2019-2020 Offseason Discussion

[fish16]

But I'm not talking about if there is a condensed minor league season. (which I haven't even seen a suggested plan for anywhere at this time) I'm talking about a situation where the two options are. Your top 10 prospects don't play in live games at all for the entirety of 2020, or you get them to the majors to continue their development.

That would be a hell of a choice but i just dont see anyway that there is no minor league season whatsoever. i dont think each team will have 7 different levels obviously but just for injuries at the very least they would at least need 1-2 minor league squads per team playing.

[Nick]

That would be a hell of a choice but i just dont see anyway that there is no minor league season whatsoever. i dont think each team will have 7 different levels obviously but just for injuries at the very least they would at least need 1-2 minor league squads per team playing.

Well one of the suggestions I have heard to deal with potential injuries is a 50-man taxi squad.

- - - - - - - - - -

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/m...ry-discussion/

82-game regional schedule and universal DH
30-man active rosters with a 20-player taxi squad
14 teams in the postseason with games played in home cities in October
50/50 revenue split for players and owners

For all intents and purposes, MLB is proposing clubs have 50-man rosters in 2020 to help deal with the condensed schedule and limit injury risk. There will be 30 active players for each game with another 20 on what amounts to a taxi squad. It is extremely unlikely there will be a minor-league season in 2020 and a 20-man taxi squad is the best way to keep players ready and available as injury replacements and call-up options. Other minor leaguers could take part in what amounts to an extended spring training at each team's complex, though nothing is finalized on that front yet.

[tjfla]

Draft

Rd 1-June 10
Rd 2 thru 5-June 11

Start signing UDFA-June 13

[Lee Stone]

Thoughts about these extraordinary circumstances from a MLB perspective:

Will there be an adjusted season? Depends. What do owners see as their bottom line? How much money are they willing to lose? They need to figure that out and make a commensurate offer to MLPA. This is it. Take it or leave it. Revisit 2021 season plans next winter. If owners are willing to honor a pro-rated salary schedule if some of that salary is deferred, that may be a solution. However, adding that future debt will surely decrease future demand (and contract level) for free agents.

As I have suggested before, MLB does have an option that can restore baseball to the public eye and continue prospect development. What would prevent the league from running a special minor league season in lieu of a major league season? A single squad from each team could play at their spring training facility, a Cactus and Grapefruit league. 32-man rosters could be selected from any players in the organization that are not represented by the MLPA.

Why might this work?

There would be interest in TV coverage ... contracts could be negotiated. Young players would receive attention and earn a following. Cost would be controlled and some players could be put to work. No airline travel until playoffs. From a Marlin fan perspective, the minor league team would be far more interesting than the 2020 big league edition.

[tjfla]

Well one of the suggestions I have heard to deal with potential injuries is a 50-man taxi squad.

- - - - - - - - - -

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/m...ry-discussion/

Ya the "taxi squad" would be 20-25 guys likely AAA/AA guys. Injuries/trades/vets on it but pretty much the 40 man roster plus guys like Kemp/C/few RP

Something else I have heard is having a "Fall/Winter League" type of thing for prospects at ST complex. Instead of guys going home Sept-Dec they would pretty much play/workout then get off for Jan to March-pretty much instead of guys goin to Australia/Latin/AFL they stay here and play

- - - - - - - - - -

Thoughts about these extraordinary circumstances from a MLB perspective:

Will there be an adjusted season? Depends. What do owners see as their bottom line? How much money are they willing to lose? They need to figure that out and make a commensurate offer to MLPA. This is it. Take it or leave it. Revisit 2021 season plans next winter. If owners are willing to honor a pro-rated salary schedule if some of that salary is deferred, that may be a solution. However, adding that future debt will surely decrease future demand (and contract level) for free agents.

As I have suggested before, MLB does have an option that can restore baseball to the public eye and continue prospect development. What would prevent the league from running a special minor league season in lieu of a major league season? A single squad from each team could play at their spring training facility, a Cactus and Grapefruit league. 32-man rosters could be selected from any players in the organization that are not represented by the MLPA.

Why might this work?

There would be interest in TV coverage ... contracts could be negotiated. Young players would receive attention and earn a following. Cost would be controlled and some players could be put to work. No airline travel until playoffs. From a Marlin fan perspective, the minor league team would be far more interesting than the 2020 big league edition.

This is 1 idea they are discussing for the minors

A GCL/AZL league with 2 teams per team.

Example ONLY
Marlins Black-Upper Level Guys(AAA/AA/40 man)
Marlins Teal-Lower Level Guys(A/Rookie/Draft Picks)

OR
Marlins Black
Marlins Teal

Guys in system split up and assigned to a roster

[Lee Stone]

Saw this question on a fan q/a on Fangraphs yesterday. A Rays fan pointed out a need for a third baseman and wondered if TB might trade from excessive depth in minors. His trade thought: Vidal Brujan (2B) and Shane McLanahan (LHP) for Brian Anderson. That would make an interesting starting point.

