2023 Game Thread

[Nick]

Can't sign guys this old for what he'd command. Maybe they stick around a year or two, but look at Jose Abreu. He's the worst player in the league.

He’s signed through 2024.

[Nick]

Westburg is skeptical defensively, and would profile as a 2B if that. Gunnar has effectively become their every day 3B already and Jackson Holliday looks amazing and on the "call up at 20 years old" fast track with what he is doing. Not sure he is the fit.

I like the idea of signing a pretty notable SP and trading two of them, probably Rogers (arbitration eligible) and best deal of Cabrera/Meyer/Eder for two major bats. As said above, add in some cheap guys (Hoskins? Cooper? Soler? Rosario? I guess Grandal?) and its a quick turnover of the lineup.

So you’ve read his FanGraphs profile! He’s been playing mostly SS/3B this year so the Orioles must not agree with FG’s take.

[lou]

So you’ve read his FanGraphs profile! He’s been playing mostly SS/3B this year so the Orioles must not agree with FG’s take.

And Anthony Volpe looks pretty good at SS in a SSS so far despite everyone pegging him for 2B. And then these guys get a year or two older and move to where they are expected to land in most circumstances. Jazz was a SS too. Not there anymore and was never even given a chance TBH. Cappe is a SS, so I guess the Marlins don't agree everyone imagines him at 3B? They played Bleday in CF for christ sakes. You know this. Why wouldn't the Orioles challenge him and see if he can handle it? Regardless, Westburg could settle in and be the team's 2B easily. Segura bridges to presumably Cappe with Groshans maybe finding his power stroke, and maybe Nasim+Amaya becomes a RHP/LHP platoon. You can see that happening with them then spending on a catcher, another OF to replace the loser of DLC/Sanchez/Garcia and DH when Soler is inevitably traded with what he is doing, etc. Not sure why this one is chippy. I'd love the guy, it's a great idea if they would move him (he's probably their 2B of the future right now), I was merely just commenting he's probably not a 3B.

[Nick]

And Anthony Volpe looks pretty good at SS in a SSS so far despite everyone pegging him for 2B. And then these guys get a year or two older and move to where they are expected to land in most circumstances. Jazz was a SS too. Not there anymore and was never even given a chance TBH. Cappe is a SS, so I guess the Marlins don't agree everyone imagines him at 3B? They played Bleday in CF for christ sakes. You know this. Why wouldn't the Orioles challenge him and see if he can handle it? Regardless, Westburg could settle in and be the team's 2B easily. Segura bridges to presumably Cappe with Groshans maybe finding his power stroke, and maybe Nasim+Amaya becomes a RHP/LHP platoon. You can see that happening with them then spending on a catcher, another OF to replace the loser of DLC/Sanchez/Garcia and DH when Soler is inevitably traded with what he is doing, etc. Not sure why this one is chippy. I'd love the guy, it's a great idea if they would move him (he's probably their 2B of the future right now), I was merely just commenting he's probably not a 3B.

If we were talking strictly about SS then I’d agree with you, but what reason would they have to play him at 3B over 2B in AAA when they have freaking Gunnar Henderson playing 3B at the big leagues?

[lou]

If we were talking strictly about SS then I’d agree with you, but what reason would they have to play him at 3B over 2B in AAA when they have freaking Gunnar Henderson playing 3B at the big leagues?

Player development, see what you have. Get tape if you want to sell someone like the Marlins he can play SS/3B. They another FV50ish guy with Joey Ortiz who is a better defender and was really hitting in AAA, so I am imagining Gunnar-Holliday-Ortiz is their infield, with presumably Urias their super backup and maybe Mateo is actually good. That's a really nice longterm depth chart and they can likely deploy that in April next year. I think Holliday is a super duper star and going to break as early as Eury with what he is doing. They have another good prospect (Norby) who looks to be able to dabble in the IF if he makes it as an OF.

