MLB 2023/2024 Free Agency Thread

[Matt Breen]

6 minutes ago, owbc said:

They certainly seem to think they can make a playoff run in 2024 and they have made themselves quite a bit better. They added a couple wins simply from Wainwright not being on the 2024 roster and now they've added a Cy Young caliber arm in Gray. Lynn remains a bit of a head scratcher for me.

I tend to agree that the hill remains steep, I wonder if they are still operating under the assumption that the devil magic can somehow turn back the clock on these aging arms. I operate under the assumption that without Yadi around they can expect these guys to keep getting worse. 

On the flip side, they could just be positioning themselves to get their season ticket holders to renew before selling most of the roster at the end of July. 

I really look at them as just treading water. Or maybe a little better - but not by a ton. They get Gray, Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn. Gone are Montgomery, Flaherty, Dakota Hudson, and Wainwright. Plus, Jordan Hicks. As you say, getting rid of Wainwright will help them a lot. And Gray is probably better than Montgomery - but at 34 he's three years older. Gibson is an innings eater. I guess Lynn could rebound - but who knows - especially at 36 (same age as Gibson). 

I will say that it at least gets them guys to reliably take the ball every five days. They didn't have that last year. And perhaps some stability will help the team overall. 

Also, I think the Cardinals have a lot of young arms - so a lot of this is to bridge that gap to those guys. I doubt 2024 is the year it happens - but they're probably playing a longer game. 

[tmwiese55]

2 hours ago, TURBO said:

hmmm, trying to see how this makes any difference in the Woodruff situation, please explain.

Wouldn't say its anything drastic by any means.   But, he just saw a guy 3ish years older than he'll be when he hits FA who is not as good as him still get this contract.    Again, nothing drastic to change anything but just saying its probably a tick on the side against just "taking 20 mil to put in the bank no matter what happens" that would lead to him taking the team friendly things we've suggested here.  Basically just another contract showing its a players market as of now.

[titletownking]

On 11/21/2023 at 4:55 PM, SF70 said:

Championship roster?

You mean like the ‘23 Braves or Dodgers?

This team can win the central in ‘24 as is and once in, have as good a chance as anyone because — baseball.

2 TOR starters, the best bullpen in baseball, Mitchell back, sophomore improvement, Chourio & Black = definite contender. 

I’m excited about 4 picks of the top 40ish and $14M in pool money in the ‘25 draft, and I think the team is as well if it means another central title.

 

Where do you get 4 picks in the top 40 in 2025 and $14 million in draft pool? Assuming 1st round pick, competitive balance pick A, Compensatory pick for Burnes. That would be 3. Not disputing it, just looking for clarification. 

[SF70]

1 minute ago, titletownking said:

Where do you get 4 picks in the top 40 in 2025 and $14 million in draft pool? Assuming 1st round pick, competitive balance pick A, Compensatory pick for Burnes. That would be 3. Not disputing it, just looking for clarification. 

Compensatory pick for losing Adames is the 4th. 
 

Hoping for another 1st rounder with Chourio winning ROY while rostered OD as well.

[wibadgers23]

2 minutes ago, SF70 said:

Compensatory pick for losing Adames is the 4th. 
 

Hoping for another 1st rounder with Chourio winning ROY while rostered OD as well.

Are we sure we’ll get a comp pick for Adames? I haven’t heard that come up before.

[sveumrules]

1 minute ago, wibadgers23 said:

Are we sure we’ll get a comp pick for Adames? I haven’t heard that come up before.

My understanding is if the Brewers make a QO, and Willy turns it down to sign a contact over $50M, the Brewers receive a pick between the end of the first round and Comp Round A. 

[wibadgers23]

2 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

My understanding is if the Brewers make a QO, and Willy turns it down to sign a contact over $50M, the Brewers receive a pick between the end of the first round and Comp Round A. 

Thanks…that’s quite the haul of draft picks in 2025 assuming we keep both Burnes and Adames.

[titletownking]

11 minutes ago, SF70 said:

Compensatory pick for losing Adames is the 4th. 
 

Hoping for another 1st rounder with Chourio winning ROY while rostered OD as well.

Ah yes, would be pretty incredible to add another one with Chourio for sure! Some serious talent infusion. 

[brewcrewdue80]

6 hours ago, owbc said:

They certainly seem to think they can make a playoff run in 2024 and they have made themselves quite a bit better. They added a couple wins simply from Wainwright not being on the 2024 roster and now they've added a Cy Young caliber arm in Gray. Lynn remains a bit of a head scratcher for me.

I tend to agree that the hill remains steep, I wonder if they are still operating under the assumption that the devil magic can somehow turn back the clock on these aging arms. I operate under the assumption that without Yadi around they can expect these guys to keep getting worse. 

