Mega Thread 2024-2025 MLB Hot Stove

[Dixie Flatline]

LHP Sean Manaea will reject the qualifying offer extended to him by the Mets, according to reports. Manaea has pitched almost 1,200 major league innings for a number of teams and had one of his best seasons in his career for the Mets in 2024. He signed a two-year deal with the Mets last off-season which came with an opt-out after the first season. He was paid $14.5 million in 2024, and exercised an opt-out that means he foregoes a salary of $13.5 million in 2025. The Mets made him a qualifying offer that would be worth $21.05 million for 2025.

Manaea enjoyed particular success after adjusting his arm slot to be more akin to Chris Sale, and over his last 20 starts for the Mets, he put together a 3.05 ERA with a 26% strikeout rate and a 8% walk rate.

Should Manaea sign with another club, the Mets are in line to receive a later round draft pick that can be no higher than the fourth round, since the Mets have paid the competitive balance tax.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Atlanta Braves have announced that they have selected the contract of RHP Rolddy Munoz to the 40-man roster, thereby protecting him from next month's Rule 5 draft. Munoz turns 25 next April and spent the 2024 season between High-A and Double-A. His twin brother, Roddery, was also a Brave for a while and made his MLB debut for the Marlins in 2024. Rolddy is yet to make his MLB debut but clearly the Braves see enough in him to protect him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft by another team. Munoz put up an ERA of 4.24 between High-A and Double-A in 2024, and was ranked the 18th best prospect in the Braves' system by FanGraphs.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Mets announced that they have signed veteran infielder Rafael Ortega to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. They also announced that they have signed infielder Donovan Walton to a minor league contract with a Spring Training invitation. Ortega joins the Mets for the second time in his career, having spent the majority of the 2023 season between the Triple-A affiliate and the big league team (mostly off the bench).

 

[Dixie Flatline]

One of the big ticket free agents this off-season is drawing interest from a number of teams. Shortstop Willy Adames is drawing interest from the Astros, Blue Jays, Braves and Red Sox, while the Dodgers, Giants and Yankees have also been linked to him.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

RHP Nick Martinez has accepted the qualifying offer made to him by the Cincinnati Reds, meaning that he will be with the Reds in 2025 on a $21.05 million deal. Martinez joined the club on a two-year, $26 million contract last off-season after both he and his former team, the Padres, declined their options for the 2024 season. Martinez signed with the Reds and put together a 3.10 ERA season from 142 1/3 innings (3.21 FIP). Martinez bounced between the starting rotation and the bullpen.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Tampa Bay Rays are relocating their home games to the George M. Steinbrenner Field for 2025, and there was the intention that the site of the Tropicana Field would be the basis for a new home stadium for the Rays that would be set to open in 2028. However, it now appears that this plan is in jeopardy of falling over as a result of the Hurricane that severely damaged the Field earlier this year. According to reports, the city council and county commission have decided to postpone the scheduled bond votes that were key to securing financing for the redevelopment of the stadium by a month.

It also appears that the Rays are drawing criticism from the county for deciding to move their home games to the Steinbrenner Field, which is located in a different county to the county in which the Tropicana Field is located. While there is not yet the sense that the vote could fall over, it now appears that the county commissioner is not in a hurry to put the matter to the vote, which would delay the securing of financing and therefore imperil the likelihood of the redeveloped stadium being ready in time for Opening Day 2028, and thus potentially hastening the relocation of the Rays away from Tampa Bay.

Rays say county’s stalling has likely killed the new stadium deal

John Romano | Delays on bond votes have halted stadium groundbreaking plans and jeopardized baseball’s future in Tampa Bay.

www.tampabay.com

'It's unfortunate': Pinellas County commissioner feels betrayed by Rays' decision to play in Tampa for 2025

A Pinellas County commissioner will vote against issuing the bonds necessary to finance the Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal after the team announced it will play its 2025 season in Tampa.

www.abcactionnews.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Say goodbye to Minute Maid Park and hello to Daikin Park, after the Astros reached agreement with Daikin Comfort Technologies North America on a 15-year naming rights deal for the Astros' home field. The Astros will be playing at Daikin Field until the end of the 2039 season at least.

According to reports, the naming rights deal with Minute Maid Co. was meant to continue until the end of the 2029 season but was ended prematurely for as yet unknown reasons. The Astros received approximately $170 million from Minute Maid Co for the naming rights. Minute Maid Co remains a marketing partner but no longer has naming rights.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/houston-daikin-park-minute-maid-park-19924657.php

 

[largebus]

Well I was wrong about the AL ROTY but it was very close between Cowser and Gil.