MLB 2024-25 Hot Stove Thread

Which was exactly the problem I had with him last year. Came in late, proclaimed himself ready, and the Giants bought it lock, stock and barrel. Wouldn't go to the minors or extended spring training. And was worthless in the first months of the season.

 

I went to our BBWAA business luncheon this week and it always includes a lot of reminiscing.
In 1987, the Dodgers had a horrible year, which began with the Al Campanis fiasco that helped derail the season. I wasn't the beat guy anymore, but I went on a September road trip because our beat guy's wife was having a baby. We flew to San Francisco and were told that owner Peter O'Malley would be there for an off-the-record meeting with the reporters shortly after we got to the hotel. Since it was off the record, the LAT guy didn't go.
On of the things he said was, the Dodgers will never resort to buying players and if it comes to that, the O'Malley family will get out. But he quickly followed up by saying that statement could be considered news but it is off the record, especially since the LAT was not there.
The reason for the meeting was for O'Malley to discuss all the negative coverage. Geez, Peter, the team sucks and your manager is an asshole. What the hell are we supposed to write? It's pretty simple. The result was, the PR guy, Steve Brener, was fired because he couldn't get the writers to stop writing that the team sucked.
That memory always comes back to me whenever I see the Dodgers have bought another player. Yeah, it's a different time.

 

I'd pay him, but not for five years starting with his age 32 season. He wants 37 mil per year? Three years max. Someone else wants to pay it? Fine. The guy is made of glass and as pointed above xcluding the 2020 COVID year, his innings totals are
89
129.1
180.2
107
128.2
128
180
104

Guy’s made more than 25 starts more than three times. If this was after the first Cy Young at 25, go for it.

If you're going to spend that money on Snell, just go get Burnes. If you did it to get a lefty, Max Fried seems like a better bet.

 

I don't disagree that anything Snell got was an overpay, but even with his better durability, Fried has some warning signs too w/the recent forearm/elbow ailments. Might be two sides of the same coin here

 

And as for Burnes, he's one of the game's best. But he is horrendous at holding runners; singles and walks are as good as doubles when he's on the mound.

 

The Dodgers aren't paying him "hoping" for 35 starts.

They are paying him $37M so they can avoid starting John Flaherty in Gm. 7 or a "bullpen" game in Gm. 6.

Watching him last year, in the 2nd half he was exactly what an ace looks like in '24. He should've had a record of at least 10-2 in 2nd half but SF was starting a .220/.280/.400 like hitter at leadoff, 3rd, and cleanup.