Around Baseball 2024

[Sorrow]

Kyle Tucker has one more year of control and is arb eligible before he becomes a FA in 2026.

 

Wonder with the Astros struggles this season, do you think they shop him at the deadline or in the offseason if they can't sign him to an extension?

 

I imagine so. It’s what the Jays should do with Guerrero and Bichette if we can’t sign either of them as well.

[jaysblue]

I imagine so. It’s what the Jays should do with Guerrero and Bichette if we can’t sign either of them as well.

 

Yeah agree Blue Jays should explore all options when it comes to Bo and/or Vladdy.

 

Difference is Kyle Tucker is actually playing at an elite level - so far 3.2 fWAR with a 176 wRC+ this season.

[Stangstag]

Yeah agree Blue Jays should explore all options when it comes to Bo and/or Vladdy.

 

Difference is Kyle Tucker is actually playing at an elite level - so far 3.2 fWAR with a 176 wRC+ this season.

 

Goddamn, didn’t realize he was doing that well

[G-Snarls]

Mookie Betts came out of game after being hit on the hand

 

Edit: with video.

Ouch, ouch. That looks sooo bad.

 

Edited June 17, 2024 by G-Snarls

[hanton]

Mookie Betts came out of game after being hit on the hand

 

fractured, he'll be out for a while

 

Bo to the Dodgers makes even more sense now

[connorp]

Royce Lewis 40abs 7hr

[Spanky99]

I can tell you with 99% certainty he’ll go to the Dodgers

 

I can tell you with 100% certainty he'll be going to the team that drafts him.

[connorp]

I can tell you with 100% certainty he'll be going to the team that drafts him.

 

There’s three things 100% in life. Death, taxes, and the fact that you’re wearing Depends rn. Not much else

[Spanky99]

Royce Lewis 40abs 7hr

 

Soft tissue injury incoming, well done c-poop.

[connorp]

“Hung Jung” gets back after next week too

No homo.

[jaysblue]

Goddamn, didn’t realize he was doing that well

 

Yeah same here. Will be interesting to see what kind of contract he gets as a free agent. He's definitely a Top 10 player in the game.

[Stangstag]

I can tell you with 100% certainty he'll be going to the team that drafts him.

 

Thought he was talking about Roki Sasaki, who is almost definitely going to be posted and signed by the Dodgers

[Brownie19]

What is up with the Texas Rangers? They kind of limped into the playoffs last year, then go on this magical run, win the title and now they are s*** again?

[Eat My Shatkins]

What is up with the Texas Rangers? They kind of limped into the playoffs last year, then go on this magical run, win the title and now they are s*** again?

 

Honestly, as the Jays sit here hanging around in striking distance WC3, Houston and Texas being just behind us makes me nervous. I could see either one of them going on a 2nd half tear potentially.

 

Adolis Garcia with 4.4 fWAR last season has 0 fWAR so far this season. Turned into a pumpkin

[Orgfiller]

Francisco Lindor is sitting at 49 career fWAR, and this is still his age 30 season. Looking like a very probably HOF, he also had a pretty impressive 7 year peak that looks a bit worse than it is due to the shortened 2020 year, and some hardware to his name - 4x AS, 3x Silver Slugger, 2x GG.

[Laika]

What is up with the Texas Rangers? They kind of limped into the playoffs last year, then go on this magical run, win the title and now they are s*** again?

 

Their script for 2024 was always going to be:

 

Step 1 - survive

Step 2 - thrive once DeGrom, Scherzer, Mahle return

 

They are falling behind a bit too much on the Step 1 because of the Jung injury, not getting as much as expected from Carter and Langford, some other injuries and underperformances (Seager, Adolis).

 

Second half sleeping giant though.

 

Houston, not so much IMO because they just don't have the arms or the farm that they used to have. Not really much cavalry in sight for them.

[Brownie19]

Francisco Lindor is sitting at 49 career fWAR, and this is still his age 30 season. Looking like a very probably HOF, he also had a pretty impressive 7 year peak that looks a bit worse than it is due to the shortened 2020 year, and some hardware to his name - 4x AS, 3x Silver Slugger, 2x GG.

 

It will be interesting to see how he ages. His bat is good, but not elite and you have to expect the defense and baserunning will decline in his early 30's. Great player though. Good chance for the HOF.

