Around Baseball 2025

[BTS]

Looking more and more like Felix will eventually get into the HoF. And that should make Chris Sale a slam dunk, and possibly open the door for deGrom, Cole, and Wheeler if they can put a few more good seasons on the board, 

 

[G-Snarls]

A's keep locking up their good young players

 

Tyler Soderstrom 7 years, $86MM

Brent Rooker 5 years $60 MM plus vesting options

Lawrence Butler 7 years $65.5MM 

 

Kurtz next??

[jaysblue]

4 hours ago, BTS said:

Looking more and more like Felix will eventually get into the HoF. And that should make Chris Sale a slam dunk, and possibly open the door for deGrom, Cole, and Wheeler if they can put a few more good seasons on the board, 

 

I think Felix deserves it. He dominated at such a young age and also for a stretch from 2009 - 2014 was one of the best starters in baseball. Sad his career derailed at the age of 29/30. As a young fan at the time, Felix was one of my favourites. 

Sale I think is a lock for the Hall. Like you said, if deGrom, Wheeler and Cole could string together a couple more good seasons (3-4 WAR seasons), they should get stronger consideration. 

[jaysblue]

2 hours ago, G-Snarls said:

A's keep locking up their good young players

 

Tyler Soderstrom 7 years, $86MM

Brent Rooker 5 years $60 MM plus vesting options

Lawrence Butler 7 years $65.5MM 

 

Kurtz next??

Kurtz for sure. Shae maybe as well. 

Love that the A's are locking up some core players. They're not fooling around when they move to Vegas. They definitely want to contend right from the start. 

[Sorrow]

I think Hernandez should be in the HoF and I think Sale is a shoe in as well. Wouldn’t surprise me if Cole gets there.  I don’t think Wheeler or DeGrom make it.

[Spanky__99]

29 minutes ago, jaysblue said:

Kurtz for sure. Shae maybe as well. 

Love that the A's are locking up some core players. They're not fooling around when they move to Vegas. They definitely want to contend right from the start. 

Nice trade you made for your boy Eloy, lmao...

[BTS]

30 minutes ago, Sorrow said:

I think Hernandez should be in the HoF and I think Sale is a shoe in as well. Wouldn’t surprise me if Cole gets there.  I don’t think Wheeler or DeGrom make it.

I know I'm in the minority, but if I had a vote and deGrom retired today, I'd vote for him. His peak from 2018 until he got hurt in 2021 was the best I've ever seen as fan. Two Cy Youngs, and an ERA under 2.6 over 248 starts is just insane to me. He's dominated like a HoF reliever on a per inning basis, and done it over 1500+ innings. 

I'm hoping he can stay healthy enough to pitch some more full seasons late in his career. If he gets to 2000 IP hell breeze past 2000 Ks and 50 fWAR, and I think that would get him in eventually. If he blows out his arm tomorrow, I think he doesn't get in. 

[L54]

26 minutes ago, BTS said:

I know I'm in the minority, but if I had a vote and deGrom retired today, I'd vote for him. His peak from 2018 until he got hurt in 2021 was the best I've ever seen as fan. Two Cy Youngs, and an ERA under 2.6 over 248 starts is just insane to me. He's dominated like a HoF reliever on a per inning basis, and done it over 1500+ innings. 

I'm hoping he can stay healthy enough to pitch some more full seasons late in his career. If he gets to 2000 IP hell breeze past 2000 Ks and 50 fWAR, and I think that would get him in eventually. If he blows out his arm tomorrow, I think he doesn't get in. 

Tiny Kenny Ken was talking about his own personal criteria when justifying whether or not guys are HOF worthy. He said how important peak and sustained dominance are for him …. But went on to acknowledge that he will likely have to shift that thinking because we are exiting the era where these starters are all throwing 220 innings + for years and years 

 

[John_Havok]

On 12/28/2025 at 6:58 PM, jaysblue said:

Only downside is that it's not close to downtown Atlanta or the airport, so it's a bit of a commute. My recommendation for a baseball trip would be to stay at a hotel in the Battery or nearby. 

The Battery is a very cool and vibrant area before and after the game. A lot of great bars and restaurants, which is what really stood out to me. Truist Park as a whole - not sure it would be in my Top 5 but I would say Top 10 out of the parks I've been to so far. Haven't been to Baltimore, St. Louis or Pittsburgh yet, so maybe visits to those ballparks change things. 

