Bobthe4th

Don't forget they were linked to Bruce again before he signed for the Mets - we ended up with Upton for much less money instead.

Agree. As much fun as it is speculating on who we can get, odds are we'll get Carrera back through arbitration, and then either sign or trade for Bruce. We know the front office like both, and Gibby loves Carrera. Bruce would go to DH when Upton, Pillar and Carrera are starting, but I'd expect him to play at least as many in the field as Saunders did this year, unfortunately.

Not only has he been nominated he's going for his 4th win in a row!

National League Catcher Jonathan Lucroy , Milwaukee Brewers /Rangers (0) Yadier Molina , St. Louis Cardinals (8) Buster Posey , San Francisco Giants (0) First Base Paul Goldschmidt , Arizona Diamondbacks (2) Wil Myers , San Diego Padres (0) Anthony Rizzo , Chicago Cubs (0) Second Base DJ LeMahieu , Colorado Rockies (1) Joe Panik , Giants (0) Jean Segura , Diamondbacks (0) Shortstop Brandon Crawford , Giants (1) Freddy Galvis , Philadelphia Phillies (0) Addison Russell , Cubs (0) Third Base Nolan Arenado , Rockies (3) Anthony Rendon , Washington Nationals (0) Justin Turner , Los Angeles Dodgers (0) Left Field Adam Duvall , Cincinnati Reds (0) Starling Marte , Pittsburgh Pirates (1) Christian Yelich , Miami Marlins (1) Center Field Billy Hamilton , Reds (0) Odubel Herrera , Phillies (0) Ender Inciarte , Atlanta Braves (0) Right Field Carlos Gonzalez , Rockies (3) Jason Heyward , Cubs (3) Nick Markakis , Braves (2) Pitcher Jake Arrieta , Cubs (0) Zack Greinke , Diamondbacks (2) Adam Wainwright , Cardinals (2)

American League Catcher James McCann , Detroit Tigers (0) Carlos Perez , Los Angeles Angels (0) Salvador Perez , Kansas City Royals (3) First Base Chris Davis , Baltimore Orioles (0) Eric Hosmer , Royals (3) Mitch Moreland , Texas Rangers (0) Second Base Robinson Cano , Seattle Mariners (2) Ian Kinsler , Tigers (0) Dustin Pedroia , Boston Red Sox (4) Shortstop Jose Iglesias , Tigers (0) Francisco Lindor , Cleveland Indians (0) Andrelton Simmons , Angels (2) Third Base Adrian Beltre , Rangers (4) Manny Machado , Orioles (2) Kyle Seager , Mariners (1) Left Field Brett Gardner , New York Yankees (0) Alex Gordon , Royals (4) Colby Rasmus , Houston Astros (0) Center Field Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox (0) Kevin Kiermaier , Tampa Bay Rays (1) Kevin Pillar , Toronto Blue Jays (0) Right Field Mookie Betts , Red Sox (0) Adam Eaton , Chicago White Sox (0) George Springer , Astros (0) Pitcher R.A. Dickey , Blue Jays (1) Dallas Keuchel , Astros (2) Justin Verlander , Tigers (0)

Yeah Kiermaier and Jackie Bradley Junior are the other CFs.

From the Rawlings website: infielders and outfielders must have played in the field for at least 690 total innings through his team’s 137th game: this equates to playing in the field for approximately 7.5 innings per game in approximately 67% of his team’s games by his team’s 137th game; this ensures that only full-time players are considered); All infielders and outfielders with at least 690 total innings played qualify at the specific position where he played the most innings (i.e. where his manager utilized him the most)

Gold Glove finalists are out - Pillar and Dickey are the only Jays. Donaldson lost out to Machado, Seager and Beltre.

If this in anyway affected his batting...... imagine if Pillar wasn't a liability on the offensive end. Would make an outfield of Pompey(or Upton)/Carrera, Pillar and free agent (I still think they'll be back in for Bruce) look a hell of a lot better.

He's using 40 innings as a reference point to show the number of relievers who had a significant impact on their teams, so that he can show Osuna is in the top 10%. Puts it in context saying 15th out of 176, rather than just saying 15th.

I hope you're right and we're not forced to give up a starter, it would be nice to have a solid starting rotation all year.

It's pretty simple, if we can't fill our needs with free agents we'll have to trade for them and starting pitching is where we are strongest and therefore it's the obvious place to trade from. 3 spots to fill is an understatement - at least 2 relievers, 1 OF, DH, 1B, backup catcher. You're right, perfect world we get all that from the free agency, but what if we don't?

More because no one wants to see Smoak playing everyday at 1B, while the outfield is Carrera, Pillar, and Upton.

Fair point - the article seems to suggest going further than that and going for a full rebuild. Agree with you that retool rather than rebuild is the way to go. Though I'd hope to keep Tulo and Martin, especially if EE and JB both leave.

Poorly thought out article: Doesn't mention the fact that the best AL pitching rotation is all coming back on very affordable salaries. Claims blowing it up means money is freed up to sign JD long term - why the hell would he want to stay on a losing team? Doesn't take into account the likelihood of increased budget meaning "deadweight" contracts of Tulo and Martin would not be huge liabilities even if the worst case did happen and they both turn into replacement level players.

BTS just floated the idea of a mega contract offer to Chapman (or Jansen) in another thread. That's the only scenario I can see where it's even an option to convert Osuna. Even then it'd be more likely to be Biagini that's stretched out.

That is insane money for a reliever. But I actually think you're right Chapman could get close to that.

It's an option made even more attractive by the weak SP free agent market - we could ask for a lot for Estrada from a team that needs pitching to take a run at the World Series like say Texas. Unfortunately if we fail to get what we need in free agency, we may not have much choice.

Yeah unless you pay for elites (e.g. Chapman), pretty much any failed starter or waiver claim bounceback candidate is worth signing. If they don't work out you just get rid and get someone else - just look at the bullpen turnover this year alone.

My main concern would be wear and tear increasing the chance of missing games.

Yeah he may well be - but we knew that when they tried to trade Saunders for him. They must like him, and if he isn't cut (he has a buy out) he still prob wouldn't cost much in a trade - so surely they'll try to get him again?

After trying to get him once, surely they go back in for Jay Bruce to fill the need i.e. left handed bat and an outfielder. Outfield of Upton/Carrera, Pillar, Bruce, with Pompey as back up for all positions. Not great, but leaves lots of money to spend on the infield, whether that's resign EE or get someone else.

Obv you can't say never, but he's our best reliever right now and has been for 2 years. He'd need a full year in AAA, then likely a innings limit in 2018 just to see if he can be an effective starter. It's risky, especially when our strength right now is starting pitching and we already need at least 3 relievers for next season.

It's our position of strength. If we could get a decent 1B for him, as much as it pains me to say it, we could easily resign Dickey to replace him and use Dickey as the 5th starter.

Everyone else IMO either is too valuable (JD, Sanchez, Osuna), has minimal trade value, is a cheap squad player, is a prospect, or would be more difficult to upgrade than keep (e.g Tulo, Martin). Sorry for the multiple posts!