We are in the “Hot Stove” season, where every conversation centers around the latest news in MLB trades and free agent acquisitions.
Often we will include a feature where our writers discuss what is happening, but this year we want more involvement from the readers.
We have combined two traditional features, “Hot Stove” and “Open Thread” into this year’s “Hot Thread” which will run every Tuesday at 6:00am EST.
Considering the recent market activity and knowing your team’s needs, what would your next move be? Hope we have sparked your interest! Tell us in the comments below.
Last week’s transactions:
Mets signed free agent Carl Edwards Jr. to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.Arizona signed Michael Soroka one-year, $7.5M contract.
Pittsburgh traded RHP Johan Oviedo, LHP Tyler Samaniego and C Adonys Guzman to Boston Red Sox for CF Jhostynxon Garcia and RHP Jesus Travieso.
Tampa Bay signed Cedric Mullins. 1 year, $7.5M.
The Washington Nationals sent RP Jose Ferrer to the Seattle Mariners, in exchange for pitcher Issac Lyons and catcher Harry Ford
Thomas Nestico @TJStats
Harry Ford (acquired
by WSH) is a catching prospect with a great sense of the zone and solid power. Scouts believe he has
the tools to be an above-average catcher, yet his framing and blocking results have been well below
average
Ford is my #62
Prospect in MLB
Harry Ford
C/DH/LF 5-10 200
RHH FA 2032
MLB:
2025: 0.0-WAR
6-AB .167
MiLB:
2025: AAA – 458-PA, 16-HR,
74-RBI, 74-BB, .283/.408/.460/.868
Highly touted professional baseball catcher known for his
elite athleticism, speed (uncommon for catchers), and plate discipline.
High
School:
Graduated from North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia,
where he was ranked as the No. 13 prospect in the 2021 MLB Draft class by
MLB.com. He committed to Georgia Tech before turning pro.
MLB Draft:
Selected by the Seattle Mariners in the first round (12th
overall) of the 2021 MLB Draft, Signed for a $4.366 million bonus.
Prospect
Rankings:
Entered 2025 as the Mariners' No. 6 prospect and No. 95
overall (Baseball America). Ranked as the No. 7 catcher prospect league-wide.
MLB Pipeline had him as the No. 4 in Seattle's system and No. 40 overall
earlier in the year.
Scouting
profile:
Ford's scouting profile emphasizes his "unicorn"
status: explosive bat speed, plus arm strength, and 60-yard dash times around
6.50 seconds—elite for a catcher. He's versatile enough to play outfield or DH
if needed, with a contact-oriented swing that prioritizes on-base skills over
raw power (though he has 20+ HR potential).
Minor
League:
2021 (Rookie - ACL Mariners): .291/.400/.436, 16-for-55 in
19 games.
2022 (High-A Modesto): .274/.425/.423, 11 HR, 65 RBI, 23 SB
in 104 games. Named MiLB.com Organization All-Star; No. 93 overall prospect.
2023 (Double-A Arkansas): Strong on-base showing; awarded
Dan Wilson Community Service Award for Everett AquaSox.
2024: Continued development at Double-A/Triple-A.
2025 (Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers): Excelled with
.283/.408/.460 slash line, 16 HR, 74 RBI, 7 SB in 97 games. Named top prospect
in the Pacific Coast League by Minor League Baseball.
MACK –
Followed this guy extensively when he was in school. He was blocked in Seattle by Cal Raleigh, who is signed through 2030, so any decent return would have been a good one… which Ferrer is. He needs to desperately work on his D Game, or he is going to windup as a DH only for the Nats.
Last week’s rumors:
Pittsburgh has offered Kyle Schwarber a four year deal.
Many teams are showing interest in former Padres' right-handed pitcher Michael King.
Several teams are interested in trading for second baseman Ketel Marte.
This week’s questions:
1. With newly acquired Marcus Semien the heir apparent for 2026 Mets' second baseman, what would you do with Jeff McNeil?
2. With newly acquired Marcus Semien the heir apparent for 2026 Mets' second baseman, what would you do with LuisAngel Acuna?
