Laika

I don't even think of Tanaka's UCL thing as a negative anymore. He has held up for so long I think you need to flip the script and start thinking about him as a remarkably durable SP who has figured something our with respect to his arm. Since 2015 he is 19th in total IP and 18th in GS.

I wonder if someone will get really creative with Trevor Bauer. He wants to trial his start every four days thing and bet on himself, but the wonky 2020 season seems to make the innings jump too dangerous for him to do that in 2021. Here is a thought: 2021: $30.69M 2022: $37.420M *Bauer can opt out after 2022 2023: $12.69420M 2024: $12.69420M 2025: $12.69420M *it's written into the contract or otherwise promised that the team will support him in his desire to start every four days in 2022 The specific numbers aren't that important but the general idea is that the money from 2023-2025 is just an insurance policy for Bauer in case he suffers catastrophic injury. It makes it more likely that he would accept this deal now because some of the downside risk is removed. If his plan works out in 2022 he would opt out and be in line for a big final payday at age 32. There are precedents for pitchers in their early 30s signing massive deals: Greinke, Strasburg, Darvish, Scherzer. Verlander got $33 AAV at 36. Ryu 4/$80 at 33 is big enough. For Toronto specifically, the deal only commits big money during the two years that Springer is getting frontloaded.

It's not that simple. At some point a good team needs to consolidate wins in single, star level players. The rotation spots in question are probably Roark and Stripling. 1 WAR and 2 WAR, roughly by projections. Bauer at 4 wins is a 3 win upgrade. Tanaka at 3 wins is a 2 win upgrade, then Paxton at 2.5 is only an additional 0.5 win upgrade. That's overly simplified but you get the point

The kids are on TikTok now. Twitter is like, four social media platforms in the past. Bunch of old white guys.

Nah they just slide guys in and out when they graduate or get traded. They don't change rankings, order, or evals

HahahHHHhAjajajahahahahahah is that not like sac bunting in the ninth when you need a two run homer to tie the game? Coach should be fired into the sun

I think the lists you're looking at are outdated. MLB.com doesn't actually update their rankings throughout the year and their 2021 Yankees list isn't out, I think.

Yuta is my favourite. Poor Matt Thomas just has no role anymore.

I kind of agree. I'd love the upgrade if the Cubs decide to take a Darvish-ish package though... But Toronto should just spend money on players while they can! Just buy an arm and a bat.

Moreno and SWR might get you most of the way to Bryant and Hendricks. https://www.baseballtradevalues.com/trade-simulator/

Your Blue Jays comparable deal in terms of value might be: Miguel Hiraldo, Adam Kloffenstein, Eric Pardinho, and one of Estiven Machado or Rikelvin De Castro

Both old lists, I think.

more of a bulk package Jeff Passan @JeffPassan The New York Yankees have acquired Jameson Taillon from the Pittsburgh Pirates for Miguel Yajure, Roansy Contreras, Maikel Escotto and Canaan Smith, sources tell ESPN. Yajure and Escotto were hitting their top 10 lists though. Canaan Smith seems like a decent prospect. Roansy had some hype recently. Not a horrible return for Pitt, that's four guys from the Yanks top ~20 and two from their top ~10

It SHOULD be something like Gil + another top 10 prospect. Comparable from Toronto would be Moreno straight up (he's better than Gil) or something like Hiraldo + Kloff.

Ken reporting Taillon to the Yankees is done. Now we wait on the details...

Not even close.

I dunno, I'd be hesitant. Can Adam Frazier play a good third?

Moreno would be the ask and should be more than enough on paper.

We also don't know anything other than touched 94. That could mean sat 90 and hit 94 a few times, or sat 88 and hit 94 exactly once while airing it out. I think Toronto is not in a position where they need to or should go all or nothing on a SP. They are a strong team. They need bankable SP production to help try to win the division. A fringe team would benefit more from a huge risk reward pitcher like Pax, I think. What are the odds even that Paxton is very good and healthy during the playoffs? Not amazing.

And that for me is Tanaka. Tanaka seems like a throw back, pitch through the pain guy. Either that or just a uniquely durable SP. It's remarkable what he's done since his partial UCL tear. Paxton has a higher ceiling but Tanaka has a way higher chance of contributing and performing at his mean talent level.

I'm not that optimistic about Paxton. Velo was way down last year and he threw for teams earlier this offseason without much hype. Back surgery (discectomy) and forearm strain in 2020. Real good chance he's just a waste of money

The stupid Canadian in me wants Taillon or Paxton in Toronto, even though I know there are better/smarter moves out there.

His State of residence for tax purposes is likely Texas

Someone on Twitter says the bonus for Springer gets taxed at effectively his US rate. Interesting.

If it's a straight $32M then Springer gets it in monthly or bi-weekly instalments during the season. The signing bonus lets him buy a yacht right now, no financing. So it's better for Springer.