jay87shot

Almost every time I watched Patrick pitch last year I became more and more impressed. It was pretty amazing that he added a couple mph to his fastballs over the course of the year and even more as a reliever in the playoffs. Before the season I thought best case Patrick is a #4/5 starter at this point I fully believe he could be a solid #2 when he gets all the way developed. He, Koenig, and Tobias Myers are the ultimate evidence of how amazing our pitching staff, development, and scouting have been. Guys with basically average stuff who are struggling in AA/AAA at 25ish and we take them on and turn them into high quality arms in very little time.

If I was the GM here is my proposal to Giannis on how I would attempt to fix this team. 1)A full reset of the entire team trade everyone, Giannis can pick 2 guys to stay. I am going to say he picks Bobby and Thanasis. Deadline Moves 1) Kuminga and Podziemzki, 2 2nds (one this one later) for Myles Turner and KPJ The Warriors get a center that fits there lineup well and we get 2 young wings who can play well next to Giannis. They also get KPJ to play with Curry, as a free agent next I don't think KPJ has a ton of value so get Pod and a couple 2nd seems like trading high on him. 2)Kuzma and Rollins for Jrue Holiday and 1st Yes, Jrue is old and lost a step but he knows how to play with Giannis. The Blazers get out of a later year on Holiday and get Rollins to fit into there rotation well. We get a 1st for losing Rollins and taking on the extra year of Jrue. Offseason Trade 1) Trade AJ Green for Zeke Nnaji and a 2nd A wing for a big, I think Nnaji is very underrated as a young athletic big who is starting to shot it decently. I like Green well enough Basically that leaves Jrue, Pod, Kuminga, Giannis, Bobby and Nnaji (Thanasis) as the players under contract by my math that is 161-162 million owed after adding in Lillard (Mijic .6). The cap is estimated at 166 with a luxury tax at 200 million (estimated) and 1st apron at 210. Let's say that gives us 38 million to sign a free agent (s) and draft picks Free Agents 1) John Collins 2/30 2)Collin Sexton 2/30 Collins and Collin aren't real sexy free agent add but both are solid starter and relatively young 27/28. Both help with scoring and athletic ability. Draft (go easy on the rankings, I am out of the loop a bit on college 1(11) our pick F Nate Ament 1(14) Blazers G Cameron Carr Basically this is picking 2 upside wings to help Kuminga and Pod at the 2/3 spots. I would guess we could sign a couple Gary Trent/Taureen Prince style vets as well. 2(41) our 2nd C Nate Bittle 2(45)Warriors G Braden Smith Here I just took a vet that could help out as depth at each spot. Basically name I know of player that should be decent role players 1)Sexton, Jrue, Smith 2)Pod, Carr, Jrue 3)Kuminga, Ament, Thanasis 4)Bobby, Collins 5)Giannis, Nnaji, Bittle Add in a couple cheap vets and that looks 100 times better than where we are at.

Hard pass on Austin Hays, he is a pretty bad defensive OF and I can't see him being better than the average hitter he was last year. Bader has some upside however he wasn't great from 2022-2024, if we were confident in getting some form of the last year version of Harrison 1/10-12 would be a steal. If we trade Freddy and the team does plan on using that money, I would save the money and use it to acquire a need come the trade deadline. I would rather trade for someone like Byron Buxton (if available) at the deadline than get a 2nd tier player like Bader.

I would think the Warriors can do better than Kuzma, I would do that trade in a heartbeat though. The warriors appear to what wing help. What about a 3 team deal We get Kuminga and Buddy Heild the Warriors get Malik Monk and Cole Anthony and the Kings get Bobby and Gary Trent

It seems like the Hawks really want to just be rid of Trae and save the future money. However if the front office is serious about adding to help Giannis I think we missed out. I get Young is having a rough year and has had the ball in his hands alot (ball dependant) however I think playing alongside Giannis could have really elevated his game. The fact that the Wizards didn't add in any draft picks would have made it a pretty low risk move. I don't quite know what would have been a better package but Kuzma and Bobby would have gotten close to what Young makes.

I don't think it impact a Freddy trade a ton other than there is now 1 less inexpensive trade option out there, Cabrera is such a wild card that his range of outcomes over the 3 years he has left. Injuries and previous control issue could render him very little value to the Cubs, however he has ace stuff. I think most teams were willing to give up one good piece like Cassie but little else because of the volatility. Peralta is more of a sure thing (not guaranteed) so I do think he has a much different market. I doubt Freddy would bring back a prospect as like Cassie but teams will likely give up much better secondary pieces to gain the consistency. Freddy would be an add for a team looking to win the world series, where Cabrera really fit any team looking to add a quality arm.

I was just using Dominguez as an example maybe the high end prospect is Carson Benge or Payton Tolle that we would add Megill or someone else to in a Freddy trade. I do agree that Dominguez has an over inflated value in part just being part of the NY hype machine. Had he been in our system he may have been more of a Luis Pena hyped prospect.