[BTS]

Francisco Lindor is sitting at 49 career fWAR, and this is still his age 30 season. Looking like a very probably HOF, he also had a pretty impressive 7 year peak that looks a bit worse than it is due to the shortened 2020 year, and some hardware to his name - 4x AS, 3x Silver Slugger, 2x GG.

 

There are a few position players in the process of transitioning from possible to likley/slam dunk HoFers:

 

Freeman - slam dunk

Betts - slam dunk, possible 1st ballot all-time great

Altuve - slam dunk

Lindor - probable

Harper - probable

J-Ram - probable

Judge - probable

 

Bottom 4 all seem more likely than not at this point, but still have to maintain a decent quality of play for a few more years.

 

Seems like Goldschmidt and Arenado might be in trouble now that they seem to have had precipitous declines. Maybe they've both done enough though?

[Brownie19]

Their script for 2024 was always going to be:

 

Step 1 - survive

Step 2 - thrive once DeGrom, Scherzer, Mahle return

 

They are falling behind a bit too much on the Step 1 because of the Jung injury, not getting as much as expected from Carter and Langford, some other injuries and underperformances (Seager, Adolis).

 

Second half sleeping giant though.

 

Houston, not so much IMO because they just don't have the arms or the farm that they used to have. Not really much cavalry in sight for them.

 

I mean, the Rangers won the WS without DeGrom or Scherzer last year, but I do hear you. Getting absolutely nothing from Carter and Langford - what a disaster those 2 have been. Heim, Duran and Taveras are hitting like Ryan Goins. Garcia is an absolute pumpkin. Crazy how fast things can change. Must be the hitting coaches fault.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Isaac Paredes up for arb after this season and well on his way to another 4+ fWAR season. I wonder where he ends up next year, or alter this year? Which playoff juggernaut needs a 3B?

 

I remember hearing rumors that the Jays were in discussions with Tampa for him, I wonder what they were asking for in return, if true?

[Stangstag]

Isaac Paredes up for arb after this season and well on his way to another 4+ fWAR season. I wonder where he ends up next year, or alter this year? Which playoff juggernaut needs a 3B?

 

I remember hearing rumors that the Jays were in discussions with Tampa for him, I wonder what they were asking for in return, if true?

 

I want no part of any deals with Tampa.

 

Actually, if I were Ross I would call them up and ask who they want for Paredes, then make sure I NEVER trade those players that were asked about.

[Brownie19]

There are a few position players in the process of transitioning from possible to likley/slam dunk HoFers:

 

Freeman - slam dunk

Betts - slam dunk, possible 1st ballot all-time great

Altuve - slam dunk

Lindor - probable

Harper - probable

J-Ram - probable

Judge - probable

 

Bottom 4 all seem more likely than not at this point, but still have to maintain a decent quality of play for a few more years.

 

Seems like Goldschmidt and Arenado might be in trouble now that they seem to have had precipitous declines. Maybe they've both done enough though?

 

Arenado isn't even at 50 WAR and his in his age 33 season. I think he needs a dead cat bounce. Goldy probably does too. Both great players, but perhaps not HOF worthy. I think the other 4 you mention do, but J-Ram likely needs a few more great years.

[BTS]

I mean, the Rangers won the WS without DeGrom or Scherzer last year, but I do hear you. Getting absolutely nothing from Carter and Langford - what a disaster those 2 have been. Heim, Duran and Taveras are hitting like Ryan Goins. Garcia is an absolute pumpkin. Crazy how fast things can change. Must be the hitting coaches fault.

 

Is it just me or does their seem to be more variance in offensive performance year to year than there used to be? Feels like a lot of hitters are going full seasons now never finding 'their level'. Pitchers seem more consistent performance wise, until and unless they break. I have no idea whether this is true, or if I'm just biased because I watch Toronto, TB, and Atlanta more than any other teams and a bunch of bats on all those rosters have no-showed the season so far.

[BTS]

Arenado isn't even at 50 WAR and his in his age 33 season. I think he needs a dead cat bounce. Goldy probably does too. Both great players, but perhaps not HOF worthy. I think the other 4 you mention do, but J-Ram likely needs a few more great years.

 

I feel like Arenado's 10 straight gold gloves will elevate him beyond what you'd expect for a guy who might finish with like 50-55 fWAR.

