Each Hot Stove season has it's own character and rhythm. Last year it seemed like forever before the first major signing took place and several big names remained on the market into February and even beyond. This year the pace has picked up a lot earlier with pitchers leading the way. The biggest signing today was Zack Wheeler going to the Phillies on a 5 year/$118 M contract. That's a long contract for a lot of money for a pitcher with a pretty extensive injury history. On the other hand, after missing all of 2015 and 2016 and only pitching 86 innings in 2017, the Giants former first round draft pick has turned in two solid seasons of 182 and 195 IP with sub-4.00 ERA's. As long as he stays healthy, Wheeler should be a solid addition to the Phillies rotation.
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Veteran Cole Hamels signed a 1 year/$18 M contract with the Braves. Hamels is 36 years old and not the dominating pitcher he once was, but recorded a 3.81 ERA in 141.2 IP last season for the Cubs. Hamels was reportedly offered 2-year deals but went against the grain and preferred to go 1 year at a time. Also interestingly, the Giants were rumored to be in on him and actually in serious contention to sign him until the end.
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The Zack Wheeler contract may have set the market for Madison Bumgarner who seems to be in demand by several teams and also seems virtually assured of landing at least a $100 M deal. There is a report out there that he wants to stay with the Giants but the Giants have already moved on, which is certainly the sense you get from the whole Giants vibe right now. If I was the Giants GM, would I go for a 5 year/$100 M deal for Bumgarner? That's $20 M AAV. Yes, I would do that and double down by trying to add Gerrit Cole too!
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The Angels traded 4 minor league pitchers for RHP Dylan Bundy. Bundy has settled into a solid innings-eating role and his numbers should benefit from moving out of Camden Yards and the AL East. He is arbitration eligible this year and next before free agency.
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The Giants hired former MLB pitcher Brian Bannister to be Director of Pitching. Bannister has been the Red Sox Vice President of Pitching Development for the past several years, but got let go in a reorganization. If I remember correctly, Bannister was one of the early advocates for incorporating analytics into his own approach to pitching during his playing career. He is the son of former MLB LHP Floyd Bannister. Brian was born in Scottsdale, Arizona and pitched college ball at USC, but lives in the Bay Area.
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Read that the Giants see their payroll currently at $140 mil, $68 mil under the CBT which gives them flexability. If other teams are willing to give Madbum $100 mil +,doubt Zaidi will give him that. Schulman tweeted that he heard something that makes him think Gerrit Cole wouldn't mind pitching in SF, and it's not as completely out of the question as we may think. I'm for them spending, but I don't want to see too many new long term commitments that puts them in a bind in 2021, when they should have a much better team.
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