2014-15 MLB Offseason Thread

[gunnar hendershow]

Apparently San Diego won't stop until they can try out a 9-man outfield.

[The Buscher]

When the Mets signed Cuddyer, I was happy with the move but had a feeling that deep down it would be the only significant move the Mets would make in the offseason. I was okay with that because I didn't want to trade Murphy, I was fine with giving Wilmer Flores a legitimate chance at shortstop, and the pitching was already loaded. Getting a healthy Wright back along with the return of Harvey is almost like making two major acquisitions in a way, and I felt like they could still remain competitive deep into September.

But then seeing the Marlins get markedly better, the Cubs get better, and the Padres just transforming themselves overnight...shit. The NL is going to be really good this year. I still think the Mets as currently constructed can compete but it's kinda depressing to realize that their offseason is finished already while all of these other teams are making a lot of moves.

The only thing left for the Mets fans to talk about is what C-level prospect they'll get for Dillon Gee to shed payroll. I really, REALLY miss having owners who weren't flat broke. I think the Wilpons themselves are leaking stories about trading for Tulowitzki to try and make fans think they're trying to swing a mega deal, as if they'd ever take on a contract like Tulo's in a million years.

[thatshortguy]

Whelp, I hope everyone in a Braves uniform likes playing .500 ball, 'cause that is what this team will be good for.

[The Buscher]

The Hall of Fame Class of 2015 will be announced today. Big Unit, Pedro, and Smoltz should all waltz in on the first ballot. Biggio should also get in on his second go-around having barely missed out last year.

5 entrants have gone into the HOF together only once, the first-ever HOF class, so it's unlikely anybody else gets in other than the 4 mentioned already. I think Piazza will be next in line but right now only about 77% of ballots made public have him on it, and only 30% of ballots tallied. He's clearly going to fall short of 75%. Hopefully can inch close enough that next year is the year with Griffey the only slam dunk.

[gunnar hendershow]

Lot of guys waiting on the outside who should be in. Raines, Piazza, Mussina, Schilling, and Bagwell hopefully mostly get in next year with Griffey.

[Meacon Keaton]

Tim Raines not being in yet is infuriating.

[Your Mom]

I totally forgot Johnson used to be on the Mariners.

You guys think Sosa will ever make it. I'm disappointed by what he did but he is still kinda our guy

[The Buscher]

Sosa won't ever make it. In fact I think there's a decent chance he'll drop off the ballot this year.

Voters get 10 picks. If I were allowed a vote this is who I'd go with: Bagwell, Biggio, Bonds, Clemens, Johnson, Martinez, Piazza, Raines, Schilling, Smoltz

McGwire and Sosa would be the next up if I were allowed more votes.

[Your Mom]

McGwire and Sosa deserve it just for that season.

Biggio is in!

Smoltz is in!

Pedro is in!

Big Unit is in!

[Your Mom]

Piazza needs to go in. He was just too good not to. Next year for sure

[Meacon Keaton]

Can't argue with any of those going in, but it's still bullshit that Raines isn't in.

[The Buscher]

I think Raines only has 2 more years left on the ballot after this, so odds are he'll have to wait until the Veteran's Committee which is dumb.

Piazza is just under 70%. I think he'll make it next year with Griffey being the only lock. Even though you can vote for 10 some writers just have it in their heads that 3 or 4 is the max that can go in at once because the only class of 5 was the inaugural one.

Knowing the Mets' luck, Piazza will go in as a Dodger because his numbers were slightly better there even though everybody remembers him as a Met and he's publically said he wants to be remembered as a Met.

[DMN in the House]

He's a Dodger whether he wants to be or not!

>_>

I feel dirty saying it, because he played for those battery chuckers up north, but Bonds deserves to be in. He was a HOF talent before any of the PED stuff.

[Your Mom]

How long do you have to be retired? Seems like Griffey should have already happened

[HC]

It's a five year wait, and he retired in the 2010 season.

[Your Mom]

Wow. I thought it was way sooner

[The Buscher]

Looking at next year's first of first year HOF eligible players, Griffey is the obvious headliner. Trevor Hoffman and Billy Wagner are there too. There's not a chance in hell that two closers are going in at the same time, and frankly even with 601 saves I'm not sure Hoffman will be a first ballot guy. Voters in general seem to have devalued closers. I think Hoffman will get in but maybe in his second or third year (but definitely before Rivera). Wagner might stick on the ballot for ages ala Lee Smith but not sure he's a lock. Jim Edmonds is another guy I can see sticking on the ballot if only from support from the new-school voters as he has far better WAR numbers than several outfielders who are already in.

So yeah, I'm fairly optimistic about Piazza next year. It does alarm me though that of the people who didn't vote for him - a lot of them were New York writers who covered him enough to feel suspicious based only on his physique. One of them even said "I'd rather risk leaving out someone innocent than letting someone guilty in." God bless America. I think he'll make it though unless something concrete comes out.

[gunnar hendershow]

Next year I expect Griffey, Piazza, and hopefully Raines. Hoffman might have to wait a year or two, Mussina will get there as will Schilling, and Bagwell is going to hover close until finally a shallow year comes to save him.

Griffey and Piazza are definites next year though.