Around Baseball 2017

[Ray]

Eric Sogard resigns with the Brewers on a 1-year deal. He could've been a nice cheap add to bolster our infield depth. Coming off a real nice year.

[jays_fever]

Eric Sogard resigns with the Brewers on a 1-year deal. He could've been a nice cheap add to bolster our infield depth. Coming off a real nice year.

 

I still remember when Eric Sogard made the finals for that face of the MLB fan contest.

[TheHurl]

This Tony Kemp article makes really want to trade for Tony Kemp (just a pure student at all aspects of the game) but also makes me think that even the current front office is still behind the times when it comes to the new approaches to hitting. Jeff Albert (or Eric Cressey) should be the kind of hitting instructor teams are looking for (Masters in Exercise Science)

 

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/tony-kemp-on-hitting-the-astros-way/

[Brownie19]

The story is that the waiter recognised him only after checking his id, that makes a lot more sense than recognising him by sight.

 

The waiter says he refused service because someone else in the party didn't have id on them.

 

Holy f*** - I'm glad we got this sorted out guys...

[bendera3]

This Tony Kemp article makes really want to trade for Tony Kemp (just a pure student at all aspects of the game) but also makes me think that even the current front office is still behind the times when it comes to the new approaches to hitting. Jeff Albert (or Eric Cressey) should be the kind of hitting instructor teams are looking for (Masters in Exercise Science)

 

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/tony-kemp-on-hitting-the-astros-way/

 

He looks like he could be a good option as a super utility guy who could slide over to 2nd when Travis gets hurt.

[TBJ12]

A.J. Hinch reportedly involved in bar fight after game 1 of world Series.

http://m.tmz.com/#!article/2017/10/26/astros-a-j-hinch-hotel-bar-fight-police/

[Spanky__99]

A.J. Hinch reportedly involved in bar fight after game 1 of world Series.

http://m.tmz.com/#!article/2017/10/26/astros-a-j-hinch-hotel-bar-fight-police/

 

He looked fine last night, must've kicked ass, lol.

[TBJ12]

I can't believe how few baseball blogs have mentioned this.

 

We've now linked to TMZ twice today for baseball related content. This shouldn't ever happen again.

[glory]

This Tony Kemp article makes really want to trade for Tony Kemp (just a pure student at all aspects of the game) but also makes me think that even the current front office is still behind the times when it comes to the new approaches to hitting. Jeff Albert (or Eric Cressey) should be the kind of hitting instructor teams are looking for (Masters in Exercise Science)

 

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/tony-kemp-on-hitting-the-astros-way/

 

I'm on the Tony Kemp or Profar bandwagon. Whoever they get will basically get the plate appearances of a starting infielder so they need to get someone good or someone with at least upside to get better. Kemp as a utility player who covers for Travis once he misses 90 games is fine with me. Unfortunately that means they will keep Goins to back up SS in that scenario, but I've already accepted that Goins will be on this team longer than anyone else currently on the roster. He is the turd that refuses to go down no matter how many times you flush it.

[Spanky__99]

I'm on the Tony Kemp or Profar bandwagon. Whoever they get will basically get the plate appearances of a starting infielder so they need to get someone good or someone with at least upside to get better. Kemp as a utility player who covers for Travis once he misses 90 games is fine with me. Unfortunately that means they will keep Goins to back up SS in that scenario, but I've already accepted that Goins will be on this team longer than anyone else currently on the roster. He is the turd that refuses to go down no matter how many times you flush it.

 

Get out the plunger, man!

[Brownie19]

I'm on the Tony Kemp or Profar bandwagon. Whoever they get will basically get the plate appearances of a starting infielder so they need to get someone good or someone with at least upside to get better. Kemp as a utility player who covers for Travis once he misses 90 games is fine with me. Unfortunately that means they will keep Goins to back up SS in that scenario, but I've already accepted that Goins will be on this team longer than anyone else currently on the roster. He is the turd that refuses to go down no matter how many times you flush it.

 

Profar and Kemp are both excellent targets. I doubt they come cheap though (I guess Profar might). Regardless, finding the next super utility guy (Zobrist, Nunez) before they get established/expensive/valued would fill a significant hole for this team.

