Around Baseball 2015

[jaysfan2014]

Noah Syndergaard's appearance vs. the Red Sox:

 

2.2 IP, 3H, 2ER, 1BB, 2Ks

[TwistedLogic]

Obviously depends on the "cash".

 

Of course it does, but if we simply see "Papelbon+cash" and we don't know how much cash that is, how can anyone immediately discount it as a "gross" trade? I'd probably make that trade even if they only ate half of what he's still owed.

[Laika]

Sliding into 1st base is faster

[burlingtonbandit]

There is no point of doing this in the regular season as the injury risk far outweighs the reward. If its a playoff game and someone knows how to slide, sure it would be better.

[Laika]

Cliff notes on the last 5 years in sabermetric research:

 

- Catchers ERA is good now

- Nick Punto is a genius

[Laika]

There is no point of doing this in the regular season as the injury risk far outweighs the reward. If its a playoff game and someone knows how to slide, sure it would be better.

 

I think if it's something that a guy did all the time, and worked on, it might not be that dangerous. Just have to get the timing right so that your hand slaps the top of the bag on the way down, and doesn't slide into it from the side.

 

Guys get hurt sometimes on the basic leg stretch / lunge as well. Lots of rolled ankles. EE blew up last year lunging at first base.

[Laika]

Kevin Pillar is a natural at the ideal slide into a base:

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v36128201/chctor-pillar-races-home-on-goses-sacrifice-fly/?query=kevin+pillar+slide

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/26271672/v33253241/tbtor-pillar-races-from-first-for-walkoff-win/?query=kevin%2Bpillar

http://m.mlb.com/video/v35721285/bostor-reyes-plates-pillar-with-a-grounder-to-short/?query=kevin+pillar

 

Just needs to add that to his 1st base + bunt game and boom - .300 hitter.

[KingKat]

Kevin Pillar is a natural at the ideal slide into a base:

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v36128201/chctor-pillar-races-home-on-goses-sacrifice-fly/?query=kevin+pillar+slide

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/26271672/v33253241/tbtor-pillar-races-from-first-for-walkoff-win/?query=kevin%2Bpillar

http://m.mlb.com/video/v35721285/bostor-reyes-plates-pillar-with-a-grounder-to-short/?query=kevin+pillar

 

Just needs to add that to his 1st base + bunt game and boom - .300 hitter.

 

Not sure how serious you are about this but one thing to consider is that you eliminate the possibility of making the turn to 2nd on an errant throw if you slide to 1st.

[G-Snarls]

MLB.com:

 

Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler has been diagnosed with a completely torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, the team announced Monday, making Tommy John surgery inevitable. Though the Mets have not committed to the operation, general manager Sandy Alderson described Wheeler's situation as "pretty clear-cut," calling the diagnosis preliminary only because Wheeler has yet to meet with team orthopedist Dr. David Altchek.

[KingKat]

Funny everyone loves Pillar now. I was pumping his tires a year ago and if I recall got destroyed for it. He'll never be mistaken for a star, but he has shown he can hit at every single level. And with that plus defense he should at=t worst should be our 4th outfielder for the next while.

 

I've thrown Reed Johnson comps at Pillar a few times before. Pretty similar skill set and background. I think a lot of people if not nearly everyone preferred him over Moises Sierra last year.

[Laika]

Funny everyone loves Pillar now. I was pumping his tires a year ago and if I recall got destroyed for it. He'll never be mistaken for a star, but he has shown he can hit at every single level. And with that plus defense he should at=t worst should be our 4th outfielder for the next while.

 

nobody loves Pillar. Do you love Pillar? You need need help.

[Laika]

Not sure how serious you are about this but one thing to consider is that you eliminate the possibility of making the turn to 2nd on an errant throw if you slide to 1st.

 

Guys who are lunging for a hit on a close play aren't really in position to make the turn either. They are running through the bag. Plays at 2nd after an errant throw are never so close that you couldn't just get up off your chest and hustle down there anyway.

[Governator]

I think if it's something that a guy did all the time, and worked on, it might not be that dangerous. Just have to get the timing right so that your hand slaps the top of the bag on the way down, and doesn't slide into it from the side.

 

Guys get hurt sometimes on the basic leg stretch / lunge as well. Lots of rolled ankles. EE blew up last year lunging at first base.

 

You can practice all you want to perfect it but when a heavy set first baseman crushes your hand, there's nothing to prepare for that.

[KingKat]

Guys who are lunging for a hit on a close play aren't really in position to make the turn either. They are running through the bag. Plays at 2nd after an errant throw are never so close that you couldn't just get up off your chest and hustle down there anyway.

 

Oh and another thing... Pillar only nailed on the first and third video. Hits the ground too soon on the second one.

[KingKat]

Guys who are lunging for a hit on a close play aren't really in position to make the turn either. They are running through the bag. Plays at 2nd after an errant throw are never so close that you couldn't just get up off your chest and hustle down there anyway.

 

Look at Gose in video number 2. You're telling me he can make that turn if he slides to first?

