# MLB Hot Stove / Offseason 2018-2019 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 2, 2018, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890 "2018-11-02T14:28:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**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:** [December 23, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/241 "2018-12-23T14:49:56Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > So… you’re pro not hustling? I’m pro hustling. Manny himself claimed that hustling wasn’t his thing. Iirc, Steinbrenner said he wouldn’t be interested in signing him without a face to face meeting. Manny doesn’t have the type A personality that would endear him to Yankee fans. ---
**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:** [December 23, 2018, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/242 "2018-12-23T16:19:15Z")
God knows what you’re on about it, but Yankees fans like the same kind of players all fan bases like. Except Boston, of course. 😃 Machado’s hustle, or lack thereof, wasn’t really an issue anywhere until he brought it up. The big turn off is the dirty play. Kicking the first baseman wasn’t an isolated incident. Manny is a petulant little jerk with poor impulse control. It _will_ happen again. Still, he’s a tremendous player. I like him a lot as a third baseman, hopefully in Chicago or Philly, but if it’s New York then we’ll root for him. What can you do? ---
**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:** [December 25, 2018, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/243 "2018-12-25T18:43:13Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > [CC Sabathia has heart surgery.](http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25589198/cc-sabathia-new-york-yankees-had-heart-surgery-ready-spring-training) > > Sabathia had a stent inserted to correct an arterial blockage. He’s supposed to be ready to go come spring training, but it seems unusual. **I can’t remember a professional athlete having _any_ type of heart surgery and returning to the field of play.** I know baseball is different (just look at CC, lol), but still. (bolding mine) Other than Kenley Jansen? ---
**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:** [December 25, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/244 "2018-12-25T21:23:54Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > (bolding mine) > > Other than Kenley Jansen? Completely missed that. I guess neither have actually returned yet, so who knows? ---
**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:** [December 26, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/245 "2018-12-26T01:11:02Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Completely missed that. I guess neither have actually returned yet, so who knows? Kenley just had his _second_ heart surgery this off season. He returned successfully from the first a couple of years ago. Obviously hoping for similar success for C.C. ---
**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:** [December 26, 2018, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/246 "2018-12-26T02:45:19Z")
Huh, well whadda ya know? I must confess I don’t follow the minor leagues that closely. It wouldn’t surprise me if there are many more examples. ---
**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:** [December 29, 2018, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/247 "2018-12-29T12:43:22Z")
Yankees expected to sign [Machado](https://a.msn.com/r/2/BBRxXMf?m=en-us&ocid=News). ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2018, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/248 "2018-12-29T13:47:32Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Yankees expected to sign [Machado](https://a.msn.com/r/2/BBRxXMf?m=en-us&ocid=News). The Machado stories don’t appear to be more than a strong rumor so far. I would wait a few more days to see what is actually announced. ---
**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 2, 2019, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/249 "2019-01-02T20:49:36Z")
Yankees sign Troy Tulowitzki > **[Yanks add veteran SS Tulowitzki on 1-year deal](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25664749/yankees-bolster-infield-agree-veteran-ss-troy-tulowitzki)** > > Veteran shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has signed a one-year contract with the Yankees, the team announced Friday. ---
**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 2, 2019, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/250 "2019-01-02T23:18:57Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Yankees sign Troy Tulowitzki > > [Yankees bolster infield, agree with veteran SS Troy Tulowitzki - ESPN](http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25664749/yankees-bolster-infield-agree-veteran-ss-troy-tulowitzki) I would laugh my ass off if this was the final free agent signing by the Yankees this offseason. Well, not really. Could always use more pitching, but it would be better for baseball if Machado went to Philly and Harper signed with the White Sox. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/251 "2019-01-03T04:46:24Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > Sounds like the Dodgers. Trade one bad teammate, big bat for another ‘big bat’ (Harper’s bat hasn’t been that big lately), bad teammate that’s more expensive. And they wonder why the Series stays out of reach… They’ve been to the Series two years in a row. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/252 "2019-01-03T13:19:41Z")
And they’ve had to be sportsmanlike and congratulatory after both. They need another bat and another arm or three or that’s going to be it. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/253 "2019-01-03T18:32:06Z")
But they did, in fact, reach the Series, right? I’m not misremembering that? Criticizing the management of a team that won two straight pennants is nuts. It’s a terrific team and objectively extremely well run. That isn’t a matter of debate. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/254 "2019-01-03T18:51:15Z")
I’m sure you admired the 1990’s Braves, too. Only one team gets a parade and a trophy. If the Dodgers want that, they have to get better. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/255 "2019-01-03T19:22:58Z")
Looks like David Robertson went to Philly for $23 million. $10m, $11m and $2m buyout team option for third year at $12m. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/256 "2019-01-03T19:56:30Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I’m sure you admired the 1990’s Braves, too. > > Only one team gets a parade and a trophy. If the Dodgers want that, they have to get better. Are you seriously contending that the best team always wins the Series? That’s only true as a tautology, by defining the best team to be the one that wins the Series. ---
**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 3, 2019, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/257 "2019-01-03T19:58:52Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Looks like David Robertson went to Philly for $23 million. $10m, $11m and $2m buyout team option for third year at $12m. He’s done quite well for himself considering he isn’t an elite reliever. He’s very good, but if he gets the option year it will bring his career earnings up to $90 million. I wonder if they’ll use him as their closer…he wasn’t great in that role for Chicago, with his ERA and FIP both north of 3. Still, he’ll be missed. I hope the Yanks snag Ottavino or Britton. There’s enough talent in the farm system for the other relief spots. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2019, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/258 "2019-01-03T20:11:28Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I’m sure you admired the 1990’s Braves, too. Did they reach the World Series? Did they ever win it? ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/259 "2019-01-04T04:58:49Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > They’ve been to the Series two years in a row. Yes. And have 0 rings to show for it. People don’t talk about the greatness of all those Buffalo Bills teams, they talk about the futility of them reaching the title round and coming up short. Most WS appearances in a row without a win is not exactly an award you put on the front row of the trophy case. They’re a good team. I just don’t see how adding Harper (if that is the player they’re going for) helps make them a _great_ team. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2019, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/260 "2019-01-04T13:43:08Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Are you seriously contending that the best team always wins the Series? That’s only true as a tautology, by defining the best team to be the one that wins the Series. If you have another way to define _best_, one that dismisses the actual results, then let’s have it. There’s a reason “Second place is first loser” is a cliche - because it’s true. The Dodgers need a deeper pitching staff more than anything else. But who doesn’t? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890.md?page=14)