almagest

Cheap second base option, assuming they go after Conforto or Marte.

Profar no way, but I might take a flyer on Ha-Seong Kim if they're throwing in a solid prospect. 2.1 bWAR last year, driven by excellent defense. He'll be 26 next year so there might be room for offensive growth. It's not the most appealing option but I don't think they're going to get much for Kimbrel after his second half, and Kim has some upside hopefully.

I do wonder if they want to get out of that deal after missing the postseason for the last three years and finishing right around .500. They're a stars and scrubs team like the Sox were pre-2016, with a $180m payroll. Braves are likely legit for a few years at least, and one wild card is going to be locked up by a 100 win team apparently. It's not gonna happen (full no trade clause too), but man would Harper be a perfect fit. He had to tell the Sox he was flat out not interested in coming here, otherwise I can't understand why he wasn't top priority over Machado.

Seems like they could switch to Treinen. He's been a successful closer before and is signed through 2023

I don't think the Dodgers trade Lux, unless they want to sell high on him due to his postseason success. I also don't know if Kimbrel/Thompson gets it done, unless they know they can "fix" Kimbrel and want him to close over Kenley.

Seems like a lot of people are down on Cespedes. Hope he can show something next year.

Yeah, the pitchers kept falling behind in counts and walking people.

And now the Astros can't throw out Hunter freakin' Renfroe trying to steal. Team is collapsing.

Sale out after 2 2/3. 2 on 2 out.

There have been like 3 or 4 hits against a big shift already tonight.

Yeah I jinxed 'em I think. Still think the Astros are gonna score a lot in this game. Sale won't be in there much longer.

So far Astros doing the exact same thing they did to the Sox.

This is the most I will root for Chris Sale since leaving the Sox.

Wonder if part of McCullers injury is pitching on short rest (not that short, but still). They likely would've won that game anyway with a different starter given how it turned out.

I think he had his career year with us. His numbers with the Mets line up well with his career + a catcher's aging curve. This is what they'll get moving forward, I assume.

Yeah but he calls too many fastballs or something and can't throw runners out when pitchers completely ignore them. Also he didn't hit well in a series where our pitching staff had an 8 ERA. He's the problem - if only McCann were here with his .643 OPS...

Meadows played right field for 50 games in 2019 and was below average out there (limited sample size for sure, but not much better than Sheets). I would assume they'd platoon him with someone who hits lefties and he'd play LF/RF. Or, if you're going to do that, you could just put Sheets out there. Doesn't seem all that different, unless you're positive Meadows can return to his 2019 numbers.

Guardians get La Guardia

The only pitcher who consistently got his breaking stuff over was Tepera, and Bummer once. No one else did.

The Rays had the same problem. McClanahan went 5 innings 0 runs in the first game (Rays won), then Baz went 2.1 innings (3 runs) in game 2, Rasmussen went 2 innings (3 runs) in game 3, and McHugh went 2 innings (0 runs) before McClanahan came in and gave the game up (0.2 innings, 5 runs).

If Hahn leaves - who is the next GM?

Probably not, unless the market for Kimbrel turns out way hotter this offseason than we expect.

I think they would, and then they'd trade him same as we're looking to do. If you eat some of his salary (I know the Sox don't do this) I think you can get Meadows or maybe you roll the dice on Glasnow coming back for the end of 2022 and 2023.

It's not but I wouldn't mind turning Kimbrel into Glasnow, even if it's only for 2023. Probably only if other trades fall through.

I'd have to believe the Cubs would absolutely jump on that, so not sure I buy it, but I posted in another thread about the Rays looking to move Austin Meadows. It's from a foodie, so TIFWIW, but if Kimbrel + some player in the low minors (we don't know much about but the Rays turn into a star) gets it done I'd be happy.