Around Baseball 2023

[Laika]

Wow the Rangers worked some magic to get these guys all on minor league deals. Insane.

 

The Rangers announced this evening that left-hander Danny Duffy and outfielders Clint Frazier* and Travis Jankowski have signed minor league deals with non-roster invitations to big league camp. Texas also confirmed previously-reported minor league deals for Reyes Moronta and Ian Kennedy.

[Spanky__99]

Wow the Rangers worked some magic to get these guys all on minor league deals. Insane.

 

The Rangers announced this evening that left-hander Danny Duffy and outfielders Clint Frazier* and Travis Jankowski have signed minor league deals with non-roster invitations to big league camp. Texas also confirmed previously-reported minor league deals for Reyes Moronta and Ian Kennedy.

 

That's kind of impressive voodoo s***. Duffy not getting an MLB contract is puzzling.

[Laika]

Oh Duffy didn't pitch in 2022. That makes sense then I guess.

[Spanky__99]

Oh Duffy didn't pitch in 2022. That makes sense then I guess.

 

Even still, look at the BAT projections, someone should've been on him, like say Toronto.

 

Could've got him for Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeap!

[Laika]

Even still, look at the BAT projections, someone should've been on him, like say Toronto.

 

Yeahhhh but those aren't going to know if he's hurt and possibly done

[Spanky__99]

Yeahhhh but those aren't going to know if he's hurt and possibly done

 

True, he could've been had for peanuts, meh...

[Laika]

Jan. 30: Wacha has been seeking a two-year deal worth roughly $30MM, writes USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. That would trail only Justin Verlander and Nathan Eovaldi for the largest two-year deal given to a starting pitcher this winter, and clearly Verlander isn’t a relevant point of comparison in this instance. Generally speaking, second- and third-tier starters who’ve signed two-year pacts in free agency have landed in the $16-25MM range over the past several years.

 

 

good luck Wacha!

[jaysblue]

Wacha isn't getting 2 years, $30 million. He'll likely have to settle for $20M over two years now.

[jaysblue]

Phillies signed Josh Harrison to a one-year deal worth $2M. Nice bench depth and at a good price.

[Laika]

Wacha isn't getting 2 years, $30 million. He'll likely have to settle for $20M over two years now.

 

one year deal maybe at this point

[Krylian]

Jan. 30: Wacha has been seeking a two-year deal worth roughly $30MM, writes USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. That would trail only Justin Verlander and Nathan Eovaldi for the largest two-year deal given to a starting pitcher this winter, and clearly Verlander isn’t a relevant point of comparison in this instance. Generally speaking, second- and third-tier starters who’ve signed two-year pacts in free agency have landed in the $16-25MM range over the past several years.

 

 

good luck Wacha!

 

Wacha Wacha

 

[jaysblue]

Surprised Profar is still available, though heard a lot of teams are put off by his asking price.

[Laika]

Surprised Profar is still available, though heard a lot of teams are put off by his asking price.

 

I bet it's the same dynamic as Wacha

 

Agent trying to push for a bigger contract

 

He's an awkward guy to price. Really nice piece, can play all over, is young, good PD skills with a bit of pop

 

But few teams want to go multiple years on a UTIL piece or bench guy

[Brownie19]

There are always going to be a few FA's who slip through the cracks as teams load up on the guys they want. I think at this point, Profar and Wacha are hoping there are some injuries, or some trades that open up a new market for them.

 

In the meantime, Zack Greinke is going to back to KC - probably to finish off his career. Do we think Greinke is a HOFer?

[John_Havok]

There are always going to be a few FA's who slip through the cracks as teams load up on the guys they want. I think at this point, Profar and Wacha are hoping there are some injuries, or some trades that open up a new market for them.

 

In the meantime, Zack Greinke is going to back to KC - probably to finish off his career. Do we think Greinke is a HOFer?

 

My gut reaction is no, but... id have to do a deeper dive on some things before arriving at a conclusion

[keggy]

There are always going to be a few FA's who slip through the cracks as teams load up on the guys they want. I think at this point, Profar and Wacha are hoping there are some injuries, or some trades that open up a new market for them.

 

In the meantime, Zack Greinke is going to back to KC - probably to finish off his career. Do we think Greinke is a HOFer?

 

He's borderline. If he gets to 3000 Ks it will be hard to keep him out.

[Jimcanuck]

There are always going to be a few FA's who slip through the cracks as teams load up on the guys they want. I think at this point, Profar and Wacha are hoping there are some injuries, or some trades that open up a new market for them.

 

In the meantime, Zack Greinke is going to back to KC - probably to finish off his career. Do we think Greinke is a HOFer?

 

Yeah, lower FIP XFIP than Pettite and Sabathia, the two closest contemporaries not in the HOF.

[jaysblue]

I bet it's the same dynamic as Wacha

 

Agent trying to push for a bigger contract

 

He's an awkward guy to price. Really nice piece, can play all over, is young, good PD skills with a bit of pop

 

But few teams want to go multiple years on a UTIL piece or bench guy

 

Yeah exactly.

