There is another way, if the other teams just forfeit games in LA, not even go. Knock them down to a handful of home games a year (playoffs). No ticket sales and only around half the games on TV would hurt.
A creative front office would pitch "Help Paul Skenes take on the LA Dolllars and we'll sign two 5 fWAR bats to bolster you two" to Sasaki but this is Bob Fucking Nuttings team so forget it, Jake, its Pittsburgh.
Ok so two 5 fWAR guys are almost impossible but Bregman, Santander and Alonso would work.
1. Reynolds
2. Cruz
3. Bregman
4. Alonso
5. Santander
6. Bart
7. Nick G
8. Kiner Falafel
9. Cutch
Skenes
Sasaki
Jones
Keller
Chandler
^That team wins 87-91 games imo. Sasaki also allows the team to try and trade Oviedo, Ortiz, Burrows, and Falter sorts as they see fit to potentially try and upgrade at SS and 4th OF and maybe even find a prospect post-Cutch DH. Try and sign all the FAs for 4-ish years to line up with Skenes. The payroll never goes above $140Mish max! You've got the 3 new hitters to age 34 max.
Mlb put an article with 1 team with each division that has an interesting pitch for Sasaki. They chose us for the NL central and basically said come pitch with Skenes... man its fun to dream
I get that pitching with Skenes is a good sales pitch. But isn't the real sales pitch, what are the years and dollars? Not trying to be to pragmatic but sales pitches too me may play into it if you are already stinking wealthy (vets wanting a final shot at a ring) or if the numbers are close.
You're right EXCEPT for that Sasaki falls into the unicorn category of being subject to international bonus pool cap and entry level contract. Truly anyone can afford him.
Alternatively, I wonder if some teams step back on some of their verbal agreements, maybe theres an opening to pick up some of these guys if teams are trying to leave their whole pool open for a bonus
Good point; I've been thinking along the lines of trading bonus pool space to clubs looking to build their own but you bring up the fact that at least the winning team is probably leaving a kid or two without a home.
The pirates should have sent Skenes and Jones over to watch him pitch in the playoffs over there. Have a nice meet and great before and after he pitched.
I haven’t seen those rumors (not that I doubt you). Instead, I’ve only seen things saying he expects to be a Dodger. Which makes sense; the endorsement opportunities in Los Angeles should dwarf those that can be had in smaller markets and help make up for the $ he is missing out on being subject to the bonus pool cap.
Definitely no idea if its true but I remember reading it on the interwebs somewhere. Im sure they will keep swirling rumors until Jan when he makes a decision
The Pirates are still without a First Baseman. We should prefer to have a young, LH hitting player with MLB experience who may be blocked in 2025.
In St Louis the Cardinals are moving their Catcher to 1B. Can we take a look at Alec Burleson, 26? 2 years of MLB Service, Options remaining, 21 HR/78 RBI, 5.8% BB/12.8% K, wRC+ 106, .152 ISO .
I've liked Pavin since his Virginia days. Feel like he would be one of those under the radar trades that would pay big dividends without giving up the farm.
He's one of the guys they should have targeted last off-season. He was blocked most of the year in the outfield and at first. Now he's currently penciled in at first for them.
Hard for me to see him being any better than Burleson who is two years younger. At 28 he is already into his ARB years. The numbers in 2024, his 5th year in the majors, were good, but just the first time above 100 in wRC+.
That said, I like to see this type of interaction because the Pirates just do not seem to even appear to be searching for help. Who knows, maybe somebody's suggestion could hit them at just the right time. These are both kids who would love to have a legit shot at playing regularly - if we are not willing to go this route, figure what it would cost to get Carlos Santana for 2025 with a reasonably priced Club Option for 2026. He's getting better every year!
Burleson is in the same division and would've cost a lot more in trade capital. I like Pavin but he was an overdraft in '17, no way he should've went top 10 but it was a weak class.
I'd like Burleson but don't see a trade path with the Cardinals. If Walker resigns with the DBacks it's possible they would move Smith at reasonable cost. Most likely we'll be unsatisfied with the route BC decides to go.
Ok so the Dodgers just signed Blake Snell. If they also signed Sasaki it'd be:
Yamamoto
Snell
Sasaki
Ohtani
Glasnow
Salary cap and floor now, please.
Just posted on the other thread, they only have $1.3 plus billion in their rotation/DH.
In our dreams…… The MLBPA, Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, Braves, and Astros all say no to the idea…..
There is another way, if the other teams just forfeit games in LA, not even go. Knock them down to a handful of home games a year (playoffs). No ticket sales and only around half the games on TV would hurt.
It'll never happen either though.
I love that suggestion.
A creative front office would pitch "Help Paul Skenes take on the LA Dolllars and we'll sign two 5 fWAR bats to bolster you two" to Sasaki but this is Bob Fucking Nuttings team so forget it, Jake, its Pittsburgh.
