tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50534141437454177402024-03-13T11:33:45.978-04:00World Major LeaguesNot-so-quietly one of the best HBD worlds hosted by WIFS (What if Sports).chase39http://www.blogger.com/profile/07487399750947444771noreply@blogger.comBlogger305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-76883194199791092232017-05-16T16:32:00.002-04:002018-02-08T16:15:27.254-05:00More Preview Material From Cards, Bosox, Indians, Braves and Reds<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Cardinals - jclarkbaker</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Most of my club returns. Only changes are: waived </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Derek Cromer (RF)</a><span style="background-color: white;"> . Did not resign </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Dick Pedersen (P)</a><span style="background-color: white;"> , </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Ronald Sims (CF)</a><span style="background-color: white;"> , or </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Christian Robinson (2B)</a><span style="background-color: white;"> . Vicente </span><span style="background-color: white;">Urbina (P)p and </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Ramiro Cela (3B)</a><span style="background-color: white;"> were signed to replace Pedersen and Cromer.</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Jonathan Sparks (1B)</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Maicer Martinez (SS)</a><span style="background-color: white;"> will get the post 20 game call up to replace Simms and Robinson. Both are likely to start.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>Red Sox - Spistol</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This may be the season the competition catches up to the Red Sox and ends its run of division titles. </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Offseason moves have mostly replaced lost production from departing free agents, at best -- though the pickup of </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Javier Brogna (P)</a><span style="background-color: white;"> does bolster the bullpen. The offense, </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Boston's specialty during this run, may not be as potent, with </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Daniel Harper (3B)</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Henry Young (DH)</a><span style="background-color: white;"> replaced by </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Laynce Taubensee (SS)</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Junior Pierce (RF)</a><span style="background-color: white;"> , respectively. </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Joan Sprague (2B) </a><span style="background-color: white;">will add speed and maybe a little batting eye to the bench after a less-than-stellar minor-league career. The pitching remains aggressively average as always. The only question seems to be how far off last season's 96-win campaign this squad will fall.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>Indians - opie5</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">This squad needed an overhaul - it was a bunch of sluggers (3 or 4 DH's) with little regard for </span><span style="background-color: white;">defense. Some of the prospects will make it to the bigs this season but it will take a couple of seasons to upgrade the defense in order to help the pitching staff (there's no ML 2B or SS to be found in the system - love to get one of those positions </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">with my high draft pick). The nucleus of a good team is there - I just have to fill the fringes (and find a #1 SP) to take this team into the PO's. There's actually enough talent to have a shot at a WC - but I'd have to get very lucky to get to that.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Braves - majnun</u></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For two seasons in a row I got too cute, </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and took half-measures with a team I thought could win it all. As Mike Ehrmantrout would say: "No half-measures." I concede that I will take a hit five seasons from now, but this is too competitive a league to fool around with.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Reds - wrecks</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Only a couple of things to add to our preview. We will be calling up </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Reynaldo Flande (SS) </a><span style="background-color: white;">after 20 games, and should have great depth and defense all over the field, as well as an improved bullpen and rotation.</span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-30496144435548161432017-05-16T16:20:00.001-04:002017-05-16T16:20:12.619-04:00Season 38 Preview: NL North<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Season 37 Recap</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Reds</span> arrived in a big way last year, winning the division for the first time since Season 21 and advancing all the way to the NLCS.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Season 38 Preview</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Somewhat lost in all the <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span>/<span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span> off-season hoopla were all the <span style="color: blue;">Reds'</span> moves. They traded for vets <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6837140">Darrell Hughes</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386846">Al Rosado</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6250265">Jaime Aldridge</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5639577">Justin Zagone</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6450297">Troy Griffith</a>, and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7426157">Danny Barr</a>; they may now have the NL's most productive lineup. They improved the pitching for sure, although I'm not sure the rotation compares with that of the <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span>, <span style="color: blue;">Braves</span> or <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span>. No doubt, though, <span style="color: blue;">Cincy</span> has as good a shot as anyone to be the NL's WS rep.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meanwhile the <span style="color: blue;">Cubbies</span> weren't sitting still. They added closer <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820967">David Estrella</a>, C <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5442590">Robert Roberts</a>, defensive SS <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6598795">Alcides Lopez</a>, and short reliever <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6023016">Malcolm Buxton</a>. <span style="color: blue;">Chicago</span> now has a capable bullpen to go with an excellent 4-deep rotation and last year's #4 offense and all-round excellent defense (.987 fielding % and 93/32 on +/- plays). Yet another team that will likely win more games this year than last.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Expos </span>look like they're going to trust <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033669">Rudy House's</a> glove in RF - a perfectly legit move considering the (needed) punch he brings. Montreal is in the process of becoming one of the youngest ML rosters in Major Leagues, with prospects like <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8506236">Kurt Koch</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8505629">Dorssys Johnson</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8337292">Marco Greene</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8337183">Cam Bando</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8178539">Hugh Kent</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8468035">Wilking Benitez</a>, and others heading for the Show in coming seasons. Not a bad ML roster now, and it's going to get better and cheaper soon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Milwaukee</span> gets another bite at the top-5 apple this year (#1) after selecting power-hitting infielder <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8505620">Rob Zoltan</a> #3 last year. The ML team will no doubt take their lumps this year, although they rummaged around in the FA bargain bin enough to keep them above the MWR (I especially liked the <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6249776">Sid Larkin</a> signing).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Forecast</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Cincinnati</span> is just too loaded, I think they'll win handily. The <span style="color: blue;">Cubs</span> may well win 90-95 games, and I could see them getting a Wild Card or missing narrowly. Some really good teams are going to miss the NL playoffs, and at this point I expect Chicago to be one of them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-8236724154166447642017-05-14T11:53:00.003-04:002017-05-14T11:53:20.544-04:00Season 38 Preview: NL East<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Season 37 Recap</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span> started slow but eventually came on to win the division for the 3rd time in 4 years, only to lose in the playoffs to the <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span> for the 3rd straight year. <span style="color: blue;">New York</span> also started slowly, but got hot at the right time and rode <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6802625">Ruben Ozuna</a> (4th Cy Young, 5-1, 2.56 in the playoffs) and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6802625">Cecil Bonilla</a> (MVP) all the way to the World Championship. <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6802625">Washington D.C.</a> looked unbeatable early, help on for a Wild Card, and lost to <span style="color: blue;">Cincy</span> in the play-in round. <span style="color: blue;">Philadelphia</span> fell 17 games off its Season 36 win total for 4th place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Season 38 Preview</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">With the <span style="color: blue;">Pittsburgh</span> franchise officially "up for sale," gm blanch13 mortgaged the future for a 1-or-2 year window by trading 3 top-tier prospects for <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033385">J.B. Hunter</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5638809">Chris Petkovsek</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5639588">Adalberto Cervantes</a>, and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6598780">Enerio Amaro</a>, and then later dealing for <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=4734025">Tony Moya</a>. Yes, they'll be good, but is it enough to get past the younger <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span> and the ever-tough <span style="color: blue;">Nats</span>?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">New York</span> responded by dramatically upgrading CF with <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7426233">Dean Whitfield</a> and bolstering the league's best pitching staff with <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5214000">Garrett Ward</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6802681">Rodrigo Cortes</a>. This is a remarkably talented team - they have 5 potential Sliver Sluggers in the lineup plus the odds-on favorite for the NL Cy Young. Their only potential flaw is a thin bench, made moreso by the injury to IF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerTransactions.aspx?pid=7426354">Arodys James</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Washington D.C.</span> got younger by moving Petkovsek and Cervantes to the Pirates, and only downgraded a little by getting <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231147">Leonardo Grimm</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7650437">Alan Carpenter</a> back. The <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5830184">Otto Little</a> deal vaulted them into the rare "3-aces-in-the-rotation club, which usually makes you a playoff favorite. The problem here is the other 2 members of the club are also in the NL East.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Philadelphia</span> had a very good offseason, adding <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6179333">Shigetoshi Shinjo</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5167990">Felipe Jose</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5784711">Miguel Valdez</a>, and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6250196">Yamil Mercado</a> in free agency; and new regulars <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7958158">Davey Ontiveros</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8179265">Nestor Bautista</a> in the Whitfield trade. The Phillies will be much-improved this year but are still dealing with the "3-juggernauts-in-the-division" problem.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Forecast</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's a tough call, but I think the <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span> are overall a little more talented than the <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span>. <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span> win the division, <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span> get Wild Card 1, <span style="color: blue;">Nats</span> get Wild Card 2 in a squeaker over the <span style="color: blue;">Cardinals</span>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-3454136933889318902017-05-14T10:18:00.002-04:002017-05-14T10:18:16.847-04:00Season 38 Preview: NL South<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Season 37 Recap</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">St. Louis</span> came out on top after a hard-fought season, but fell to the <span style="color: blue;">Reds</span> in the Division Round. <span style="color: blue;">Atlanta</span> won 93 games but for the second year running found itself out of the playoffs. After a magnificent 14-year run, <span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> finally got old and dropped to 80 wins. And <span style="color: blue;">Florida</span> continued building up its farm system with the additions of <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8468010">Jose Infante</a> (IFA, $12MM) and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8505513">Clayton Craig</a> (#14 in last year's draft).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Season 38 Preview</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Cardinals</span> win with pitching. Yes, they have their stars - <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231625">Esteban Mateo</a> (18-11, 2.60) is the ace and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerStats.aspx?pid=7231621">Henderson Cros</a>s (7 wins, 1 save, 2.32) is the all-purpose reliever. But they're also very good at not having anyone blow up - 11 pitchers who threw more than 40 innings last year came in with ERA's under 4. That lets them win 98 with a league-average offense, where <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6598879">Julio Nunez</a> (.290/30/99) is certainly earning his Season 36 free-agent deal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stinging from missing the playoffs in 92 and 93-win seasons, the <span style="color: blue;">Braves</span> made a huge splash in the offseason. They won the <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386815">Espinosa</a> sweepstakes, of course, but also traded disappointing OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033385">J.B Hunter</a> for promising young 3B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8142458">Arismendy Johnson</a> (Season 35 IFA, $28.7MM), and then replaced Hunter with <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6837063">Orlando Figueroa</a> for a 4A outfielder and a non-prospect pitcher. I'd certainly expect at least 95 wins from this team.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With 13 trades, 6 free-agent signings, a couple of waiver claims and 1 Rule 5 pickup, the <span style="color: blue;">Astros </span>have<span style="color: blue;"> </span>morphed from an aging, high-payroll squad to a defense-first, moderate-payroll team in one off-season. I'm sure they'd like to have much more speed (see <span style="color: blue;">Twins</span>, <span style="color: blue;">Diamondbacks</span>), but they do have 1 track star (and an immediate favorite for a Gold Glove) in 2B <a href="http://whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7426235">Ken Saunders</a>. As with all defense-oriented efforts, the big question will be whether they can put up enough runs...RF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5638882">Alex Field</a> is the only proven run-producer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Florida</span> has patiently stuck to a youth movement for the entire 5 seasons of the cyben era, and it's close to paying off big. The current ML squad (with a payroll of only $38MM by the way) will probably get above .500, and the best talent is still in the minors (Sea 35 #4 <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8179248">Donzell Roberts</a>, Sea 36 #46 <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8337454">Rene Bierbrodt</a>, Infante, Sea 36 #2 <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8337110">Tanner Rogers</a>, and Craig. In another season or 2, there's going to be a new power in the NL.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Forecast</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like the <span style="color: blue;">Braves</span> to regain supremacy in the South. The <span style="color: blue;">Cards</span> will be close, and I expect them to be locked all season in a wild-card tussle with 2 NL East teams. I think it comes down to the last day of the season, with the <span style="color: blue;">Nats</span> topping <span style="color: blue;">St. Louis</span> for the 2nd Wild Card.