2024 Divisional Rivals Thread

[nate82]

Apparently the Cardinals are going for a rebuild and will make Contreras, Gray, Helsley and Arenado available this offseason to reduce payroll.  This fits in with them not wanting to bring back Goldschmidt this offseason.  The NL Central looks like it will be a three team race again with the Brewers Cubs and Reds being the favorites.  The Pirates are a wild card team.

If the Cardinals trade all four of those players they could be the bottom team in the division.  This should be an interesting offseason for the NL Central.

[Team Canada]

If we really want to show we're going for it, then let's trade for Helsley and go with a bullpen of Helsley, Williams, McGill, Mis, Yoho, Payamps, and Koenig.

[Frisbee Slider]

Which division rival do we anticipate will be most improved in 2025?

[markedman5]

 

[markedman5]

 

[Frisbee Slider]

13 hours ago, markedman5 said:

 

Reds seem to get the better of this trade, unless Wiemer becomes above replacement level in the big leagues.

[Jopal78]

On 11/23/2024 at 8:59 AM, Frisbee Slider said:

Reds seem to get the better of this trade, unless Wiemer becomes above replacement level in the big leagues.

Doubtful. Despite being on the 40 man roster Wiemer got 1 big league PA with the Reds while they trotted out Will Benson and journeymen  Jake Fraley and Amed Rosario in the outfield. Now he’s a throw in to clear a 40 man spot in Cincinnati. 
 

Anything is possible, but with 2025 being his final option year he’s got one season remaining to establish himself as 40 man roster worthy.  

[jay87shot]

On 11/20/2024 at 10:24 AM, Frisbee Slider said:

Which division rival do we anticipate will be most improved in 2025?

From a talent point the Reds have massive upside but they have a weak bullpen and a lot of their young offense talent is streaky/iffy. The rotation will be solid and they have upside at all positions, they probably have some money to add a couple needed bullpen arms. I don't get the Nick Martinez QO move with that money they could have gotten a solid reliever and a decent 1B/DH. Martinez is solid but as a swing guy doesn't pitch in big situations, the versatility is nice but 20 million is way to much for a 6th starter/multi inning reliever even with a low 3 era in 140 innings.

If the Cubs spend money wisely I think they could be the biggest threat but the pen needs an overhaul and they need a 3/4/5 hitter who can drive in runs consistently.

The Pirates don't have the offense but will be tougher with their rotation. Maybe if they find away to add a couple bats but their owner is so cheap they are going to waste a few years of Skenes by spending peanuts on guys like Rowdy Tellez and Michael A Taylor.

If the Cards trade a bunch of guys I don't think they will be worse, especially if they get decent young talent back. If they can get Jordan Walker, Nolan Gorman, and Alec Burleson in the right defensive spots this team actually could be better by subtraction and position changes. Arenado and Goldy were shadows of themselves at the plate, Contreras isn't the leader they thought, and the rotation was old and not scary. There is a lot to fix but if they get a couple young arms in trades and the young bats bounce back/continue to improve they could be better. I am not to worried but they have more upside than one would think.

1)Reds 2)Cubs 3)Cards 4)Pirates

 

 

[Brian]

MLB Insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Milwaukee Brewers would love to add free agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt this winter. 

 

[Frisbee Slider]

1 hour ago, Brian said:

MLB Insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Milwaukee Brewers would love to add free agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt this winter. 

 

At the right price, hopefully.

Goldschmidt’s OPS+ has gone from 177 to  120 to 98. It seems like a trend that is less likely to reverse at age 37 unless there was something physically wrong that will heal in the offseason.

[tmwiese55]

I thought a different insider thing that said we'd have liked him if Hoskins opted out seems a bit more accurate.  I don't see how he fits here at all while having Hoskins on the roster, especially if its not for league min which it won't be.   Maybe they're trying to trade Hoskins though if someone will take the contract hoping for a buy low.   Goldy at like 8 mil vs Hoskins at 18, I get that.

[Brian]

On StL website. 

https://redbirdrants.com/paul-goldschmidt-is-drawing-strong-interest-from-cardinals-division-rival

 

[Brian]

I would rather have Goldy than Sanchez also that is for sure and have Eric Haase as the backup catcher. 

So then, we just release Sanchez and have the open roster spot for Goldy. 

Hoskins and Goldy at 1st base/DH or what ever Brewers staff wants to do. 

[sveumrules]

13 minutes ago, Brian said:

I would rather have Goldy than Sanchez also that is for sure and have Eric Haase as the backup catcher. 

So then, we just release Sanchez and have the open roster spot for Goldy. 

Hoskins and Goldy at 1st base/DH or what ever Brewers staff wants to do. 

Yelich and Contreras are already going to eat into a large portion of the DH at bats. Last year they combined for 60 games in the DH spot, and with Yelich coming off injury that number is likely to be quite a bit higher in 2025, especially if the idea is to give Contreras more games there as well so he doesn't wear down.

If we estimate 65 games for Yelich at DH and another 35 for Contreras, that leaves 224 games to be split between Hoskins and whoever else at 1B/DH. I would guess Goldy is going to want to go somewhere with a clearer path to regular playing time.

[Brian]

13 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

Yelich and Contreras are already going to eat into a large portion of the DH at bats. Last year they combined for 60 games in the DH spot, and with Yelich coming off injury that number is likely to be quite a bit higher in 2025, especially if the idea is to give Contreras more games there as well so he doesn't wear down.

If we estimate 65 games for Yelich at DH and another 35 for Contreras, that leaves 224 games to be split between Hoskins and whoever else at 1B/DH. I would guess Goldy is going to want to go somewhere with a clearer path to regular playing time.

I forgot that Yelich may not be 100% and may never be.  Who knows but at a good price Goldy would be a hard yes for me personally.  Sanchez should be the one to go, only a .220 hitter at best now and we don't need 3 catchers anyway. 

[Thurston Fluff]

3 minutes ago, Brian said:

I forgot that Yelich may not be 100% and may never be.  Who knows but at a good price Goldy would be a hard yes for me personally.  Sanchez should be the one to go, only a .220 hitter at best now and we don't need 3 catchers anyway. 

That's probably why Sanchez isn't on the roster anymore.

[Brian]

51 minutes ago, Thurston Fluff said:

That's probably why Sanchez isn't on the roster anymore.

LOL, I did not know that, Good Move I Approve.😀 

[Frisbee Slider]

Goldschmidt competing with Hoskins for ABs could be healthy. If Hoskins is entering a contract year, he will be extra dialed in - especially, if he is not guaranteed plate appearances?

[Brian]

1 hour ago, Frisbee Slider said:

Goldschmidt competing with Hoskins for ABs could be healthy. If Hoskins is entering a contract year, he will be extra dialed in - especially, if he is not guaranteed plate appearances?

I agree 100%, competition is always a good thing by putting in above average effort for your spot.