# 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:** 8
**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 10, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/141 "2024-12-10T23:21:21Z")
Max Fried [to the Yankees](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42899687/max-fried-new-york-yankees-agree-8-year-218-million-contract) at 8years, $218 million. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/142 "2024-12-10T23:33:10Z")
The Nationals won the 2025 MLB draft lottery, moving up from the fourth best odds to the #1 pick. Other teams that jumped up are the Cardinals and Mariners, to #5 and #3 respectively. The Angels move up from the third best odds to the #2 pick. It’s very early, but it seems the consensus #1 prospect is Ethan Holliday - Matt’s son and Jackson’s younger brother. Overall the pool is rated as weaker than the last two years. ---
**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 10, 2024, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/143 "2024-12-10T23:35:54Z")
Huh? Well, not really a weakness for the team, but a very solid addition. A lefty starter who averages 6 innings per start at least. We’ll have him for ages 31-38 though. $27.25m per year. ---
**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 10, 2024, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/144 "2024-12-10T23:42:23Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Huh? Well, not really a weakness for the team, but a very solid addition. A lefty starter who averages 6 innings per start at least. We’ll have him for ages 31-38 though. $27.25m per year. Always get pitching if it’s available. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2024, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/145 "2024-12-10T23:47:20Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Huh? Well, not really a weakness for the team, but a very solid addition. A lefty starter who averages 6 innings per start at least. We’ll have him for ages 31-38 though. $27.25m per year. He slots in as the Yankees #2 starter. They do have seven starting pitchers right now; hopefully they move Nestor for something useful (or Stroman, but he’s got almost no value right now). Fried does have health/durability concerns, but what SP doesn’t? ---
**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 11, 2024, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/146 "2024-12-11T01:44:22Z")
Toronto has signed [Yimi Garcia](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42898805/source-blue-jays-yimi-garcia-reach-2-year-15m-deal) to a 2-year, $15 million deal. He returns to the team that traded him at the deadline this past season. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/147 "2024-12-11T15:32:31Z")
Toronto then traded Spencer Horwitz and a minor leaguer to Cleveland for Andres Giminez and Nick Sandlin. Cleveland subsequently re-traded Horwitz to Pittsburgh for prospects. This is objectively an excellent trade for Toronto; Giminez is YOUNGER than Horwitz despite being in the bigs since 2020 and is arguably the best defensive infielder in baseball. He didn’t hit well in 2024 but has upside and frankly even hitting like he did in 2024 he’s a better player than Horwitz, who’s a good hitter but can’t field. (And Sandlin is a nice pickup for the back of the bullpen.) So why? Simple; Cleveland wanted to dump the contract, for some reason, and probably already had a line on Pittsburgh’s prospects. Giminez is owed about $110 million over the next six years. Toronto has lots of money, and wanted to have a regular second baseman. The previous plan for the Jays was to use one or two of their numerous young infielders to play second, likely a Wagner-Schneider platoon, so this would suggest more infielders will soon be traded away. They have a zillion of them. What I do not understand is the Cleveland-Pittsburgh trade because it sure looks to me like the Pirates got totally fleeced. In return for Horwitz, Pittsburgh gave up Luis Ortiz, a fine young pitcher, and two B prospects. I don’t think I’d trade Ortiz by himself to get Horwitz. I liked Horwitz but 2024 may have been his peak. If the Pirates get a 23-homer year out of him it’ll look better, I guess. I was gonna look up some analysis and chatter about the Giminez trade, but every article is AI blather. ---
**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 11, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/148 "2024-12-11T15:37:55Z")
I’m curious what Cleveland’s solution is going to be for 2B in 2025. Bazzana is a massive talent, but extremely unproven - I would be shocked if they currently think he’s ready to break with the team in the spring. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/149 "2024-12-11T15:39:05Z")
Bazzana surely can’t be ready for the big leagues yet. ---
**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:** [December 11, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/150 "2024-12-11T15:41:23Z")
Yanks seem to be interested in Cody Bellinger, but I think his best years are behind him. I’d prefer to give Ben Rice a solid shot at first and if he gets in a slump, give him a chance to figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2024, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/151 "2024-12-11T15:42:52Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Toronto has signed [Yimi Garcia](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42898805/source-blue-jays-yimi-garcia-reach-2-year-15m-deal) to a 2-year, $15 million deal. He returns to the team that traded him at the deadline this past season. It retrospect, the Garcia trade from Toronto to Seattle sure looks bad for the Mariners, who got basically nothing out of Garcia and gave up a decent prospect in Jonatan Clase. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > Yanks seem to be interested in Cody Bellinger, but I think his best years are behind him. Bellinger is only 29. Depends what price they have to pay for him. Rice is an interesting player though. ---
