Around Baseball 2014

[Angrioter]

NJH is actually an intern for the Rays. Sneaky f***er

 

Hanigan and now Logan Forsythe. f*** you NJH and Rays FO

[Abomination]

The Rays also got Tissenbaum thrown in. They killed it with this trade. Absolute robbery imo.

[jaysfan2014]

Good deal for the Rays for Forsythe, Boxberger and prospects. There's no guarantee Alex Torres repeats his 2013 numbers, considering his control issues (5.2 BB/9IP in the minors for his career), and considering the volatility of relievers, the Rays cashed in at the right time. Jeese Hahn is still up in the air.. good K numbers (8.5 K/9IP in A+) ball last year, but he's at least a year away.

 

As for the Rays, Forsythe will take the spot that was previously reserved for Tim Beckham before his near season-ending injury, giving Joe Maddon another utility player off the bench. As for the other pieces:

 

Boxberger: Great K numbers, but lousy control (5.3 BB/9IP in San Diego last year despite a 2.86 ERA). Hopefully the Rays coaching staff can help him reach his potential to be a top set-up man or closer.

Andriese: Mid-level prospect, had a good year in AA San Antonio last year, but struggled in AAA. He's expected to start in Durham, but will likely not see the Rays in 2014 barring major injuries.

Matt Lollis: Great arm, but serious command and control issues (1.69 WHIP thru 3 levels last year). Basically a throw-in.

 

Max Tissenbaum: A Canadian 2B from Toronto, ON in A ball with decent OBP numbers and decent doubles power (28 in A ball last year). Still just 21, and a ways off.

 

Forsythe and Boxberger will be in the majors with Tampa, Andriese in Durham, Lollis is a difficult call, and Tissenbaum will be in A+ ball.

[jaysfan2014]

No kidding. As I mentioned, Tissenbaum was an OBP machine in A ball. Let's hope he keeps it up in high-A this year, especially considering Tampa does need a long term 2B to eventually replace Ben Zobrist, who is due to leave via free agency after this season. Forsythe can do it, but they need a longer term option.

[NorthOf49]

Jaysfan2014, Maxx Tissenbaum turns 23 in a few months. He is NOT 21. And I don't even think he's a prospect.

 

It will be a much more inconsequential deal that it seems IMO. Boxberger and Torres have put up decent MLB numbers but I doubt either is a true set-up man or closer long term. The other prospects all have big questions or limited ceilings. Forsythe could be a useful utility piece, which is nice, but nothing to get worked up over from the Padres end.

 

No kidding. As I mentioned, Tissenbaum was an OBP machine in A ball. Let's hope he keeps it up in high-A this year, especially considering Tampa does need a long term 2B to eventually replace Ben Zobrist, who is due to leave via free agency after this season. Forsythe can do it, but they need a longer term option.

Who are you saying 'No kidding' to?

[Dylan]

Reds no longer interested in Grady

[jaysfan2014]

Well, he's an 11th round pick. And thanks for correcting that. Let's wait and see what he does in A+ ball this year at 23. Sorry, I was looking at Baseball Reference--and I didn't notice he was already 22 going on 23.

 

Forsythe was acquired because the Rays have injury issues with Hak-Ju Lee and Tim Beckham(knees). Their depth is very thin in the infield in the minors.

[John_Havok]

Should we start the countdown to the Rays signing Capuano?

[G-Snarls]

Figgins to Dodgers

 

http://dlvr.it/4m35Hd

[Angrioter]

Figgins to Dodgers

 

http://dlvr.it/4m35Hd

 

AA, Rocco Baldelli still alive!!

[jaysfan2014]

Cot's started listing the Yanks luxury tax bill:

 

https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tpQLwiiQL4kzEzLhsUqVjLQ&output=html

 

They're at $203,197,405 as of right now, facing a tax bill of about $7M+, with still more players to sign to minimum contracts. And yes, they do have to pay the $3M of A-Rod's bonus.

[Abomination]

AA, Rocco Baldelli still alive!!

 

Isn't he working in the Rays front office?

[Angrioter]

Isn't he working in the Rays front office?

 

f***, the Rays beat us again.

[jaysfan2014]

Rocco Baldelli retired in 2010 due to a rare condition called Mitochondrial Channelopathy, which is life-threatening. He is a special assistant of baseball operations for the Rays now.

[Dylan]

"Roy Halladay will serve as one of five guest instructors at spring training with the Philadelphia Phillies, although that doesn’t necessarily rule him out some work with the Toronto Blue Jays as well."

[Lawrie22]

Orioles are working towards a deal with Rodney but aside from him are also expected to make another "significant" move. I think there's a chance that other significant move is a SP, that or maybe a morales signing

[Abomination]

Orioles are working towards a deal with Rodney but aside from him are also expected to make another "significant" move. I think there's a chance that other significant move is a SP, that or maybe a morales signing

 

Countdown until they find "issues" with his medicals lol

[jaysfan2014]

Don't sign with the Orioles. Ownership will try to weasel out of any contract because they're cheap. This time it's Tyler Colvin:

 

Jon HeymanVerified account ‏@JonHeymanCBS

 

after finding tyler colvin still has back issue, orioles will give him a minors deal but no majors deal. so he remains a FA

 

Boy, if you think Rogers is bad, they look like the Steinbrenners compared to the Orioles' ownership.

