MLB (Non-Phillies) Hot Stove, 2024-25

[zambonir]

Future Phillies trade deadline acquisition

Angels To Sign Kenley Jansen

[andyb]

Pivetta is the best pitcher remaining. Looks like he is this year's recipient of the "should have taken the QO" award.

[julio]

Red Sox, Alex Bregman agree to three-year, $120 million deal: Source

Padres, Nick Pivetta Agree To Four-Year Deal

[bkox]

The deferrals on the Alex Bregman deal are significant -- the present-day value of his contract is expected to be assessed in the range of $90 million for three years.

— Buster Olney ( @Buster_ESPN ) February 13, 2025

The expectation is Alex Bregman will play second base for Boston, sources tell ESPN. Even though the Red Sox have top prospect Kristian Campbell coming, they saw Bregman having enough of an impact that they offered $40 million a year — with deferrals — to make the deal happen.

— Jeff Passan ( @JeffPassan ) February 13, 2025

[bkox]

Clayton Kershaw finalizes $7.5 million, 1-year deal to stay with Dodgers for...

A pretty interesting 8 man rotation lol

Ohtani
Yamamoto
Snell
Glasnow
Sasaki
May
Miller
Kershaw

[mdougherty12]

The Dodgers still have Tony Gonsolin on the roster, too.

[bkox]

oh yeah.. forgot about him.

Um.. thats 9 starters. Im guessing that there has to be a trade before the end of spring. And May and GOnsolin at least could go to the pen since both are coming back from injuries.

[zambonir]

Based on how it went for the Dodgers last year that's probably barely enough. Also Ohtani's not pitching for a month or two. They are going with six-man too.

[andyb]

The Dodgers' 40-man maneuvers with all those pitchers waiting their turn on the IL will be interesting.

[zambonir]

Put enough guys on the 60-day and their payroll will be even higher!

[bkox]

Mike Trout had a meeting with Angels coaches yesterday, and they determined he will play right field moving forward in an effort to preserve his body.

— Alden González ( @Alden_Gonzalez ) February 17, 2025

[zambonir]

Sounds like they should have had better communication (though the real issue is whether 2B or open or not).

Devers won't cede 3B to Bregman: 'My position'

[andyb]

I could see the Red Sox starting with Devers at 3B and Bregman at 2B to let them start prospect Kristian Campbell in the minors. They will want an extra year of service time for Campbell probably as a higher priority than a compensation pick. And then they can ease him in at an outfield position if they want to.

In 2026 I suspect Bregman is either gone or at 3B. Devers eventually is going to be a 1B or DH. Kind of like Bohm in a year or two most likely.

[zambonir]

Yup, that is the issue. But now it will also look like they are giving Campbell less of a chance just to please Devers. Sounds like they'd rather see Devers at DH and Campbell at 2B sooner than later though.

[andyb]

But an extra year of control for a prospect is probably more valuable than a 10% chance at a comp pick. Even to a wealthy organization like Boston that does not have to play their prospects before they are fully developed.

The compensation system MLB implemented probably helps wealthier teams like Boston because they don't have to play an inexperienced prospect because of cash flow concerns. Same with Painter and the Phillies. If we were the Royals we were probably not going to trade for Luzardo and we would have pushed Painter to pitch more innings this season. We get the luxury of 80 bonus innings for Painter this season and then hopefully 6 more full years of control after 2025.

[zambonir]

I just think there's a lot of pressure on the Sox to be good this year, and if Campbell makes them a better team, that would be a real waste of $40 million (to say nothing of Buehler on a one-year deal and the Crochet trade) to prioritize their control of him over this season. On top of that, Bregman is a better 3B (your Bohm comparison is apt there).

I think it will all get walked back. Among other things, the team seemed to scoff at Devers saying promises were made to him, since that was by a previous front office.

Rafael Devers has earned right to pout, but it’s good business to move him to DH

[BostonRoss]

Shades of Derek Jeter refusing to move off SS when the Yankees traded for A-Rod.

Devers has nine more years on his contract. He's a bad defensive third baseman, and Bregman is a good one. The Sox should have communicated better with Devers, but it seems that they're going to have to decide between fielding a worse team or upsetting their highly paid star. It's been a long winter up here; looks like it might be a long summer, too.

[Philsmania]

Shades of Derek Jeter refusing to move off SS when the Yankees traded for A-Rod.

But, but, but Jeter had his spin move.

[bkeich]

When did teams cede the “rights” to positions to players? Put out the lineup and when Devers complains tell him to work on defense or learn 1B/LF etc.

The Phillies moved the greatest 3B in league history to 1B, he accepted it, then they moved him back when the need arose. I am not sure anyone asked him if he wanted to play 1B, it was the TEANS decision.

Someday (soon) we will need to move Turner from SS. I hope the manager tells him, not asks him.

[zambonir]

When free agency started.

But it seems obvious this is still going end with Devers at DH, especially since the Sox apparently also have a rookie OF on the way (so they can't accommodate Campbell in OF indefinitely either).

And of course Bregman is willing to play 2B! But it would be a waste to DH him.