Mega Thread 2024-2025 MLB Hot Stove

[Dixie Flatline]

Confirmation from Jeff Passan.



Soto's contract includes escalators that can reach above $800 million.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Soto's contract with the Mets does not include any deferred money.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Dodgers did sign an outfielder, even if it wasn't Juan Soto. The Dodgers have signed Michael Conforto to a one-year, $17 million contract.





According to sources, the Dodgers signing Conforto does not mean that they will not go after Teoscar Hernandez.

 

[Jatz]

Even as a Mets fan, that's beyond ****ing stupid. Yikes.

I do like that it's not deferred at least.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Soto will receive a $75 million signing bonus from the Mets.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Soto will have an opt-out after 2029.

 

[Great8]

Sad to lose Soto but what will be will be

 

[Dixie Flatline]

While the focus will be on Juan Soto for the next little while, with the Winter Meetings starting tonight (Australian time), there is speculation that the White Sox are getting close to trading their ace, LHP Garrett Crochet. According to reports, a deal is "increasingly possible" some time this week. While the White Sox are looking at trading Crochet, the Boston Red Sox are considering a trade of their top shortstop prospect Marcelo Mayer, and the Red Sox might be in the lead to acquire Crochet from the White Sox, especially if Mayer is included in the package. However, the Cubs also have had discussions with the White Sox regarding a trade for Crochet.

Cubs surveying trade options, generating buzz leading up to winter meetings

With the winter meetings beginning Monday in Dallas, the Cubs have already had wide-ranging exploratory trade talks with teams across MLB.

chicago.suntimes.com

 

[Jatz]

There is no chance he earns that contract. We'll go ringless throughout as well.

 

[largebus]

Disappointing but not surprising. He might get a few boos in Washington.
Cohen is serious about spending.

 

[FreoRicci]

Soto's contract with the Mets does not include any deferred money.

That is disgustingly obscene. That’s incredible

 

[Jatz]

What year do we think we'll see the first billion dollar player?

Every kid in America should be trying to learn to hit a baseball. Forget all the other sports.

 

[FreoRicci]

What year do we think we'll see the first billion dollar player?

Every kid in America should be trying to learn to hit a baseball. Forget all the other sports.

Should’ve seen it with Ohtani. Once in a 1000 year player. Can pitch, runs fast, can hit bombs, can get on base.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Seattle Mariners have reportedly been prepared to consider offers for RHP Luis Castillo, according to a report from the Boston Globe. However, the Seattle Times have reported that while anything is possible, the Mariners are not keen on trading from their rotation.

Castillo turns 32 next week, and has three more guaranteed seasons on the extension he signed with the Mariners prior to the 2023 season. Castillo is due to make $24.15 million each year from 2025-2027, and there is an option for the 2028 season. If Castillo misses more than 130 days due to a UCL procedure in 2025-2027, then there is a $5 million team option for 2028, otherwise the contract includes a $25 million vesting option for 2028 that vests if Castillo pitches 180 innings during the 2027 season and receives confirmation from an independent physician after the 2027 season that he has not suffered an injury that would require him to start 2028 on the IL.

Castillo also has a full no-trade clause that will remain in place through the end of the 2025 season, meaning that Castillo has the right to veto any trade that he does not approve. It is not clear yet whether Castillo is prepared to entertain a trade out of Seattle or his preferences.

However, given that Castillo is younger than LHP Yusei Kikuchi, and better performed, it is unsurprising that some trade speculation is heating up, given that the salary guaranteed to Castillo is not much more than the guarantee Kikuchi received from the Angels earlier this off-season.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/08/sports/red-sox-max-fried-corbin-burnes/

What to expect from the Mariners at MLB Winter Meetings | Analysis

The Mariners enter next week's MLB Winter Meetings with big questions to answer. Namely, what do they need and what resources do they have to fill those needs?

www.seattletimes.com

 

[largebus]

Even as a Mets fan, that's beyond ****ing stupid. Yikes.

I do like that it's not deferred at least.

Deferrals or lack thereof hurt the Mets in terms of luxury tax implications. That's why the Dodgers deferred Ohtani till the end of time. I dont think Cohen cares though. The actual money is peanuts for him.
If he gets the Mets a world series flag after 40 years nobody will care if he falls off a cliff.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Dodgers are in agreement with RHP Blake Trienen on a two-year contract worth $22 million.

 

[celestial]

What year do we think we'll see the first billion dollar player?

Every kid in America should be trying to learn to hit a baseball. Forget all the other sports.

If ohtani entered free agency after the 50/50 season, he would have smashed past the billion dollar mark. There would have been few teams offering that, considering the financial benefit from "owning" the entire fanbase from japan and the the world.


I cannot see another player eclipsing the billion dollar mark if they aren't a 2 way star like Ohtani.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Soto's opt-out can be voided if the Mets increase their average annual value from $51 million per year to $55 million per year over the final 10 years of the deal, equating to an extra $40 million over the life of the contract.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The reports of Scott Boras' demise as an agent turn out to be greatly exaggerated. This the most player-friendly contract in the history of professional sports, regardless of the sport. The Mets simply were determined not to take 'no' for an answer from Soto.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Ken Rosenthal puts it a different way, in the sense that the Mets can void Soto's opt-out by agreeing to increase his salary by $4 million a year. If you look it through that lens, then that's great for the Mets, because for an extra $40 million, they lock him in for 10 more years, with no more opt-outs.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Here comes the rationalisation by the Yankees as to why they didn't end up signing Soto.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

 

[Jatz]

NY Tax man is going to love this deal.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

NY Tax man is going to love this deal.

As opposed to the Californian tax dude, who hates all of the Dodgers deals because of the deferred money.