Longtime Astros outfielder George Springer entered free agency this winter as one of the most coveted players on the open market. Understandably so, as the 31-year-old hit an excellent .270/.361/.491 with 174 home runs in 3,567 plate appearances from 2014-20. Thanks to his tremendous output in Houston’s uniform, MLBTR ranked Springer as the third-best free agent available at the beginning of the offseason, projecting him for a five-year, $125MM contract.
Almost two months into free agency, the Astros, Mets and Blue Jays are the only teams with reported interest in Springer. It’s unclear, though, whether the Astros are willing to dole out another nine-figure contract, despite what Springer has meant to the club. The Mets, led by deep-pocketed rookie owner Steve Cohen, could turn to Springer as their new center fielder, though that might mean trading one of their other outfielders (Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Dominic Smith). Similarly, the Blue Jays have a decent outfield on paper with Randal Grichuk, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez. However, the team doesn’t appear content with Grichuk as its center fielder, so it could bring in Springer and let go of Grichuk or one of its other outfielders in a deal.
While Houston, New York and Toronto look like the front-runners to sign Springer, a “mystery team” could step in and steal the three-time All-Star. Which club do you expect to sign Springer? (Poll link for app users)
Padres458
Him and cohen are two peas in a pod.
MLBTR Commenter
Him is going to the Cubs
a username
Bro are you ok
@DaOldDerbyBastard
Love the name Bone Spurs.
drasco036
If Tom Ricketts is true to his word, and the Cubs use the luxury tax threshold as their soft cap, then this move would not be out of the question…
I’m a huge Cubs fan but all three “core” players that are reaching free agency I have serious concerns about…
Baez is great but we have seen his floor (which is last year) and his swing looked insanely long. He goes through prolonged periods where his swing is long as he is basically an instant out.
Rizzo is fantastic but his back scares the hell out of me. I think that is the number one reason the Cubs have not extended him… because they may not due to his back.
Bryant I’m confident he will rebound but he continues to refuse to adapt. Pitchers can bury balls in the dirt (pitching under launch) and ride them up (over launch). he’s lost some confidence and control of the strike zone, he used to be able to spit on sliders off the plate and breaking pitches in the dirt enough to force pitchers to nibble and capitalize on mistakes. Last season he didn’t force pitchers to nibble and the results were catastrophic.
So with that said, the Cubs really do not “need” to re-sign any of their core free agents. They are roughly 67 million under the luxury tax as is and could let all three walk or look for discounts in next years free agent frenzy. Springer could make a lot of sense as the Cubs need a high average right handed hitter in the outfield that hits lefties. Just so happens Springer also hits for power which is win win for the Cubs.
Another guy who makes a lot of sense for the Cubs (possibly, not a scout) is Kim. Kim could be signed for a relatively cheap AAV and as the Cubs could lose Bryant and/or Baez to free agency, Kim would make for a viable alternative. When you look at an 8 million or so AAV for a high average, high on base, doesn’t strike out much, has speed guy then yeah… he fits one of the Cubs line up needs.
Moving forward, you can roll Kim to either short stop or third in 2022, allow Nico a bit more seasoning in AAA and have him potentially take over second then. Springer slides to RF when Heyward departs via free agency and ideally Davis takes over CF.
Gwynn4TheWin(field)
Yes I’m sure all the other billionaire owners got their money through virtuous and humanitarian means only . . . Such is sports. Get over it lol
cecildawg
Who cares? Loser cheat goes to where ever to get deserved BOOS. Asto fizz.
jeffruggs
If you think other teams don’t try and cheat you are naive… stros just got caught. It’s been a part of baseball forever. I’m not a stros fan. Just keeping it real
cecildawg
jeffruggs? Thanks man. So good of you keepin’ it real. Now flush.
Far Beyond Driven
Flush the turds down ur throat? EW.
For Love of the Game
Keepin’ it classy there, FBD.
Far Beyond Driven
I apologize. Gotta keep it classy on the anonymous message boards. Please forgive me.
