I am going to need a few minutes...
Don’t see the Cubs and McCutchen being a great fit. I’m on the fence about them going after Harper, and hope they stay the hell away from Machado. They might be more active on the trade front.
Looks like the D-Backs get raped, losing Patrick Corbin and AJ Pollock. Guess they don’t have enough money to retain them. They’re both outstanding.
With the troublemaker attitude and the repulsively ugly cornrows, I wouldn’t give a dime for Machado. His egomania make him a likely chemistry buster wherever he goes.
I’m glad Craig Kimbrel’s contract is up. He gave me regular heartburn as shaky Sox closer. Notice Cora did not bring him in for the game 5 bottom of the ninth, going with Sale instead, to wrap up the Series victory.
Harper would have been the Dodgers’ top target last year but with the World Series loss their deficiencies were exposed. Biggest needs are “small ball” players and better arms in the bullpen.
Harper to the Dodgers exacerbates their left handed lineup problem. No way he platoons with the right hand hitting Puig at his salary. That’s how you attack the Dodgers, by throwing lefties at them. That said more can ge done to balance their lineup in other positions so I’d still do the Harper deal.
I hope that the Angels can land some of those pitchers. But the team badly needs relievers and they are all starters. Maybe some starters who can actually make it to the 7th inning would keep the current relievers from wearing out by mid season.
Happ as a contact hitter sounds interesting, but Ohtani will be DH’ing so he won’t get that slot. And if Happ is a weak fielding 2nd baseman that won’t cut it either.
Anyone need a great defensive short stop cheap? Alcides Escobar, KC is a FA. He was awful at the plate this year, but he’s decent contact hitter when he is on. I’m thinking Orioles or Dodgers.
So many long-term contracts turn out to be millstones dragging teams down. Neither Harper nor Machado is as good as Albert Pujols was when he signed with the Angels, and look how that turned out.