Around Baseball 2021

[Brownie19]

After seeing Ray throw 24 of 26 pitches for strikes the other day - a friend asked me - is there a strategy or philosophy on how many pitches you should throw for strikes? I thought it was an interesting question. I mean for Ray who has great stuff - I suspect the answer is throw as many strikes as you can.

 

But for a control pitcher like Ryu, does anyone know if he strategically tries to throw a certain % outside the strike zone? I suspect there are so many variables that it would be difficult to game plan for such a thing. Curious if anyone had thoughts.

[Jays24]

Latest On Yoenis Cespedes

March 2nd, 2021 at 8:43pm CST • By Connor Byrne

 

Free-agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes held a showcase in Florida that 11 teams attended on Tuesday, according to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post. The Yankees, White Sox, Brewers, Blue Jays, Tigers (one of Cespedes’ ex-teams), Padres, Rays, Reds, Marlins, Cubs and Braves were all on hand to watch Cespedes, per Davidoff.

 

One thing you can say, the Jays sure do their due diligence. I don't see how he'd fit on this team as currently constructed unless we're moving one of our current OFers and I don't think he's good enough now to make any corresponding moves for.

[G-Snarls]

One thing you can say, the Jays sure do their due diligence. I don't see how he'd fit on this team as currently constructed unless we're moving one of our current OFers and I don't think he's good enough now to make any corresponding moves for.

 

Jays really were involved at least on a check in basis on pretty much every free agent this winter and a showed a willingness to spend for the right players. They got quality and filled needs very nicely. Springer, Semien and Yates are all great, quality adds.

[Brownie19]

One thing you can say, the Jays sure do their due diligence. I don't see how he'd fit on this team as currently constructed unless we're moving one of our current OFers and I don't think he's good enough now to make any corresponding moves for.

 

Good due diligence in the event of an injury this spring...

[G-Snarls]

After seeing Ray throw 24 of 26 pitches for strikes the other day - a friend asked me - is there a strategy or philosophy on how many pitches you should throw for strikes? I thought it was an interesting question. I mean for Ray who has great stuff - I suspect the answer is throw as many strikes as you can.

 

But for a control pitcher like Ryu, does anyone know if he strategically tries to throw a certain % outside the strike zone? I suspect there are so many variables that it would be difficult to game plan for such a thing. Curious if anyone had thoughts.

 

That's a very good question and I can't find any decent articles on the topic.

 

The best guys seem to throw 65-69% strikes. I'm sure there IS a point, like you suggest, where you're throwing too many. You want, in some counts, for guys to chase balls out of the zone. And you want to keep them guessing. So yeah I'm sure something crazy like 90% strikes would be way too many and would probably make you too hittable.

Edited March 3, 2021 by G-Snarls

[jerb]

[G-Snarls]

Jeez, a pacemaker for someone only 47 year old is a little uncommon

[wilko]

Jeez, a pacemaker for someone only 47 year old is a little uncommon

 

Not as uncommon as you'd think. I know a girl who got one put in when she was in her late 20's. If you suffer from heart issues, it's pretty common.

[Dick_Pole]

That's a very good question and I can't find any decent articles on the topic.

 

The best guys seem to throw 65-69% strikes. I'm sure there IS a point, like you suggest, where you're throwing too many. You want, in some counts, for guys to chase balls out of the zone. And you want to keep them guessing. So yeah I'm sure something crazy like 90% strikes would be way too many and would probably make you too hittable.

 

Josh Towers says hi.

[G-Snarls]

Not as uncommon as you'd think. I know a girl who got one put in when she was in her late 20's. If you suffer from heart issues, it's pretty common.

 

Oh yeah, I know. Can happen at any age, just uncommon.

[Deadpool]

Oh yeah, I know. Can happen at any age, just uncommon.

 

I'm 42, and if I hadn't shown any improvement in my last echocardiogram they were considering putting one in for me. Fortunately, I showed "mild improvement" (I'm officially out of the red zone on this chart yay!) so that discussion is pushed off for at least 6 months.

[G-Snarls]

I'm 42, and if I hadn't shown any improvement in my last echocardiogram they were considering putting one in for me. Fortunately, I showed "mild improvement" (I'm officially out of the red zone on this chart yay!) so that discussion is pushed off for at least 6 months.

 

Well worse yet would be a bad left ventricle on the echo and needing a defibrillator. Is that what they were considering? Hope you keep getting better man. Covid-19 f'n sucks.

[Deadpool]

Well worse yet would be a bad left ventricle on the echo and needing a defibrillator. Is that what they were considering? Hope you keep getting better man. Covid-19 f'n sucks.