</span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-78449708112736374142017-05-13T12:21:00.004-04:002017-05-13T12:21:40.647-04:00Season 38 Preview: NL West<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Season 37 Recap</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Dodgers</span> came out of nowhere (45 wins in a disastrous Season 36) to nip <span style="color: blue;">Colorado</span> for the crown and even in a first-round playoff loss, distinguished themselves (they were the only team to win 2 games against the <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span> in any of <span style="color: blue;">New York's</span> 4 playoff rounds). The <span style="color: blue;">Rockies</span> dropped 7 wins but were still playoff contenders at Game 162. The Giants posted a nice 12-win improvement, while <span style="color: blue;">San Diego</span> continued to stock its farm system with strong #1's (<a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8505438">Al Arguelles</a>) and IFA's (<a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8468011">Gustavo Javier</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8468112">Al Tejada</a>).</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Season 38 Preview</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Dodger</span> SS's committed 26 errors and 5 bad plays (to 6 good plays) last year, which they addressed with the trade for <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7600070">Marcos Profar</a>. The offense is potentially top-5 (7th last year with 695 runs) behind <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6022474">Jemile Frazier</a> (.268/46/107), <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6249665">Cy James</a> (.305/18/76, 24 SB) and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7230968">Dan Ross</a> (.275/23/103). Interesting note: last year's top OPS'er - <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6837309">Vladimir Washington</a> (.310/21/60 in 406 AB's) - remains unsigned. The pitching was a vast improvement over Season 36's disaster (ERA dropped from 5.73 to 3.92), but remains a wild-card. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Rockies</span> had perhaps the biggest hitting loss in free agency - longtime 1B and face-of-the-franchise <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6449513">Orval Miller</a> (.276, 265 HR's over 9 seasons) bolted for <span style="color: blue;">Tampa Bay</span>. Rookie <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820219">Russell Heilman</a> is the likely inheritor of the 1B job; the <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6250257">Stubby George</a> and Norman Weston-led pitching staff will have to shoulder a little more of the burden for <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6637315">Colorado Springs</a> to contend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">San Francisco</span> badly needs a new direction, and will likely get one at some point under new GM ACEROTHSTEIN. The prime pieces of the Season 33 <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5784842">Maicer Camacho</a> trade - <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7426458">Douglas Lindor</a> (.731 OPS over 3 seasons) and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7230919">Yamil Pino</a> (.298 OBP over 3 seasons, although he has played good defense), have been disappointing, and they've squandered too many 1st-round draft choices. The <span style="color: blue;">Giants</span> were quiet this off-season, so don't expect a big surge in the win column. But do expect some wholesale changes as new ownership's plans unfold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">San Diego</span> will be the West's most-changed squad heading into the season. They added 2B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6410497">Ugueth Gonzalez</a>, a move we praised in our free agency reviews. They tacked on 3 more Type A and B free agents (C <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6022635">Joel Dorsey</a>, 1B/OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6249597">Darnell Bell</a>, and OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6022294">Rodney Simmons</a>) for peanuts, and added several more nice budget signings. It looks like they've now got a much more contact-and-batting-eye-oriented lineup ( a nice fit for the ballpark), but can they improve on last year's NL-low 511 (gulp) runs? And can the no-name staff deliver another 3.43 ERA (5th)?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Forecast</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Given that the<b> </b>top<b> </b>2 in the division each won just 81 games last year, and the bottom 2 were only 12 and 13 back, this is probably the division most ripe for a surprise. I think the <span style="color: blue;">Dodgers</span> are the best on paper, but I'm going to pick the <span style="color: blue;">Padres</span> in an upset.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Arizona</span> took the world by storm with its defense, pitching, and infield-hits formula (although to be fair, <span style="color: blue;">Minnesota</span> has played much the same brand for years) and advanced all the way to the WS before falling to the <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span>. <span style="color: blue;">Seattle</span> avenged its Season 36 near-miss with a Wild Card. <span style="color: blue;">Anaheim</span> went through a second re-tooling in 3 years, and <span style="color: blue;">Oakland</span> edged closer to total rebuild mode.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Season 38 Preview</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The</span><b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">D'backs</span> seek to defend the crown by one, boosting the offense (they've moved <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7649635">Luis Mendoza</a> back to RF and installed <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7958076">Carlos Gonzalez</a> as the DH), and two, replacing <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386815">Midre Espinosa's</a> innings with <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386805">Julio Pettit</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5639585">Doug Stoops</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6023017">Alex Leach</a>. I like the moves, although it wouldn't surprise me to see them drop off by a few wins. <span style="color: blue;">Seattle</span> pumped up its farm system with the <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5830184">Otto Little</a> trade; they'll compete, but can they catch <span style="color: blue;">AZ</span> without an ace? <span style="color: blue;">Anaheim</span> has fully committed to its youth movement with 6 rookies on the ML roster. With a total payroll of only $40MM, watch for the <span style="color: blue;">Halos</span> to be big players in the IFA market. <span style="color: blue;">Oakland</span> got a couple of prospects for <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386846">Al Rosado </a>and appears poised to trade other vets like <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5589525">Tony Chirinos</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6837406">Stevie Foltynewicz</a>, and others. Their recent drafts have been very productive, netting Kiko <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8178654">Malone</a> in Season 35, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8337414">Pepe Lopez</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8337235">Chris Goldberg</a> in Season 36, and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8505736">Stefen Brock</a> in Season 37 (plus 7 first-round supplementals in those drafts). Things can turn pretty fast when you build up that many minor-league assets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Forecast</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Arizona</span> again, as all 3 of their competitors have committed to rebuilding or at least stepping back a bit. <span style="color: blue;">Seattle</span> should be the most competitive again. I wouldn't be surprised if they stayed close to AZ all year, or even if they grabbed a Wild Card, but it will take some heroic performances from unlikely players.</span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-3429906880218237232017-05-10T18:46:00.001-04:002017-05-10T18:46:07.199-04:00Season 38 Preview: AL South<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Season 37 Recap</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">pstrnutbag's <span style="color: blue;">Rangers</span> jumped up and grabbed the South for the first time since Season 15. Theirs was a pretty complete team effort - no hitter had 100 rbi and no pitcher had more than 15 wins. <span style="color: blue;">Tampa Bay</span> finally had to regroup a little after 11 titles in 12 years. <span style="color: blue;">Nashville</span> stayed in the same narrow 68-76 win range they've been in for the last 5 seasons, while Kansas City sought to stay competitive while rebuilding.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Season 38 Preview</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Texas</span> had a pretty low-key offseason with just a couple of promotions (C <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7958134">Willie Cruz</a> and CF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8142477">Thomas Rivera</a>) as their biggest moves. To give you an idea of how spread-out the <span style="color: blue;">Ranger</span> contributions were: they had 7 pitchers post sub-3.00 ERA's, and 13 hitters drove in at least 20 runs. They'll need something similar to repeat. <span style="color: blue;">Tampa Bay</span>, on the other had, hit free agency hard. They signed perhaps the best hitter in this year's class, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6449513">Orval Miller</a>, rubber-armed reliever <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5986740">Esmil Gonzalez</a>, steady 3B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5442368">Bart Sanders</a>, and a handful of lower-budget guys. With Season 36 CY winner <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5639605">Max Mullens</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5214009">Murray Hudson</a> still topping the rotation, this is a pretty dangerous squad. <span style="color: blue;">Nashville</span> dipped into free agency for <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5638999">Gil Sodowsky</a> but seems focused on developing the farm - some more picks like that one that brought <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820233">Ichiro Chong</a> (.275/34/75 last year) would help. After a couple of re-trenching seasons, <span style="color: blue;">Kansas City</span> was a major FA player again this year. They signed everybody's 2nd choice, SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6022989">Alex Martin</a>, to head up the rotation. They got <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6837860">Domingo Chavez</a> to stabilize the bullpen. They picked up <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6410449">Roberto Ramirez</a> to ignite the running game. Enough to get them back into contention? I don't know, but they'll be better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Forecast: </b> I'll guess that <span style="color: blue;">Tampa Bay</span> scratches their way back to the top of the heap, with <span style="color: blue;">Texas</span> right there and getting a Wild Card. <span style="color: blue;">KC</span> will be one of the surprise teams of the season but will fall a bit short of playoff-land; <span style="color: blue;">Nashville</span> will be respectable but looks for contention next season.</span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-77392419921937538852017-05-09T19:18:00.003-04:002017-05-09T19:18:20.428-04:00Season 38 Preview: AL East<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Season 37 Recap</b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Red Sox</span> won handily again behind Ronnie Burns' .298/48/138 MVP season, but the <span style="color: blue;">Yankees </span>improved by 14 wins (to 84) and seem to have momentum. The <span style="color: blue;">Orioles</span> and <span style="color: blue;">Indians</span> didn't contend, but both started to make some noise with young, promising power hitters (SS <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820347">Chip Caminiti</a> and 2B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231143">Keith Townsend</a> for the <span style="color: blue;">Birds</span> and 1B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820501">Desmond Farmer</a> for the <span style="color: blue;">Tribe</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Season 38 Preview</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It wasn't a super-active off-season for the East...a few smaller trades and free agent moves. I get the sense it may be time for a changing of the guard; check this preview from <span style="color: blue;">Boston</span> GM Spistol:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #49453e;">"This may be the season the competition catches up to the </span><span style="color: blue;">Red Sox</span><span style="color: #49453e;"> and ends its run of division titles. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;">Offseason moves have mostly replaced lost production from departing free agents, at best -- though the pickup of </span><a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5830152">Javier Brogna</a> (P)<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> does bolster the bullpen. The offense, </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Boston's</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> specialty during this run, may not be as potent, with </span><a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6636708">Daniel Harper</a> (3B)<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> and </span><a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5639214">Henry Young</a> (DH)<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> replaced by </span><a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033447">Laynce Taubensee</a> (SS)<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> and </span><a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7649757">Junior Pierce</a> (RF)<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> , respectively. </span><a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8178540">Joan Sprague</a> (2B) <span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;">will add speed and maybe a little batting eye to the bench after a less-than-stellar minor-league career. The pitching remains aggressively average as always. The only question seems to be how far off last season's 96-win campaign this squad will fall."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;">Spistol may be trying to emulate z0601's ultra-successful double backflip reverse jinx mojo from last season, or he may be looking over his shoulder at the </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Yankees</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;">. Led by ace <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7650447">Vin Gumbs</a> and a horde of young infielders, they're going to be really good this year. One caveat - they're not the Bronx Bombers; they only scored 621 runs last year (16th in the AL). They need to address that (by trade at this point) if they're going to challenge the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Bosox</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Baltimore</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Cleveland</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> are far from afterthoughts, but both have had glitches in their rebuilding plans. The </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Orioles'</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> last three first-rounders haven't worked out, so even though they have some nice young stars in the Majors, their pipeline is thin. It's a similar story for the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Indians</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;">, who didn't have a #1 last year, haven't seen much development from #1 overall (Season 36) <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8337923">Garland Daley</a>, and clearly whiffed on Season 35 #15 overall <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8178652">Ken Quinn</a>. Both clubs stayed conservative with payrolls this year (presumably to hit the IFA market), but will likely have to resort to free agency to contend next year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><b>Forecast:</b> I'm picking the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Bosox </span><span style="background-color: white;">to win it again...to much offense from 2B/CF with Magnusson and Burns. Even if the <span style="color: blue;">Yanks</span> resorted to wholesale trades at this point, I just don't think they could generate enough runs to overtake <span style="color: blue;">Boston</span>.</span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-34328337669732735832017-05-08T21:47:00.004-04:002017-05-08T21:47:46.825-04:00Season 38 Preview: AL North<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Season 37 Recap</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Twinkies</span> took their 2nd straight North crown with a strong 98-win campaign. The <span style="color: blue;">Tigers </span>claimed a wild card, but both North teams were erased in their first playoff series. The <span style="color: blue;">White Sox</span> seemed to age quickly, sagging by 20 wins to 76, while <span style="color: blue;">Toronto</span> improved to 74 victories but still finished 4th.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Season 38 Preview</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The big offseason news here, of course, is <span style="color: blue;">Minnesota's</span> max contract for <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6179292">Luis Osuna</a>. It remains to be seen if they'll use him as a traditional every-5th-day starter or in some other capacity as part of their almost-all-relief scheme. You can be sure that they'll try to squeeze 250 innings out of him whatever his role(s). With their infield hits (world-leading 175 last year) and base-stealing (347 - lapped the field), the Twins' offense should be in the 800-850 run range again. Add that to their sterling defense, and perhaps Osuna is the ticket to their first World Championship since Season 14.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Tigers</span> and <span style="color: blue;">White Sox</span> both had busy off-seasons as well. The Tigers extended themselves right up to their $110MM budget, bringing in <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6450310">Jim Colin</a> as a #2 starter, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5784845">Dennis Nakajima</a> to bolster the OF, and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6449700">Tori Hatcher</a> at 2B. I expect a big rebound for <span style="color: blue;">Chicago</span>. While they made some smart budget FA signings, I think they'll get rebound seasons from a number of their star veterans (<a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6179287">Magglio Rodriguez</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6598808">Addison Johnson</a>, for example, bit had their worst seasons by far last year...at 33 and 31, you have to expect big comebacks).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Toronto</span> made a big jump behind a wave of youngsters last year. They've reached competitive status but will still be concentrating on farm system development for the next season or 2. They have 1 or 2 prospects who could help some this year, but the real jump will come when their last 3 #1's - <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8178659">Perry Sutton</a> (Season 35 #1 overall), <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerDraftHistory.aspx?pid=8337877">Wally Gordon</a> (Season 36 #16), and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8506217">Ernest Erving</a> (Season 37 #5) - reach the Bigs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Forecast:</b> I'm picking the <span style="color: blue;">White Sox</span> to win the division in a pretty big upset, with the <span style="color: blue;">Twins</span> grabbing a Wild Card.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-53051637031596294922017-05-07T17:53:00.003-04:002017-05-07T19:37:30.714-04:00Diamondbacks Offseason: How Free Agency Gone Awry Made My Team BetterI started this offseason with both my Cy Young award-winning SP, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386815" target="_blank">Midre Espinosa</a> and my starting LF, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6636600" target="_blank">Bryant Cashner</a> both turning down my FA re-signing period offers, saying they wanted to test free agency. This would ultimately turn out well for one of them; the other, not so much.<br />
