2025-26 Offseason Around the League Thread

[Playing Catch]

On 1/26/2026 at 4:40 PM, TURBO said:

Bader seems like a douche, glad I don't have to root for him...

I think that it just takes a long time for the stench of Cardinal to go away.

[markedman5]

 

[sveumrules]

1 minute ago, markedman5 said:

 

Wilson is an interesting player for sure. Rode an extreme hit tool (128 AVG+ and 33 K+ were both 2nd among qualified hitters last year) to a 121 wRC+ last year despite a below average walk rate (62 BB+) and power profile (83 ISO+).

Neither system (-14 DRS and -4 FRV) has really liked his defense at SS, so probably destined for 3B or 2B once Leo De Vries is ready. Already has 39th percentile sprint speed and -0.6 BSR for his career so probably isn't adding any value on the bases either.

Kind of like if Luis Arraez started a little higher up the defensive spectrum. Prolly gonna need to keep hitting over .300 to have anything resembling surplus value if he doesn't develop some more power or patience into his mid/late twenties.

[nate82]

2 hours ago, markedman5 said:

 

I am assuming this could be a good Turang comp on what it would take to sign him.  Probably a bit more than Wilson so something  like 6-years $84mm? 

[TURBO]

With all the infielders coming in the pipeline, I'm not so sure Turang is going to be a big priority.  We have control over him until 2030, by then, we'll know which of our infielders are going to stick.  

I think it's more likely he becomes trade fodder by the 2029 season, than the chance of us resigning him...

[Jopal78]

13 hours ago, nate82 said:

I am assuming this could be a good Turang comp on what it would take to sign him.  Probably a bit more than Wilson so something  like 6-years $84mm? 

Turang will be 30 by the time he’s eligible for free agency too. He’d need to pick up his game even more to be worth an extension into his mid to late 30s. 

[markedman5]

12 million 

[wallus]

They signed Arraez to play 2nd base? Holy crap that might be the worst right side of the infield defense you can put together 

[markedman5]

 

[long ball]

I think the Reds got a pretty favorable deal there. Nice addition for them. Their line up definitely needed some help. 

[wallus]

I know Geno is old but we are we getting to the 1 year contract point of the offseason? 

[sveumrules]

2 hours ago, wallus said:

I know Geno is old but we are we getting to the 1 year contract point of the offseason? 

Believe so.

Would imagine Framber and Gallen are the only real multi year guys left on the market. 

Maybe Littell still finds a two year deal somewhere?

Bassitt probably deserves two years with how consistent he's been the last seven years or so, but he's also over two years older than Eugenio so probably ain't happening.

[Jopal78]

13 hours ago, wallus said:

I know Geno is old but we are we getting to the 1 year contract point of the offseason? 

…. Matt Arnold is probably getting out his shopping cart. 

[wallus]

1 hour ago, Jopal78 said:

…. Matt Arnold is probably getting out his shopping cart. 

Maybe? I am interested to see if they make any surprising signings. I have only read about 3-4 teams that are still looking for pitching. 

[markedman5]

 

[ClosetBrewerFan]

5 hours ago, markedman5 said:

 

I think the Cardinals did ok with their return, but not overwhelming.  Cijntje is the key to the trade, though the two comp B picks are big.  The two OFs they got feel like 4th/5th OFs.  I'm glad the Brewers went for quality over quantity with Freddy.  

[owbc]

I guess the Cards are in full rebuild mode now, this move was essentially punting the next two years.

Cijntje was just showcased at the Mariners’ fan fest over the weekend…that call must have been quite a shock. I wonder if the Cardinals will have him switch pitch, it sounded like Seattle was going to have him focus on being a RHP. 

[Jopal78]

6 hours ago, owbc said:

I guess the Cards are in full rebuild mode now, this move was essentially punting the next two years.

Cijntje was just showcased at the Mariners’ fan fest over the weekend…that call must have been quite a shock. I wonder if the Cardinals will have him switch pitch, it sounded like Seattle was going to have him focus on being a RHP. 

They’ve cut it down to the bone in St. Louis, it will be interesting to see how long of a leash Chaim Bloom gets. I can’t imagine the Cardinals piling up 90 losses in consecutive seasons, yet I don’t see a way their talent is anything but last place unless Herrera, and Burleson suddenly turn into the best hitters in their division and they hit on a couple of pitching prospects all at the same time. 

[markedman5]

Another former brewer looking for a home 

 

[markedman5]

I guess the character concerns didn’t hurt him too badly 

 

[folly412]

A modest ~$200k per inning for three years, assuming he misses next to no time.  

[brewcrewdue80]

On 2/2/2026 at 9:34 PM, ClosetBrewerFan said:

I think the Cardinals did ok with their return, but not overwhelming.  Cijntje is the key to the trade, though the two comp B picks are big.  The two OFs they got feel like 4th/5th OFs.  I'm glad the Brewers went for quality over quantity with Freddy.  

With 6 picks now in top 86, StL will have a big cash pool for a #13 1st pick. Or to use on their 2nd-4th picks.

[long ball]

Skubal winning his arbitration hearing is rather interesting. 
 

while this is definitely a win for the players, I at least a little concerned with what it means for low payroll teams in the future. If Skenes continues on his trajectory, does that mean the pirates timeline for trading him moves up?

 

Is there any trickle down effect to earlier years of arbitration for this caliber of player? How does it affect more modest level of players entering their final year of arbitration? does Trevor megill now ask for $12m in arbitration next year instead of like $7m? He could compare himself to $14m helsley got or the $10m pagan got in free agency. Does Vaughn ask for $15m+?
 

ultimately, we can only hope that we develop a player like skubal in the future where monstrous arb salaries are a concern. But even your every day players, leverage bullpen arms, or rotation arms could see a big boost in their final arb year. 
 

edit: I misunderstood the cba clause that allowed Skubal to compare himself to free agent contracts. He had to have 5+ years of service AND special accomplishments. So unless Contreras, Vaughn, or Megill wins mvp or the cu young this clause won’t really apply to them. 

[TURBO]

Just another nail in the coffin...

[Jim French Stepstool]

2 hours ago, TURBO said:

Just another nail in the coffin...

Tough financial pill for the Bucs to swallow. I think they should just trade him to the Dodgers, who can pay him a dollar a year for the next 32 million years.