On this day 5 years ago, we acquired Corey Kluber for Emmanuel Clase & Delino Deshields

Let's talk Vlady Jr (25). Just rejected a $340M offer. Can't find years, but apparently the buzz is that the Jays missed their mark prior to the Soto signing and now his FA is eminent.

One projection has his FA contract at about 12yr/$462M... $38.5M per. BoSox as the likely best option. Jays would likely offer a QO and they'd get a Comp pick.

He is projected at $28M Arb for 2025. Blue Jays have about $23M in CBT clearance (including his projection) and need an OF and more SP.

Vlady likely traded, IMO.

Rangers would be a great fit, of course.

Vlady @ $28M for '25, then FA. - 159G, .323, 30HR, .940 OPS, 166 OPS+
for
Lowe ($9.9M Arb projection), plus Arb4 in '26.
Gray ($13M), FA after '25
Josh Smith or Duran Or Adolis Garcia

Smith gives them a ready SS replacement when Bichette leaves. He also is a FA after '25.

Compared to what the Cubs gave up for Tucker as a 1yr rental. IF Paredas (3yr Arb), P Wesneski (S3+3Arb years), IF Cam Smith (AA)
Tucker: 78G, .289, 23 HR, .993 OPS, 181 OPS+

Now, I'd like to have a shot at making an Offer for Vlady Jr before the trade to see if you could lock him up.

I know... fantasy, but at least worth thinking about in the off-season.

Way too much without an extension in place IMO

I am shocked they offered that long of a contract (regardless of age) to somebody who is as overweight a dude as Vlady haha. Obese Framber has nothing on him

I downloaded the Victory + app on my TV and iPhone.

It is a Samsung, but apparently 2017.

We've tried, but I'm guessing the SW doesn't support it. The last OS update available was 2021.

Maybe we need a new TV. I'll take that approach and look after Christmas in the Sales.

Prince Fielder comes to mind.

Ahhh. Got ya. Ours is a Sony so we have the Google play store for apps on it.

Ours has Google Play, as well, I think it just doesn't have any Apps released since 2021.

I had some friends that went, they had a blast

any TV deal without some sort of MLB TV option is dumb. Is this Victory stuff real?

Still lots of talent on the board. I expected after Soto and Snell, that things would grind fast. There was a bit of a flurry, but teams look to be filling their Minor league+ST Invites.

What's left at the top? Only 9 of Top 22 have signed, from MLBTR Top50 list:
2. Corbin Burnes, SP: Seven years, $200MM
3. Alex Bregman, 3B: Seven years, $182MM
7. Pete Alonso, 1B: Five years, $125MM
8. Jack Flaherty: Five years, $115MM
9. Anthony Santander, OF: Four years, $80MM
10. Sean Manaea, SP: Three years, $60MM
11. Teoscar Hernandez, OF: Three years, $60MM
13. Christian Walker, 1B: Three years, $60MM
14. Tanner Scott, RP: Four years, $56MM
16. Jurickson Profar, OF: Three years, $45MM
18. Jeff Hoffman: Four years, $44MM
20. Gleyber Torres, 2B: Two years, $36MM
22. Carlos Estevez, RP: Three years, $27MM

Notable Rangers:
25. Andrew Heaney, SP: Two years, $24MM
38. Kirby Yates, RP: One year, $14MM


Many of those that have signed were above MLBTR projections.

In the NL, with what the LAD and NYM have done, it would be hard for other teams to justify being too aggressive with long-term contracts.

Not sure anyone in the AL has really separated themselves, but a couple have improved and tried. I think budgets are looking tight under the CBT and many of these players are going to have to settle.

Best I can tell, 10+/- MLB teams are at or over $200M on a $241M CBT.

Texas Rangers agree to deal with Fort Worth-raised lefty reliever Hoby Milner#StraightUpTX | @Evan_P_Grant | @Rangers https://t.co/GbWHgyFQL3

— SportsDay Rangers (@dmn_rangers) December 20, 2024

What's a Hoby?