[glory]

Profar and Kemp are both excellent targets. I doubt they come cheap though (I guess Profar might). Regardless, finding the next super utility guy (Zobrist, Nunez) before they get established/expensive/valued would fill a significant hole for this team.

 

I'd honestly try to acquire both if the cost was reasonable, and move on from Travis (who I don't think will ever be healthy for a significant amount of time). But yeah, hard to know what it would cost. Pearce is someone an analytics team would love, and Houston wouldn't use him in the outfield so his value might actually remain high. With him seemingly being blocked by Morales and Smoak, that might be the type of deal that is possible. Maybe a reliever might be enough to get Profar, depends how Texas views him. 2B and SS are both weak spots on this team, in the bigs and in the minors. Get both of those guys and load up on depth.

 

If only the Jays listened to me last winter when I suggested Travis for Puig when Puig's value was down.

[Bobthe4th]

I'd honestly try to acquire both if the cost was reasonable, and move on from Travis (who I don't think will ever be healthy for a significant amount of time). But yeah, hard to know what it would cost. Pearce is someone an analytics team would love, and Houston wouldn't use him in the outfield so his value might actually remain high. With him seemingly being blocked by Morales and Smoak, that might be the type of deal that is possible. Maybe a reliever might be enough to get Profar, depends how Texas views him. 2B and SS are both weak spots on this team, in the bigs and in the minors. Get both of those guys and load up on depth.

 

If only the Jays listened to me last winter when I suggested Travis for Puig when Puig's value was down.

 

Not really, both Gurriel and Urena likely see at least some big league playing time in 2018.

[Brownie19]

Not really, both Gurriel and Urena likely see at least some big league playing time in 2018.

 

Urena isn't ready at all man - if he ever will be.

[glory]

Not really, both Gurriel and Urena likely see at least some big league playing time in 2018.

 

Guirrel probably needs a full season before we know what we have with him. Urena doesn't look ready, needs more time in AA.

 

Travis/Tulo up the middle with Profar and Kemp on the bench (or Kemp in AAA as I think he has one option left) would give the team a s*** load of versatility. Then when Tulo and Travis break in half some time during the season, you have replacements that might actually be big league level talent ready to take over.

 

I mean, it's not going to happen, the Jays will probably end up with Sogard or something, but the off season is time for spit balling ideas.

[TheHurl]

If only the Jays listened to me last winter when I suggested Travis for Puig when Puig's value was down.

 

He's an interesting guy in that he'll just change everything for stretches. It would be great if he's the 140 wRC+ with a 12.5% BB rate and just 15% K Rate, monster in the field, that he's been in the second half. Or do we end up seeing 2015 or 2016 Puig who swings away and makes really dumb decisions.

[Bobthe4th]

Urena isn't ready at all man - if he ever will be.

 

He's already appeared in 21 games this season. Assuming Tulo and Travis are out at the same time, good chance he gets called up again. I agree he's not ready to be on the roster full time though.

[Boxcar]

Urena isn't ready at all man - if he ever will be.

 

Neither is Gurriel. I don't see it mentioned a lot but he had a pretty s***** year.

[Bobthe4th]

Guirrel probably needs a full season before we know what we have with him. Urena doesn't look ready, needs more time in AA.

 

Travis/Tulo up the middle with Profar and Kemp on the bench (or Kemp in AAA as I think he has one option left) would give the team a s*** load of versatility. Then when Tulo and Travis break in half some time during the season, you have replacements that might actually be big league level talent ready to take over.

 

I mean, it's not going to happen, the Jays will probably end up with Sogard or something, but the off season is time for spit balling ideas.

 

IMO Gurriel will be called up as soon as Tulo or Travis are out for a while.

 

I don't think Barney will be back, but Goins will be. They've got to be looking to acquire a decent middle infielder, perhaps in a trade. How they balance that need with the outfield, starting pitching, back up catcher, and the usual depth in the bullpen is going to be interesting to see.

[glory]

IMO Gurriel will be called up as soon as Tulo or Travis are out for a while.

 

I don't think Barney will be back, but Goins will be. They've got to be looking to acquire a decent middle infielder, perhaps in a trade. How they balance that need with the outfield, starting pitching, back up catcher, and the usual depth in the bullpen is going to be interesting to see.

