MadThinker88

Thanks Reilly.

Cubs would get a pick after competitive balance B somewhere in the high 70's Scott - How do you figure that? I recall there being a sliding cost scale if a team signed a player that declined a QO but I was under the impression that all teams that lost a player (who declined a QO) got a pick after Round 1 and before the Comp A picks began. That is where Cleveland & KC are picking for losing Carlos Santana, LoCain & Hosmer. http://m.mlb.com/draft/2018/order There were a number of changes to the draft setup this year so I could have easily missed something..

I never heard of that author before. So let's look at some other sources. From the 2017 MiLB Analyst book: .. May not have ideal power for 1B but moves well around bag with quick hands. Can also play RF. From John Sickels 2017 report: .. superior defensive first baseman now playing outfield to make lineup fit easier; can handle either corner based on early results From the 2018 BA Prospect Handbok: “Bauers has the makings of a younger version of Joey Votto.” Also says, “Scouts believe that he will generate plenty of extra-base hits to contribute as a first baseman in the big leagues.” As well as, “Despite seeing action as a corner as a outfielder, he’s much more effective at first base, where he displays quick feet, soft hands and a solid overall feel for the position. Much like Willy Adames at shortstop, Bauers is the Rays’ long-term answer at first base.” As more sources for 2018 are published (Sickels, etc) it will be interesting to note if they see Bauers as future 1B or not. A LOT of this comes down to how the Rays see their own needs. IF they feel 1B is covered, they would not target or want Jake Gatewood. They would look for talent in other places where they have a need. This is not a slight to Jake Gatewood. Just a recognition that the Rays will be using their few remaining pieces of higher value to bring back the talent they believe they need.. Colome would be one of the better RP out on the market if the Rays openly shopped him, especially if they waited for the trade deadline.

Clancy, I really hope that part in bold was a mistype. Freddy is already on the 40 man (was added this offseason). If his debut is delayed to 2020, the Crew has just burned 2 of his 3 option seasons with 2018 & 2019. I really thought Freddy would be in the bullpen at some point this season (either in MKE or with another squad after being part of a trade)...

You did a fine job explaining why the Rays might want to move Colome & why Colome would be a good get by the Brewers. But you left out an important piece of the equation - what would Rays be looking for in return? Why would the Rays have an interest in Jake Gatewood? They just acquired CJ Cron (1B) from the Angels and have Jake Bauers (1B/ corner OF) ready to play in the majors. If Gatewood is not of interest to them, your proposals fall flat.

When MLB Network was doing its Top 100 list this past week, Billy Ripken brought up a very good point re: Yelich. Billy noted that Jim Leyland had Yelich hit 3rd on team USA last spring in the WBC over guys like Buster Posey, Adam Jones & Paul Goldschmidt. Using that recognition, perhaps it is time that Braun leaves the 3 hole. Alternating Lefties & Righties thru the meat of the order, the line up could go: 2- Cain 3- Yelich 4- Braun/ D Santana 5- Shaw 6- other of Braun/ D Santana

There is always the possibility now that Hosmer has departed the Royals try to retain Moose. They were counting on the various Comp Picks to help restock the system. Now that they finally got 2 extra picks & there is no real direction to the market for Moose, the Royals might try to resigning him in order to deal him at a later date. Rebuilding clubs (be it the Royals or other teams now or the Brewers during 2015 & 2016) always are trying to maximize assets. Just because the right deal doesn't emerge now doesn't mean it won't appear at the upcoming trade deadline or next off season. Looking at the Royals, this isn't a RELOAD situation. They need a full REBUILD & will need to build from the foundation on up. The death of the pitcher last off season did not help. Dealing many farm pieces helped them to get to the World Series in 2014 & win the series in 2015. Those situations closed the Royal window a little faster then they anticipated originally.

KC was already starting its rebuild... The question was always how fast would they tear it down to start building it back up..

The Twins announced the trade as official as reported. I realize they are more desirable pitchers, but the value of the draft pick being forfeited for signing Arrieta, Lynn, or Cobb is likely higher than the value of the prospect the Rays acquired. I got to agree with both of you. I am surprised at how little the Twins had to give up for Jake O. Compared to the cost of Arietta/ Cobb/ Lynn in both contract & draft pick loss, Odorizzi appears to be a bargain.. We will see how he does away from the dome of Tampa..

