Brownie19

You're 100% correct. I think we have enough serviceable options at 4/5 too. The issue is we no longer have a top of the rotation pitcher. We just have to cross our fingers that Norris is this year's Stroman and that Hutch and his second half slider/results are for real and he's ready to breakout into a force.

Looks like we all agree they will ignore the arbitration clocks and the development of some fantastic prospects all for the sake of chasing an unrealistic goal of making the playoffs without their best starting pitcher. AWESOME. Just F'ing awesome.

Is Ang jumping on my McAllister train? allllll aboard!

Jesus wouldn't that be nice?

It will be interesting to see how they approach it. Unfortunately, I think they'll continue in the "win now" mode to save Gibby and AA's job (which in AA's case is ludicrous) even though their chances of success are cut in half like Stroman's ACL. They should be leaving Norris in AAA to avoid starting his arbitration clock. Start with Sanchez (give him a shot to start - just to say you did) and Estrada - give Sanchez's bullpen spot to one of the 349 arms AA brought in (West preferably) and then bring up Norris later on once it's obvious Sanchez isn't (and may never be) ready to be a ML starter. I'd prefer to just deal Sanchez now while his value is high, however, I suspect instead they'll give him a shot to start (he's been AA's golden child for 3-4 years now). I'd rather see that happen and his trade value plummet (with the outside chance he does succeed) than start the arbitration clock on Norris early. As Gorlak said - they are going to need more than 2 starters, as neither of the young guys are ready for 200 innings.

I asked this yesterday without a response - what does 'cf' mean?

I'd be banking on McAllister being far more effective as a fulltime reliever...I read he was hitting 97 as a reliever late last year. He might have some Wade Davis magic in him.

what's cf stand for? Can I ask what you have against McAllister and Fields? You don't like live arms?

Trade for Zack McAllister and Josh Fields. Problem solved.

i know people who are different for the sake of being different and I hate it too. However, i don't get that from Norris. It's the media that continues to pump the van stories about Norris. And right in the story the Jays comment that Norris stays in great shape....if that changes, they'll get a little more concerned about the van life. Personally, I don't give a crap about the van....I want to see him develop into an ace that will carry this team for the next decade.

This is spot on...

It's sad when Captian Obvious has to come out of hiding to keep RealAccountant in line...

I was there. Loved how the sold out crowd was yelling "we want BJ's"

Can Smoak play LF and platoon with Pillar, with Barton at 1st?

I LOVE this idea. Make it happen AA.

Good news is - SF won the World Series last year with some pretty awful Left Fielders....

I f***ing hate you.

I agree with this. Although I think it's a little short sighted to downplay the potential impact Martin may have in the clubhouse.

Isn't stepping out of the batters box an existing rule that simply hasn't been enforced? Just enforce the rules and make players adjust. We've all seen significant changes made in the NFL and players adapt just fine. If Ortiz asks for time too often - then don't award it (I think they award it far too often as it is).

My favourite part is how Ortiz is able to back his opinions with logic and reason...

Fair points. I typically go in early March, which does factor into how many innings the ML guys play. That said - I love the prospects myself. I'd rather see the prospects, I look forward to the prospects - but it always seems like I only get to see a couple of them and for every top prospect, there are 15 Dan Johnson/Adam Loewen types who I'm not interested in watching. I will acknowledge it would be better if could watch Jays games (as I'm much more in touch with even their lower tier prospects) - however, it's an hour and a half away and the park is awful compared to the Port Charlotte Stone Crabs stadium....which is by far the best ST venues I've been in.

Don't get me wrong, it's worth going if you've never been, but I always find the anticipation and "thought of it" outweigh the experience. My parents are in Port Charlotte (home of the Rays) and I've been going to games for the past 8 years. In addition to the Rays games (which we go to every year), I've been to Fort Myers to see the Red Sox (at the Fenway replica) and Twins and up to Dunedin twice now to see the Jays. Watched a couple of innings with Tinnish last time I was there. I always seem to leave a little disappointed. The starters typically only go a couple of innings and there simply aren't enough "good" prospects that you want to see play. By the 6th or 7th inning, it's a AAAA game usually. I find the players only sign autographs for kids (which is fine) and most generally seem disinterested in interacting with the fans. My oldest kid is getting old enough to actually start watching the game (instead of just running around). I'm hoping that infuses some interest back in the experience.

Agreed. For the same reason, I never understood why a Golf Pro has to maintain a certain level of play. What on earth does being able to be a scratch golfer have to do with your ability to teach people how to be better at the sport? That would be like saying an elementary teach must maintain an 80% grade average in University level calculus in order to be able to teach Grade 7 math.

Wildcards usually have some upside sir.

Noah Syndergaard.