Brownie19

Apparently because his arm is late? Can anyone explain how that apparent mechanical flaw would make you a higher risk to end up in the bullpen? He thinks it will lead to arm injuries? He won't be consistent enough to start? I don't get it.

I wonder if we're out there looking specifically to add players who handle high velocity fastballs.

So you hated adding Anderson, Roark and Yama, but want us to bring back Ray, Walker and Shoemaker. Got it.

Maybe use this time to learn about baseball in general and the teams outside of Toronto?

Of course Keith Law is down on SWR. He always has to go against the grain with a couple of prospects.

I'm with you. Don't want JBJ. Jays already have a 4th OFer in Grichuk

Might see a couple of lifetime 1 team guys move on this year. Yadi and Gardner...both at the end of really good/great careers. Will either team re-sign them as H&S players? or move on ala the Patriots.

He's 38 and hasn't been a solid starter since 2018. We'd probably have a higher chance of Roark being a solid #3.

Wow - I mean I doubt Craig Edwards has any idea what the market will be, but it's insane to think DJLM may sign for a lower AAV than we'll be paying Roark. As you said - pull up the brinks truck and sign me up for almost anyone of those FA's at the projected values.

Al Leiter just said "TLR is as interesting and forward thinking as any baseball guy I've ever been around"

I heard the Yankees called Lou Piniella too.

Can you imagine how excited Tim Anderson was to hear this news?

White Sox hire Tony LaRussa to be their manager. WOW.

Projection systems are funny. Ryu's never had an ERA over 3.77. 2021 Projection is 4.13. FIP and xFIP over the past 3 years hasn't been above 3.10 and 3.32. 2021 Projection is 4.16 and 4.13. Go figure.

This is pretty insane. Remember Blake Snell complaining how he wouldn't take a pay cut or prorated salary to play this season because there was so much risk? Based on what we've seen so far, the players might have pushed too far. What an awful season to be a FA.

Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports that the Astros have placed Roberto Osuna on outright waivers. Kaplan notes that this is essentially an early non-tender, assuming Osuna clears waivers and elects to become a free agent, which is likely how it will play out. He was projected to command a 2021 salary of around $10 million through the arbitration process this winter. Osuna made only four appearances in 2020 before going down with a right elbow injury that at one point was believed to be leading toward Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old is attempting the rest and rehab route instead and hopes to pitch at full health next season.

If nothing else...doesn't this just show how much of this decision was made with Kevin Cash's gut instinct in lieu of the analytical data? I find it very ironic that 'most' who s*** on him did so because he didn't use his eyes or gut and assumed it was a computer telling him to make that move - when in reality, the computer would have told him to leave Snell in. Jomboy also cherry picked some of the 3rd time through numbers (using avg/obp/slug). In 2019, Snell's TTO numbers clearly got worse. wOBA, FIP, xFIP, BB/9, K/9, WHIP, etc - however, it shouldn't be surprising that TB (or any ML team) may use different metrics to make that decision than was Jomboy considers. That said, I did find it interesting that Betts's numbers suggest he does worse the 3rd time he sees a pitcher. I wonder how many AB's that's based off.

I'll address this simply due to Jim's suggestion it's the POTY. I don't disagree with anything saskjayfan is saying. I never said I agreed or disagreed with his decision. What I don't like is the immediate outrage. People seemed surprised and angry at the move. It wasn't just people on this board, but my friends and other media outlets also. My impression is most who were surprised and angry fall into the "I like old school baseball" camp and that camp in general triggers me. It's the #1 reason I hate Buck Martinez. He takes EVERY opportunity he can to point out when an analytically based decision backfires while reminiscing about the good ole days. I simply have been saying that nobody should be surprised by this move. It's the TB/Cash model and it's been VERY successful for them, including Game 7 of the ALCS and Game 2 of the WS (which was a must win). I said that in Kevin Cash's mind, he was going with his very pitcher (and the best reliver in baseball over the past 2 years) in the most critical situation. I have no problem with the argument that Anderson hadn't been good recently and may have been wore out - or people questioning if it simply should have been Castillo or Fairbanks instead. I also have no problem with people suggesting that Snell remained his best option at the time. The guy is trying to weigh SSS results with the larger sample size numbers, with what his eyes told him (Snell's velo was down in the 6th and he laid in a couple of meat balls to Pollock and Barnes) and he has to crunch all that s*** together in real time and make a decision. I suspect he didn't have time to calculate Snell's swinging strike plush called strike percentage. I do have a problem with people who just blindly saying he should put the computer away and that analytics have gone too far and that he should have solely gone with his eyes and gut. I have a problem with people who don't acknowledge the success Cash has had with his methods. This is a guy who's successfully viewed Nick Anderson has his #1 weapon for 2 years now. He's his Mariano Rivera. In all likelihood, his decision was probably made with his gut a lot more than those who are ripping him for not using his eyes and gut even realize. It didn't work that time. That's baseball.

Major League Baseball said in a statement Wednesday that it is "beginning a full investigation" into Justin Turner's postgame actions on Tuesday night. Turner was pulled from the Dodgers' World Series clincher after seven innings once the team was alerted that he had tested positive for COVID-19, but the veteran third baseman decided to take part in portions of the on-field celebration anyway, at one point removing his mask for a team photo. Turner "chose to disregard the agreed-upon joint protocols and the instructions he was given regarding the safety and protection of others," reads the statement. "While a desire to celebrate is understandable, Turner’s decision to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk. When MLB Security raised the matter of being on the field with Turner, he emphatically refused to comply ... The Commissioner's Office is beginning a full investigation into this matter and will consult with the Players Association within the parameters of the joint 2020 Operations Manual." It's possible Turner could be facing some sort of fine or suspension. 36 year old that just reached the pinnacle of everything he's worked so hard for. Give the damage had probably already been done - I can't say I blame him and highly doubt he gives 2 shits about facing a fine or suspension.

Boxy quit the board? hadn't noticed.

The projections for Vlad are a f***ing dreamy boner inducing experience folks. NSFW.

Brad Miller for anyone who doesn't want to spend 15 minutes searching. FU Laika.

Enough with this narrative FFS. Cash did the same thing successfully in Game 7 of the NLCS v. the Astros and in Game 2 of the World Series - which was essentially a 'must win' as teams who win the first 2 games go on to win the WS like 88% of the time. Ripping him without acknowledging this is and/or acknowledging that no plan, no stat, no gut feeling, no eye test are 100% accurate is just f***ing stupid. The best team won the series. That should be the narrative.

If they move to a universal DH (which they should/will) - I suspect you'll see Turner finish off his career in LA (not that he needs to DH next year, but at some point, he probably will).

You mean like Game 7 v. the Astros when Cash followed his gut and stuck with Morton who got himself out of trouble and lead them to the World Series? Wait a minute....