Around Baseball 2015

[Angrioter]

This kid is good http://m.mlb.com/video/v59917183/oaksf-graveman-talks-about-ingame-goals-2015/?query=graveman

[Jimcanuck]

This is awesome. It was pretty clear why Ruth was so dominant in his time. He was the only one who didn't swing like a 10 year old, and all the pitchers had pretty s***** wind ups and releases. It was really cool how you saw common mechanics on both sides evolve through the years.

 

Wondering where Johnny Bench would rank in the all time WAR if framing was included? JFAS?

 

He is up there as one of, if not the greatest defensive catcher in MLB history. Would be interesting to see where he ranks all time if catcher defense properly accounted for.

 

And yes, my favourite player growing up, until Gary Carter and the Expos got it going.

[Atothe]

Wondering where Johnny Bench would rank in the all time WAR if framing was included? JFAS?

 

He is up there as one of, if not the greatest defensive catcher in MLB history. Would be interesting to see where he ranks all time if catcher defense properly accounted for.

 

And yes, my favourite player growing up, until Gary Carter and the Expos got it going.

 

Hold your horses on greatest defensive catcher talk. By all accounts he was rate highly but he was never talked about with yogi Berra or Elston Howard, Ivan Rodriguez and etc. I think the Derek jeter rule apply to Bench here. His offensive skills may have had people overrating his defensive skills. Even though bench was actually a good defensive player unlike jeter.

[Angrioter]

David Waldstein

Masahiro Tanaka just said we should not expect much in the way of velocity this year. Said he is changing his style. Hmmm.

 

TJS

[Jimcanuck]

Who cares who they pick? 2 years ago everybody picked us to win the AL East. So it doesn't bother me that nobody is picking us this year. Anybody can win this division, maybe except TB. Also, I don't think that the Orioles are that good. They got worse in the winter. I think the division will probably come down to Toronto and Boston. I bet one of them wins the division and the other gets a wild card spot. I think that losing Stroman is not that big of a blow as people think.

 

HUGE blow

[Laika]

David Waldstein

Masahiro Tanaka just said we should not expect much in the way of velocity this year. Said he is changing his style. Hmmm.

 

TJS

 

That's interesting. I wonder if he's tweaked his mechanics to be cleaner but offer less velocity, or if he's just going to use less effort and/or rely less on the 4 seamer.

[BTS]

That's interesting. I wonder if he's tweaked his mechanics to be cleaner but offer less velocity, or if he's just going to use less effort and/or rely less on the 4 seamer.

 

Looking forward to watching him on Monday. He only averaged 91 on his 4-seamer last year and it was by far his worst pitch. If he can clean up his mechanics at a cost of 1-2 mph of velo on the 4-seamer, it might not hurt a whole lot, especially if the 2-seamer is a plus pitch. Big question is whether the splitter becomes less dangerous if not being thrown off the fastball.

[Angrioter]

Looking forward to watching him on Monday. He only averaged 91 on his 4-seamer last year and it was by far his worst pitch. If he can clean up his mechanics at a cost of 1-2 mph of velo on the 4-seamer, it might not hurt a whole lot, especially if the 2-seamer is a plus pitch. Big question is whether the splitter becomes less dangerous if not being thrown off the fastball.

Tanaka is a beast. All his pitches are above to plus pitches. He will be fine, if his arm don't explode.

 

He should talk with Pat Venditte.

[Atothe]

I'm embarrassed for both Tanaka and the Yankees for allowing this charade to go on. He needs surgery and they acting as if he can pitch the rest of contract without needing the surgery. In the famous words of Agent Smith from the matrix movie "Its inevitable"

[Angrioter]

Ventura-Royals deal: 5Ys/23M + 2 team options

[Laika]

meh, it's not like they are directly contradicting doctor's orders.

 

I bet a fair chunk of MLB pitchers are operating with partially torn, undiagnosed UCLs.

[HERPDERP]

He should just get TJS.

[TheHurl]

Would be great for someone to do some research into recovery of velocity/results upon return, in relation to the month the pitcher has surgery. I'd think there is some benefit to having it in October.