**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 11, 2024, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/152 "2024-12-11T15:53:10Z")
I don’t love the idea of **Cody Bellinger** either, outside of I always appreciated his dad as a damn good 25th man. I feel like **Ben Rice** needs to at least start the year in AAA. He only has 30 games in Scranton and 97 in Somerset (AA). Probably not quite ready for Prime Time. **[TJ Rumsfeld](https://www.milb.com/player/t-j-rumfield-681198?stats=career-r-hitting-minors&year=2024)** is a 24 year old Lefty who has more time at 1st in AAA. So maybe we can get by with the pair and **DJ & Cabrera**. Of course we also need to fill either second or third. * * * * * * For Free Agents, **Gleybor Torres** is the top second baseman and I’m happy that time is done. A frustrating player. For 3rd they could try for **Alex Bregman** , 31 year old righty. This slides **Jazz Chisholm Jr.** to 2nd. Bregman is a very good defensive player IIRC and his bat is dangerous. [Though he doesn’t hit well at Yankee Stadium](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=bregmal01&year=Career&t=b#site). .207 BA and only .359 SA in 92 At Bats. ---
**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:** [December 11, 2024, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/153 "2024-12-11T16:17:51Z")
Torres has been a bit of a puzzle. At times, he shows potential greatness. Other times, he doesn’t make the routine play or lacks hustle or gets in a batting funk. He had a great last couple months of the season and came through in the clutch several times. But I think it’s time to move on. ---
**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 11, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/154 "2024-12-11T16:23:13Z")
I like the idea of Ben Rice. I’m not sure I like the reality. Yankee fans love him because when he came up he had a couple of good games with key hits. Then reality hit. He was .171 in the majors. He is a defensive liability but seems to be improving. Having your 1st baseman be also a legitimate 3rd catcher gives you flexibility but he has to hit better. He did do well in AAA so there is hope. ---
**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 11, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/155 "2024-12-11T16:24:24Z")
I think he and the Yanks are better off with him starting in AAA. ---
**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 11, 2024, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/156 "2024-12-11T19:30:09Z")
Looks like Garrett Crochet is [heading to Boston](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42914221/sources-red-sox-finalizing-trade-garrett-crochet). ETA: Catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth and right-hander Wilkelman Gonzalez will head to Chicago for Crochet, sources said. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2024, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/157 "2024-12-11T21:26:36Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Bazzana surely can’t be ready for the big leagues yet. Hell of a name tho. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/158 "2024-12-11T21:44:11Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I was gonna look up some analysis and chatter about the Giminez trade, but every article is AI blather. Giménez is about to get real expensive real fast - from 5.5M last year, 10.5M next year, then 15.5M, then three years at 23.5M. The Guardians are notoriously frugal. He’s an elite defender with very good speed and therefore a fun player to root for. In 2022, he had a great offensive year, but the last two have trended down to where he has a below average OPS+. Losing 40-50 points off your batting average paired with both a declining walk rate and declining slugging/ISO will do that. Even with an OPS below .300 last year, he still had a bWar of 4.0, his lowest of his three full season. Is that worth 10.5 million? Yes. 23.5 million? Much less clear. Keith Law on the Athletic is not a believer in Giménez holding his value. I hope he does; he’s always been a favorite of mine. But history is full of 2B that fade far earlier than you’d expect them to… ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2024, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/159 "2024-12-12T01:13:26Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I’m curious what Cleveland’s solution is going to be for 2B in 2025. Bazzana is a massive talent, but extremely unproven - I would be shocked if they currently think he’s ready to break with the team in the spring. On their 40 man roster, they have Gabriel Arias who has major league experience at SS plus a bit at 2B. Daniel Schneeman was on their roster last year playing both in the infield and outfield. They also have Juan Brito who has mostly played 2B though not in the majors. ---
**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 12, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526/160 "2024-12-12T18:53:00Z")
With the White Sox sending Crochet to Boston, as well as being in talks to trade outfielder Luis Robert Jr., possibly to the Reds, this would leave the Sox with only two players – pitchers Jonathan Cannon and Jared Shuster – who posted a bWAR of 1 or better last year. They do not currently have a batter with a bWAR better than 0.2. As it seems unlikely that Chicago will be a buyer in the free agency market, unless they have a number of minor-leaguers who are ready for prime time, it could well be that 2025 will be just as dire on the South Side as 2024 was. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread-2024-2025/1009526.md?page=9)