# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/61 "2024-11-20T17:55:37Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I also heard MLB is paying not the Rays. Jesus, it’s a fabric roof and MLB has more money than God. How hard can this be? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/62 "2024-11-20T17:58:27Z")
Oh and Luis Gil and Paul Skenes win ROY. No surprises. The Gil vote was close but he was a good choice. Skenes won by a wider margin but Jackson Merrill did get 7 first place votes. I think Skenes was the right choice but Merrill had a strong case. I’m not looking forward to Skenes shredding his arm in the near future but it’ll happen. The NL had a hell of a rookie class; Shota Imanaga went 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA and barely got on any of the ballots. ---
**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:** [November 20, 2024, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/63 "2024-11-20T18:19:38Z")
As a Cub fan, I think Imanaga’s vote total is a travesty. I didn’t expect him to win, but I expected more votes. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2024, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/64 "2024-11-21T00:32:18Z")
Not surprisingly, the Tigers’ Tarik Skubal and the Braves’ Chris Sale won the Cy Young awards; Skubal was a unanimous choice, and Sale was the first choice on 26 out of 30 ballots. Both pitchers won their league’s Triple Crown for the season (wins, ERA, strikeouts). For Sale, it was also a comeback season, as he’d been battling injuries since 2019. > **[Braves' Sale, Tigers' Skubal win Cy Young Awards](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42512141/braves-chris-sale-wins-national-league-cy-young-award)** > > The Tigers' Tarik Skubal was the unanimous choice to win the Cy Young Award in the American League, while Braves pitcher Chris Sale won in the National League. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/65 "2024-11-21T00:49:50Z")
Not a lot of mystery in this year’s awards. ETA: MVPs are awarded tonight. I think maybe - just throwing a guess out there - Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge will win. You know, just a wild stab. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/66 "2024-11-21T19:54:43Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Rob Manfred is cooking something up right now with national broadcasting rights for MLB games. There’s nothing concrete at all, but it sounds like he wants to consolidate all ownership of local and national broadcast rights under the MLB, which would end blackouts for good. MLB would auction off national broadcast games to various networks/streamers, and the local games would be sold as a package via [MLB.tv](http://MLB.tv) or some other service. This is gonna be bad for me (in a good way). I listen to every game on the radio, because that’s all I’ve ever been able to do. So for 2-3 hours every night all summer, I’m hella productive around the house. I keep a list of stuff to complete during baseball season. This summer I was at my mom’s house for 2 months while she recuperated from surgery, and I had access to her cable TV where I could catch the games. I was able to sync up the TV with my radio and that was it. I was done. I spend 2-3 hours each night sitting on the couch. I couldn’t look away!! Even when I got home, the first couple games I literally sat on my couch and listened to the games, sans TV. Finally I got back in to the swing of radio and chores but it was a hard transition to come back! Anyway, I’d definitely spend $200 a summer to have access to the games on my TV. Blackouts are such a bummer. I bet a lot of people will finally “cut the cord” if baseball becomes streamable! ---
**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:** [November 21, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/67 "2024-11-21T20:08:31Z")
Anything that wrests control of Dodger games from Spectrum. I refuse to do business with them, so have been unable to watch many Dodger games this last decade. Luckily, the Dodgers radio feed is excellent. That and Gameday have gotten me through. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/68 "2024-11-21T20:12:06Z")
Did you look at the other contenders? It was a loaded year for NL rookies. ---
**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:** [November 21, 2024, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/69 "2024-11-21T22:53:33Z")
Yeah, I did. As I said, I didn’t expect Imanaga to win. I just thought he’d receive more than just 4 votes. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/70 "2024-11-21T23:48:54Z")
To the surprise of nobody, Aaron Judge is the American League MVP. Unanimous vote. Bobby Witt, Jr. was second, Soto third. > **[Aaron Judge unanimously wins 2nd career AL MVP award after another monster...](https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-judge-unanimously-wins-2nd-career-al-mvp-award-after-another-monster-season-232520055.html)** > > The Yankees slugger's postseason slump didn't affect the BBWAA voting, which is done before the playoffs. ---
