Official 2015-2016 Hot Stove Thread

[Hollyw00d]

All of that money and the Cubs still won't win a World Series.

LOLz

They have a much better chance now

[Angels_Make_Me_Drink]

The Cubs are so ****ing stacked. They've gotta be WS favorites coming into the season.

[nate]

Gia was better offensively last year than Escobar has been in 3 of his past 4

 

Uh... look again.  Gia - .694 OPS last season (a career high btw)

 

Escobar last 6 seasons - 790, 664, 698, 644, 782, 696

 

So two seasons out of the last 6 have been worse.  Consider that Gia has had a couple seasons in the 500s, Escobar is a nice upgrade.

[VariousCrap]

Hollyw00d....give it up.  Escobar is way better in the leadoff spot than Aybar ever was.

[Guest]

All of that money and the Cubs still won't win a World Series. 

 

LOLz

They have a far better shot than the Angels. 

[Chuck]

They have a far better shot than the Angels. 

 

The Angels had zero shot going into 2002, but were favorites in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009. 

 

We all know it that all played out. 

[Hollyw00d]

Hollyw00d....give it up. Escobar is way better in the leadoff spot than Aybar ever was.

Sure he is, we will see.

[Hollyw00d]

Uh... look again. Gia - .694 OPS last season (a career high btw)

Escobar last 6 seasons - 790, 664, 698, 644, 782, 696

So two seasons out of the last 6 have been worse. Consider that Gia has had a couple seasons in the 500s, Escobar is a nice upgrade.

The same player isn't an upgrade.

Also Escobar isn't playing second base.

[laagamer]

It's looking more and more like we have to trade some SP for LF help because we don't have the balls to sign anybody.

[nate]

I agree, but like I said, he is a much better player.

[gotbeer]

The Angels had zero shot going into 2002, but were favorites in 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2009. 

 

We all know it that all played out. 

 

More fans and excitement in 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2009. 

[tomsred]

They have a far better shot than the Angels. 

 

As it stands now yes, but it will be interesting to see how they manage the expectations they now have.  Their first step is getting out of third place against the Pirates and Cardinals.

[Hollyw00d]

I agree, but like I said, he is a much better player.

Than who? Freeze?

[nate]

Than Gia.  You weren't talking about Freese.

[Sam Sanchez]

As it stands now yes, but it will be interesting to see how they manage the expectations they now have.  Their first step is getting out of third place against the Pirates and Cardinals.

Well taking away one of the Cards solid starters in Lackey and one of their best position players in Hayward is a pretty good step towards doing just that.

[halosfan1970]

Than who? Freeze?

 

Escobar is an improvement on Giavotella. Even if Escobar regresses some, offensively and defensively he is a more well rounded 2B than Giavotella.

 

Escobar at 3B is a tougher call. At 34, it's hard to discount his defensive decline over the past two seasons. Freese for all his faults, is an average defensive 3B and Escobar may not even be that any longer. Offensively, Escobar offers higher OBP upside than Freese with less power. However, Escobar is going to be cheaper than Freese. Escobar is costing less than $6m/year (AAV) for one or two years. Freese probably comes in costing $3m/year more.

 

That $3m/year on a budget buys another bullpen arm.

[tdawg87]

Heyward gets 23 million a year.

 

Offer Upton 6/132 pls.

[Biergott]

And we pay Hamilton $24m to play for the Rangers.   

[bloodbrother]

Probably can get Upton for 6yrs/$120 million

[Docwaukee]

Heyward gets 23 million a year.

 

Offer Upton 6/132 pls.

I think Heyward left some years on the table for a higher AAV.  I don't think Cespedes or Upton will do that.  I think Upton is going to get 7/175.

 

meet you in the middle.  6/150 with a vesting option.  

[halosfan1970]

And we pay Hamilton $24m to play for the Rangers.   

 

Sunk cost.

[nando714]

And we pay Hamilton $24m to play for the Rangers.

This has to be gnawing at Arte

Hahahahahahaha.

Talk about fvcking over your own franchise

[Biergott]

Sunk cost.

 Yup.  Just depressing.   (Better than having him on the team)

[Angel Oracle]

.356 is a solid career OBP for a leadoff hitter.

[halosfan1970]

This has to be gnawing at Arte

Hahahahahahaha.

Talk about fvcking over your own franchise

 

It absolutely sucks, but it is unchangeable. The damage is done, and it's time to move on and improve the team. Hopefully, Moreno can see that too.