Ruzious

Freddie Freeman had to settle for 6/162 - after it was reported (probably via his agent) that he was likely going to sign for 6/236. Maybe this is an indication that free agent prices are down - and an opportunity to buy low on stars like Correa.

Definitely, and part of the fun of going to games was buying a whole bunch of cheap hot dogs and cold drinks from vendors on the walk to the stadium.

Well, he's durable, but that reminds me of the joke about - We're losing money on each sale of widgets, but we're making up for that by increasing our sales volume.

I think it was an obvious knock on the training staff - enough to burn bridges, but we've already discussed that and completely disagreed with each other.

Perfect response. It's a very unenthusiastic meh from me, too.

I would have used the "smells like" for Odor, but sure. <rimshot>

I realize it's just a minor league signing, but at some point - when you get so many of these 4A types, it becomes a bit more clear - bit by bit - that you have no intention of using your resources to make even an attempt to significantly improve the team. And we reach that point pretty much every year.

I wish they'd make exceptions for players on the 40 man roster who qualify as major league rookies. The situation really isn't fair for them.

Not yet, but it seems like a step toward going there. Would you be shocked if they did?

If MLB has a strike or work stoppage or whatever they call it and then shut down minor league ball, I'm completely done as a baseball fan.

None of those guys Atlanta traded had any real trade value. Alex Jackson was an OFer converted to a catcher and really can't hit or field. Bryce Ball was a nice 24th round pick, but he was just mediocre hitting in high A ball. Pablo Sandoval was... a good guy. Btw, I would not be surprised if Trey ends up in Atlanta and does well there.

And for a guy known mostly for his hitting, gotta like that sidearm throw he smoothly makes all the way from the SS hole with perfect accuracy and nice arm strength for a sidearm throw.

I don't get how people still have Green in the top 5 given his inability to make contact. I'd like to see the O's not play games this draft and just pick the best player - probably Termarr Johnson - though things could change.

These types of signings don't fill me with confidence about the O's, but it's just a minor league contract, so I won't worry about it.

Depends on whether or not he's in the PCL or the International League.

Great interview. Sounds like he's a real student of the game. I can't help but see a young Raffy Palmeiro. He's a level or 2 behind at his age, but he's actually hitting for a higher average. Raffy also would typically get a few more walks than K's. Raffy also started out as an OFer. Didn't hit 20 homers till his age 26 season. Cowser's now 215 lbs according to the article and was listed at 195 last season, so he's likely much stronger now - as well as much wiser. It's fun to have a prospect like this.

This would follow the path that Austin Riley plowed for the Braves. Riley's not as tall as Mayo, but he's roughly 6'3 and 235 lbs. Last season, he didn't just have a breakout offensive season, but he was also a dynamic defensive 3rd baseman. Before that - when they got Josh Donaldson for a year - he had been tried in LF.

The old saying is Everyone has to go through their rookie year some time. I don't expect his rookie OPS to be over .750.

He had a .796 OPS in the second half of 2021 (289 plate appearances). Assuming good health, I don't see why he can't keep that up or perhaps improve.

Remember, the Braves got 4 veteran corner OF rentals around last year's trade deadline for essentially zippy. Btw, all 4 contributed to their WS win.

He's really hard to project. I don't think he was healthy at any point last season, and I got the impression that he didn't buy into hitting to the opposite field as much as he should have. I think he needs to stay healthy and be the hitting coach's pet project in order to live up to his potential - which I think is very high.

It's wonderful when people open up old thrads.

The only way to prove it - is for him to play in the Bigs.

The question was - Where will Correa play next season?

Good take by Steve Adams of MLBTraderumors.com: Steve Adams 11:36 Correa and Scott Boras don't know the answer to that question, nor does the GM/president/owner of the team that's eventually going to sign him. I have a hard time seeing the Cubs go to such great lengths. Admittedly, I didn't think Chicago would do much of anything of note in free agency this winter, so the Stroman deal surprised me. That said, it felt like more of an opportunistic "Well, if we can get him and keep the term to three years, let's do this" approach. Correa is going to want 10+ and $340MM+ ... I can't see the Cubs committing it. I picked the Phillies in our Top 50 free agent predictions, and because of the lack of clarity on his market, I've just been stubbornly sticking to them. 11:37 I wrote about this awhile back for Front Office subscribers, but the team that *should* sign Correa (and won't) is the Orioles. Completely blank payroll slate once Davis is off the books after this season. Rutschman, Grayson Rodriguez, DL Hall all up and contributing this season (maybe 2023 for Hall). Correa's only 27, so he'll have plenty of prime years that coincide with the rebuild, etc.