Farmer1906 said:

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto just pitched a complete game on 138 pitches in his last start before becoming an MLB free agent

He had 14 strikeouts, breaking Yu Darvish's Japan Series record pic.twitter.com/SleSD0Kl4c

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 4, 2023

This dude might be special.

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Very smooth. Looks like it's hard for hitters to pick up ball/movement.

It's funny they're the buffaloes. He's already got Houston ties: Go Buffs!

Did their parade look like the highway chase Atlantas was or did they just stay in Arlington?

Wabs said:

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Beat40 said:

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Deluxe said:

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Trading Cease and Robert would be a rebuild move for the Sox. Not sure why they'd want Framber in return. He has same amount of team control as Cease and less than Robert. Then he's probly gone and looking to get paid.

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I've got a good buddy that is a huge white Sox fan who follows them like we follow the Astros and he says Reinsdorf doesn't want a rebuild. That's why they want MLB ready talent for either of those guys.

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If true then why would they trade Cease or Robert? Just don't see this happening unless we're willing to give up Pena, Urquidy, Chas, and a prospect or two. Personally I would consider it, but don't think Dana would.

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I don't think they are going to trade those guys or actually want to trade those guys. They asked for the same type of deal during the trade deadline. If they wanted prospects for those guys, they would have done it during the trade deadline last year when they had the most leverage over teams.

I think it's more the Astros may have kicked the tires and White Sox responded by saying, sure, I'll give you those guys if you give me Framber and another MLB ready guy or two.

Breaking: Marcus Stroman opted out of his Cubs contract and will be a free agent. He had $21M and a year to go.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 4, 2023

Be cool if we had the money to go get him

Deluxe said:

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Beat40 said:

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Deluxe said:

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Trading Cease and Robert would be a rebuild move for the Sox. Not sure why they'd want Framber in return. He has same amount of team control as Cease and less than Robert. Then he's probly gone and looking to get paid.

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I've got a good buddy that is a huge white Sox fan who follows them like we follow the Astros and he says Reinsdorf doesn't want a rebuild. That's why they want MLB ready talent for either of those guys.

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I've heard similar things. But yea, like others have said, if they aren't interested in rebuilding, seems like it would be odd to deal Cease and Robert.

And it would make very little sense for us to include Framber or any other "win-now" guy on our roster in a deal like that.

Obviously we have to give to get and guys like Pena, HB and France would be in play, as well as our best remaining prospects. But doesn't sound like Reinsdorf wants a deal like that.

Putting the Cease/Robert rumors in "believe it when I see it" mode.

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Yup. I don't think I they really want to trade those guys. I think they are just telling teams who ask about their availability is sure, we'll trade, but we want some MLB ready value close to them.

I am with you that it is extremely unlikely Cease or Roberts get traded, at least to Houston.

Forgot about this already?
https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/mets-marcus-stroman-blasts-astros-for-ruining-integrity-of-baseball-175106115.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJeyrRxeZpESE7iXx9xuaLS1d92FozRH22pCGJzqawE8Rso4r1SSWnUlBoY5NLfxE_HykIOUx9cSyw9bHEcTLsFldd5XsjFuRc5dltONpXwenH8mq5rmBoxcGOO-bmp2mk6RlYFul4SYrUjCNInWcxCUHmNCkHomtr5E0xJ6uxAn

Haven't forgot about it, but if dudes care enough about playing for a ring, let bygones be bygones and let's go win a ship..same reason we were talking about trading for Bellinger at the deadline..

txags11 said:

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Breaking: Marcus Stroman opted out of his Cubs contract and will be a free agent. He had $21M and a year to go.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 4, 2023

Be cool if we had the money to go get him

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I think he'll age okay but his ceiling it too low for me. Plus I don't think he's getting much more than 21 M per year. Might even be a lower AAV for a handful of years. His second half tanked his stock.

Edit:

Last time he was a UFA at 30 (going into age 31 season) he got 3/72 with an opt out. Now he's hitting the market at 33. Maybe he gets another 3 years but the AAV is going to be less. I'm not sure this is a smart move, especially if he liked Chicago.

So if we did sign Hader, what does everyone think the 7-8-9 bridge looks like?

I don't think Hader is signing anywhere to be a setup man. He put out a FA hype video yesterday narrated by Trevor Hoffman all about being a closer and what it means.

This is the reason I haven't quite understood the Hader interest. Don't get me wrong, I'd be pumped to have him. But I think that would mean Pressly would move out of the closer role, and I have no idea how he would take to that

Given that last season was a dog's breakfast and yet once again in the ALCS, I could see Crane not opening the checkbook beyond the competitive balance or whatever tax line. With new manager and rest and recovery that could go a long way.

Hey, if he does, great. But probably best to temper free agency expectations.

Source: Hector Neris has declined his $8.5 million player option for 2024. He is a free agent — and should be in line for a nice deal. Neris had a 1.71 ERA and 1.054 WHIP in 71 appearances this season with the Astros.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) November 4, 2023

BadAggie said:

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Given that last season was a dog's breakfast and yet once again in the ALCS, I could see Crane not opening the checkbook beyond the competitive balance or whatever tax line. With new manager and rest and recovery that could go a long way.

Hey, if he does, great. But probably best to temper free agency expectations.

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Chandler had an article the other day and stated that based on the projections for arbitration and the contracts on the books, even before signing anyone we we're less than $2m under the first luxury tax threshold.

Moves being made.

The Tigers make a trade for Mark Canha pic.twitter.com/DHENI25ZSh

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 4, 2023

Shocked Stroman opted out.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/marcus-stroman-opts-out-of-deal-with-cubs.html

EastCoastAgNc said:

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BadAggie said:

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Given that last season was a dog's breakfast and yet once again in the ALCS, I could see Crane not opening the checkbook beyond the competitive balance or whatever tax line. With new manager and rest and recovery that could go a long way.

Hey, if he does, great. But probably best to temper free agency expectations.

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Chandler had an article the other day and stated that based on the projections for arbitration and the contracts on the books, even before signing anyone we we're less than $2m under the first luxury tax threshold.

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Makes sense. Gonna be small moves and counting on new manager and rest and recovery for next season.

Well we need some RP. I'd guess Matt Moore on a 2 year $15M kind of deal. Might trade an Urquidy to free up some money, plus we could use a prospect or two.

MaxPower said:

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Well we need some RP. I'd guess Matt Moore on a 2 year $15M kind of deal. Might trade an Urquidy to free up some money, plus we could use a prospect or two.

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Finding a way to package Montero in a deal would be critical to making some salary room

He has gone over the luxury tax before but I suspect the key is he doesn't want to be a repeat offender as the penalties escalate. Thats also part of the reason I postulated Abreu for Rizzo as Rizzo's deal ends after 2024 so there's more flexibility created. Obviously we would have to send more their way but that's the thought process.