I like how the article ended (in the general sense)... Also, there are always some surprises when affiliation season launches — there are already rumblings of changes at lower levels impacted by MLB teams buying MiLB franchises. So let’s just say August and September should be fascinating months in the 2018 Minor League Baseball season.

Since its part of the moving pieces at the end of the 2018 season, I wanted to share the attached article from the milb website.. https://www.milb.com/milb/news/batting-around-breaking-ground-on-amarillo-ballpark/c-266001790 It also interesting to see what other towns/ clubs are lining up with newly built ballparks in the next few years..

Where is the video clip of D-Day, Bluto & Flounder in Dean Wormer's office when you really need to link it.....

Injuries can happen at any time. Heck, we learned of the finger issue with Edwin Santana a few weeks ago and one of the Tiger pitchers went down on the opening of their camp & needs TJ tomorrow. Edit: checked the name - Bryan Garcia, a 22 yr old prospect..

And since he was traded mid season, if Darvish opts out after two years, that means the Cubs could offer the QO and receive a draft pick. I believe you are correct. The Logic holds: Since Yu has never been given a QO, the Cubs (or another team) should be able to extend one as his deal ends (assuming he is with the organization the entire season leading up to that opportunity). The 2 parts giving me pause would be the timing of when Yu turns down the player option (is it before the deadline for a team to extend a QO) & can a QO be extended if the player has declined an option that was at greater value for the next season. Answering those 2 parts will take some research.

Just an FYI but Bleacher Report has updated its Farm System Rankings again. The last update was on 1/4/18 & they had done an update after the minor league season had ended in Sept 2017. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2759103-mlb-farm-system-rankings-pre-2018-spring-training-edition http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2751590-bleacher-reports-updated-farm-system-rankings-at-the-start-of-2018 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2731819-re-ranking-all-30-mlb-farm-systems-at-the-end-of-2017s-milb-season The Brewers Farm has gone from #5, to #7 to now #14 (post Yelich trade) In comparison the Marlins system has gone from #28 to #26 (Post Gordon, Stanton & Ozuna trades) to #18 (post Yelich trade) Others teams in NL Central Reds: #10, then #9, now #8 Cardinals: #11, then #13, now #11 Pirates: #18, then #16, now #16 Cubs: #25, then #27, now #27

From what I understand, players can only generate one qualifying offer and hence draft pick for their entire career. So the Brewers couldn't do a QO and get a draft pick for Arrieta, since he would have already been through that. BUT if he would agree to 2/$49.5M, with say 30 upfront and an opt-out after, then the Brewers would get the draft pick. Doesn't sound like that's very likely, though. CORRECT (part in bold). This was a huge change with the QO system and the current CBA that was agreed to. Since teams were valuing higher draft picks (& the slotted bonus money), the MLBPA did not want to see the same players get impacted multiple times while other players never had a cost association. Since Jake got a QO from the Cubs this off season, he never has to worry about a QO again...

Sir I respect that you are a fan of Jake & would like him to "return home". I feel at Jake would be a good add to this team. Unfortunately your offer would be rejected by Tampa. Its the equivalent of offering $15K for the full restored '57 Chevy in the Tampa garage. Its not enough. I don't feel it would cost Burnes, but I could see Tampa targeting Lucas Erceg & a lesser pitching prospect in a deal.

Hannigan makes sense as a NRI for spring training to help catch all the various pitchers. Additionally Mejia & Eric Haase (both on the Tribe 40 man) have a combined 2 games at AAA (Haase). Mejia has only a handful of games at the major league level. Hannigan might end up again in AAA as a player-coach to help with development of Mejia & Haase.

Thx NoMaam. Anything is possible..

Guess I am missing it as I review this thread. Who suggested it would be Cotton for D Santana?? I have seen Puk AND Cotton for D Santana being raised as a question (wondering if the Crew needed to add anything else). I see people suggest Cotton is the return for Broxten or items from the minors. Can't find anyone that suggested the idea of a 1 for 1. Only multiple people saying they would be upset if it was a 1 for 1.