Elvisismyhomeboy
So you’re saying all the other teams conducted a massive sign stealing scheme that went through the front office all the way down to the lineup and stole a World Series championship? That’s a bogus argument.
jjd002
Think of it like this. The speed limit was 70 mph. The Astros and Red Sox were going 100, while a dozen other teams were going 99. All broke the rules, but only one of them got caught.
fox471 Dave
More nonsense jjd
NYYstateofmind
jj
You’ve lost touch w/reality AGAIN. Take your meds & go to bed & be sure to call your Dr. first thing tomorrow. These f***** people!
Jeff Zanghi
This is a perfect analogy… though I’d argue the Red Sox weren’t going the same “speed” as the Astros… they weren’t banging on trash cans and being so blatant about things. I’d say the Red Sox were going about 90 lol
Prospectnvstr
Elvis: Spitballs, sandpaper, files, vaseline, corked bats,amphetamines (greenies), steroids, hgh. All of this cheating happened way before video sign stealing was ever thought of. Several HOF players have been caught cheating.
NYYstateofmind
Several people have also been flagged as lunatics on this site as well. Please be aware these comments will added to your permanent file. Carry on.
passed_balls
Proof?
ohyeadam
It’s true pretty much everyone speeds and the cops let them go by. When you’re traveling at severe excessive speeds you lose your right to drive though. Meaning it’s considered to be much more dangerous
jjd002
What’s nonsense about it Mr Fox?
Perksy
Others going 99, or 75-80?
spooky
@Prospect. Yes cheating has always existed but knowing what pitch and possibly what location is a having the test with the answers right in front of you. Video games back in my day would give you a guaranteed HR if you picked the pitch and location correct pre-pitch. We’ve all known how much an advantage it is to know what’s coming over body enhancement.
osonvs
Sign stealing is nothing new in baseball. It’s why catchers hide signs and switch up the signs all the time. People here acting like this is a first. It’s how they did it that made it illegal. If you’re angry because they cheated then be angry at every team that ever existed in baseball. There’s no such thing in sports as a team that never employed a cheater
Strosfn79
And how is it relevant to compare a video game to actually hitting the ball?
Strosfn79
Clearly I am an Astros fan but try to be open minded and realistic.
I really like this analogy but would say:
Astros going 100
Cop calls Astros parents then work out a deal where parents are cited but players are not.
Yankees and Red Sox going 90
Cop wagging his finger smiling and giving Yankees and Red Sox a warning.
Everyone else somewhere between 75-90 but the cops are eating donuts not paying attention.
nick1218
no you dont ohyeadam, where do you get that idea?
jim stem
‘Cheating’ electronically and picking up on ‘tells’ on the field are two different things.
A pitcher who tips his pitches with his glove or a catcher who fails to block the 3rd base coach from seeing the pitch (who communicates through claps to the batter) and using cameras and electronic communication devices that the other team does not have access to are vastly different.
fox471 Dave
Nonsense!
DodgerNation
It’s not the cheating that bothers me (which isn’t good in its own right), it’s how they handled it after the fact. I never heard a single genuine apology and, in fact, they made it seem like they were happy with their choices and would absolutely do it again if given the chance. THAT is what bothers me when you can’t admit your mistakes as a man.
spooky
Well said Dougie Doug
cecildawg
jefrug? Usually people who call others names own that name. Other wise how’d you know? And i have never met a person who says anything about them selves and being real as individuals who are.
And I said nothing about other teams just the astos. You might want to think about where you dwell. If you do self inventories.
PhanaticDuck26
Nats get Springer
Mets get Bauer
Phils bring back Realmuto
Yanks bring back DJLM
Jays sign Ozuna
PutPeteRoseInTheHall
You’re insane
DarkSide830
that’s fairly reasonable t0 be honest.