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After arb signings, I went into free agency with about $40M, needing to fill three holes. First I needed a solid SP to replace Espinosa. His 253 IP at a 2.23 ERA and 1.03 WHIP were going to be difficult, if not impossible, to adequately replace.<br />
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I also wanted a stud Setup A, as last year's patched together bullpen top three of <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6637297" target="_blank">Mac Rivera</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6450295" target="_blank">BJ Ulrich</a>, and Enny Lopez was solid but needed to throw more innings. The three combined for 212 IP last season with a 3.15 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. They added 43 saves against five blown saves. The rest of the pen combined for 169 IP with a 5.41 ERA, a 1.54 WHIP, four saves and seven blown saves. Clearly, the back of my bullpen was a weak point. I knew that <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5830144" target="_blank">Stuffy Ponson</a> and his $6.3M salary would return, but I could place him in a mopup role. I still needed to fill 100 IP with better relievers.<br />
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Finally, I wanted to improve the offense.We finished third in runs scored in AL last season with 779, but our .725 OPS was only good for eighth in the league. The 155 [SB-CS] helped with that, as did being third in the league in fewest GIDP. Still, I felt it was a bit of a fluke and wanted to bump up the OPS.<br />
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Other, less pressing needs included a 12th pitcher to stash in AAA, as I had no one in my minor league system I would want to promote in case of an injury. And though I have budgeted 20/18 for training/medical there are bound to be injuries: Stuffy Ponson (44 health), BJ Ulrich (47), <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7650365" target="_blank">Alex Pomeranz</a> (63) and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7034039" target="_blank">Patrick Hunter</a> (68) all make me nervous.<br />
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I also had no position players in my system that merited promotions to the Majors this season, a product of trading every possible usable piece to form last season's roster. So I needed someone there also, but like the 12th pitcher, it was a secondary need.<br />
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Before free agency began I dealt <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8506197" target="_blank">Murray Hellweg</a>, a #1 pick last season, to the Giants for <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7958076" target="_blank">Carlos Gonzalez</a>. I was OK dealing a prospect with possibly nine years of ML control for another who had not reached the majors. In this case I was dealing what I though was a potential #3 SP for a DH and cleanup hitter. The Giants, apparently, valued the SP potential over the limited value of a DH in the NL.<br />
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This meant that last year's Silver Slugger DH, Luis Mendoza, would need to move back to RF, and there would be a significant defensive downgrade there. Last year each of our starting OFs won a Gold Glove. Last's year's LF, Cashner, was now gone and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6022305" target="_blank">Bill Matthews</a> would be slated to move from RF to LF. Cashner had made 15 plus plays again two errors last season, and he was being replaced by Mendoza's lifetime two plus plays, 12 minus plays, and six errors in RF across 290 career games there. This becomes really important when you look at the GB/FB ratings of the top three returning SPs, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7034039" target="_blank">Patrick Hunter</a> (58), <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231658" target="_blank">Erv Daley</a> (53), and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7650365" target="_blank">Alex Pomeranz</a> (47).<br />
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Gonzalez then would need to not only cover Cashner's 88 RC last season, but also enough additional RC to make up for the defensive downgrade in RF. Good luck there, rook.<br />
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I would have liked to gone after <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6179292" target="_blank">Luis Osuna</a>, the best player available in FA, But I needed one SP, two RP (one maybe a bargain Setup B available after Rule V for less than $2M) and another position player. I had $40M to spend, and I was not confident that I could get anything at the end of Rule V to fill any of those roles. Osuna was obviously going to get a max contract, and although I had a good pitching coach (94) returning, I didn't want to tie up the vast majority of my cash waiting for Osuna to sign during the last two cycles. Too much risk there.<br />
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So I decided to go after Espinosa, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5214000" target="_blank">Garrett Ward</a>, and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7426238" target="_blank">Christian Robinson</a> in FA, and worry about an 11th pitcher and other needs later. I figured I could get those three for less than $36M, and have room still left to spend on other additions. Ward was a Type B that I felt was the best RP available, and he had averaged over 150 IP the past few seasons. Robinson was someone I felt could provide the same defense as our incumbent 2B, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6992691" target="_blank">Pascual Estrada</a>, but with an improved offense. Robinson had performed well in season 35 and 36 with 68 and 72 RC respectively, compared to Estrada's 63 last season. He also would be moving from a pitcher's park in St. Louis to a slight hitters park in Arizona.<br />
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In the AM cycle Part 1 early Wednesday morning I initially offered Espinosa a four year deal with a mutual option totaling $57M, which was $9M more than I had originally offered him at the beginning of the year. I started Ward off at three years, $21M, and Robinson at 5 years, $31M. At this point I had $12M in reserve and was feeling pretty good with everything.<br />
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It took all of two cycles before Espinosa was considering someone else. Thus began a cycle-by-cycle back-and-forth game of "Can You Top This?" Meanwhile, someone jumped on Ward in the PM cycle Part 2. Ward's back-and-forth at this point isn't as severe as Espinosa's, but it is getting mildly annoying. Nothing about Robinson through the day, though, so I am thinking I could sail by with him. Still, I had started out with $12M in reserve and this was quickly dwindling.<br />
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Somewhere around here I did inquire with Seattle about the availability of <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5830184" target="_blank">Otto Little</a>, just in case Espinosa's demands became too high. We didn't have a really good fit, though, and crabman understandably wanted to take more time to think about it (he ultimately ended up with a much better deal).<br />
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Thursday morning in the first signing cycle I immediately go to the GM/Edit Roster page and slowly look through the player salaries, hoping for a ML one. Only Christian Robinson has signed. I am thrilled with this - part 1 of the three-part plan has gone OK - but I am getting stretched by Espinosa and Ward by now, 24 hours in.<br />
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All day Thursday back and forth, nearly every cycle, on both Espinosa and Ward. I don't want to get in the situation of deferring salaries to upcoming years to make the offers work, but I am slowly moving toward that point. Finally, Friday morning, after having an offer for $92M over five seasons (20/20/20/10/20 with a $2M bonus) topped, I needed to back off Espinosa. 250+ IP, ERA in the low twos. Just was not going to happen. He ends up signing with Atlanta in the PM cycle Part 1 for $95M over five years.<br />
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The next best available FA SP at this point is <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6022989" target="_blank">Alex Martin</a>, but I think he'll be the go-to guy for everyone who lost out on Osuna (who had signed by now) and Espinosa. So I need another plan. I have 350 IP to fill with the loss of Espinosa and the replacement of last year's poor RPs. There is no other SP on the market that will give me 250 IP, so I need to step up and get a decent 200 IP SP, along with a good 11th pitcher (rather than a $2M bargain).<br />
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I thus go after two players, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5639585" target="_blank">Doug Stoops</a>, with a 3.92 career ERA, who fits the mold of what I like in a pitcher (80+ CTL, VEL, GBFB), and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386805" target="_blank">Julio Petit</a>, also in that mold, and who sports a 3.73 lifetime ERA. I always assume that pitchers will perform better than their career average on my team, because we will be fielding a better defense and have a catcher with high PC (80+). Petit threw for 218 IP last season and Stoops 75. Combined with Ward, whose price tag is still slowly escalating, I can get my 350 quality IP I am looking for. It's not Espinosa, but it will do.<br />
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I offer Stoops two years at $4.8M per, which he accepts in the Friday PM1 part 1 cycle (same as Espinosa). Even with Ward's ever-increasing demands, I know I'll have a hard time spending all $40M of my available FA money. I never, never go into the first game of the season without spending virtually everything I have (save for a ML injury promotion and enough to sign draft picks). I thus offer Petit a $7M bonus and reduce his salary to $3M/yr for three years. He likes it but waits until the PM2 cycle Part 2 before he actually signs late Friday night.<br />
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So Saturday morning I take the lead on Ward with a four year, $48M offer. Yes, ridiculous for a RP, but he can pitch 140+ innings, if I can find that much work for him. And with his 80/89 L/R splits and good supporting numbers, I figure he'll be worth it. And then Saturday morning my offer is topped. Dammit. Losing Espinosa was difficult, but it occurred early enough in FA that I could regroup. What to do now? Ward is 36, showing a slight decline, and I cannot imagine giving him a fifth year, let alone a fourth season without an option. He eventually signed for $51M over three years with a year three mutual option.<br />
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But I know it's time for me to back off Ward and get creative. I put my money into two players. The first, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6023017" target="_blank">Alex Leach</a>, again fits the mold of player I like, and he comes with a 3.49 lifetime ERA. I give Leach a 3 year, $13M contract, which includes another $10M signing bonus. He pitched 71 innings last year, so combined with Petit and Stoops, I reach a little past my goal of adding 350 solid IP from my FA pitchers. Certainly not the way I planned it, but nonetheless getting to where I wanted to be. Even with the downgrade from Espinosa to Petit, overall my pitching staff is much better because of the massive upgrades of Stoops and Leach.<br />
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I still have money left over, even after throwing out $17M in signing bonuses to lower salaries in future seasons. So I have been watching JT Whiten through free agency, and he is a good defensive ML SS whose salary demands have dropped to $1.7M on a one-year deal. Since he's only 27, and his defensive skills should not deteriorate until after 30, I offer him four years, $7M, with $3M coming in bonus money. I am now up to $20M in bonus money this year, which should bode very well for next year. Whiten has MILB options left, and 72 patience, so he should be good spending this year in AAA, and taking over a ML role for <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6249660" target="_blank">Ringo Frye</a> next season.<br />
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With about $4M still left over, I am looking for a young 20-something pitcher that can serve as my 12th pitcher awaiting an injury call-up. I need someone with options, preferably, and if possible no ML experience, so that I can pay big for their first season, and get close to minimum salary for the next two. No one like this is really interesting to me.<br />
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About five minutes before the PM cycle Part 2 I notice that <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6636819" target="_blank">Ricardo Profar</a> is still available, and asking for $3.4M/yr for two seasons. He's a Type A FA, but since I have already signed/offered three Type As at this point, I'd just be giving up a fifth round pick in the draft. I have no real need for Profar, but he's a bargain, and I figure I can use him or trade him. I give him what he wants, and 10 minutes later I pick up Leach, Whiten, and Profar. My $40M is spent. Profar will take the place of <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7649906" target="_blank">Franklin Aaron</a>, who I later traded for a couple of prospects because I feared the ratings drop if I demoted him to AAA.<br />
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All in all, free agency did not go nearly how I planned. I did not get Espinosa or Ward, but I ended up with three excellent pitchers, one upgrade at 2B, a backup SS/insurance against injury, and a still-productive Ricardo Profar. As a bonus, I reduced salary costs by nearly $6M/yr in the next three seasons. It is certainly an outcome I can live with.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777021127952915759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-42386064206689686872017-05-07T16:57:00.003-04:002017-05-07T16:57:31.893-04:00Day 6 Free Agent Signings<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>While the biggest names in free agency signed a little early this year, the 3PM cycle still saw lots of activity and significant names. Here's the rundown:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Philadelphia</span> signs RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5167990">Felipe Jose</a> for 4 years, $38MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Guess this is the guy jclark was referring to. Expensive indeed, but good - career ERA of 3.39 and OPS-against well under .700. He's never been stretched out to 140 IP but could probably get there. I don't think <span style="color: blue;">Philly</span> can challenge in the even-tougher NL East this year, but they will be improved...80-85 wins?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Arizona</span> signs RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6023017">Alex Leach</a> for 3 years, $13MM ($10MM of it a bonus)</span><br />
