Mega Thread 2024-2025 MLB Hot Stove

[Dixie Flatline]

With the season over and trades able to be executed, speculation has turned to the long-term future of LHP Garrett Crochet, who remains the big trade chip for the White Sox. According to reports, the Mets have been linked to a possible acquisition of Crochet in order to replace some of the starting pitching that is set to leave Queens in the off-season (the Mets have extended qualifying offers to RHP Luis Severino and LHP Sean Manaea - the latter is almost certain to reject the qualifying offer and become a free agent).

Crochet is entering his second year of arbitration and is expected to command a salary of under $3 million for 2025, which might prove attractive to the Mets as they look to prioritise spending in other areas (including in a chase for OF Juan Soto).

However, the White Sox are sure to drive a hard bargain for their emerging ace, and are looking to acquire multiple position player prospects for Crochet.

White Sox reveal what they’re seeking in potential blockbuster Garrett Crochet trade as Mets show interest

The White Sox are making it easy for their trade partners.

nypost.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Yankees have signed LHP Brandon Leibrandt to a minor league contract after he was outrighted off the Cincinnati Reds' 40-man roster at the end of October and he elected minor league free agency. Leibrandt is a former Phillies draft pick and made his MLB debut back in 2020 with the Marlins.

The Reds have signed catcher Alex Jackson to a minor league deal. It is not clear whether either Leibrandt or Jackson have received invitations to Spring Training, but at this stage in the cycle, it's safe to assume that they will almost certainly have received such invitations. Jackson played 58 games at the major league level in 2024 with the Tampa Bay Rays, and also has played for the Brewers, Marlins and Braves at the major league level.

 

[RPCB]

OMG! OMG! OMG!

Game 7 (TV Series 2024– ) ⭐ 8.9 | Documentary, Sport

Game 7: With Joe Buck, Theo Epstein, Mark Messier, Mark Cuban. Sports anthology series exploring iconic Game 7s through first-hand accounts of athletes. It delves into intense pressure at sports' biggest stage, from Cubs' 2016 World Series win to Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup triumph.

www.imdb.com

Episode 4 - Game 7 2016.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

It's on Amazon Prime. I've started watching that episode on the Cubs, but I wanted to finish the documentary on the Manchester United treble first (which is also on Prime).

 

[Dixie Flatline]

I've watched the story of the 2004 Boston Red Sox which is on Netflix. It's pretty well made, but it's very interesting to see which players from that Red Sox team were interviewed for the documentary and which didn't make an appearance.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The New York Mets have signed Desi Druschel as assistant pitching coach, nabbing him from the New York Yankees, where he had the some role. Druschel will report to pitching coach Jeremy Hefner. Druschel has been a long-time coach, working for high schools and colleges starting in 1996, and he joined the Yankees in 2019 from the Iowa Hawkeyes, as their minor league manager of pitching development. Druschel was promoted to the major league coaching staff after the 2021 season.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The New York Yankees exercised their club option over the services of manager Aaron Boone last week, ensuring that he will be in the Bronx for another season in 2025 (his eighth since becoming manager). However, Boone told reporters that there have been no discussions as of yet about a long-term extension that would keep him in his current role after the 2025 season. The 2024 postseason run to a losing effort in the World Series is the furthest the Yankees have made it since 2009.

Boone also confirmed that he will be part of the delegation from the Yankees that are set to meet Juan Soto and his agent Scott Boras in the near future. Hal Steinbrenner will lead the Yankees' effort to woo Soto to remain in pinstripes for the foreseeable future.

Boone also spoke generally of his hopes that the Yankees will be in the hunt to sign RHP Roki Sasaki when he is eventually posted by his NPB team, the Chiba Lotte Marines. Boone talked up the chances of infield prospect Chase Durbin and said that he expected the 24 year old to play a big role on the 2025 club, either as a second or third baseman (with Jazz Chisholm Jr likely to take the other spot).

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Baltimore Orioles have signed infielder Vimael Machin to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. Machin spent the last two seasons playing in Mexico and last played in the majors in 2022, after being drafted by the Athletics in the Rule 5 draft out of the Cubs back in 2019. Machin spent the 2020 season on the A's major league roster, with 74 plate appearances in the COVID-shortened season, and a further 15 plate appearances in 2021. Machin played 73 games for Oakland in 2022, with 253 plate appearances. Machin is a .208/.290/.261 hitter overall.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The legal troubles of former Tampa Bay Ray infielder Wander Franco look set to multiply after he was arrested in the Dominican Republic recently. According to ESPN, Franco was arrested after guns were drawn in an altercation in the parking lot of an apartment complex in San Juan de la Maguana. He and an unnamed woman are being held for interrogation. Franco is already facing trial in the Dominican Republic after being formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor, as well as human trafficking. Franco is currently out on bail and is free to travel within the Dominican Republic (though he is not permitted to leave the country).