I have said this before, I am ok with trading Freddy if the price is right. I would be pretty happy if we could beat the Burnes return, especially if at least 1 of the players can be a young guy who can contribute in the OF, rotation, or maybe IF right away. Obviously who that return is exactly would make a difference. With the giant return Shane Baz got I do feel like we can get an overpay for Freddy. Let's no forget that before last year Freddy has been an inconsistent #3 starter except for 2021 so to get ace value with 1 year of control left would be a good get, especially with the depth and upside of the rest of our rotation.

I like Cabrera's upside, he is a pretty risky acquisition. Hopefully if the Cubs do complete that deal he reverts to 2023/24 version of himself.

I've said this for a couple years and especially if we trade Freddy and get a young mlb ready starter, I would love an 8 man double barrel piggyback rotation. Each guy throws 50-75 pitches in 3-5 innings every 4th game. A 5 man bullpen covers and average of 2 innings a game and it would be easy to go back to a 5-6 man rotation if there are injuries. Woody/Zerpa or Ashby, Preister/Hall, Mis/Henderson, Patrick/Gasser or Myers would be a sweet set up to me.

The only reason you would do that is if there is a top end prospect/player that a team wouldn't give up for 1 year of Freddy. So if the team really want Jasson Dominguez and the Yanks wouldn't do Dominguez for Freddy but they would do Dominguez (and more) for Freddy and Megill. I would still agree with you not to give up both in that curricumstance and add a prospect or less integral player to unlock a higher end desired player.

I don't disagree with any of your selections however 5 lefties in the bullpen seems like to many. Also I think there is a pretty good chance we have a 6 man rotation most of the year. Usually a 5 man is only needed for the first couple weeks of the year but for a majority of the year and 6 man rotation is a good bet. It would also help keep innings down for Woody and Misi (maybe Henderson) unless they use piggybacks a bunch.

Agree, I would go for Alex Freeland, Mike Sirota, and Jackson Ferris just on principal if they want Freddy. Maybe have them throw in one of their pitchers coming off Tommy John just for good measure.

You are probably right on the value. However Jhoan Duran got Tait and Mick Abel with a half year of control more. Megill is a couple years older but does have 2 successful years closing. I guess the question is what is Dominguez's trade value. After an uneven year, it is a good bet he doesn't have top 10 prospect value. I would say he is maybe around top 15-25 prospect value. Jose Ferrer got Harry Ford a top 30-50 prospect, Megill is better but not as controllable so probably similar trade value if not slight edge to Megill. So in a similar value trade we would have to add whatever the value is from like the 30-50 prospect (Ford) to say the 20th prospect Dominguez rough estimate value.

I agree with the defense eval. I guess the question is about how much offense is the 10 to 15 runs saved on defense worth. If Ortiz hits like last year the extra bat is worth more playing time for Mone. As I said before, the job is Joey's but I do think if his bat struggles in spring (and Mone is good) at the very least there should be like a 60/40 time split. I just think it is closer than most of us have been assuming all offseason.

Going off my last post what would you all think about Trevor Megill for Jasson Dominguez? Dominguez will be 23 in a month, he isn't a very good OF but the but he probably has 20/30 or better upside and athletically could be a good fielder down the road. I think there is a high likelihood that they get Bellinger back and push Dominguez out. The Yanks do have Bednar and Doval with closing experience but both are iffy options. I do like the idea of getting a young potential superstar (top 10 prospect) who could be a great fit and we do have pieces to replace Megill.

I think the prevailing opinion is that the SS job is Ortiz's barring a big trade. I do agree Ortiz should be the leader for the job however I want to remind everyone that Mone should get a chance to steal the job in camp. Here are some things to think on. 1) His bat was way better at .270/.319/.437 109ops+ compared to Joey's .230/.276/.317 66ops+. Had Mone gotten 500 abs his pace would have been 36 2B, 16 HR, 8 sb with a 3+ WAR season (Ortiz 0.3). 2) While Joey plays gold glove level defense Mone was at least average and I dont recall a game he started actually costing us a game. Also if he can win the job Joey could always come into games in like the 7th as a defensive sub. Also most defensive metrics werent high on Ortiz's 1st half defense (even though the eye test said different). 3)Mone is hitting well in winter ball. This doesn't really mean a ton, however points to him being able to maintain success. 4)Age, Mone is only a year older and at 27 Ortiz isn't really a prospect who we can expect to rebound to the player we hoped would be a .300 hitter with stellar defense. However, if he could hit .250 Ortiz should still be a 3-4 WAR player.

Is there any prospects/young players who are blocked that could be interesting swap candidates for us? Possibly with incoming free agents signing or just in general. I would have really loved to get Harry Ford but understand that didn't make sense with Quero on board. Here are a couple of the top of my head. Spencer Jones/Jasson Dominguez. If they sign Bellinger or maybe Tucker they have Judge, Grisham, Belly so a trade is clear. Alex Freeland/most Dodger prospects Since they just buy free agents Freeland is kind of blocked. If they sign Bichette Freeland becomes very blocked. Samuel Basello/Adley Rutschman/Coby Mayo I wouldnt think Basello would be moved and I doubt Adley would as well. Mayo wouldnt be a great fit right now. Maybe getting in as a 3rd team however could work. JP Crawford This could be a bit like the Adames deal if Colt Emerson plays well and the M's sign a Suarez back at 3rd. I would think the Ms would try and keep Crawford but he could become an option at mid-season if Ortiz isn't looking better. Jett Williams/LuisAngel Acuna/Ronny Mauricio The Mets have an middle infield log jam that could be of interest that has been discussed here a bit.

