Eduardo Rodriguez opted out of Tigers deal. Had $49M, 3 years to go.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 4, 2023

PrestigeWorldwideAg12 said:

---

EastCoastAgNc said:

---

MaxPower said:

---

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.

---

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

---

Somebody just needs to get Crane drunk on some high end bourbon (cough Jim Flores cough) and learn how to spend some more money.

---

Farmer1906 said:

---

PrestigeWorldwideAg12 said:

---

EastCoastAgNc said:

---

MaxPower said:

---

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.

---

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

---

Somebody just needs to get Crane drunk on some high end bourbon (cough Jim Flores cough) and learn how to spend some more money.

---

The luxury tax isn't nearly as bad as it used to be. The only real penalties are when you go way over.

---

Beau Holder said:

---

Doesn't he have some serious control issues though?

---

Farmer1906 said:

---

htxag09 said:

---

Marvin said:

---

I don't get upset with A&M sports any longer. There's zero joy found down that road. I watch, and switch channels when the predictable happens.

I hope to never get that way with the Astros, though!

---

I mean Astros around 2010-2014 were way worse than the Aggies are now….

---

True but you knew we sucked. Expectations were low. The Ags should be good yet we're average.

---

Quote:

---

High-Leverage/Potential Setup Arms

• Jordan Hicks (27)

Hicks is both the youngest and hardest-throwing name on this year's bullpen market. The Cardinals couldn't seem to make up their mind whether they wanted him to be a starter or reliever, but he's having his best year to date in the latter of those two roles. In 63 2/3 innings between the Cards and Blue Jays, Hicks has logged a 3.11 ERA with a 28.8% strikeout rate, 10.9% walk rate and massive 58.5% ground-ball rate. His strikeouts are down to a roughly average 23.5% since being traded, but his 7.1% walk rate since the trade would also be a career-best.

Hicks' typical 100 mph sinker has dropped to an average of, ahem, "only" 99.3 mph with the Jays after sitting at 100.7 mph in St. Louis prior to the swap. It's still absolutely overpowering velocity, and the dip in heat feels like a worthwhile trade-off if he can keep his command at this level, especially since his ground-ball rate remains unchanged. Hicks only just turned 27 this month, so even a three-year deal would conclude just weeks after he turns 30.

He's already had Tommy John surgery, so there's some injury risk, but his unrivaled youth and power arsenal will serve him well. Hicks will be among the top three to four options on the market this year.

• Joe Jimenez (29) - Braves locked him up 3/26 M
• Pierce Johnson (33) - Braves locked him up 2/14.25 M

• Reynaldo Lopez (30)

Lopez, 30 in January, doesn't miss the "hardest-throwing" distinction among this year's class by much. The longtime White Sox hurler has averaged 98.4 mph on his heater in 2023 and is in his third straight season with a mid-3.00s ERA (or better). In 64 frames spread across the Sox, Angels and Guardians, Lopez has a 3.38 ERA, 30.1% strikeout rate and 12.4% walk rate. That strikeout rate is the best of his career, but Lopez's walk rate is more than double the 5% at which it sat in 2021-22 combined.

Somewhat interestingly, Lopez has done his best work of the season since being claimed by Cleveland, where he's throwing his changeup more than twice as much as he did with the ChiSox. Perhaps that's small sample noise or perhaps it's a recipe for success. Regardless, a 30-year-old righty who sits 98-99, regularly hits triple digits, and boasts a 3.18 ERA over his past three seasons and 187 innings isn't going to lack interest. Lopez is going to get a multi-year deal likely at a premium annual rate.

• Robert Stephenson (31)

Stephenson has gone from unheralded journeyman acquisition to high-octane arm within a manner of months. He owned a 5.14 ERA in 14 appearances for the Pirates when he was dealt to the Rays for infielder Alika Williams in a June 2 trade. Since landing in Tampa Bay, he's been one of the best relievers on the planet.

Over 36 1/3 frames as a Ray, Stephenson carries a 2.48 ERA. He's striking out an eye-popping 41.8% of batters faced while walking just 6% of opponents. His dominance on a pitch-for-pitch basis is laughable. Stephenson has gotten a swinging strike on 28.2% of his pitches as a Ray and 24.1% of his offerings this season overall. Not only is that the highest rate of any pitcher with 50+ innings, it's more than three percentage points clear of second-place Felix Bautista.

How will the market value a pitcher who has been arguably the game's most dominant reliever for three and a half months after a career of inconsistency? Pitchers like Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero have landed three-year contracts largely behind one platform season that was less impressive than Stephenson's last few months. The Padres went to four years and $34MM for Drew Pomeranz on the heels of a dominant second half a few seasons back.

Veterans with Closing Experience

• Brad Boxberger (36)
• Dylan Floro (33)
• Craig Kimbrel (36)
• Trevor May (35)
• David Robertson (39)

Middle Relievers

• Ryan Brasier (36)
• John Brebbia (34)
• Jesse Chavez (40)
• Jose Cisnero (35)
• Chris Devenski (33)
• Buck Farmer (33)
• Michael Fulmer (31)
• Luis Garcia (37)
• Phil Maton (31)
• Keynan Middleton (30)
• Shelby Miller (33)
• Dominic Leone (32)
• Emilio Pagan (33)
• Ryne Stanek (32)
• Chris Stratton (33)
• Drew VerHagen (33)

---

W said:

---

Dusty's tenure is not going to age well

it was a weapons-grade incompetence in 2023

---