[Abomination]

Don't sign with the Orioles. Ownership will try to weasel out of any contract because they're cheap. This time it's Tyler Colvin:

 

Jon HeymanVerified account ‏@JonHeymanCBS

 

after finding tyler colvin still has back issue, orioles will give him a minors deal but no majors deal. so he remains a FA

 

Boy, if you think Rogers is bad, they look like the Steinbrenners compared to the Orioles' ownership.

 

I think it's the 3rd time in under a year the O's have tried to pull that now, with trying to leverage the player to accept less money after they magically find some miniscule problem (and of course regardless of how big it is the perception has to affect the player in other negotiations). Agents should be avoiding them like the plague right now.

[connorp]

Yeah, for as much flak as the O's get on here.. its a good 85+ Win team with some nice young arms in the pipeline too.. it's crazy how Angelos doesn't want to seriously add wins.. not like the surrounding area is TAM..

Seems like PA just doesn't have the fire for it anymore

[DuckDuckGose]

Bundy, Machado, Wieters, Jones, Norris, Gausman, Davis, Schoop and Hardy is a pretty solid core. They need to go a step further to augment that group but I really like their chances in a year or two. In 2014 I think they'll battle the Jays for 4th (or 5th if you're a glass half empty kind of person) in the division.

[Abomination]

Bundy, Machado, Wieters, Jones, Norris, Gausman, Davis, Schoop and Hardy is a pretty solid core. They need to go a step further to augment that group but I really like their chances in a year or two. In 2014 I think they'll battle the Jays for 4th (or 5th if you're a glass half empty kind of person) in the division.

 

Realistically, I think every single team in this division has some big question marks right now. I don't think we should be surprised by any of the teams having things click and winning the division, or any of the teams self destructing and finishing last.

[DuckDuckGose]

Realistically, I think every single team in this division has some big question marks right now. I don't think we should be surprised by any of the teams having things click and winning the division, or any of the teams self destructing and finishing last.

 

TBay is a pretty sold bet to win 87-95 games next season. I'd agree with the rest of the division.

[DuckDuckGose]

They'll need to spend to keep that group together. Hardy is a free agent after 2014, and then Norris, Wieters and Davis after 2015. If Angelos opens the wallet and at the very least lets them retain their talent I think they can spend some seasons as a legit contender. I don't think their FO is good enough to win on a $100 million payroll though.

 

Their FO is the biggest question mark. If any of those guys aren't going to be resigned they should be able to bring some significant assets in return. I think Hardy, Norris and Wieters will be back. IMO they trade Davis if he has another strong season since his contract demands would be astronomical. I'll include him for now though.

[Laika]

Newest board member = jjippidy.

 

Haven't heard from that guy in a while.

[DuckDuckGose]

About time.

 

Yup, it was nice to see him post earlier today.

[Abomination]

TBay is a pretty sold bet to win 87-95 games next season. I'd agree with the rest of the division.

 

If things continue to go well, perhaps. They've been freakishly healthy with the young players coming up though. Maybe that's something they're doing or the players they are selecting, or maybe they have horseshoes up their asses. I don't know. That offense is likely going to be very light though, and they are relying on a lot of young pitchers that they have to hope don't regress a bit (especially as the workloads increase for 3 of them).

[Chappy]

Realistically, I think every single team in this division has some big question marks right now. I don't think we should be surprised by any of the teams having things click and winning the division, or any of the teams self destructing and finishing last.

 

The division has huge question marks across the board. As of right now though, I like the Rays and Red Sox as the favourites. That being said, any team could realistically win this division if a few things go right. If the Jays can get a guy like Ubaldo, then I like their chances as well, even with the question marks.

[connorp]

They'll need to spend to keep that group together. Hardy is a free agent after 2014, and then Norris, Wieters and Davis after 2015. If Angelos opens the wallet and at the very least lets them retain their talent I think they can spend some seasons as a legit contender. I don't think their FO is good enough to win on a $100 million payroll though.

 

They could add maybe AJ Burnett and Morales say.. and be around $100m or less.. (I think).. those couple moves could help them be a little more viable..

as far as future goes.. I like both Bundy and Gausman a lot..Norris and Hardy both seem signable as well. If Weiters doesn't become at least a .750-.800 OPS bat again, he wont attract the big money contracts from the big spenders.. the teams like TAM and such that value the other things don't write big checks.. so O's should be able to retain him as well

[Chappy]

If things continue to go well, perhaps. They've been freakishly healthy with the young players coming up though. Maybe that's something they're doing or the players they are selecting, or maybe they have horseshoes up their asses. I don't know. That offense is likely going to be very light though, and they are relying on a lot of young pitchers that they have to hope don't regress a bit (especially as the workloads increase for 3 of them).

 

That offence is weak and you are right if their rotation regresses a bit or they suffer some injuries, they will be in a world of trouble. But that case can be made for any team in the division right now.