In the past two seasons, the MLB Hot Stove hasn’t warmed up during the Winter Meetings.
While there were a few notable MLB Hot Stove moves in Las Vegas, overall, the meetings were rather dull. But, nothing was as slow as the 2017-2018 off-season.
Because of this trend, Red Sox President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski offered his ideas to remedy the problem. Honestly, his ideas are not bad.
Dombrowski suggested that MLB should implement some deadlines during the winter off-season. In a piece by Chris Cotillo with Mass Live, Dombrowski was quoted as saying:
"“It’s amazing how people work toward deadlines. I have a feeling it would be the same way in this regard.”"
MLB functions smoothly with deadlines in July and August. There are also set dates for non-tendering players, exchanging arbitration numbers, and extending qualifying offers. There are also preset dates for drafts.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Dombrowski’s argued that in his early years – the 1970s and 80s – teams were finished with trades and free agent signings by the end of the Winter Meetings. This is no longer the case and it makes the off-season incredibly hectic for general managers and players, alike. The regular season is busy for all front office employees, but the winter off-season takes busy to another level with very little time for relaxation.
In the 2018 off-season, the Hot Stove market slowed to an absolute crawl. The biggest name on the block was J.D. Martinez – who ironically went to the Red Sox – wasn’t signed until February 26. Pitchers and catchers had already reported prior to his signing. Other players, like pitcher Lance Lynn, did not sign until the MLB was deep into Spring Training. Lynn signed on March 12. Alex Cobb signed on March 21. Even Wade Miley signing in mid-February was challenging.
Players need time to prepare and these late signings take time away from their early time with their teams. Cobb and Lynn struggled at the start of the 2018 season, most likely due to their non-traditional spring training experiences.
The long wait also stinks for fans, especially those who buy season tickets. Let’s say you’re a White Sox fan – do you buy tickets hoping that Bryce Harper signs? What if he doesn’t? It’s some serious money to lay down if the team isn’t set.
Dombrowski’s idea has merit. MLB – either the league or the players’ union – should create a deadline or a set of deadlines for off-season signings. The deadlines should not penalize players, because their agents take care of the details. Instead, teams and agents should be held responsible for meeting any timelines.
While it’s exciting to be surprised by unexpected signings, there is something about the in-season trade deadlines that set some finality. If a team doesn’t make a trade by July 31 or August 31, then the team doesn’t make a trade. It’s that simple. There are rules in place for playoff positions if those deadlines are not met.
It shouldn’t be this difficult to get baseball players on teams by a certain date. By setting an off-season deadline or set of deadlines, everyone involved in the game can focus on the upcoming season.