I'm a lot higher on Quantrill than a lot of people, but I think he'll settle in as a solid #3 starter. I feel like his excellent change and tight but not big breaking slider will play up more in the majors with better game calling and scouting reports, and he appears to have the command to take advantage of them.
Cal Quantrill, Logan Allen, and Brad Wieck would be kind of an interesting return imo. Both Quantrill and Allen are also probably 1/2 year from the majors, so it fits the timeline really well. Wieck can step into the pen directly.
I think we need 3 for the BBDL. We shouldn't need any kind of extreme vetting process. Basically all I care about is that they set lineups and are reasonably reachable for drafts.
Good control, good strikeout ability, throws hard, was often utilized as multi-inning guy the last two years. The stuff seems to be there, but he's likely gonna have to limit the fly balls a bit to break out.
I feel like Kikuchi is really a perfect option for us, so if we get him I really don't care what other scrap heap SP we sign. They won't be here when it matters anyway. Fiers is basically Estrada with a great curve rather than change.
I'm of two minds about this kind of stuff. I think ultimately that players will adapt (or should adapt), and it'll sort itself out on its own. That said, I could see something along the lines of requiring at least two infielders on each side of the diamond when the pitcher releases the ball or something (not counting pitcher or catcher). That would help reduce the extreme shifts we see slightly, while still allowing teams to deploy them in general.
I didn't see anyone post it, but MLB and Cuba have now reached a posting system agreement that allows Cuban players to play in the MLB without having to defect from Cuba.
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/mlb-union-cuba-deal-1.4953087
Such a sloppy game. Carolina seems determined to run against one of the best running defense teams, and I don't know what the f*** the Saints are doing.