MLB 2020-2021 OFF-SEASON NEWS AND RUMORS

This team is really holding out hope that Alexander turns back into the dude he was before we acquired him. Been frustrating to watch this guy languish since we got him, he looked to be turning a corner a bit last year, but still struggled to throw strikes. Kind of surprised that they would hold onto him after he was at the Alt site the last month. I wonder if they were finally able to work something out that gives them hope going forward. The fact that they fully guaranteed his contract means that they have to have seen something they like.

 

can't have that paper money circulating around
running out of coins
CA will come out w an new tax on coronavirus

 

corey knebel to the Dodgers for a ptbnl
had 39 saves in 17
looks like a typicall bp signing

 

These are the moves that I smile at. While many mock them I know this regime has proven they can reclaim once great relievers. Not much to lose.

 

That’s a great buy low deal! Huge upside with Knebel and the cost is gonna be likely very light. Take advantage of this market!

 

Knebel was returning from TJ in 2020 after a run as being one of the more dominant relievers in the game with a strikeout rate that would be a nice addition to our pen. His average velo was all over the place in 2020 and nowhere close to what he was before... BUT his velo in his 4 of his last 5 appearances was creeping back towards his older numbers with mostly 95's and 96's on average. The other thing to look at is his max velo ticked way up in those last games with his first 97 MPH and a majority of his fastest pitches of the years rolling in during those 5 games after a worrying drop prior to. Year 2 from TJ is usually better than year 1 and if he can get numbers above those posted in the final weeks, the Dodgers just picked themselves a gem with 2 more years of control.

 

I just want to add... if this is the biggest addition to the bullpen this winter, then I will not be happy in the end. If this is part 1 of potentially 2 or more intriguing arms added, then I will be satisfied. His massive upside does not offset his shakiness and the bullpen still has a spot at the back end that should be addressed. Trevor May for signing around $7M a year could be a sign that bullpen arms are going to come a bit cheaper.

 

phenomenal pickup. he'll have an era under </= 3 and 12 k/9

 

We won the World Series. People forget that.

 

God, I hate how slow MLB offseasons have become, the NBA and NFL do it so much better. We are over a month out from the World Series ending and a little over 2 months away from training camp starting. Yet we STILL do not know whether a rule will be in place that drastically alters the landscape of how the game is played for half the league. One third of the offseason is behind us and it has been an absolute snoozefest thanks to the owners being asleep at the wheel as usual. I hope in the next CBA this shit is addressed as many even within the industry are calling for it. We are on the eve of what would have been the Winter Meetings, this year's event has been cancelled, but it would be great if they could find a way to insert life into this week in the years ahead. I am all for the smarter front offices, but there needs to be a counter to their slow, calculating approaches. I hope they can find a way to do that or this game is going to continue to push fans away.

I may be wrong about this, but our landing Knebel may be the biggest move of the offseason thus far.

 

At this point they need to prepare for the season to be impacted heavily again. No need to delay or shorten, but they likely need for the first 50 games to once again be played within the AL/NL divisional alignment. Going the full 162, that leaves for plenty of games against your division territory to eat up another month of games and get you through June if need be, before things get tougher. If the vaccine is out, you can flip those games to September and allow for play outside the division. If games are not played in front of crowds, start nationally televising everything you can. Have 2 nationally televised games a night with a 6PM and 10 PM EST game. Try a couple triple and quadruple headers a week and recoup lost gate revenue with the TV deals. More people are at home, so more people should be watching. Also, the UDH is what I’m talking about. How the fuck have they not figured that out yet? That’s something that should have been figured out 4 weeks ago. Fucking stupid the way everything is used for fucking leverage.

 

• There’s a report that the Jays and Indians have had good talks around a trade involving Lindor. The Indians like Lourdes Gurriel according to the report and Lindor is open to an extension with the club.
  
  
• In the moderately hilarious department, the Phillies are looking to trade Zack Wheeler only 1 year into a 5 year deal. According to multiple reports, the Phillies are in trouble a bit financially and are looking to cut some payroll. This is going to be interesting to watch as their farm is not great, roster is losing some key pieces and that will leave Bryce Harper in a weird spot. It will be interesting to see if they start to look at trades for him.
• The Twins have expressed interest in Kikè Hernandez. They’re in need of a utility player and Hernandez would definitely fit the part.

 

Apparently they would not trade him for Babe Ruth, according to one of the owners. What a fun couple of hours that was.