Police: Franco arrested in D.R. after altercation

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested Sunday in the Dominican Republic after what police said was an altercation in the parking lot of an apartment complex in which guns were drawn.

www.espn.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

According to reports, at least six teams are set to aggressively pursue free agent first baseman Christian Walker, including the Yankees, Nationals and Diamondbacks. The Mets are also linked with Walker, but seemingly only if they allow Alonso to leave in free agency.

MLB in for 'a different winter'? Hot stove heats up with top free agents, trade targets

MLB's GM meetings began the winter hot stove season, with teams making early plans to improve before spring training.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

It appears that the Marines have already lined up their replacement for Sasaki, with RHP Brad Keller signing with the Marines.

Preston Farr (@royalsminors.bsky.social)

RHP Brad Keller is signing with the Chiba Lotte Marines. A worthy replacement for Roki Sasaki once he’s posted and leaves for MLB.

bsky.app

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Interestingly, according to one reporter yesterday afternoon, Sasaki to the Dodgers is far from a done deal, with a source close to Sasaki suggesting that a "small market team with a solid development set up and plan could be the best destination" for Sasaki.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Atlanta Braves have acquired infielder Nick Allen from the Athletics in exchange for RHP Jared Johnson.

 

[RPCB]

It's on Amazon Prime. I've started watching that episode on the Cubs, but I wanted to finish the documentary on the Manchester United treble first (which is also on Prime).

Yeah, watched the Cubs episode last night. It was good hearing from Rizzo, Heyward, Fowler, Ross and Rajai Davis. In terms of new stuff, there wasn’t much different between this episode and the 2016 World Series movie. Yankees/Red Sox would probably be more interesting as a viewing experience. But super happy to hear from the aforementioned players.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The MLB has announced the finalists for the 2024 MVP. In the American League, the three finalists are Aaron Judge (Yankees), Juan Soto (Yankees) and Bobby Witt Jr (Royals), while in the National League, the three finalists are Francisco Lindor (Mets), Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) and Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers).





The MLB has also announced the finalists for the AL and NL Rookie of the Year awards. In the American League, Colton Cowser (Orioles), Luis Gil (Yankees) and Austin Wells (Yankees) are the finalists for that particular award, while in the NL, Jackson Chourio (Brewers), Jackson Merrill (Padres) and Paul Skenes (Pirates) are the finalists.





The Cy Young finalists have also been announced. In the American League, the Cy Young finalists are Emmanuel Clase (Guardians), Seth Lugo (Royals) and Tarik Skubal (Tigers), while in the National League, the Cy Young finalists are Chris Sale (Braves), Paul Skenes (Pirates) and Zack Wheeler (Phillies).

 

[JLC]

The MLB has announced the finalists for the 2024 MVP. In the American League, the three finalists are Aaron Judge (Yankees), Juan Soto (Yankees) and Bobby Witt Jr (Royals), while in the National League, the three finalists are Francisco Lindor (Mets), Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks) and Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers).





The MLB has also announced the finalists for the AL and NL Rookie of the Year awards. In the American League, Colton Cowser (Orioles), Luis Gil (Yankees) and Austin Wells (Yankees) are the finalists for that particular award, while in the NL, Jackson Chourio (Brewers), Jackson Merrill (Padres) and Paul Skenes (Pirates) are the finalists.





The Cy Young finalists have also been announced. In the American League, the Cy Young finalists are Emmanuel Clase (Guardians), Seth Lugo (Royals) and Tarik Skubal (Tigers), while in the National League, the Cy Young finalists are Chris Sale (Braves), Paul Skenes (Pirates) and Zack Wheeler (Phillies).

Skubal wins that for sure.

Sale Cy Young

Skenes rookie of the the year

Ohtani wilna MVP but glad Marte got some recognition.

MVP in the AL is tougher imo.

I would probably say Bobhy Witt as how valuable can you be if 2 are nominated from the same team even though its my Yankees.

 

[largebus]

Pretty predictable award winners. With how the schedule has changed they could feasibly get rid of having awards for different leagues.

American
MVP: Judge
Cy Young: Skubal
ROTY: Cowser

National
MVP: Ohtani
Cy Young: Sale
ROTY: Skenes

Manager of the year is more difficult but it'll be one of the AL Central play off managers, probably Hinch since they haven't been there for 10 years and traded everyone in July.
Mike Shildt should get the NL nod for winning 93 games after losing Soto.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Merrill will be rookie of the year in the NL. Skenes cooled off significantly in the second half of the season whereas Merrill was very much in the thick of getting the Padres to the playoffs.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The MLB is in the process of announcing the Silver Slugger awards. The Silver Slugger award is voted on by MLB managers and coaches and is given to the top offensive player at each position in each league. That includes three outfielders (regardless of specific positions), a designated hitter, and a utility player in each league.

