# 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:** 22
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/421 "2019-02-22T13:57:15Z")
So less foul area means fewer fouls caught for outs? I don’t know. I watch a lot of baseball and it seems to me that the number of foul flies that land in the first few rows of seats isn’t that high. Seems like a lot more are liners that wouldn’t be caught no matter how much room there was or those that go very quickly to the screen behind home. Sure, you get a lot more fouls caught for outs in Oakland but even if every park was built like Oakland the game is still too slow. I think it’s the batters fussing with their gloves every pitch plus the ever-lengthening inning breaks. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/422 "2019-02-22T14:17:32Z")
Well, 1,000 foul outs per season over 2,430 games means less than one every 2 games. That seems about right to me (particularly with pop fouls that land directly behind home plate). I’ve read a few articles about it, and while pace of play has gone down it’s largely pitching changes (and the associated commercial breaks) and increased breaks between innings that drove the overall game length up. I do like the idea of a pitch clock and think it will eventually become no big deal at all. Just having the clock makes everyone aware of just how slow they are being and puts the emphasis where it should be - timely ABs. ---
**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 22, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/423 "2019-02-22T14:41:14Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Baseball has some interesting issues, but this looks like one without a solution. Oh, there are solutions. How about a rule that says that after the count gets to 2 strikes, any three consecutive foul balls equals a strike. That would put an end to the 21 pitch, all foul nonsense and change strategy a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/424 "2019-02-22T19:59:44Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Spit take. > > That 10 mill Mookie won in arbitration. And the 20 mill he gets this year _he_ agreed to without going to arbitration. I’m also pretty sure (certainly could be wrong) that 20mill is the most a fifth year player has ever made. (Non multi-year contract like Trout) > > Harper got 13 mill in his fifth year. Machado got 11 mill. Did Harper have to go to arbitration? Did Machado? Mookie had to go to arbitration and listen to why the team didn’t think he was worth 10 million. It would serve the Red Sox right if Mookie signed with the Nats during free agency. That is totally what he should do, I have nothing but the best interests of baseball and Mookie Betts in mind when I say that. Not a single ulterior motive in sight. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/425 "2019-02-22T20:08:24Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > The Betts example is actually pretty illustrative. On the FA market his projected value for 2019 is likely worth, at a minimum, $40M (and probably more). So even with the highest arb-5 agreement ever he is at least 50% underpaid relative to what he would make as a FA. > > His choices are to take that and hope to get a big FA contract in a few years or sign a long-term contract now and lock in below-market compensation for more security (guaranteed multi-year). Either way he will make a ton of money but you can see why if the big FA contract becomes less likely he could feel like he’s being squeezed by ownership. If we are going to stop paying veterans we should turn the arbitration years into something like a waiver system. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/426 "2019-02-22T20:13:20Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Right, but what would their demands be? Eliminate the luxury tax and revenue sharing? So many teams are far below the luxury tax threshold that I don’t think it’s a factor for unsigned free agents. Start free agency when arbitration starts right now. Increase the minimum pay for minor league players. Too many teams are relying on their grossly underpaid farm system to produce cheap young athletes for them. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/427 "2019-02-22T20:24:21Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > any three consecutive foul balls equals a strike. Or a walk. ---
**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 22, 2019, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/428 "2019-02-22T20:36:36Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Or a walk. Has to be a strike, because the batter’s swinging. Something like that just might bring back the knuckleball! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/429 "2019-02-22T21:11:58Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > If we are going to stop paying veterans we should turn the arbitration years into something like a waiver system. Or maybe at least allow restricted free agency for the current arbitration years (or is that what you mean by a “waiver system”). I think I read that this was offered by the owners during the 1994 strike but rejected back then. Other teams trying to poach young talent (by paying them market value) might encourage those “rebuilding” teams to not go “full tank” and should guarantee at least one good pay day for most players that reach the majors. One concern is that a smaller window in which to build a team with young talent might make it into more of a “haves v. have-nots” league. ---
**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:** [February 22, 2019, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/430 "2019-02-22T23:23:13Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Oh, there are solutions. How about a rule that says that after the count gets to 2 strikes, any three consecutive foul balls equals a strike. That would put an end to the 21 pitch, all foul nonsense and change strategy a bit. So on a full count, the batter hits three consecutive foul balls and he’s out. That should bring some genuine excitement to the fabled _bottom of the ninth, two outs, bases loaded_ scenario. