Wild Card

He's better because he won't want a ridiculous long-term overpayment. Saltalamacchia sucks. With the exception of McCann, no one on the list of catchers is worth signing long-term. Well, I guarantee you there's at least one Major League GM out there willing to disagree with you. So there's that. That doesn't mean that it's a smart move. GMs do really dumb things all of the time. Doesn't mean it's dumb, either. This is kind of a wait and see situation. There's an argument for both sides.

Wilson just named Donovan Solano the Marlins Defensive MVP this season. Really?

he wasn't promising in the first place. you are way too high on a 30 year old catcher who had a career year in a contract year and who has been awful the rest of his career. I mean, if you're going to call me out at least get facts right. I see a 28-year-old catcher that just had a career year entering his prime. And as I just mentioned in another thread, I'm sure there's more than a few GM's that will probably agree. Evidence will be the contract he signs.

He's better because he won't want a ridiculous long-term overpayment. Saltalamacchia sucks. With the exception of McCann, no one on the list of catchers is worth signing long-term. Well, I guarantee you there's at least one Major League GM out there willing to disagree with you. So there's that. And McCann is much more attractive to a team like Texas that can use him to fill three different voids, but Salty can play behind the plate more and is a few years younger. That may make him more valuable (long-term) considering it opens up his market to the entire league and not just AL teams. If any NL team gives McCann a 4/5 yr deal they're nutz. Salty, however, has earned at least a three year deal IMO and he's not limited to any particular league.

pair this guy with another ACE, and we are cooking something Andrew Heaney That's gonna be fun. With a back three of Alvarez/Eovaldi/Turner... to quote Miley Cyrus, they should come in like a wrecking ball

Middlebrooks, Phillips and Trumbo. Get all three. What would we do with Middlebrooks AND Trumbo? That would be a little redundant. And idk why so many people here are high on Phillips. Honestly I'd rather have Dietrich for cheap.

How about Brandon Phillips? Relatively affordable at 11 million and 12 million in 2015. Slide Dietrich over to 3rd. I have a feeling that next year Dietrich's numbers will eclipse Phillips'. In fact I'd be willing to bet on it.

Rockies are in Hot pursuit of Carlos Ruiz He'll slug .550 next year... lol

I figure Texas will pay McCann what he wants, since they need another bat. Apparently they are prepared to have him split time at catcher and 1B/DH Which is perfect for them, they seem to like Soto behind the plate and if they split his time they can probably keep him fresh and healthy.

A lot better than Jarrod Saltalamacchia. I mean, "a lot better" is a huge exaggeration considering Salty posted an OPS nearly .100 points higher as he hits the peak of his career and Pierzynski is nearly a decade older and obviously on the decline. Pierzynski is simply another band-aid on a broken arm. The organization needs a long-term solution, and with nobody in line to take the job internally, Salty for 3 or 4 years would make great sense while we can draft and develop a future option.

I read the other day that Loria just sold a painting for 32 million at an art auction, so expect that Stanton offer any day now. Downpayment on Saltalamacchia Salty doesn't look promising, I have a feeling he's heading back to Bean Town.

:stare Time passes, some things don't change. :baseball I've been kinda busy over the last decade.I kinda took a half decade or so off the boards, established my career, worked my ass off. Got back on regularly about two years ago. Good to see an old familiar name, you should come around more often.

Goldschmidt does indeed get the trifecta of Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, and Hank Aaron Award. I hope he gets the MVP, Cutch had a great year but Goldy just dominated.

Fair enough. I mean, if I'm a member of the BBWAA I vote for Goldschmidt as I believe you can interpret the meaning of MVP either way that you described. And I'm pretty sure there's probably some writers divided on that as well. I can't disagree either way, those are two valid ways of viewing the award, but I feel it goes to the best player in each respective league as you do.

If your team finishes .500, you can't be that valuable. Just the way it is. It's not the best hitter award, that's the Hank Aaron one and Goldschmidt did rightfully win that. I know A-Rod and Dawson won MVP on last place teams but it's rare. Goldschmidt is a Gold Glove caliber first baseman. He also stole 15 bases. He is basically a 5-tool First Baseman, which is just about impossible to find. The last great 5-tool 1B I can think of is the great Derrek Lee off the top of my head...

I agree about Goldschmidt, but I see them not voting for him since Arizona missed the playoffs. And a CF will get more votes than a 1B because he's considered more valuable... Despite the facts that Goldschmidt was the best bat in the NL and plays gold glove defense at his position. Kind of a shame, he really deserves it.

Soto re-signed by the Rangers today. Cross that name off the list...

My votes, not my guesses, would be: ALROTY: Iglesias NLROTY: Fernandez ALMOTY: Farrell NLMOTY: Hurdle ALCY: Scherzer NLCY: Kershaw ALMVP: Cabrera NLMVP: Goldschmidt

I think it's exactly that, a special assistant, similar to a consultant. He's there for his opinion. He benefits by learning how a front office operates.

Somehow memorable name : Ceda, Petersen, Smolinski. Smolinski is very replaceable, but I agree that I don't want him to go anywhere either.

It would suck to lose Jose Ceda after all these years. It would also kind of suck to lose Petey. I think he can be a great 4th OF next year, and for years to come, in replacement of JP. I'd rather see him on the ML roster than a Jensen...

Yeah but why a special assistant? He was quoted saying he wanted to learn the other side of the game, outside of the dugout, before becoming a manager. The next Trader Jack, Manager and GM? Probably not, but good for him.

There's also the factor that Stanton has been injury prone. From his perspective and his agent's perspective I would think putting off a big pay day by a year or more may also be risky. Say he turns down 7/100 then gets hurt and misses a year. That may affect any future deals. Nailed it.

Whoever misses on McCann is going to need to get someone decent, and he's it. And regardless that would be a bit much. I think that's the kind of overpayment it would take for, say, the Marlins to land him. Which I've made clear I would personally be fine with, but I think only WE would have to make an offer like that.

Someone is going to offer Salty $12 mil plus per year. There is a dearth of catching talent in MLB, like there is at 3rd and SS. I think that's a bit much. But I think the 4 year $36 Mill that MLBTR suggested is likely.