October's Over: The 2014-15 MLB off-season thread.

[CS85 10,440]

The amount of money Lester is going to make a year will be pretty insane.

[Brass 3,399]

I still absolutely refuse to count the Yankees out in the Lester sweepstakes. They've been quiet. Too quiet. Though, Ken Rosenthal is reporting that its between the Cubs and Giants...

[FiddySicks 11,041]

All indications are that it's down to the Giants and Cubs now. If the money is similar, I just can't see Lester passing up an opportunity to work with Bochy and Posey in favor of an early start to golf season.

If history repeats itself (as it did in 2011 and 2013), your beloved Giants will be missing the playoffs in 2015; at the very least they're no lock for October considering they're in a division with the Dodgers and the potentially improved Padres and Diamondbacks.

I'm not saying that the Cubs would be a lock for the postseason with Lester, but I am saying that it's premature to count them out already, and that the Giants most certainly wouldn't be a lock, themselves.

The whole "Even year bulls**t", as it's being called by some of the other NL West SB Nation blogs, is nothing but narrative. It's a purely coincidence that the Giants have sandwiched missing the playoffs in between three World Series titles. But you are completely right about the strength of the NL West. I just don't see how Lester would see Chicago as a better option if the money is similar. Maybe his connection with Theo really is that strong, but from a roster standpoint, you've gotta put the Giants as favorites. I would have to think that Lester would be licking his chops to be able to work with a catcher like Buster Posey. The guy has worked with some of the best pitchers in the game and has helped them to rise to legendary levels. I'm completely convinced that part of the reason why Bumgarner did as well this postseason is because of Posey. I think Lester probably saw that as well.

Either way, it's gonna be exciting to see how this works out. I'll be bummed if he chooses Chicago, but good for them. At least it's not back to Boston or, even worse, the Guggenheim Guild.

[jrodsep 567]

If the Lester doesn't sign with the Sox, and at this time it doesn't seem likely that he will be back, I can see the Sox make the bug push for Scherzer and/or trade for Hammels.

[The Six 754]

I wouldn't say the Even Year thing is complete coincidence. The Giants won the first two titles due in large part to aging veterans who were promptly re-signed in the ensuing offseason, and in the odd years Huff, Burrell. Ross, Sanchez, Pagan, and Scutaro all ended up either injured or ineffective. By the time the even year came around the team was reloaded and healthy.

Oh, and this happened.

[Brass 3,399]

Soooo a few hours ago, the Red Sox outrighted Jemile Weeks to Pawtucket cutting the 40-man roster down to 39. It may be for Rule 5 purposes, but I'm holding out hope it's for one Jon Lester...

[DNAsports 5,387]

All I gotta say is the Orioles better go after a good RF and maybe good starter... I was hoping Kemp but it seems like the Padres are the front runners so maybe Justin Upton, who they've been linked to or even Melky Cabrera... As for SP... Not so sure about that one

[cmm 386]

The White Sox have signed David Robertson and have apparently traded for Jeff Samardzjia.

[FiddySicks 11,041]

Aaaand that could potentially put the Red Sox back in the hunt for Lester (barring that they were really as interested in Shark as was rumored).

Thanks again, Billy Beane :annoyed:

[JasonFromMiami 58]

Moss, Cespy, Donaldson....they were representing the A´s in the all-star game this july right ? are you :censored:ing kidding me ?

As a Marlins fan this should know that things like this happens.

Yeah, but those days are over.

.

Besides , Miami have never traded star players in the middle of a season when things were going great.

-

"Yoenis Cespedes Throws Out Howie Kendrick at Home" one of my fave mlb highlights, :censored: Beane !

[tigerslionspistonshabs 1,623]

If the Lester doesn't sign with the Sox, and at this time it doesn't seem likely that he will be back, I can see the Sox make the bug push for Scherzer and/or trade for Hammels.