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2019, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/431 "2019-02-23T05:46:02Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Did Harper have to go to arbitration? Did Machado? > > Mookie had to go to arbitration and listen to why the team didn’t think he was worth 10 million. It would serve the Red Sox right if Mookie signed with the Nats during free agency. That is totally what he should do, I have nothing but the best interests of baseball and Mookie Betts in mind when I say that. Not a single ulterior motive in sight. Thats not what happened. The Red Sox sluffed the arb process cause they didnt want to make Mookie mad. So what they did was to try and prove that Kris Bryant (who made 10.75 mill) was better than Mookie. They didnt go in and point out all the things wrong with Mookie…they pointed out all the things great about Kris. And then just merely said, “Mookie didnt have as good a year so hes not worth ten mill.” It didnt work, and Im sure the Sox didnt lose any sleep over it ---
**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 23, 2019, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/432 "2019-02-23T17:04:17Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > So on a full count, the batter hits three consecutive foul balls and he’s out. That should bring some genuine excitement to the fabled _bottom of the ninth, two outs, bases loaded_ scenario. 😉 If you can’t hit it square, you don’t deserve to be there. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/433 "2019-02-24T21:15:54Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Has to be a strike, because the batter’s swinging. > > Something like that just might bring back the knuckleball! 😉 Why does it HAVE to be a single. I mean if we are changing the rules of what a foul ball is, why can’t we call it a ground rule single. I like this better than starting players on second base. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/434 "2019-02-24T21:18:39Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Thats not what happened. The Red Sox sluffed the arb process cause they didnt want to make Mookie mad. So what they did was to try and prove that Kris Bryant (who made 10.75 mill) was better than Mookie. > > They didnt go in and point out all the things wrong with Mookie…they pointed out all the things great about Kris. And then just merely said, “Mookie didnt have as good a year so hes not worth ten mill.” > > It didnt work, and Im sure the Sox didnt lose any sleep over it Do you have a cite? Because i remember people saying that Mookie was not happy about the arb process last year. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/435 "2019-02-24T21:19:42Z")
So it’s looking more and more like Bryce Harper is going to Philly. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/436 "2019-02-25T00:13:11Z")
Jon Heyman of SI claims Harper could still be going to any number of many teams, but of course Heyman has a long history of making claims that 1. Are of unclear sourcing, and 2. Happen to coincide with the financial interests of Scott Boras. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/437 "2019-02-25T03:27:21Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Do you have a cite? Because i remember people saying that Mookie was not happy about the arb process last year. [https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/mlb-rumors-how-red-sox-tried-lower-mookie-betts-salary-arbitration](https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/mlb-rumors-how-red-sox-tried-lower-mookie-betts-salary-arbitration) It says “MLB Rumors” but has a quote. Do you have a cite on him being unhappy? My impression was he knows its a business. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2019, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/438 "2019-02-25T16:03:19Z")
The Yankees have apparently extended Aaron Hicks for 7 years at $70M. Seems like a really good deal for the team. A lot of years, but not breaking the bank. I’d feel a hell of a lot better about signing Hicks at those numbers than Harper at $300M+. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/439 "2019-02-25T18:02:50Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > The Yankees have apparently extended Aaron Hicks for 7 years at $70M. Seems like a really good deal for the team. A lot of years, but not breaking the bank. I’d feel a hell of a lot better about signing Hicks at those numbers than Harper at $300M+. Seems like a good deal at that price for the Yanks. It is through age 35 but these days $10 million per year is fairly cheap, especially for the caliber of player he is with his defense. Apparently, there is also a Yankee held option year for 2026. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/440 "2019-02-25T18:42:15Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > The Yankees have apparently extended Aaron Hicks for 7 years at $70M. Seems like a really good deal for the team. A lot of years, but not breaking the bank. I’d feel a hell of a lot better about signing Hicks at those numbers than Harper at $300M+. I guess that answers my question of whether they think Clint Frazier can play CF… Not a bad signing, hard to get super excited about though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890.md?page=23)