Non-Phillies Hot Stove and Off-Season News/Notes

[zambonir]

Probably some truth to that, though it remains to be seen if that is locked in (and FWIW Turner's numbers - OBP and OPS - are slightly better as a #2 and #3 hitter even though he's been #1 about 2/3rds of his career). Also no real reason why Correa couldn't lead off (has a slightly higher career OBP than Turner, would fit the "give you best hitter the most ABs" approach. No stolen bases though).

Either way I'm not sure that's a good enough reason to prefer the older, more expensive, QO'ed player if all else was equal (and it may not even be equal if Correa is also slightly better). But that was obviously not the only reason the Phillies preferred Turner, and there was never much indication Correa was interested in the Phillies either.

[Mac]

But that was obviously not the only reason the Phillies preferred Turner, and there was never much indication Correa was interested in the Phillies either.

To your point, Zombonir, the strength of the relationships Trea had with critical personnel and the fact that he was vocal and direct about wanting to be here sealed the deal and helped overcome the QO / draft capital considerations.

DD almost always gets his guy and the Phillies are a hot destination right now, so I sincerely doubt we would've walked away from the dance with none of the "Big 4" FA short stops - but when a top player wants to play for you and has as much going for him as Trea does, it's tough to look that gift horse in the mouth to try and thread a tighter needle.

It would be fun to look into an alternative universe to see how a Machado / Correa Phillies team would've performed, tho. Harper was the true pivot point for so many of these "this or that" roster decisions.

[xogfog]

Sources: Rodon goes to Yanks for 6 years, $162M

[flyers19rw]

Swanson to the Cubs. 7/$177. That's going to create a hole in the Braves' lineup that won't be easy to fill.

Dansby Swanson cashes in on career year, signs 7-year, $177 million deal with...

[allentown]

That's a good signing. Also forces the Braves to do something fairly big.

[zambonir]

I kind of doubt that. They are the Braves, after all. I think they made the Murphy deal knowing Swanson was already gone, and they've got SS options internally. Maybe some pitching, or an OF (they've got Ozuna and also plan to DH D'Arnaud). If they spend $ it might be to extent Murphy.

[Philsmania]

Cubs keep spending, signing Jameson Taillon to 4 year, $68 million contract. Very slightly less in terms of baseball money than what thePhillies paid Walker.

Cubs Sign Jameson Taillon

[Philsmania]

I kind of doubt that. They are the Braves, after all. I think they made the Murphy deal knowing Swanson was already gone, and they've got SS options internally. Maybe some pitching, or an OF (they've got Ozuna and also plan to DH D'Arnaud). If they spend $ it might be to extent Murphy.

Not to mention that the Braves will get a comp pick. And, the Dodgers will get two for losing Turner and Anderson. In some ways, the system/process-rich get richer.

[andyb]

In some ways, the system/process-rich get richer.

Comp picks tied to qualifying offers have always been an unnecessary advantage for rich teams.

[Philsmania]

In some ways, the system/process-rich get richer.

Comp picks tied to qualifying offers have always been an unnecessary advantage for rich teams.

Ironically, they were probably originally intended to do the opposite...help the poorer teams that could not keep their best talents even with the QO. Instead, the poorer teams trade their best talents for the best propsects they can get and the rich teams then keep them for a year and get to recoup the draft picks when they walk.

[zambonir]

First reported on December 7 (since you've been keeping track of such things)

[fish]

Not to mention that the Braves will get a comp pick. And, the Dodgers will get two for losing Turner and Anderson.

Dodgers picks will come after the 4th round though for being over the luxury tax. Which i'm sure they will turn into gold, but not quite as exciting as a first or second rounder.

[andyb]

Lugo to Padres.

Padres signing free-agent pitcher Seth Lugo

[BaseballCat]

Correa to Mets.

Mets To Sign Carlos Correa

[Aquapong]

In a rather crazy turn of events, Correa is now going the Mets after a medical issue turned up in the physical for the Giants. The already stacked NL East becomes even more so.

[zambonir]

It feels like April 1.

They got him "cheap," wonder if the medical issue the Giants found will really come up. And did SF really walk away or did they try to lower their offer and Boras said no.

The good news is, fewer division games this year!

[VoteForKalas]

In a rather crazy turn of events, Correa is now going the Mets after a medical issue turned up in the physical for the Giants. The already stacked NL East becomes even more so.

The Mets make the Phillies look like misers, lol. They have blown through the 4th level of tax penalties. Cohen is literally doing whatever possible to field an all-star team. We'll see if it works.

[zambonir]

What could go wrong?

[JaxBill]

I'm sure the Mets crack medical staff will be able to minimize whatever longterm medical issue might have been present with Correa.

[zambonir]

This story, while not claiming to be comprehensive, suggests the last time anything like this remotely happened (for a major league player not a draft pick) was Grant Balfour in 2013, which was a much more modest situation.

Carlos Correa spurns Giants for Mets! What happened, what it means for both...