You have to unmute - Winter Meetings 2020

[Centerfield]

Now virtual! Not sure how this would even remotely work. The whole idea of the winter meetings is to bring everyone together to make transactions easier. I don't see how this happens through zoom. It's not like you're going to talk to Bauer's agent while the Blue Jays are in the waiting room.



Anyway. Should be an interesting 5 days. I think it's not likely that any of the big free agents sign this week but hopefully we'll hear more news.



Let's get Brad Hand.

[MFS62]

It seems like there have been fewer major deals (trades and signings) during the meetings the past few years. But the groundwork for those deals has been set during the meetings. Now that they're remote, who knows what will happen?

I hope the Mets "come home from" the meeting with at least one significant addition, with more to follow.



CF, I'm with you on Brad Hand.



Later

[bmfc1]

Good thread title, CF.

[MFS62]

Bid'ness is reportedly being held up because of the DH

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/mlb-virtual-winter-meetings-open-190503735.htmlhttps://www.yahoo.com/sports/mlb-virtual-winter-meetings-open-190503735.html

Barry M. Bloom Mon, December 7, 2020, 2:05 PM EST To illustrate the paralysis currently gripping Major League Baseball and the players, one need look no further than the designated hitter rule. The virtual Winter Meetings begin Monday, and a lack of agreement between MLB and the union regarding whether the DH will be used in 2021 is already impacting the free agent market. The stance of the MLB Players Association right now is that the players have a contract for at least one more season, and the universal DH is not part of the Basic Agreement.

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

They really need to resolve this. If the players are holding firm on no DH, then let there be no DH.

[Centerfield]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: They really need to resolve this. If the players are holding firm on no DH, then let there be no DH.

The article is awkwardly written. The players want the DH. Owners want it too. But the owners think they should get something for it. Like expanded playoffs, which to me sounds like a disaster.



I think it's a “who blinks first” situation.

[Benjamin Grimm]

So the owners want to be compensated for getting something that they want.



I wish I could say that this was the craziest thing I've ever heard, but there have probably been a hundred crazier things since Election Day alone.

[Centerfield]

Lance Lynn to the White Sox. Chicago gives up Dane Dunning, their top pitching prospect. Consensus top 100.



I'm guessing the guy was like a Justin Dunn level prospect. Maybe a tick better.

[Edgy MD]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: So the owners want to be compensated for getting something that they want. I wish I could say that this was the craziest thing I've ever heard, but there have probably been a hundred crazier things since Election Day alone.

This is totally the way management and unions operate. Maddening stuff.

[MFS62]

Mets signed Cleveland reliever Jared Robinson to a minor league deal.

https://sports.yahoo.com/mets-sign-former-indians-pitcher-022501941.htmlhttps://sports.yahoo.com/mets-sign-former-indians-pitcher-022501941.html



Later

[smg58]

While it would help the Mets to have a DH next season, neither the universal DH nor expanded playoffs serve the best interests of the sport.



The Mets could theoretically have gotten Lynn and Sonny Gray for the same amount of money they're paying Stroman. Obviously there are players involved with the trades too, but it's a buyer's market right now and we need to take advantage of it.

[Edgy MD]

In theory, it helps the Mets.



It's not like the Mets are the only National League team with a productive hitter that they can't fit into their lineup. The Braves used Acuña there and somebody else will in 2020. The Reds used Jesse Winker there. Wilmer Flores AND Austin Slater for the Giants.



The league is filled with hitters who don't fit comfortably into a position for their team.

[MFS62]

So far, the Major League free agent signings:

Royals sign Carlos Santana

ChiSox sign Adam Eaton

Mets sign Trevor May

Braves sign Charlie Morton



Later

[MFS62]

I got out of bed early and rushed downstairs to my PC, like a kid running to see what Santa left under the tree, to check out last night's deals.

There was nothing there.

Then I realized why.

This year's meetings are virtual.

There were no back-room late night meetings at bars or in cigar smoked rooms where GMs hash out deals.

Another way 2020 ripped the joy from us.

Rats!



Later

[Lefty Specialist]

I wonder if they have virtual hookers hanging around in the virtual lobby.

[Edgy MD]

I've been spending days resisting making a virtual crack about virtually harassing Kim Ng.



Really, the fewer transactions that involve alcohol the better.

[LWFS]

=smg58 post_id=51841 time=1607446218 user_id=62]
While it would help the Mets to have a DH next season, neither the universal DH nor expanded playoffs serve the best interests of the sport.



The Mets could theoretically have gotten Lynn and Sonny Gray for the same amount of money they're paying Stroman. Obviously there are players involved with the trades too, but it's a buyer's market right now and we need to take advantage of it.

[MFS62]

Rule V Draft:

Nothing major Metly happened:

https://sports.yahoo.com/mets-lose-pitching-prospect-dedniel-174703322.htmlhttps://sports.yahoo.com/mets-lose-pitching-prospect-dedniel-174703322.html

Later

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Lost Deneil Nunez to SFG



Selected a pitcher from Cleveland then sold him to Pittsburg



In the minor league phase they picked up

-OF Drew Ferguson (HOU). Low power, but good BA/OBP guy who plays 3 positions

-RHP Justin Dillon (TOR). Starter, good whip guy

-SS Drew Jackson (LAD). Stats don't look very good

-RHP Jesus Reyes (CIN) sinkerball reliver

-LHP Jose "the Gorilla" Zorrilla (CIN) LHP reliever, high ERA, lots of whiffs



Lost:

-SS Sebastian Espino

-C Wilfred Astudillo

-RHP Ezequiel Zabaleta

-2B Mitchell Tolman

[Edgy MD]

That's a lot of minor league fishing.



Dedniel Nuñez isn't nothing. More of a makeup guy than a stuff guy, but probably has a future in the bigs if only as a swingman for a few years.



As for the rest, well, lose infielders, where they're deep and gain an outfielder , where they're shallow, and a lefty reliever, where ditto.

[A Boy Named Seo]

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: Lost Deneil Nunez to SFG Selected a pitcher from Cleveland then sold him to Pittsburg In the minor league phase they picked up -OF Drew Ferguson (HOU). Low power, but good BA/OBP guy who plays 3 positions -RHP Justin Dillon (TOR). Starter, good whip guy -SS Drew Jackson (LAD). Stats don't look very good -RHP Jesus Reyes (CIN) sinkerball reliver -LHP Jose "the Gorilla" Zorrilla (CIN) LHP reliever, high ERA, lots of whiffs Lost: -SS Sebastian Espino -C Wilfred Astudillo -RHP Ezequiel Zabaleta -2B Mitchell Tolman

Wilfred Astudillo is la Tortuga's little brother IIRC. Bummed that family line isn't in the Met org any longer.

[MFS62]

I was hoping for a Hanukah present.

But so far it has been more like Pass-over.

Later