A couple of the losing bids for Freddie Freeman: Braves $140M, 5 years, Rays about $150M, 6 years. Red Sox also were in, so 3 GMs (including the winning Dodgers; $162M, 6) with Rays history all were in.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 17, 2022

Marvin said:

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helloimustbegoing said:

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Starting to think Correa just doesn't want to go to spring training and he'll sign the week before the season starts.
Sort of like when Sean Jones of the Oilers would retire every summer so he didn't have to go to training camp.

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Back strain incoming by April 12th…

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Yeah the 2020 shortened pandemic season without spring training saw a ton of injuries. Got to get out there asap

Jonathan Villar to Cubs @ByRobertMurray 1st

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 17, 2022

Cubs pick up another shortstop. Makes me think they're even more out of the Correa running.

wow. Financially, that Tampa deal makes a lot more sense than LA. I guess Freeman favors the LA market and lifestyle more than a Florida beach town...which surprises me a little based on his personality.

Thought I read somewhere that he already has a residence in Orange County.

shano0603 said:

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tjack16 said:

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It's been oddly quiet on the Trevor story front. Wonder what the deal is with that

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He's waiting. Once Correa signs, he will easily get a bigger contract than if he signed now.

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I could see that but who's still out there willing to give big money?

Twins look like they're ready to make someone a big offer. Most think Story.
Cardinals seem to be balking on making a commitment and will give Sosa & Dejong another shot.
Red Sox have been shut out of big signings this offseason. Bogaerts isn't moving off SS. Would Story or Correa play second (no chance for CC, right?)
Mariners made their splash in the OF already and have Crawford
Angels make sense, but their focus has been on pitching. They're already paying Trout, Rendon, and will need to pay Otahni.
Yankees traded for a SS and don't want to give a mega deal. They'll need to pay Judge next year.
Cubs made some sense, but their offer was low for Correa. Maybe Story fits.

Am I missing anyone?

Farmer1906 said:

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shano0603 said:

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tjack16 said:

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It's been oddly quiet on the Trevor story front. Wonder what the deal is with that

---

He's waiting. Once Correa signs, he will easily get a bigger contract than if he signed now.

---

I could see that but who's still out there willing to give big money?

Twins look like they're ready to make someone a big offer. Most think Story.
Cardinals seem to be balking on making a commitment and will give Sosa & Dejong another shot.
Red Sox have been shut out of big signings this offseason. Bogaerts isn't moving off SS. Would Story or Correa play second (no chance for CC, right?)
Mariners made their splash in the OF already and have Crawford
Angels make sense, but their focus has been on pitching. They're already paying Trout, Rendon, and will need to pay Otahni.
Yankees traded for a SS and don't want to give a mega deal. They'll need to pay Judge next year.
Cubs made some sense, but their offer was low for Correa. Maybe Story fits.

Am I missing anyone?

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Cubs likely out after signing Villar earlier. Orioles have the stupid offer out there. Have the Twins ever given out a mega deal?

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Farmer1906 said:

---

shano0603 said:

---

tjack16 said:

---

It's been oddly quiet on the Trevor story front. Wonder what the deal is with that

---

He's waiting. Once Correa signs, he will easily get a bigger contract than if he signed now.

---

I could see that but who's still out there willing to give big money?

Twins look like they're ready to make someone a big offer. Most think Story.
Cardinals seem to be balking on making a commitment and will give Sosa & Dejong another shot.
Red Sox have been shut out of big signings this offseason. Bogaerts isn't moving off SS. Would Story or Correa play second (no chance for CC, right?)
Mariners made their splash in the OF already and have Crawford
Angels make sense, but their focus has been on pitching. They're already paying Trout, Rendon, and will need to pay Otahni.
Yankees traded for a SS and don't want to give a mega deal. They'll need to pay Judge next year.
Cubs made some sense, but their offer was low for Correa. Maybe Story fits.

Am I missing anyone?

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Cubs likely out after signing Villar earlier. Orioles have the stupid offer out there. Have the Twins ever given out a mega deal?

