# MLB Offseason Thread 2024-2025 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [November 1, 2024, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526 "2024-11-01T01:39:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/201 "2024-12-18T22:33:54Z")
I’m always curious why a player blocks trades. There are plenty of reasons, like their family loves it there, but this would be an obvious improvement in terms of chances of winning. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2024, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/202 "2024-12-18T22:49:27Z")
I don’t know about ballparks, but the Celtics’ and Bruins’ arena has had [33 different names in 29 years.](https://thehockeywriters.com/the-bizarre-naming-history-of-td-garden-a-k-a-derek-jeter-center/) (sort of). ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/203 "2024-12-19T01:12:19Z")
A new lease agreement between the Brewers and the Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District (operators of American Family Field in Milwaukee) was approved today by the district’s board. If the lease is approved by MLB and the state, it will keep the Brewers in the city through 2050. The agreement includes a commitment by the district to use several hundred million dollars of state and local taxpayer funds on renovation and winterization of the stadium (formerly known as Miller Park), which originally opened in 2000. > **[AmFam Field lease agreement approved, ensuring Brewers will remain in...](https://www.cbs58.com/news/amfam-field-lease-agreement-approved-ensuring-brewers-will-remain-in-wisconsin-through-2050)** > > MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A lease agreement for American Family Field has been approved, ensuring the Milwaukee Brewers and Major League Baseball (MLB) will remain in Wisconsin through 2025. The Wisconsin ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/204 "2024-12-19T21:14:06Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I’m always curious why a player blocks trades. There are plenty of reasons, like their family loves it there, but this would be an obvious improvement in terms of chances of winning. Kinda has to be weird to continue playing for a team that didn’t want you anymore. ---
**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 19, 2024, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/205 "2024-12-19T21:28:44Z")
Considering that he’s said that he’s open to changing positions, it certainly seems like he just doesn’t want to go to Houston itself. So it’s not that he doesn’t want to be traded at all. He just doesn’t want to be an Astro. ---
**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 19, 2024, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/206 "2024-12-19T22:56:12Z")
I don’t blame him. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/207 "2024-12-19T23:22:29Z")
Sammy Sosa, who had three seasons of 60+ home runs with the Cubs during the height of the steroid era, has not been welcome by the team since 2007, due to Sosa’s unwillingness to admit any steroid usage. Today, Sosa issued a letter of apology for non-specific “mistakes” which he made during his playing days. In response, the Cubs have invited him to participate in next month’s fan convention in Chicago, likely a prelude to inviting him to appear at Wrigley Field next season. Sosa’s letter: > [@](#): > > “I left it all on the field for the Cubs and Cubs fans because I wanted to win and make the fans happy. > > I loved to see the fans at Wrigley and in the Right Field Bleachers every home game. > > I understand why some players in my era don’t always get the recognition that our stats deserve. > > There were times I did whatever I could to recover from injuries in an effort to keep my strength up to perform over 162 games. I never broke any laws, but in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize. > > We accomplished great things as a team, I worked extremely hard in the batting cage to become a great hitter. > > Cubs’ fans are the best in the world, and I hope that fans, the Cubs and I can all come together again and move forward. > > We can’t change the past, but the future is bright. In my heart, I have always been a Cub and I can’t wait to see Cubs fans again. > > Sincerely, > > Sammy Sosa" [https://wgntv.com/sports/cubs/i-made-mistakes-cubs-officially-invite-sammy-sosa-for-2025-convention/](https://wgntv.com/sports/cubs/i-made-mistakes-cubs-officially-invite-sammy-sosa-for-2025-convention/) ---
**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 19, 2024, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/208 "2024-12-19T23:30:53Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I never broke any laws, but in hindsight, I made mistakes and I apologize. Reading between the lines, he bought his steroids and HGH in the Dominican Republic. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2024, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/209 "2024-12-19T23:46:04Z")
I’ve been in a ton of sports bars in Wrigleyville over the last 12 years. No one wants Sosa back ---