On the flip side, they could just be positioning themselves to get their season ticket holders to renew before selling most of the roster at the end of July. 

Lynn returning to play for St Louis where he'd seen success.  Probably that kind of line of reasoning. His durability during that time and career. Something needs to be said about 180+IP locked down from your starter even if it's a #3-5.

[Jopal78]

17 hours ago, sveumrules said:

My understanding is if the Brewers make a QO, and Willy turns it down to sign a contact over $50M, the Brewers receive a pick between the end of the first round and Comp Round A. 

Given the volatility of his hitting, it is a pretty big risk assuming Adames will be QO worthy. That number (the QO) probably approaches 22-23 million dollars next season.
 

If Adames has another down year at the plate in ‘24 he very well could accept that QO as a big multi-year deal would probably elude him. 

[brewcrewdue80]

1 hour ago, Jopal78 said:

Given the volatility of his hitting, it is a pretty big risk assuming Adames will be QO worthy. That number (the QO) probably approaches 22-23 million dollars next season.
 

If Adames has another down year at the plate in ‘24 he very well could accept that QO as a big multi-year deal would probably elude him. 

He accepts that deal the Brewers could still trade him for something as a salary dump.  Can't get that comp pick without making the offer.  It should be easier to eat now that Woodruff is out the picture on a same decision. It is in Adames' best interest to head in to FA after a solid season versus a 2nd consecutive poor showing as a batter.

[wallus]

One year contracts can't hurt you too badly.

[CheezWizHed]

20 hours ago, wibadgers23 said:

Thanks…that’s quite the haul of draft picks in 2025 assuming we keep both Burnes and Adames.

Of course, 3 of those 5 (Chourio, regular pick, Competitive balance pick) have nothing to do with trading or keeping Burnes and Adames... 

And if you trade them now, you will get more than just 2 first round pick talents... you'll also get someone that has actually produced in the minors.  

[Matt Breen]

4 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

Of course, 3 of those 5 (Chourio, regular pick, Competitive balance pick) have nothing to do with trading or keeping Burnes and Adames... 

And if you trade them now, you will get more than just 2 first round pick talents... you'll also get someone that has actually produced in the minors.  

And likely closer to the majors - if that matters. Guys with experience at AA and AAA are a little more of a 'known' quality at that point - having faced upper level pitching and bats. 

[wibadgers23]

3 minutes ago, CheezWizHed said:

Of course, 3 of those 5 (Chourio, regular pick, Competitive balance pick) have nothing to do with trading or keeping Burnes and Adames... 

And if you trade them now, you will get more than just 2 first round pick talents... you'll also get someone that has actually produced in the minors.  

Yeah completely agree. We certainly don’t need 4 or 5 draft picks in the first couple rounds. Two or three is just fine. Would much rather trade for minor leaguers who are already at AA or higher and just about ready to contribute at the MLB level as opposed to some draft picks.

[CheezWizHed]

4 minutes ago, reillymcshane said:

And likely closer to the majors - if that matters. Guys with experience at AA and AAA are a little more of a 'known' quality at that point - having faced upper level pitching and bats. 

Right.  First round picks flame out all the time.  At least these people would be somewhat tested and successful for a couple years. 

And 2025 draft picks won't hit the majors until 2029 or later anyway.  By then you are looking at our young guys now being done with arbitration... 

[wiguy94]

Luis Severino to the Mets. 1/$13M with $2M in potential bonuses.

[Brewcrew82]

4 minutes ago, wiguy94 said:

Luis Severino to the Mets. 1/$13M with $2M in potential bonuses.

Such a Stearns move. 

[DR28]

Reds add bullpen arms... Emilio Pagan and Nick Martinez on 2 yr deals.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

2 minutes ago, DR28 said:

Reds add bullpen arms... Emilio Pagan and Nick Martinez on 2 yr deals.

Shoring up their biggest weakness. That pen was BAD last year.

[CheeseheadInQC]

52 minutes ago, DR28 said:

Reds add bullpen arms... Emilio Pagan and Nick Martinez on 2 yr deals.

With the contract they gave him, I wonder if they envision Martinez starting.

[DR28]

Cardinals may not be done.... Showing interest in Cease.

[nate82]

12 minutes ago, DR28 said:

Cardinals may not be done.... Showing interest in Cease.

With what prospects that the White Sox would be interested in?  I think this is just tire kicking by the Cardinals. 

[DR28]

35 minutes ago, nate82 said:

With what prospects that the White Sox would be interested in?  I think this is just tire kicking by the Cardinals. 

I could see them moving Walker, Carlson, O'Neill or Edman as the headliner... I bet at least one MLB piece plus prospects.

[DR28]

I guess Cubs have made a huge offer to Ohtani.

**** the ******** Cubs.