2014 Offseason Thread

[Stanford]

Does anyone else unintentionally still call him Mike?

He's gotten better defensively

I have no clue what your opinion is on defensive metrics, and I'm still not convinced, but Stanton's numbers are all over the place. They certainly don't say he's gotten better.

Defense is tough, because you can't just watch 15 games (that's all the Marlins games I saw this year) and declare a guy a good or bad defender. I watched probably 100-120 Giants games this season, and I could give a pretty good account of how each Giant played in the field, but any other team would be a fairly uneducated guess. So I'm pretty much forced to give reverence to the numbers.

[Da Schwab]

Does anyone else unintentionally still call him Mike?

He's gotten better defensively

I have no clue what your opinion is on defensive metrics, and I'm still not convinced, but Stanton's numbers are all over the place. They certainly don't say he's gotten better.

Defense is tough, because you can't just watch 15 games (that's all the Marlins games I saw this year) and declare a guy a good or bad defender. I watched probably 100-120 Giants games this season, and I could give a pretty good account of how each Giant played in the field, but any other team would be a fairly uneducated guess. So I'm pretty much forced to give reverence to the numbers.

I call him Mike all the time, still. But I know what you meant.

Anyway, I normally catch 3-4 Marlins games a week. I haven't looked at his metrics, but I'd be willing to guess he's worse at home than he is on the road. Marlins Park is gigantic, and even though he plays in the corners most of the time, he's got to cover tons of space. He played Gold Glove caliber defense this season.

I'd also attribute some of his fluctuation to being hurt quite a bit his first four seasons. Most of his major injuries have been to his legs; knees, quads, and hammies. Those types of injuries linger in guys his size.

[Mehar]

Stanton got that much money because he has yet to reach his ceiling as a player. He's gotten better defensively and at the plate as his career has progressed. The Marlins are banking on him becoming damn near unstoppable.

And, as for your point about the A-Rod deal triggering big money for guys like Manny and Helton, it seemed to work out for them. They were both pretty damn productive for the span of those contracts.

Banking on someone does not mean outbidding yourself to give a player like Stanton a 13 year contract worth 325 M. There was no bidding war for this guy. What is the urgency to give this guy this contract now? If you think this is a good move- more power to you and frankly, you are in the minority. I would not give 13 years to anybody at this point in time, especially Stanton who has been hurt quite a bit as well like you mentioned the past 4 years. An absolutely ridiculous contract length and term. I can see the Marlins back-loading this contracting, and trading Stanton 3-4 years from now. We agree to disagree.

[Da Schwab]

If you would look back in the thread and actually read, I don't support a deal worth this much.

[Mehar]

If you would look back in the thread and actually read, I don't support a deal worth this much.

Yes you are correct, my mistake.

[Quake Griffin]

looks like they have a deal in Miami.

[Da Schwab]

With this deal pretty much done, I'm interested to see how much money gets thrown at Scherzer and Lester. Those are two #1 quality pitchers who couldn't strike extensions and set themselves up for massive paydays.

Should be a fun offseason.

[Quake Griffin]

If Russ mart goes to Toronto, I'm gonna be pissed.

[Quake Griffin]

K, im pissed

[ATL Boy]

Braves trade Heyward and Walden to the Cardinals for Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins.

[Da Schwab]

I like the deal a lot for both teams, especially if Heyward just needed a change of scenery. He could be dangerous in Busch Stadium.

Tyrell Jenkins could be a good arm down the road if he works out some kinks. BA had him in the Top 100 this past year.

[GYBE]

Sigh. I think Russell would be a Cub if no one was willing to go 5 years. Not cool, Jays.

[Stanford]

I'm impressed with the Jays. Great deal for a 9 win player over the past two years.

[RIPskaterdude]

Congrats to Clayton Kershaw on winning another Cy Young Award.

[/waits for Skates to come in and say "herp derp it's not a World Series ring derp herp"]

Corey Kluber with a bit of an upset in the AL taking the Cy Young over Felix Hernandez in a close race. I would've given it to Felix, but Kluber is very deserving.

I would never say such a thing.

[Stanford]

[/waits for Skates to come in and say "herp derp it's not a World Series ring derp herp"]

Nah man, I think Kershaw is adorable with his regular season awards. The guy has had a tough enough time lately, and he seems like an OK dude, so by all means, give him a consolation prize. He deserves one!

[DirtybirdGA]

Congrats to StL, Heyward can play for a pennant now.

[High 5]

STL will work their magic and turn Heyward into the MVP candidate everyone thought he'd be. He has always played really well against the Cubs and Pirates, too (I guess that's not very unusal). Bummed to see him go, but it was going happen sooner or later.

[ATL Boy]

I'm just glad we didn't let him walk for nothing. Mcdowell could make Shelby Miller into a star, he's already shown flashes. Rumor is, Justin Upton could be the next to go.

[Da Schwab]

That'd be the wrong Upton to part with.

[BramptonYute]

No ones gonna take BJ, unless the Braves eat a lot of salary, or couple him with one of the nice young pitchers they have.