Jeff Zanghi
Yeah, I don’t see why you’d call raltongo insane for those predictions. I personally don’t think the Nats are going to get Springer but those predictions are by no means “insane”
rocky7
Very reasonable….tward09, a bit over the top comment on something that could come to pass very easily.
wordonthestreet
Why are those predictions insane. Care to elaborate?
bigdaddyt
Why would the jays sign ozuna already have his clone in Teo
alc47
Agreed with everything but springer to the nats, I really think he’s gonna sign with the Mets.
spooky
Everyone to the east. Do they even play baseball on the other side of the Mississippi?
mlb9229
*insert “whichever team has the best trash cans” joke*
mlb1225
The Mets feel like they’re going to be the winners of the off season and then win only like 80 games. Seems to be that way for every team that ‘wins’ the off season.
cards04
Still don’t get why they’re considered a World Series contender by some, haven’t shown that they can do it yet, I’m not buying it.
mlb1225
They have a decent amount of talent, but have yet to put it all together. Last year, they had a top 3 offense, albiet in the 60 game season. The pitching for them sucked though. Most of it was because Michael Wacha, Steven Matz and Robert Gsellman were godawful. They have a solid bullpen, but one that could falter at any minute. Edwin Diaz has yet to be a consistent force out of the pen. Who knows if either Jeryus Familia or Dellin Betances can ever regain their form. Aside from deGrom, they don’t have another reliable starter. Going out and signing Bauer, Springer and possibly another starter like Tanaka or Odorizzi to fill out the back end of the rotation after already signing McCann sounds like a recipe for disaster. Rarely do you ever see a team go out, sign 3+ top free agents and then win 90+ games.
Far Beyond Driven
Stroman will be back this year, and they’re expected to sign 2 mid to top tier starters this offseason. On top of that, Syndergaard will be making 5-10 starts next season. So your whole theory flops on the strength of these basic facts.
mlb1225
Yea but who’s to say that Syndegaard will be back at full strength during those 5-10 starts? There’s a lot of talent, but a lot of question marks too. Stroman can be solid, yet he can also be a #5 starter sometimes. Like Diaz, he’s not been able to string together 2-3 good seasons in a row. deGrom is the only starter in the rotation currently that I would call a reliable starter. If they sign Bauer+mid rotation arm, that’s a lot of top free agents they’re bringing in.
Far Beyond Driven
And they will be bringing in a lot of top free agents. They have the richest owner in baseball now. A man who suffered zero losses last year. So gotta factor that in too.
rct
Stroman had a full year off. Thor will pitch half the season. Peterson is completely unproven. And they’ve yet to sign any starting pitchers, much less *two* mid to top tier starters. These are basic facts.
The Mets, as they’re constructed right now, are barely playoff contenders, much less WS contenders. @mlb1225 is right, they’re an 80 win team right now. And this is coming from a Mets fan.
mlb1225
Yea? And how often has bringing in a lot of top free agents worked out for other teams? The Reds supposdly won the 2019-2020 off season and now they’re stuck with a bunch of uncertain contracts. The Marlins made a lot of additions in the 2011-2012 off season and the 2014-2015 off season and how well did that work out of them? Padres won the 2014-2015 off season and that ended up with 74 wins.. Look at how many top free agents the Phils have brought in the past 2,3 off seasons and look at their current situation.
Far Beyond Driven
So you think they’ll be the same exact team at the end of the offseason as they are right now? Because that’s not the conversation we were having. Smh bro.
Far Beyond Driven
It’s not about winning the offseason. Look at the damn roster, and then look at the guys who they’ll probably get and then do the math. Jesus.
mlb1225
Ok, let’s say they sign Bauer, Sprigner and one of Odorizzi, Tanaka, Sugano, Quintana, or even Kluber. That’s three total top free agents plus McCann and Trevor May. How often has a team signed 5 free agents to play regular roles, and it’s turned out with them having a deep playoff run? I’ll tell you now it hasn’t happened recently. What’s the difference between the Mets now and the Reds in 2019? Everyone said the Reds had a fantastic pitching staff and all they needed was a few big bats. They went out and signed Moutstakas and Castellanos and now that’s nearly $30 million that went to 2 players who barely played above replacement level in 2020. All I’m saying is that rarely, does signing a bunch of big time free agents ever work out, regardless of how talented or untalented the roster already is.
