Running 2012-2013 Hot Stove League Thread, aka Ervin's a Royal

I was offered a job today; that good news paled in comparison to the joy I felt when learning that Ervin Santana is no longer an Angel.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2012/10/31/ervin-santana-traded-to-royals/1672909/

 

So this makes how many "Hot Stove" threads now?

 

Three

 

Kill it off then; I searched Hot Stove, didn't see it.

 

I already demanded that my goddamn duplicate "MLB offseason thread" be deleted.

 

Gonna put on my flack hat for a second for this PSA:

If you ever find yourself in the vicinity of the Arizona Fall League, and you're any kind of baseball fan, it is well worth your time to check out an AFL game or two. Other than the MLB postseason, it is absolutely my favorite baseball-going experience anywhere.

It's pure baseball — no between-innings music, no fan stunts, no exploding scoreboards, no marketing crap. Just 18 of the best prospects in the world on one field, playing their hearts out for a shot at a major league roster. And it's good baseball, too (though the pitching leaves a little to be desired.) I got to see Mike Trout and Bryce Harper playing next to each other in the same outfield last year. For most games, it's you and 200 scouts and a few senior citizens keeping score in the stands. And the weather is never better here than it is during the AFL.

Tomorrow begins our annual SABR Arizona Fall League Conference. We'll see four games in three days, including the nationally televised Rising Stars Game on Saturday night. We'll also have dinner with Roland Hemond and a ballpark cookout with Matt Williams, who's managing one of the AFL teams this year. It's a low-key affair, and I highly recommend it.

http://sabr.org/afl

Now, back to your regularly scheduled Hot Stoving ...

 

thanks, buck. i "listen" to just about everything you "say" about baseball ... until you start blathering about the braves, of course. ; P

 

Jeremy Guthrie, Bruce Chen, Felipe Paulino, Luke Hochevar, Luis Mendoza.

Before that it was Kyle Davies and Jonathan Sanchez.

The Royals collect fifth starters like Rush Limbaugh collects OxyContin.

 

MLB Trade Rumors has released its Top 50 free agents with predicted destinations. Among the notables:

Greinke back to the Angels
Hamilton back to the Rangers
Bourn to the Nationals
B.J. Upton to the Phillies
Swisher to the Orioles
Victorino the Braves


http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/10/2013-top-50-free-agents-with-predictions-1.html

 

Santana gave up a MLB high 39 homers last year. Makes perfect sense for the Royals to get him.

 

They also have LaRoche staying with the Nats, which means they believe Morse will be traded.