It’s been awhile since we’ve rounded up original content from the staff here at MLBTR. On a slow morning on the eve of the World Series, let me do the honor of gathering those eggs…
- Just this morning, Mark Polishuk looked back on the trade that almost happened between our two World Series combatants. If exploring the multiverse is your thing, you’ll enjoy the alternative realities Mark cooked up.
- MLBTR resident logistician Jeff Todd looks under the couch cushions in Flushing to see how much help the Mets will have in solving their payroll predicament this winter.
- Connor Byrne took a comprehensive look at the market for Jackie Bradley Jr. The Red Sox glove-first centerfielder appears available for purchase should an interested party come calling. We know the Reds have had interest in the past, but read Connor’s piece to chew over who else might be interested in JBJ.
- Though we can’t take credit for these openings, there’s no shame in keeping a lookout for a better J-O-B. The Orioles have some roles to fill, and we’re happy to pass these posted vacancies along to any who might have missed them.
- Speaking of job openings, there are still plenty of open managerial vacancies about which we can speculate. Even with Joe Maddon reuniting with his old flame, we still have the Mets, Phillies, Padres, Cubs, Pirates, Royals and Giants looking for new skippers. The Phillies managerial vacancy, however, is the one you can speculate about thanks to this poll.
- And if polls are your thing, look no further. There are plenty of opportunities to weigh in here at MLBTR. Take an opportunity to cast your vote and see what the masses think about any number of baseball’s most fickle sticklers, such as who’s gonna win the World Series, what sparked the Nationals turnaround, CC Sabathia‘s Hall of Fame case, the future of Joe Maddon’s Angels, or most pressing of all, the non-tender case for Kevin Pillar.
- Lastly, never forget to check in weekly to chat with the MLBTR staff. Read the transcripts of the most recent chats here and here.
Beat DC!
JBJ makes sense of all of these teams (not in order)
Reds
Giants
Padres
D’Backs
Rockies
Cardinals (if they don’t get Betts)
Cubs (for Almora straight up)
Mets
Phillies
Nationals
Braves
Rangers
Angels
Indians
White Sox
All of these teams make sense for JBJ
You must be a Cubs fan trading JBJ for Almora straight makes no sense for Boston even with the extra years of control. Almora appears to be a poor mans version of JBJ without the excellent defense. A poor mans version of JBJ is at best a 4th outfielder unless Boston sees something in Almora I don’t.
I hope we can do better, but I wouldn’t dismiss it.
My first preference would be to sign JBJ to a short contract, something like $21M/3. If we non-tendered him, I don’t think he’d get $11M/1, but i do think someone would sign him to a multi-year contract, if the price was low enough.
If we couldn’t extend JBJ, Almora has some upside. He was a 1-6 pick, and ranked in the top-100 every year in the minors. He’s done nothing to inspire confidence, but I’ve seen enough guys that take strides in their 26-28 year-old seasons.
You’re wrong about Almora. He’s one of the best defensive CFs in the game. He’s a cheaper version of JBJ, which is to say completely useless as a starter for any team.
Advanced defensive metrics don’t seem to agree with your defensive assessment of Almora.
Watch baseball and you would know what is common knowledge. He had an average year defensively this year due to a drastic cut in his playing time. He still makes plays that a lot of guys can’t. GG candidate if he ever gets playing time.
Youtube him.
I watch a lot of baseball so I’m very aware JBJ is great defensive centerfielder. I don’t watch enough of the Cubs to have an informed opinion so I rely on advanced metrics which say he isn’t as good defensively as JBJ. As I’m pretty sure you don’t watch enough to JBJ to be really informed on his defense either.
Looks to me, watching you tube, he dives a lot when unnecessary.
Think the Cubs will sign Shogo Akiyama than to try to trade for JBJ.
Is Shogo allowed to sign with any MLB team after the World Series?
Yes. I know not all Japanese players pan out but he is the contact hitter type the team needs as well. Probably a good fit.
He won’t hit MLB pitching.
Jackie Bradley Jr would be a solid addition to the Mets for CF.. curious what the asking price would be.