 

I have liked probably 90% of what the front office has done in the last two years, but I hope we see more trades for younger players rather than more 30-something free agent signings or relying heavily on replacement level talent. I'm preparing myself for Sogard, which would be fine if the cost is reasonable, but a trade for someone like Kemp or Profar would at least give some type of upside and youth. That's partly how the Yankees turned things around so quickly. Just took some gambles on guys like Hicks, Didi, etc, who were blocked or undervalued on other teams and they blossomed. Didn't give up much. Mix that in with some good internal development, and suddenly things move a lot quicker.

[Brownie19]

I have liked probably 90% of what the front office has done in the last two years, but I hope we see more trades for younger players rather than more 30-something free agent signings or relying heavily on replacement level talent. I'm preparing myself for Sogard, which would be fine if the cost is reasonable, but a trade for someone like Kemp or Profar would at least give some type of upside and youth. That's partly how the Yankees turned things around so quickly. Just took some gambles on guys like Hicks, Didi, etc, who were blocked or undervalued on other teams and they blossomed. Didn't give up much. Mix that in with some good internal development, and suddenly things move a lot quicker.

 

Hicks was coming off a 1.5 WAR year (in only 390 PA's) and somehow the Yankees got him for nothing. Always a talented guy - I do count that as a gamble move, although the Yankees should have had to give up more.

 

Didi was acquired in the Shane Greene / Robbie Ray 3-team trade. All 3 players had value in their own right and all 3 have become legit ML players. This was a rather expensive 'gamble' on Didi.

[glory]

Hicks was coming off a 1.5 WAR year (in only 390 PA's) and somehow the Yankees got him for nothing. Always a talented guy - I do count that as a gamble move, although the Yankees should have had to give up more.

 

Didi was acquired in the Shane Greene / Robbie Ray 3-team trade. All 3 players had value in their own right and all 3 have become legit ML players. This was a rather expensive 'gamble' on Didi.

 

Well yeah, more Hicks than Didi. The Yankees got Hicks for a s***** back up catcher. In the 3 way deal for Didi, the DBacks got Ray from the Tigers who has been damn good so I doubt they regret the move, but the net result for the Yankees was Greene out and Didi in. I don't think it was that expensive, even if you bought in to Greene's 2015 numbers. More value given up than in the Hicks deal, definitely.

 

I guess my point is, don't be afraid to make these kinds of moves. Maybe you can trade someone like Tepera/Barnes/Leone right now for someone another team doesn't value or is blocked. Maybe you get lucky and that player blossoms with some high performance dept magic. Jays need to try something this year. They can't go into next year with limited depth again, as we saw what happened.

[KingKat]

Well yeah, more Hicks than Didi. The Yankees got Hicks for a s***** back up catcher. In the 3 way deal for Didi, the DBacks got Ray from the Tigers who has been damn good so I doubt they regret the move, but the net result for the Yankees was Greene out and Didi in. I don't think it was that expensive, even if you bought in to Greene's 2015 numbers. More value given up than in the Hicks deal, definitely.

 

I guess my point is, don't be afraid to make these kinds of moves. Maybe you can trade someone like Tepera/Barnes/Leone right now for someone another team doesn't value or is blocked. Maybe you get lucky and that player blossoms with some high performance dept magic. Jays need to try something this year. They can't go into next year with limited depth again, as we saw what happened.

 

AA's Gose for Travis deal is probably a good example of the kind of deal you're talking about. Travis was an interesting but not particularly hyped prospect who was blocked and didn't end up costing much at all. Even knowing what we know about Travis' troubles staying on the field, it was a great deal.

[glory]

AA's Gose for Travis deal is probably a good example of the kind of deal you're talking about. Travis was an interesting but not particularly hyped prospect who was blocked and didn't end up costing much at all. Even knowing what we know about Travis' troubles staying on the field, it was a great deal.

 

Yes that would be an example. I vaguely remember the Tigers trying Travis in the outfield because they had no room for him at 2B. Good on AA for taking advantage of that. The Astros are in a similar spot with Kemp (probably won't have much value away from 2B) so I think a deal is doable there. I guess Teoscar falls into my example as well as he was blocked in Houston also.

