Around Baseball 2018

[G-Snarls]

Trevor Bauer at Driveline

 

Clocked throwing 117 mp/h using a three hop step

 

I suspect his team would like him to not be doing this

 

https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/01/11/indians-trevor-bauer-117-mph-pitch-video

Edited January 12, 2018 by G-Snarls

[Orgfiller]

I have a hard time believing the players are getting screwed in the MLB when Tommy Hunter is getting paid 9 million a year

 

That's the perfect example of why the players are being screwed. A system so flush with money that a Tommy Hunter can be paid $9m a year because he's 31 and been around for years, but stars like Correa and Bryant are paid small fractions of their market worth because of artificially keeping contracts low in the first few years of a player's career, is a system that is at best deeply unfair, and at worst is broken.

 

What's you guys' beef with Tommy Hunter lol? He was excellent last year, and projects really well. He throws really hard, all of his pitches improved in velocity last season.

[Orgfiller]

Trevor Bauer at Driveline

 

Clocked throwing 117 mp/h using a three hop step

 

I suspect his team would like him to not be doing this

 

https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/01/11/indians-trevor-bauer-117-mph-pitch-video

 

That likely doesn't take much more effort than a regular windup, if any. Bauer is already known for his intense training routine before games, I doubt the Indians care at this point.

[Bobthe4th]

What's you guys' beef with Tommy Hunter lol? He was excellent last year, and projects really well. He throws really hard, all of his pitches improved in velocity last season.

 

Haha, nothing with him specifically- he’s simply an example of a player being paid significantly more than genuine MVP level stars.

[AledmysDiaz]

Its not that the teams dont want to spend, they just dont want to overpay in Free Agency based on their models.

 

Teams just have way smarter analytics now. They have a price for a player and they won't budge from it because doing so is a waste.

[TBJ12]

That likely doesn't take much more effort than a regular windup, if any. Bauer is already known for his intense training routine before games, I doubt the Indians care at this point.

 

Looked like an awful lot of effort to me. I'd be terrified if it was Stroman or Sanchez pulling a stunt like this.

[TheHurl]

Trevor Bauer at Driveline

 

Clocked throwing 117 mp/h using a three hop step

 

I suspect his team would like him to not be doing this

 

https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/01/11/indians-trevor-bauer-117-mph-pitch-video

 

And a 3 oz ball. The Indians have stated they are fully supportive of the Driveline training

[Abomination]

That's the perfect example of why the players are being screwed. A system so flush with money that a Tommy Hunter can be paid $9m a year because he's 31 and been around for years, but stars like Correa and Bryant are paid small fractions of their market worth because of artificially keeping contracts low in the first few years of a player's career, is a system that is at best deeply unfair, and at worst is broken.

 

In many ways that's true everywhere though. You get paid more as you gain seniority. It really just models any other business sector. Senior MLB players are basically the upper management and CEOs, rookies are the entry level guys, and MiLB players are the interns.

[Bobthe4th]

In many ways that's true everywhere though. You get paid more as you gain seniority. It really just models any other business sector. Senior MLB players are basically the upper management and CEOs, rookies are the entry level guys, and MiLB players are the interns.

 

Not in a performance driven marketplace like sport it isn’t. Because the main North American sports are closed systems with no realistic competition from other leagues then they can have such rules. But in any worldwide sport, players are paid based on talent first and seniority second.

[Captain Adama]

Not in a performance driven marketplace like sport it isn’t. Because the main North American sports are closed systems with no realistic competition from other leagues then they can have such rules. But in any worldwide sport, players are paid based on talent first and seniority second.

 

This is somewhat offset when players get signing bonuses through the draft or international signings.

[Abomination]

Not in a performance driven marketplace like sport it isn’t. Because the main North American sports are closed systems with no realistic competition from other leagues then they can have such rules. But in any worldwide sport, players are paid based on talent first and seniority second.

 

I'm not sure about that in team sports. Solo ones like golf and tennis, obviously.

[Bobthe4th]

I'm not sure about that in team sports. Solo ones like golf and tennis, obviously.

 

It happens in soccer, cricket, and both forms of rugby, which are the main non North American team sports.

 

It’s because with competition you can’t have a salary cap, and therefore you can’t restrict wages, because players will just go abroad to somewhere where they can get paid.

[L54]

That likely doesn't take much more effort than a regular windup, if any. Bauer is already known for his intense training routine before games, I doubt the Indians care at this point.

 

That certainly takes much more effort than a wind up, hence 117 mph.

[L54]

Trevor Bauer at Driveline

 

Clocked throwing 117 mp/h using a three hop step

 

I suspect his team would like him to not be doing this

 

https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/01/11/indians-trevor-bauer-117-mph-pitch-video

 

I doubt they care. It's not like he just picked it up and threw it with max intent like it was a game at the state fair.

 

There is a strict and diligent process that happens at driveline. Max velo days are the same as figuring out 1 rep max in the gym for squats, deadlifts or bench. Tested periodically to ensure the training is providing results! If it's not, find out why.

