# MLB Off Season/Hot Stove **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [March 11, 2020, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799 "2020-03-11T04:00:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**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:** [June 17, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/442 "2020-06-17T02:17:34Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > … I like the move the way I liked the Yanks trading Miller and Chapman midseason a couple years back. The Yankees got Gleyber Torres, Adam Warren, Billy McKinney and Rashad Crawford in the Chapman deal. For Miller they received Clint Frazier, Ben Heller, Justus Sheffield and J.P. Feyereisen. In giving up Mookie and Price, the Red Sox got [Alex Verdugo](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/verdual01.shtml) and [Brusdar Graterol.](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gratebr01.shtml) Anyone have any strong opinions about those two, beyond the b-ref stats? Since the the Sox ate half of Price’s salary, it seems to me they should have gotten much more. Getting Price for 16 million per for three years is basically the same deal the Yanks gave JA Happ. In other words, not a huge risk for a wealthy club. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/443 "2020-06-17T02:37:18Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Mookie is getting traded because he would have left them in free agency next year. He doesn’t like it there and he hasn’t been treated very well. I haven’t seen anything to imply that is correct. The Red Sox wanted him to take a hometown discount and he wanted to be paid market rate/test free agency. This doesn’t me he wouldn’t have resigned with Boston if they made the best offer, and certainly doesn’t imply that he was mistreated. > [@](#): > > And the argument could be made that the Red Sox are capable of finishing 19 games back of N.Y. in their division without Betts just as well as they could with him in the lineup. > > I’m sorry to see the Red Sox lose such a good player in his prime. On the other hand, paying him $430 million over 12 years (what he was reportedly asking) might not have been such a great investment if it prevented the team from getting/holding onto other talent. > > It’s hard to feel sorry for ownership, but the sentiment that they’re so rich that they should pay whatever’s demanded of them seems misplaced. Yes, the team is worth a ton of money, but you only get to tap that when the team is sold They also won a World Series with Betts the year before, which Betts was an integral part of. They are actually likely at the part of the win curve where small changes make big differences in playoff odds. I won’t believe any team is losing money until they open up their books. Clearly, every team, even terribly managed ones, sell for massive profits, implying they are great investments. I imagine if the Red Sox signed Betts they might make a slightly lower yearly profit. And if they really want short-term windfalls they could borrow against the team or sell partial ownership. It doesn’t mean you have to sign everyone, but if you aren’t going all out to resign a future Hall of Famer in their prime, what are you doing? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/444 "2020-06-17T04:06:15Z")
I love that the Nats and the Astros share a spring training facility and that the Astros hired former Nats skipper Dusty Baker. Just layers of awkwardness. Maybe when the jeweler drops off the Nats WS rings he can offer to add an asterisk to the Astros’. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/445 "2020-06-17T06:18:10Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The idea of the Cubs trading Bryant is just insane to me, but what do I know. I cannot really understand why the Red Sox traded Mookie; yeah yeah, luxury tax. I’d find other ways to save money rather than just basically giving up. > > I’m not saying you shouldn’t sometimes trade away guys for prospects, but we aren’t talking about some 31-year-old yet being traded away from a shit team; we’re talking about contenders trading away elite stars in their 20s. And, of course, none of us really know what’s going on behind the scenes. Is Bryant really upset or is he just playing along with the game and realizes business is business? But, the Cubs are definitely set up to milk the cash cow. Most of the new development in my neighborhood is done or close. They’ve got the new TV network. And, I noticed Wrigley has a very heavy concert schedule this summer. The Ricketts (Ameritrade) are merging with Charles Schwab later this year. So, I don’t think ownership will be panhandling on the Red Line even if Bryant gets traded and the Cubs are out of it by the All Star Break. And, it’s always weird wondering what goes through the mind of pro athletes. They’re young men who have lived very different lives than anyone. Some like the spotlight and attention that they’d get playing baseball for the Cubs rather than the Reds or Royals. Some don’t care even if it might mean a bit less attention and potential endorsement money. I’ve always thought it would be interesting to do a poll in the Los Angeles area and see how many people would answer a question about who is the best player in baseball? I bet only 25% would say Mike Trout. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2020, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/446 "2020-06-17T07:43:39Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > Mookie is getting traded because he would have left them in free agency next year. He doesn’t like it there and he hasn’t been treated very well. > > Probably the same with Bryant. These teams might as well get some good cheap talent for the next 5-10 years. They might as well…instead they got a guy with a bad back and worse baggage…and a guy who can’t even pass a medical. …for a former MVP and CY Young winner…and 48 million. ---
**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:** [June 17, 2020, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/447 "2020-06-17T10:13:11Z")
Dodgers sign Muncy to a 3 year extension worth $26 million, with a $13M option for 2023 and a $1.5M buyout option. Avoids arbitration and extends control for a year. Handy for a guy that can play any base. I’m really liking the lineup for this season. Betts, Bellinger, Turner, Muncy, Seager, Taylor, Lux, Smith and whoever strikes out in the 9 slot. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/448 "2020-06-17T11:39:18Z")
Going into the season it’s the strongest team I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2020, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/449 "2020-06-17T21:04:38Z")
