DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum MLB Discussion Thread

They changed the rules on draft pick forfeiture in the new CBA.

I thought that starts next year

I'd love to get Encarnacion, but I'm thinking the Red Sox will let us set the price and then swoop in to sign him for a bit more. They have to replace Ortiz.

If I'm not mistaken, the old CBA expired, and the new one takes effect immediately. The only part that doesn't is the expansion of the regular season (on the calendar) to allow players 4 additional days off, that starts in 2018.

Sale to Red Sox ... wow

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 15m15 minutes ago

BREAKING: Sale to #RedSox. Moncada, Kopech and two other prospects to #WhiteSox.

Moncada is good, but BOS will be very good

Red Sox are gonna regret giving up Yoan Moncada, geesh.

White Sox having a Fire Sale?

Ouch. I still argue we have the best healthy rotation in the majors.

Bosox will have 3 years of control before Sale is a FA; White Sox didn't get nearly enough, IMO. Forget Encarnacion, I wish we had done a deal for Sale. We could have platooned Santana and Brantley at 1B/DH. Although, to be fair, I don't suppose they would have wanted to trade Sale inside their own division and risk facing him 4-5 times a year. Boston is stacked at SP now - they have to be considered odds on favorite for the AL pennant in 2017. Now watch them go get Encarnacion or Trumbo to replace Ortiz.

The new qualifying offer rules don't go into effect until next season.

I just read an article on the Plain Dealer's website that agree with you.

I thought it went into effect this year.

It doesn't sound like the Indians would be all that upset over losing their 1st if they add a big, multi year piece.

And the price is right.

As a Tribe fan. I'm more concerned with the prospect of having to deal with Moncada and Kopech in the future than having Sale in the division.

It was a good trade for both teams, but I think the White Sox (on paper) won this deal.

Boston will be tough, however. David Ortiz apparently tweeted something out alluding to the fact he may come back for another year. Remains to be seen how serious he is about returning.

Yeah, It will be nice to not have Sale in the division.

Certainly improves the Tribe's relative standing in the division.

But boy, next year's play-offs will be tough.

The Indians might win 100 games in 2017. The White Sox and Twins are both rebuilding and the Tigers and Royals are both currently sellers.

If I'm the White Sox my next phone call after pillaging the Astros system is to the Rangers to get Leodys Taveras.

What if catcher Francisco Mejia impresses next March?



And lefty pitcher Ryan Merritt.

"Merritt is one of only two pitchers in MLB history to have started just one game in the regular season before pitching in the postseason."

And he shut-out Toronto for 4 1/3 innings. Giving up only 2 hits and striking out 3.



I'll tell you what.

If Francona can keep Merritt focused for 162 games, he is going to have an amazing rookie year.

And if anyone can handle a rookie pitcher, we’ve got the man.

The well ain't empty.

Talk about pieces to the puzzle. (an offensive catcher and a left handed starter.)

Francona's a genius.

I don't understand the Easton deal. He's gonna suck at CF.

Merritt is a non-prospect with little success in the minors. He will be 25 to start the season. He is going to get lit up if he pitches a significant amount of innings in the big leagues.

He has not been good in center field in the past, but he can't be much worse than what the Nationals had in center last year (offense and defense). If he can be a league average fielder, than he will be a huge upgrade over Ben Revere/Michael Taylor.

Scotty MacGregor, Kenny Rogers, and Jamie Moyer might tend to disagree. Those guys all threw slop, but pitching is like real estate. Its all about location-location-location. If Merritt can command his pitches, he is a legit middle-to-back-of-the-rotation prospect - not unlike Josh Tomlin. That's not a phenom, I'll give you that, but to call him a non-prospect is overly harsh.

[quote...]pitching is like real estate. Its all about location-location-location. [/quote]

Awesome line because it is so true.

He is the definition of a non-prospect. He is a guy that can fill in every once and while (which he did in the playoffs), but if you are relying on him for long periods he will be exposed (like Josh Tomlin).

Guys like Ryan Merritt are released every year and change teams constantly.

Aroldis Chapman back to the yankees for 86 million?? ... they'll regret that one

He's a good player, but spending that much (for five years) for a relief pitcher is insane.

You can thank the Royals and Andrew Miller for what's about to happen.

It's mostly the Royals. The Indians just deployed Miller differently than most teams would usually do with their best relief pitcher.

If I were the Indians I might check and see what I could get for Miller in this market. They are clearly the best team in their division.