 

I just don't want to see another season where the team's depth is all replacement level s***. There has to be upside somewhere, go find it.

[Jimcanuck]

Some wild ramblings here.

 

Cubs had trouble fitting Ian Happ into the lineup and need pitching. Stroman for Happ and Almora Jr. Trade Pillar for whatever.

 

Move Donaldson for Reyes + a secondary prospect.

 

Open the vault and sign Darvish. Use this to induce Ohtani to come to Toronto.

[Dick_Pole]

I'm on the Tony Kemp or Profar bandwagon. Whoever they get will basically get the plate appearances of a starting infielder so they need to get someone good or someone with at least upside to get better. Kemp as a utility player who covers for Travis once he misses 90 games is fine with me. Unfortunately that means they will keep Goins to back up SS in that scenario, but I've already accepted that Goins will be on this team longer than anyone else currently on the roster. He is the turd that refuses to go down no matter how many times you flush it.

 

f*** all you Goins haters. The guy got 60+ RBI in 400-something plate appearances hitting in the bottom of a line-up of a s***** hitting team. No matter what you think of RBI or small sample sizes that's enough of an unusual accomplishment to warrant looking deeper to see if something is there. And with this FO I expect them to exhaust that before giving up on him completely. Send him to a head doctor and see if his "mental approach" to hitting with RISP situations can be expanded to all situations. Or if it really was just a fluke and then you can cut him with no regrets. I don't mind the idea of going after Profar as a depth move...but as someone meant explicitly to replace Goins? They both have the same s***** resume. Either aim higher or stick with the guy you got.

[jays4life19]

f*** all you Goins haters. The guy got 60+ RBI in 400-something plate appearances hitting in the bottom of a line-up of a s***** hitting team. No matter what you think of RBI or small sample sizes that's enough of an unusual accomplishment to warrant looking deeper to see if something is there.] And with this FO I expect them to exhaust that before giving up on him completely. Send him to a head doctor and see if his "mental approach" to hitting with RISP situations can be expanded to all situations. Or if it really was just a fluke and then you can cut him with no regrets. I don't mind the idea of going after Profar as a depth move...but as someone meant explicitly to replace Goins? They both have the same s***** resume. Either aim higher or stick with the guy you got.

 

Wat.

 

Ryan Goins was never a real prospect, is 29 years old, has hit 63 wRC+ in 1400 PA and has been worth a total of 0.0 fWAR. I don't care how many RBI's he got. There's no upside there.

 

I don't like Profar either but he's only 24 and a former #1 prospect. Ehhh. Hard to aim that much higher when you're locked into Tulo and Travis.

[Jimcanuck]

Wat.

 

Ryan Goins was never a real prospect, is 29 years old, has hit 63 wRC+ in 1400 PA and has been worth a total of 0.0 fWAR. I don't care how many RBI's he got. There's no upside there.

 

I don't like Profar either but he's only 24 and a former #1 prospect. Ehhh. Hard to aim that much higher when you're locked into Tulo and Travis.

 

Yes. Profar is a guy that could turn it around with a change of scenery.

 

Goins is what he always was, AAAA guy.

[Spanky__99]

f*** all you Goins haters. The guy got 60+ RBI in 400-something plate appearances hitting in the bottom of a line-up of a s***** hitting team. No matter what you think of RBI or small sample sizes that's enough of an unusual accomplishment to warrant looking deeper to see if something is there. And with this FO I expect them to exhaust that before giving up on him completely. Send him to a head doctor and see if his "mental approach" to hitting with RISP situations can be expanded to all situations. Or if it really was just a fluke and then you can cut him with no regrets. I don't mind the idea of going after Profar as a depth move...but as someone meant explicitly to replace Goins? They both have the same s***** resume. Either aim higher or stick with the guy you got.

 

[Dick_Pole]

That's alright, I'll take the heat.

 

This entire board has gone up against some dude who thinks he can outrun Bautista about Goins, and has been losing for four years, and refuses to admit defeat. None of you have demonstrated much of an ability to evaluate Ryan Goins' path in the MLB, I don't expect you guys to magically change now.