MLB OFF-SEASON HOT STOVE THREAD

Cole has made it pretty clear he wants to play on the left coast. I think he will end up in SF.

Didi needs to go. He has zero plate discipline. I suspect German will be gone as Grey went. I doubt Chapman will opt out in the existing market.

I think they will go after one of the Mets pitchers although again Cashman or the Steinbrenners have been unwilling to put the money to do so in the past.

Also fire the strength/conditioning coach!

Concur on most of these Kaybli. But I'm not sure a one-year deal gets it done with Betances. He is going into his age 32 season (hard to believe) coming off of a year where he threw only eight pitches and sustained two serious injuries. He does not have a history of amicable relations with the Yankees front office, plus there was the issue of them not telling him about bone spurs or whatever it was (such a textbook of medical ailments with this team that I can't keep track of them.)

He is a high-risk choice at this point. If he is actually willing to take a modest one-year deal with the Yanks, that's great. But my guess is there will be several teams willing to offer attractive multi-year deals, even if it is a roll of the dice.

Gardner is a tough one. I don't think many of us foresaw him having the kind of year he did. I figured he was washed up and the Yankees were being generous to have him come back for a swan song.

Maybe the roster expansion to 26 next year makes it possible to bring him back. But I won't complain if the Yankees decide they need someone younger out there.

I didn’t think I was ready for this today but I agree with a lot of what you said.

I would let Didi walk and wouldn’t risk the QO to get the draft pick. I love the guy but he is a luxury we can’t afford if we stay under the luxury tax limit and we need to spend on the rotation. I think Urshela and Wade can step up.

I let Edwin walk. $20m is a lot for a guy who is older, can’t stay healthy and didn’t show up when it counted the most. He was fun but move on.

I really hope Chapman opts out. You guys know I never wanted him, talent aside. They have a lot of depth in the pen. He isn’t that much better than the rest of their arms to warrant his pay and he would go a long way towards funding payroll for Cole. This is a no brainer if he opts out. If he doesn’t they should try to trade him and they should tell him that to induce him to opt out.

Betances - I would offer him a multi year deal. He will cost less than Britton and Chapman and would protect against the loss of Chapman. If they keep him they arguably don’t need to sign a FA closer.

If Gardner wants to come back on the same terms I think that’s smart. He was very capable this year and he’s a leader. His ABs last night were tough and gritty. He’s not done and he was cheap this year.

I like Maybin a lot and would take him back on the same kind of deal Gardner was on but he will get a better offer and they should let him take it. Tauchman showed he was ready and solid in all phases of the game.

Romine will get a multi year deal from someone and they should let him take it. He’s been a great backup but his time is up. I don’t believe in Higgy as a full time major leaguer but I would go with him and sign a veteran at SWB as insurance.

I do think Cashman will make other moves some which will surprise us.

Stanton has a no trade clause and with this lost season he probably does now have a reputation as being injury prone. The narrative around his availability or lack thereof this October is enigmatic and will eventually come out. I don’t think it will look good even if he really was giving it his all. Things like he can’t play because they had a late flight so they were worried about his quad, that’s not a good look. So while he does have a no trade clause and probably doesn’t want to be moved I wonder if he might agree to waive it discretely for a move to the right team where he can be more comfortable, less is expected of him, etc. I don’t put this at a high probability but I think it is possible.

I think Frazier’s done here. He can’t field at all. He’s a DH who hasn’t actually proven he can sustain as a hitter at the major league level. They won’t get much for him but that’s ok. Clear the roster spot.

People will inquire on Miggy Andujar. I would not want them to deal him. I think he’s likely a future LF/DH/1B but the kid can legitimately rake. He and Gleyber are buds. Build this team around them. I would keep Gio at 3rd because of his glove and hit tool and convert Miggy to LF.

Ford really surprised this year. They have a roster decision with him. He’s a big guy, not a good fielder and won’t age well but right now he can hit. And with Didi leaving they will be very right handed. I think you find a way to keep him and let Miggy/Voit/Ford be your DH rotation (Stanton as well if he stays).

I debated this all season and I am usually the one who strongly disagrees with the “back the truck up for [_____] narrative as happened last winter with Machado and Harper but they should go all in on Cole. He is a difference maker and showed it this season. He’s not old. He’s built like a horse and they have every reason to expect him to be durable. To me he is what CC was when they first signed him and that turned out great. This is different than Corbin, Machado, Harper, etc to me. He’s a legitimately great player who fills a position of need at a time when this roster is in a unique window of opportunity.

GF - IF Stanton stays???? Isn't his opt out next off season

I can't see Stanton or Chapman getting better offers than their existing contract. We will be really lucky if they do.
I continue to feel we can not win a WS with this weak a group of starting pitchers. I hope the Yankee front office finally agrees.

Ellsbury is going to come back and have a HOF season. Either that or go with Pavano on a Womack organized barnstorming tour of the importance of being uninjured in your major league tour....

We are going to get a new MRI machine for sure. Tired of all the old injuries.