 

10 straight gold gloves

300-400 HRs

1000 R

1200 RBI

5 silver slugger awards

6 top-10 MVP finishes

 

That feels like a HoF resume to me. I think he can limp to the finish with a few 1-2 win seasons and get by on the hardware

[Orgfiller]

Arenado isn't even at 50 WAR and his in his age 33 season. I think he needs a dead cat bounce. Goldy probably does too. Both great players, but perhaps not HOF worthy. I think the other 4 you mention do, but J-Ram likely needs a few more great years.

 

For what it's worth, Arenado is at 54.5 bWAR and has a ton of accolades - 8x AS, 5x Silver Slugger, 10 GG, 6 of which became platinum gloves as recognition for being the best defender in baseball. I think Coors effect will dampen him, as is the bar to clear the 3B HOF discussion, but he's up there for best 3B defenders ever with a good reputation around the league. It's a very Scott Rolen like resume, and Rolen limped to an induction. Rolen was the better player thus far obviously, but Arenado is "only" 33 so there could be a couple of dead cat bounce seasons to prop up his candidacy.

 

If father time caught up to Goldy it's going to be on the fence. The 2022 MVP is gonna boost him candidacy massively though. If he retired tomorrow he'd probably fight it out on the ballot until the last few years, with a decent chance to make it in.

[Brownie19]

I feel like Arenado's 10 straight gold gloves will elevate him beyond what you'd expect for a guy who might finish with like 50-55 fWAR.

 

10 straight gold gloves

300-400 HRs

1000 R

1200 RBI

5 silver slugger awards

6 top-10 MVP finishes

 

That feels like a HoF resume to me. I think he can limp to the finish with a few 1-2 win seasons and get by on the hardware

 

Yeah, he might. I suspect most fans would opine that Arenado is better than J-Ram. It's really too bad they can't fix or improve the gold glove system. It could/should be something quite meaningful, but unfortunately, it's been so bastardized over the years with the wrong players winning it, that it loses it's value to some (most?). I do still think it holds value with HOF voters....but will it still 10-15 years from now?

[Orgfiller]

Yeah, he might. I suspect most fans would opine that Arenado is better than J-Ram. It's really too bad they can't fix or improve the gold glove system. It could/should be something quite meaningful, but unfortunately, it's been so bastardized over the years with the wrong players winning it, that it loses it's value to some (most?). I do still think it holds value with HOF voters....but will it still 10-15 years from now?

 

I think JRam is just the classic example of a player that's good at everything but not the best at any one component. He's a great hitter but career 129 wRC+ is more really good than great, solid but unspectacular defender, incredibly smart runner but not a stolen base fiend topping the leaderboards. He'll get his laurels and hopefully he also doesn't have a drop off so he can solidify his candidacy, but you can see why this type of player might fall out of fanfare a bit more than someone with a more flashy style. Of course, the Cleveland market thing is what's holding his fame back the most, if he was a big market player you'd be getting fed Jose Ramirez down your throat on a regular basis.

[Brownie19]

Can we get Kevin Pillar to the All Star Game this year? How awesome would that be?

[BTS]

I think Jose Ramirez is going end up a bit like Beltre, in that people are going to look at him in his mid-late 30s and realize he low key had a slam-dunk HoF career.

 

He has a bunch of interesting accolades, but I like that he has a real chance to become the 9th player ever with 300 HR and 300 SB. The others:

 

Barry Bonds

Bobbby Bonds

A-Rod

Willie Mays

Reggie Sanders

Carlos Beltran

Andre Dawson

Steve Finley

 

4 of those guys are in the HoF. Two more should be.

 

He'd be only the second infielder in history to do it. Just a really unique player.

[Terminator]

I think Jose Ramirez is going end up a bit like Beltre, in that people are going to look at him in his mid-late 30s and realize he low key had a slam-dunk HoF career.

 

He has a bunch of interesting accolades, but I like that he has a real chance to become the 9th player ever with 300 HR and 300 SB. The others:

 

Barry Bonds

Bobbby Bonds

A-Rod

Willie Mays

Reggie Sanders

Carlos Beltran

Andre Dawson

Steve Finley

 

4 of those guys are in the HoF. Two more should be.

 

He'd be only the second infielder in history to do it. Just a really unique player.

 

Yeah Beltre is a good comp. Plus he's a one team guy, he's a short roly-poly type, he's seemingly got a pretty fun personality and he also knocked out Tim Anderson in one of the better baseball brawls you'll ever see.

 

He'll have the stats and the Beltre-like aura to go with it.