Quote from fenn68 on March 10, 2026, 10:26 am

Quote from BoosterSD on March 10, 2026, 9:52 am

Looking at the details this morning of the Littell deal, have to wonder did SD not have any interest? Seams like a very CBT friendly deal to me?

Or did Littell choose WAS over other teams?

On the surface most of the teams in MLB could have used a SP who had a 3.2 WAR / 3.81 ERA last season over 187 innings BUT none apparently made compelling offers. Why?

1. maybe some concern about his health?
2. maybe teams (including the Padres) did have interest but not at Littell's initial asking price?
3. maybe those teams (including the Padres) made their winter moves and by this point in ST saw options they were comfortable with and had moved on from Littell?
4. maybe at this point Littell had to accept the only offer remaining and the low price?

Many seem to think WASH is just singing him with the intent of flipping him for prospects at the trade deadline hoping he does well enough to generate interest. Think of it as what WASH will pay Littell is really the cost of buying propects.

Seems as though Littell overplayed his hand and lost. Note appears same with Giolito.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on March 10, 2026, 10:56 am

For both Littell and Giolito I think it's a case of old school vs new school evaluation. Littell's FIP at 4.88 was over a run higher than his 3.81 ERA. Giolito had a 4.17 FIP vs a 3.41 ERA. Littell has never been the big strikeout guy teams seem to covet these days and he regressed further in that department last year. Giolito had been that type of guy in the past, but his K numbers were way down last year. He also has a lengthy injury history. I think it's a case of them seeking deals that would pay them like a solid #3 starter while the industry is looking at them more as 5th starter types.

Quote from Commie on March 13, 2026, 9:14 pm

I fear SD is entering its early twenty teens era Phillies period. Old vets on over priced contracts underperforming. If not quite yet, just stand by. This team is going to hell in the next year or so. It was fun for a while.