The Official 2025-26 MLB Hot Stove Thread
- Thread starter ineedsleep212
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tremonthustler1
aka bx_representer
the downside to Okamoto is that he's not an every day player and I'm sick of this team trying to platoon everyone not named Judge and Volpe.Murakami is not playable at 3rd in the MLB. He's so bad defensively, he makes Rafael Devers look like a gold glover in comparison. That's why he keeps being listed as a 1st baseman, because that's where teams have him projected to play over here.
Nevermind the fielding issues, the more important issue is they the kid has a 30% K rate in the Japanese league. Which means he'll be striking out in half his at bats over hereno fukking thanks
If the Yankees are going after a Japanese hitter, Okamoto is the better choice. He's a little older than Murakami (29 vs 25) and he doesn't have the same type of power, but he's a way better contact hitter, doesn't strike out as much, and can field multiple positions efficiently (1B/3B/LF)
VegetasHairline
Veteran
He's a good dude. The players will like him so he's a good clubhouse voice. He did a solid job as the interim manager for the O's but he primarily went the method of not tinkering with the lineup all the time and not stopping and starting guys. Things that Hyde really would do to the detriment and that shyt finally hit the wall this past season. The fans wouldn't have been clamoring for him to return as Manager despite how the team responded to him. As for the job that the Braves hired him to do. With guys like Albies, MH2, Eli, he's likely going to have them aggressive on the base paths. I would assume Acuna as well, but depends on how healthy he is and what risk they want to put on him overall in the Org. I haven't really looked at your farm yet so I don't know what guys might break out from Camp.
Tony D'Amato
It's all about the inches
Ohtani and Yoshi probably pushing him to go to the Giants.
So if they go hard at Bichette which a lot of people expect. Do you move Volpe to 2nd and Jazz to 3rd or in the OF? Or keep Jazz at 2nd, McMahon at 3rd and move Volpe to the OF or as a bench bat?
As an O's fan, I'm rooting for whatever hurts the Yankees the most defensively
I briefly thought about this because Bichette would help the Yankees a lot.So if they go hard at Bichette which a lot of people expect. Do you move Volpe to 2nd and Jazz to 3rd or in the OF? Or keep Jazz at 2nd, McMahon at 3rd and move Volpe to the OF or as a bench bat?
As an O's fan, I'm rooting for whatever hurts the Yankees the most defensively
The idea here could be to sign Bichette and insert him at SS. I don't think it would go over well to approach a free agent and ask him to change positions.
You slide Volpe to 2B.
Move Jazz to 3B.
It would be a clear signal though that Volpe's days are numbered because the long term intention is to ride with George Lombard Jr.
Jazz is a free agent after the 2027 season.
Volpe is under control until 2029 but frankly I think he's trade bait unless by some miracle he figures out how to hit .260 with power...which is what he did in the Minors. Honestly though, Volpe is who we think he is -- not a very good player.
Tony D'Amato
It's all about the inches
Ya favorite free agents want that come up
The other projections Kiley McDaniel made are interesting, but seeing this type of number for Murakami is way more intriguing and probably would interest way more teams. At his age and understanding you are not getting a 3B, thats not that crazy of a number. Even if you bumped up the AAV a bit, it's not too too bad for a team that would allow him to adjust and grow into a better player.
I know this is only this year but I also seen similar numbers for other years yet somehow he had a .945 OPS across 8 seasons.
god shamgod
Veteran
This Murakami cat hits below .100 vs velocity & has a 50% whiff rate on breaking balls in Japan 
I know this is only this year but I also seen similar numbers for other years yet somehow he had a .945 OPS across 8 seasons.
So is all the hype in Murakami home runs? Cause these numbers look anemic compared to the hype?