I think you are spot on he's a great trade target as Westburg is probably going to end up as a 1B/LF/DH for them, and maybe just a DH as they have multiple OF (Mayo, Kjerstad, Cowser, Beavers, and of course Mullins and Hays). They are as bat rich as the Marlins are arm rich, so it would be really fun if the Marlins got Westburg and Kjerstad and throw-ins (Basallo perfect) as you mentioned, and jack them up with say Rogers, send back Scott, and Eder at the deadline if they stay in contention. They can spend money on FA right handers next year basically getting all the play now lefties from Miami. Westburg and Kjerstad would be great to open up a Hoskins/Cooper, Rosario, and veteran catcher FA not breaking the bank, and maybe they'd impress us signing another SP to trade a third major one (Fulton for a young catcher, etc.)?

I think Minnesota works too. Mahle is done, so they could use a SP at the deadline. Royce Lewis is screaming to me as a top idea.

[Nick]

Player development, see what you have. Get tape if you want to sell someone like the Marlins he can play SS/3B. They another FV50ish guy with Joey Ortiz who is a better defender and was really hitting in AAA, so I am imagining Gunnar-Holliday-Ortiz is their infield, with presumably Urias their super backup and maybe Mateo is actually good. That's a really nice longterm depth chart and they can likely deploy that in April next year. I think Holliday is a super duper star and going to break as early as Eury with what he is doing. They have another good prospect (Norby) who looks to be able to dabble in the IF if he makes it as an OF.

I think you are spot on he's a great trade target as Westburg is probably going to end up as a 1B/LF/DH for them, and maybe just a DH as they have multiple OF (Mayo, Kjerstad, Cowser, Beavers, and of course Mullins and Hays). They are as bat rich as the Marlins are arm rich, so it would be really fun if the Marlins got Westburg and Kjerstad and throw-ins (Basallo perfect) as you mentioned, and jack them up with say Rogers, send back Scott, and Eder at the deadline if they stay in contention. They can spend money on FA right handers next year basically getting all the play now lefties from Miami. Westburg and Kjerstad would be great to open up a Hoskins/Cooper, Rosario, and veteran catcher FA not breaking the bank, and maybe they'd impress us signing another SP to trade a third major one (Fulton for a young catcher, etc.)?

I think Minnesota works too. Mahle is done, so they could use a SP at the deadline. Royce Lewis is screaming to me as a top idea.

As a secondary piece to Lewis,I know his minor league numbers are lackluster, but I'd still take a shot on Austin Martin, he could be an answer at 3rd base.

[Nick]

Rogers, Eder and Scott

for

Lewis, Martin and Matt Wallner

[lou]

As a secondary piece to Lewis,I know his minor league numbers are lackluster, but I'd still take a shot on Austin Martin, he could be an answer at 3rd base.

They aren't Baltimore, but they have a lot of stuff right now. I agree 100% with Martin as a second guy for sure.

Vazquez, Jeffers
Kiriloff (I think he is going to be very good)
Polanco, Gordon <---- Julien coming
Correa
Miranda, Farmer (I think Miranda will be fine) < --- Brooks Lee coming. Sigh.
Gallo, Larnach <--- Wallner coming
Buxton, Taylor
Kepler

And they have some other FV40+ guys (E. Rodriguez, maybe old friend Salas, etc.) and expiring contracts to get a veteran. They could have an internal turnover to this with money for luxury upgrades very quickly:

Vazquez, Jeffers
Kiriloff, Miranda
Julien, Gordon
Correa
B. Lee, Farmer
Wallner
Buxton, E. Rodriguez
Larnach

So yes, I agree. Lewis + Martin could be a nice move for everyone here if the Marlins jack up their staff so future money goes to upgrading presumably another OF (as Rodriguez isn't a sure thing) to let Buxton DH as much as possible for them. This is all of course assuming Marlins fall out and Twins are close. Twins can live with this for the right arms. It's probably Rogers, Floro/Scott, and a third OK enough guy for Lewis and Martin.

[lou]

Rogers, Eder and Scott

for

Lewis, Martin and Matt Wallner

Didn't see this while typing, but do that yesterday and throw in Soriano/Simpson to boot. It's probably Hoskins/Cooper in FA on top of that next year, and sign a good FA SP and trade Fulton for a comparable catcher.

