Around Baseball 2015

[baubau]

Happy BDay Spank! Hope you have a good one and hope you look like this tonight or tomorrow morning:

 

[TwistedLogic]

Every year on this day, Spanky turns 21 all over again.

[TwistedLogic]

http://i.gyazo.com/61c703d2eb61f686ebf7582b1fff2b8f.png

 

Amaro is a sick being.

[Spanky__99]

Every year on this day, Spanky turns 21 all over again.

 

Nah, just twice a week...

[jaysfan2014]

http://i.gyazo.com/61c703d2eb61f686ebf7582b1fff2b8f.png

 

Amaro is a sick being.

 

Especially considering Boston will NOT give up Betts or Swihart for anybody, as they are major pieces for the Red Sox future. Remember, this Red Sox team faces turbulence after this season, with David Ortiz turning 40 and nearing the end, and no suitable replacement coming (Sandoval/HanRam won't cut it. Neither have the 30/100 power Ortiz has.), and no 1B replacement for Napoli after this season. And what happens if the rotation implodes in Boston?

[KingKat]

Wisler plus salary relief would have been nothing to sneeze at.

[jaysfan2014]

David Schoenfield's rankings 18-13... looks like the Jays will be in the upper tier. Not kind on the Tigers, though.. I mean, their window is closing fast as V-Mart/Cabrera/Verlander are regressing, their farm system is non-existent, the bullpen stinks, and eventually, they will face a massive fire sale the moment Mike Illitch passes away, as new ownership will likely dramatically slash payroll.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/55028/ranking-the-teams-18-through-13-2

[G-Snarls]

Orioles Among Teams With Interest In Dustin McGowan

 

By Jeff Todd [February 11, 2015 at 9:26am CST]

 

The Orioles have reached out to representatives of free agent righty Dustin McGowan to express interest, Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports. Several other clubs are also believed to be in on the 32-year-old swingman.

 

McGowan has had a quiet offseason since Toronto declined its $4MM option and set him loose on the market. He opened the season in the Jays rotation, but was hit hard and demoted after eight starts. McGowan showed much more promise in the 43 relief innings that came, working to a 3.35 ERA, upping his strikeout rate to 7.5 K/9, and holding opponents to a sub-.700 OPS.

 

Amongst a quickly-depleting supply of viable free agent arms, McGowan is notable for his mid-90s fastball. Though he has been much more effective against opposing right-handers in his career, McGowan’s long history as a starter at least supplies him with some tools for attacking lefties in a relief role. And it never hurts to have an additional spot starter if need be.

[L54]

Devon Travis' 2013 season ranks 14th in mWAR (Imperfectly Calculated Minor Leage WAR) since 2006, slightly ahead of guys like Joc Pederson (2014), George Springer (2013) and Mookie Betts (2013).

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/imperfectly-calculated-minor-league-war-leaders-2006-14/

[Jimcanuck]

Spanky's birthday?

 

Who geeeeeves aaaaa fuuuuccckkkkkkkk!!!

[Captain Adama]

Spanky's birthday?

 

Who geeeeeves aaaaa fuuuuccckkkkkkkk!!!

 

You f***ing spelled it wrong, it's:

 

whooooo geeeeeefs aaaaa faaawwwwkkk

 

If you're gonna tribute, do it right!

[Spoonovic]

So Henderson Alvarez has Felix's change up according to Fangraphs. He is also a couple tweaks away from becoming a superstar.

[Stangstag]

So Henderson Alvarez has Felix's change up according to Fangraphs. He is also a couple tweaks away from becoming a superstar.

 

He was the only guy in the Marlins trade that I wasn't happy about. He showed real promise in his 1.5 seasons with us, and I really thought he would be a good #2/3 starter.

[TwistedLogic]

So Henderson Alvarez has Felix's change up according to Fangraphs. He is also a couple tweaks away from becoming a superstar.

 

I think I remember the Jays broadcast showing a clip of Felix teaching Alvarez that pitch, and I remember joking about the possibility of Alvarez then becoming as good as Felix. I don't remember what game it was, but I think it was a Jays at Seattle game, and at some point during the broadcast, they showed the pre-game clip of Felix teaching Alvarez the grip for the pitch.

 

It'll be hilarious if that actually turns out to be true.

[KingKat]

He was the only guy in the Marlins trade that I wasn't happy about. He showed real promise in his 1.5 seasons with us, and I really thought he would be a good #2/3 starter.

 

He was a great prospect. The fact that a lot of his development had to come at the Major League level really clouded that.

[KingKat]

I see that Spanky enjoyed his birthday in style: http://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/698863

 

He's a feisty one.

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Is it Spring Training Yet!?Is it Spring Training Yet? How about now? Now? Is it Spring Traing Yet! Lol

[Atothe]

He was a great prospect. The fact that a lot of his development had to come at the Major League level really clouded that.

 

What does that mean? He was too good for the minors.

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

How about now!

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Maybe now?

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

How about now?

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Is it Spring Training Now! Lol

[jaysfan2014]

Rickie Weeks to the Mariners... but to play OF and 2B, mostly LF/RF. Jays fans can relax.. his 2B defense is horrible, hence the move to the OF.

 

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Hey, boys of summer come out n play!

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Rickie Weeks to the Mariners... but to play OF and 2B, mostly LF/RF. Jays fans can relax.. his 2B defense is horrible, hence the move to the OF.

 

 

All that for 2 mill meh!

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Somebody turn the page.. Is it Spring Training yet... How bout now? Huh Spanky, huh Spanky, huh! Lol

[KingKat]

What does that mean? He was too good for the minors.

 

No he wasn't. He was called up pretty early.

[Atothe]

No he wasn't. He was called up pretty early.

 

age relative to skill, you could argue the same thing about a ton of major league stars. He was good enough for the majors therefore not rushed

[KingKat]

age relative to skill, you could argue the same thing about a ton of major league stars. He was good enough for the majors therefore not rushed

 

Whether he was rushed or not is not my point. My point was that if more of his development had taken place in the minors, he would have gotten more prospect recognition.

Edited February 12, 2015 by KingKat

[shortstop]

amazing thing was Alvarez got by with essentially his fastball early on.

 

And the poise for a young guy was pretty remarkable.