Mega Thread 2024-2025 MLB Hot Stove
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Dixie Flatline
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The Athletics announced that former player Dave Stewart has been hired as a special asssistant to player development for the 2025 season. The exact nature of his new role with the Athletics is yet to be formally announced. Stewart pitched in the majors between 1978 and 1995, and made 212 starts for the Oakland Athletics between 1987 and 1992, with a combined ERA of 3.56. Stewart won World Series MVP while with the Athletics as they defeated the Giants in the 1989 World Series. An earthquake that interrupted one of the games that was being staged at Candlestick Park allowed Stewart to start both games 1 and 3. He threw a complete game shutout in game one, and then went seven innings in game three, giving up three earned runs with the Athletics claiming the victory before going on to sweep the Giants in four.
Stewart won a second World Series (along with Rickey Henderson) with the Blue Jays in 1993. He came back to Oakland in 1995, playing his last season with the Athletics.
Stewart served as an assistant to GM Sandy Alderson in 1996, and spent time in front office and coaching roles with a number of clubs, including the Padres, Blue Jays and Brewers. He was named the GM of the Diamondbacks and held that role from September 2014-October 2016. He had been part of the group that was trying to get an expansion franchise in Nashville Tennessee, but it emerged that he was no longer part of that group.
Stewart won a second World Series (along with Rickey Henderson) with the Blue Jays in 1993. He came back to Oakland in 1995, playing his last season with the Athletics.
Stewart served as an assistant to GM Sandy Alderson in 1996, and spent time in front office and coaching roles with a number of clubs, including the Padres, Blue Jays and Brewers. He was named the GM of the Diamondbacks and held that role from September 2014-October 2016. He had been part of the group that was trying to get an expansion franchise in Nashville Tennessee, but it emerged that he was no longer part of that group.
Dixie Flatline
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The Cleveland Guardians announced that they have signed RHP Paul Sewald to a one-year contract with a mutual option for the 2026 season. Sewald is reportedly guaranteed $7 million on the deal, which will be paid out as a $1 million signing bonus, a $5 million salary for 2025 and a $1 million buyout on a $10 million option. Sewald also has incentives based on the number of appearances pitched in 2025. He will earn $100,000 for each of 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 relief appearances.
The Guardians designated RHP Pedro Avila for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster. The Guardians also signed RHP Riley Pint to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
The Guardians designated RHP Pedro Avila for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster. The Guardians also signed RHP Riley Pint to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
Dixie Flatline
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The Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement with catcher Christian Bethancourt and LHP Richard Lovelady on minor league contracts with invitationt to Spring Training. Bethancourt has previously played with the Athletics, Rays, Miami and Cubs. He has a career .229/.259/.367 slashline in the majors and will join the Blue Jays as depth behind starter Alejandro Kirk.
Lovelady split time between the Cubs and Rays in 2024. He pitched 28 2/3 innings for the Rays with a 3.77 ERA, a 16.8% strikeout rate, a 7.6% walk rate and a 53.5% groundball rate. The Rays designated Lovelady for assignment to create roster space for outfielder Jake Mangum, whom the Rays wished to protect from the Rule 5 draft. Lovelady was non-tendered, making him an immediate free agent.
Lovelady split time between the Cubs and Rays in 2024. He pitched 28 2/3 innings for the Rays with a 3.77 ERA, a 16.8% strikeout rate, a 7.6% walk rate and a 53.5% groundball rate. The Rays designated Lovelady for assignment to create roster space for outfielder Jake Mangum, whom the Rays wished to protect from the Rule 5 draft. Lovelady was non-tendered, making him an immediate free agent.
Dixie Flatline
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The Chicago Cubs are interested in Astros RHP Ryan Pressly, as well as a number of veteran free agents, including Kenley Jansen, David Robertson, Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek and Brooks Raley (all but Raley are right handed pitchers). The Cubs missed out on signing LHP Tanner Scott, who chose an offer from the Dodgers over the Cubs, while the Cubs have also been linked to Carlos Estevez.
Pressly has a no-trade clause in his contract, but the Astros might be interested in convincing him to waive that clause to move to the Cubs, as they are currently projected to be $3 million over the first luxury tax threshold. Pressly has a salary of $14 million this season, so trading him would put the Astros back under the threshold and give them an opportunity to sign an oufielder, such as Jurickson Profar, to replace Kyle Tucker.
The Cubs and Astros have already done business this off-season, with the Cubs acquiring OF Kyle Tucker from the Astros in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes, RHP Hayden Wesneski and top prospect Cam Smith. Presumably the parties did discuss a trade involving Ryan Pressly at that stage, but it clearly did not go ahead.
