Around Baseball 2017

[jaysblue]

It would be a fun tounrament if everyone actually played.

 

 

Votto Freeman Martin Saunders with Tailon on the mound would be fun to watch.

 

That brawl was also awesome

 

It's still a fun tournament to watch, though its a joke for the above reason you mentioned. Not all the very best play in this tournament and the pitchers have a strict pitch count limit to begin with so every game is really a battle of the bullpens. I just can't take it as a serious tournament.

[Brownie19]

Wat

 

All of them were born in countries that are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It's completely legitimate in their case.

 

f*** - one too many jokes about the eligibility in the WBC!!!

[Abomination]

Interesting, apparently Rosenthal is going to be stretched out this spring, but to be used in an Andrew Miller type role rather than the starting rotation.

[Ray]

If we can dump Smoak and get Bruce to platoon with Upton, that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

 

If not, I'd rather we get someone like Coghlan or Pagan. Cheaper, possibly better.

 

Also, I was reading /r/baseball today and some Mets fan actually made a post about how Osuna for Bruce would make sense. I just couldn't stop laughing.

[Maine Jays]

If we can dump Smoak and get Bruce to platoon with Upton, that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

 

If not, I'd rather we get someone like Coghlan or Pagan. Cheaper, possibly better.

 

Also, I was reading /r/baseball today and some Mets fan actually made a post about how Osuna for Bruce would make sense. I just couldn't stop laughing.

 

I didn't realize that JP not only worked for the Mets, but also posted on their message boards. I don't remember him doing that when he was GM here.

[Laika]

Bob Nightengale ‏@BNightengale 2h2 hours ago

Trevor Cahill had offers from #Pirates,#BlueJays,#Reds,#Rangers, but wanted to be starter again, and will sign 1-year, $1.75M deal w #Padres

 

Would have been a nice addition.

[brianf]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/01/royals-danny-duffy-agree-to-five-year-extension.html?fv-home=true&post-id=82937

 

Duffy and KC agree to 5yr 65 million extension. Was hoping he'd hit the market next year and end up here.

[Dr. Dinger]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/01/royals-danny-duffy-agree-to-five-year-extension.html?fv-home=true&post-id=82937

 

Duffy and KC agree to 5yr 65 million extension. Was hoping he'd hit the market next year and end up here.

 

That could end up being a steal for the Royals. They're essentially paying him to be a 1 WAR player (averaged over the term).

[Orgfiller]

That could end up being a steal for the Royals. They're essentially paying him to be a 1 WAR player (averaged over the term).

 

He's also a huge injury risk. The deal could also look terrible in hindsight if he becomes, say like a version of Daniel Hudson.

[Brownie19]

Bob Nightengale ‏@BNightengale 2h2 hours ago

Trevor Cahill had offers from #Pirates,#BlueJays,#Reds,#Rangers, but wanted to be starter again, and will sign 1-year, $1.75M deal w #Padres

 

Would have been a nice addition.

 

Does this what the Joe Blanton market will look like? if so - lets get in on it.

[jaysblue]

Bob Nightengale ‏@BNightengale 2h2 hours ago

Trevor Cahill had offers from #Pirates,#BlueJays,#Reds,#Rangers, but wanted to be starter again, and will sign 1-year, $1.75M deal w #Padres

 

Would have been a nice addition.

 

Trevor Cahill a starter in San Diego? My LOD team is liking that FA pickup this offseason!

[brianf]

He's also a huge injury risk. The deal could also look terrible in hindsight if he becomes, say like a version of Daniel Hudson.

 

Without a question there's an injury risk (as is any pitcher, and his TJ was in 2012) but a 5 yr 65 m contract for a quality 2-3 starter...I'd do that deal any day of the week.

[TheGrandslamMan]

And to think I liked your posts, until this off-season... *shudders*

 

Hey now, I'm not saying I like the idea. There just seems to be some sort of love-affair between Bruce and the F.O.

[Spanky__99]

Hey now, I'm not saying I like the idea. There just seems to be some sort of love-affair between Bruce and the F.O.

 

Still nervous?

[TheGrandslamMan]

It's still a fun tournament to watch, though its a joke for the above reason you mentioned. Not all the very best play in this tournament and the pitchers have a strict pitch count limit to begin with so every game is really a battle of the bullpens. I just can't take it as a serious tournament.

 

I personally enjoy it. It's fun to see some talent that we don't usually see. And plus, it adds a little extra excitement before the start of the season. What's not to like for a ball fan?;)

[TheGrandslamMan]

Still nervous?

 

The reports that Bautista is re-signing definitely helps qualm my nerves! I am still nervous about the bullpen and back-up catcher situation though. As we see bullpens being utilized more and more effectively the idea of winging together one becomes a lot more risky.