Far Beyond Driven
Why are you comparing 2 completely different teams in 2 completely different structured seasons, as if it’s the same thing?
MetsFan22
Thank you.. too many people on thing blog think I make my predictions based on who is on the team now..
MetsFan22
People just want the Mets to fail so badly next year that they make up ways that the Mets plan could back fire. Like if they sign springer and pitching help. They’ll make up something stupid like buying your team never works even tho we didn’t.. when the roster would clearly be really good.
mlb1225
I used the Reds as the most recent example, but I also gave you the exampe of the Padres, Marlins, Phillies and you can also throw in the Mariners and Angles as other teams who had talented rosters to start with, went out and signed a handful of top free agents just to fail to make the playoffs with those free agents. Again, I do think the Mets have a talented roster to start with, but teams that go out and sign a bunch of top free agents usually regret it.
MetsFan22
The Mets won’t. You forget that the Mets had more to talent the the other teams you named. It’s not the same. The other teams rushed the rebuild.
Far Beyond Driven
Well I guess we’ll find out then won’t we
mlb1225
Look, I’m not saying that the Mets aren’t talented. They are. They have a good hitting core including McNeil, Smith, Davis, Conforto, Alonso and Nimmo. The trend just isn’t in the Mets favor and it never seems like a good idea to add so many top free agents in one off season. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
Mccafe
Stroman isn’t a FACT. Stroman is a loser , and once he loses, he becomes a head case for his next three or four starts until you play the Nats or the other weak teams and then he’ll win once again .
NMK 2
The key to long-term success has always been supplementing a solid core with some hired guns. Cincinnati is a poor comparison since they somehow were even cheaper than the Wilpons. What about the Yankees, Red Sox and almost every World Series winner not named Marlins?
OK PLAY3R
@mlb1225
You couldn’t have been more clearer. Good examples!
alc47
How often does a team sign 4 or 5 top 20 free agents ? That rarely happens so I’m not sure we have enough to compare it to. However, I agree with your point of view on the Mets not being locks to win anything this year. I love love love what’s happening with them right now but they haven’t done anything but sign a second-tier catcher and a bullpen arm.
SeeGilley
But you didn’t mention the teams that added plus, plus
players and won!
RunDMC
@MetsFan22 – People don’t think about the Mets. I live in Queens and I don’t think about the Mets. They’re the furthest thing from my mind, and I’m a bus ride away from Citi. They’ll manufacture a good lineup, decent pitching — and yet still miss out on one of the many playoff spots Manfied is giving away like Oprah handing out cars. That’s what is so fun about the Mets, like the Jets, every year has its foibles but the one constant is the Mets being the Mess. In 2020, I think we can appreciate that consistency. Merry Christmas, MF22!
Robrock30
Mlb1225,
The 2009 Yankees who spent .5 Billion on LHP Sabathia, RHP AJ Burnett, and 1B Teixeira
mlb1225
Yea, but they joined pieces the Yankees acquired through the draft or internationally like Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner, Hideki Matsui, Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlin, Mariano Rivera, Phil Hughes and David Robertson. The Mets have deGrom, Smith, Alonso, McNeil, Conforto, Nimmo, Rosario, Gimenez, Lugo and potentially Syndegaard if he returns healthy as their only home grown pieces/pieces acquired internationally..
DarkSide830
i dont see why they arent contenders. now frontrunners? no, but you could make a fair case they are the 3rd best team in the NL.
mlb1225
They’re definitley better than any other team in the NL Central. Top 5 isn’t out of the question. Personally I’d put them at #4 with the Dodgers, Padres and Braves ahead of them. Ovbisously though that’s just on paper.
MetsFan22
I would put them ahead of the padres
Mrtwotone
You are criminally underrating the Padres. I’m not even a friars fan
its_happening
Mets aren’t ahead of the Padres. The Padres are the 2nd best team in the NL behind the Dodgers and they are just warming up.