<b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Analysis:</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Leach has produced much better number than his ratings might predict (especially the 59 and 63 splits), and I'm not sure why. He's only thrown 361 innings in his career (even though he could probably reach 150-160 in a season if pressed), suggesting his managers have used him carefully. He's had a couple of low-inning blowup seasons, but has performed well when given regular work (all of the last 3 seasons under 3.00 ERA with 72, 53, and 71 innings). Not sure how mbriese will use him, but he may have snagged a hidden gem here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Arizona</span> signs <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6636819">Ricardo Profar</a> for 2 years, $6.6MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Back in AZ after 1 mediocre campaign in <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6636819">Pittsburgh</a>. He may have a tough time breaking into <span style="color: blue;">Arizona's</span> crowded 1B/DH/OF rotation, although he can still run at age 33, so he fits the plan. Currently in the minor-league camp, although I think they'll make room for him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Kansas City</span> signs SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6022989">Alex Martin</a> for 5 years, $51MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Not a bad contract for a guy coming off elbow surgery. Martin has been a good pitcher - a number of 14 and 15-win seasons and a 3.83 career ERA - and will have more good seasons. This is about the expected price in FA for a pitcher of this caliber.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">New York Mets </span>sign P <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5214000">Garret Ward</a> for 3 years, $50.4MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> The nature of "arms races" is that both sides just keep adding more weapons regardless of the cost and regardless of the benefit. The <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span> and <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span> have entered an arms race in which both have acquired way more weapons than they need for success. Long-term, the <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span> will outlast the <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span> - they simply have a younger talent core - but I wonder if their over-acquiring on Ward (and more especially, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6802681">Rodrigo Cortes</a> for 5 years, $54.2MM) will hurt their competitiveness against the more efficiently-spending <span style="color: blue;">Reds</span>, <span style="color: blue;">Braves</span>, <span style="color: blue;">Cardinals</span> (and whatever others emerge over the next couple of seasons).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whatever happens will be fun. The <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span> now have 12 pitchers on the big club, and given that they'll get about 800 innings from their front 3 (out of about 1450 a 162-game season needs) there are a lot of surplus innings lying around. Will they go with only 3 starters and play a lot of lefty/righty matchups with their 9 (very good) remaining pitchers? With only 13 position players they'll be wasting some good pinch-hit opportunities. More likely, they'll continue to use 5 starters and use Ward and Young as long/middle relief. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Detroit</span> signs 2B/OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5784845">Dennis Nakajima</a> for 5 years, $53MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Nakajima was far and away the best position player left on the last cycle, and the <span style="color: blue;">Tigers</span> came away the winners. Despite never winning a major award (or even making an All-Star game), Nakajima has been one of Major Leagues' best-hitting infielders for 11 years. I don't think the Tigers are going to like the last 2 years of his contract very much (his age 36 and 37 seasons), but they can walk away from the last year for $3MM.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Pittsburgh</span> signs SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5214023">Dick Pederson</a> for 2 years, $9.2MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> The <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span> signed Pederson for 2 reasons: 1) Insurance against a pitching injury, and 2) A couple of potential (short) appearances in a Mets playoff series to face lefty hitters. That's a pretty expensive 5-inning lefty specialist, but that's the nature of arms races.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> signs RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6450286">Corey Montgomery</a> for 2 years, $6.2MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> A bargain compared to the prices of other middle relievers in this free agency</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Detroit</span> signs OF/1B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6449632">Lou Owen</a> for 2 years, $6.7MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> A solid bargain among the normally high-priced A and B FA's, he looks like he'll share time at 1B with <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6636820">Esmailyn Rodriguez</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Chicago White Sox</span> sign 3B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6636708">Daniel Harper</a> for 2 years, $7.8MM</span><br />
<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Analysis: </b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Backup 3B and OF duty. The <span style="color: blue;">Sox </span>didn't have a very good season last year, but this is the same core group (older to be sure) that won 100+ games every year from Seasons 30-35. Don't count them out.<br /><br /><span style="color: blue;">Chicago White Sox</span> sign OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5442370">Walker Cather</a> for 1 year, $3.65MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Another nice budget deal for the <span style="color: blue;">Pale Hose</span>. Cather's nearing the end of the line, but still OPS'd .812 (above his career average) for <span style="color: blue;">Tampa Bay</span> last year. The <span style="color: blue;">Sox </span>would be overjoyed with .750.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Washington D.C.</span> signs 1B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5589621">Vin Almonte</a><span style="color: blue;"> </span>for 1 year, $1.95MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>Somewhere between a pure backup at 1B and half the vR platoon AB's, depending on how well incumbent 1B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6449914">Floyd Purcell</a> handled RHP (.735 OPS against RHP last year...not quite up to what you want from a 1B)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Kansas City</span> signs OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6410449">Roberto Ramirez</a> for 2 years, $6.8MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Formerly the <span style="color: blue;">Twins'</span> primary scatback, Ramirez has 742 career SB's (just outside the top 5 all-time). His role is unclear at this point - I can't see him unseating Tamura in LF or Donald in RF.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Philadelphia</span> signs RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerContracts.aspx?pid=6250196">Yamil Mercado</a> for 2 years, $8.8MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>Third big-innings middle reliever the <span style="color: blue;">Phils</span> have signed in FA...some kind of crazy, <span style="color: blue;">Minnesota</span>-like pitching scheme coming?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">San Diego</span> signs C <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6022635">Joel Dorsey</a> for 1 year, $1.3MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>Another player who fits the ballpark - high contact and eye, not much power. Dorsey figures to be the vL catcher.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Oakland</span> signs SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6637306">Lonny Rincon</a> for 2 year, $5MM</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pretty good price for a guy expected to be around a 4.00 ERA, although the ballpark may push him south of that.</span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-53717256445478166652017-05-06T12:15:00.003-04:002017-05-06T12:15:30.051-04:00Offseason Days 5 & 6: Lull Before The Big FA Signing Cycle<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Trades and signings have slowed to a trickle in advance of the PM1 Part 2 cycle this afternoon. With Osuna and Espinosa already signed to big deals, today's signings may be a bit anticlimactic, but there are still some very good players up for grabs. Here are our last couple of A/B signings:</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Arizona</span> signs SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386805">Julio Petit</a> for 3 years, $16MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, he's not Magglio Espinosa (who is?), but he's not bad, especially at $5.33MM a year. Career 3.73 ERA over 11 seasons, with just 3 years coming in at over 4.00. Last year's 2.90 was undoubtedly helped by <span style="color: blue;">San Diego's</span> park, but a 3.50 ERA in 200 IP wouldn't be too much to hope for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Pittsburgh</span> signs IF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6410430">Carlos Suarez</a> for 2 years, $8.0MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820343">Bernie Gennett</a> on board, the <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span> decided to go with a little more offense in their 2nd backup infielder. He'll be primarily the backup 3B and pinch-hitter.</span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-1741384887841225672017-05-05T17:48:00.001-04:002017-05-05T17:49:19.649-04:00Inside The War Rooms: How the Moya Trade Played Out From 4 GM's<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"><b><u>Houston - the Seller</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">In total, 11 teams engaged in trade talks for Moya. A few more inquired about his price and were clearly just looking to see if I would dump him for nothing, but 11 in total made a real attempt at acquiring him. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">Of those 11, 3 teams worked hard enough for me to consider moving him - the Pirates, the Mets, and the Mariners. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">The Mariners were rightfully protective of a few of their top prospects, so we couldn't work out an imminent deal and agreed to look at things again once the dust settled after free agency.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">The Mets initially wanted to offer a few pitching stopgaps that would not have helped my team for the first few seasons - decent players, but not in the same league as Moya. After dealing <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8179265">Nestor Bautista</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7958158">Davey Ontiveros</a> (for Philly's CF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7426233">Dean Whitfield</a>), there wasn't much left in the cupboard that they could send over for Moya. Still, they offered a fair amount of talent that I may have considered had trade talks for Moya fallen off through the middle of the season. Assuming the Mariners found what they were looking for in FA, the Mets were the top contender 48 hours ago.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">Dealing with the Pirates this offseason was a 3-act play. This first conversation we have about Moya includes concern about his ratings dropping sharply this season. A little background on Moya - he's 39 years old and has never been on the disabled list. He has incredibly high durability and makeup, and has dropped 1 overall point each of the past 2 seasons (90 to 89, 89 to 88). </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">Anyways, concerns about his staying power stalled talks and we agreed to continue the trade discussion later. In between acts 1 and 2 I make about 6 or 7 trades and I'm feeling better about the upcoming season. Talks with the Mariners are ongoing and the Mets are still in the "lowballing" stage of the trade conversation. We pinged the Pirates again about <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820958">LaTroy Owen</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033453">David Richmond</a>, but can't agree on what the third piece of his side of the deal should be. Trade talks fall apart again and I keep on trading.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">The Midre Espinosa sweepstakes turned out to be a big boon to Moya's value. In the matter of a few hours a few new parties become interested in Moya, but their offers are disappointing and ultimately discourage me from moving him at all in the off-season. I think, "What's wrong with just keeping him? He'll still have value mid-season if a deal comes along, and should have an ERA in the low 2s now that I've signed (defensive wiz catcher) <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386842">Harry Ugueto</a>." The Pirates jump back into the discussion as part of the heartbroken assortment of teams that missed out on Espinosa, offering the same deal I asked for during Act 2. I decline, saying that I'm probably just going to keep Moya, but thanks anyways. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">That's when cbriese (who I've obviously talked to the most during this whole process, but we haven't worked out a deal due to us wanting the exact same type of player) points out the Pirates' <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7779326">Eduardo Chavez (SS)</a>, saying that he'd be a great solution to my SS problems. I agreed, but it wasn't enough. Then I took a look at my other options - most other defensive shortstops were either expensive, completely devoid of hitting splits, or a combination of the two. I had already tried dealing for defensive shortstops that other people weren't selling to no avail. Chavez immediately becomes the most attractive option, and all of a sudden this trade solves 3 problems for my team. I offered it to blanch, he accepted, and I think we're both very happy now.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">I've made 12 trades so far this offseason, and I'm (hopefully) not done yet. Here's the projected lineup for your season 38 Astros:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">C: Harry Ugueto (FA)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">1B: [looking to fill via trade]</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">2B: Ken Saunders (Trade)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">3B: Tomas Seanez (Trade)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">SS: Eduardo Chavez (Trade)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">LF: Ubaldo Maduro (Waivers)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">CF: Theodore Argyropoulos</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">RF: Alex Field</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">SP1: LaTroy Owen (Trade)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">SP2: Delanor Morehead (FA)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">SP3: Les Reed (Trade)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">SP4: Matty Santana (Trade)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">SP5: Patrick Pierce (Trade)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"><i>Editor's note: that's an awesome writeup, love the perspective this offers. As it happens, cbriese was also influential on the buy side of this deal, although unintentionally, as we'll see in my narrative.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"><b><u>Seattle Mariners - The Contender</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">At one point (early in the offseason) we were going to go for it, since we had no real solid offers for Little rolling in. I inquired about Moya to help strengthen my rotation</span><span style="font-family: "roboto" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11px;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;">I sent Houston an initial offer and Houston countered with a deal involving </span><a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8337909">Addison Unamuno (P)</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> (Season 36 #9) and </span><a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8505511">Stefan Mahaffey(CF)</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> (Season 37 #58) along with another player who I cannot remember. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;">Not wanting to give up Unamuno, </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;">I countered with </span><a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8337516">Darron Robertson (C)</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> (Season 36 #49) and Houston did not accept the deal. I honestly don't think we ever got real close to making a deal happen, and in retrospect he took a better offer than I had countered with so I am good with the outcome.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>NY Mets - The Other Contender</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">Here is my perspective on talks from my side of things.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">Moya was that one player that I saw when I joined Major Leagues that I wish I had on my team. With the change in ownership in Houston, I figured this was my chance to make that happen and add that one piece this team was missing for long term success.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">As soon as the season began I inquired to obtain Moya. I knew that I had pieces I could move to get more parts to the team. As much as I wanted Moya to help shore up my bullpen and rotation, I had other needs as well. And yes you heard correctly, my intention was for Moya to work mostly out of the bullpen and be the 4th starter when needed (the front 3 are all big STA/DUR pitchers: <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerStats.aspx?pid=6802625">Ruben Ozuna</a> - 310 IP last year, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerStats.aspx?pid=7231657">Dante Day</a> - 243 IP, and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7034049">Daniel Stevenson </a>- 245 IP)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">So I basically had to decide where the players I was fine with moving, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7958158">Ontiveros</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8179265">Bautista</a>, would go and what I needed to acquire the most with them. In the end getting a young CF (<a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7426233">Whitfield</a>) who I can use for the next 5 to 7 years instead of Moya for 2 or 3.