BTS

I watch Home Alone 1 every year. GOAT Christmas movie (tied with Christmas Vacation).

Comp pick is between the first and second round either way. Teams with a protected pick would lose their 2nd instead of their 1st.

Pretty exciting night for King, fatcow and GD. Santa is coming!

I agree with this. Would prefer to invest elsewhere than give up a pick for Bautista on a 1-year deal.

It really depends on what they think of the Glasnow and Bell. Based on their spots on recent prospect lists, either is worth something in the 50M range an asset, which would make them valid asks by Toronto. Pittsburgh wouldn't have interest if they think Glasnow is an above average starter, but they might if they think he profiles as more of a reliever. I'm not going to pretend to know what would interest them, but Stroman for Cutch + Glasnow/Bell seems like one of the only frameworks that could even potentially make sense between the two teams.

They're apparently serious about Quintana, so there does seem to be a desire to bring in a controllable SP1/2. I think Stroman would be very appealing to them, unless they have serious doubts about him that we're not aware of.

Hard to see a deal taking shape otherwise. They're probably similar caliber players (both projected at 3-3.5 wins this year). The big differences between them as assets: - McCutchen will make 28.5M over the next two years and Stroman probably makes about 8. - Stroman is controllable for two additional years. So if you believe the projections, their expected 2017/2018 win production is the same, only Stroman makes 20M less and has an additional 2 years of arbitration. That probably makes him like $50M more valuable than Cutch as an asset. So if not Bell or Glasnow, something of significant value would have to be added to the deal by Pittsburgh.

I doubt it. Harrison is owed 17.5M over two years and isn't really overpaid. Bastardo has 1 year and 6.5M left, and is overpaid by like 2M probably. I doubt they let either impact their Cutch return.

Emptying the farm forcing McCutchen would be a very confusing move given how they've operated so far. I don't think they're seriously interested unless it's a roster SP going back. Stroman for Cutch + prospects? Happ + prospects for Cutch? Stroman for Cutch + Josh Bell or Glasnow might get both teams thinking.

Why am I reading trade talks about a retired player? You guys are idiots.

Wow that's a huge offer. Sounds like Edwin gambled and lost.

We still don't actually know for sure, as far as I can tell, that a firm 4/80 was ever on the table. Reports said it was around that much, but for all we know it was a 2/40 guarantee with a couple of 20M team options tacked on. With everything that's happened I'd be mildly surprised if a guaranteed 4/80 was offered.

The investment is in line with what you'd expect to see if a team believes he's going to give them 8-9 wins over the next three years. It seems clear that the team isn't expecting him to be that good. There were signs of decline in 2016, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out. If Edwin is a 120 wRC+ guy now, they look good for passing. If he's back to 150 it's pretty questionable.

Can he even throw?

Valbeuna, Moss, and Pagan are all at least a bit interesting.

Do we disagree that often?

Yeah. He's a year into his plan to assemble the foundation for a team that can compete perpetually. Accrue as many wins in the present while also assembling farm talent and avoiding rich long-term commitments to players in their in the decline years. There seems to be three main keys to the plan: 1. Build a pipeline of farm talent and keep it - McGuire and Ramirez added via trade - Gurriel added via IFA, as well as several lesser pieces - guys like Zeuch and Bichette in the 2016 draft, and likely three more 1st round picks in 2017 - only very low-end guys given up via trade: Sean Ratcliffe, Hansel Rodriguez, Guadalupe Chavez, Colton Turner 2. Avoid expensive commitments to ageing vets - Price, Encarnacion, and likely Bautista all allowed to walk - nobody with the exception of Gurriel (only 23 years old) acquired with longer than a 3-year financial commitment 3. Supplement the roster with mid-to-low level value free agent signings - Estrada 2/26 - Happ 3/36 - Morales 3/33 - Pearce 2/12 Do everything possible to keep AA's window open, while at the same time laying the foundation for a team that doesn't need a window.

They're a lot of fun. Hopefully the fans show up and they're able to keep it together for a few years. Lost in this debate on our end is that this is a great signing for Cleveland. Perfect fit.

Yeah, I've read that. It doesn't answer my question.

Are we even sure that a firm 4/80 with no options was on the table? Have the details of the reported offer been confirmed that specifically?

You're making a complex situation out to be black and white. Edwin was almost certainly provided with an honest assessment of the situation, as well as the risks involved and he opted to role the dice. There's nothing suggesting Kinzer did a bad job here.

Well, yeah that move was awful. I don't think it's had any impact on any decisions made though. There's like 30M left in the budget (reportedly).

The most likely situation, by far, is that Kinzer presented the offer to Edwin, told him it was too early to know if he could do better, and asked Edwin if he wanted to accept now or wait it out. Painting the agent as a villain in this is just looking for a villain to blame because people are upset that Edwin is gone. There's no reason at all to assume that Edwin was misled.

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I don't think any of us have nearly enough information to evaluate how good an agent he is.