The one problem area the Mets haven’t addressed is defense. They have defensive problems all over the field. That won’t bode well for a guy like Stroman. Also, if the Mets are much better because of the addition of two pitchers like Stroman and Syndergaard then the Boston Red Sox are going to be contenders thanks to the additions of Sale and E-Rod.
Mets could be helped if the Phils do a soft sell. But they still need to figure out how to the field the ball. Can’t always outhit your problems.
mlb1225
They don’t have as deep of a line-up, but two potential MVP candidates in Machado and Tatis Jr. while Grisham and Cronenworth looked outstanding and have way deeper and much younger rotation and bullpen.
rct
Not sure I’d lock in the Padres as the second best team just yet. 6 of their 9 every day starters had the best hitting seasons of their career last year. Two of their five starters had their best ever season and their closer, Pomeranz, pitched way better than he ever has, Will they be as good in 2021?
Outside of Davies and Lamet (and can you count on either of them to repeat their 2020 performance?), who is on their starting staff? Can you count on Clevinger’s health? Or that Paddock or Morejonn will contribute?
Not saying they’re not great, but they have a lot of questions. I’d put the Braves ahead of them (and obviously the Dodgers).
VegasSDfan
Yeah. Win the offseason, lose way more than expected during the regular season.
I would guess 75 wins for the Mets
mets1536
Springer is Going THE METS His Home is in Connecticut….
rct
His home is in Connecticut? Pencil him in at cleanup for the Hartford Yard Goats.
DarkSide830
you might have forgot that there is a team called the Yankees that he may be more a fan of and that would complicate things. (Boston too isnt far)
madmanTX
Gonna sign with Hefty and sell trash cans
BadBenjamin
Plus his wife is from an hour north of Shea
VegasSDfan
Let’s be honest, highest bid wins
BadBenjamin
Correction citi field
MLBTR Commenter
He’ll sign with the highest bidder. Not with the team that’s closest to where his wife grew up
case
Hopefully the Blue Jays don’t jump on this grenade. Paying Springer market rate based on stats acquired through a whole lot of cheating isn’t a great idea.
Kapostatuz
As a Mets fan I would love to have springer join the team but then again he’s 31
VonPurpleHayes
He seems to be the Mets #1 target. The Mets have a boatload of money, and a new owner looking to make a splash. Blue Jays have a ton of money too, but I just feel the Mets may be willing to overpay a bit. So I’m going Mets.
Elvisismyhomeboy
That man along with the rest of the Astros core will bring that stain with them wherever they go. They shouldn’t be playing Major League Baseball.
VonPurpleHayes
As these guys go to other teams, new fanbases will embrace them. People never got a chance to properly boo the Astros, and they never will.
DarkSide830
meanwhile Nelson Cruz is about to get a huge payday for being just as scummy of not more over a longer period of time.
passed_balls
Truth
alc47
Not likely, I personally don’t care and if springer does well none of my other fellow Mets fans will give a darn about what happened in Houston lol
bigdaddyhacks
Mets are going to pull a Marlins and sign all the big names and then win 72 games.
mlb1225
That’s what I’m afraid that’s going to happen to them. Really talented hitting staff, but a handful of question marks in the pitching staff. Sounds a lot like the Reds last off season, except the other way around.
Moneyballer
The Mets are just too obvious here but is there really a need? I mean outfield wasn’t a problem for them. McNeil, Nimmo and Conforto are all very solid out there plus they are young and controlled. I guess you could kick McNeil back to 2nd and get him in there that way. Cano is an afterthought at this point anyway. A cheaper option would be to chase after a free agent middle infielder – deep class of talented guys are there for the taking! I think the mets throw the boat at Realmuto and then sign a reasonable infielder and call it a day leaving Springer to find work elsewhere.
VonPurpleHayes
McCann is not going to be a backup for that money. The Realmuto ship has very much sailed for the Mets.
