SoxProspects News
|
|
|
|
Legal
Forum Ground Rules
The views expressed by the members of this Forum do not necessarily reflect the views of SoxProspects, LLC.
© 2003-2024 SoxProspects, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Home | Search | My Profile | Messages | Members | Help |
Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.
Recent Posts
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 22, 2021 7:53:51 GMT -5
Jesus. We got a good report on him but that's kind of insane. He's now 10th in the system on their Board. Based on the reports we got and how he's been pitching I could see him moving into the top 40. Top 10? Meh. What causes such wildly different evaluations in a case like this? I can think of a number of different factors. 1) He's 19 in the FCL, so there's naturally tons of variance on his potential pro outcomes as is. At this stage, it's not as unreasonable for scouts to be far apart when a wider range of outcomes are still possible. 2) There's less information available on how players are doing in the FCL with more emphasis on instruction. With less information available, there's more potential variance in outcomes. 3) With depending on scouts for information, scouts might have the incentive for tactical BS. This seems unlikely, the fangraph guys are pros, and writers have scouts they know well. 4) Somebodies just wrong and somebody else is just right. It happens. So what do you think is the reason for the potential 20 - 30 place ranking difference here? Something else to consider is that Sox prospects.com tends to be much more conservative than most prospect ranking publications. They will rate players who are close to the majors a bit higher and they don't move players with helium up as quickly. As soxprospects.com updates their rankings more often than most (all?) Major ranking sites they can be a bit more conservative and wait to get more information/looks. Right now it seems that everyone is attempting to glean information from a handful of scouts.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 21, 2021 15:28:55 GMT -5
That's a bit surprising. He's not a big strikeout guy, but he's been OK at the major league level and he has 5-6 more years of control. It's his final option year and he takes up a 40-spot, but seems like the type of guy who could have fetched a solid prospect in past years. I wonder if 'players for cash' will be more common this trade deadline or if the Blue Jays simply weren't interested in keeping him at all (he was DFAd over the weekend). Maybe they just had to open the 40-man spot for another trade?
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 21, 2021 14:53:05 GMT -5
Gotcha. I read it as "why can't they afford it it's only $350 a night" not "how can they afford a hotel, it's $350/night." I mean it to be, how can anyone (other than an MLB vet) afford to live long term in a hotel? Double their pay and it would still hurt. If they're staying in hotels during long homestands then they are definitely doing it wrong and either choosing to stay there because they like the amenities or they're too young to know better and there's nobody helping them (I would hope that's not the case). I work in a business where this is quite common, and even if our employees are only staying somewhere 50% of the time they will always find a room to rent over paying for a hotel. (In California, including the northern central valley area, you can find an Extended Stay America room for ~$45/night if you're there long-term) Long Term stays in hotels tend to be much cheaper than short term as the cleaning service doesn't visit your room each day and the taxes the hotels pay are greatly reduced. That being said, it's still a big chunk of a paycheck. I would question that poster: Did the person(s) in question receive large signing bonuses or did they sign for 5k? Sometimes when we're young we do dumb things, like stay in hotels every night and blow through that signing bonus. Also, how much did per diems change with the MiLB changes? I wouldn't be surprised if guys are doubling or tripling up on the road while pocketing much of the per diem (not saying they have it good - just saying that there's a lot of grey area here). (the above is said with first-hand knowledge of what people in my line of work do, they're compensated much better than MiLB players but still often make more money from per diem than their paychecks. It's definitely a lifestyle best suited for a young single-person)