[Spanky__99]

The reports that Bautista is re-signing definitely helps qualm my nerves! I am still nervous about the bullpen and back-up catcher situation though. As we see bullpens being utilized more and more effectively the idea of winging together one becomes a lot more risky.

 

The backup catcher situation and bullpen have little impact over a full season... we have Barnes/Sparkman/Dermody and Floyd filling in the BP... Jiminez will be a fine backup to any other option on the FA market. The Jays still have plenty of time to add wins to this roster, or another OF'er BP arm.

[THANOS]

The backup catcher situation and bullpen have little impact over a full season... we have Barnes/Sparkman/Dermody and Floyd filling in the BP... Jiminez will be a fine backup to any other option on the FA market. The Jays still have plenty of time to add wins to this roster, or another OF'er BP arm.

 

If they simply just add Valbuena, I'll consider this a fantastic off-season. It's still a good one without him though.

[Ray]

2017 MLB Pipeline Top 10 RHP list released: http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017/?list=rhp

 

1. Alex Reyes (STL)

2. Tyler Glasnow (PIT)

3. Lucas Giolito (CWS)

4. Michael Kopech (CWS)

5. Francis Martes (HOU)

6. Anderson Espinoza (SDP)

7. Brent Honeywell (TBR)

8. Jose De Leon (LAD)

9. Jeff Hoffman (COL)

10. Reynaldo Lopez (CHW)

 

White Sox taking up 30% of the list, and they might potentially get either Glasgow or Martes depending on who gets Quintana.

[Terminator]

If they simply just add Valbuena, I'll consider this a fantastic off-season. It's still a good one without him though.

 

Ehh, I'd describe it as not bad. If we made a good trade for Puig or something it'd be a lot better.

 

But as it stands, Zeke, Upton and Smoak are all staring at a significant number of AB's this upcoming season.

[Dr. Dinger]

BK

1:01

Rumored Cutch package: Biagini, Vlad Jr, Reid-Foley, Tellez, Harold Ramirez for Cutch and Watson. How do you assess this offer by the Jays?

 

 

Eric A Longenhagen

1:01

Vlad and Reid-Foley are the only real prospects in that deal. I've spoken with multiple sources over the last week that think Vlad Jr. is in the big leagues before he's 21 and/or that he'd go 1-1 in this year's draft.

[Laika]

oh wow. 1-1.

 

calling Tellez not a real prospect is a joke. ignorant stance

[Dr. Dinger]

oh wow. 1-1.

 

calling Tellez not a real prospect is a joke. ignorant stance

 

Well you can't have your cake and eat it too! If you're going to keep "Tellez is a prospect" then you have to give back 1-1.

[Laika]

No!

[King]

oh wow. 1-1.

 

calling Tellez not a real prospect is a joke. ignorant stance

 

Yeah but you have to remember he got eaten alive in the Arizona Fall league a year and a half ago. Or something. 130 wRC+ is terrible!

[Pendleton]

Yeah but you have to remember he got eaten alive in the Arizona Fall league a year and a half ago. Or something. 130 wRC+ is terrible!

 

Stats don't matter, he's too husky to be legit.

[Dr. Dinger]

Stats don't matter, he's too husky to be legit.

 

Being fat is a factor. If Tellez is a 100 wRC+ guy in the majors because he lacks the bat speed to hit elite fastballs, then yeah, he is essentially a NP. He can't play anywhere but 1B, and he reportedly is average at best with the glove. I really couldn't tell you if average fastball velo is better in the AFL than it is in AA, but perhaps it is. I wouldn't be so dismissive of reports from these prospect rankers, they watch a lot of MiLB ABs.

[burlingtonbandit]

So punting their entire IFA bonus for Vlad seems to have worked out nicely.

[King]

Being fat is a factor. If Tellez is a 100 wRC+ guy in the majors because he lacks the bat speed to hit elite fastballs, then yeah, he is essentially a NP. He can't play anywhere but 1B, and he reportedly is average at best with the glove. I really couldn't tell you if average fastball velo is better in the AFL than it is in AA, but perhaps it is. I wouldn't be so dismissive of reports from these prospect rankers, they watch a lot of MiLB ABs.

 

We've been through this before. Those are all valid and notable concerns/flaws. If one of Longenhagen/Law just came out and said what you said there, I could reason behind it. Calling him a non prospect because he struckout a few times in the AFL a year and a half ago when they were in attendance is laughable and 100% dismisable.

[Ray]

Anthony Rizzo had the same concerns with his swing that scouts seem to have with Rowdy. Long swing, won't catch up to fastballs etc. They both put up pretty identical numbers in the minors actually.

 

But at the end of the day, the best part of Rowdy Tellez's game is that he's able to adjust at any level, and therefore hit. He'll be fine.

 

That statement about Vlad is very encouraging. Maybe he'll end up being the unicorn prospect that our farm needs.