**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:** [November 22, 2024, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/71 "2024-11-22T02:01:20Z")
And, Ohtani is the NL MVP. Like Judge, a unanimous choice. He’s the first MVP who was a full-time DH in his MVP season (though only because he didn’t pitch this year, while recovering from Tommy John surgery). He’s the second player ever to win the MVP in both leagues, joining Frank Robinson in that distinction. > **[Ohtani, Judge capture unanimous MVP honors](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42530953/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-yankees-aaron-judge-unanimous-mvps)** > > The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani won his second straight unanimous MVP award, and Yankees star Aaron Judge became a two-time MVP on Thursday. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/72 "2024-11-22T14:19:32Z")
Ohtani has won the MVP unanimously all three times he’s won it. Pretty certainly a Hall of Famer now if he just lasts three more seasons. Aaron Judge becomes HOF eligible just by playing next year and I’d say he’s pretty much a lock too. ---
**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:** [November 22, 2024, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/73 "2024-11-22T16:48:06Z")
Judge is signed for seven more years, and nine for Ohtani. I wonder what kind of numbers they’ll be putting up as 38 year-olds. It will be interesting to see how long Ohtani can keep pitching…his elbow is shaky, but Eovaldi is still playing after multiple Tommy John surgeries. ---
**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:** [November 22, 2024, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/74 "2024-11-22T17:30:45Z")
It will help Judge’s durability if he is able to move out of center. They are still looking at Dominguez are their long term solution. One thing that will really hurt the Yankees is if the Soto negotiations go too long. If it gets drawn out it’s hard to strategize at the other positions. 2 out of 3 outfielders are free agents. ---
**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:** [November 23, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/75 "2024-11-23T17:26:38Z")
The Kansas City Royals have acquired IF Jonathan India and OF Joey Wiener from the Cincinnati Reds [in exchange for RHP Brady Singer](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42551361/reds-land-brady-singer-royals-jonathan-india-joey-wiemer). ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/76 "2024-11-23T17:55:08Z")
ESPN’s headline on the trade was “Reds land Singer from Royals for India, Wiemer”, implying that the Reds got the better of the deal. Singer seems to be a serviceable if unspectacular starter, and the Royals picked up some needed offense in the deal, so it doesn’t appear particularly one-sided. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/77 "2024-11-23T19:09:33Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Royals picked up some needed offense in the deal Indeed. India will be the Royals’ new leadoff man, presumably batting just ahead of this season’s batting champ, Bobby Witt, Jr. I just saw this about Witt this year: Witt had 709 plate appearances this season. In 433 of those appearances, he came up with the bases empty. That is the most PAs with nobody on base since FanGraph started charting the category in 2002. Even so, Witt still had 109 ribbies this season. (Note that this stat does not include the first PA of a game.) ---
**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:** [November 26, 2024, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/78 "2024-11-26T00:29:04Z")
MLB has [modified Tampa Bay’s schedule](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42609559/rays-play-47-first-59-home-69-last-103-road) for 2025. The Rays will play 47 or their first 59 games at “home,” and then 69 of their last 103 on the road. (“Home” in parentheses since they’re playing at Steinbrenner Field next season) ---
**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:** [November 26, 2024, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/79 "2024-11-26T00:35:09Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > The Rays will play 47 or their first 59 games at “home,” and then 69 of their last 103 on the road. In other words: over half of their home games will be in April and May, before it gets too disgustingly swampy in Tampa. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2024, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/80 "2024-11-26T00:37:55Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > before it gets too disgustingly swampy in Tampa. So are there minor league games played during the summer in the Tampa area? Or are those stadiums primarily for spring training? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526.md?page=5)