2016-17 Hot Stove Thread

[Dick Whitman]

Time to turn our thoughts to the offseason.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Another year, another Cubs failure ...

Oh, wait.

Sorry, force of habit.

 

[dirtybird]

Do not touch a hot stove. It ends poorly.

 

[Steak Snabler]

D'backs and Rockies expected to name managers soon.

Top free agents or potential free agents:

C Wilson Ramos
1B Edwin Encarnacion
3B Justin Turner
LF Ian Desmond
LF Yoenis Cespedes (has an opt-out)
CF Dexter Fowler ($9MM mutual option w/ $5MM buyout)
RF Jose Bautista
RF Josh Reddick
RF/DH Mark Trumbo
RF Jay Bruce ($13MM club option w/ $1MM buyout)
SP Andrew Cashner
SP Doug Fister
SP Gio Gonzalez ($12MM club option w/ $500K buyout)
SP Rich Hill
SP Jered Weaver
RP Greg Holland
RP Jonathan Papelbon
RP Kenley Jansen
RP Fernando Rodriguez
RP Aroldis Chapman

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

I will happily turn my thoughts away from the Cubs winning the World Series.

 

[LongTimeListener]

I am trying to imagine what the Cubs look like with Schwarber all season and Hendricks logging more time. 110 wins?

I imagine they would keep Fowler even if it relegates Heyward to expensive bench duty. Right? Or do they move Heyward to center?

 

[TyWebb]

I will happily turn my thoughts away from the Cubs winning the World Series.

Then I recommend you not watch TV for the next 48 hours. Stick to Netflix.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

Then I recommend you not watch TV for the next 48 hours. Stick to Netflix.

I think half of Wrigleyville is still in my city. Probably won't be able to avoid running over a few of them on my way to work.

 

[Steak Snabler]

I am trying to imagine what the Cubs look like with Schwarber all season and Hendricks logging more time. 110 wins?

I imagine they would keep Fowler even if it relegates Heyward to expensive bench duty. Right? Or do they move Heyward to center?

If they cut Fowler loose, who hits leadoff? Maybe Almora becomes the full-time center fielder?

 

[outofplace]

I am trying to imagine what the Cubs look like with Schwarber all season and Hendricks logging more time. 110 wins?

I imagine they would keep Fowler even if it relegates Heyward to expensive bench duty. Right? Or do they move Heyward to center?

The bullpen needs some work, especially if Chapman leaves. I think they should keep Fowler, but I could see them wanting to give Heyward another shot to give them some return in that big investment.

 

[Steak Snabler]

I'm guessing Zobrist goes back to second base and Baez back to a super-utility role. Zobrist played 115 games at 2B this year, and that was even with Schwarber out for basically the entire year.

So, vs. RHP you have Zobrist at 2B, Schwarber in LF and Heyward in RF.

Vs. LHP, you have Zobrist in LF, Baez at 2B and Soler in RF.

 

[Guy_Incognito]

What are people saying about Tornoto? Will they lose Bautista and Encarnacion? Will they pay them?

 

[Steak Snabler]

Cross him off, then.

 

[outofplace]

I'm guessing Zobrist goes back to second base and Baez back to a super-utility role. Zobrist played 115 games at 2B this year, and that was even with Schwarber out for basically the entire year.

So, vs. RHP you have Zobrist at 2B, Schwarber in LF and Heyward in RF.

Vs. LHP, you have Zobrist in LF, Baez at 2B and Soler in RF.

Do they want to platoon Schwarber or give him the chance to develop his ability to hit lefties as well?

 

[JC]

What are people saying about Tornoto? Will they lose Bautista and Encarnacion? Will they pay them?

My bet is that they are both gone. Bautista you may be able to get back at less than you thought but Edwin is getting paid.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Are the Jays still crying poor?

 

[Steak Snabler]

My bet is that they are both gone. Bautista you may be able to get back at less than you thought but Edwin is getting paid.

Yeah, EE's easily the best free agent power hitter available unless Cespedes opts out, and maybe even then. Look for Boston to go all-out for him, since they've got a bit of a hole at 1B/DH.

 

[UPChip]

Tigers have said they needed to get younger, trim payroll (i.e., Illitch needs to pay for more bells and whistles for the new Red Wings arena).

Conventional wisdom is that J.D. Martinez (power-hitting corner outfielder) is a trade candidate, options of Cameron Maybin (centerfielder) and Francisco Rodriguez (closer) may be declined and that even bigger stars could be dealt for the right price. Al Avila wouldn't call it a rebuild, but it's clear the team will be on the selling side of the market this winter.

 

[steveu]

I will happily turn my thoughts away from the Cubs winning the World Series.

Me too. My hope is John Mozeliak and Bill DeWitt look at last night's game and go out and do something about it. Apparently they haven't learned yet because they exercised Jaime Garcia's $12M option today. Haven't been a Garcia fan since he forgot to tell Matheny he was sick prior to a postseason start.

 

[JC]

Are the Jays still crying poor?

They have the ownership that could make them a top 5 payroll. They also led the league in attendance but they won't spend, it's why they hired Shapiro.

It will be interesting to see what happens when it is time to pay Donaldson.