**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 20, 2024, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/210 "2024-12-20T20:52:40Z")
The Astros have [signed Christian Walker to a 3 year, $60 million](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43079614/sources-astros-christian-walker-reach-3-year-60m-deal) deal, pending a physical. And Patrick Sandoval is [heading to Boston](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43076624/sources-patrick-sandoval-red-sox-agree-2-year-1825m-deal) for 2 year, $18.5 million contract. ---
**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 20, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/211 "2024-12-20T21:00:37Z")
I wonder what on earth prompted this apology from Sosa. Certainly he doesn’t think it will get him into the HOF. Is he trying to come back to MLB in some capacity? Coaching? Just seems like this is out of nowhere. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/212 "2024-12-20T21:48:59Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > I wonder what on earth prompted this apology from Sosa. I would imagine that he realizes that he’s not likely to make it into the Hall. My understanding is that he’s been looking, for years, to be able to participate in official activities with the Cubs, like the fan convention and appearances at Wrigley. How much of that is about him trying to relive the days when he was beloved in Chicago, versus just an opportunity for him to make some appearance money, I have no idea. Either way, I do believe that he’s wanting affirmation of his place in Cubs history. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/213 "2024-12-21T01:10:42Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I’ve been in a ton of sports bars in Wrigleyville over the last 12 years. No one wants Sosa back What’s the problem? What, he was good enough to play there but not be there anymore? ---
**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 21, 2024, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/214 "2024-12-21T18:16:34Z")
Yanks signed [Paul Goldschmidt](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/goldspa01.shtml) today for 1B. Waiting on details of the deal. [One report is a one-year contract for only $12.5m](https://x.com/BNightengale/status/1870528776343576605). * * * * * * They also traded backup catcher Trevino for power right-hander [Fernando Cruz](https://www.mlb.com/player/518585) and catcher [Alex Jackson](https://www.mlb.com/player/656577). The team is really coming together at this point. * * * So second base will probably be a combination of DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/215 "2024-12-21T18:44:52Z")
If they were going to sign an old washed up 1st baseman I would rather they kept Rizzo. At least he’s a great clubhouse guy. ---
**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 21, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/216 "2024-12-21T19:17:42Z")
4 posts were split to a new topic: [Rickey Henderson has died at age 65](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985) ---
**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 21, 2024, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/217 "2024-12-21T18:46:19Z")
Rizzo had very little left and it is a one year deal it looks like. With any luck, this is a place holder job for Ben Rice. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/219 "2024-12-21T18:53:59Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Rizzo had very little left and it is a one year deal it looks like. With any luck, this is a place holder job for Ben Rice. Goldschmidt is fading fast. Rice showed very little last year. Fans fell for him because he had a few good games when he first came up but then he dropped off quick. In 50 games he hit .171 with an anemic OPS. The only promising thing is he had a very good 30 games in AAA. I’ve seen nothing to make me confident that he is the future. ---
**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 21, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/220 "2024-12-21T18:56:37Z")
Rice never should have been in the majors last year. He was barely advanced from AA. He can be very good and needs at least a half season in AAA this year and probably the entire season. His minor league progression has been very good. Also, I’ll admit to be intrigued by having a third catcher on the team, almost unheard of these days. ## [A dedicated thread to Rickey Henderson as he has died has been pulled from this thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rickey-henderson-has-died-at-age-65/1011985) ---
**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 21, 2024, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/221 "2024-12-21T19:27:41Z")
I’d much rather take a gamble on Goldschmidt than the corpse of Anthony Rizzo. Carlos Santana was another option, and another gamble. Goldy has a sneaky skill too: base-stealing. He has an 83% success rate for his career and swiped 11 times last season without getting caught. Rice might see some action next season. Goldschmidt is a righty and the DH slot will be open after the inevitable Stanton injury. I’m not sure he’s the future, but it would be nice if he got some mixed AAA and MLB time in 2025. If he’s a dud, they can go after Vlad. They might not be done. Hopefully they can improve on that DJ/Oswaldo combo. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526.md?page=12)