This is a bunk argument. MLB and the MLBPA have collectively bargained these terms. This isn't a one-sided negotiation like teachers here in AZ, this is fairly bargained. It's the most fair and prosperous free agency model in all of sports as well. European soccer, the NFL, the NBA, and the NHL...sorry, their free agency models are nowhere near as generous as MLB. I know some on this board would disagree with you DHonks, but I would not be part of that group. The CBA was fairly bargained. The merits on how well each side did can (& will be) debated over and over. That said, in the next round of negotiations for the players to get changes or concessions from the owners, they will need items to bargain with or areas they can agree to give back some ground. Each CBA is built upon the one before so there is always give and take. Are there any areas you think the players would be able "to give" in order to receive either additional salary earlier in the career (in minors and the 6 control years) or earlier free agency or lessening of a penalized ceiling/ creation of a minimum floor???

Thought I would share and spur some discussion. I started with the following definitions for ACE & then for TOR. I felt they would be quantifiable & measurable. An Ace is a starter that has finished in the top 4 places for the CY Young voting over the past 3 seasons. Assuming nobody repeats that is a max of 24 pitchers (across both leagues). Realizing there will always be repeat individuals, I'm guessing the number is closer to 14 total. A TOR is a starter that has finished in either the 5 thru 9 spots for CY Young voting over the past 3 seasons (but never in the top 4 spots). Assuming nobody repeats that is a max of 30 pitchers (across both leagues). Realizing there will always be repeat individuals and some will be top 4 in other seasons, I'm guessing the number is closer to 16 for this level. Hence I'm guessing we end up with roughly 30 top starters. Now for the validation/ measuring of the above thoughts. Using the years 2015, 2016 & 2017 I found the following: I got the voting results from the BBWAA website. https://bbwaa.com/tag/cy-young/ 18 Aces with 9 in each league at the end of 2017. One has since moved leagues. Names in order of recency (2017 first) of making the above definition. AL Aces: Kluber, Sale, Severino, Carrasco, Porcello, Verlander, Kuechel, Price, & Sonny Gray NL Aces: Scherzer, Kershaw, Strasburg, Grienke, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, MadBum, Jake Arrieta, Gerrit Cole (has since moved leagues). 15 other TOR guys with 7 in the AL & 8 in the NL. Again names in order of recency (2017 first) of making the above definition. AL: Marcus Stroman, JA Happ, Aaron Sanchez, M. Tanaka, Chris Archer, King Felix, Collin McHugh NL: Gio Gonzalez, Robbie Ray, Jacob deGrom, Jimmy Nelson, Alex Wood, Johnny Cueto, Noah Syndergard, & John Lackey. So this gives us 33 total pitchers and to be honest I am not thrilled to see certain names listed to either category. I don't believe Cookie Carrasco is an Ace (YET) but I believe he is a TOR. Others like Rick Porcello (receiver of great run support in 2016), Kyle Hendrick, Alex Woods & JA Happ might just be 1 year wonders. King Felix & Lackey make the listing only because they still had very good years in 2015. Does that still make them TOR in 2018?? I'm doubting that. Thoughts/ Comments??

Word starting to come out that the Astros are talking about making a deal to get JT. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/02/marlins-astros-discussing-j-t-realmuto.html Sounds like some Houston minor league talent that was not available in trade for Gerrit Cole MIGHT be available for JT.

I love that idea. Make him earn his next contact, then give him a QO and get an extra pick we wasted on the Cain deal. Unfortunately you can't. Under the newest CBA, any player already offered a QO (that is then accepted or declined) can never again receive a 2nd QO. So guys like Edwin E, Carlos Santana, Jake Arietta, Kendray Morales, Wade Davis, etc never have to deal with a QO again after their signed contracts end.

I don't know if that is as needed as before. Stearns already has the green light to spend the money. IF Boras did call MA, I hope Mark pointed out that any deal needs to be made with DS and politely wrapped up the call. I ABSOLUTELY HATE the idea/ notion by Scott Boras that because he is Scott Boras he can skip the normal team channels & go straight to the majority owner. The owner hires the people in the FO to do a job & empowers them to do it. Most owners realize that if they get involved it undercuts their people and makes their job 2 or 3 times tougher. Its best for the owner to stay out of the day-to-day field operations and determinations for who is available for the roster. Sorry. Rant over.