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Villar isn't going to stop anyone from signing Correa or Story. I think the Cubs are setting up to make a run at Correa in 2023 or 2024.

8/284 Mauer
7/100 Buxton (lots of incentives too)
5/90 Hunter (pretty big in 2008) then followed it up with 2/26 when he was 37 years old and 1/10.5 at 39.

Farmer1906 said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

---

Farmer1906 said:

---

shano0603 said:

---

tjack16 said:

---

It's been oddly quiet on the Trevor story front. Wonder what the deal is with that

---

He's waiting. Once Correa signs, he will easily get a bigger contract than if he signed now.

---

I could see that but who's still out there willing to give big money?

Twins look like they're ready to make someone a big offer. Most think Story.
Cardinals seem to be balking on making a commitment and will give Sosa & Dejong another shot.
Red Sox have been shut out of big signings this offseason. Bogaerts isn't moving off SS. Would Story or Correa play second (no chance for CC, right?)
Mariners made their splash in the OF already and have Crawford
Angels make sense, but their focus has been on pitching. They're already paying Trout, Rendon, and will need to pay Otahni.
Yankees traded for a SS and don't want to give a mega deal. They'll need to pay Judge next year.
Cubs made some sense, but their offer was low for Correa. Maybe Story fits.

Am I missing anyone?

---

Cubs likely out after signing Villar earlier. Orioles have the stupid offer out there. Have the Twins ever given out a mega deal?

---

Villar isn't going to stop anyone from signing Correa or Story. I think the Cubs are setting up to make a run at Correa in 2023 or 2024.

8/284 Mauer
7/100 Buxton (lots of incentives too)
5/90 Hunter (pretty big in 2008) then followed it up with 2/26 when he was 37 years old and 1/10.5 at 39.

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It would surprise me if they signed both Simmons and Villar, then went and got Correa this year. They would have 3 SS at that point.

One of the #Astros top prospects, Korey Lee (@koreyleeeeee), will catch @JustinVerlander tomorrow in Justin’s first game of any kind since July/2020: “It’s an honor. It’s an opportunity I’m not gonna take for granted. I’m gonna enjoy every second of it..Loss for words, honestly.” pic.twitter.com/Bi71Z3lQcI

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 17, 2022

Free-agent reliever Archie Bradley has agreed to a one-year, $3.75M contract with the Angels, source tells @TheAthletic.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 17, 2022

When #Dodgers All Star Justin Turner was asked if he was recruiting Freddie Freeman this winter, he laughed and said, ‘I’ve been recruiting him for the last 5 years.’

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 17, 2022

Tampering much?

Yeah, thanks for that, jerk!

Lee was probably in his first year of minor league ball, maybe already playing up in age in the Little League division when Verlander debuted in MLB. For sure he was a year removed from T-ball. Those kids all wanted to be Justin Verlander when they grew up.

On second thought, I want to be Justin Verlander when I grow up...

Minnesota gave a big contract to Mauer...and it was a disaster for the Twins -- a small market team

I'd be happy being JV for about, oh.... 30 seconds or so.

Without prompting, Zack Greinke said during his media session that he does not plan on this being his last season. #Royals

— Lynn Worthy (@LWorthySports) March 17, 2022

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Without prompting, Zack Greinke said during his media session that he does not plan on this being his last season. #Royals

— Lynn Worthy (@LWorthySports) March 17, 2022

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Greinke's draft class is a fascinating one to look at (2002)

https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=2002&draft_round=1&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round

Pirates drafted Bryan Bullington #1, who pitched 26 games for them with a 1-9 record and a 5.62 ERA

#2 was BJ Upton, played 1469 games.

#3 Chris Gruler for the Reds never played a game in the Majors

#4 Adam Loewen of the Orioles pitched in 63 games and had a career ERA of 5.85

#%5 Clint Everts for Montreal never played in the majors.

Then you have Greinke #6 and Prince Fielder #7.

