https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/mlb-free-agency-top-50-ranking-the-best-players-available-this-winter-starting-with-tarik-skubal-and-freddy-peralta-200115707.html

Everything from the 30's on pretty much a crapshoot in this class that probably ends with only 3 guys breaking $100 million.

Skubal Peralta and Sato

"Sato's strikeout rate has hovered around 27% the past two seasons, while Murakami's was closer to 30%.

The crucial distinction between the two players' plate discipline profiles is that while Sato whiffs less (especially in-zone) than Murakami, he chases significantly more pitches outside the strike zone. So while Sato might not strike out as often as Murakami, he might have a much tougher time offsetting those strikeouts with walks. The other element tilting in Sato's favor is his defensive outlook. He is not a definitive lock to stay at third base, but he has the athleticism to warrant a longer look at the hot corner than Murakami, who was immediately moved to first. Sato and his strong arm could also profile well in a corner outfield spot. Of course, it's still all about the bat, and if a team believes he can fully translate his special slugging potential, Sato is going to get paid handsomely."

Edited 22 hours ago22 hr by caulfield12

I can't figure out what I want. Sorta think we'd be a good option for Rogers because we've handled these boom/bust eras well last year, but I also just want a guy we can trust.

Will be excited to fill out the staff

53 minutes ago, bmags said:

I can't figure out what I want. Sorta think we'd be a good option for Rogers because we've handled these boom/bust eras well last year, but I also just want a guy we can trust.

Will be excited to fill out the staff

I like Roger’s too. Lefty arms are always a plus in this division.

Grab a pitcher from this list.

Trading for a starter is silly.

Is it ridiculous that I am seeing Robert as a good option for us? In my heart I hate it, but on paper it does make sense.

- Historically a good bat vs LHP that can replace Grichuk
- Likely will settle for a cheap 1 year deal to rebuild value

Obviously I expect him to hit the IL multiple times throughout 2027, but he likely won't require a long term commitment and will give Bonemer more time to develop before they call him up. Would 1 year, 5 million with incentives get it done?

Vs RHP: Antonacci, Peters, Braden (Benny DH)
Vs LHP: Robert, Peters/Doyle, Braden (he needs reps vs LHP), (Antonacci DH)

8 minutes ago, reiks12 said:

Is it ridiculous that I am seeing Robert as a good option for us? In my heart I hate it, but on paper it does make sense.

- Historically a good bat vs LHP that can replace Grichuk
- Likely will settle for a cheap 1 year deal to rebuild value

Obviously I expect him to hit the IL multiple times throughout 2027, but he likely won't require a long term commitment and will give Bonemer more time to develop before they call him up. Would 1 year, 5 million with incentives get it done?

Vs RHP: Antonacci, Peters, Braden (Benny DH)
Vs LHP: Robert, Peters/Doyle, Braden (he needs reps vs LHP), (Antonacci DH)

If we are talking about something in the 3 to 5 million range for a year, sure.

No reason they can't grab a starter from the top 25 of that list and one from the bottom 25.

Would love to see them get King but that's probably a pipe dream. Maybe Holmes and Griffin?

Edited 17 hours ago17 hr by Rusty_Kuntz

Not as good a class as last offseason. Spend all the money on starting pitching regardless, there are enough guys in there to hold down a rotation.

Luis Robert will have much better options available to him than returning to the Sox to be a platoon bat against LHP.

I would imagine he wont have a hard time finding a full time gig somewhere.

I think we should stick with players who love baseball.

What other options are there outside of Grichuk and Robert to be a platoon bat against LHP? We will certainly need one for next year. Grichuk will likely look for a starting spot. I am assuming they keep Bonemer down in the minors for a bit to "check all the boxes".

The Guardians might not want to offer Adell ~9 million, but again I assume he would want to start. He would be a solid option.

Do they go with Doyle until Bonemer comes up?

Brandon Woodruff to Milwaukee WS roster...

Sttong buy low candidate now with all the attendant injury recovery red flags.

Position Players
In your dreams:
Seiya Suzuki - He's going to get $30+ million a year for at least 4 years. I don't think we have that kind of money.
Ideal:
Mauricio Dubon - He's going to be pretty expensive for a utility guy, but he's the kind of player a team like this needs (and can afford). He also makes a lot of contact, which can help balance out the swing and miss in the lineup. Plays good defense everywhere. He can fill in for Braden or Sam against LHP in the corner OF spots. He had reverse splits last year, but his splits over his career are favorable vs. LHP. The problem I see here is that he's probably going to get at least 3 years and $30+ million and he's already 32.
Luis Robert - I'd love to see him be a platoon OFer with us, but I think he'll get better opportunities elsewhere.
Realistic:
Ramon Laureano - Injured last year, but really good 2 years ago, especially against LHP. Plays a good RF and can platoon with Braden until he figures it out vs. LHP.
Randall Grichuk - I don't see an issue with bringing him back. Clearly a good clubhouse guy. I just don't think he can be as good as he was last year. He's also not somebody you should throw out on defense regularly, especially not RF.
Taylor Ward - This guy was absolutely pitiful in Seattle, but he wouldn't be the first guy to hate hitting there. His numbers in Baltimore were really good, but the decrease in power can't only be attributed to the far fences in LF in Baltimore, can it? Can play both corner OF spots just fine and is more or less split neutral throughout his career.
Tyrone Taylor - Great platoon bat that should fit this team well. He can play everywhere in the OF and has great speed.