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">Even though I had traded those assets away, I was still hopeful that I could land Moya. While I didn't have much left to trade, I did still have 1 RP in the minors I could move that I hoped would do the trick. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">Long story short, I was willing to move ML pitchers <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6637304">Grant Young</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6598784">Jose De Aza</a> and pay for most of their salaries while also adding 3 or 4 other AAAA players to make a deal happen for Moya. I was hopeful when I was told that even though Houston wasn't excited with Young or De Aza, they were better deals than what was being discussed with other teams. I even went as far as adding ML reliever <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231620">Robinzon Diaz</a> to the mix to get a deal done. As our discussions progressed, it became increasingly clear that I would not be landing Moya. When I was told any deal would have to center around 24-yo ML starter <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7779343">Pasqual Martinez</a> to keep up with the other deals being offered, I walked away. I couldn't justify sending someone I will get another 5 to 7 years out of for Moya.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">I was clearly surprised when I saw the deal that was agreed upon came out as I thought I was offering far more value over the long term for a rebuilding Houston team. Even more surprised that he went to a division rival. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #454545;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;">Still wish I had more parts to land him, but in the end I didn't.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"><i>Editor's note: excellent narrative, thanks for the perspective</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>The Buyer - Pittsburgh</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Editor's note: I got wordy with this one - if you only want the Houston narrative, skip down to the "Houston Heats Up Section". The stuff before is more about the trade of my Big 3 prospects.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">I started the season with Moya on the radar of course, but he was certainly not a "must have". I'm wary of the big ratings declines that come with late-30's pitchers, plus I needed more hitting than pitching help.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">And even though I did want to max out my ML roster in an effort to win it all in my last season, I didn't want to hand over a big boat anchor to my successor (in the form of huge contracts for declining players).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">OK, stage set, I was willing to trade my Big 3 prospects - <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8142458">Arismendy Johnson</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8301729">Jimmie Velazquez</a>, and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8468080">Julio Pena</a> - although promoting Johnson, and even Velazquez, was an option. I advertised their availability on the WC Sunday at 9:59AM.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>Trading The Big 3</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">The first 2 teams that came sniffing around were Houston and Atlanta. Houston understandably wanted 1 of my Big 3 for Moya, but I wasn't going to do that and said so. He tried for the downsell to <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6450310">Jim Colin</a>, but that didn't fit for me. I said I'd consider Moya for a lesser prospect, and that kind of ended Chapter 1, as mbriese calls it. This was Monday morning.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Meanwhile, it was clear that I could get Atlanta's <a href="http://j.b.hunter/">J.B.Hunter</a> for 1 of my Big 3. While I didn't think he was clearly a premium outfielder, he's still young, pretty cheap, and available. And that's at least one that wouldn't be a boat anchor for my successor. There were almost no top OF's available in FA - <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6449513">Orval Miller</a> was about it, and I thought he'd get $10MM a year (which he did). With OF and 1B being my biggest needs, I pulled the trigger on Johnson for Hunter.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">The Nationals had also inquired about my prospects (Sunday afternoon), and we quickly targeted <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5638809">Petkovsek</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5639588">Cervantes</a>. Those 2 met glaring needs (an on-base machine + a lockdown closer) and were indeed the kind of premium quality guys I was after; the downside was the short window for both - Petkovsek was signed for 3 more seasons but will probably start a pretty steep decline in that 3rd year, and Cervantes will probably head for FA after 2 more seasons. D.C. wanted 2 of my Big 3 for those guys, which I rejected a couple of times, and he rejected my offers of 1 of them plus a ML player or 2. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">My last shot at that was an offer of Velazquez, who I considered my top prospect, and a couple of pretty good players from my ML roster (<a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231147">Leonardo Grimm</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7650437">Alan Carpenter</a>), and he accepted. This was also Monday.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Monday morning at 10, kennedrj tc'd saying the Angels were unable to sign their big FA's, so he was considering a rebuild. By the time I seriously considered anything there I had done the D.C. trade. I still needed a big righty bat, and was thinking of Milwaukee's <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7186650">Ricardo Pena</a>...I believe I offered Julio Pena + something for him, but didn't hear anything. I started considering Anaheim's <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6598780">Enerio Amaro</a> despite the obvious huge liability of playing him in RF. Great hitter, reasonable price tag, not terribly old (won't be a drag on next year's owner). I offered Pena for Amaro and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820958">LaTroy Owen</a> (who I thought would be a decent trade chip or guy to stash in AAA as a reserve), and after some minor negotiating, the Angels accepted. This was late Monday.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u>Houston Heats Up</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">I'd added 3 nice hitters plus a closer, plus a pretty fair young pitcher for my big prospects. I felt like my lineup was pretty set - I was just going to round it out with promotions of 2 or maybe 3 defensive stoppers from AAA (of which I had 4 I thought could hold their own in the majors).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">And I had cap room to add pitching in free agency.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tuesday was arb day - nothing much happening, so at 2:20PM I tc'd mbriese: "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Been close on anything for Moya yet?"</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">He says back, "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yup. Talking with 3 different teams about him, it's kind of a matter of time now. Hoping I can move him today."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I ask if if he'll wait until <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820958">Owen</a> comes over to me from the Anaheim trade, and he would headline my offer. mbriese says he'll hold on.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Later Tuesday we exchanged a few specifics - I asked how an offer of Owen, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6022990">Donaldo Sanchez</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7650034">Cy James</a> would compare with his other offers. He says he's only interested in Owen but that offer would tie for his 2nd choice.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A little later he adds that if I'll make it Owen, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033453">David Richmond</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7426966">Matt Bigbie</a>, he'll do it now.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I'm thinking I'm in the ballpark at least. I didn't want to give Richmond, because he was by far the best bat of my 4 AAA defensive guys. I also didn't want to give Bigbie, because in the back of my mind, I knew the Mets had become a very lefty lineup, and I wanted to add lefty pitchers, not give them up (yes, I admit it, the effin' Mets are in my head after knocking me out of the playoffs for 3 straight years). But I'm in the ballpark.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So we tc'd some more Tuesday, and arrived at a potential deal for Owen, Donaldo Sanchez and Richmond. I said I'd do that one if I could go out and find another defensive guy reasonably similar to Richmond and would get back to him shortly.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>The Unintentional Twist</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wasn't going to do a general search for a Richmond replacement - I had only 1 team in mind. cbriese in Arizona had earlier inquired about the availability of DH <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231257">Philip Charles</a>, and had a guy that was a decent Richmond facsimile - <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820343">Bernie Gennett</a>. I had originally drafted Gennett and traded him to AZ last year. I thought he might be available because he didn't see much action last year, and I certainly didn't have any use for Charles.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, I proposed Charles for Gennett, but cbriese quickly informed me he had found a DH in <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7958076">Carlos Gonzalez</a>, so he was passing on that offer.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Having whiffed on my only viable alternative to Richmond, at 7:55 PM Tuesday I tc'd mbriese: </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm gonna pass. Can't see an avenue to get a decent alternative to Richmond, and he's critical to my late-inning defense plan"</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And after a couple of more tc's, at 8:38PM he tc's back, "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sounds good. Let me know if you have a change of heart!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And that closed the book on Chapter 2.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Chapter 3</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Free agency started Wednesday, and I felt good about the chances of helping my staff. There were pitchers available and I had $$ - up to about $20MM, although that would have certainly put a strain on the owner.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I targeted <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386815">Midre Espinosa</a>, although I was certainly aware he my draw more $$ than I was willing to part with. Also put out a couple of exploratory offers on other pitchers, including <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5830180">Hector Cruz</a> (keeping in mind I could use another lefty against the Mets).</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometime Wednesday, maybe midday to early afternoon, Arizona proposed the Charles-for-Gennett trade, adding the note, "I changed my mind". He later explained that he was going to do more pinch-hitting this year, and was swapping one of his defensive specialists for a pinch-hitter. Gennett for Charles.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I accepted, not thinking too much about it, having committed myself to free agency to round out the staff. I had even waived Donaldo Sanchez - one of the trade chips mbriese and I had talked about - figuring someone would take him off my hands and up my cash available by $3MM (ultimately the Dodgers did).</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">By Thursday morning I had led for Espinosa for 1 cycle at about $13MM per, but lost the lead in the AM2 cycle. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It occurred to me I had my Richmond replacement in hand, so I figured it couldn't hurt to ask about Moya again.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">At 10:18AM I tc'd mbriese: "</span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;">what's the latest on the Moya saga? I was thinking I could land </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-color: white;">Midre Espinosa (P)</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"> but underestimated the bidding on him"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;">At 11:00 AM he says, "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm actually leaning towards keeping him for now. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That being said, if I get a can't-miss offer for him before the trade deadline this season I'll probably take it. But I just traded for another Richmond type, and I have concerns about Owen's ability to stay healthy long-term."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I figured that was that, and tc'd back, "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">OK, thanks. That clears up my immediate direction" at 11:08AM</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finally at 11:34 he tc's me one more time: "</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last ditch offer to see if we can make it work before the season. I know adding Chavez is a big ask, but just wanted to see what you think. He'd start at SS for me this season" and sends an offer of Moya + $5MM for Owen, Richmond and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7779326">Eduardo Chavez</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #49453e;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The afterthought deal of Charles for Gennett allowed me to acquire Moya for no one who was going to ever see my ML roster. Easy call to accept that one.</span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-35984923592325999002017-05-05T14:05:00.001-04:002017-05-05T14:05:14.353-04:00Offseason Day 5: Twins Go Max For Osuna, Little To Nationals<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Activity has picked up again after the usual early-FA lull, with a few big name free agents starting to sign, and another Reds/Astros trade:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>A & B Free Agent Signings</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">San Diego</span> signs 2B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6410497">Ugueth Gonzalez</a> for 1 year, $6MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Gonzalez might be the "perfect San Diego player": great contact and eye, little power, excellent speed and base-running skills, superior range on defense. The <span style="color: blue;">Pads </span>still have a lot of holes to fill, but this is a great start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Nashville</span> signs 3B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5638999">Gil Sodowsky</a> for 4 years, $20MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Sodowsky is a far cry from the SS who was hitting 40HR's a year a few years back in <span style="color: blue;">Arizona</span>, but he can still be effective, especially in a smaller ballpark like Herschel Greer. I am concerned about the last 2 years of this contract (his age 36 and 37 years), when hitters usually go into a really steep decline.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Pittsburgh</span> signs RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5830180">Hector Cruz</a> for 5 years, $29MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Even after adding Moya (bringing to staff to the normal 11), the <span style="color: blue;">Buccos</span> decide to add a 12th pitcher - a 3rd lefty to the 'pen to battle the Mets' lefty-dominated lineup.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Montreal</span> signs RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5214030">Adrian Caruso</a> for 1 year, $4.4MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Career ERA of 3.10...proof positive that pitches matter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Tampa Bay</span> signs 1B/OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6449513">Orval Miller</a> for 5 years, $50MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> was arguably the best hitter in this year's (weak) FA class. High price? Maybe, but not egregiously so. He'll only be 34 at the end of this contract, so his only ratings hits (that matter) will probably be to power. He's an .852 career OPS, and it's not out of the question that he'll maintain that for 5 more seasons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Philadelphia</span> signs RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5784711">Miguel Valdez</a> for 4 years, $25.2MM. </span><br />
<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Analysis:</b><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> first glance at his ratings, you might think Valdez would be especially susceptible to lefty hitters. Maybe, but I think the pitches offset that some, and you can't argue with the results: 9 straight seasons below 4 ERA. And as his Season 32 shows, he can throw up to 160 innings (probably even a few more). Very nice pickup for the <span style="color: blue;">Phils</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Tampa Bay</span> signs RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5986740">Esmil Gonzalez</a> for 2 years, $13MM.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Analysis:</b><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> similar to Valdez, ratings-wise, although he's been a little less consistent. Certainly if you were looking for a quality, big-innings middle reliever, these were the 2 on your list. The <span style="color: blue;">Rays</span> are coming off just their 2nd playoff absence in 13 seasons, so no surprise they're hitting free agency hard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Minnesota</span> signs SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6179292">Luis Osuna</a> for 5 years, $110MM</span><br />