[Brownie19]

And a 3 oz ball. The Indians have stated they are fully supportive of the Driveline training

 

Driveline is likely one of the major reasons that Bauer is actually good now.

[AledmysDiaz]

Gotta feel for the Orioles, Britton might not even pitch in 2018.

[Jonn]

Gotta feel for the Orioles, Britton might not even pitch in 2018.

 

We feel nothing for the Orioles here.

[TheHurl]

Gotta feel for the Orioles, Britton might not even pitch in 2018.

 

Not pitching is better than coming back in September. Now they can not offer him arbitration (although I'd have to think that means the end of their relationship)

[Spanky__99]

Gotta feel for the Orioles, Britton might not even pitch in 2018.

 

Where are you getting this from, I'm finding half the season?

[Spanky__99]

Unresolved 2018 Arbitration Cases

By Jeff Todd | January 12, 2018 at 6:02pm CDT

 

We’ve covered a whole lot of arbitration deals today, many of them reached before today’s deadline to exchange filing figures. Some other agreements have come together after team and player submitted their numbers. It’s still possible, of course, that these situations will be resolved before an arbitration hearing becomes necessary. (At this point, we seem to lack full clarity on teams’ approaches to negotiations after the filing deadline. And most organizations make exceptions for multi-year deals even if they have a file-and-trial stance.)

 

Some situations could even be dealt with in short order. As things stand, though, these unresolved arbitration cases could turn into significant hearings. (As always, MLBTR’s 2018 arbitration projections can be found here; you will also want to reference MLBTR’s 2018 arbitration tracker.)

 

 

Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays: Stroman filed at $6.9MM, Toronto countered at $6.5MM (per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, via Twitter)

 

Roberto Osuna, Blue Jays: Osuna filed at $5.8MM, Toronto countered at $5.3MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

 

Mookie Betts, Red Sox: expected to go to hearing, per Alex Speier of the Boston Globe (via Twitter); Betts filed at $10.5MM, Boston countered at $7.5MM (per Jon Heyman of Fan Rag, via Twitter)

 

George Springer, Astros: did not settle, per Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter); Springer filed at $10.5MM, Houston countered at $8.5MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Ken Giles, Astros: did not settle, per Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter); Giles filed at $4.6MM, Houston countered at $4.2MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Collin McHugh, Astros: did not settle, per Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter); McHugh filed at $5.0MM, Houston countered at $4.55MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Jose Iglesias, Tigers: Iglesias filed at $6.8MM, Detroit countered at $5.6MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Avisail Garcia, White Sox: Garcia filed at $6.7MM, Chicago countered at $5.85MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Trevor Bauer, Indians: Bauer filed at $6.525MM, Cleveland countered at $5.3MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Jake Odorizzi, Rays: Odorizzi filed at $6.3MM, Tampa Bay countered at $6.05MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Adeiny Hechavarria, Rays: Hechavarria filed at $5.9MM, Tampa Bay countered at $5.35MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Kevin Gausman, Orioles: Gausman filed at $6.225MM, Baltimore countered at $5.3MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Scooter Gennett, Reds: expected to go to hearing, per Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer; Gennett filed at $5.7MM, Cincinnati countered at $5.1MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Eugenio Suarez, Reds: expected to go to hearing, per Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer

 

Shelby Miller, Diamondbacks: Miller filed at $4.9MM, Arizona countered $4.7MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Kyle Gibson, Twins: Gibson filed at $4.55MM, Minnesota countered at $4.2MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

J.T. Realmuto, Marlins: have not agreed to terms, per team announcement; Realmuto filed at $3.5MM, Miami countered at 2.9MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Dan Straily, Marlins: have not agreed to terms, per team announcement; Straily filed at $3.55MM, Miami countered at $3.57MM (per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, via Twitter)

 

Justin Bour, Marlins: have not agreed to terms, per team announcement; Bour filed at $3.4MM, Miami countered at $3MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Brandon Maurer, Royals: have hit stalemate, per Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com (via Twitter); Maurer filed at $3.5MM, Kansas City countered at $2.95MM (per Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star, via Twitter)

 

Felipe Rivero, Pirates: Rivero filed at $2.9MM, Pittsburgh countered at $2.4MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Kendall Graveman, Athletics: Graveman filed at $2.6MM, Oakland countered at $5.3MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Justin Grimm, Cubs: Grimm filed at $2.475MM, Chicago countered at $2.2MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Mike Foltynewicz, Braves: Foltynewicz filed at $2.3MM, Atlanta countered at $2.2MM (per Heyman, via Twitter)

 

Zack Wheeler, Mets: Wheeler filed at $1.9MM, New York countered at $1.5MM (per Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, via Twitter)

[Abomination]

 

Dan Straily, Marlins: have not agreed to terms, per team announcement; Straily filed at $3.55MM, Miami countered at $3.57MM (per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, via Twitter)

 

 

WTF, seriously Miami???

 

Ah, re-read it. Must be a typo.

[Jimcanuck]

Apparently the Royals are targetting Ryan Goins.