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 21, 2021 13:12:12 GMT -5
Once you account for arbitration, additional 40-man, player benefits and picking-up Vazquez' and Perez' option so you're left with 30mil (assuming Richards and Andriese have their options declined and JD Martinez opts-in). With that 30mil the Red Sox would need to Re-sign Eduardo ($14 mil AAV?) add a 1b (Carlos Santana @ 8.8 mil AAV?) and then you're left with about 7mil to sign a reliever to replace Ottavino. Can that work? Yes. But is there any extra money to pickup free agents or extend Xander/Devers? No. The Red Sox would be in a much tougher spot next year if their goal is to remain under the luxury tax. It's possible to do without hurting the team, but it leaves no options/wiggle room/free agent pickups. Santana would be nice to have this year but 8.8 mil for next year for him is why I don't really want to trade for him. They can find a cheaper alternative at 1st base for a year and push their money to spend to 12+ to fill out the roster. In terms of extending Devers or xandy, maybe I'm wrong but I thought it used to be if you wait until the season starts and announce the extension that they still count for their AAV for that seasons luxury tax. You're right. And it's actually simpler than that now - a few years back I believe they changed the rule so that the player can simply have their contract designated to begin after the season starts (Like the NFL with June 1st cuts). But that's pushing the $$ into the future (which they may do anyway to save $$ as future $$ are worth less than current $$ for someone like Henry). $16mil to spend on a 1b, a setup man, possible injury replacements and mid-season acquisitions isn't much. It's all possible, just depends on if you want to slightly limit the team this year or more greatly limit the team next year. I've been a Red Sox fan for a few decades now and reckon I have a few decades left, one year without making a big deadline move is not something that worries me - I'm more concerned about future team flexibility (obviously if Henry goes crazy and decides to spend hundreds of millions more, that would be great as well, I'm just not holding my breath)
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 21, 2021 13:04:42 GMT -5
I really like the spirit of your post, but there are a few issues with your list: - Santana: on a 2 year deal and making close to 8mil this year - Aguilar: Right Handed. Making over 4 mil - Mancini: Right Handed. Making over 4 mil - Cron: Right Handed - Schoop: Right Handed. Making over 4 mil. Not doing so well defensively in first year at 1B Cron seems like the best bet of the group as his 1mil salary wouldn't be an issue and his 112 wRC+ is pretty solid. Given his age (31) and expiring contract, I can't imagine the cost is too high. Only issue is that he's righthanded, so he would be a direct replacement for Dalbec rather than someone who can platoon with him. They could trade for one of the others, but they're close enough to the tax that they may have to send out salary or offer more in a trade so the other team eats some salary - not ideal either way. I hope the Arroyo experiment doesn't happen again. He's a couple inches taller than Kiké but I feel much more confident in Kiké at 1B than Arroyo. (I went through all of the 1B options as well and I couldn't come up with a better list - options aren't great unless they offer more resources for a player on a multiyear deal or find a contender with too much depth - Milwaukee?) Yeah I think if they're going to acquire a guy it would be pretty much to replace Dalbec, so I wasn't really worried about finding a platoon partner, although Aguilar for one hits righties better than lefties (at least this year). Also, only the prorated portion of the player's salary counts towards the cap, according to Cot's the Red Sox have about $4.5M in room. Like I said it depends on where we actually stand as well as what we send out, but if that's the case you could acquire a guy making $9M and it wouldn't push you over. Yeah, it's certainly possible the Red Sox could pickup any of those guys and not go over, but they're very tight right now and only they know exactly how much they have left to spend. Keep in mind, small things like a player going on the IL and adding a player from the minors OR a player going on the 60-day IL and adding a player to the 40-man add costs - so some wiggle room is necessary. I hope you're right and they can add a 1B without giving much up (although I would still hope for a lefty).
