Around Baseball 2024

[Spanky__99]

It's just strange because the Giants are basically bidding against themselves in this deal. Like this is the absolute max deal that any team would be comfortable giving to Chapman, which might be generous, and they did it before the player even gets to FA to test the waters? Chapman this season has basically been his identical usual self, 110-120 wRC+, plus/plus-plus defense, slightly better baserunning than usual. That guy last offseason could only do as a good as 3/54 (with the player opt outs giving him more leverage), is he really worth 3 times that amount a year later (older) with no semblance of a talent change? What a weird contract to hand out before they reach FA.

 

Bang on, so bizarre.

[Laika]

It's just strange because the Giants are basically bidding against themselves in this deal. Like this is the absolute max deal that any team would be comfortable giving to Chapman, which might be generous, and they did it before the player even gets to FA to test the waters? Chapman this season has basically been his identical usual self, 110-120 wRC+, plus/plus-plus defense, slightly better baserunning than usual. That guy last offseason could only do as a good as 3/54 (with the player opt outs giving him more leverage), is he really worth 3 times that amount a year later (older) with no semblance of a talent change? What a weird contract to hand out before they reach FA.

 

The Giants are a bit of a clusterf***.

 

- terrible developmental org recently

- always "just missing" top free agents and then ending up wasting money on guys like Conforto or Haniger or Jung Hoo Lee

 

 

A lot like the Blue Jays, actually!

[glory]

Boras signing that deal before testing free agency means that either Chapman didn't want to hit free agency again or Boras knew no other team was going to offer that. Maybe both. As mentioned, good for Chapman to maximize his earnings, but glad another team gave him that deal.

 

That leaves Bregman or a buy low on Moncada as the only real 3B options in free agency. Hopefully Barger's bat improving is legit and he can cover 3B. That's probably the team's best hope for next season as far as 3B is concerned.

[Laika]

Addison Barger

 

1st half: 66 PA, .391 OPS, 7 wRC+, .174 wOBA, 30.3% K rate

2nd half: 105 PA, .827 OPS, 128 wRC+, .347 wOBA, 23.8% K rate, .254 BABIP

 

He is not getting lucky at all as you can see from the BABIP. He is just being very aggressive and getting to his power and it is working.

 

The problem is he might not be able to hit left handed pitching whatsoever and he might be a butcher. Defensive stats hate him so far and (in a meaningless sample size) he has no walks and almost a 50% K rate against LHP. So if he's a piece he's probably a strong side platoon player with questionable defense.

[max silver]

Boras signing that deal before testing free agency means that either Chapman didn't want to hit free agency again or Boras knew no other team was going to offer that. Maybe both. As mentioned, good for Chapman to maximize his earnings, but glad another team gave him that deal.

 

That leaves Bregman or a buy low on Moncada as the only real 3B options in free agency. Hopefully Barger's bat improving is legit and he can cover 3B. That's probably the team's best hope for next season as far as 3B is concerned.

 

I could see some combination of Barger, Clement and Vlad holding down the fort next season. I'm not particularly sold on either of Vlad or Barger being anything better than well below average defensively at the hot corner but at least Clement would be available to sub in with leads later in games.

[Brownie19]

Addison Barger

 

1st half: 66 PA, .391 OPS, 7 wRC+, .174 wOBA, 30.3% K rate

2nd half: 105 PA, .827 OPS, 128 wRC+, .347 wOBA, 23.8% K rate, .254 BABIP

 

He is not getting lucky at all as you can see from the BABIP. He is just being very aggressive and getting to his power and it is working.

 

The problem is he might not be able to hit left handed pitching whatsoever and he might be a butcher. Defensive stats hate him so far and (in a meaningless sample size) he has no walks and almost a 50% K rate against LHP. So if he's a piece he's probably a strong side platoon player with questionable defense.

 

It's hard not to get a little excited with the raw tools that Barger has. I've thought he looks fine defensively at 3rd and his arm is like 4th best in the majors or something. His bat has come around nicely, although it would be nice to see him being more patient and taking walks (which he did do in the minors). Seems unlikely he ever hits LHP, but you could see him become a solid strong side platoon starter moving forward. Age is still on his side too.

[Spanky__99]

It's hard not to get a little excited with the raw tools that Barger has. I've thought he looks fine defensively at 3rd and his arm is like 4th best in the majors or something. His bat has come around nicely, although it would be nice to see him being more patient and taking walks (which he did do in the minors). Seems unlikely he ever hits LHP, but you could see him become a solid strong side platoon starter moving forward. Age is still on his side too.

