Offseason MLB News and Notes

RedOctober3829

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The Mets’ potentially busy offseason revolves heavily around hiring a president of baseball operations – and to that end, the organization already has one candidate lined up.
The Mets plan to speak with Theo Epstein soon – possibly this week, according to an industry source – as the team searches for a new front office leader. Epstein, who helped build three World Series winners with the Red Sox and Cubs, has spent this season working as a consultant for MLB.

Unclear is the 47-year-old Epstein’s level of interest in returning to the daily grind of baseball operations. But team owner Steve Cohen’s checkbook could hold sway in the matter. Epstein’s last contract with the Cubs, which he exited a year early, was worth close to $10 million annually. With the Mets desperate for a big hire, he could be in position to significantly increase that amount, potentially including an ownership stake.

As of Tuesday morning, the Mets had not sought permission to speak with potential candidates under contract with other teams. Oakland’s Billy Beane and Milwaukee’s David Stearns are two such possibilities that would require their employers’ permission before speaking to the Mets. Another possibility is Dodgers executive Josh Byrnes.
https://nypost.com/2021/10/05/mets-to-speak-with-theo-epstein-soon-about-front-office-vacancy/?utm_source=NYPSportsTwitter&sr_share=twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=SocialFlow
 

dynomite

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Mets could be a nice situation for Theo, but it still makes me a little sad to think of him anywhere but the Red Sox. Plus having taken both the Cubs and Red Sox to the promised land is an awfully tough act to follow.

In other news, the Rockies acted quickly to keep some of their 74-win ballclub together, signing SP Senzatela (5 years) and 1B Cron (2 years) to extensions:

The Rockies are keeping their first baseman in the fold, announcing an agreement with C.J. Cron on a two-year contract extension. The deal guarantees the Moye Sports Associates client a total of $14.5MM.

It’s the second extension of the day for the Rox, who also just locked up righty Antonio Senzatela on a five-year contract. Unlike Senzatela, who was already under team control for two more seasons via arbitration, Cron was slated to become a free agent after the World Series. The two sides had publicly expressed interest in working out a reunion, however, and it seems they’ll do so before Cron ever hits the open market and hears from other clubs.
I guess I see the logic of the Senzatela extension, sacrificing some money now to keep an innings eater with a 102 career ERA+ on the roster through his age 27-32 seasons. There's an adage about never having enough starting pitching for a reason. But I'm not aware of a similar adage about giving decent money to a journeyman 1B on the wrong side of 30 like CJ Cron? Don't get me wrong, he had a nice season this year and is a solid player (sort of a RHH Mitch Moreland), but part of what was nice about his 2021 was that he signed on an MiLB deal in February and only made something like $1M, right? It both makes more sense that they didn't trade him in July now... and less sense... if that makes sense?

Is anyone who follows that team better able to explain what the Rockies organizational strategy is right now? Didn't most people expect that with Trevor Story leaving and 34-year-old Charlie Blackmon's performance nose diving (125 OPS+ in '19, 104 in '20, 96 this year) they were going to rebuild? Do they really think they can compete in 2022 in a loaded NL West against the Dodgers/Padres/Giants... especially once Story leaves?
 
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Harry Hooper

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Mets owner Steve Cohen and Epstein spoke but agreed the Mets' president of baseball operations job would not be the right opportunity for the 47-year-old Epstein, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Record/NorthJersey.com. The two had a cordial conversation and respect one another, the person said, but mutually decided this was not the right fit for Epstein, who is perhaps baseball's most famous executive.
link
 

SemperFidelisSox

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Eddie Robinson died on Monday at 100 years old. He was the oldest living MLB player and last member of the Indians 1948 World Series team.
 

jon abbey

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I bet Cohen will sit on that position for a few more weeks to see if Cashman gets let go.
Cashman’s not going anywhere and certainly not to the hellhole organization in Queens. Cohen will take a run at David Stearns and Billy Beane next, I doubt either of them will come but we’ll see.
 

bosockboy

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Cashman’s not going anywhere and certainly not to the hellhole organization in Queens. Cohen will take a run at David Stearns and Billy Beane next, I doubt either of them will come but we’ll see.
I agree he wouldn’t go to Queens but he should be on notice; if only because every organization needs fresh leadership.
 

jon abbey

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I agree he wouldn’t go to Queens but he should be on notice; if only because every organization needs fresh leadership.
He has the #1 international prospect coming in January and Fangraphs has NY with the #1 international prospect the following season also (this could change), I don’t think he should be on notice and I don’t think he is.
 

EvilEmpire

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Cashman being 'on notice' is nonsense. Front office stability is a strength of the franchise and has been for a long time.
 

bosockboy

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Cashman being 'on notice' is nonsense. Front office stability is a strength of the franchise and has been for a long time.
I understand and respect that, and I’m not trolling. 12 years of no rings, or pennants even, is a real stretch for you guys. It’s half his tenure.
 

Sad Sam Jones

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He was a guest 4-5 years ago at a customer event. A wonderful gentleman. I was able to say hello. RIP
So, I guess they kept his racism under wraps then. Eddie Robinson only deserves to remembered as one of the two members on the '47 team who refused to shake Larry Doby's hand, and the guy who called him a "n*****" and refused when asked to lend Doby his first baseman's glove to practice the position. Hopefully he changed his ways, but I wouldn't call him a wonderful gentleman.
 

jon abbey

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I understand and respect that, and I’m not trolling. 12 years of no rings, or pennants even, is a real stretch for you guys. It’s half his tenure.
Not saying you're trolling, but 'rings' or 'no rings' is a really simplistic way to look at things. The Dodgers haven't won a WS in a 162 game season since 1988 and could easily have gone out early again last night. Cashman is far from perfect but good luck to NY trying to find someone better overall (not that they actually have any intention of doing so).
 

EvilEmpire

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I understand and respect that, and I’m not trolling. 12 years of no rings, or pennants even, is a real stretch for you guys. It’s half his tenure.
I didn't think you were trolling and you're right that they haven't won in a while and expectations are high.

I think Cashman is safe (and should be) because the Yankees are consistently competitive, have learned to manage the luxury tax well, and have done a good job with the farm system despite rarely having high picks.

Not being able to get through the "last mile" lately is frustrating, sure, but we know he can do it because he's done it before.

I think quite a few teams would be very happy to have him.
 

Dahabenzapple2

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So, I guess they kept his racism under wraps then. Eddie Robinson only deserves to remembered as one of the two members on the '47 team who refused to shake Larry Doby's hand, and the guy who called him a "n*****" and refused when asked to lend Doby his first baseman's glove to practice the position. Hopefully he changed his ways, but I wouldn't call him a wonderful gentleman.
I had no idea about this
 

EvilEmpire

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I'm more concerned that Cashman will a godfather type offer and move on to a different challenge after his contract is up next year.
 

OurF'ingCity

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I'm more concerned that Cashman will a godfather type offer and move on to a different challenge after his contract is up next year.
You’re obviously way more tied into the Yankees than I am, but Cashman is so synonymous with that team that I feel like if he was fired or what have you he’d just retire or take some non-GM job. Guess it depends on his personality and the opportunity.
 

SemperFidelisSox

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You can’t argue with the results of the “Cardinal Way”. They have an organizational philosophy, they very rarely go outside the Cardinal family when it comes to hiring, and Shildt didn’t get with the program.
 

jon abbey

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My Cards fan friend, who has connections inside the organization and often knows Cards news before it is public, is shocked.
 

E5 Yaz

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