different topic
specifically I was answering your logic for Merrifield not stealing 3rd in that situation, with Snell on the mound and Espinal at the plate. I'd be pissed if he didn't attempt it.
for sure, it's not a deep position in the league so that would still be a good duo.
Failing that I'd like to see Atkins try and make a deal for one. There are a few teams with multiple good young catchers, Mets, Dodgers, Astros come to mind
I'm ok with it, Espinal got the assist by giving Sanchez a clear lane to gun him down at 3rd - otherwise he swipes it easily. Get your head in the game
I haven't looked at it in that detail but what you say makes sense, framing / receiving skills don't really slump. Inconsistent playing time also hasn't helped
Difficult to watch him struggle after what he did last season, I still think the bat is for real but he probably won't hit for power, above average on base numbers which is valuable from that position.
and his receiving skills haven't slumped, called strikes below
"Mayza and the team’s pitching coaches sat down to create an offseason plan. The priority: create a better slider." (your bold and not mine)
This is wonderful but every pitcher on every major league team sits down with their coaches to create an off season plan. This is like saying he came into camp "in the best shape ever". Still valuable and good he's working on improving, keep in mind Mayza's outings by leverage: 18 Low, 6 medium and 6 high
I am intrigued by the Pitching Lab though and look forward to seeing what it can produce - the fact that they are modeling it after college ball is a good sign - it's what the Dodgers did to get their hitting development back on track a few years ago. Should have done this in 2016 - might have produced more major league talent by now.
You tell by looking at the major league talent - it's the only sure way.
I was really referring to the High Performance Department that started way back when the current FO took over. So we have to wait a few more years to see what the Lab produced - that will be 9/10 years with this FO that's unacceptable IMO
Ricky T is hurt isn't he? there's no proof that it helped Mayza a 31 year old MLB veteran, Berrios was pretty much a stud when we got him
for that play at 2nd Berrios didn't recognize the situation and threw behind the runner - had he hesitated a bit and ran straight towards Grisham to get him in a run down - it would have been an easy out. Outstanding game though by Berrios, team didn't hit or at least didn't cash in runners when needed
for sure but why would Vlady's arb come in at 25M? maybe it comes into play in his last arb year but certainly won't be this winter.
I doubt we see the Bellinger numbers - he was bottom of the barrel bad and yes absolutely mvp numbers are still possible