2012 Hot Stove Thread (man, homerun, cards, pitching)

[filihok]

Toronto extends Edwin Encarnacion for 3 years and $29 million.

Some people are comparing this deal to the Bautista deal. Encarnacion has shown marked improvement this season, but nothing so dramatic as Bautista.

Should still be a break-even deal, at worst, for the Jays

[filihok]

Originally Posted by filihok

Dodgers sign international free agent Yasiel Puig for 6 years and $42 million. Puig is a 21 year old outfielder from Cuba.

The obvious comparison will be Yoenis Cespedes. Let's compare:

Cespedes: .424/.667 OBP & SLG, 1.2 K/BB ratio
Puig: .430/.581 OBP & SLG 1.3 K/BB ratio

Similar players. Cespedes has the bigger power but is 6 years older and in his power prime. Puig is said to have outstanding speed.

A couple of business related notes on the signing.
1) Looks like LA's new owners aren't afraid to open up the pocketbook. They've spent $120 million on outfielders in just a few months.
2) The new CBA will penalize teams for signing international free agents starting July 2nd. It will behoove the Dodgers to get this deal done before then.

Puig oh for his first game. Rocket triple and an infield single so far in his second

[filihok]

Originally Posted by filihok

Puig oh for his first game. Rocket triple and an infield single so far in his second

Another triple in his 3rd game - he actually scored on the hit, but the final base was ruled an error

I can't find video, so instead enjoy Jerry Sands hitting a home run (and the beautiful Sandia Mountains from :04 to about :07) and Billy Hamilton stealing third
Video Highlights & Clips - MiLB | 'Topes' Sands hits a solo home run in the second - Video | MiLB.com Multimedia | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball
Video Highlights & Clips - MiLB | Blue Wahoos' Hamilton takes third - Video | MiLB.com Multimedia | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball

[filihok]

Originally Posted by filihok

Another triple in his 3rd game - he actually scored on the hit, but the final base was ruled an error

I can't find video, so instead enjoy Jerry Sands hitting a home run (and the beautiful Sandia Mountains from :04 to about :07) and Billy Hamilton stealing third
Video Highlights & Clips - MiLB | 'Topes' Sands hits a solo home run in the second - Video | MiLB.com Multimedia | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball
Video Highlights & Clips - MiLB | Blue Wahoos' Hamilton takes third - Video | MiLB.com Multimedia | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball

Puig with two homeruns in his game tonight.

[filihok]

Originally Posted by filihok

The Boston Red Sox traded 3B/1B Kevin Youkilis to the Chicago White Sox for IF/OF Brent Lillibridge and pitcher Zach Stewart.

Well all know that Youk has been in decline and Middlebrooks has been BABIPing it up in Youk's absence. The Sox have decided to go with Middlebrooks full time.

We can question this decision, ZiPS projects Youk for 1.5 WAR for the rest of the season and Middlebrooks for 1 WAR, but we cannot question that the Red Sox made the right move in acquiring noted Yankee-Slayer Brent Lillibridge.

This is looking like a pretty bad trade for the Red Sox.

Since the trade Youkilis is hitting .377/.488 for the White Sox
Since the trade Middlebrooks is hitting .250/.366 for the Red Sox and has missed time with injury.

The Red Sox released Brent Lillibridge

The Red Sox traded for Minnesota 3Bman Danny Valencia who isn't really very good.

[filihok]

Originally Posted by filihok

Puig with two homeruns in his game tonight.

Puig 3 for 4 with a home run

[Lancet71]

Yankees agree to contract with recently released Derek Lowe. Word is that he will be used in the bullpen.

[filihok]

Originally Posted by filihok

Puig 3 for 4 with a home run

Puig made quick work of rookie ball.

In 36 trips to the plate Puig drew 6 walks while striking out 7 times. He had 12 hits including 3 triples and 4 home runs. In the small sample he was 141% better than the average hitter in that league.

He moves to the Dodgers A level team at Rancho Cucamonga.

[filihok]

Originally Posted by filihok

Puig made quick work of rookie ball.

In 36 trips to the plate Puig drew 6 walks while striking out 7 times. He had 12 hits including 3 triples and 4 home runs. In the small sample he was 141% better than the average hitter in that league.

He moves to the Dodgers A level team at Rancho Cucamonga.

In his first game he's 1 for 4 with a single and 2 stolen bases.

I'm liking what I'm seeing.

[Ridgerunner]

The Yankees have signed two Nicaraguan 16-year-olds. I wonder how old they really are.