Moneyballer
Yeah you’re probably right. I still don’t see a great fit there. Not sure I like the idea of giving James McCann a starting role. I think the mets may not get what they are paying for in mccann. I think he’s an average to below average defender and if his bat slips, it’s gonna be a rough contract for them.
stymeedone
Obviously, you’ve never watched McCann play if you think he’s average to below defensively. Wait until you see how many wild pitches he prevents.
Moneyballer
lol I’ve watched him almost exclusively since I live in chicago. Put it this way, the White Sox barely used him last year and made no efforts to bring him back, that tells you all you need to know. 2019 was an outlier year, not his normal. Mets will learn this the hard way.
DarkSide830
yeah ive never seen the need myself. seems like a better use of resources to add another SP.
DarkSide830
i feel the Mets have more of a need for SP then OF and ultimately TOR outbids.
NMK 2
My own strategy aside, Springer stands head and shoulders (and garbage cans) above the next options. Bauer is the top starter, but there’s some solid no. 2 or 3 options available.
YourDreamGM
I can’t even think about baseball and free agency right now. Too worried about jason varitek. Keep battling and don’t quit Jason. We are all rooting for you to pull through.
Technically correct
I hope he is fine and then commits to making a bunch of This Is SportCenter style PSAs about the importance of wearing a mask.
James Solomon
Trade Alonso and move Dom to 1b. An instantly they improve at 3 positions defensively
Moneyballer
He’s the face of the franchise. Mets fans would probably revolt with that move!
James Solomon
I hate that face of a franchise nonsense. It’s always been Degrom after Wright left. Last year it was Dom with BLM. And now I hear if they get lindor he would be the face. Winning teams don’t have a face of the franchise. Do the Dodgers?
differentbears
Are you seriously saying the Dodgers don’t have a face of the franchise? It’s Kershaw.
James Solomon
Sure. I’m not arguing that. Some people claim its Betts. Like I said, it’s nonsense
Moneyballer
Clayton Kershaw and Cody Bellinger say hello.
Moneyballer
It’s not nonsense – not in the least. It’s called doing business in the MLB. Those guys sell tickets and the clubs know that.
James Solomon
Winning sells. Mets have plenty of faces. Degrom, smith, Thor, Nimmo
VonPurpleHayes
It sounds crazy, but I do agree. Mets don’t need multiple hitters who can’t field. I think they should trade one of Smith or Alonso for a huge return.
stymeedone
Power hitters who can’t play D don’t bring back a huge return.
VonPurpleHayes
They do when they break the rookie single-season homerun record.
James Solomon
I think smith is the better player going forward, fits the team better and Alonso would bring back more in a trade.
I would try and get snell for Alonso
jim stem
You’d get rid of a player who broke the rookie record for homers, who has impeccable work habits, has a great head on his shoulders who hit 16 homers in his second year in only 60 games after a terrible start with team control for essentially minimum wage for a player who might play in 30 games? Yeah, no.
James Solomon
Yes, he had an amazing HR season in a year where the ball was juiced, the total number of HRs in MLB was shattered and he saw the most strikes in baseball. It makes sense that pitchers challenged the rookie more. The Mets were in the top half of team OBP that year, and yet he only produced 170 runs. Not really a crazy amount for a 53 HR season (if you go by prior seasons and guys with 40+HRs). Sure his WRC+ looks a bit more impressive but when they factor in park that gives Pete a boost. I don’t want to take anything away from Pete, but the park factor in this case is slightly misleading cause if he’s a HR in citi then it’s gone in any park. Yet, I’m sure spacious citifield hurts his game.
alc47
I love Pete if the dh stays you absolutely keep him. However if it doesn’t, which it probably won’t, you should explore a trade.