<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Analysis:</b><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> first big shoe drops, and a day earlier than we expected. The <span style="color: blue;">Twins</span> decide to abandon their famous "all-relief" strategy, at least once every 5 days. Or will zbrent think of a different way to use his new 240-inning ace?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Atlanta</span> signs SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386815">Midre Espinosa</a> for 5 years, $95.5MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:.</b>..followed closely by the 2nd big shoe. At the moment, I think Espinosa is a slightly better pitcher than Osuna. OF course, this contract takes him through age 40, so there will be some dropoff. I see the Braves continue to employ a 97-Pitching IQ pitching coach, which I'm sure they'll go to great lengths to retain. And I'd bet they keep that training budget at $20MM for the next 5 years. With Espinosa's decently high makeup (79), he's got a very good chance to still be very productive at 40.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> the <span style="color: blue;">Braves</span> have executed a very deft offseason plan. It looked like they might start a retooling with the trade of <span style="color: blue;">Hunter</span>; then they turned around and picked up <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6837063">Orlando Figueroa</a> for nothing that would ever see their ML roster. Essentially they turned Hunter into Figueroa and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=81">Arismendy Johnson</a> (their shiny new 3B). Then they add Espinosa. Maybe not as loud an offseason as <span style="color: blue;">Cininnati's</span> or <span style="color: blue;">Pittsburgh's</span>, but every bit as effective.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Arizona</span> signs RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5639585">Doug Stoops</a> for 2 years, $9.6MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> a notch below <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5784711">Valdez</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5986740">Gonzalez</a> among the robust middle relievers. Looks like he'll get an increased workload - the D'Backs have 14 position players on the roster, which suggests an 11-man pitching staff. Without Midre Espinosa's 250 innings on the staff, everyone's going to have to step up with more innings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Tampa Bay</span> signs 3B Bart Sanders for 1 year, $3.6MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> 3rd Type A/B signing in rapid succession for the <span style="color: blue;">Rays</span>. Sanders wasn't a world-beater for <span style="color: blue;">Detroit</span> last year (.701 OPS), but if he repeats that performance it'll end up being a nice budget signing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Trades</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Cincinnati</span> gets 1B/OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7426157">Danny Barr</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> gets</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7600040">Thomas Seanez</a> and OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8178756">Omir Bryant</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Another power bat for the <span style="color: blue;">Reds</span>, although the all-or-nothing Barr is hardly a sure thing. His .311 OBP was perfectly OK when he hit 50 HR's (Season 36 - .862 OPS), but that .270 last year didn't look so good even with 33 HR's (.665 OPS). I don't think Reds' management is going to think twice about this deal, though - the team may well hit 300 bombs this year. The <span style="color: blue;">Astros</span> get another young good glove, so-so bat in Seanez, plus an OF who is probably a 2-3 year stopgap at best.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Washington D.C.</span> gets SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5830184">Otto Little</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Seattle</span> gets C/DH <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8505838">Keury Spehr</a> (Season 37 #28) and</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8301752">Erisbel Soto</a> (Season 36 IFA, $31.8MM)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>As big as any trade or signing this offseason. The <span style="color: blue;">Nationals</span> have pulled off an even bigger "rebuild head-fake" than the <span style="color: blue;">Braves</span> did. When they moved Petkovsek, Cervantes and Hughes early on, it looked for sure like they were starting a rebuild. But they did get 2 ML regulars in the <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span> deal (in addition to 1 of the top pitching prospects around). And now they flip the take from the Hughes trade (Soto) plus one more prospect into a big-time ace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Key to this trade: apparently Little is willing to sign a team-friendly long-term deal, presumably in the ballpark of the $7.6MM/year of his first LTC.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">D.C.'s</span> rotation now sports a front 3 of <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5784842">Camacho</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5830184">Little</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6450316">Spruill</a> - pretty formidable group if they can get to the playoffs out of the tougher-than-ever NL East.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Seattle</span> landed a pretty nice pair of prospects for Little, and they lop a big chunk off their payroll (although I don't think time for tomorrow's 3PM cycle when the rest of the competitive free agents will sign)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-13100894098225150852017-05-04T13:37:00.001-04:002017-05-04T13:37:02.127-04:00Offseason Day 4: A Light Day For A and B Free Agents<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>A few more trades have hit, but it was a light first day of signing for Type A and B free agents. No doubt the bidding will extend into Saturday for free agency's big names.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Some interesting themes have started to emerge: Can <span style="color: blue;">Cincinnati</span> possibly pack more talent onto its roster? It has no doubt entered the elite of the NL. What's going on with AL Champ <span style="color: blue;">Arizona</span>? A couple of small trades for DH's, but relatively quiet. <span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> has remade itself a couple of times over already, but <b>Tony Moya</b> remains an <span style="color: blue;">Astro </span>(and rumor has it he may for awhile). The NL (<span style="color: blue;">Houston</span>, <span style="color: blue;">Cincy</span>, <span style="color: blue;">Pittsburgh</span>, <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span>) has dominated the trade scene; will the AL dominate free agency?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Day 4's activity so far:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>A & B FA Signings</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Detroit</span> signs IF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6449700">Tori Hatcher</a> for 4 years, $23.7MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b><span style="color: blue;">Tigers </span>step up early for who I think will be their new 2B. <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5784769">Montero</a> slides over to 3B, so Hatcher is replacing the departed <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5442368">Bart Sanders</a>. Hatcher and Sanders are basically equivalent hitters; their infield defense might be a tad better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Boston</span> signs SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6637289">Derrek Helton</a> for 5 years, $38MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>pretty<b> </b>big commitment for a guy with a 4.37 career ERA. Then again, he could end up being their best starter - their #4 and 5 starters had ERA's of 4.60 and 4.80 last year, and their top starter, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5000906">Doug Mateo</a>, has had a number of full seasons in the upper 4's as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> signs C <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386842">Harry Ugueto</a> for 2 years, $6.0MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b><span style="color: blue;">Astros</span> add to the stable of<b> </b>defensive-whiz catchers. The trade of <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5442590">Roberts</a> opens the door for Ugueto to be the everyday C (he has the DUR for it), or at least the vR part of a platoon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Kansas City</span> signs RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6837860">Domingo Chavez</a> for 3 years, $18MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Free agency had whittled away the <span style="color: blue;">Royals'</span> short-reliever corps - Chavez become their prime late-innings righty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Milwaukee</span> signs OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6249776">Sidney Larkin</a> for 2 years, $9.4MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Nice economical signing of a good-contact (.276 last year), still-20-HR hitter. Looks like Larkin will be the fulltime LF.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Philadelphia</span> signs <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6179333">Shigetoshi Shinjo</a> for 4 years, $24.8MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>Shinjo is just a good player. On top of his sterling defense, he's hit 20+ HR's 8 years in a row. I doubt he'll continue that to the end of this contract, but it's still a good signing. Not sure who plays where yet in <span style="color: blue;">Philly's</span> IF/CF alignment, but I'd bet Shinjo starts somewhere.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Trades</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Montreal</span> gets DH <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033669">Rudy House</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Cleveland</span> gets SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8506186">Kris Taylor</a> (Season 37 #53), RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7998809">Robel Holbert</a> (Season 34 11th Round, DITR), and OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8505435">Babe Balfour </a>(Season 37 Round 3)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>I'm a little puzzled at this move by the <span style="color: blue;">Tribe</span>, as they have a nice batch of prospects ready to promote (to go along with last Season's prized rookie, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820501">Desmond Farmer</a>). It's not like <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerStats.aspx?pid=7033665">Kendry Fernandez</a> lit it up as a DH (.238/19/60). In any event, House will move to <span style="color: blue;">Montreal</span>, where his role is unclear. Will we see a resurgence of DH's playing RF (<span style="color: blue;">Pittsburgh</span> for sure, maybe <span style="color: blue;">Montreal</span>). Of the prospects the <span style="color: blue;">Indians</span> got, Taylor has the best chance at a ML role (4/5 starter LR).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Chicago Cubs</span> get C <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5442590">Robert Roberts</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> gets RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820937">Ryan Rose</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>Roberts is a capable backstop, although not the defensive savant the new <span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> management favors. Not quite sure what the <span style="color: blue;">Cubbies</span> will do with him, as they currently have 3 C's on the ML roster. Rose is a 4A-to-bottom-of-the-staff type...maybe exactly the type that very high-PC catchers can improve enough to make him effective.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">LATE-BREAKING: MOYA TO PIRATES</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pittsburgh</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> gets <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=4734025">Tony Moya</a> + $5MMM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> gets SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820958">LaTroy Owen</a> (Season 33 19th Round), IF/CF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033453">David Richmond</a> (Season 29 #55), and IF/CF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7779326">Eduardo Chavez</a> (Season 33 IFA, $9.9MM)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">'Stros</span> land a pretty good pitcher (especially for a 19-rounder), albeit one with health concerns, plus a pair of nice defenders for Moya. Let's face it, no one was going to make this deal except the <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span> (and that was far from certain), and no one was going to value players like Richmond and Chavez as highly as <span style="color: blue;">Houston</span>. Owen immediately joins the rotation, Chavez becomes the starting SS, and I'm sure Richmond has a ML role somewhere. The <span style="color: blue;">Pirates'</span> staff now has a front 4 of Moya, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7600014">Roque</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7186582">Baerga</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6022994">Watson</a>; <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6992624">Ernesto</a> for 7 and 8, and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5639588">Cervantes</a> closing (if the damn Mets can beat that they deserve to win!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-87896325867062523262017-05-03T19:13:00.003-04:002017-05-03T19:13:51.180-04:00Day 3 Trades: Pace Slows As FA Begins<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Well, free agency has started without a Tony Moya trade (although we still expect it will happen), and the frenetic pace of the first 2 days of the offseason has tailed off to a trickle. Here are the rest of Day 2 and Day 3's trades, which I think catches us up:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Chicago White Sox</span> get RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820954">Breland Nanita</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> gets C <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7650044">Bill Kershaw</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b> Not a big move by either team. This is the second ace defensive C <span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> has acquired - their future pitching staff will love those guys. The <span style="color: blue;">White Sox</span> seem to be headed into a transition period as the <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6179287">Magglio</a> era winds down - if they go full-on rebuild Nanita is the kind of P that can help hold things together for minimum $$.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> gets 2B/3B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7600122">Armando Bazardo</a> (Sea 32 IFA, $13.8MM)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Florida</span> gets RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7380097">Yunesky Baez</a> (Sea 31 IFA, $8.5MM)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Bazardo has been languishing in <span style="color: blue;">Florida's</span> farm system for a couple of years now; I think he'll find a spot on the <span style="color: blue;">'Stro's</span> big club, maybe as a backup 2B/3B/CF. No power, but decent splits and a ML eye. Baez might make the Marlins as an 11th or 12th pitcher, but I'd bet more on a glorious AAA career.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> gets P <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231610">Garry Perez</a> (Season 30 #70)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Arizona</span> gets IF/CF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8505625">Donne Lloyd</a> (Season 37 #59)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wondered earlier how <span style="color: blue;">Arizona</span> managed 779 runs with that lineup last year; cbriese later pointed out the team's 126 infield hits (2nd in the world to <span style="color: blue;">Minnesota's</span> 175) as a contributor. Now take a look at Lloyd's speed rating and you get a whole new take on this trade.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">San Francisco</span> gets SS <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033398">Jiggs Maduro</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Minnesota</span> gets prospects <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8505560">Quinton Graves</a> (Season 37 #35), <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8178466">Joshua Haynes</a> (Season 335 #85), and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8301660">Juan Estrada</a> (Season 36 IFA, $50K)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> <span style="color: blue;">Giants</span> pick up a SS who can at least play defense at the ML level for 3 career minor-leaguers</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-79447397213452835342017-05-03T13:20:00.001-04:002017-05-03T14:28:38.533-04:00Offseason Day 2: Reds and Astros Crank It Up<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>If anything, Day 2 exceeded the pace of a hectic Day 1, with the Astros jumping into the unwinding/rebuilding process. Here are the rest of Day 1's trades, along with most of Day 2's (I think). The shoe that didn't drop: <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=4734025">Tony Moya</a></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">St. Louis</span> gets RP prospect <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8337912">Vincent Lasker</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> gets 2B/CF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7426235">Ken Saunders</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b><span style="color: blue;">Astros</span> get an imminently usable defensive player to help keep the team ERA down during the coming rebuild. Lasker will have to develop quite a bit more to have a ML role, but he has an outside chance at it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Pittsburgh</span> gets DH <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6598780">Enerio Amaro</a> and SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820958">LaTroy Owen</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anaheim</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> gets <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8468080">Julio Pena</a> (Sea 37 IFA, $16.5MM)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>The <span style="color: blue;">Angels </span>signal a<span style="color: blue;"> </span>rebuild by trading their best hitter and a good young pitcher for their future franchise centerpiece. Pena projects to be a defensive monster at 2B, 3B, CF with a very good eye and plus power. Yes, the <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span> are going to close their eyes and send Amaro out to RF.