Outside The Confines: The yawn before the storm

I am sure this is an example of setting myself up for regret (especially with Kris Bryant trade rumors swirling) but friends, let me tell you, this offseason is feeling pretty slow.

As with some previous postseasons (2018 comes to mind as feeling especially molasses-like), it’s simply a matter of waiting for the big move that will set the other dominos into motion. Will it be the Trevor Bauer signing? Perhaps DJ LeMahieu? Perhaps a blockbuster trade that no one saw coming, rather than a free agent signing.

Whatever the move that starts the ball rolling, I can’t wait for it to happen, because this stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas could use a little action.

That said, our digital wordsmiths have been busy since Monday, so enjoy the vast array of links offerings to hold us over until someone gets signed.

• Molly Knight assess how the Mets can use the Dodgers model to remake themselves into champions. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• What are the biggest non-tender decisions facing every team? Mike Axisa looks at the tough choices for all 30 teams.
• Bradford Doolittle shines a spotlight on some very niche categories some free agents could fill for buying teams.
• Jay Jaffe continues to explore the new Hall of Fame candidates with a focus on Billy Wagner this time.
• In a post on Medium, Justin Choi investigates how psychology shows why front office diversity matters.
• James Fegan reports on the ongoing drama of Tony La Russa’s DUI charges. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• RIP these at-bats.

• Kim Ng, like many in baseball, started as a player. Maddie Lee looks at how UChicago softball helped shape the new Marlins GM.
• Joe Posnanski continues his series of the top 100 players left out of the Hall of Fame. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• Cubs superfan Bill Murray is now an owner in the Twins system thanks to minor league shakeups.
• Eric Longenhagen rates the newest Rookie class of 2020.
• Does the non-tender deadline mean more this year than in other seasons? Kiley McDaniel thinks so, and explains why.
• Jayson Stark, meanwhile, thinks we are all underestimating this year’s class of free agent talent. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• Good guy Ji-Man Choi.

• Marc Normandin says the minor league reshuffle didn’t need to go down this way, and many fans are inclined to agree. (Baseball Prospectus Premium required.)
• Rachel Luba was recently named one of Forbes’s 30 under 30 and Susan Slusser takes a look at what got the agent to where she is today.
• Eno Sarris brings us five fake Blake Snell trades but given this weird year, who knows how fake they really are. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• The NL Central has been a bit too close for comfort in recent years, and Tony Wolfe thinks this offseason might be how the contending teams break from the pack.
• Tom Verducci brings us the best (non-cheating) players of the 21st century.
• I don’t always get math jokes but I liked this anyway.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.