Around Baseball 2025

[Brownie19]

4 hours ago, jaysblue said:

How is it strange? That's what you call a great challenge trade.

Both teams swapped players who were 30+ on big contracts, hoping maybe a change of scenery gives either an extra boost. 

Never thought of it, but Berrios for Semien would have been good and could have made sense haha. 

Wouldn't the idea be to dump Berrios to free up money to sign a better starter, like Bassitt?

ie, if Bassitt is going to cost 1 year $15M (or say 2 years/$26M), then you could trade Berrios + $7M AAV (and maybe a middling prospect) for a lottery ticket and theoretically improve the team (if you believe Bassitt is a clear upgrade over Berrios).

I'm not sure Semien is a good fit for the Jays.  He's more of a last resort to replace Bo.  I don't want to have to pay him and have to fill a rotation spot.

The Semien/Nimmo trade is interesting.  Both have been great players, but both are declining.  Nimmo is more likely to be productive for a couple more years, but he's also on a longer and more expensive deal.  You might see a deadcat bounce from both, or neither.  It will be interesting to see it play out.

[Jays24]

Very rare that you get a good player for good player type of trade.  Wish we got them more tbh.  

[Spanky__99]

Just now, Jays24 said:

Very rare that you get a good player for good player type of trade.  Wish we got them more tbh.  

Until you don't like it and cry on your huge pillow, with that huge heaad! 😅

[Jays24]

1 minute ago, Spanky__99 said:

Until you don't like it and cry on your huge pillow, with that huge heaad! 😅

Was this really necessary? Lol

[jaysblue]

5 hours ago, Brownie19 said:

Wouldn't the idea be to dump Berrios to free up money to sign a better starter, like Bassitt?

ie, if Bassitt is going to cost 1 year $15M (or say 2 years/$26M), then you could trade Berrios + $7M AAV (and maybe a middling prospect) for a lottery ticket and theoretically improve the team (if you believe Bassitt is a clear upgrade over Berrios).

I'm not sure Semien is a good fit for the Jays.  He's more of a last resort to replace Bo.  I don't want to have to pay him and have to fill a rotation spot.

The Semien/Nimmo trade is interesting.  Both have been great players, but both are declining.  Nimmo is more likely to be productive for a couple more years, but he's also on a longer and more expensive deal.  You might see a deadcat bounce from both, or neither.  It will be interesting to see it play out.

You're not going to be able to dump Berrios to free up money, unless you pay for some of his salary like you said. Would have to take on another contract. 

Yeah right now, you don't trade for Semien with Bo still a FA and the possibility that he might be back. Timing doesn't work. If Bo was off the market, I would be fine with Semien at 2B with Gimenez at SS. 

Interesting trade for sure. Hope we see more trades like this during the offseason. 

[Spanky__99]

This listing was interesting, I'm down for Bo/Ranger/Bassitt and Seranthony, but it's been a slice Max, Bassitt wins... 😜

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/most-popular-choices-from-mlbtrs-free-agent-prediction-contest.html

[Joltin Joe]

52 minutes ago, Spanky__99 said:

This listing was interesting, I'm down for Bo/Ranger/Bassitt and Seranthony, but it's been a slice Max, Bassitt wins... 😜

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/most-popular-choices-from-mlbtrs-free-agent-prediction-contest.html

Doubt they sign two starting pitchers. Suarez is left we need, but Bassist? Rather spend the money on bullpen, Fairbanks?

Gausman, YeSavage, Bieber, Saurez, is good front 4. Berrios and Lauer as 5/6th starters.  

[Spanky__99]

9 minutes ago, Joltin Joe said:

Doubt they sign two starting pitchers. Suarez is left we need, but Bassist? Rather spend the money on bullpen, Fairbanks?

Gausman, YeSavage, Bieber, Saurez, is good front 4. Berrios and Lauer as 5/6th starters.  

You can get 2 Fairbanks for a good Bassist??? lol

[Brownie19]

The BSBLR Show (@bsblrshow) • Instagram reel

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---

Josh Reddick shares his personal perspective on the 2017 Houston Astros scandal, discussing the development...

Interesting interview with Reddick. He suggests Altuve was 1 of 3 players who didn't like getting relayed signs.   I also think he makes a good point about the effectiveness of the trash can in the playoffs.

[glory]

Sonny Gray has been traded to the Red Sox (per Passan and others).

[Jonn]

5 minutes ago, glory said:

Sonny Gray has been traded to the Red Sox (per Passan and others).

That’s a nice rotation piece from them. I hope they gave up a lot. Cardinals likely would be eating some money to increase the return.

[Jonn]

Clarke is a nice prospect. Probably their 4th or 5th ranked. Just got healthy again had big strikeout numbers in 14 starts.