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Cincinnati</span> gets SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386846">Al Rosado</a> + $5MM</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Oakland</span> gets OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7380148">Desi Vazquez</a> and IF prospect <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8337305">Javy Flande</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another great pickup at a nice price for <span style="color: blue;">Cincy</span>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>Rosado<b> </b>gives the <span style="color: blue;">Reds </span>an accomplished lefty in their formerly all-righthanded rotation, an important component at playoff time when facing the tough lefty-dominated lineups of the <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span> and <span style="color: blue;">Pirates. </span>Vazquez and Flande won't lead the<span style="color: blue;"> A's </span>to the promised land, but will be competent ML'ers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Chicago Cubs</span> get closer <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820967">David Estrella</a> and C <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7998611">Buck Causey</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Los Angeles</span> gets SS <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7600070">Marcos Profar</a> and OF prospect <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8505426">Pat Ashley</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>Estrella is an enigma: he looks like he should be one of Major Leagues' top short relievers, but he's posted a 4.48 ERA in his first 3 seasons (in pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium at that). The <span style="color: blue;">Cubs</span> were willing to take a chance on him; <span style="color: blue;">Dodgers</span> get a much-needed defensive upgrade at SS, while <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7380110">Jair Cortez</a> likely still gets 450 AB's as a 4 or 5-position super-utilityman.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Arizona</span> gets DH <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7958076">Carlos Gonzalez</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">San Francisco</span> gets pitching prospect <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8506197">Murray Hellweg</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>The <span style="color: blue;">D'Backs </span>took the AL<span style="color: blue;"> </span>by storm<span style="color: blue;"> </span>last year with a pitching and defense strategy that produced a surprising 779 runs (3rd in AL). This move suggests they think they need more punch...Gonzalez takes over at DH and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7649635">Mendoza</a> returns to OF duty. Hellweg was last year's #22 pick - he has a long way to go but could grow into a #5 starter or long reliever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> gets SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820581">Patrick Pierce</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Toronto</span> gets SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7999010">Jim Hansen</a> and</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820942">Abraham Robinson</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Astros</span> have decided to bite the bullet and get what they can for the remnants of the squad that won 4 titles in 5 years (trying to coax 1 more year of contention was probably a losing game). So even though what they gave here were minor-leaguers, Pierce fits the profile of what they're assembling: competent ML'ers who will keep them above the mwr on the cheap.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">New York Mets</span> get CF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7426233">Dean Whitfield</a> and IF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7998402">Gabriel Sanchez</a> (Sea 34 #15)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Philadelphia</span> gets 3B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7958158">Davey Ontiveros</a> (Sea 34 IFA, $35MM) and SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8179265">Nestor Bautista</a> (Sea 35 #9)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>Fascinating deal on many levels. First, the <span style="color: blue;">Mets</span> add perhaps the best CF in Major Leagues. Second, it's a huge upgrade for them; last year's CF's (<a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5986685">Brian Kim</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7380125">Benito Oilvo</a>) were good defenders but pure popguns on offense. Third, they were able to swing the deal without giving up any core players or prospects - Ontiveros was blocked at 3B by <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7599979">Rico Lopez</a> (only 3 years older) and Bautista, despite being a talented pitcher who's still improving, wasn't going to crack the rotation. <span style="color: blue;">Philly</span> gets younger and adds 2 key pieces - Ontiveros likely becomes the 3B with <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231040">Karl Floyd</a> moving to CF, and Bautista and his 3 80+ pitches moves right into the rotation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Baltimore</span> gets RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6023038">Len Connelly</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> gets C <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231254">Juan Limon</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b><span style="color: blue;">Birds</span> improve their 'pen, <span style="color: blue;">Stros </span>keep adding defense. It doesn't look like Limon will make <span style="color: blue;">Houston's</span> ML roster this year, as they have 2 decent C's under contract. But the 36-yo <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5442590">Roberts</a> is likely done after this year; Limon is a defensive genius and will do wonders to help keep opponents' scoring down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Cincinnati</span> gets RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6250265">Jaime Aldridge</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> gets SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820919">Bailey Ramirez</a> (Sea 33 #64) and RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7999024">Garrett Washington</a> (Sea 34 #111)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> continues to shed payroll and the <span style="color: blue;">Reds</span> continue to pick up talent at bargain prices - in this case a pretty solid reliever (Aldridge has a career 3.73 ERA in 685 IP). I don't think Ramirez will crack the ML roster, but Washington might, despite being a soft-toss fly-baller.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Cincinnati</span> gets SP/LR <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5639577">Justin Zagone</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Los Angeles</span> gets RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820957">Juan Carlos Torres</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Salary dumper by the <span style="color: blue;">Dodgers</span>. It doesn't look like Zagone can make <span style="color: blue;">Cincy's</span> rotation - maybe he makes it as a LR, or maybe they stash him in AAA as injury insurance. Torres could see ML duty but is probably destined for AAA success.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Detroit</span> gets SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6450310">Jim Colin</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> gets</span> <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">prospects <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8506232">Trevor Conway</a> (Sea 37 #19) and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8142430">Matty Santana</a> (Sea 35 IFA, $17.5MM), and SS <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6449701">Al Vincente</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b><span style="color: blue;">Detroit </span>is feeling the<span style="color: blue;"> </span>pressure to keep the contention window open for the duration of the <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5386848">Manuel Cano</a> era; Colin is a major improvement at the #2 slot in the rotation. Given Colin's salary, I think the <span style="color: blue;">'Stros</span> did pretty well getting those 2 pitchers. I'd like to see Santana get about 4-5 more points across the board in this, his 4th pro season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Houston</span> gets SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6637332">Les Reed</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Cincinnati</span> gets RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6450297">Troy Griffith</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b><span style="color: blue;">Reds </span>and <span style="color: blue;">Astros</span> strike again with a starter-for-reliever swap. Both players are in their contract years and I'd be surprised if either have long careers from this point, but they'll both have ML roles for this season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Arizona</span> gets DH <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231257">Philip Charles</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Pittsburgh</span> gets IF/CF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820343">Bernie Gennett</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not quite sure why the <span style="color: blue;">D'Backs</span> made this deal given their earlier pickup of <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7958076">Carlos Gonzalez</a>, but Gennett didn't see much action for them last year and they have loads of defensive stoppers. Gennett returns to the team that drafted him (2nd round, Season 33) as a late-innings defensive replacement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-56942032195681571442017-05-02T17:31:00.001-04:002017-05-03T08:05:11.608-04:00Rebuilds, Retooling and Pirates Prospects In First Offseason Trades<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I don't know if it set any new records, but let's just say trade activity in the offseason's first day was "extremely brisk". Here's a rundown of the first few trades with a brief analysis of each:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Pittsburgh</span> gets OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033385">J.B Hunter</a> + $4MM<br /><span style="color: blue;">Atlanta </span>gets<span style="color: blue;"> </span>$28.7MM IFA <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8142458">Arismendy Johnson</a> (Season 35)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>Pretty<b> </b>hefty price for the inconsistent Hunter, but he's still fairly young, fairly cheap, available, and the <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span> needed OF help more than anything. Johnson could be an All-Star 3B as early as this year - big jump-start to the Braves' re-tooling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Cincinnati</span> gets CF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6837140">Darrell Hughes</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Washington D.C.</span> gets OF prospect <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8301752">Erisbel Soto</a> (Sea 36 IFA, $31.8MM)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis:</b> Hughes brings a 200-point career OPS advantage versus last year's CF, the decidedly defensive <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7600104">Enrique Johnson</a>. That's a great pickup as the Reds seek to join (and surpass) the NL's top echelon. First move in the D.C. retooling - watch these guys...it's not going to take long to rework all these prospects into a contender.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">New York Yankees </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">get CF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033333">Derrick Lewis</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Montreal</span> gets minor-league 3B/OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8301682">Radhames Borbon</a></span><br />
<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Analysis: </b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looks kind of like a salary dump by the <span style="color: blue;">Expos</span>, although I'd have thought they could've arb'd Lucas a 3rd time for the minimum. <span style="color: blue;">Yankees</span> get a pretty nice defensive CF/pinch runner type (93 SB's in 100 attempts over 5 seasons) who could conceivably be the vR part of a CF platoon. Borbon will never see the Majors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Montreal</span> gets <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7820148">Roland Kent</a> (Sea 33 #79) and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8506149">P.T. Harper</a> (Sea 37 #39)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Atlanta</span> gets OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6837063">Orlando Figueroa</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>Undoubtedly a salary move by the <span style="color: blue;">Expos</span>; Kent and Harper might get ML shots but won't amount to much. Meanwhile, perhaps <span style="color: blue;">Atlanta's </span>early trade of OF Hunter was a rebuild head-fake. Maybe they thought Figueroa would be an upgrade over Hunter, plus they landed a top prospect in the switch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Washington D.C.</span> gets Season 36 $35MM IFA <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033385">Jimmie Velazquez</a>, OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231147">Leonardo Grimm</a>, and RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7650437">Alan Carpenter</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Pittsburgh</span> gets OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5638809">Chris Petkovsek</a> and closer <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5639588">Adalberto Cervantes</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Analysis: </b>Huge haul for the <span style="color: blue;">Nats</span>. The <span style="color: blue;">Pirates</span> better win something in the next 2 years, as Petkovsek probably has a useful life of 2 more seasons, and Cervantes will likely go to free agency in 2 more years. <span style="color: blue;">D.C.</span> is accumulating prospects like crazy, and in Velazquez they got one of the best pitching prospects in all of Major Leagues - after just 2 seasons both splits are at 80 and could end up above 90.</span><br />
<br />Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-67804409529942155492017-04-26T16:56:00.003-04:002017-04-26T16:56:46.811-04:00Do We Need A Cash-In-Trades Official Policy?<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">zbrent recently tc'd me with this question, and I promised to poll the world on it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can't say the question has ever registered high on my attention scale, but I agree it's worth asking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's what I think I can accurately report about it:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. There seems to be some kind of world-chat disagreement about it almost every year. This year's seemed to me to be civil and respectful, but it hasn't always been. Regardless of the tone, the discussion seems to be one that few people enjoy, and the purpose of the World Chat (imho) is to be a forum for comments that people DO enjoy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. We had 2 owners depart this year who cited either our laissez-faire treatment of cash in trades, or the resulting WC discussion of it, as their reasons for leaving. Personally, I take this with a few grains of salt; I've never seen anyone with a winning record, or a big jump in winning percentage, or a loaded farm system depart and cite cash in trades as a reason. Nonetheless, 2 departing GM's did give me that as a reason, so I feel obligated to report that in any discussion of the subject.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The big reason for having a C-I-T policy, I think, would be so we can have right up front how we handle it for anyone considering coming into the world. If someone knows that we limit C-I-T to the salary of the highest-paid player in the trade (just to use an example), they can't exactly complain about it later or use that as a reason for leaving. It would also theoretically end the WC discussions about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There certainly may be better reasons for having one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The negative, I suppose, is it's one more little admin detail for the commish to keep up with, although I"m sure there are other arguments against it as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'd welcome comments here or on the WC from anyone who has something to add.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please vote in the poll. Note that the question is whether we should even have a C-I-T policy, not what it should be. If the world votes to have one, we'll move on to deciding what it should be later.</span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-68119325181921961852017-04-26T16:55:00.002-04:002017-04-26T16:55:05.529-04:00New Commish Needed, Suggest Recruiter As Well<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I mentioned on the World Chat, I'm retiring from HBD after my next seasons here and in Hobbs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm moving from Austin to Madison, WI for the Summer (arriving June 1). After that I'm going on some kind of international sojourn, most likely through Latin America. I travelled a lot years ago and have been promising myself I'd do so again. At age 62, it's time to sogotp, so I'm going (somewhere).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First, thanks to all of you (and especially the long-timers) for the many seasons of great competition and camaraderie. Major Leagues has probably been the best of all the many HBD worlds I've played in, and I'll miss it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Second, start thinking about a new commish. I'd suggest we set some kind of date for early season for nominations, or perhaps to select someone by acclamation. Main idea is to get it done early so you don't run into the next recruiting season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Third, I'd very strongly urge you to select an official recruiter as well. I know it's a task that would run a poor race to sticking pencils in your eyes, but if you have a good system, it's pretty easy. And I have a good system, which I'll document completely for the next recruiter (and help with at the end of next season).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can't emphasize enough how big a difference it makes to a world to have someone who is dedicated to making the next season start right after rollover. Many of you who have joined Major Leagues in the last 10 seasons or so have told me that you did so for exactly that reason.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last, the reason I emphasize having a recruiter separate and apart from the commissioner. I think both jobs are made easier by the fact that there are 2 people who have a vested interest in the smooth operation of the world, rather than having the entire burden fall to 1 person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's it, we'll work out some kind of early-Season 38 date for selection, just wanted to put it out there well in advance.</span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-65383921866324194652017-02-21T20:20:00.002-05:002017-02-21T20:20:24.049-05:00Season 37 Chicago White Sox Prevew<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;">