3. The relief pitching market is still wide open. Would you still go aggressively after Edwin Diaz, or take a broader look at the relief options with Devin Williams already locked up?
16 comments:
Wow
You make a boring start to this week into an exciting post.
1. With newly acquired Marcus Semien the heir apparent for 2026 Mets' second baseman, what would you do with Jeff McNeil?
Mack - I would continue to try and deal him off during the off-season. If that's not possible, he's the best left field starter until one of The Three Amigos (Benge, Ewing, Morabito) make it to Queens. I then would convert Jeff to UTOF-1, PH-1, and all-around pain in the ass in the dugout
2. With newly acquired Marcus Semien the heir apparent for 2026 Mets' second baseman, what would you do with LuisAngel Acuna?
MACK - I'm said it in the past... give me fast, + defensive players for my UT squad. This defines what Acuna leave is all about. That being said, that may all change if Jett Williams doesn't leave in a trade and eventually makes it to Queens.
3. The relief pitching market is still wide open. Would you still go aggressively after Edwin Diaz, or take a broader look at the relief options with Devin Williams already locked up?
MACK - The pen is currently thin. It's going to be even thinner on opening day due to a set-back from A.J. Minter. I would do a few things here... I would try to get a "bring back the top amount offer" to me to determine if I still want Diaz. I don't expect a large, extended contract here, but who knows. I would not go over four years... I also would go after that Fairbanks guy... lastly, due to the Minter set-back, I would target Christian Scott to start off this season in the grown-up pen.
I think if MLB goes to automated balls and strikes, one of Ford’s shortcomings is eliminated.
McNeil for Jose Berrios - the Newsweek prediction. Newsweek also thought Harris would win in 2024, so don’t take Newsweek’s prediction to the bank, I would suggest.
Morning gents. Seems like we are sharing a brain Mack.
1. McNeil: if he doesn't get traded, I can see him spending time in LF until the kiddies are ready. He can spell Semien when needed.
Tom, that trade you mentioned is intriguing. While his ERA wasn't great, he logged 180 innings (more than any Met)
2. Acuna: Ditto Mack. You can't teach speed. Great defense. If not included in a trade package I would keep him around until the kiddies arrive.
3. First choice is still Diaz for a super pen. I wouldn't let this linger though. I still like Fairbanks as a fall back. Less years, less money. Leaves enough to get another reliever.
Starting to rethink the King pursuit. Just looked up his stats and he barely averages 5 innings per start for last 2 years. Been there, done that.
I just read the Mets have interest in Trevor McGil. This would end the Diaz era.
King would affected them with draft picks and intl money.
Skubal is getting traded. Too much smoke for there to be no fire. GM Scott Harris is saying “no one is untouchable”… “have to do what’s best for the team” … “we are listening to offers”.
Supposedly, they like Baty. Can we part with Baty, Tong and Acuna for possibly one year of Skubal?
Also, A. J. Preller is working on one blockbuster…. but he always is. Tatis to the M E T S, Mets, Mets, Mets?
Lastly, Mets showing interest in Michael King, who will cost them a #2 and a #5 because he got a QO…. This #2 draft pick to lose absolutely sucks. I’m tired of “the small market teams” having all the rules in their favor. They get profit sharing, they get competitive balance picks and the big market teams have to give up high draft picks. This is bullshit. But, back to Michael King, I would like him.
I absolutely HATE one year deals
Let someone else.lose top prospects and then revisit this next off-season
Tatis for everybody
King is a pawn in my game
Carl Edward's Jr.
How early do you have to drive to camp and get a turn in the lab?
Garcia is a great pickup by the Pirates
Future All-Star in the outfield
McNeil is probably getting traded, but love to keep him as super utility guy.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Tatis came to the Mets. Pretty sure a package of Tong (or Sproat), Jett, Vientos, plus a Chris Suero or Will Watson-level prospect would be in the ballpark. Do that and bring back Pete and we’d have the best top of the lineup in baseball.
Lindor
Soto
Tatis
Alonso
Lindor
Tatis
Soto
Alonso
Haven’t you heard, we need to keep Lindor and Soto away from each other.
Post a Comment