I would pass on Blackburn. Stat wise over the course of his career, he’s basically the equivalent of Megill, just older and twice as expensive. I wasn’t really impressed with the acquisition a few months ago. All of the others I pretty much agree with what you’ve written. Hard no on Stewart.
Blackburn: no because he won't be ready for the season, then have a rehabilitation stint, then he would have to be in MLB roster without options even if he isn't pitching well. The $4.4m would be better spent elsewhere.
Megill: yes because he has 1 option and can be a depth starter. He is a FA 2028 so sometime year they should try as a minor league reliever to see if he could adapt.
Peterson: yes because he is a mid rotation starter
Reid-Foley: yes even if he has zero options because it is the cheap gamble. When he is health is was good last year.. If he is horrible and gets cut, it would be the similar cost as cutting a minimum salaried player.
Torrens: yes because he had MLB success with Seattle1 and as a backup with the Mets.
Stewart: no because he wasn't good last year for the Mets and was limited in his playing time at Syracuse.
Taylor: yes because right now he is their starting CF. Ideally he is their fourth outfielder. They should trade for Cedric Mullins, Baltimore. He has 1 year left until free agency and arb projection of $8.7m .
The thing about Blackburn is that they would be able to start him on a minor league rehab so they wouldn't necessarily have to put him on the Opening Day roster. Obviously Stearns likes him because he traded for him. We shall see
Anything that includes Manaea's 2023 season when he spent half the year in the pen isn't really a fair comparison. My opinion is that the vast majority of teams would prefer Manaea to Wacha.
In The Athletic, they speculated 3/$51 for Severino, too. That may be a reasonable market-value contract for Severino but my hope is that Stearns looks elsewhere.
It’s exciting to be thinking about 2025. 2024 is sooooo over.
Blackburn = no, out of options and injury recovery uncertain, hes replaceable
Peterson = yes. whether he’d forfeit FA is a different question. Im not worried about CBT, and I think we need to stop even talking about it.
Megill = yes, because of the option, otherwise, it’s the last hurrah.
Reid-Foley = as you say, but excitement level pretty small.
Stewart = no chance
Taylor = yes for sure. I cant see any reason to be shelling money for a CF when theres bigger first to fry
Torrens = yes. Nice to have him as #2
Young = no.
I would pass on Blackburn. Stat wise over the course of his career, he’s basically the equivalent of Megill, just older and twice as expensive. I wasn’t really impressed with the acquisition a few months ago. All of the others I pretty much agree with what you’ve written. Hard no on Stewart.
Blackburn: no because he won't be ready for the season, then have a rehabilitation stint, then he would have to be in MLB roster without options even if he isn't pitching well. The $4.4m would be better spent elsewhere.
Megill: yes because he has 1 option and can be a depth starter. He is a FA 2028 so sometime year they should try as a minor league reliever to see if he could adapt.
Peterson: yes because he is a mid rotation starter
Reid-Foley: yes even if he has zero options because it is the cheap gamble. When he is health is was good last year.. If he is horrible and gets cut, it would be the similar cost as cutting a minimum salaried player.
Torrens: yes because he had MLB success with Seattle1 and as a backup with the Mets.
Stewart: no because he wasn't good last year for the Mets and was limited in his playing time at Syracuse.
Taylor: yes because right now he is their starting CF. Ideally he is their fourth outfielder. They should trade for Cedric Mullins, Baltimore. He has 1 year left until free agency and arb projection of $8.7m .
Young : no because has zero options.
The thing about Blackburn is that they would be able to start him on a minor league rehab so they wouldn't necessarily have to put him on the Opening Day roster. Obviously Stearns likes him because he traded for him. We shall see
Wacha signed for 3/$53m. He will be 34 in July and his last three seasons are better than Manaea.
Offering Manaea 3/$61m seems fair. If they are so inclined, they could offer Severino 3/$51m.
Anything that includes Manaea's 2023 season when he spent half the year in the pen isn't really a fair comparison. My opinion is that the vast majority of teams would prefer Manaea to Wacha.
In The Athletic, they speculated 3/$51 for Severino, too. That may be a reasonable market-value contract for Severino but my hope is that Stearns looks elsewhere.
Agree on all.
Thanks Tom - hope to see you comment here more in the future!