***Official - 2025 Major League Baseball Thread (3 Viewers)

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Four players took their qualifying offers:

Through the complexities of his contract, Imanaga could have picked up his 2027 option which would have come to a guaranteed two-year total of about 30M, which is 8M more than the qualifying offer for just this one year.

He seems to be betting on himself for improvement in 2026, opening the door to a longer and more lucrative deal. He had a hamstring injury that took him out for a couple of months, and he really wasn't the same pitcher as before.

I am glad he's back with the Cubs.

 

[HellToupee]

The Orioles trade away pitching?

Grayson Rodriguez for Taylor Ward

 

[Eephus]

Rodriguez for Ward makes me wonder if the Orioles know something about his rehab. We're talking about Mike Elias though so .

I'm sure it'll be a very thorough medical exam.

 

[Gally]

The Orioles trade away pitching?

Grayson Rodriguez for Taylor Ward

And isn't one of the log jams of young guys in the OF? So why get an outfielder as a return? Doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

[kupcho1]

You can't really hoist a banner for back-to-back executive of the year awards.

If it were possible, the Washington Capitols would have done it already.

 

[Don Quixote]

The Orioles trade away pitching?

Grayson Rodriguez for Taylor Ward

And isn't one of the log jams of young guys in the OF? So why get an outfielder as a return? Doesn't make a lot of sense.

The O’s are lefty heavy, so I think he fits in as a righty bat. I’m still surprised by the move though, as think the Orioles could use pitching more (but, as mentioned, must not trust him to stay healthy).

I think it comes down to the next move, as maybe they think it will be easier to find someone to slot in the rotation off the FA market than to get a righty OF bat.

 

[Eephus]

The Orioles trade away pitching?

Grayson Rodriguez for Taylor Ward

And isn't one of the log jams of young guys in the OF? So why get an outfielder as a return? Doesn't make a lot of sense.

The O’s are lefty heavy, so I think he fits in as a righty bat. I’m still surprised by the move though, as think the Orioles could use pitching more (but, as mentioned, must not trust him to stay healthy).

I think it comes down to the next move, as maybe they think it will be easier to find someone to slot in the rotation off the FA market than to get a righty OF bat.

They're still paying Tyler O'Neill $30M over the next two years to do Taylor Ward things but that's a sunk cost.

Ward is in his final year of team control so the O's need to think about their next move immediately. He turns 32 next month and generally patient power hitters haven't aged particularly well. If they can't get an extension done he could be an attractive asset at the deadline but in that case, what are they even doing.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Roster Resource lists the Angels' projected rotation as Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Soriano, Reid Detmers, Grayson Rodriguez and Caden Dana. An impressive collection of talent that hasn't accomplished much in MLB for various reasons.

They hired Mike Maddux away from the Rangers to be their pitching coach. Will be interesting to see if he can work any magic with that group.

 

[Eephus]

Roster Resource lists the Angels' projected rotation as Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Soriano, Reid Detmers, Grayson Rodriguez and Caden Dana. An impressive collection of talent that hasn't accomplished much in MLB for various reasons.

They hired Mike Maddux away from the Rangers to be their pitching coach. Will be interesting to see if he can work any magic with that group.

The same Anaheims have given Jack Kochanowicz 33 starts over the past two years.

 

[-fish-]

Randy Jones passed away today. Grew up watching him at San Diego/Jack Murphy Stadium. 1976 Cy Young winner with 22 wins and 25 complete games.

Opened a barbecue joint after he retired with pretty decent food. He was always very friendly and loved to talk baseball.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

1976 Cy Young winner with 22 wins and 25 complete games.

315 innings pitched, too.

 

[Gally]

Angels' projected rotation as Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Soriano, Reid Detmers, Grayson Rodriguez and Caden Dana.

They are moving him back to being a starter? Interesting.

 

[Eephus]

Angels' projected rotation as Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Soriano, Reid Detmers, Grayson Rodriguez and Caden Dana.

They are moving him back to being a starter? Interesting.

Might as well try to stretch him out again and see what happens. It's easier to move him to a high-leverage role if he doesn't work out in the rotation than to do the opposite.

 

[Eephus]

Biggish trade w/ Marcus Semien heading to Queens in exchange for Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo had a decent season but is probably a DH after all his injuries. Semien may be toast at age 35 but maybe he has a dead cat bounce in him. Both contracts are terrible.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Biggish trade w/ Marcus Semien heading to Queens in exchange for Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo had a decent season but is probably a DH after all his injuries. Semien may be toast at age 35 but maybe he has a dead cat bounce in him. Both contracts are terrible.

Maybe the Mets are clearing space for a pursuit of Schwarber or Tucker?

 

[Eephus]

Biggish trade w/ Marcus Semien heading to Queens in exchange for Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo had a decent season but is probably a DH after all his injuries. Semien may be toast at age 35 but maybe he has a dead cat bounce in him. Both contracts are terrible.

Maybe the Mets are clearing space for a pursuit of Schwarber or Tucker?

Cody Bellinger seems like a tailor made replacement for Nimmo

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Cody Bellinger seems like a tailor made replacement for Nimmo

Bellinger is acutely aware of which ballparks his bat does and does not play well. Yankee Stadium and Dodger Stadium are great fits. Citi Field is a drag for LH bats.

If Cohen opens the vault, then it probably won't matter much.

 

[rockaction]

Will wonders never . . .

Blue Jays Agree to $210 Million Deal with Dylan Cease

The deal, averaging $30 million annually, brings the 29-year-old starter to Toronto after two seasons with the San Diego Padres. Cease struck out 215 batters over 168 innings in 2025 despite a 4.55 ERA, adding his elite fastball-slider combo to a group featuring Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and Jose Berrios. Fans see it as a clear push to return to World Series contention in the competitive AL East, pending his physical exam. - Twitter

 

[Eephus]

Very unusual for a Boras client to sign before (American) Thanksgiving.

Reportedly there's a bunch of deferred money involved again.

 

[dkp993]

It’s saying something when I’m not bummed we lost him. I think the 2024 Dodger playoff series broke him. He was brutal to watch last year.