# 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:** 8
**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:** [December 3, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/141 "2018-12-03T20:48:50Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Buster Olney tweets “informed speculation” that Machado goes to Philly and Harper stays with the Nats. Will be interesting to see what the numbers are. I think if Harper really does stay in Washington, it means he’s not getting the 350M or 400M that Scott Boras thought he would. After the $300MM/10 years offer from the Nats, we have not seen a better offer pop up. Harper simply is not worth that much to anyone but the Nats and I suspect that the current offer might stand with a teeny tiny sweetener (some performance bonus maybe) so that Boras doesn’t look silly for not taking 300 right away. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/142 "2018-12-04T14:17:53Z")
Now talk is the Dodgers have interest. He’s certainly the ideal Dodger, in that he has power but strikes out a lot. Honestly, I wouldn’t take the contract on. Long term big money contracts just aren’t worth the risk, they fail so often. If Harper was A-Rod, Barry Bonds awesome, maybe, but he isn’t even close. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2018, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/143 "2018-12-04T15:24:37Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Now talk is the Dodgers have interest. He’s certainly the ideal Dodger, in that he has power but strikes out a lot. > > Honestly, I wouldn’t take the contract on. Long term big money contracts just aren’t worth the risk, they fail so often. If Harper was A-Rod, Barry Bonds awesome, maybe, but he isn’t even close. Half the fans in the DC metro area are rooting for Harper to leave. ---
**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:** [December 4, 2018, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/144 "2018-12-04T15:54:11Z")
Somehow I missed that Josh Donaldson signed with Atlanta for one year $23M. Seems a hefty price tag, but the risk is limited to a single year, so I guess the Braves can live with that. As for Harper, hey, if the Nats could get Michael Brantley and a starting pitcher for around the same cost, are you really worse off? (I have no idea what Brantley expects to get paid or of Washington is interested, just that he’s another decent free agent outfielder.) ---
**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 4, 2018, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/145 "2018-12-04T22:34:22Z")
Corbin to the Nats on a 6 year contract. I don’t agree with this deal. He has already had one TJ procedure and his brilliance last season was predicated on an increase of the use of his slider. As an Angels fan I’m happy we didn’t have a reunion with him. But please sign Keuchel. ---
**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 5, 2018, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/146 "2018-12-05T00:01:56Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Corbin to the Nats on a 6 year contract. I don’t agree with this deal. He has already had one TJ procedure and his brilliance last season was predicated on an increase of the use of his slider. As an Angels fan I’m happy we didn’t have a reunion with him. But please sign Keuchel. My understanding is the Yanks wouldn’t go past 5 years. I’m happy not to sign him to 6. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2018, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/147 "2018-12-05T00:46:47Z")
The out years are worth it if it means winning _now_. Tomorrow never comes, yanno? And the Yankees didn’t get better today. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2018, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/148 "2018-12-05T00:54:23Z")
Well, they still have time to blow $400 million on Bryce Harper. ---
**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 5, 2018, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/149 "2018-12-05T01:38:17Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The out years are worth it if it means winning _now_. Tomorrow never comes, yanno? > > And the Yankees didn’t get better today. 🙂 Yanks are on the rise, watch out Red Sux fans. > [@RickJay](#): > > Well, they still have time to blow $400 million on Bryce Harper. I’ll bet that one will not happen. No way the $400m ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/150 "2018-12-05T17:39:40Z")
Harper isn’t going to the Bronx, no, but only because he wouldn’t actually improve that outfield. What, he’s going to platoon with Stanton? The Yanks will get better if they improve their pitching. Maybe they will, but not so far. They can catch Boston if the Sox get a mental hangover from last year’s joy, which is certainly possible. ---
**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:** [December 5, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/151 "2018-12-05T18:17:27Z")
I have little doubt the Yankees will sign one of the available pitchers, maybe Keuchel. They know what they need. Bryce Harper isn’t it. ---