 

Oh, right it was a defibrillator that he mentioned... I always mix that up, 'cause I think of defibrillators as the "CLEAR!" machines from medical dramas...

 

I don't think he's ever said anything about a specific ventricle being a problem, just general "weakness", I had an angiogram (man, that is really uncomfortable) that showed limited blockages in my arteries at least - that's what ruled out this being a heart attack. Honestly, I feel pretty good these days. I've lost a STUPID amount of weight and muscle mass, and my energy levels haven't come close to recovering, but the medication I'm on is keeping me very functional, so hooray for better living through chemistry! I miss beer though, like... a lot.

 

And yeah, it REALLY does suck. My bassist and his wife ended up getting it as well, no idea if they have any long-term complications as of yet though. I appreciate the well-wishing also

[G-Snarls]

Totally forgot Aaron Boone had open heart valve replacement surgery like 10 years ago. So this is much less of a surprise

[Spanky__99]

Ohtani hit a 468 FT bomb over the batters eye to Center.

[Spanky__99]

It's been nice seeing fans in attendance, same goes for the NHL, well, the American rinks, anyhow.

[Brownie19]

lol @ Ohtani wasting his career pitching.

 

really rooting for Ohtani this year.

[G-Snarls]

Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. plans to sign a two-year, $24 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that includes an opt-out after the first year, a source familiar with the contract told ESPN.

[G-Snarls]

Boras seems to have misplayed this one

 

Can't help but think JBJ could have had a deal as good or slightly better (3/36 maybe) than this back in Dec/Jan if they'd not held out for a bigger deal that he was never going to get.

 

Now he signs a modest 2 year deal well into spring training, with a team where he is an awkward fit and won't even get to play center field very often.

[saskjayfan]

lol @ Ohtani wasting his career pitching.

 

Wasn't he hitting 97 on the gun this year!

[G-Snarls]

Wasn't he hitting 97 on the gun this year!

 

Yes. He can pitch and at a high level

 

The issue is that his injuries from pitching have cost him enormous amounts of playing time

 

Hopefully he can get back to doing both for at least a bit

[Jays24]

Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. plans to sign a two-year, $24 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that includes an opt-out after the first year, a source familiar with the contract told ESPN.

 

If we paid JBJ 12 per this offseason, I'd be pissed. There was a time where JBJ and Wong were being thrown around here as our potential offseason. I think we upgraded slightly on that lol.

[wilko]

Boras seems to have misplayed this one

 

Can't help but think JBJ could have had a deal as good or slightly better (3/36 maybe) than this back in Dec/Jan if they'd not held out for a bigger deal that he was never going to get.

 

Now he signs a modest 2 year deal well into spring training, with a team where he is an awkward fit and won't even get to play center field very often.

 

Good. f*** Boras.

[G-Snarls]

If we paid JBJ 12 per this offseason, I'd be pissed. There was a time where JBJ and Wong were being thrown around here as our potential offseason. I think we upgraded slightly on that lol.

 

LOL Hell yeah

 

Springer + Semien over Bradley Jr + Wong is what, at least 6-8 wins better???

[Laika]

LOL Hell yeah

 

Springer + Semien over Bradley Jr + Wong is what, at least 6-8 wins better???

 

Yeah but it would have been like, JBJ + Wong + Bauer + Paxton instead of Springer + Semien + Yates + trading for Matz (or whatever, you get the point)

[G-Snarls]

Yeah but it would have been like, JBJ + Wong + Bauer + Paxton instead of Springer + Semien + Yates + trading for Matz (or whatever, you get the point)

 

Good point, yes

 

If they had had to settle for JBJ and Wong they would have spent more money elsewhere

[Brownie19]

Brewers have the best defense in baseball now?

[Orgfiller]

Brewers have the best defense in baseball now?

 

Rays are still better. The Brewers have Narvaez at catcher who has rated as one of the worst in the sport, Kiermaier > everyone, Margot is quite good himself, Adames > Arcia, Choi/Yandy Diaz > Keston Hiura at first (lol), Wendle is excellent throughout the infield. Not sure how Randy rates as a LF but he's probably equal to if not better than Yelich. The Brewers really only have an advantage with Wong at 2B and at best slightly better at CF/RF with Cain/JBJ versus KK/Margot.

[Terminator]

JBJ isn't very good. He's Kevin Pillar but 2 years younger and bats left handed which comes in handy because he's playable more often. 24 mil for him would be a hard pass from me.

 

They would have been better off signing Robbie Grossman or Marwin Gonzalez for a fraction of the cost and then sprinkling the savings in to pitching depth.

[Deadpool]

good point, yes

 

if they had had to settle for jbj and wong they could have spent more money elsewhere

 

ftfy