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Chicago White Sox</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Season 36: 96-66, Wild Card, advanced to Division Series and lost to <span style="color: blue;">Minnesota</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">GM: <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/UserCurrent.aspx?uid=136947">pfontaine</a><br /><br /><b>Big Offseason Moves:</b> Re-signing future HOF'er <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6179287">Magglio Rodriguez</a>. Even with the team aging and losing some key pieces (<a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=4334373">Kevin Chong</a>), keeping Rodriguez means huge production at 2B for another 4, maybe even 5 seasons.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Outlook:</b><b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Age, free agency and a climbing payroll stopped <span style="color: blue;">Chicago's</span> 100-win streak at 6 seasons, and the plucky <span style="color: blue;">Twins</span> bumped them form the playoffs for the 2nd straight season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Can an aging team with $125MM committed to ML payroll pull it together and reached the promised land again?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think it depends. The <span style="color: blue;">White Sox'</span> 2 best teams (by record, at least) in their 6-season, 100-wins run were their Season 32 World Champ team (110 wins) and their Season 34 AL Champ team (112 wins). Both teams had it all in terms of offense and pitching - they led the league in team ERA both years, and were first in runs in Season 32 and 3rd in Season 34 (they clearly gave up a little defense to get all those bats in the lineup, as they put up with 100+ errors both years...they did have a pretty decent 74/27 in +/- plays in Season 32).</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Obviously, "having it all" helps teams contend and increases their chances to advance through the playoffs.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But with the usual attrition you can't have it all, so if you have to pick what do you pick?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even when <b>Magglio</b> was winning MVP's and the Sox' offense got all the press, I thought the keys to their fortunes were their Big 3 SP's <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerAwards.aspx?pid=6598808">Addison Johnson</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6410445">Tony Flores</a> and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5214004">Hector Ayala</a>. Why, because no position on the field has more influence on the outcome of a game than SP, and if you can rollout out 3 great SP's you have a chance to dominate the playoffs whether you score many runs or not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One can argue about the dominance of these 3. They're not <b>Ruben Ozuna</b> or <b>Tony Moya</b> dominant...heck, Flores and Ayala have even had bad seasons. But Johnson and Ayala have won CY's (not coincidentally in Seasons 32 and 34), and together the 3 of them have the possibility of getting hot for an entire playoff run.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Sox</span> haven't started well at 8-12, as the offense is struggling mightily. But keep an eye on those 3 SP's. It might be as a Wild Card again, but I'd bet those 3 have enough left for at least 1 more playoff push.</span></div>
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Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-87125758947389217752017-02-21T19:07:00.000-05:002017-02-21T19:07:04.219-05:00Season 37 Florida Marlins Preview<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; line-height: 18.2px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy83sRz1oEkxsrKy-Q96zkl6txztcf4qboywQTBDoUMwItvQsP4ultxLQhMhg1hEVLMnSi-RoRR7ZQO2znuz62NU3Vv3RETi6QH8Qd_hw6weIyH4hld7y3rryIVcVkdJBKlHMeRcCCd4/s1600/Florida.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy83sRz1oEkxsrKy-Q96zkl6txztcf4qboywQTBDoUMwItvQsP4ultxLQhMhg1hEVLMnSi-RoRR7ZQO2znuz62NU3Vv3RETi6QH8Qd_hw6weIyH4hld7y3rryIVcVkdJBKlHMeRcCCd4/s1600/Florida.png" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18.2px;">Season 36: 76-86</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">GM:</span><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"> <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/UserCurrent.aspx?uid=319469" style="text-decoration: none;">cyben5150</a></span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Big Offseason Moves:</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Promotions of Season 34 #8 overall pick <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7998214">Gabe Mullen</a> and Season 29 #59 overall <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7033667">Rex Flair</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><b>Outlook: </b><b> </b>The <span style="color: blue;">Marlins</span> have been patiently rebuilding their farm system for 5 seasons now, and last year it started paying off. This year they welcome <b>Gabe Mullen</b>, a promising power/speed/defense (at least range and arm-wise) rightfielder.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">As a result of their farm-building focus, <span style="color: blue;">Florida</span> has one of the tiniest payrolls in the league - $35 million for their ML roster, even with $9.8MM going to 3-time All-Star (and Silver Slugger last year) shortstop <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerStats.aspx?pid=6598810">Adeiny Nova</a>. And they still have prospects like <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8301764">Didi Herrera</a>, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8179248">Donzell Roberts</a>, and <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=8337110">Tanner Rogers</a> sprinkled around their minors. When they arrive, Florida will arrive big.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">For this year, I think they'll improve on their 694 runs scored, which was 6th in the NL. While <b>Mullen</b> is not off to a hot start, I think he'll figure it out quickly and emerge as a ROY candidate.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">As for pitching, I don't know...<a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231629">Cookie Young</a> seems like the only guy they can really depend on. They'll undoubtedly get some surprise good seasons from some guys with low splits but good pitches, but I don't think this staff is ready to get them into contention.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">A few more wins in the uber-competitive South, but it's going to be another season or 2 before the <span style="color: blue;">Marlins</span> start contending.</span></span></div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-68861421784552784222017-02-21T16:49:00.002-05:002017-02-21T16:49:45.123-05:00Season 37 San Francisco Giants Preview<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"></span><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18.2px;">Season 36: 58-104</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">GM:</span><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"> <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/UserCurrent.aspx?uid=706380">bigthrowsie</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><b>Big Offseason Moves: </b>Just a little dabbling around the edges of free agency in year 2 of the rebuild. <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6410526">Lorenzo Izquierdo</a> signed on for 2 seasons, replacing <b>Paco Sandoval</b> at 2B.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><b>Outlook: </b>The future in San Fran starts with LF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerStats.aspx?pid=7426458">Doug Lindor</a> and CF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7230919">Yamil Pino</a>. Both have been disappointing so far. <b>Lindor </b>missed a chunk of last year with a bad hammy and was only moderately effective when he played. The bigger mystery is how he has accumulated 2+ years of service time with only 550 AB's. <b>Pino</b> showed promise in Season 35 but regressed at the plate and in the field last year. I don't think the <span style="color: blue;">Giants</span> expect him to be a Silver Slugger-type CF, but playing every day, hitting .260, and being in the conversation for Gold Gloves are reasonable expectations.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="color: blue;">San Fran</span> kick-started the repopulation of its farm system last year with 6 first-round picks. Mostly supplementals, there are no stars in that bunch but some will no doubt make the Big League team. A big pick looms for the team this year - they really need to hit on #4.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">The <span style="color: blue;">Giants'</span> 4.29 team ERA was 13th last year and needs improving. Good chance they get that even with the same group of starters - <b>Adkinsson</b>, <b>Sauer</b>, <b>Plouffe</b> and <b>Palmeiro</b> (93 starts among them) were all weel abo ve their career-norm ERA's, plus <b>Palmeiro</b> missed a chunk of the season (he only got in 14 starts) with a shoulder problem. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">They converted <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6802601">Edgar Tavarez</a> to a reliever last year with mixed results. With <b>Corey Montgomery</b> moving down the coast to <span style="color: blue;">San Diego</span>, <b>Tavarez</b> probably gets the closer role. If they're going to have a bullpen standout, he's probably it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Watch for the pitching to improve - they might not score quite as well, but should be more competitive.</span></span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-4697839322390674282017-02-21T15:08:00.004-05:002017-02-21T15:08:57.785-05:00Season 37 Toronto Blue Jays Preview<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Season 36: 63-99</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">GM: <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/UserCurrent.aspx?uid=230243" style="text-decoration: none;">coltonrocks</a><br /><br /><b>Big Offseason Moves:</b> pretty active offseason for the Jays...the biggest moves were probably the free-agent signings of IF/CF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6249668">Alex Cyr</a>, RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6410547">Frank Donald</a>, 1B/OF <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5829677">Andres Almora</a>, SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6023001">Tommy Monroe</a>, SP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6802611">Kevin Uehara</a>, RP <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=4334373">Kevin Chong</a>, LR <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=4562228">Damaso Martinez</a>, and 2B <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=5167981">Juan Park</a>. All were pretty budget-conscious signings except for that of Cyr, who commanded a hefty 2-year, $26MM deal.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Outlook:</b><b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Jays</span> mounted a pretty good offense last year - 738 runs, which was 6th in the AL despite being just below the league average. The problem is they lost 5 of their top 7 hitters to free agency (the other 2, 3B <b>Pat Lincoln</b> and OF <b>Eduardo Mesa</b>, turned 36 and 37 this year). So they're pretty much starting over with a new lineup.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It looks like they're going with <b>Park</b> in RF, <b>Cyr</b> at 2B, <b>Almora</b> at 1B, last year's 1B <b>Geoff Bagley</b> DH'ing, <b>Lincoln</b> in LF, <b>Darryl Springer</b> at short, <b>Kouhei Irabu</b> in CF, and defensive C's <b>Sefcik</b> and <b>Klassen</b> sharing backstop duties. That lineup is doing OK so far - they're right about league average in runs scored.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The also-new-look pitching staff features 4 rookies and 3 more 25 or under. A little rougher start for this group than the hitters, but with 7 hurlers 25 or under, there's more of a future here. So far, <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7380135">Luis Oliveros</a> (a season 31 IFA who morphed into a DITR) has been the star of the group at 3-1, 1.99 ERA. They've had some other nice surprises and some bad surprises - <b>Martinez</b>, <b>Peters</b> and <b>Donald</b> are currently sporting 10+ ERA's, and the <span style="color: blue;">Red Sox</span> hung 20 on them on 2/19. Growing pains of a young staff.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So far, the totally-rebuilt <span style="color: blue;">Jays</span> are solidly competitive, anf the beginnings of a winning staff have reached the majors.</span></div>
Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5053414143745417740.post-30764785735574115752017-02-20T21:47:00.001-05:002017-02-20T21:47:02.725-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Images/FranchiseLogos/100x100/ColoradoSprings.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #5ca9dd; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" src="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Images/FranchiseLogos/100x100/ColoradoSprings.png" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Colorado Rockies</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18.2px;">Season 36: 88-74, won Division, lost to <span style="color: blue;">Washington D.C.</span> in first round</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">GM:</span><span style="line-height: 18.2px;"> <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/UserCurrent.aspx?uid=268105" style="text-decoration: none;">grapeape</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br style="line-height: 18.2px;" /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18.2px;"><b>Big Offseason Moves: </b> none...one of the league's quieter offseasons. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Outlook: </b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">Colorado's</span> #8 offense does a little of everything - a little above league average in slugging (LF <b>Borders</b>, 3B <b>Bacsik</b> and 1B <b>Miller</b> with 26, 26, and 25 HR's), great at stealing bags (178 - <b>Miller</b> with 39 and <b>Borders</b> with 34), and decent at contact (.241 BA) and reaching base (.309). Departed SS <b>Santo Peraza</b> actually led the team in OBP last year with .384...if there's a concern on offense it's definitely in the reaching base department.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Rockies'</span> concentration of run production in 3 positions (1B, LF, 3B) does indeed translate to good defense elsewhere around the diamond (66/20 +/- plays and a .986 fielding %).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Their pitching staff has been around the middle of the pack for the last few seasons. #1 starter <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=6250257">Stubby George</a> has been a model of consistency and excellence his whole career, never posting an ERA above 3.75 and falling below 200 IP in only 1 complete season. He's started this season 3-1 with a microscopic 1.16 ERA. 5th-year man <a href="https://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerRatings.aspx?pid=7231634">Amos Gregorio</a> capably fills the #2 starter role. He boasts a career 3.77 ERA and has started well this year with a 2.16. Another hot starter - closer Norman Weston is 6-for-6 in save opportunities and has ridiculous .374 OPS-against .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <span style="color: blue;">Rockies</span> have won 4 straight West titles, and while the rest of the division is certainly gaining on them, they're the favorite until someone knocks them off.</span>Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10993265385943285454noreply@blogger.com0