**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 5, 2018, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/152 "2018-12-05T18:43:54Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > I have little doubt the Yankees will sign one of the available pitchers, maybe Keuchel. They know what they need. Bryce Harper isn’t it. I figure either Happ or Keuchel. I think they’ll shy away from Eovaldi and Lynn just wasn’t that impressive. Morton will be 36, I think they’ll pass on him. I know Happ is as old as Morton but has a really good track record in the AL East and especially against Boston except that awful start in the playoffs this year. He pitches well in Boston & The Bronx. He is a lefty of course. So if he is willing to take some sort of 2 year deal, I’m sure the Yanks will pay him. I’m pretty sure they won’t go over 5 years and $100m for Keuchel, might not be enough for a Boris client that will be 31 to 35 for the contract. Also a lefty but has not been good against Boston. ---
**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 5, 2018, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/153 "2018-12-05T22:29:02Z")
[Paul Goldschmidt to the Cardinals](https://www.mlb.com/news/paul-goldschmidt-traded-to-cardinals/c-301503636?sf95957365=1), apparently. D-Backs get righty Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly, infielder Andrew Young and a 2019 Competitive Balance Round B Draft pick. ---
**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 5, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/154 "2018-12-05T22:43:21Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > [Paul Goldschmidt to the Cardinals](https://www.mlb.com/news/paul-goldschmidt-traded-to-cardinals/c-301503636?sf95957365=1), apparently. > > D-Backs get righty Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly, infielder Andrew Young and a 2019 Competitive Balance Round B Draft pick. Looks like a very good deal for the Cards. ---
**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:** [December 6, 2018, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/155 "2018-12-06T00:31:35Z")
Good deal for the Cards and it gets Goldschmidt the hell out of our division. Win-win. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2018, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/156 "2018-12-06T13:23:45Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Harper isn’t going to the Bronx, no, but only because he wouldn’t actually improve that outfield. What, he’s going to platoon with Stanton? I guess Harper could play first base. I wouldn’t put it past them to try, but the Yankees have been a little less dependent on the big free agent splash lately. ---
**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:** [December 6, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/157 "2018-12-06T14:30:19Z")
Plus, I have to believe the Yankees know Harper isn’t worth that money. Big money to Bryce Harper is something I’d expect from the Angels or maybe the Phillies. ---
**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 6, 2018, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/158 "2018-12-06T14:35:38Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Plus, I have to believe the Yankees know Harper isn’t worth that money. Big money to Bryce Harper is something I’d expect from the Angels or maybe the Phillies. Neither was Stanton nor SteiRod. Nor Ellsbury. ---
**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 6, 2018, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/159 "2018-12-06T14:41:58Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Plus, I have to believe the Yankees know Harper isn’t worth that money. Big money to Bryce Harper is something I’d expect from the Angels or maybe the Phillies. As a Yankee fan I have to hope the Yanks are “budgeting” for: Buying out **Judge** ’s arbitration years and hopefully a few extra at least. \*\*Luis Severino \*\*will have 3 more years of Arb after this year, maybe try and buy those out. **Gary Sanchez** in about 2 years, they need to be ready to buy out his last 2 years of Arb, assuming his bat bounces back and by then they’ll know if he is a catcher or first baseman. Also another reason not to bring Harper in. Keep 1st base loose, avoid a big free agent as some combination of Stanton, Andujar or Sanchez might need to move to 1st. Though I think Stanton will just settle into left field. ---
**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 6, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890/160 "2018-12-06T14:48:31Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Neither was Stanton nor SteiRod. Nor Ellsbury. A-Roid was “The Boss”, Ellsbury was stupid and Cashman’s worst deal. He knows it too. Stanton is not really that bad. He either opts out after 2020 or the Yanks get $30 million from the Marlins to pay down his contract a bit. So yes, the back end is still likely to be bad, but at 29, the Yanks have a fair chance of getting many productive years out of this contract. The Yanks can afford at least one bad contract at a time, so they’ll survive it with no major problems. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2018-2019/823890.md?page=9)