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 21, 2021 12:22:32 GMT -5
I think the main reason why we don’t want to go back over though is exactly what the other guy said that we will have a recurring penalty if we stay over. I think upper management would rather go over next year when they have a ton of space below the CBT to work with and an amazing FA class with two of our top prospects coming up next season. I think they probably went into the year thinking that next season will be the beginning of the championship window and they’d rather go over then so they can resign guys or extend Raffy+Xander or sign a pitcher since there are a lot of good ones on the market. Your absolutely right when you say that they can pretty easily go back under next year I just don’t think that is what they have in mind and I think they’d rather go over next season and maybe go back down the year after when we have almost every current contract off the books (including Prices). I’m extremely interested to see what Chaim does and what direction he will bring the team in the deadline and I wanted to kind of show you that I doubt ownership is afraid of paying the rather small tax and how it’s more about the implications that come with it. Also what I said before depends on the next CBA as well because I saw some stuff about them moving it up to like 250mil but making super big penalty if you pass it (that’s just an idea by someone though so nothing concrete). I could 100% see the MLB changing the luxury tax in one shape or form, possibly in a way that negatively effects big market teams as it appears the MLB has done some things to try and help the smaller market franchises be more competitive. We can go over this until we're blue in the face but just glancing at fangraphs payroll estimates. They have the sox at 136 or so for 2022 commitments. The luxury tax usually goes up a bit so let's say it goes from 210 to 215 conservatively. That's 79 million dollars less the arbitration raises. The only free agents they're slated to have are erod, ottavino, marwin and Danny Santana. They can also gain more by declining options on perez and Richards. Even with arbitration raises they should have plenty of money to fill holes and stay under the luxury tax. Looking at the free agent market I don't see who the sox really drop a lot of money on. Many may disagree but I'm of the opinion that they will be fine to go over the luxury tax this deadline and get back under and still have money to get good players. Once you account for arbitration, additional 40-man, player benefits and picking-up Vazquez' and Perez' option you're left with 30mil (assuming Richards and Andriese have their options declined and JD Martinez opts-in). With that 30mil the Red Sox would need to Re-sign Eduardo ($14 mil AAV?) add a 1b (Carlos Santana @ 8.8 mil AAV?) and then you're left with about 7mil to sign a reliever to replace Ottavino. Can that work? Yes. But is there any extra money to pickup free agents or extend Xander/Devers? No. The Red Sox would be in a much tougher spot next year if their goal is to remain under the luxury tax. It's possible to do it without hurting the team, but it leaves no options/wiggle room/free agent pickups.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 21, 2021 12:11:42 GMT -5
What do you guys think of this:
- Garrett Richards to the NL West (Giants/Dodgers/Padres - possibly Angels/Mets as well) - Carlos Santana to the Red Sox - Possible Red Sox 40-man casualty to the Royals - Lower level prospect from team receiving Richards to the Royals
This keeps the team under the lux tax and improves their largest weakness. It assumes that one of Sale/Houck/Whitlock can fill the final rotation spot (it's a bit risky with depth, but let's ride the health luck)
Two issues I've found: 1. Santana has a second year on his contract. This could be a good thing as it would bridge to Casas, but it would also restrict their FA options slightly 2. Although his a switch hitter, Santana has been much better from the right side over the past 4 years. So this would likely send Dalbec down to the minors.