James Solomon
Absolutely have to keep a .250 hitter for DH? I don’t necessarily agree. Sure he would make a fine dh but I think it’s easily replaceable. I rather use his value in a trade.
jim stem
No they don’t. I love Dom the person, but don’t like his 1b defense other than how he picks the ball out of the dirt. I think, given his work ethic, he turns into an average left fielder defensively. Remember, he and Davis played left out of necessity because Cespedes caught the Mets totally off guard chasing a pig 2 years ago. They both hit their way into the lineup and neither had played left before!
Then Covid hit and wiped out spring training. Next, most of the Mets pitchers got shelled last year and they never had a true centerfielder.
Blaming the Mets struggles on their defense is too easy when you factor in they lost their #2, #3 starting pitchers, watched their #5 implode (Matz) and Porcello and Wacha were just rotten.
If any team needs a spring training to settle down their defense, it’s the Mets. Davis is a 3bman. McNeil is a middle infielder. Alonso is a huge bat who works hard on all aspects of his game and will improve. Rosario, who can make mistakes, always works hard.
If I’m the Mets manager, I can roll with these young guys with better pitching because fewer balls get rocketed around the field. Voila, better defense.
James Solomon
You don’t like his defense yet Keith seems to remind us how good he actually is at 1b and superior to Pete every chance he gets. Sure, at times Dom doesn’t look as smooth as he should be but he doesn’t get to play there everyday and has focused more on LF the last few seasons. Imagine how great he would actually be if he got to just stay there. And if you can’t then I promise you Keith will remind you often on the telecast.
Don’t tell me who last years pitchers were or getting injured. You obviously are a Mets homer then. The Mets have had arguably the best pitching in baseball the last decade and have a losing record to show for it, 3 winning season, topping out at 90 wins. Basically only a 2.5 amazing run in 2015. Because their defense has been horrible. Guys constantly out of position or just not good defensively. Both apply with Pete at 1b and Dom in LF.
As for work ethic and the main reason why I totally believe Dom is going to be the better player going forward. There is no more evidence then the exceptional work ethic Dom has displayed the last couple years overcoming weight issues, sleep apnea, losing his position, struggling learning a new one part time, BLM.
ASapsFables
The Mets sign George Springer if a bidding war ensues or they decide to prioritize Trevor Bauer instead.
The Blue Jays jump in to sign Springer if the Mets move on to Bauer. Toronto can also become a more attractive destination for Springer, regardless of the Mets, if they can swing a major trade for the likes of Francisco Lindor or Yu Darvish making them a more attractive option to the free agent.
The Astros become the fallback team if Springer is somehow forced into a ‘pillow’ type contract with the Mets and Blue Jays moving on due to other signings and/or his qualifying offer. Springer would take the high AAV contract and remain in Houston for 2021 where he is a beloved icon. He can then become an unrestricted FA in 2022 with the pandemic hopefully behind us and more teams able to sign him with better financial certainty.
The Red Sox are my sleeper/dark horse/mystery team for Springer with his ‘local’ ties to the Boston and his past friendship with Alex Cora. They would also be his other prime option in a ‘pillow’ type deal.
I now have ‘all of my bases covered’ for a Springer signing this offseason. lol
rocky7
Don’t disagree at all with much of your comment except the “local ties” to Boston?
Not a Mets fan, but geographically, Queens is just as close as Boston….about 2 hours roughly each….unless there is something else that hasn’t been disclosed as far as these professed “ties to Boston”, Conn. is pretty much considered a bedroom community of New York rather than the other way around with Boston…..in New York, he might become the poster guy for the new regime…in Boston, he would take a back seat to JDMartinez, Sale, Bogarts, Devers, and maybe even Little Petey! All depends on the offer because its all about the money! He’ll never take a lesser contract because of his “local ties” to a city….
ASapsFables
By ‘local’ ties I meant that George Springer grew up in New Britain, CT. as a die-hard Red Sox fan (bostonherald.com/2016/05/13/overdue-homecoming-for…). Geographically speaking, his home town is about the same distance to Queens as it is to Boston.
