Grant77

Not true. Anthony Swarzak threw 96 innings of relief just this year, it's not all that uncommon. Even closer types like Jim Johnson have thrown 90+ recently. As for the last pitcher to throw 100 innings of relief, it was Scott Proctor in 2006.

By that logic, he's a better prospect than Byron Buxton too. It's a combination of ceiling and the probability of reaching it.

One of the most appealing things about Sanchez is his sound mechanics, big body, and easy velocity...

The other thread has an overwhelming majority voting for Stroman. Just goes to show how much people can be influenced by early votes and a few comments. People who come to the prospect section are probably more likely to make informed decisions.

That article does little to quell my concerns, as it barely touches on or ignores the problems I see in his delivery. It depends on the pitcher, but the huge recoil after his pitches spells disaster for most guys. They way he drags his arm puts a high amount of stress on his shoulder as well. Finally, his starting position with his glove hand could lead to problems. I'd love nothing better than to see him defy the odds like Lincecum, but since we're looking at probability when evaluating prospects, it's kind of foolish to bet on such a longshot in my opinion.

I'm not sure I would agree with that from what I have seen. He's got one of the more violent deliveries you'll ever see, just seems like an injury risk. That kind of stuff is so hard to predict, however.

Pedro is probably about 3 inches taller and that's being generous to Stroman. It makes all the difference in the world.

So what you're saying is that Ryan Goins should hit 8th, lol.

Has to be Sanchez. I'm pulling for Stroman, but I think many people here need a history lesson. Betting on guys to break 100+ year trends is a foolish endeavor. Short pitchers with high effort deliveries do not and never have succeeded in the major leagues as starters. They are wild, homer prone, and extreme injury risks.

The only reason I'm still awake is because I have nightmares about Ryan Goins hitting .210 all year...

I'd be willing to deal Gose and a reliever for Nick Franklin, provided we can replace Gose through free agency.

Lineups are really going to depend on how you project each player. Ackley can hit with 2 strikes and give Reyes time to do his thing and I would expect an OBP above .350, in which case he is our best option for the 2 spot. If you expect something more like last year then your lineup makes more sense.

That's what the reports say, but I suspect they are posturing. They have lefty bats at 2B, 3B, SS, LF, and RF (Cano, Seager, Miller, Morrison, Saunders). It just doesn't make sense that they would keep him, especially if they sign Choo or Cruz, but then again it is the Mariners...

He may also be the perfect solution to the number 2 spot in the lineup. Lefty bat with strong OBP skills. Reyes Ackley Bautista Encarnacion Rasmus Lawrie Lind Cabrera Navarro

Yes please. Even Loup or Janssen in the right deal.

I'm not going to be upset if we don't get Samardzija, sign Tanaka, or make any other big moves. However, if we waste our relief surplus and don't make some reasonable additions to fill holes at 2B, LF and SP then I'm going to be very disappointed. If we happen to get a healthy Morrow and Hutchison and contend, we'll regret not doing everything possible to make this team good in the offseason.

There goes our last viable option. The Mariners have to deal Ackley or Franklin....right?

It's worth noting that his time missed was almost completely due to post concussion symptoms and not leg issues. Not to say he hasn't had problems, but he was pretty agile out there last season.

Brian Roberts is still better than what we have. Even 50 starts of steady D and average hitting from him would help.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/12/cardinals-nearing-one-year-deal-with-mark-ellis.html The Cardinals have a one-year deal with free agent second baseman Mark Ellis, pending only a physical, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). The deal is indeed, final, pending the physical, a source tells FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal (on Twitter). An announcement is expected later this week. Ellis, 36, spent the last two seasons as the Dodgers' primary second baseman. Last year, he hit .270/.323/.351 in 480 plate appearances. Stellar defense bumped his value into the range of about one-and-a-half to three wins above replacement, depending on which WAR recipe you prefer. Looking at the list of available second baggers, Ellis was probably the best overall option left on the market at this point. While other players offered more attractive age or upside, Ellis has been a consistent contributor for nearly a decade. St. Louis had been expected to add a veteran option that could play up the middle, and Ellis should fit in well in the Cardinals infield mix. Top prospect Kolten Wong figures to have the inside track to the everyday job at the keystone. But Ellis offers both a veteran alternative and a platoon option to pair with Wong's left-handed bat.

Sanchez. There's a reason only 1 pitcher as short as Stroman in the history of baseball has had a successful career as a starter.

Ellis, Roberts, Ackley, Franklin...lots of options out there still, no need to overpay yet.

This probably helps with our pursuit of Samardzija.

This is week old news

It seems obvious that we should at the very least grab a veteran like Ellis or Roberts and use Goins as insurance, but I'm not sure they will do it. I'd love to see us go after a long term solution like Ackley or Franklin while they are available.