Around Baseball 2018

[TheHurl]

The Phillies were 200 Defensive Runs Saved behind the Braves last year. Their path to improving is so much easier than spending $700M. I would hope they don't take the easy way out.

[P2F]

Looks like a trade is about to be completed: Mallex Smith to the Mariners, and Mike Zunino and Guillermo Heredia to the Rays.

[Orgfiller]

Looks like a trade is about to be completed: Mallex Smith to the Mariners, and Mike Zunino and Guillermo Heredia to the Rays.

 

Seems even on the value side but I don't understand who the Mariners expect to replace Zunino with at catcher.

[Abomination]

Looks like a trade is about to be completed: Mallex Smith to the Mariners, and Mike Zunino and Guillermo Heredia to the Rays.

 

Huh, the Rays must really REALLY like Zunino. Maybe they can get that strikeout rate down a bit and get his offense up to its potential.

[Orgfiller]

Huh, the Rays must really REALLY like Zunino. Maybe they can get that strikeout rate down a bit and get his offense up to its potential.

 

He's an excellent defender with offensive potential and they're probably selling high on Mallex Smith, I totally get this deal from their perspective. I think more than looking for a way to reduce his strikeout rate, they'll be looking instead for him to regain his 2016-2017 walk rate.

[Abomination]

He's an excellent defender with offensive potential and they're probably selling high on Mallex Smith, I totally get this deal from their perspective. I think more than looking for a way to reduce his strikeout rate, they'll be looking instead for him to regain his 2016-2017 walk rate.

 

It had already bounced back some in the second half. I don't think they're wrong to sell high on Smith, I'm just surprised to see them take a more expensive ~2 WAR catcher with less years of control. They probably could have signed someone like Kurt Suzuki and gotten similar results at a similar price, in addition to getting something else for Smith.

[Laika]

It had already bounced back some in the second half. I don't think they're wrong to sell high on Smith, I'm just surprised to see them take a more expensive ~2 WAR catcher with less years of control. They probably could have signed someone like Kurt Suzuki and gotten similar results at a similar price, in addition to getting something else for Smith.

 

Unattractive destinations like Tampa Bay will always have to prioritize trades in order to acquire talent they don't develop internally. It's not fair to use free agent hypotheticals when a huge portion of free agents just really won't want to play for the org

[Abomination]

Unattractive destinations like Tampa Bay will always have to prioritize trades in order to acquire talent they don't develop internally. It's not fair to use free agent hypotheticals when a huge portion of free agents just really won't want to play for the org

 

Maybe, but Suzuki has played the last six years in Oakland, Minnesota, and Atlanta so it's not like he went to prime places. He also earned 1.5M last year and 3.5M this year, so even bumping him up to Zunino's range may be enough to get him.

[Abomination]

They have some metrics that must love Zunino.

 

Well there is a lot to love in general, it's just not the type of move I expected to see from the Rays.

[Boxcar]

Huh, the Rays must really REALLY like Zunino. Maybe they can get that strikeout rate down a bit and get his offense up to its potential.

 

Zunino is projected to be more valuable next year by literally every system. He's a really good defensive catcher with high upside while Mallex Smith is essentially Ben Revere.

[glory]

Much like any trade the Rays make they'll find a way to turn Zunino into Mike Piazza for at least one year while Smith fades into oblivion.

[Ray]

I feel like the Mariners could’ve gotten more for Zunino. Astros, Angels, Dodgers, Nats, Red Sox, Phillies, and Rockies are all looking for good catcher. Seems like they just took the first offer.

[BTS]

Mike Zunino suxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Abomination]

I feel like the Mariners could’ve gotten more for Zunino. Astros, Angels, Dodgers, Nats, Red Sox, Phillies, and Rockies are all looking for good catcher. Seems like they just took the first offer.

 

He'd be a really good fit for the Red Sox, after that cringe worthy world series.

[Boxcar]

Mike Zunino suxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

your dumn

[BTS]

your dumn

 

I guess my lazy troll bait doesn't deserve better than this

[Boxcar]

I guess my lazy troll bait doesn't deserve better than this

 

You need to put in more effort. I can smell your weak ass attempts from a mile away.

[jaysblue]

Kennys Vargas signing to play in Japan. Not a bad decision on his part. If he puts up video game numbers over there for the next 2-3 years, he likely could come back and sign a MLB deal similar to Eric Thames a couple of years ago.

[glory]

I feel like the Mariners could’ve gotten more for Zunino. Astros, Angels, Dodgers, Nats, Red Sox, Phillies, and Rockies are all looking for good catcher. Seems like they just took the first offer.

 

A lot of teams need catchers. Martin might be able to fetch a decent prospect (with the jays eating up a ton of his salary).

Edited November 8, 2018 by glory

[G-Snarls]

A lot of teams need catchers

 

Scott Boras told the media that Bryce Harper can probably still play catcher

 

[TheHurl]

Where there is smoke there is fire. Kopech made a post about why he wears 34, sparking rumours that he has been asked to give up number 34. Harper to White Sox???

[Spanky99]

Where there is smoke there is fire. Kopech made a post about why he wears 34, sparking rumours that he has been asked to give up number 34. Harper to White Sox???

 

Wow, that'd be cool, than Machado next.

 

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-hot-stove-what-to-make-of-the-white-soxs-apparent-push-for-bryce-harper-at-the-united-center/

 

 

Kopech on instagram...

 

mikop34 It’s more than just a number. It represents every struggle I went through in this game, including mental struggles—mainly mental struggles. On my lowest days I still daydreamed about wearing that number across my back with a crowd of people locked in on my every pitch for my debut... I’m not established yet, I have 14.1 innings in this game, but I have made a fairytale dream into a reality. No one can take that away from me & the 5 year old me is proud. Given the opportunity I will always wear my number with pride, whether that number is 34 or not. Thank you @whitesox

[Ray]

Where there is smoke there is fire. Kopech made a post about why he wears 34, sparking rumours that he has been asked to give up number 34. Harper to White Sox???

 

White Sox also met with him today and apparently his name was seen listed in the United Center (co-owned by White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf)

[Boxcar]

White Sox also met with him today and apparently his name was seen listed in the United Center (co-owned by White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf)

 

If Bryce wants to win, no idea why he'd entertain going to the White Sox.

[Bobthe4th]

JD Martinez wins a Silver Slugger at both DH and OF!

 

 

[G-Snarls]

[jaysblue]

 

Nats were stupid not to take that geez.

[Spanky99]

I don't believe I've seen this posted... Lance McCullers Jr. had Tommy John surgery this week, I had no clue. Crazy!

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/lance-mccullers-tommy-john-surgery-astros.html

 

Also Bucs re-signed Jung Ho Kang... that'll be interesting to follow.

 

Edited November 9, 2018 by Spanky99

[BTS]

WTF Markakis winning the silver slugger. There were like 10 objectively better choices.

[G-Snarls]

Nats were stupid not to take that geez.

 

They must have thought they have a legit shot at re signing Harper this off season

 

We'll see