[BTS]

I'm embarrassed for both Tanaka and the Yankees for allowing this charade to go on. He needs surgery and they acting as if he can pitch the rest of contract without needing the surgery. In the famous words of Agent Smith from the matrix movie "Its inevitable"

 

They tried four doctors, and none wanted to cut into him for a minor tear. I read an article a few weeks back suggesting that as many as 40% of MLB pitchers are pitching with a partially torn UCL, and they're either not diagnosed, or diagnosed and not made public.

[reedjohnsonfan]

They tried four doctors, and none wanted to cut into him for a minor tear. I read an article a few weeks back suggesting that as many as 40% of MLB pitchers are pitching with a partially torn UCL, and they're either not diagnosed, or diagnosed and not made public.

 

I read something similar and took a chance on Tanaka. I'm not sure what the likelihood is for him to hold up, but Cashman didn't seem overly worried in an interview this spring FWIW, which might be nothing.

[Muck Bartinez]

This is a pretty neat album of old hitting and pitching mechanics that I stole from Reddit: http://imgur.com/a/r1JnH

 

That Lou Gehrig swag

 

That Walter Johnson arm slot looks nasty.

[reedjohnsonfan]

For those uninformed people who think Tanaka should just get TJS, here's a decent article explaining why they elected for rehab.

 

http://www.pinstripealley.com/2014/7/11/5890713/masahiro-tanaka-injury-yankees-ucl-tear-prp-rehab-effective-tommy-john-surgery

[bendera3]

Austin Romine was DFA by the Yankees. If he gets through the AL, what are the chances he ruins our Narvarro to the D-backs dreams?

[Abomination]

Austin Romine was DFA by the Yankees. If he gets through the AL, what are the chances he ruins our Narvarro to the D-backs dreams?

 

He doesn't hit for power and plays decent defense. I wouldn't worry about the D-backs wanting him.

[glory]

Austin Romine was DFA by the Yankees. If he gets through the AL, what are the chances he ruins our Narvarro to the D-backs dreams?

 

That dream was shattered months ago. If it hasn't happen by now, I can't see happening.

[bendera3]

Bought my dad a 10 game flex pack to the local Atlantic League Lancaster Barnstormers. I've noticed Chad Beck, Zach Jackson, and David Cooper are on the roster.

[jaysblue]

Can anyone with ESPN Insider post Jim Bowden's Top 10 Predictions this season? I want a good laugh!

[Spanky__99]

Can anyone with ESPN Insider post Jim Bowden's Top 10 Predictions this season? I want a good laugh!

 

A password is on Proboards in the FC.

[BTS]

Ned Yost planning to hit Mike Moustakas 2nd. Dat projected 98 wRC+ and 0.299 OBP.

[Stangstag]

Ned Yost planning to hit Mike Moustakas 2nd. Dat projected 98 wRC+ and 0.299 OBP.

 

Ned Yost trying to see how much s*** he can pull before the FO fires him. It's pathetic, he basically has a free pass to do whatever the f*** he wants just because the Royals made it to the WS. Yost is ridiculously stupid, I can't believe he is 1 of 30 major league managers.

[BTS]

Ned Yost trying to see how much s*** he can pull before the FO fires him. It's pathetic, he basically has a free pass to do whatever the f*** he wants just because the Royals made it to the WS. Yost is ridiculously stupid, I can't believe he is 1 of 30 major league managers.

 

It really is unbelievable how bad he is at his job. I think he has accrued several years of leash with management before he can be fired though. Should provide great entertainment.

[Spanky__99]

It really is unbelievable how bad he is at his job. I think he has accrued several years of leash with management before he can be fired though. Should provide great entertainment.

 

Players bail him out.

[jaysblue]

Who do you think takes the AL Central?

[fatcowxlive]

I wonder if Towers tried to pitch the idea of Hill + small piece for Navarro to AA or not. Sucks for the D'backs that we have good options in that position barring further injuries

[Boxcar]

Who do you think takes the AL Central?

 

Probably Cleveland but maybe Detroit