Around Baseball 2020

[max silver]

Still seems bananas that John Gibbons would not be the perfect hire for their situation.

 

You can't help but wonder whether he simply isn't viewed very favorable by the baseball world at large. Those of us who got to see how he operated on a regular basis were able to gain an appreciation of how savvy of a manager Gibbons is despite the "aw shucks" personality, but the fact that he has never been able to obtain another MLB managing gig outside of Toronto is very telling.

[Laika]

You can't help but wonder whether he simply isn't viewed very favorable by the baseball world at large. Those of us who got to see how he operated on a regular basis were able to gain an appreciation of how savvy of a manager Gibbons is despite the "aw shucks" personality, but the fact that he has never been able to obtain another MLB managing gig outside of Toronto is very telling.

 

I wouldn't call him savvy. He is a great players' manager and he is not a horrible tactical manager. He's definitely a dying breed though. I'm not surprised he hasn't found another managerial gig; there are a bunch of guys like him for every open position.

[Spanky__99]

 

This went as expected, none of these guys that filed grievances will win.

[BTS]

Anyone else find that the ZiPS comps are uncharacteristically bad this year? The #1 comp for Josh Bell is Dan Johnson?

[Laika]

Anyone else find that the ZiPS comps are uncharacteristically bad this year? The #1 comp for Josh Bell is Dan Johnson?

 

ZiPS sucks.

[Ray]

The writing was on the wall regarding Bryant's grievance.

 

Cubs didn't technically do anything wrong, but I do feel for Bryant. He had 171/172 days required to fulfill a year of service time and still ended up playing a whole season in his rookie year (151 games, 650 PA) whilst essentially not getting the proper credit for it. On top of that, how much money is he potentially losing by hitting the free agent market at age 29 vs. 30?

[Boxcar]

Look on the bright side. It's not like he had any power to lose to begin with.

 

Matt Olson broke his hamate bone in the first week last year and hit almost 40 dingers in 127 games.

[Spanky__99]

Running a .285 ISO only after they implemented that juiced ball in triple A.

 

He has adequate power as a MIF and his hit tool is very good, I don't get the shade.

[Laika]

Robbie Erlin signing a minor league deal with Pittsburgh. Can't understand how he does not get a MLB contract. Do players care less these days about MLB vs MiLB deals, if they have confidence in their abilities, see a good path to playing time, and the contract allows a high enough MLB salary when they are on the roster?

[Spanky__99]

Robbie Erlin signing a minor league deal with Pittsburgh. Can't understand how he does not get a MLB contract. Do players care less these days about MLB vs MiLB deals, if they have confidence in their abilities, see a good path to playing time, and the contract allows a high enough MLB salary when they are on the roster?

 

Sure seems that way, he likely has a kickass MLB kick in.

[Orgfiller]

Matt Olson broke his hamate bone in the first week last year and hit almost 40 dingers in 127 games.

 

Yeah but Matt Olson is exceptional at baseball so I'm not sure this is an apt counterexample to bring up.

[z3r0s]

Reds get Strop

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/01/reds-sign-pedro-strop.html

 

nice little deal for them. I would have taken a gamble on Strop all day, especially at that number (even with incentives included)

[TheHurl]

With the official announcement of no more than 13 pitchers on the 26 man (14 on the 27 for doubleheaders) that makes 3 of MLBPA's requests either happening or appear to be on their way (essentially the creation of the development deal, 26 man rosters with a pitching limit, and DH in the NL). I do believe the fears of a strike are lessening for 2021.

 

MLBPA is dumb enough to celebrate these small victories and will f*** themselves in 2021 when all they get is a change to the arb system.

[Jimcanuck]

Reds get Strop

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/01/reds-sign-pedro-strop.html

 

nice little deal for them. I would have taken a gamble on Strop all day, especially at that number (even with incentives included)

 

Sure seems like the Jays are going to fill out the bullpen using the surplus collection of cost controlled, back end and depth SP types.

[Brownie19]

https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1937473/astros-baker-illegal-sign-stealing-wont-happen-on-my-watch

 

"It's certainly not going to happen on my watch and I don't see it happening ever again because this has been embarrassing for a lot of people," Baker said

 

I wonder if he'll be as effective at preventing cheating in his clubhouse as he was back when he managed Bonds and Sosa...

[Beans]

https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1937473/astros-baker-illegal-sign-stealing-wont-happen-on-my-watch

 

"It's certainly not going to happen on my watch and I don't see it happening ever again because this has been embarrassing for a lot of people," Baker said

 

I wonder if he'll be as effective at preventing cheating in his clubhouse as he was back when he managed Bonds and Sosa...

“Steroid McCarthyism”

[Boxcar]

Yeah but Matt Olson is exceptional at baseball so I'm not sure this is an apt counterexample to bring up.

 

Any excuse to talk about how awesome Matt Olson is should be taken imo

[Stangstag]

I wonder if he'll be as effective at preventing cheating in his clubhouse as he was back when he managed Bonds and Sosa...

 

What a stupid statement

[Pendleton]

Granderson announced his retirement

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7_Fzp4JjBW/

[Beans]

 

Sad news... he was one of my favourites growing up.

[Jimcanuck]

Just two years older than me. He became the full time shortstop in the division winning 1985 year, when the entire province went baseball mad. Seemed like anything, and I mean anything, hit on the ground on the left side would be an out. He could contort himself to make ridiculous throws, always on the money.

[Beans]

Just two years older than me. He became the full time shortstop in the division winning 1985 year, when the entire province went baseball mad. Seemed like anything, and I mean anything, hit on the ground on the left side would be an out. He could contort himself to make ridiculous throws, always on the money.

Sidearm throw, too! I was a baby in the 80s, so I fell in love with him when he returned to the Jays in the late 90s. Loves that unorthodox batting stance. He was so graceful at the plate and on the field.

 

Que Descanse En Paz, Tony Fernandez

[Grant77]

Get well Tony!

[Angrioter]

 

Sad news... he was one of my favourites growing up.

He's part of my family.

Tony is in a very difficult health situation.

[Carlos Danger]

He's part of my family.

Tony is in a very difficult health situation.

 

lo siento amigo.. Espero el siente mejor pronto..

 

Check your PMs and Fantrax trade proposals hermano.

 

Gracias!

[Laika]

Ang: my relative is dying

Danger: check your fantasy trade offers, bro!

[Carlos Danger]

Ang: my relative is dying

Danger: check your fantasy trade offers, bro!

 

I am going to fall on my sword here..... I def could have handled that better...

[Laika]

I am going to fall on my sword here..... I def could have handled that better...

 

It’s fine, angrioter is probably his 17th cousin twice removed and once mangoed

[z3r0s]

Jefress to the Cubs for a song. I would have liked to have him and strop for the peanuts they cost. Would have added some real upside to our BP

[Laika]

Jefress to the Cubs for a song. I would have liked to have him and strop for the peanuts they cost. Would have added some real upside to our BP

 

It's very interesting that Toronto turned to Yamaguchi and Rafael Dolis over some of these guys with recent MLB production.

 

How Dolis and Shun perform will say a lot about Toronto's scouting/analytics/projection department.