/322 "2016-03-15T00:49:06Z")
Stupid for the O’s to present it to a player that way. Your draft picks are not his problem. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2016, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/323 "2016-03-15T01:39:21Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Well, I find playing it cool far more fun to watch than celebrating. > > I don’t have any objection, other that it should be only be used for emotional moments. A walk-off home run, for instance. It’s not like it wasn’t [done in the past](http://cdn.nextimpulsesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/larsen1956.jpg), but usually just when it was something that was not just routine. It’s slows the game if it happens with every home run, especially if the home run was meaningless. Agreed. And it doesn’t happen with every go,e run so there seems to be no problem. ---
**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:** [March 15, 2016, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/324 "2016-03-15T23:15:53Z")
Citing an undisclosed personal issue, Chicago White Sox first baseman Adam Laroche suddenly announces his retirement. > **[Adam LaRoche announces sudden retirement from White Sox due to personal issue...](https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/03/15/adam-laroche-announces-sudden-retirement-from-white-sox-for-personal-issue/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs&ref=yfp)** > > LaRoche is under contract for $13 million this season. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/325 "2016-03-16T16:54:53Z")
Apparently the Marlins held a ‘home run derby’ this morning. The winner? [Their 51-year-old hitting coach.](http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25519085/guess-who-just-won-a-marlins-home-run-contest-over-giancarlo-stanton) ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/326 "2016-03-16T22:43:10Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Citing an undisclosed personal issue, Chicago White Sox first baseman Adam Laroche suddenly announces his retirement. > > [Adam LaRoche announces sudden retirement from White Sox due to personal issue - NBC Sports](http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/03/15/adam-laroche-announces-sudden-retirement-from-white-sox-for-personal-issue/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs&ref=yfp) The issue has apparently now been [disclosed](http://deadspin.com/adam-laroche-retired-because-the-white-sox-wouldnt-let-1765311014): > [@](#): > > It now appears that his decision was related less to his inability to hit at a major league level or to injuries than to his 14-year-old son, Drake. According to Ken Rosenthal, LaRoche walked away from the team because president Kenny Williams asked him to not bring a teen into the clubhouse every damn day. > > \ > > Adam LaRoche was going to make $13 million this season, and he gave it up because the team asked him to leave his teenaged son at home a little more often. Wow! ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2016, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/327 "2016-03-16T22:54:13Z")
LaRoche is an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/328 "2016-03-17T00:57:10Z")
I was just reading about this on another site and I cannot believe the number of people who think LaRoche is setting a great example or being “the best dad” or “putting family over work”. He’s acting like spoiled child who took advantage of the “it’s ok to bring your kids sometimes” rule and got pissy when he was called out on it. ---
**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:** [March 17, 2016, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/329 "2016-03-17T01:05:12Z")
I see both sides of this. I know that he’s got half a year off, but it’s one of those “cat’s in the cradle/wish I’d spent more time at the office” kind of deals. $13 million is a lot of money. But spending time with your kids is, from what my friends who them say, priceless ---
**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:** [March 17, 2016, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/330 "2016-03-17T01:09:44Z")
How much did LaRoche make last year? Once you get past a certain point, the money is meaningless. Being with your kid is priceless. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/331 "2016-03-17T01:18:37Z")
I’ve read this would have been Year 2 of a $25M deal. It may also have affected his decision that he didn’t hit for shit last year. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/332 "2016-03-17T01:22:13Z")
I think [this](http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-adam-laroche-white-sox-haugh-spt-0317-20160316-column.html) covers it. In short, the request to cut back was very reasonable, LaRoche had to have been looking for a reason to quit, and the White Sox are probably better now that he has. FTR, I have watched Adam LaRoche since his time in the Carolina League, always liked him. Good luck to him and his family in their post-baseball life. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/333 "2016-03-17T01:22:19Z")
How many other people are allowed to bring their kids to the workplace all day, every day? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/334 "2016-03-17T11:35:57Z")
Sounds like he’s the baseball equivalent of a coworker who is a nice person but has so many family emergencies that your office is better off without them ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/335 "2016-03-17T18:54:58Z")
Apparently the Sox players threatened to boycott yesterday’s game until there was a closed door meeting. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2016, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/336 "2016-03-17T19:37:51Z")
Maybe they need a hard and fast rule about kids in the clubhouse? Kids come on Tuesdays and Fridays or something. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/337 "2016-03-18T16:37:41Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > I’ve gotta say, I don’t care if it _is_ only a WBC qualifier: I am happy as hell to be watching baseball on TV right now. Yesterday’s Germany-Nicaragua game was the most fun game I’ve seen this year. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/338 "2016-03-18T19:53:26Z")
LaRoche just posted a statement about what actually happened. According to him, he had an agreement with the team last year that he could bring his son, and was surprised when he was asked to scale it back significantly, and then to not bring his son at all. [Full statement here.](http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sof75p) ---
**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:** [March 25, 2016, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/339 "2016-03-25T00:07:30Z")
Bizarre play where Yoenis Cespedes refused to bend down and pick up a ball that had landed under the center field wall and sort of settled there; A. J. Reed (who will probably never get another) got an inside-the-park home run off of it. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2016, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/340 "2016-03-25T00:22:38Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Bizarre play where Yoenis Cespedes refused to bend down and pick up a ball that had landed under the center field wall and sort of settled there; A. J. Reed (who will probably never get another) got an inside-the-park home run off of it. Video here. Players use Spring Training to get back up to speed _mentally_ as well as physically. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418.md?page=18)