[Laika]

You can practice all you want to perfect it but when a heavy set first baseman crushes your hand, there's nothing to prepare for that.

 

Why would they crush your hand but not your toes? Generally, the 1B has his foot set long before the runner is near the bag. On "bang bang" plays when the pitcher is covering or the 1B is late getting there, then yeah, more danger perhaps.

[Laika]

Look at Gose in video number 2. You're telling me he can make that turn if he slides to first?

 

Yes. It doesn't take that long to pop up from a prone position, and when a ball gets overthrown the player can generally jog into 2nd anyway so there are milliseconds to spare here.

[Governator]

Why would they crush your hand but not your toes? Generally, the 1B has his foot set long before the runner is near the bag. On "bang bang" plays when the pitcher is covering or the 1B is late getting there, then yeah, more danger perhaps.

 

More or less from the chase to the bag which happens quite often with these speedy guys (Bunts, slap singles, choppers to first, etc.).

[burlingtonbandit]

http://blog.sfgate.com/athletics/2015/03/16/kendall-graveman-makes-strong-push-for-as-rotation/

 

Graveman might be the number 3 starter for the As and seems to at least be in the rotation. Does Lawrie-Graveman have more WAR than Donaldson in 2015?

[Deadpool]

thats exactly who he reminds me of! Perfect comparison. I see Pillar as a platoon who hits .300 ish vs lefties but maybe his weight vs righties. But plus defense at all OF positions. Essentially, Reed Johnson.

 

The clear solution for Pillar is to gain a lot of weight...

[S33n]

Kevin Pillar is a natural at the ideal slide into a base:

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v36128201/chctor-pillar-races-home-on-goses-sacrifice-fly/?query=kevin+pillar+slide

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/26271672/v33253241/tbtor-pillar-races-from-first-for-walkoff-win/?query=kevin%2Bpillar

http://m.mlb.com/video/v35721285/bostor-reyes-plates-pillar-with-a-grounder-to-short/?query=kevin+pillar

 

Just needs to add that to his 1st base + bunt game and boom - .300 hitter.

 

You're right, those were all very well executed.

 

Edit: I'm only speaking about the "Kevin Pillar is natural at sliding" part.

[HERPDERP]

http://blog.sfgate.com/athletics/2015/03/16/kendall-graveman-makes-strong-push-for-as-rotation/

 

Graveman might be the number 3 starter for the As and seems to at least be in the rotation. Does Lawrie-Graveman have more WAR than Donaldson in 2015?

 

You know now that I think it..I think Graveman can be a very good MLB'er. Sure, he didn't have any room on this team, but he still seems like a valuable guy to have in the majors. He could have done well in the bullpen, but I think that would be wasting his potential.

[nmrch]

http://blog.sfgate.com/athletics/2015/03/16/kendall-graveman-makes-strong-push-for-as-rotation/

 

Graveman might be the number 3 starter for the As and seems to at least be in the rotation. Does Lawrie-Graveman have more WAR than Donaldson in 2015?

 

Graveman is projected for 0.3 WAR in a 104 innings, even if he miraculously throws 200 innings it won't bridge the difference between Lawrie and Donaldson.

[StroShow]

How is that gross? You're talking about two guys that are barely C prospects for one of the greatest relief aces in the game... He's been consistently excellent for literally every single season since 2006.

 

Don't talk about Urena like that

[LTR]

Yeah but those projections are just that: projections. I may be wrong, but don't those same projections have Sanchez at basically the same WAR for us? I hope and expect that Sanchez is more than a 0.3 WAR pitcher this year as a starter.

 

Lawrie's growth and performance has been stunted to some extent by injury, for that reason his projections could be lower than otherwise expected.

[nmrch]

Lawrie's growth and performance has been stunted to some extent by injury, for that reason his projections could be lower than otherwise expected.

 

really? After posting wRC+'s of 97,93 and 101 in the last three years he's being projected for 110 next season which seems awfully generous to me.

[LTR]

really? After posting wRC+'s of 97,93 and 101 in the last three years he's being projected for 110 next season which seems awfully generous to me.

 

Depends on how you look at. You could also say Lawrie posted a combined wRC+ of 111 in his first two seasons as a 21 and 22 year old, and a combined wRC+ of 96 in his last 2 "injury-ridden" seasons. In that light you could say Lawrie is easily capable of more than 110 wRC or so.

[Orgfiller]

So Chris Davis is back to hitting fly-swatting homeruns.

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v48017983/minbal-davis-crushes-a-solo-home-run-to-left-field/?cid=tor

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/69972428/v47508983/balphi-davis-launches-threerun-dinger-off-hamels/?query=davis

[Angrioter]

Ben Nicholson-Smith ‏

Beeston on @FAN590: Rogers Centre could use major $200-400 million upgrade. Wants #BlueJays to stay downtown.

Beeston on @FAN590: major retrofit of Rogers Centre possible: “I think you will see something done at some point in time” #BlueJays

[HERPDERP]

I dunno if I trust Beeston. He's on his way out. I'll listen to the new guy when he gets hired.

 

I don't see why people would want to relocate the Rogers Centre though.