The Cubs would likely need to pay a premium to sign the likes of Jansen or Robertson as free agents, given their body of work. This would mark a change in approach by the Cubs under Jed Hoyer. As noted previously, the largest guarantee the Cubs have given to a reliever was $9 million to RHP Hector Neris last off-season. Jansen or Robertson would likely require a higher guaranteed salary than what they paid to Neris. Of course, Robertson has previously pitched for the Cubs, having played at Wrigley Field in 2022 but at that stage, he was looking to reestablish himself after having undergone Tommy John surgery. Given that the Athletics and Orioles each signed Jose LeClerc and Andrew Kittredge for $10 million guaranteed salaries for 2025, Robertson may well be looking for more.
www.nytimes.com
Pressly has a no-trade clause in his contract, but the Astros might be interested in convincing him to waive that clause to move to the Cubs, as they are currently projected to be $3 million over the first luxury tax threshold. Pressly has a salary of $14 million this season, so trading him would put the Astros back under the threshold and give them an opportunity to sign an oufielder, such as Jurickson Profar, to replace Kyle Tucker.
The Cubs and Astros have already done business this off-season, with the Cubs acquiring OF Kyle Tucker from the Astros in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes, RHP Hayden Wesneski and top prospect Cam Smith. Presumably the parties did discuss a trade involving Ryan Pressly at that stage, but it clearly did not go ahead.
The Cubs would likely need to pay a premium to sign the likes of Jansen or Robertson as free agents, given their body of work. This would mark a change in approach by the Cubs under Jed Hoyer. As noted previously, the largest guarantee the Cubs have given to a reliever was $9 million to RHP Hector Neris last off-season. Jansen or Robertson would likely require a higher guaranteed salary than what they paid to Neris. Of course, Robertson has previously pitched for the Cubs, having played at Wrigley Field in 2022 but at that stage, he was looking to reestablish himself after having undergone Tommy John surgery. Given that the Athletics and Orioles each signed Jose LeClerc and Andrew Kittredge for $10 million guaranteed salaries for 2025, Robertson may well be looking for more.
What we’re hearing about the Cubs: Bullpen, Dansby Swanson, Pete Crow-Armstrong and more
Where can the Cubs go for bullpen help? Can Swanson bounce back from surgery? Where will Crow-Armstrong hit in the lineup?
www.nytimes.com
Dixie Flatline
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The Atlanta Braves are in agreement with OF Jurickson Profar on a three year, $42 million contract, according to multiple reports. Profar will make $12 million in 2025, then will be paid $15 million in 2026 and 2027. The Braves have a full 40-man roster so will need to make a move once the deal is official.
The Padres signed Profar to a one year, $1 million contract last off-season after he had had a terrible 2023. Profar played 158 games and had 668 plate appearances for the season. He hit a career-high 24 homeruns and slashed .280/.380/.459, good enough for a 139 wRC+ that was clearly his best career. That put him in the top 15 among qualified hitters last year.
Profar has experience playing all positions other than catcher, but is just about a full-time left-fielder (though not a particularly good one) with 18 innings at first base in 2024 the only innings he's played in a position other than left field. Profar was graded -8 by Defensive Runs Saved and -6 by Outs Above Average. However, due to his success at the plate and 10 stolen bases, he earned 4.3 fWAR for 2024.
The Padres signed Profar to a one year, $1 million contract last off-season after he had had a terrible 2023. Profar played 158 games and had 668 plate appearances for the season. He hit a career-high 24 homeruns and slashed .280/.380/.459, good enough for a 139 wRC+ that was clearly his best career. That put him in the top 15 among qualified hitters last year.
Profar has experience playing all positions other than catcher, but is just about a full-time left-fielder (though not a particularly good one) with 18 innings at first base in 2024 the only innings he's played in a position other than left field. Profar was graded -8 by Defensive Runs Saved and -6 by Outs Above Average. However, due to his success at the plate and 10 stolen bases, he earned 4.3 fWAR for 2024.
Dixie Flatline
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According to multiple reports, the Toronto Blue Jays and first baseman Pete Alonso are "advancing" their discussions on a possible contract for Alonso to join the Blue Jays. However, nothing is done yet and it is not certain that a deal will come together.
Alonso has hit 226 homeruns over the last six seasons, which is second among all MLB hitters behind Aaron Judge over that timeframe. However, Alonso's profile as a hitter leaves a bit to be desired, it would appear. He has a walk rate just less than 10%, doesn't have much speed on the basepaths and his defence has not been kind, with a +2 Defensive Runs Saved but -24 from Outs Above Average. Further, his bat seems to be slipping, as he hit .261/.349/.535 in his career through to the end of 2022 for a wRC+ of 137, but only .229/.324/.480 for 121 wRC+ over the last two seasons.
Alonso has hit 226 homeruns over the last six seasons, which is second among all MLB hitters behind Aaron Judge over that timeframe. However, Alonso's profile as a hitter leaves a bit to be desired, it would appear. He has a walk rate just less than 10%, doesn't have much speed on the basepaths and his defence has not been kind, with a +2 Defensive Runs Saved but -24 from Outs Above Average. Further, his bat seems to be slipping, as he hit .261/.349/.535 in his career through to the end of 2022 for a wRC+ of 137, but only .229/.324/.480 for 121 wRC+ over the last two seasons.
