backwardsk

On the eve of Harper’s free agency, he is looking for an extension with the Phillies. Oh wait, his contract doesn’t end until 2031. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/bryce-harper-interested-in-extension-with-phillies.html He’s just got to be upset watching the Ohtani sweepstakes, the upcoming Soto FA, and Machado guaranteed more than $100M more than him.

You crushed my score of 24! I should have put more thought into Cleveland .300 hitter. I got 13 on that square alone.

Ohtani to Toronto will end up making it harder for NYY to re-sign Soto. The Dodgers will be another team in on him next year.

Orioles column today. 5 total for that. 36 for the whole puzzle.

I was just asking what company it was.

What place was this? I also worked at a company, a start up, that got bought by Carlyle, got chopped up, and then sold. I saw the writing on the wall and jumped ship before I got laid off.

You’ve stated this multiple times in this thread, but it’s have it on good authority that Rubenstein has a steady diet of baby’s blood and probably has another 60-70 years in him.

If Cohen outbids them on Yamamoto, look out. Besides Cole, their rotation is awful. They didn’t get a combine 2WAR from their corner infielders and don’t really have a plan but to run them back. And they are both over 34.

45 this morning. Only was able to use two former Orioles (HOF 20W and Mil/StL)

There are only 6 answers there. I could only think of two. That one and the Reds 200 game winner is where I got all of my points. 15.8 for the other seven.

Had a 22 for the 8 non Det/Hou square. Could not come up with anyone else. Bos 40+ WAR got me .4.

See, @wildcard, you lowballed him. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/11/reds-nick-martinez-agree-to-two-year-deal.html

Can be done with all Orioles. Total 17. 7 without looking up. StL/Phi had to confirm. Totally cheated with St L/KC.

114 today. Too many popular answers. Looking back at it, it could probably be done with all orioles.

I’d imagine that SD would want a pitching heavy return for Soto.

Yeah, why not deny that when it could potentially limit the number of suitors to bid up the price.

Ah, I misremembered. I used Griffey today for CWS and used Sheffield for Braves/Brewers. But used the same strategy and picked ole Nellie Cruz for the Brewers over 300 HR.

When I see that category, I tend to go with someone I know has 400+ HRs and spent some time there but is known for playing for other teams. Sheffield for today. Griffey Jr the other day for CWS.

81 this morning. 34 for my eight non-Pittsburgh sub 3.00ERA answers.

Yet SD gave 15 starts to Rich Hill (50 ERA+) and Ryan Weathers (66 ERA+) instead of giving Martinez more starts.

To me, he resembles Trevor Williams who signed with the Nationals. A guy who can give you length and pitch fairly well in the bullpen. Can make a start from time to time. But gets totally exposed when deployed as a full time starter. He would be below Plan E for me. Especially if that’s the only move to address the rotation. To add, I would not be in favor for this team to target their three guys you listed earlier on three year deals either. I just believe that the rotation should and can be improved with other realistic options. My first option would be to go after Gray on a short term, high dollar deal (ex 2/54-56) and see where that gets you. He talked about retiring after this season. Talk is talk. Trevor Bauer said he would only go year to year until he signed a big deal with LAD. But if those thoughts are in his mind, and he wants to chase a ring, then Baltimore is as good as any place to do that. If the market expects 3/69 for him and a guy like Gibson can get 1/12, this could be appealing to him.

If that’s the expectation for Gray, I’d offer a two year with a higher AAV (2/54-56) and see if that interests him.

In a hypothetical, yeah, I’d rather have the Seattle duo over the next four years.

@wildcard Do you know how many starts Martinez has made and completed five innings since 2017? 12 total. 8 in 2022 and 4 last year. And you want to give him $22M and pencil him in for 16 starts?

You have Means and Rodriguez pencilled in for 30+ starts. What information do you have that says they stay healthy? And why bank on health for a guy (Martinez) who missed four seasons from 2018-2021? He couldn’t make more than 40 pitches in an appearance for the last three months of 2022. Those three guys all have injury concerns, yes. But the first two are expected to be on one year deals. I’d rather commit $10-$15M on those guys than $22M on a 34 year old Martinez. If they strike out on Gray and trades this offseason. I’d like to see them go this route, assess at the deadline, and use their ammo then.