 

Profar is a nice piece, but he definitely is kind of stuck in limbo. Probably pushing for a bigger contract, guaranteed starting role/ABs and wants to play on a contender. Though a contending team is unlikely to use him as a starting corner OF.

 

I'm sure even on a contender, Profar could get 400-500ABs due to him being able to play all over. But yeah, wouldn't go multiple years on him.

[jaysblue]

Greinke was definitely a model of consistency. His 2009 season is probably his only standout/special season (8.7 WAR), though otherwise he was a consistent 4-5 WAR pitcher every season, pitching over 200 innings with solid ratios. For most of his career, he stayed healthy as well.

 

Career 65.5 WAR and he's close to 3000K's. Likely needs to pitch two more seasons to reach the 3000K milestone unless he strikes out 120 this upcoming season.

 

I think he should be HOF worthy. Not a first ballot but he should make his way on at some point.

[Laika]

100% Hall of Fame for Greinke

 

I think his personality helps too. He's... unique.

[Pendleton]

[jaysblue]

Greinke didn't get the hype like Verlander, Kershaw and Scherzer, though he definitely was one of the top elite starters during the last decade when you look at the numbers. He had a really solid career when all is said and done which I think is HOF worthy.

[BTS]

 

Dude was fun to watch. Almost unhittable at his peak. Solid career.

[Laika]

Greinke didn't get the hype like Verlander, Kershaw and Scherzer, though he definitely was one of the top elite starters during the last decade when you look at the numbers. He had a really solid career when all is said and done which I think is HOF worthy.

 

Long career + at his peak he was literally the best P in baseball

[jaysblue]

Long career + at his peak he was literally the best P in baseball

 

Do you think he's a first ballot Hall of Famer?

[Orgfiller]

There are always going to be a few FA's who slip through the cracks as teams load up on the guys they want. I think at this point, Profar and Wacha are hoping there are some injuries, or some trades that open up a new market for them.

 

In the meantime, Zack Greinke is going to back to KC - probably to finish off his career. Do we think Greinke is a HOFer?

 

IMO yes. His closest comp WAR wise is Roy Halladay funny enough, literally currently identical WAR figures, where you trade some prime/peak years performance for longevity. Won a Cy Young during his insane 2009 season, and aside from non pitcher specific duties he also has been an elite defender at his position his entire career - with 6 GGs to show for it for what it's worth - and has two Silver Sluggers as one of those rare pitchers that didn't completely embarrass himself at the plate back when that was still a thing. The biggest drawback is you probably wouldn't say he was at one point necessarily the downright best pitcher in the game (09 season aside), which Halladay was, but I think it's unfair to dock him for existing in the same timeframe as Doc himself, Kershaw, Verlander, Max Scherzer and 2018-2020 deGrom, when he was still an ace himself. He's 4th in WAR behind those three contemporaries of his since his debut and those guys are all first ballot HOF.

[Jimcanuck]

Greinke should get in, but it depends in part on who is on the ballot at the same time.

 

You've got Scherzer and Verlander likely retired around the same time, Kershaw maybe a year or two later. Who else?

[jaysblue]

IMO yes. His closest comp WAR wise is Roy Halladay funny enough, literally currently identical WAR figures, where you trade some prime/peak years performance for longevity. Won a Cy Young during his insane 2009 season, and aside from non pitcher specific duties he also has been an elite defender at his position his entire career - with 6 GGs to show for it for what it's worth - and has two Silver Sluggers as one of those rare pitchers that didn't completely embarrass himself at the plate back when that was still a thing. The biggest drawback is you probably wouldn't say he was at one point necessarily the downright best pitcher in the game (09 season aside), which Halladay was, but I think it's unfair to dock him for existing in the same timeframe as Doc himself, Kershaw, Verlander, Max Scherzer and 2018-2020 deGrom, when he was still an ace himself. He's 4th in WAR behind those three contemporaries of his since his debut and those guys are all first ballot HOF.

 

Pretty much on par with Doc in terms of a comparable. Doc had more dominant seasons where he was the best in baseball, though Greinke was still one of the elite arms in the game and had longevity. Completely forgot about his gold gloves as well.

[jaysblue]

Greinke should get in, but it depends in part on who is on the ballot at the same time.

 

You've got Scherzer and Verlander likely retired around the same time, Kershaw maybe a year or two later. Who else?

 

I think just those three arms you mentioned. Verlander, Scherzer and Kershaw likely will retire around the same time.

 

For position players, Pujols and Molina retired last season. Miguel Cabrera after 2023 and Joey Votto possibly can retire after this season or next.

[Orgfiller]

Greinke should get in, but it depends in part on who is on the ballot at the same time.

 

You've got Scherzer and Verlander likely retired around the same time, Kershaw maybe a year or two later. Who else?

 

I don’t think there’s ever going to be an issue where Greinke gets on the ballot with 10 surefire HOFs at the same time for even a single ballot, let alone his entire cycle. He’ll get in easily within 2 or 3 if the idiotic BBWA writers don’t vote him in first time. Greinke is an extremely uncontroversial player off the field, quirky personality and all. His three closest (better) contemporaries are Kershaw, Max and Verlander and those guys will all get on their first ballot.