Ok so two 5 fWAR guys are almost impossible but Bregman, Santander and Alonso would work.
1. Reynolds
2. Cruz
3. Bregman
4. Alonso
5. Santander
6. Bart
7. Nick G
8. Kiner Falafel
9. Cutch
Skenes
Sasaki
Jones
Keller
Chandler
^That team wins 87-91 games imo. Sasaki also allows the team to try and trade Oviedo, Ortiz, Burrows, and Falter sorts as they see fit to potentially try and upgrade at SS and 4th OF and maybe even find a prospect post-Cutch DH. Try and sign all the FAs for 4-ish years to line up with Skenes. The payroll never goes above $140Mish max! You've got the 3 new hitters to age 34 max.
Mlb put an article with 1 team with each division that has an interesting pitch for Sasaki. They chose us for the NL central and basically said come pitch with Skenes... man its fun to dream
I get that pitching with Skenes is a good sales pitch. But isn't the real sales pitch, what are the years and dollars? Not trying to be to pragmatic but sales pitches too me may play into it if you are already stinking wealthy (vets wanting a final shot at a ring) or if the numbers are close.
You're right EXCEPT for that Sasaki falls into the unicorn category of being subject to international bonus pool cap and entry level contract. Truly anyone can afford him.
Alternatively, I wonder if some teams step back on some of their verbal agreements, maybe theres an opening to pick up some of these guys if teams are trying to leave their whole pool open for a bonus
You can bet teams will do that. It’ll shine more light on the…unsavory situation in baseball that is international signing.
Oh its terrible, I wish they fixed how the whole process went so these young athletes werent taken advantage of so much
Are they, though?
Good point; I've been thinking along the lines of trading bonus pool space to clubs looking to build their own but you bring up the fact that at least the winning team is probably leaving a kid or two without a home.
The pirates should have sent Skenes and Jones over to watch him pitch in the playoffs over there. Have a nice meet and great before and after he pitched.
Send Skenes better half over. Tell him she has a bunch of friends.
Pretty good sales pitch - Come pitch with Skenes.
With the rumors that he would prefer a smaller market, there's worse options out there
I haven’t seen those rumors (not that I doubt you). Instead, I’ve only seen things saying he expects to be a Dodger. Which makes sense; the endorsement opportunities in Los Angeles should dwarf those that can be had in smaller markets and help make up for the $ he is missing out on being subject to the bonus pool cap.
Definitely no idea if its true but I remember reading it on the interwebs somewhere. Im sure they will keep swirling rumors until Jan when he makes a decision
The Pirates are still without a First Baseman. We should prefer to have a young, LH hitting player with MLB experience who may be blocked in 2025.
In St Louis the Cardinals are moving their Catcher to 1B. Can we take a look at Alec Burleson, 26? 2 years of MLB Service, Options remaining, 21 HR/78 RBI, 5.8% BB/12.8% K, wRC+ 106, .152 ISO .
Pavin Smith.
Is it Pavin like we have to pave the road?
Pavin' Smith is the old timey name of a 1930s major leaguer whose day job is working for a road contractor.
Painting Manning
I’d love Pavin Smith.
Pretty sure the DBacks plan on holding on to him, if Walker resigns it could change. He's the in house replacement.
I've liked Pavin since his Virginia days. Feel like he would be one of those under the radar trades that would pay big dividends without giving up the farm.
He's one of the guys they should have targeted last off-season. He was blocked most of the year in the outfield and at first. Now he's currently penciled in at first for them.
Hard for me to see him being any better than Burleson who is two years younger. At 28 he is already into his ARB years. The numbers in 2024, his 5th year in the majors, were good, but just the first time above 100 in wRC+.
That said, I like to see this type of interaction because the Pirates just do not seem to even appear to be searching for help. Who knows, maybe somebody's suggestion could hit them at just the right time. These are both kids who would love to have a legit shot at playing regularly - if we are not willing to go this route, figure what it would cost to get Carlos Santana for 2025 with a reasonably priced Club Option for 2026. He's getting better every year!
Burleson is in the same division and would've cost a lot more in trade capital. I like Pavin but he was an overdraft in '17, no way he should've went top 10 but it was a weak class.
I'd like Burleson but don't see a trade path with the Cardinals. If Walker resigns with the DBacks it's possible they would move Smith at reasonable cost. Most likely we'll be unsatisfied with the route BC decides to go.
I’m with Anthony on NS9, and want the Pirates to sign Jordan Romano to a 1-year prove it contract after being non-tendered by Toronto.
If his elbow is healthy after arthroscopic surgery last summer, he could be the best bullpen arm value to be had this winter.
Also thought that was a super interesting point! His 100 percentile extension plus closer experience, sounds like a future pirate to me
FYI. Angels misspelled in headline.
Los Anga-Lees, as Bud Selig might say.
They pronounce it like that in the movie "The Grifters"
Those darn Angles....always working every one....
Nice. Was trying to think of a to finagle that into a post.