The fact that there's been virtually zero Scherzer talk is a bit odd. Personally, especially with the small roster moves the Tigers have made in the past few weeks, it seems like they're preparing to re-sign him, trade another starter (Porcello or Price) to Boston for a package structured around Cespedes. I'll take it. Tigers still have 4 solid starters, Cespy helps the outfield problem and provides hitting. Still need bullpen help, though.

[TheOldRoman 1,292]

Really busy night/morning for the Sox getting Shark and Robertson. I originally wanted them to sign a free agent (potentially Shields), but Samardzija is really damn good and they didn't have to give up too much to get him. He is originally from the Chicago area and a lifelong Sox fan. However, all indications are he is going to go to free agency after this year and not sign an extension unless it's absurd money. So the trade was essentially a really-nice-but-not-great 2B/SS who is MLB-ready plus two lottery tickets for one year of Shark. Kudos to the Sox for signing a top-line closer and trading for one of the best starters available in the span of a few hours. Lots of work left to be done, however.

[tigerslionspistonshabs 1,623]

Agreed, but the Central division is going to be damn good this year IMO. You guy's have still got Chris Sale, and Abreu is an absolute beast.

The Indians are always kicking at the door, and the Royals just made the WS.

[TheOldRoman 1,292]

Agreed, but the Central division is going to be damn good this year IMO. You guy's have still got Chris Sale, and Abreu is an absolute beast.

The Indians are always kicking at the door, and the Royals just made the WS.

Nobody talks about him, but Jose Quintana is one of the best pitchers in baseball. The Sox have a great 1-3 now, and a blue chip starter Carlos Rodon waiting in the minors to get called up hopefully around June. Still, they need to maybe get a new 3B or catcher, likely bring in another starter, and definitely get a new leftfielder.

[Tigers6884 493]

As I've already stated, I think the Tigers should just give up on Scherzer returning. If he's not willing to be a “team player”, the a Tigers don't need him. Let him leave and resign Porcello for a few more years.

[tigerslionspistonshabs 1,623]

Agreed, but the Central division is going to be damn good this year IMO. You guy's have still got Chris Sale, and Abreu is an absolute beast.

The Indians are always kicking at the door, and the Royals just made the WS.

Nobody talks about him, but Jose Quintana is one of the best pitchers in baseball. The Sox have a great 1-3 now, and a blue chip starter Carlos Rodon waiting in the minors to get called up hopefully around June. Still, they need to maybe get a new 3B or catcher, likely bring in another starter, and definitely get a new leftfielder.

How's Avisail Garcia been? I hated seeing him leave.

As I've already stated, I think the Tigers should just give up on Scherzer returning. If he's not willing to be a “team player”, the a Tigers don't need him. Let him leave and resign Porcello for a few more years.

That's actually what I'd prefer, and somehow find a way to bring back Price if at all possible.

[TheOldRoman 1,292]

How's Avisail Garcia been? I hated seeing him leave.

Avi hit really well after the trade. Last year he got off to a nice start but injured his shoulder in week two diving for a ball and was to miss the whole year. However, he busted his ass and came back 2-3 months before expected. That really impressed the organization and showed that he not only wants to win, but wants to be a leader. He started really slowly when he came back in August, but did decently in September. So, he essentially lost a year of development, and his power hasn't fully blossomed yet, but he looked pretty good. He still needs to work on his defense, but he fortunately has the tools to be better than average in the field.

[BBTV 19,359]

As I've already stated, I think the Tigers should just give up on Scherzer returning. If he's not willing to be a “team player”, the a Tigers don't need him. Let him leave and resign Porcello for a few more years.

What does 'team player" mean?

[NDFreek 135]

Today I have my reassurance that the White Sox want to win. Excited about having Shark on the South Side. Based off his interviews today he's like a little kid on Christmas and is ecstatic about joining the team. He'll be a fan favorite in no time.

[Still MIGHTY 3,834]

Jon Lester is a Cub, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. 6 years, $155M.