Santana has a 113 wRC+ this season and is pretty solid defensively
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 21, 2021 10:39:51 GMT -5
For the most part I agree with you, but I don't think the Sox have legit internal options at 1b, which is a position you're supposed to get good offense out of. They're getting really poor production out of that spot, even replacement level I'd say. Dalbec is carrying an OBP around .270 which is terrible and he's not a very good 1b. At this point I'm not sold on Marwin Gonzalez, Danny Santana or Chavis either. They need to external to improve 1b which might require them going over. I understand the point about going over 3 years in a row and the penalties, etc. However, we don't know what the outcome of the next CBA will be. The rules could very well change after this season as to what constitutes going over the limit or what the penalties are, so maybe this is the time to go over. Perhaps next season, the Sox don't get all the conceivable breaks they've gotten this year (like a 2019 type season) and maybe the Sox are only scrambling to grab one of the wild cards. In that situation they wouldn't have to go over the limit and could reset if need be. At 1B it may depend on if they still think Arroyo can regularly play there without getting injured, and if they think Dalbec is just in another bad slump but will bounce back (he did have a wRC+ of over 100 for over a month until hitting a huge wall in July). All that said, there are guys conceivably available that they could get at 1B without necessarily having to go over. Jesus Aguilar, Trey Mancini, CJ Cron, Jonathan Schoop and even Carlos Santana could all potentially be acquired and we could remain under, depending on where we actually stand and what goes out. I really like the spirit of your post, but there are a few issues with your list: - Santana: on a 2 year deal and making close to 8mil this year - Aguilar: Right Handed. Making over 4 mil - Mancini: Right Handed. Making over 4 mil - Cron: Right Handed - Schoop: Right Handed. Making over 4 mil. Not doing so well defensively in first year at 1B Cron seems like the best bet of the group as his 1mil salary wouldn't be an issue and his 112 wRC+ is pretty solid. Given his age (31) and expiring contract, I can't imagine the cost is too high. Only issue is that he's righthanded, so he would be a direct replacement for Dalbec rather than someone who can platoon with him. They could trade for one of the others, but they're close enough to the tax that they may have to send out salary or offer more in a trade so the other team eats some salary - not ideal either way. I hope the Arroyo experiment doesn't happen again. He's a couple inches taller than Kiké but I feel much more confident in Kiké at 1B than Arroyo. (I went through all of the 1B options as well and I couldn't come up with a better list - options aren't great unless they offer more resources for a player on a multiyear deal or find a contender with too much depth - Milwaukee?)
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 21, 2021 10:16:38 GMT -5
You're right, but the luxury tax penalties get worse the more years you're consecutively over. If they tip toe past the line this year, then it's a lot more painful if they want to sprint past it next year.
Yes I know that it rises for repeat offending and I should have mentioned that in my post my bad but if they want to get under next year they easily can. I also am looking at the dark clouds looming over the bargaining agreement. I think there will be a lockout which throws a wrench into the luxury tax stuff. The Red Sox could easily get under the tax next year, but would you rather they go a few mil over this year and get under next year, or that they stay under this year and go big this offseason? I certainly would prefer the latter option. The bargaining agreement has been brought up several times as a reason to go over this year as there may not be a tax after the new CBA. But if there's a lockout, I would guess it's more likely the lux tax penalties get harsher than are reduced. Also, you can look at the NFL for a recent example of a bargaining agreement expiring to see how the cap was treated - every team in the NFL who went over during the uncapped year (2010) was penalized the amount they went over in the following year - I'm sure something similar would occur in baseball if it came to that. But what we would like is moot, the moves by the Red Sox over the past year indicate they are trying to get as close to the luxury tax without going over. Unless there is a change in plan (based on recent Bloom comments this seems unlikely) or they simply screw up (I still think this is why Dombrowski was fired) it's not going to happen.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 21, 2021 10:03:00 GMT -5
I think nutrition is an area our minor leagues should really focus. We’ve got all these young athletes and they’re eating like 13 year olds. Maybe, minor league clubs should have to feed them. Focus on nutrition. Not hot dogs That was one aspect included in the changes that are supposed to be happening at the minor league level this year. I'm not sure if they actually are happening, but it seems to make sense to provide better nutrition and nutrition information to the minor league players. For a few hundred thousand dollars a year the Red Sox should be able to provide a pretty high quality food service 1-2 times per day for each minor leaguer - I'd think it would provide a competitive advantage. (also, training minor leaguers to eat well once they make the majors would be a big plus)