 

Barger/Clement platoon is fine, we need thump and pitching.

[Laika]

It's hard not to get a little excited with the raw tools that Barger has. I've thought he looks fine defensively at 3rd and his arm is like 4th best in the majors or something. His bat has come around nicely, although it would be nice to see him being more patient and taking walks (which he did do in the minors). Seems unlikely he ever hits LHP, but you could see him become a solid strong side platoon starter moving forward. Age is still on his side too.

 

Just think the footwork isn't there

More of a RF profile

[max silver]

It's hard not to get a little excited with the raw tools that Barger has. I've thought he looks fine defensively at 3rd and his arm is like 4th best in the majors or something. His bat has come around nicely, although it would be nice to see him being more patient and taking walks (which he did do in the minors). Seems unlikely he ever hits LHP, but you could see him become a solid strong side platoon starter moving forward. Age is still on his side too.

 

I thought Barger looks a lot better in right field compared to third base. I won't make any judgements on his left field struggles given the fact he had never played the position prior to the stint in the majors. I like his toolset to become an above average defender in right field as he runs well and has a plus plus arm, but the actions with the glove at third base really leave a lot to be desired.

[Stangstag]

The Giants are a bit of a clusterf***.

 

- terrible developmental org recently

- always "just missing" top free agents and then ending up wasting money on guys like Conforto or Haniger or Jung Hoo Lee

 

 

A lot like the Blue Jays, actually!

 

Don’t you dare disrespect Jung Hoo like that how dare you

[John_Havok]

Addison Barger

 

1st half: 66 PA, .391 OPS, 7 wRC+, .174 wOBA, 30.3% K rate

2nd half: 105 PA, .827 OPS, 128 wRC+, .347 wOBA, 23.8% K rate, .254 BABIP

 

He is not getting lucky at all as you can see from the BABIP. He is just being very aggressive and getting to his power and it is working.

 

The problem is he might not be able to hit left handed pitching whatsoever and he might be a butcher. Defensive stats hate him so far and (in a meaningless sample size) he has no walks and almost a 50% K rate against LHP. So if he's a piece he's probably a strong side platoon player with questionable defense.

 

f***ing rocket for an arm though.

[Terminator]

Prospect defense is so hard to gauge. I can stat scout the bats but for defense you have to rely heavily on the little tidbits and grades that prospect sites give you. And of course, the prospects body types change as they age which can also affect their tools/defense.

 

I remember reading about Barger sticking on the left side of the infield and possibly even SS. There ain't a chance in hell he could play SS.

[max silver]

f***ing rocket for an arm though.

 

He's easily displayed the strongest throwing arm of any Blue Jay I can recall watching. I wasn't watching yet when Jesse Barfield was patrolling the outfield for the Blue Jays yet but Barger has to be near the top of the all time leaderboard for Blue Jays throwing arm strength.

[Spanky__99]

f***ing rocket for an arm though.

 

Yeah, clocked over a hundred MPH several million times. lol

[Spanky__99]

Prospect defense is so hard to gauge. I can stat scout the bats but for defense you have to rely heavily on the little tidbits and grades that prospect sites give you. And of course, the prospects body types change as they age which can also affect their tools/defense.

 

I remember reading about Barger sticking on the left side of the infield and possibly even SS. There ain't a chance in hell he could play SS.

 

Agreed, hard to grade or believe with D. I use scouting reports in small samples.

[Spanky__99]

He's easily displayed the strongest throwing arm of any Blue Jay I can recall watching. I wasn't watching yet when Jesse Barfield was patrolling the outfield for the Blue Jays yet but Barger has to be near the top of the all time leaderboard for Blue Jays throwing arm strength.

 

Jesse Barfield IS Legend.

[Laika]

I think before 2025 you can just bet the over on the Athletics projected win totals, and make a lot of money

 

Rooker - star

Bleday - 3 WAR and counting with K rate under 20%

Butler - 3 WAR in 367 PA. Another star?

Langeliers - 2 WAR solid C

Schuemann - sneaky good walks and defense SS?

Gelof - good bounce back candidate in 2025

Jacob Wilson - will be good. nuked the minors and has strong projections.

 

They have 5 SP presently in their rotation who are under 29 and above replacement level. Nothing sexy but they will stay in games.

 

The best closer in baseball.

[Jimcanuck]

Jesse Barfield IS Legend.

