Orgfiller

I see what you mean, I think it all comes down to command like and you and I agree on. I think for some of those elite pitchers that you mentioned, yes it's a factor of the spin rate, but also the fact that they feature premium velocity, elite secondaries and excellent command of all their pitches that makes them get away with a middle-middle mistake every now and then. If Reid-Foley improves his command substantially to where both the fastball and slider are both consistent, then I think he too can avoid getting crushed and get away with a mistake or two; the fact is that he just doesn't really know where the ball is going a lot of the time, and this obviously needs to be improved. As far as two pitch starters go, I can think of many of the game's elite and other good pitchers that feature such a mix: Archer, Lance McCullers (though his is curveball/fastball), Foltynewicz, Patrick Corbin, Luis Severino to name a few. There are varying factors to their success, but they can get by with pretty much a two-pitch mix with a rare third pitch mixed in to give hitters a different look.

I'm surprised you say this, I think his fastball is an elite pitch, the number of swings and misses that he generated from it were extremely high, and he actually generated more against lefties with it*. Obviously he needs to locate it consistently, that's a must if he's to stick as a successful starter, but even in its current wild state it's an excellent pitch. I agree that the slider is very good and then he doesn't have much else to offer, although I think the change has some decent movement and he'll just need to command it as well, I'd say it has some potential as a viable third offering. I wonder if learning a cutter to complement the fastball and slider would be good for him to use against lefties. *in a small sample size of course

Heyman might have the worst grammar out of any sports "journalist" ever.

It's really f***ing hard to make comebacks or extend leads when your offense, which is engineered to create open looks from three, can't make open shots.

Embiid is a slightly difficult guy to guard when you're missing all of your big men.

CJ Miles is a legitimate cut candidate at this point, he has one skill and it's not working at all right now, he's not even shooting at an even below average rate now, it's awful. Also, Kawhi Leonard is really f***ing good.

What downside do you see for the opener? Who cares how long pitchers stay in the game, do you want to see more of Wade Miley?

This is like being upset that a closer is put in a non-save situation, it shouldn't matter at all. It's stupid that it has arbitration considerations because those guys only look at wins and saves and holds, but other than that I really don't see any downside to it.

Or you know, it literally doesn't matter when relievers pitch in the game?

Also the fact that it's a garbage idea.

Lol I could see that, but I would've also thought someone like Kyle Bird would be a guy for them. Seems like they were grooming him for an opener role with 6 "starts" this year, he racked up the strikeouts.

Really like that for Texas and the A's. The Rangers give up the best player but get an intriguing prospect in Burke and some lottery tickets, and the A's get a very good player who can play all over the diamond and has two more years of cheap arbitration.

Brock Burke seems way more valuable than Pagan, really don't get this for Tampa. They must value that comp. pick rather highly.

Pannone was a Shatkins acquisition as well, traded for Joe Smith and also netted back Samad Taylor.

I honestly think OG hit Bogdanovic's arm there. Oh well, well fought victory thanks to some elite defense and timely shots from Freddy and Siakam.

All I'm asking is that we at least shoot 35% from three for a half. Just once.

Also the posting styles are much different, both in baseball threads and OT ones. I thought he was more like gbill.

Fangraphs upgraded their search bar, you can finally look up Will Smith the Dodgers catching prospect without having to hack into the Pentagon!

Both teams with heavy casualties, the Nuggets area also missing 3-4 of their key players. Jokic is gonna feast tonight.

Why would the Cubs want him? They have Baez who's a much better defender and they tendered Addison Russell a contract, who is also better than current Tulo.

At least if we lose we'll lose with some dignity. Kawhi has been unconscious.

This is an awesome deal for Cleveland, but I really don't get it from the Rays' or M's perspective. Jake Bauers for Yandy Diaz?

Why does it matter if we trade them or not to evaluate this signing? You can never have enough pitching, at the projected price tag it could be a good signing regardless.

I actually agree with you but I can see why teams would be weary of giving a guy like him the third year. Most likely the Rangers break even and they'll be fine with that, but there is some surplus value upside there and it's not a ridiculous gamble to take.

That's way too expensive for us and a lot of other teams. The Red Sox giving 4/68 to Eovaldi and now the Yankees 3/51 to Happ, they're playing in a different park than the majority of the league with these contracts. The Yankees are far from done this offseason, they are going to have a real powerhouse next season and beyond. The evil empire is back.