KT 90 said:

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Texas Rangers agree to deal with Fort Worth-raised lefty reliever Hoby Milner#StraightUpTX | @Evan_P_Grant | @Rangers https://t.co/GbWHgyFQL3

— SportsDay Rangers (@dmn_rangers) December 20, 2024

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pretty sure he's a sip

Interesting numbers.

1.9 BB9 the past 4 years, 9.1 SO9, and like a 1.15 WHIP... but also 3.64 ERA. IMO, that reads like a solid RP who probably left runners on that scored on the next RP. Only 1.0 HR9.

Low slot LHRP... heavily used. Apparently Mil wasn't interest in his projected $2.7M Arb.

I think he will play well... and for the price (official money hasn't been disclosed, that ive seen)... nice addition.

Now we just need a Closer... and apparently they are still after a LHB. We should be well below the CBT.

Apparently his "expected" ERA was lower. Metrics say he was unlucky.

Well, something tells me his luck is about to change.

Makes sense. Not a fan of the term "unlucky" in baseball, but I get the designation.

Well you know the old saying. "I'd rather be unlucky than bad". Or something along those lines.

From the "I didn't know that" department.

By rule, teams cannot discuss any type of long-term or back end money with Sasaki. It's a minor league contract with the IP signing bonus, period. Teams can't even promise him a 40 man roster spot.

rbtexan said:

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From the "I didn't know that" department.

By rule, teams cannot discuss any type of long-term or back end money with Sasaki. It's a minor league contract with the IP signing bonus, period. Teams can't even promise him a 40 man roster spot.

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How does that work???

You put up a powerpoint and say "Mr. Sasaki, here are the things that I cannot promise you" and then wink very obviously while discussing the terms

This is per Jeff Wilson on his weekly podcast. His referenced source was Sasaki's agent.

Keep in mind - he's a draft pick, not a free agent like Ohtani or Darvish.

Kinda interesting. The international aspect of it throws everything off kilter I suppose. Wouldn't be easier if they had an "international draft"?

Idea has been floated around for years, but the MLBPA is adamantly opposed

An "international draft" is complicated because you have different things to consider based on where the player is.

In Cuba, if the player can get out, he can be signed.

In almost every other LATAM country, once the player reaches 16, he is eligible to be signed. I think they have to "finish school" as well. In the US, if a HS player graduates at 16, I believe they can be drafted, as well.

In Japan and Korea, I believe we have to comply with what they require. We could probably force their hands in terms of teams posting players, but that, IMO, could ultimately hurt their leagues which have acted as a bit of a Minor League for MLB.

The signing of International Players is really confusing. This is from the MLB website.

Quote:

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Players who are determined to be international must be at least 16 or will turn 16 years of age prior to Sept. 1 of the current signing period.
Any player meeting that criteria becomes eligible to sign a Minor League contract with a Major League organization for a signing bonus that fits within said team's allotted pool. Players that sign for a total bonus of $10,000 or less do not count against a team's allotted bonus pool.
Foreign professionals -- defined as players who are at least 25 years of age and have played as a professional in a foreign league recognized by Major League Baseball for a minimum of six seasons -- maintain exemption from the international bonus pool.

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The part I put in bold is what was applicable for Ohtani, Darvish, Ichiro, etc. It does NOT apply to Sasaki, who is 23 years old and hasn't played the requisite number of professional seasons (6) to be exempt from the bonus pool.

Actually... it didn't apply to Ohtani who went through what Sasaki is...

What was the big news that was supposed to come out a few weeks ago?

Anything else going on that I need to keep top of mind? Or can I go back to following our other teams and making fun of the transfer portal?

I see the Astros signed Walker for 1B.

Was that Mr Gigem's post about news regarding the tv situation coming out after the 1st?

Owen White was a casualty of the Milner pickup.

Milner official. The Owen White DFA is another sign that the floor of the #Rangers’ roster has been raised. https://t.co/o56ndXUzKf

— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) December 20, 2024

It's mind blowing the lack of development we've made on our pitchers..