Greinke's career WAR is 73.1. The only other guy in the entire first round of the draft that year with a WAR above 30 is Cole Hamels (59.3) who went 17th overall.

The local 9 took whoever Derick Grigsby is. Also zero MLB appearances.

The 2nd round produced three guys with >30 career WARS. Joey Votto (64.6), Jon Lester (44.2), and Brian McCann (32.0)

Position players on the travel list to Jupiter tomorrow include Korey Lee, Pedro León, Corey Julks, Grae Kessinger and Marty Costes.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 17, 2022

Triple A day baybeeee

We're facing Wainwright tomorrow. Is he HOFer?

16 years
425 Games
3.35 ERA
3.43 FIP
184-105
44.5 WAR (#6 for active pitchers, could/should pass Sale this season)
2004 Strike Outs
0 CY Youngs, but finished 2nd twice, 3rd twice, and 7th once
3x All Star
2 Gold Gloves
1 Silver Slugger
29 postseason games
2.83 Postseason ERA
1 Ring

Great words on @Machete1224 from @JustinVerlander.

“He treats everybody the same, from the last guy on the bench to the number one starter. It’s all about ‘hey how can I make you better’” (Video from the Astros) pic.twitter.com/uiHNsrPltj

— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) March 17, 2022

Astros lineup for tomorrow's Grapefruit League opener against the Cardinals:

Pedro León CF
Justin Dirden RF
Marty Costes LF
J.J. Matijevic 1B
Corey Julks 3B
Korey Lee C
Grae Kessinger 2B
Cristian Gonzalez SS
Zach Daniels DH

Justin Verlander RHP

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 17, 2022

helloimustbegoing said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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Without prompting, Zack Greinke said during his media session that he does not plan on this being his last season. #Royals

— Lynn Worthy (@LWorthySports) March 17, 2022

---

Greinke's draft class is a fascinating one to look at (2002)

https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=2002&draft_round=1&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round

Pirates drafted Bryan Bullington #1, who pitched 26 games for them with a 1-9 record and a 5.62 ERA

#2 was BJ Upton, played 1469 games.

#3 Chris Gruler for the Reds never played a game in the Majors

#4 Adam Loewen of the Orioles pitched in 63 games and had a career ERA of 5.85

#%5 Clint Everts for Montreal never played in the majors.

Then you have Greinke #6 and Prince Fielder #7.

Greinke's career WAR is 73.1. The only other guy in the entire first round of the draft that year with a WAR above 30 is Cole Hamels (59.3) who went 17th overall.

The local 9 took whoever Derick Grigsby is. Also zero MLB appearances.

The 2nd round produced three guys with >30 career WARS. Joey Votto (64.6), Jon Lester (44.2), and Brian McCann (32.0)

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You left off Kazmir who was drafted in that draft by the Mets #15, I played at the same HS with both he and Everts. What a sight those guys were. Best game ive ever seen was when they played Tomball against Troy Patton and a stud OF Ball I think, dude was built like a linebacker.

Scott hit a HR off Patton but gave up two homeruns one each to Patton and Ball...I believe each ball cleared the lights on the way out. If you've ever been to Cy Falls the other guys hit off the roof of one of the houses in Left Center and bounced into the front yard...

Clint was an absolute stud at SS that guy made more freak plays including on the other side of second base than I have ever witnessed. If that team just had a few more bats they could have won it all.

Right-hander Ryan Tepera has agreed to terms with the #Angels. Two years and $14MM, per source.

— Steve Adams (@Adams_Steve) March 17, 2022

This was the whitesox pitcher who ran his mouth in the playoffs

Nope. Might make it past the first ballot but that's it. I can see him hovering around the 7-10% mark.

But the BBWAA is full of morons so you never know

Is Roy O a HOFer? Eerily similar stats between the two:

https://stathead.com/baseball/player-comparison.cgi?player_id2=wainwad01&type=p&player_id1=oswalro01&sum=0&request=1

First time I have seen the name Derick Grigsby in 15 years. Sad story, mother died early in life, depression took over his life and basically caused him to hide from everything including baseball.