We are already over last year's salary and we are just always needing to be salary concious. We will also have to add some players during the season. There have been reports that the team will likely need to shed some salary going into the season. I would love to not have to cut any money and still add. Peralta and Megill make the most sense to shed some money (maybe Vaughn if you have faith in Bauers last month). After that Ashby does make a little sense, especially with the value high end stuff contollable arms can get in value return. Add in some injury and regression concerns and it wouldnt be a terrible idea. As posted in my original post, I would prefer to keep Ashby and start him in an attempted to cash in on that upside.

Freddy, Megill, and 8 mill for 3 years is like 20 million. My thought would be that the Mets would extend Freddy right away. I doubt the Mets would in all reality add that money but it was a way to financially make Buxton fit into the salary. If need be maybe we would take off the cash portion and not have us receive Mauricio and get a lesser prospect.

1) Trade Freddy and Megill to NYM, we get Byron Buxton (24 million cash from NYM) and Ronny Mauricio, Twins get Brandon Sproat, Mark Vientos/Brett Baty, and Ryan Clifford We get the much needed bat and cash to make him affordable. The Mets get big time pitching with out giving up any big time prospects (sign Cody Bellinger). The Twins get 3 upside now guys with 2 power bats to offset Buxton. I would also have Mauricio learn 1B and some OF to be a super utility and platoon with Bauers (see trade 2). Yeli plays a couple days ago week in left to help keep Buxton healty. 2) Edward Cabrera for Andrew Vaughn, Luke Adams, Tate Kuehner, and Robert Gasser. This is a bit wonky but the Marlins get a 1B for this year and the future and 2 Marlins style upside arm. We get a top of the rotation arm and still have lots of 1B options for next year. This one really only works if you believe in Bauers at 1B. I think I do, he was really impressive the last month and playoffs get Mauricio and having Burke, Black, Fischer, and Wilken all close helps. 3) German Marquez, 1/2 with incentives and 2nd year team option. I am a big believer that he will have a Brad Keller style turnaround year in the bullpen. Overall we save some money, get much better offensively. We get more top of the rotation pitching control and have enough relief depth and quality to close games out. C: William Contreras ($11.10M) 1B: Bauers ($2M) 2B: Brice Turang ($4.40M) 3B: Caleb Durbin ($0.80M) SS: Joey Ortiz ($0.80M) LF: Buxton ($7.1M) CF: Chourio ($7.25M) RF: Sal Frelick ($0.80M) DH: Christian Yelich ($26.00M) OF: Blake Perkins ($0.80M) Utility: Andruw Monasterio ($0.80M) 1B/OF: Mauricio ($.8M) Backup C: Seigler/Quero ($0.8M) SP1: Cabrera ($3.7M) SP2: Brandon Woodruff ($22.00M) SP3: Jacob Misiorowski ($0.80M) SP4: Logan Henderson ($0.80M) SP5: Quinn Priester ($0.80M) RP: Marquez ($2M) RP: Abner Uribe ($0.80M) RP: Grant Anderson ($0.80M) RP: Jared Koenig ($0.80M) RP: Zerpa ($2M) RP: Aaron Ashby ($5.70M) RP: Myers ($0.80M) RP: Hall ($0.8M) Payroll is 8.48% under budget

If we do need to cut salary this year Ashby could make sense. He could bring back a decent return, his production from last year could be replaced, and we have depth. I personally would like to give him another chance to be a starter and further improve his value. If he can put it together his stuff is close to a young Clayton Kershaw. Obviously his control needs to take another step or two.

Especially when some of those guys who provided little to nothing are still paid multiple years. The Rendon and Bryant deals alone have completely derailed those to organizations for a decade. I get other mismanagement have contributed as well.

I think would likely take Freddy and Letson (or more) to get Duran. Then to get a young controllable starters like Bello would be like Megill, Pratt/Pena, and probably someone like Burke/JoshA/Meccage/JD Thompson/Knoth That is way to much for my blood.

I think Spencer Jones will be a lot like Adolis Garcia which is a passible mlb player but his strikouts will prohibit him from stardom. As a centerpiece for Freddy I would be OK with that but we should get Jones and more not us giving up more. Jones would be the Ortiz piece in a Burnes equivalent trade. Jo Adell wouldnt be the worst but I think last year was about as good as it gets and that was 1.3 WAR. After the 37 bombs there isn't a lot there. He is a least average in right but I wouldnt move Sal or Jackson off right for him so I would say he would need to play left which would be a bit of a mystery.