# 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:** 26
**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:** [March 16, 2019, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/501 "2019-03-16T00:47:58Z")
They could have made a more sensible solution- suppose if a reliever fails to face 3 batters, his replacement gets no warmups from the mound. So if you absolutely must have a pitcher for one batter, you can still do it. I like the limits on pitchers on the roster. Not enough pinch hitters available anymore. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/502 "2019-03-17T17:48:23Z")
I don’t think it’s enough of a limit. I’d like to see it go back to 11, tops. The “emergency pitcher” idea is cool too. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2019, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/503 "2019-03-19T09:40:43Z")
So the Yanks added Gio Gonzales for only $3m. That’s a very good deal for the Yanks. ---
**Author:** ![Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boozahol_Squid_P.I)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/504 "2019-03-19T11:35:55Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > (I am also 100% behind limiting pickoff attempts but no one wants to do that I guess.) How would you do that? eliminate the runner’s ability to lead-off/steal? Count pickoff throws as balls? Either one would seriously upset the balance between baserunners and pitchers as-is. Do pickoff throws really take so much time they warrant that? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/505 "2019-03-19T13:40:12Z")
> [@Boozahol\_Squid\_P.I](#): > > How would you do that? eliminate the runner’s ability to lead-off/steal? Count pickoff throws as balls? Either one would seriously upset the balance between baserunners and pitchers as-is. Do pickoff throws really take so much time they warrant that? I’ve seen this idea in a few plces but basically you’d set a number, two or three or whatever, on the number of times a pitcher could attempt a pickoff on a runner at a particular base in one at bat. So if Smith is on base, and Gonzalez is at bat, pitcher Suzuki can only try to pick off Smith twice without penalty. Once you have a new batter OR Smith advances to another base, you reset. The penalty could of course be simply calling a ball, and that’s my preferred idea. If Suzuki has already tried to pick off Smith twice, he can actually try again, he just has to accept a ball on the batter. I like two things about this idea: 1. It will probably increase the use of basestealing as a strategy, which is a great thing. Basestealing is much more interesting that station-to-station baseball. 2. It adds tactics. Pitchers now just throw at threatening baserunners all the time, and many of the attempts are half-hearted. Limiting pickoffs presents decisions; do you use one now? Later? If you’ve already used two you get a really interesting cat and mouse game; as a baserunner do you ASSUME you can get a huge lead? Or will the pitcher use that against you, giving up a ball for a really good shot at picking you off? The count would affect it of course; the pitcher can’t do that on 3-1 but on 0-2 might be very happy to give up a ball for a crack at killing off a baserunner. 3. It will reduce delays and improve pace of game. Not by a huge amount, but every little bit helps. ---
**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 19, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/506 "2019-03-19T14:22:17Z")
Well, so much for my dreams of seeing Trout wear Dodger blue in a couple of years: > **[Trout, Halos make record $400M+ deal official](https://www.mlb.com/news/mike-trout-angels-deal)** > > TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels and Mike Trout have finalized a record-setting 12-year contract, the team announced on Wednesday night. The deal is for a reported $426.5 million. > Trout, 27, was eligible to become a free agent after the 2020 season upon... ETA: That’s an AAV of $35.8M, by my math. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/507 "2019-03-19T15:19:47Z")
It would be neat to see Trout spend his whole career in Anaheim. Apparently the odds of that have greatly increased now. Trout won the MVP Award for the first time in 2014; since then, his on base percentage has _improved_ every season. You can come up with remarkable Trout facts all day. Most similar batters at the same age (26) - Frank Robinson Mickey Mantle Ken Griffey Jr. Hank Aaron Miguel Cabrera Orlando Cepeda Mel Ott Pretty good comparisons. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2019, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/508 "2019-03-19T17:16:57Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I’ve seen this idea in a few plces but basically you’d set a number, two or three or whatever, on the number of times a pitcher could attempt a pickoff on a runner at a particular base in one at bat. So if Smith is on base, and Gonzalez is at bat, pitcher Suzuki can only try to pick off Smith twice without penalty. Once you have a new batter OR Smith advances to another base, you reset. > > The penalty could of course be simply calling a ball, and that’s my preferred idea. If Suzuki has already tried to pick off Smith twice, he can actually try again, he just has to accept a ball on the batter. > > I like two things about this idea: > > 1. It will probably increase the use of basestealing as a strategy, which is a great thing. Basestealing is much more interesting that station-to-station baseball. > > 