Designated Hitter

• Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (third Silver Slugger award)
• Brent Rooker, Oakland Athletics (first Silver Slugger award)

Outfielders (American League)

• Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (fourth Silver Slugger award)
• Juan Soto, New York Yankees (fifth Silver Slugger award)
• Anthony Santander, Baltimore Orioles (first Silver Slugger award)

Outfielders (National League)

• Jackson Merrill, San Diego Padres (first Silver Slugger award)
• Teoscar Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers (third Silver Slugger award)
• Jurickson Profar, San Diego Padres (first Silver Slugger award)

Infielders (American League)

• First base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Toronto Blue Jays (second Silver Slugger award)
• Second base: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros (seventh Silver Slugger award)
• Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr, Kansas City Royals (first Silver Slugger award)
• Third base: Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians (fifth Silver Slugger award)

Infielders (National League)

• First base: Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (fourth Silver Slugger award)
• Second base: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks (first Silver Slugger award)
• Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets (fourth Silver Slugger award)
• Third base: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres (second Silver Slugger award)

Catchers

• Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals (fifth Silver Slugger award)
• William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers (second Silver Slugger award)

Utility players

• Josh Smith, Texas Rangers (first Silver Slugger award)
• Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (seventh Silver Slugger award)

 

[Dixie Flatline]

After the Braves declined to exercise a club option over catcher Travis d'Arnaud after the season ended, he will be a Los Angeles Angel for the next two seasons at least after signing a contract with the Angels earlier today. The deal comes with a reported guarantee of $12 million over the two years. The Angels have designated RHP Guillo Zuinga for assignment.

The Angels also have hired Sal Fasano, who was catching coach with the Braves until being fired last month, to be an assistnat pitching coach.

d'Arnaud had been with Atlanta since 2020, after signing a two year, $16 million contract prior to the start of that season. He signed a two-year, $16 million extension late in 2021, and then in 2023, he signed a one year extension worth $8 million for 2024, with a club option for 2025 that the Braves subsequently declined. d'Arnaud played 384 games in five years with the Braves, hitting 60 homeruns and slashing .251/.312/.443 for a 106 wRC+ over that time frame.

The Angels will likely prefer Logan O'Hoppe as their every day catcher, but d'Arnaud likely slips into a backup/veteran role and may also split time with Jorge Soler (whom the Angels acquired from the Braves in a trade earlier this month) at DH.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

According to reports, the Tropicana Field is capable of being repaired in time for the 2026 season, based on a report presented to the St Petersburg City Council overnight. The cost to repair the Field would be approximately $55.7 million. It is not clear whether St Petersburg will stump up for that amount of money, given that the Tropicana Field would only be home to the Rays for another two seasons assuming that the plans to build a new stadium are completed on time.

City report: Trop can be fixed for Rays’ 2026 season for $56 million

Tropicana Field, which opened in 1990, appears structurally sound, though further assessments could add to the repair costs.

www.tampabay.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Further to the note regarding Wander Franco yesterday, it appears that the Attorney General's Office of the Dominican Republic has provisionally accused Franco of "illegal use and possession of a firearm".

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The list of teams to have a face-to-face with OF Juan Soto and his agent Scott Boras continues to grow. In addition to the Mets and Yankees, it is now reported that the Blue Jays and Red Sox will have a sitdown with Soto and Boras this week. According to ESPN, after being spurned by Aaron Judge and by Shohei Ohtani in the last two off-seasons, the Blue Jays are "serious about adding a star" to their lineup along side Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Soto is at the top of their wishlist.

Who are the favorites for Soto? Which teams will go all-in this winter? Jeff Passan's ultimate MLB offseason preview

Starting with the best free agent in years, here are the players, teams and themes that will dominate the hot stove headlines.

www.espn.com

Blue Jays could play spoiler in Yankees-Mets Juan Soto sweepstakes

The field of suitors for megastar free agent Juan Soto is said to be narrowed now to eight finalists, but there’s one club in particular our two teams need to keep an eye on.

nypost.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Athletics have agreed to terms with infielder Alejo Lopez on a minor league contract, according to the player himself (on Instagram). Lopez did not confirm, but presumably he will be given an invitation to Spring Training. Lopez has spent parts of three seasons in the major league, all with Cincinnati. In 181 plate appearances, Lopez has hit .265/.309/.329, with a 14.9% strikeout rate (although with only a 5% walk rate). The Athletics have a glaring hole at third base, so Lopez could be tried out at third base in Spring Training to see if he could hold the fort there. Lopez most recently played with the Gwinnett Braves in Triple-A.

 

[RPCB]

Further to the note regarding Wander Franco yesterday, it appears that the Attorney General's Office of the Dominican Republic has provisionally accused Franco of "illegal use and possession of a firearm".

So that in addition to his upcoming sex trafficking case.

Looks like paying Wander Franco tens of millions of dollars hasn’t made him any less of a piece of shit.