Dixie Flatline
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It appears that the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs have a tentative deal in place for the Cubs to acquire RHP Ryan Pressly from Houston, but it is contingent on Pressly waiving his no-trade clause, and as of just now, Pressly has reportedly not agreed to waive his no-trade provision.
The news emerges after it came out that the Astros have not closed the door on a reunion with third baseman Alex Bregman. The Astros are currently over the luxury tax threshold, and trading Pressly to the Cubs would allow the Astros to get beneath the threshold, possibly to take a run at signing Bregman after he knocked back a six-year, $156 million contract from the Astros at the start of the off-season.
According to one report, the Astros could move Isaac Paredes to second base and put Jose Altuve in left field, so that Bregman could fit in the infield at third base. The Astros have been looking to strengthen their outfield without much success this off-season, and this could be a method for them to achieve their desire. However, reports suggest that Bregman is currently considering two serious offers from other teams and the Astros are not convinced that they could get Bregman to pivot back to the Astros.
The news emerges after it came out that the Astros have not closed the door on a reunion with third baseman Alex Bregman. The Astros are currently over the luxury tax threshold, and trading Pressly to the Cubs would allow the Astros to get beneath the threshold, possibly to take a run at signing Bregman after he knocked back a six-year, $156 million contract from the Astros at the start of the off-season.
According to one report, the Astros could move Isaac Paredes to second base and put Jose Altuve in left field, so that Bregman could fit in the infield at third base. The Astros have been looking to strengthen their outfield without much success this off-season, and this could be a method for them to achieve their desire. However, reports suggest that Bregman is currently considering two serious offers from other teams and the Astros are not convinced that they could get Bregman to pivot back to the Astros.
Dixie Flatline
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It appears from reports that the Astros' offer of six years, $156 million to Alex Bregman is still on the table, while pressure from within the Astros clubhouse has contributed to the front office reopening discussions with Bregman recently. It is not known whether the Astros are prepared to increase their offer, or if they are hoping that Bregman will lower his demands now that he is not signed with Spring Training only just around the corner.
www.nytimes.com
Astros re-engage in talks with longtime third baseman Alex Bregman: Sources
Houston is also shopping reliever Ryan Pressly, who has a no-trade clause.
www.nytimes.com
Dixie Flatline
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It appears that several teams have interest in acquiring RHP Dylan Cease from the Padres. According to reports from The Athletic, the Twins have discussed trade scenarios involving catcher Christian Vazquez but also acquiring Cease. It is not clear whether there would be a one-for-one swap between the two teams, given that Vazquez is arguably overpaid at $10 million for a glove-first, part-time catcher, while Cease has been one of the best starting pitchers in recent seasons and is owed $13.75 million for 2025.
The Padres might be forced to trade Cease because they are projected for a $208 million payroll in 2025, almost $40 million higher than their 2024 payroll. It appears that AJ Preller is required to cut payroll to get close to their 2024 Opening Day payroll and doesn't have many options to clear the salary away. Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Yu Darvish, Fernando Tatis Jr and Joe Musgrove all have no-trade provisions in their contract, while Jake Cronenworth has a provision barring trades to eight clubs but is on such an expensive contract that he can hardly be traded. Reliever Robert Suarez has three years on his contract but the opt-out/player option after the 2025 season complicates trade talks.
That leaves the Padres looking at trading one or both of Luis Arraez and Dylan Cease before they hit free agency. However, Arraez's contact-oriented approach to hitting and his lack of value on defence suppresses his value on the trade market.
The Twins also don't have a lot of financial flexibility but would certainly need the help to their rotation that would come from acquiring Dylan Cease.
www.nytimes.com
The Padres might be forced to trade Cease because they are projected for a $208 million payroll in 2025, almost $40 million higher than their 2024 payroll. It appears that AJ Preller is required to cut payroll to get close to their 2024 Opening Day payroll and doesn't have many options to clear the salary away. Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Yu Darvish, Fernando Tatis Jr and Joe Musgrove all have no-trade provisions in their contract, while Jake Cronenworth has a provision barring trades to eight clubs but is on such an expensive contract that he can hardly be traded. Reliever Robert Suarez has three years on his contract but the opt-out/player option after the 2025 season complicates trade talks.
That leaves the Padres looking at trading one or both of Luis Arraez and Dylan Cease before they hit free agency. However, Arraez's contact-oriented approach to hitting and his lack of value on defence suppresses his value on the trade market.
The Twins also don't have a lot of financial flexibility but would certainly need the help to their rotation that would come from acquiring Dylan Cease.
Twins-Padres trade talks have focused on Christian Vázquez: Sources
The Twins would like to reallocate resources and they could find a willing trade partner in San Diego.
www.nytimes.com