Starting Pitchers
In your dreams:
Tarik Skubal - not happening
Freddy Peralta - He's probably earned himself another $30 million with his postseason performance this year. Definitely out of our financial reach now.
Ideal:
Trevor Rogers - He might be out of reach for us because he's only 28 and has come off a season with great peripherals. His good but not great results along with his injury history could make him a bit cheaper, but I can see him getting $120+ million over 5 years. Reminds me somewhat of Zack Wheeler when we tried to sign him in 2019. Will Jerry break his rule for a large pitcher contract for Trevor Rogers though? I doubt it, but I wouldn't say it's impossible.
Shota Imanaga - He gave up 35 homers last year, but it would have been 30 had he played at the Rate. Still terrible, but he's really one of those guys who's really good when he's on, but absolutely terrible when he's not. I think he's within our financial reach, as I don't think teams rate him as anything other than a middle of the rotation guy at this point. But he will eat innings and keep you in games minus the blow ups.
Foster Griffin - I think I actually prefer him over Imanaga. He clearly showed he can pitch well in the postseason. Stuff isn't amazing, but he has good command and a lot of pitches. Despite his poor ERA with the Guardians, his peripherals were still solid with them. I think people were so fixated on Peralta doing well in the playoffs that they forgot about Griffin. He didn't walk anyone in 10.1 playoff innings and struck out 15.
Realistic:
Dustin May - His peripherals were better than his results last year. But I have to wonder just how reliable he is given his injury history. Still only 29, so if you hit on him, he's still got some prime years left.
Jack Flaherty - Could be a relatively cheap innings eater who gives you an ERA around the mid 4s.
David Peterson - Very unlucky on the Mets last year, was much better when he went to the Cubs. Decent back end rotation option.

Relief Pitchers:
Ideal:
David Bednar - We badly need an actual closer so Grant Taylor can either be used as a multi-inning setup man or a starter. Grant had to be a setup man and a closer last year and that's just way too much to ask from him. Unfortunately, I don't think we can spend big on a guy like Bednar and still upgrade the starting rotation in a meaningful way.
Raisel Iglesias - The only problem is that he's 37, but that could also mean a shorter and cheaper contract. He's still a very good closer and should keep things up for another year or 2. After all, Kenley is still closing games at 39.
Realistic:
Bryan Abreu - Minus his terrible start to the year, this guy was absolutely dominant. The only concern with him is that he gets wild sometimes. I think we saw the entire spectrum of Abreu in game 2 of the ALWCS. Where he got behind Chase 3-0, then hung a slider for a 3 run homer, and then struck out almost everyone else after that for 2 innings. We badly need a trustworthy right handed relief option besides Taylor.
Sean Newcomb - I have no issues bringing him back, provided it's not for $10+ million AAV. If Vasil recovers from TJS well, he can take over Newcomb's role. A lot of his late-season struggles were due to fatigue. We really used him and Taylor far too much last year because of how bad the starting rotation was.

The “in your dreams” offensive addition is Acuna Jr. Sorry to hijack FA thread.

Just now, fathom said:

The “in your dreams” offensive addition is Acuna Jr. Sorry to hijack FA thread.

Are you telling me that we got his brother just to pull a Manny Machado part 2?

35 minutes ago, chw42 said:

Are you telling me that we got his brother just to pull a Manny Machado part 2?

Exactly what I was thinking lol

1 hour ago, fathom said:

The “in your dreams” offensive addition is Acuna Jr. Sorry to hijack FA thread.

Does a close to 90% healthy Acuna at least still exist?

ATL definitely needs a SS.

Edited 11 hours ago11 hr by caulfield12

5 hours ago, reiks12 said:

What other options are there outside of Grichuk and Robert to be a platoon bat against LHP? We will certainly need one for next year. Grichuk will likely look for a starting spot. I am assuming they keep Bonemer down in the minors for a bit to "check all the boxes".

The Guardians might not want to offer Adell ~9 million, but again I assume he would want to start. He would be a solid option.

Do they go with Doyle until Bonemer comes up?

Getz likes Doyle. I think he's sticking around.