Running 2015-2016 Hot Stove League Thread

I find it interesting that people never think coaches get better or learn from mistakes at previous jobs. I can see it more in a sport like football where the coaches tend to be control freaks and ego maniacs, but I really don't think it's like that so much in baseball.

 

But it's so much fun to take an idea from a decade ago (or more) and just keep running with it. Apparently, anyway.

 

I thought Maddux would be worn out from all the trips to the mound he makes.

 

Alex Gordon declines the $14 million option and will test free agency.

I think I must be the only Royals fan who doesn't think Gordon is worth $14 million a year. Very good player but, in this lineup, that's a lot of money for a guy hitting seventh or eighth.

 

Actually, exmedia, I, a non-Royals fans, agree with you. Guys always get more than one thinks, but $14 mill is more than I'd pay.

 

Can't argue with this idea, but if deGrom looked worn out, you must have been watching a different postseason. The Royals were just unconscious in that game he pitched. Matz will be fine, though he might need a bit more seasoning. The Mets allowed 8 total runs against the Cubs and only once allowed more than 2 runs against the Dodgers (Harvey allowed three in a 13-7 win). And they certainly pitched well enough to win the series if not for the bullpen and the damn Royals' tenacity. Was really impressed with them, especially against deGrom.

One year, $1.6 mil offer to Black. That's absurd.

 

DeGrom was fine in the beginning of the playoffs, but he just looked tired in the Series.

 

The option was for 12.5 mil next year. And it's not about that money. It's about the guaranteed minimum $60 mil over the next five, which probably ends up being 75 mil over that time frame.

Gordon is the second-best outfielder on the market, behind Heyward, depending on your opinion of Justin Upton and Cespedes. Beyond those four, these are your options:

Jeff Baker
Alejandro De Aza
David DeJesus
Marlon Byrd
Rajai Davis
Chris Denorfia
Dexter Fowler
Corey Hart
Austin Jackson
Matt Joyce
Nate McLouth
David Murphy
Gerardo Parra
Carlos Quentin
Ryan Raburn
Alex Rios
Cody Ross
Grady Sizemore
Denard Span
Drew Stubbs
Ryan Sweeney
Will Venable
Shane Victorino
Chris Young
Delmon Young

 

That's part of my problem with letting Gordon walk. I know it's too much money, but I look at that list and don't see the Volquez to Gordon's Shields or the Morales to his Butler.

Of course very few people saw Morales doing what he did so that's probably why they are letting Dayton Moore handle it instead of me.

I'm leaning toward Zobrist over Gordon for the Royals if they re-sign one for top dollar because of the versatility.

 

Fangraphs has a post on the top 82 free agents. Gordon is projected at five years, 90 mil -- and that's the fourth-best contract behind Heyward, Cespedes and Upton

 

On Gordon:

- He'd be hitting higher than eighth in a lineup not managed by a diabolical genius/Chauncey Gardiner (depending on your perspective). He was leading off in September before Yost discovered #EskyMagic.
- Generally, I'd be more worried about the years than the cost, particularly if it's KC offering the contract and not, say, Boston. But Gordon takes such good care of his body that he might be able to stave off Father Time a little longer. Or maybe not.

 

Yeah, in terms of pure on-field value right now, Gordon's probably a better player than Upton. But Upton is about three years younger, so he's worth more of a financial commitment.