Fangraphs top prospect evaluator Eric Longenhagen on Brujan:

3. Vidal Brujan, 2BVideo
Signed: July 2nd Period, 2014 from Dominican Republic (TBR)
Age 22.1 Height 5′ 9″ Weight 155 Bat / Thr S / R FV 55
Tool Grades (Present/Future)
Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
50/65 45/50 30/45 65/65 55/70 50/50
This is my favorite player in the minors, a top-of-the-scale athlete who is sneaky strong despite his height and one of the most electric, in-the-box rotators in all of the minor leagues. He split 2019 between Hi- and Double-A and his walk rate took a bit of a hit at those levels, but otherwise, his on-paper performance was strong, well above league averages (.277/.346/.389 with 48 bags in 61 attempts, and 28 extra-base hits in 100 games). His exit velo data is not great, but it was instructive to watch Brujan in the Fall League next to several other players with similar statistical and defensive profiles who aren’t nearly as athletic or as physically projectable as he is. There were lots of other narrowly built infielders of similar age who simply don’t have Brujan’s musculature (you can see his lats through his jersey) or explosiveness. I think there’s room for mass even though Brujan is short, and that he’ll continue to harness his hellacious cut, which, based on his contact rates, he already has abnormal control over. I watched Brujan swing so hard that he’d corkscrew himself to the ground, only to pop back up like a Russian folk dancer. There are scouts who think he can play shortstop, but I think the arm is a little light for that and that instead, he’ll be a plus-plus defender at second base or perhaps play a multi-positional, up-the-middle role. You have to bet on him growing into more pop to get there, but I think Brujan’s going to be a star.

Chisholm and Brujan as the keystone combo? wow

[Lee Stone]

fish16's Lewis Brinson comment got me thinking. Say we have an 82 game season, with no minor league seasons at all. Almost all our big prospects were meant to play at either AA or AAA this year. Instead of those guys having lost seasons, would it be better for us in the long run to let them develop at the big leagues? Obviously you have to take service time into consideration, but I have no idea how that's going to work at this point. Then you'd have to figure out what to do with guys like Aguilar, Joyce, Dickerson,Villar, Rojas, guys that were meant to bridge the gap to these prospects. Not to mention the starting pitching, who you could conceivably build an entire starting rotation with top pitching prospects at AA and AAA for us.

Interesting thought. Just like spring training, the guys we wanted to see get the at bats were Chisholm, Sanchez, L Diaz, and Harrison. It's a shame to bridge with mercenaries like those you mentioned.

Always wondered why trading of draft picks isn't allowed in MLB. Believe it or not, the sole reason is to prevent stupidity from becoming the rule of the day; to prevent smart organizations from taking even more advantage of the dumb. Article:

https://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/sch...n/1383197.html

Best solution to getting baseball played that I have read:

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stor...nded-playoffs/

[rmc523]

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...-per-game-fans


According to this article (based on a document from the comissioners' office to the union), we'll lose $126M this season without fans. That number is projected team earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, but not including distributions from MLB's national media contracts, based on an 82-game seasons with no fans in ballparks and players earning prorated shares of salaries.

[fish16]

did you guys see the different things the players would have to do to adhere to the rules MLB will be imposing? It's laughably ridiculous.

[rmc523]

did you guys see the different things the players would have to do to adhere to the rules MLB will be imposing? It's laughably ridiculous.

LIke what?

[Namaste]

Seems to be working just fine on South Korea

[fish16]

Seems to be working just fine on South Korea

again, you keep with the south korea comparison when their situation has not been handled even close to as poorly as we have. the only comparison to that situation is that both countries have baseball leagues. thats about it. The things that were proposed in jeff passans column recently were nothing close to what is being done there because they took care of their situation from the start and arent trying to start a baseball league back up while simultaneously playing catchup. No high fives, no first or third base coaches. players have to sit 6 feet apart from each other so some have to sit in the stands. each player has their own set of warm up balls. its comical.

[Namaste]

again, you keep with the south korea comparison when their situation has not been handled even close to as poorly as we have. the only comparison to that situation is that both countries have baseball leagues. thats about it. The things that were proposed in jeff passans column recently were nothing close to what is being done there because they took care of their situation from the start and arent trying to start a baseball league back up while simultaneously playing catchup. No high fives, no first or third base coaches. players have to sit 6 feet apart from each other so some have to sit in the stands. each player has their own set of warm up balls. its comical.

South Korea is playing baseball in baseball stadiums with a multitude of precautions being taken.


So, they’re doing what MLB is aiming to do.


Stop being obtuse

[tjfla]

NBA/MLB are having a hard time because of 1 thing.

PLAYERS!!!!

These guys are crying about not getting whole paid and having to stay in 5 star resorts. U would think people would love to play and get paid,walk to a 5 star resort u share with another team and relax rest of the day. These guys wanna go home,go out to clubs and all

NHL/NFL/MLS seem to be ready to restart. NHL players are ready to go they are just waiting to see how they can be fair to all teams and MLS is ready to move to Orlando and play games,live in hotels for a few months. NFL players are loving it-NO practice just go to zoom meetings show up on Friday play the game

MLB was ready to do the AZ/FL leagues this year but players cried about having to take buses and stay in hotels in Dunedin and North Port

[fauowls44]

I don’t know why you are lumping the NBA in with MLB. As far as I can tell, MLB is the only league right now arguing (at least publicly) about the money aspect of returning. The most powerful NBA players all are saying they want to play...in fact almost to a man, basketball players are saying they want to return in a safe way. Just listen to the podcast with Woj and Jeff Passan about the differences between the 2 sports and the relationships between the league and the unions. The trust levels couldn’t be more different.

I find it hard to believe that all of these leagues don’t come back...it’ll probably just take until this gets closer to June for talks to really pick up. Once one major league decides it’s safe to open up, the rest will follow. So the next 2 weeks will be very telling.