Around Baseball 2024

[Terminator]

We need the Giants to sign Matt Chapman then we can trade Espinal and some change for JD Davis.

 

His defense is wild because DRS hates him, UZR thinks he's average and OAA thinks he's really good. But his salary isn't going to be that bad (6.5 or 6.9 in arb) so he could play 3B, IKF can be UT and we'd still have enough money to sign one of the good DHs.

[wamco]

Guys “the Cuban” has a name. I’m just not sure how to pronounce it.

 

But I know if he sucks we can call him “Y-rod”

[deanmike]

AAV will be 8M because that’s how it’s calculated for luxury tax purposes

 

I haven’t crunched any numbers but I agree with what you’re saying - they have room to add one of the good DH bats and that’s about it. And that’s what Atkins said basically

 

True forgot about that aspect, so the safe assumption is 18M left to spend then (less when factoring in wiggle room Shatkins will leave) because Vlad probably wins his arb case or gets a Bo-type arb avoidance contract.

 

The different tax thresholds are explained well on this webpage: https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/competitive-balance-tax

[deanmike]

You are only taxed on the overages so if they are barely over the tax threshold it barely matters. 20, 30, and 50 percent taxes on being 5 mil over isn't that big of a deal. I agree that they are unlikely to ever eclipse the next threshold.

 

My assumption has the Jays with 19.999999M in overages, just remaining under the 2nd threshold.

[deanmike]

Well, at least it will be a good DH + this Cuban wildcard rather than just a DH

 

Let's not pretend that the widely held assumption wasn't that Atkins was bluffing/posturing and that there was no way he would only add 1 more BAT. The closer to 1 than 3 comment was clearly referring to bats not pieces in general. No one has been asking him about pitching in these offseason pressers.

 

Not that I disagree with adding pitching depth that's never a bad thing.

[BTS]

 

Looks like they had sex when she was 14 and he was 21

[BTS]

[Jays24]

 

Crazy... Houston just got a lot stronger

[Eat My Shatkins]

The allure of having a big name closer, but $19 million per year for 0.9 projected fWAR and a career high of 2.6 fWAR?

 

Probably better ways to utilize that money if we're being honest.

[Laika]

The allure of having a big name closer, but $19 million per year for 0.9 projected fWAR and a career high of 2.6 fWAR?

 

Probably better ways to utilize that money if we're being honest.

 

Not sure teams look so much at WAR when it comes to elite closers

 

It becomes more about leveraged value and possible playoff impact

[BTS]

I wonder how Pressly feels about being bumped down the depth chart after 3 years as an effective closer for them

[Eat My Shatkins]

Not sure teams look so much at WAR when it comes to elite closers

 

It becomes more about leveraged value and possible playoff impact

 

Yeah for sure. I do love that idea of an on paper lights out back end of the bullpen. Always feel like you just have to get to the the inning wit the lead and the game is yours.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Abreu, Pressly, Hader

 

Dayum

[Jonn]

 

Worth every penny.

 

He doesn’t even need to be the closer he can come in any situation and shut it down. Pressly can continue to be the save merchant.

[The Cats Ass]

RPs just seems to be so volatile. I wonder what the success rate is in these high valued closer contracts.

[z3r0s]

 

Looks like they had sex when she was 14 and he was 21

 

gross. Welp, he's done. To the wood chipper with him please!

[Carlos Danger]

Worth every penny.

 

He doesn’t even need to be the closer he can come in any situation and shut it down. Pressly can continue to be the save merchant.

 

Hader is a bit of a Diva and only likes pitching the 9th with no one on base. He really dislikes and is opposed to coming in, in the 8th or to get 4 outs with runners on base in the 8th...

[Terminator]

RPs just seems to be so volatile. I wonder what the success rate is in these high valued closer contracts.

 

Yeah a lot can happen with relievers in 5 years. Astros really needed the bullpen help and they can afford it but this would make me nervous.

[Terminator]

Hader is a bit of a Diva and only likes pitching the 9th with no one on base. He really dislikes and is opposed to coming in, in the 8th or to get 4 outs with runners on base in the 8th...

 

Yeah I read that any team that signs him would basically have to stipulate on using him that way.

[glory]

AAV will be 8M because that’s how it’s calculated for luxury tax purposes

 

I haven’t crunched any numbers but I agree with what you’re saying - they have room to add one of the good DH bats and that’s about it. And that’s what Atkins said basically

 

It appears that way. I guess another option is to use Horowitz at DH and sign Chapman if he's accepting a reduced rate, but I don't think they go that route. If Joc prefers playing on the West Coast as it was speculated in the Rosenthal article, then that really leaves Soler as the option.

[Jimcanuck]

With some creativity on term and how the $$ gets paid out, Jays can sign a couple of bats.

[Jays24]

With Hadar's track record, he's allowed to have some "diva" in him. We've all seen how Romano looks in save situations vs other situations... some guys are just wired a certain way and better for them to be upfront on what they best thrive at.

[L54]

 

Looks like they had sex when she was 14 and he was 21

 

Just cultural differences that we wouldn’t understand between a 14 year old mamacita and a young man who was aged only three years out of high school

[L54]

It appears that way. I guess another option is to use Horowitz at DH and sign Chapman if he's accepting a reduced rate, but I don't think they go that route. If Joc prefers playing on the West Coast as it was speculated in the Rosenthal article, then that really leaves Soler as the option.

 

Could do that too that’s true

[L54]

I would imagine the Astros discussed usage with Hader and obviously were fine with whatever was said one way or the other

[RustyTrombone]

Pretty sure I read that Hader was only doing that ******** about not pitching 3 days in a row and only pitching 1 inning at a time cause he didnt want to get hurt going into free agency and that after he signed with whoever he was gonna be open to being used however they needed him.

[G-Snarls]

Pretty sure I read that Hader was only doing that ******** about not pitching 3 days in a row and only pitching 1 inning at a time cause he didnt want to get hurt going into free agency and that after he signed with whoever he was gonna be open to being used however they needed him.

 

Yeah

 

I'm sure he and the Astros talked all this over before he signed

[Spanky__99]

Pretty sure I read that Hader was only doing that ******** about not pitching 3 days in a row and only pitching 1 inning at a time cause he didnt want to get hurt going into free agency and that after he signed with whoever he was gonna be open to being used however they needed him.

 

Exactly what he said.

[connorp]

The allure of having a big name closer, but $19 million per year for 0.9 projected fWAR and a career high of 2.6 fWAR?

 

Probably better ways to utilize that money if we're being honest.

 

An example of misusing WAR to determine market value. They’re increasing their chances of post-season success. Like a cherry on top. We got IKF though, so joke is on them.

[Spanky__99]

I think I read the other day that if the Stros' were to sign Hader it'd mark the first time they've went over the tax threshold, that's wild considering all their success. Dude had a 2.6 RA9-WAR last season, lol. He is worth every penny.