[BTS]

Not really expensive for the Sox 

[BTS]

Nevermind, just saw that they owe him 41M for one year. Surprised St. Louis got anything 

[Orgfiller]

9 minutes ago, BTS said:

Nevermind, just saw that they owe him 41M for one year. Surprised St. Louis got anything 

It's $35M for 2026 with a $30M club option for '27 with a $5M buyout. The Cards are eating money it seems, so we'll see just how much which will inform the value both teams are getting from it.

Gray is still quite good and projects for 4 WAR - this seems like an error tbh, he's been at 3.8 and 3.6 the last two seasons and they somehow expect him to pitch more innings in his age 36 season than he has since 2015. Nevertheless, he's still a very good pitcher and I could see the Sox potentially accepting the club option if he's in the 3.5 WAR range again.

Of note though, is that the velo declined by a tick last season. This kind of thing doesn't tend to bounce back as a pitcher ages, and Gray is already undersized as an SP, so will be interesting to follow if it keeps declining and how it could affect his performance.

Edit: just saw Gray can opt out if the team picks up the club option, in which case the buyout is forfeited. Interesting contract structure.

[Brownie19]

9 minutes ago, BTS said:

Nevermind, just saw that they owe him 41M for one year. Surprised St. Louis got anything 

[Orgfiller]

2 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

It's 1/35 with an attached club option for 1/30 that has a $5M buyout. So 1/40 if the Sox decline the club option. But it's essentially a mutual option since Gray can decide to opt out if the club option is picked up.

[Jonn]

12 minutes ago, BTS said:

Nevermind, just saw that they owe him 41M for one year. Surprised St. Louis got anything 

They sent Boston $20 million.

[Orgfiller]

Just now, Jonn said:

They sent Boston $20 million.

This makes it far more reasonable for the Red Sox. Reduces the luxury tax hit significantly. On the Cards side, they shed salary, gain a top 100 50 FV prospect plus an optionable depth arm that has a chance to be a rosterable SP5/6.

[Brownie19]

22 minutes ago, Jonn said:

Clarke is a nice prospect. Probably their 4th or 5th ranked. Just got healthy again had big strikeout numbers in 14 starts.

FG has Fitts as their #5 and Clarke as their #7 (as of 2025) - both with 50 FV ratings

[Pendleton]

Had some initial interest in Gray when I read him mentioned among other top trade candidates, but less so after I checked his savant page. FB velocity is waning and his barrel/hard hit percentages are concerning. He might get rocked in the AL East this year

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/sonny-gray-543243

 

[Orgfiller]

4 minutes ago, Brownie19 said:

FG has Fitts as their #5 and Clarke as their #7 (as of 2025) - both with 50 FV ratings

TIL Dick Fitts is/was a top 100 prospect. I guess with that in mind his ceiling is likely higher as a SP4/5, which makes even more sense why the Cards are fine sending this much money back,

[BTS]

Didn't realize Dick Fitts was so highly regarded 

[Laika]

Sonny Gray now gets $41M guaranteed for 2026. That's wild. 

Quote

The new arrangement pays Gray $31MM in 2026 and includes a $10MM buyout on a mutual option for 2027. It’s been more than a decade since a mutual option was exercised by both parties in MLB. The restructured deal reinforces the fact that Gray is a one-year rental, but it also comes with some perks for him. He’s now guaranteed an extra million dollars — likely a kicker for him to waive his no-trade protection — and he’s now guaranteed the full buyout. Under the previous contract, if the Red Sox had picked up Gray’s $30MM option, he’d have forfeited the $5MM buyout by declining. Now, he’ll receive a fully guaranteed $41MM for one year. Because the Cardinals are kicking in $20MM, only $21MM of Gray’s $41MM guarantee will count against the Red Sox’ luxury tax total.

Good trade for both teams, I guess. Gray has surplus value projected above the $21M Boston will pay him. 

[Laika]

Dick Fitts = Jake Bloss sans TJS 

[Brownie19]

50 minutes ago, BTS said:

Didn't realize Dick Fitts was so highly regarded 

He's certainly highly regarded by my wife!

[Omar]

1 hour ago, Laika said:

Sonny Gray now gets $41M guaranteed for 2026. That's wild. 

Good trade for both teams, I guess. Gray has surplus value projected above the $21M Boston will pay him. 

Gray had a no trade clause so the Cards are lucky to move him. He signed a three year 75M contract heavy on the back end with the Cards. Gray is a true mercenary, doesn't stay anywhere longer than three years. Business.

[John_Havok]

2 hours ago, BTS said:

Didn't realize Dick Fitts was so highly regarded 

Oh yes, very highly regarded at the back end

[Jimcanuck]

Yesterday the Cardinals signed Blewett.  Today they traded for Dick Fitts.  Cards got stuff going on!

[John_Havok]

47 minutes ago, Jimcanuck said:

Yesterday the Cardinals signed Blewett.  Today they traded for Dick Fitts.  Cards got stuff going on!

get Trey McNutt out of retirement immediately for a coaching position.