Right now my Top 5 (in no particular order): 

Petco Park

Oracle Park

Coors Field

Wrigley Field

Fenway Park

 

 

I hated Fenway with a passion. The park itself just kinda sux to watch a game in, unless youre really into the history of the park itself. s***** wrought iron seats that arent even turned towards the action properly, massive pillars the block views, the stench of urine was real..... I concede  watching a game from the monster seats would probably be way better. 

What saved it for me was the absolute 10/10 experience outside the park before and after the game. The neighborhood and all the places to eat and drink around the park were phenomenal.

I've been to Oracle as well, though it was AT&T park way back when I was there. It was kinda the opposite of Fenway. Extremely excellent in-game experience, incredible views all around the park, but nowhere near the same level of excellence outside the park. It was good mind you, but not close to Yawkey Way

 

 

[jaysblue]

16 hours ago, Sorrow said:

I think Hernandez should be in the HoF and I think Sale is a shoe in as well. Wouldn’t surprise me if Cole gets there.  I don’t think Wheeler or DeGrom make it.

I expect Cole to get there with a couple more 3-4 WAR seasons. He likely could get close to 60 WAR if he stays healthy.

If Wheeler comes back healthy and not having lost a beat, he should be able to get there. He's at 41.2 WAR right now, so he's a little further than Cole and deGrom. 

I think if deGrom finishes in the mid-50's for WAR, he should be good. If deGrom does what he did this past season for another 2-3 year more years, that gets him to the mid-50's.

I think the mid-50's for all these guys is the benchmark. 

[JaysForever]

 

7 man starting rotaton here we come.

 

[G-Snarls]

The Angels and Anthony Rendon have agreed to a restructured version of his contract that will defer the $38MM he is still owed for the next three to five seasons, reports Sam Blum of The Athletic. Rendon will not return to the team. His tenure with the Angels is over.

[Brownie19]

I don't think Felix should get in the HOF.  If he does.  Wright needs to as well.

[Sasky05]

11 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

I don't think Felix should get in the HOF.

I agree!

[L54]

2 hours ago, JaysForever said:

 

7 man starting rotaton here we come.

 

Imai ending up with the White Sox would be hilarious 

[glory]

3 hours ago, JaysForever said:

 

7 man starting rotaton here we come.

 

Big market/payroll teams are not spending much this winter aside from the Jays who jumped the market on Cease. Not sure if this is strategic with the CBA ending next December and the owners wanting a salary cap, or whether the players are simply asking for more than they are worth. Maybe a little of both.

Imai not getting much interest (allegedly) is surprising. 

[JaysForever]

If Imai does not get the offer he wants, is there is any benefit for him to take a one year deal to prove himself?

[L54]

6 hours ago, JaysForever said:

If Imai does not get the offer he wants, is there is any benefit for him to take a one year deal to prove himself?

According to grok he would’ve made a little over a million dollars last year not including endorsements. So say even if the floor was 1/15M he’d be crazy not to take it, if like you said he doesn't like the offers and wants to bet on himself. 

[Spanky__99]

Mahle signs 1 year deal with the Giants...
 

 

[harvey16]

Seems crazy as we end the year, still so many top tier free agents on the board. I'm surprised both Bichette and Tucker still haven't signed. I wonder if it's a case of crazy demands or owners scared to lock players into long term contracts with the expiring CBA and high likelihood of some type of salary cap system looming.

[Spanky__99]

3 hours ago, harvey16 said:

Seems crazy as we end the year, still so many top tier free agents on the board. I'm surprised both Bichette and Tucker still haven't signed. I wonder if it's a case of crazy demands or owners scared to lock players into long term contracts with the expiring CBA and high likelihood of some type of salary cap system looming.

Bid War.

 

[Jays24]

Always shocks me to see how long it takes for "bidding wars" to begin for the top players in free agency.  Like youd think every team would give their top offer at the start in fear of missing out but nope lol

[Spanky__99]

8 minutes ago, Jays24 said:

Always shocks me to see how long it takes for "bidding wars" to begin for the top players in free agency.  Like youd think every team would give their top offer at the start in fear of missing out but nope lol

I don't think so, they send a solid deal they think gets it done, and wait. Teams narrow then the Chess begins.

[rydermike]

13 hours ago, Jays24 said:

Always shocks me to see how long it takes for "bidding wars" to begin for the top players in free agency.  Like youd think every team would give their top offer at the start in fear of missing out but nope lol

Especially compared to the NHL, where 90% sign on day 1 of free agency. With baseball only having 1 spot per position(compared to NHL where you have multiple lines), you'd expect baseball to be the one to have rush signings so players guarantee their spot. 

[itaos]