[Spanky__99]

Saw this pleasantry on MLBTR...

 

Aug. 1 through season’s end, Donaldson batted a ridiculous .302/.410/.698 batting line with 22 homers in 227 plate appearances.

 

Holy f***!

[Jonn]

Saw this pleasantry on MLBTR...

 

 

 

Holy f***!

 

That run he went on was ridiculous. Seems like he hit one out every at-bat.

Edited January 13, 2018 by Jonn

[Bobthe4th]

Not pitching is better than coming back in September. Now they can not offer him arbitration (although I'd have to think that means the end of their relationship)

 

O’s and Britton have now agreed at $12m.

[Rusty_Savage]

That's the perfect example of why the players are being screwed. A system so flush with money that a Tommy Hunter can be paid $9m a year because he's 31 and been around for years, but stars like Correa and Bryant are paid small fractions of their market worth because of artificially keeping contracts low in the first few years of a player's career, is a system that is at best deeply unfair, and at worst is broken.

 

But isn't that the same in every major sport? I'm pretty sure they all have rookie contracts. Bryant also just got paid 10 million per year, a record for a first year arb player. While 10 million a year may be under market value for a player of his ilk (and only a million more then Hunter) it's far from getting screwed. It's not a perfect system but it's not completely broken either.

[Bobthe4th]

But isn't that the same in every major North American sport? I'm pretty sure they all have rookie contracts. Bryant also just got paid 10 million per year, a record for a first year arb player. While 10 million a year may be under market value for a player of his ilk (and only a million more then Hunter) it's far from getting screwed. It's not a perfect system but it's not completely broken either.

 

FTFY!

 

Glory's original point (which I agree with) wasn't that the system needs to be torn up, but that it needs to be adjusted.

 

The closed system and salary caps of the North American sports means that mandated contract limits for the first few years are sensible. The nature of baseball player development and the almost unique situation where a draftee isn't expected to contribute for years (if at all) makes baseball's salary rules stricter than others, which is again understandable.

 

The MLB system is set up so that in theory the first few years a player is underpaid, and then when they hit free agency they are compensated by being overpaid.

 

However, we're potentially seeing a trend where front offices are no longer as willing to pay for past performance, and are much more mindful of committing funds to aging players. As in Glory's original point a change to the system could help to alleviate this. Whether that's changing how arbitration is handled, bringing free agency forward, or something else, is debatable.

[glory]

The issue is teams are starting to realize that the most valuable years of a player's career are their first six years. After that it becomes diminishing returns because they will start to be paid based on past performance and their future performance will likely dip, so there's not as much surplus value. That's why there are so many free agents left who are in their 30's. Teams, except for those run by Dombrowski, are not going to pay top dollar for a player's declining years anymore. Most players (unless they get called up very early) are free agents in the late 20's or 30's, so the first time they hit free agency will be when their prime is closer to being over (or already over) than it is to getting started. The time to get paid is during your prime because teams will be more likely to hand out bigger deals if they know they are getting more of the player's peak seasons. It won't hurt players like Machado and Harper next year, but it will hurt Donaldson.

 

I don't mind rookie contracts and things like that, but there has to be adjustments made. Starting arb sooner and increasing the minimum salary might be the safest compromise as it will still give teams six years of control but will give the player more money during that time. Best of both worlds.

[G-Snarls]

O’s and Britton have now agreed at $12m.

 

That's a lot of money to have a guy barely pitch and then walk in free agency

 

Ouch

 

I guess it's a sign of good faith that MAYBE helps them retain him

[jaysfan2014]

The issue is teams are starting to realize that the most valuable years of a player's career are their first six years. After that it becomes diminishing returns because they will start to be paid based on past performance and their future performance will likely dip, so there's not as much surplus value. That's why there are so many free agents left who are in their 30's. Teams, except for those run by Dombrowski, are not going to pay top dollar for a player's declining years anymore. Most players (unless they get called up very early) are free agents in the late 20's or 30's, so the first time they hit free agency will be when their prime is closer to being over (or already over) than it is to getting started. The time to get paid is during your prime because teams will be more likely to hand out bigger deals if they know they are getting more of the player's peak seasons. It won't hurt players like Machado and Harper next year, but it will hurt Donaldson.

 

I don't mind rookie contracts and things like that, but there has to be adjustments made. Starting arb sooner and increasing the minimum salary might be the safest compromise as it will still give teams six years of control but will give the player more money during that time. Best of both worlds.

 

Exactly. Some times, like the Tigers, as you've said, have learned this the hard way.. Miguel Cabrera, Jordan Zimmermann are humongous albatrosses on Detroit.. other notables include Albert Pujols of the Angels, who the Cardinals were smart not to extend him.. Jose Bautista of our Blue Jays(thank god we're out of that contract!), Kendrys Morales (sort of), Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, and possibly David Price of the Red Sox.. and Chris Davis of the Orioles, an albatross of a contract that is going to lead to Machado heading elsewhere (Yankees?)..