Catcher for Fulton, Fortes
Arraez, Hoskins/Cooper
A. Martin, Edwards
R. Lewis
Segura, Berti
DLC, Wallner
Jazz
Sanchez

Sandy, Luzardo, Eury, FA SP, Cueto, Cabrera, Garrett
Meyer, Chargois, Bender, Enright/Sixto
Puk, Nardi

That's super interesting with Cappe and Berry coming, and maybe Watson is turning it around. SP is a little thinned out in the minors, but I see 8-9 SP at the MLB level who can be stretched out. Plus I'll throw the bone - Monteverde. Maybe Miller starts looking good too for turnover.

[Nick]

Would the Royals ever part with Salvador Perez?

[lou]

Would the Royals ever part with Salvador Perez?

$44 million 2024 and 2025. Turns 34 next May. I find that one difficult

Pirates have two - Endy Rodriguez and Henry Davis. Of course Endy can play in the field and why not have two high upside catchers. But Eder may be very close in value to them if he comes back strong. Maybe Meyer too. Throw in a good second and third player, which could even be Mack + Fulton (and take back another FV40 arm), and something like that may make a lot of sense for everybody. Dodgers do have Will Smith also and Cartaya seems like a massive trade chip if they need something explosive in July. Rogers, Soler, Floro, and Mack would be pretty enticing I would imagine, etc., with the Marlins getting some low level guys to balance the numbers.

[rmc523]

Player development, see what you have. Get tape if you want to sell someone like the Marlins he can play SS/3B. They another FV50ish guy with Joey Ortiz who is a better defender and was really hitting in AAA, so I am imagining Gunnar-Holliday-Ortiz is their infield, with presumably Urias their super backup and maybe Mateo is actually good. That's a really nice longterm depth chart and they can likely deploy that in April next year. I think Holliday is a super duper star and going to break as early as Eury with what he is doing. They have another good prospect (Norby) who looks to be able to dabble in the IF if he makes it as an OF.

I think you are spot on he's a great trade target as Westburg is probably going to end up as a 1B/LF/DH for them, and maybe just a DH as they have multiple OF (Mayo, Kjerstad, Cowser, Beavers, and of course Mullins and Hays). They are as bat rich as the Marlins are arm rich, so it would be really fun if the Marlins got Westburg and Kjerstad and throw-ins (Basallo perfect) as you mentioned, and jack them up with say Rogers, send back Scott, and Eder at the deadline if they stay in contention. They can spend money on FA right handers next year basically getting all the play now lefties from Miami. Westburg and Kjerstad would be great to open up a Hoskins/Cooper, Rosario, and veteran catcher FA not breaking the bank, and maybe they'd impress us signing another SP to trade a third major one (Fulton for a young catcher, etc.)?

I think Minnesota works too. Mahle is done, so they could use a SP at the deadline. Royce Lewis is screaming to me as a top idea.

I just have no confidence they're going to spend on people in FA to make it a complete plan. They'll do trades and then just stop without making the other moves that need to go in conjunction with it.

[rmc523]

Would the Royals ever part with Salvador Perez?

I think he's said he wants to be a Royal, and he has the ability to decline trades.

[Nick]

$44 million 2024 and 2025. Turns 34 next May. I find that one difficult

Pirates have two - Endy Rodriguez and Henry Davis. Of course Endy can play in the field and why not have two high upside catchers. But Eder may be very close in value to them if he comes back strong. Maybe Meyer too. Throw in a good second and third player, which could even be Mack + Fulton (and take back another FV40 arm), and something like that may make a lot of sense for everybody. Dodgers do have Will Smith also and Cartaya seems like a massive trade chip if they need something explosive in July. Rogers, Soler, Floro, and Mack would be pretty enticing I would imagine, etc., with the Marlins getting some low level guys to balance the numbers.

To MIA - Perez

To KC - Garcia
Fulton
Cappe
Evan Fitterer

[Nick]

I think he's said he wants to be a Royal, and he has the ability to decline trades.

I just looked it up apparently 10 years in the league and more than 5 with one team gives you a full no-trade clause. Never knew that. Probably because that would never be remotely possible to happen with the Marlins.