speaking of the Yankees [Yankees Fans Pack Stadium For Asshole Heritage Night](https://sports.theonion.com/yankees-fans-pack-stadium-for-asshole-heritage-night-1826328296) ---
**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:** [June 18, 2020, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/450 "2020-06-18T01:01:52Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > speaking of the Yankees > > [Yankees Fans Pack Stadium For Asshole Heritage Night](https://sports.theonion.com/yankees-fans-pack-stadium-for-asshole-heritage-night-1826328296) Go to Hell. Besides that article is 2 years old. ---
**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:** [June 18, 2020, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/451 "2020-06-18T04:00:27Z")
Hey, we’re the Yankees. We are always in their heads. And we never think of them…at all. They are as meaningless as their sad little franchises. 😃 ---
**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:** [June 18, 2020, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/452 "2020-06-18T04:30:11Z")
> [@Hawkeyeop](#): > > I haven’t seen anything to imply that is correct. The Red Sox wanted him to take a hometown discount and he wanted to be paid market rate/test free agency. This doesn’t me he wouldn’t have resigned with Boston if they made the best offer, and certainly doesn’t imply that he was mistreated. I think it started with his first arb year when it went all the way to arbitration and Betts won. Everyone was getting sweet contracts but the sox seemed to be cheaping out on Betts. When the Sox opened an extension bid with a $300MM offer, Betts countered with a $420MM offer. If that’s not telling them to go pound sand then I don’t know what is. > [@](#): > > They also won a World Series with Betts the year before, which Betts was an integral part of. They are actually likely at the part of the win curve where small changes make big differences in playoff odds. I think the bad blood (if it actually exists) started before then. The rumor is that the arbitration hearing was bloody. > [@](#): > > I won’t believe any team is losing money until they open up their books. Clearly, every team, even terribly managed ones, sell for massive profits, implying they are great investments. I imagine if the Red Sox signed Betts they might make a slightly lower yearly profit. And if they really want short-term windfalls they could borrow against the team or sell partial ownership. > > It doesn’t mean you have to sign everyone, but if you aren’t going all out to resign a future Hall of Famer in their prime, what are you doing? They are trading some “win now” for “win later” Maybe I’m off base and Betts would love to stay in Boston but there are a lot of rumors that Betts doesn’t feel all warm and fuzzy about the sox. ---
**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:** [June 18, 2020, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/453 "2020-06-18T04:50:24Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Dodgers sign Muncy to a 3 year extension worth $26 million, with a $13M option for 2023 and a $1.5M buyout option. Avoids arbitration and extends control for a year. Handy for a guy that can play any base. > > I’m really liking the lineup for this season. Betts, Bellinger, Turner, Muncy, Seager, Taylor, Lux, Smith and whoever strikes out in the 9 slot. The only thing a dodgers fan could ask for is an ace starting pitcher to replace Ryu. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2020, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/454 "2020-06-18T07:55:03Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > They are trading some “win now” for “win later” Maybe I’m off base and Betts would love to stay in Boston but there are a lot of rumors that Betts doesn’t feel all warm and fuzzy about the sox. Well, not NOW. It’s likely this error wasn’t made this past week, it was made over the course of years as they inexplicably pissed off opne of the greatest players in team history. I’d give Betts $400 million. The only reason he isn’t the single most valuable property in baseball is because Mike Trout exists, and that’s fine. If he’s Mickey Mantle to Trout’s Willie Mays, he’s super great. ---
**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:** [June 18, 2020, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/455 "2020-06-18T08:26:30Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Go to Hell. Besides that article is 2 years old. Hey, I’m a Yankee fan, and am proud to be an asshole. Embrace your heritage as part of the Evil Empire!🙂 One of my favorite jokes: How many New Yorkers does it take to screw in a light bulb? FUCK YOU! :D:D:D ---
**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:** [June 18, 2020, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/456 "2020-06-18T09:07:54Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Hey, I’m a Yankee fan, and am proud to be an asshole. Embrace your heritage as part of the Evil Empire!🙂 > > One of my favorite jokes: > > How many New Yorkers does it take to screw in a light bulb? > > FUCK YOU! > > :D:D:D That’s about right. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2020, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/457 "2020-06-21T00:49:22Z")
No update on the Red Sox potential cheating. Maybe for them no news is good news. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2020, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/458 "2020-06-21T01:49:07Z")
Well, apparently the Red Sox get to renege on trades and demand new terms, so that’s consistent. ---
**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:** [June 21, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/459 "2020-06-21T02:20:42Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Well, apparently the Red Sox get to renege on trades and demand new terms, so that’s consistent. Can you please elaborate, I can’t determine what this is in reference too? ---
**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:** [June 21, 2020, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/460 "2020-06-21T02:28:40Z")
They had to change some of the players after an apparently-troubling medical report. > **[Sources: Betts, Price trade to Dodgers completed](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28667626/sources-mookie-betts-david-price-trade-dodgers-done)** > > The blockbuster trade that will send Mookie Betts and David Price from the Red Sox to the Dodgers has finally been agreed upon, sources told ESPN. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799/461 "2020-06-21T02:35:26Z")
trades are changed due to medical reports , that’s not unusual. Otherwise why bother with a medical report? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-off-season-hot-stove/842799.md?page=24)