 

Best arm I've ever seen. Damn.

[Omar]

The Giants are a bit of a clusterf***.

 

- terrible developmental org recently

- always "just missing" top free agents and then ending up wasting money on guys like Conforto or Haniger or Jung Hoo Lee

 

A lot like the Blue Jays, actually!

 

There are some parallels with the Jays. Zaidi has been there six plus years now. He was hired as the egg head who was going to develop the farm ("waves of talent") and have the wallet to turn them into the Dodgers of northern Cali. Instead he kind of s*** the bed. He should have held on to Gausman when he had him but instead let him walk. He flubbed the Correa acquisition based on dubious medical reports. Now he may have hobbled himself with an albatross by the name of Matt Chapman.

 

I thought he would be gone by the end of this season. Instead both him and Atkins will likely be back in the ring to take another swing in 2025. Go figure. What do I know?

[connorp]

Hunter Brown going to be their Verlander going into the PS:

 

After having an 8.89 ERA through seven starts this season, Brown was asked to pitch in relief and pitched well enough that he was given another chance in the rotation, and he hasn't looked back since. Including that relief outing May 11, Brown has a 2.25 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in his last 125.2 innings.

[jaysblue]

Hunter Brown going to be their Verlander going into the PS:

 

After having an 8.89 ERA through seven starts this season, Brown was asked to pitch in relief and pitched well enough that he was given another chance in the rotation, and he hasn't looked back since. Including that relief outing May 11, Brown has a 2.25 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in his last 125.2 innings.

 

Yeah miraculous turnaround. Foolish to write Hunter Brown off earlier in the year.

[thatoneguy]

Wow Parker Meadows with a go-ahead (down 3 runs) grand slam with a full count + two outs in the 9th inning to give the Tigers the win, on a 101 mph fastball no less. Essentially kept their playoff hopes alive too.

[G-Snarls]

Wow Parker Meadows with a go-ahead (down 3 runs) grand slam with a full count + two outs in the 9th inning to give the Tigers the win, on a 101 mph fastball no less. Essentially kept their playoff hopes alive too.

 

I'd love to see the Tigers make it over the Mariners or Red Sux

[Olerud363]

Best arm I've ever seen. Damn.

 

Before the 'sabermetrics' and big contract era so many guys lost years of their career both at beginning and end. Barfield was like a better version of George Springer, but lost at bats early in his career and career ended early. If Barfield played 20 years later would have had 500-1000 more games.

 

I don't know for sure what Barfield's injury situation was at the end. However if he came up 20 years later probably would have played more at the beginning, been appreciated more (in 89 and 90 he was a 4 WAR player, but treated like a has-been), and probably signed a multi year deal after his big mid 80s years, then would have been given a chance to work through the injuries.

 

Like Springer may get 3 extra years over Barfield. Same with Joe Carter who was the same age and replaced him in a round about way... Carter was never injured but allowed to play like crap for 4 years, while Barfield was home Barbequing because no one knew about WAR.

[G-Snarls]

The Giants made a major splash overnight, announcing that they’ve extended the contract of third baseman Matt Chapman. The deal guarantees Chapman $151MM over six years and runs from 2025 to 2030, with a $25MM annual salary and a $1MM signing bonus paid out in 2025. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Chapman’s deal contains a no-trade clause.

[Orgfiller]

I'd love to see the Tigers make it over the Mariners or Red Sux

 

Don't think any of those 3 teams are looking likely to make it in as things stand. Anything could happen but it would take quite the chaotic September.

[connorp]

No, loser. He's part of my Drag Show.

 

I can’t say that pleases me. But it won’t ruin it. He’s my pitching version of Royce Lewis. I likely sent offers. I saw him pitch once and I’m a fanboy.

[Laika]

I can’t say that pleases me. But it won’t ruin it. He’s my pitching version of Royce Lewis. I likely sent offers. I saw him pitch once and I’m a fanboy.

 

yeah you wanted Rocker + Roman Anthony + Eldridge for Nola

 

also tried to dangle Freeman and Seager for him in other deals lol

 

fetish

[connorp]

yeah you wanted Rocker + Roman Anthony + Eldridge for Nola

 

also tried to dangle Freeman and Seager for him in other deals lol

 

fetish

 

1st offers man. Not my fault you choose not to negotiate

 

Rocker + Anthony would’ve been good. Think he was K’ing 30% at the time

[Jimcanuck]

Rocker will be a MLB reliever. His career will be similar to Pearson's.