In addition to being born and raised in The Constitution State, Springer starred as a high school player and then did likewise for the University of Connecticut before signing with the Astros as their first round pick in the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft.
number1dodger
Are those numbers from springer during his cheating days. I would not trust him on my team. But then again. The Mets can sign him and use him as a groundskeeper. He’s really good with trash cans.
ASapsFables
George Springer might also help taking his next team to the promised land of a World Series championship. He can then use those garbage cans to help pick up the parade confetti.
jdgoat
Did you look at his 2019 or 2020 numbers?
patricktroen
For xmas,
Sugano springer darvish or bauer and 3 ws rings to the jays ty you very much santa
Moneyballer
You get coal hamels instead.
VonPurpleHayes
@Moneyballer well done!
Technically correct
That’s only 2.33 rings when you convert to US, so it’s not as crazy as it sounds.
chazz
Jail
VegasSDfan
Springer has limited options. Nobody wants to spend, other than the Mets.
Name an off-season fee agent signing where someone has scored a healthy contract???
stymeedone
I think every player in the 50, who has signed, exceeded the MLBTR prediction. Its moving slow yes. But spending is happening.
Dom2
Back to the Trashtros
ohyeadam
I hope someone ruins his career by cheating and costs him his fortune like the Astros did to so many pitchers over those scandal years
dudesintheoutfield07
name one
ohyeadam
That’s the problem. We don’t know who they are casue they never got another chance
ohyeadam
Here you go
tampabay.com/sports/rays/2020/02/16/impact-of-astr…
And the thumbs up you got was my accidental push trying to reply
dudesintheoutfield07
Been a life long fan of MYSTERY TEAM. maybe we’ll win it all this year
cheapgm4hire
Detroit could contend overnight by adding this guy with their mix of young prospects, who in my opinion, are ready to be called up!
cheapgm4hire
Not to mention he’s already played under Hinch.
krussMETS
I get being angry about the cheating scandal if you’re a Dodger fan or something. But some of these trash can jokes in this comment section sound like they were written by Kenny Bania.
SCHWING and A Miss
Meh, The Stros can keep Springer. I initially was into the idea of the Jays signing him but I think I’d rather see them sign JBJ and go forward with the rumor here in Canada (Sportsnet.ca) of a package haul from the Reds where they get Suarez and Castillo, 3 upgrades for the price of 1
its_happening
3 upgrades for the price of about 5 prospects. At least with Moustakas the Jays could keep a prospect or two by taking on his contract rather than Suarez. Moose has playoff pedigree and the Jays need that. I think Moose would be a better fit.
But I wouldn’t mind JBJ on a 2-year deal. Bench him against lefties, bat him 8th or 9th against RHP. Martin could be ready sooner than later, and having Bradley Jr as a 4th OF or giving the Jays an option to deal Teoscar or Grichuk later on isn’t a bad thing. I’d rather throw the Springer or Lemahieu money toward pitching if the Reds trade were to happen.
SCHWING and A Miss
I think prospect wise, they can spare it though…Groshans is probably blocked, moving a higher end pitching prospect or 2 is offset by Castillo. To me the deal is there, Vladdy isn’t a 3rd baseman, Suarez fills that need. I know Moose can play 3rd, has the championship pedigree…I’m just tired of the salary dump add ons to get what you want, fill actual needs. If the Jays could land those 3, maybe add a 2nd tier SP like Ordozzi, and say Hand to close, they are a legit playoff team
its_happening
I hear you. And I agree on the prospect capital. I look at Moose as a necessity considering the 3B issue, more than a salary dump. I also like that he had 3 years left. Suarez has about 5 I think.
I’m still on the Bauer train. Paxton hit 94 yesterday which is a red flag considering he’s hit 97-98. I’d rather see Tanaka over Odorizzi. Hand or Hendriks closing is fine. Bauer, to me, is the Stieb to Ryu’s Key. I realize he’s unorthodox. I kinda like it.
scotthhh
Jays will probably sign Yoelki Springer
SCHWING and A Miss
Or Jerry Springer…making every post game presser must see tv
hinerism
He will soon be a Yankee.