2. It adds tactics. Pitchers now just throw at threatening baserunners all the time, and many of the attempts are half-hearted. Limiting pickoffs presents decisions; do you use one now? Later? If you’ve already used two you get a really interesting cat and mouse game; as a baserunner do you ASSUME you can get a huge lead? Or will the pitcher use that against you, giving up a ball for a really good shot at picking you off? The count would affect it of course; the pitcher can’t do that on 3-1 but on 0-2 might be very happy to give up a ball for a crack at killing off a baserunner. > > 3. It will reduce delays and improve pace of game. Not by a huge amount, but every little bit helps. I don’t love it but I could live with it if you tweak it so that: 1. A successful pickoff attempt after the 2nd one does not result in a ball to the batter. 2. The pitcher does not have to come set after the 2nd attempt. 2a) Or, only pickoff attempts from the set position count against the pitcher. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2019, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/509 "2019-03-24T18:12:01Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > So Rich Hill the Dodgers back up plan opening day starter just went on the DL with a mcl sprain. Losing #1 and #2 before the start of the season should be terrifying but Ryu is pretty good and we’ve got Bueller and Urias who have a ton of talent… If the Dodgers don’t hire Ben Stein to do the PA work when Bueller is pitching, I don’t even know why the world exists. ---
**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 24, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/510 "2019-03-24T18:31:09Z")
Lot of extensions - Astros added two years to Verlander’s contract (now through 2021) and a six-year contract with Alex Bregman that buys out the first 2 years of his free agency. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2019, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/511 "2019-03-25T00:52:13Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > If the Dodgers don’t hire Ben Stein to do the PA work when Bueller is pitching, I don’t even know why the world exists. Even if they just play a recording it would be awesome enough. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2019, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/512 "2019-03-25T12:51:56Z")
If I was Bueller that would be my walk up music. That being said we’re finally in opening week. I’m looking forward to watching the D-bags get stomped to open the season. ---
**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:** [March 26, 2019, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/513 "2019-03-26T13:20:37Z")
Jacob deGrom [joins the parade](http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26363294/sources-mets-ace-degrom-agree-extension) and agrees to a 5 year, $137.5 million extension. Is free agency dead? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/514 "2019-03-26T13:23:28Z")
Well, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado sure don’t think so. Pre-FA contracts like that only exist because free agency does. ---
**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:** [March 26, 2019, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/515 "2019-03-26T20:00:22Z")
Hyperbolic I know, but I don’t remember a run of extensions like this before: Trout, Severino, Sale, deGrom, Verlander, Goldschmidt, Arenado…some of the biggest names in the sport. Free agency isn’t dead, but it’s diminished. There was supposed to be bidding wars for Harper and Machado. Many thought that Harper would snag the first $400 million dollar contract. Maybe it’s a market correction. Maybe it’s because ageing players aren’t producing anymore since their drugs got taken away. Maybe it’s everything. ETA: It’s almost time to put this smelly old thread to bed. Baseball is back! ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/516 "2019-03-26T20:56:09Z")
Only 2 more days, and my Dodgers can begin another march towards the Series! ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/517 "2019-03-26T21:21:22Z")
In the exhibition game today between the Indians and the Rangers, they started the **ninth** inning with a runner on second. WTF? I don’t ever want to see that even in extra innings. I’d much prefer you just call the game a tie. I’d prefer they do it only after 10 or 12 innings, but I could live with making it a tie after 9. But no free passes to second base – never! ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/518 "2019-03-26T23:25:40Z")
Please leave my goddam game alone. People don’t want to watch after an hour, screw 'em. ---
**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:** [March 27, 2019, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/519 "2019-03-27T12:37:09Z")
Watched a little of the Blue Jays’ game in Montreal as they have done the past few years. I like that they’ve done this and hope they get a team back. (Rays, I’m looking at you). What I want to know is how much it costs to configure Olympic Stadium for two days a year. Seems like a ton of bother. And what do they do with that stadium the rest of the 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 27, 2019, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/520 "2019-03-27T13:18:11Z")
Since Spring Training is over, I’ve given us a head start on tomorrow over [here](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=873076). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890.md?page=25)