The World Series is over, unfortunately a bit sooner than I’d like since one team showed up and the other one kept tripping over themselves. Then again, it appears that full on free agency will begin on Monday, which happens to be five days after the Dodgers clinched. They already have a parade set up for Friday, which is a very quick turnaround. Meanwhile we see at least one new managerial hire other than Terry Francona (welcome to hell, Will Venable!) and a few option decisions, trades can start up again, and we’re a few weeks from the qualifying offer and non-tender decisions.
Here are some of the more important milestones to look for:
- November 4 @ 5 PM Eastern — Free agents can now sign with any team
- Also on November 4 — option decisions must be made, and qualifying offers are extended
- November 19 @ 4 PM Eastern (why two weeks though?) — QO guys need to accept or decline
- November 22 — nontender deadline
- December 11 — Rule 5 Draft
I know in the last Dreamcast we talked about a game to fix up the Cubs this offseason but since I’m still unemployed and it’s depressing I haven’t set it up. In the meantime, we can check out the free agent list and the top trade candidates provided by MLBTR. I expect we will have more clarity on who’s available come Monday.
Comments
This was kind of inevitable once they reported he was available
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2024/10/31/report-cubs-hiring-quintin-berry-as-new-third-base-and-base-running-coach/
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The Angels just traded for Jorge Soler π€
https://x.com/ByRobertMurray/status/1852043269720674443?t=dmfhxDHeGOYi5_pGO3OA_g&s=19
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Don’t tell me what to do
berseliusQuote Reply
Rodney and Hawkins are basically all of this.
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PerkinsQuote Reply
I had some obvious guesses in each square but decided to search for some super obscure ones (dying laughing)
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
My best were Ronny Cedeno at 0.04 and Brian Duensing at 0.08.
PerkinsQuote Reply
Angels getting a jump start on the scrap heap, just traded for Scott Kingery and claimed a Noda
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Nuts
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Rice CubeQuote Reply
berseliusQuote Reply
Dogders
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Eloy and Rizzo –> bought out
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Cody is back!
https://x.com/kileymcd/status/1852749623636439048?t=1XTgrHtH-DSza3mc3R3y2Q&s=19
Rice CubeQuote Reply
For the Twitter averse:
andcountingQuote Reply
Itβll be interesting having a properly motivated Bellinger on the roster. This would also seem either to render Seiya a perennial DH or to make Cody a trade candidate (less likely, Iβd assume).
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
The Cubs have to pay the money regardless so they might buy a prospect or swap contracts but it would kind of be a dick move to trade someone who wants to be there (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
The Cubs did decline Smyly’s option so there’s that
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
The two parties know better than anyone where Codyβs at, but Iβve got to believe picking up the option is more a statement on what contract his performance last season is likely to earn him as a free agent than it is a pronouncement of his loyalty to the Cubs. And itβs possible a trade would serve him better if he has a chance to play CF every day instead of being a RF/DH/1B. Most teams will probably assume he can still play, but if the optics indicate heβs lost a step, it could cost him next offseason.
andcountingQuote Reply
andcounting,
Well he has the right to lock in the guaranteed money the Cubs (were foolish enough to?) give him but I agree with your theory that he will be motivated to turn the next opt out decision into a no-brainer in the good way
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Rice Cube,
*throws small amount of confetti*
berseliusQuote Reply
I’m neutral on the opt out for on the field/spreadsheet reasons, but Belli seems like a good vibes guy so I’m glad he will still be around.
berseliusQuote Reply
Slightly newer shit –> https://www.obstructedview.net/the-quest-to-exceed-mediocrity/
Rice CubeQuote Reply