High upside, young, cost controlled catcher vs fat, useless defensive catcher who has tricked the casuals into thinking he's good because of dem rbi'z.
Tough call.
I disagree completely. His defense sucks and I think there has been enough data out there to show that he's a terrible pitch framer.
We need to upgrade behind the plate. It's the most important position in the game.
There is really no reason to believe that Happ has somehow "figured it out". His peripherals are basically identical to his career averages save for a dip in the amount of walks given up.
He is what he is.
Hurl is the type of guy that would get free tickets right behind home plate from a really nice guy on Bluejaysmessageboard.com only to wear a Rays shirt in the beforementioned seats.
Oh wait, that acutally happened.
92nd best xFIP in baseball this year and is only one year removed from a disastrous year. I just can't see him pitching better than he has this year.
Flyball pitcher without an elite ability to strike guys out is not a good recipe in the RC.
He's just not that good. He's a band-aid solution... A long man/spot starter.
Wonder if Happ gets that option picked up for next year?
You could do a lot worse with your #5. You could probably put that 7M to use more efficiently though.