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 16, 2021 9:03:00 GMT -5
A lot of great points in this thread. The way I see it, we've arrived at two facts: 1, The Sox have somewhat of a 40-man roster crunch so it would be ideal to maximize the value of some non-top prospects now 2, The Sox have a lot of "wants" in upgrading the team, but no clear "needs” One other fact worth throwing into the mix, per @redsoxpayroll is that the Sox are already over the CBT. At the point that you are over, you may as well go well over. Coming out of a pandemic and going into potentially contentious CBA talks I think you look to package this "asset" with a grab-bag of potential Rule 5 losses. You're just targeting the best incremental improvement. Whoever I can get to bite with a SP, bullpen guy, 1B - I'm not picky. In a perfect world, I think they look to acquire a SP who they can use in the hybrid role with the belief it'll improve their stuff. I think it was the offseason Soxprospects podcast where Bloom talked about the role of pitchers evolving. This hybrid role, even back to Cora doing the "rover" in '18 is only a market inefficiency as long as other teams aren't doing the same. I'll admit I'm struggling on the perfect name. I don't think Zach Davies is the guy, but he fits the profile you look for: * 3rd time through the order has murdered his stats (71, 104, 204 sOPS+ time thru order this year) * Season pitch count splits suggest he's got ~50 bullets (81, 57 sOPS+, then 170, 150) * Career stats sort-of supportive of the above * FA after the season and could shed the Cubs a few million The Red Sox are not over the CBT. Red Sox payrolls has an 8mil lump sum for 40 man/milb salaries and bonuses. Generally 2-3mil is held for this estimate, which is what seems to put Red Sox payrolls is 5mil over other lux salary trackers. It's certainly possible for the Red Sox to spend more - but that's up to them. (I think Red Sox Payrolls is trying to estimate costs of future call-ups, but I'm not sure) Tanner Houk, Garrett Richards and Martin Perez seem to be the top options for what you're looking for as they're already in-house. It's also possible they trade a player like Richards to open up salary for other transactions.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 15, 2021 11:00:33 GMT -5
I would be extremely surprised if Chaim doesn't come out on August 1st announcing that Chris Sale, Jarren Duran and Tanner Houk were their additions and are better than any other additions they could have made (while avoiding questions on whether the Red Sox were just trying to stay under the tax). I think some are discounting some facts about this year and the future. The Sox are ranked #4 in baseball at the halfway point, I don't think we should be discounting the opportunity that implies with the attitude that they will be there consistently in the future. The Rays are always good and have the farm system currently to keep them in the conversation. The Blue Jays have some of the best young talent in the game and we all know the MFYs are going to be a threat year in year out. And that is just the AL East. I think some are of the mind set that this year isn't that big of a deal and that would be wrong IMO. Staying under the cap and not going all in because of the cap cost is also a bit of a shaky strategy based on the fact their will be a new CBA next year. One that will surely be less restrictive when it comes to salary caps and penalties. Chances are good in my mind that nothing they do this year is going to be all that costly moving forward other than the player costs in trades to upgrade. Of which I would say they are deep enough in some positions to make those moves with out it hurting too much in the future. I'm talking about guys who may never start for the Sox and if they do it won't be for long based on who is coming up behind them in the system. Can we count on Sale to be Sale, or that Duran is going to succeed when so many guys making their debuts this year have failed. Sure I am excited for these guys to be added to the roster and it would be great if they all contributed but I'm not convinced it is going to be enough. Who knows what they are thinking and or what they are going to do but I wouldn't be so cavalier in taking this season for granted and not treating it like a great opportunity to win a trophy. Not only that but it effects the clubhouse also. I've heard it many times that the players want to see those deals as it tells them the FO is behind them, not doing anything sends the wrong message. Right now both the owners and CBO seem to be very patient and have a long term strategy which they aren't willing to change quickly. They're attempting to create long-term success rather than have a 'go for it' plan, as was the case with Dombrowski. There's still hope that Bloom finds a clever way to add major league talent without increasing payroll - but I think we all realize this can be difficult and a player added this way is not likely to be a star. Each time a player is added with a trade or via promotion there's a not-so-slight chance it doesn't work out, so I'm just putting the hope/faith in the young guys (and Sale).
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 15, 2021 9:18:02 GMT -5
I would be extremely surprised if Chaim doesn't come out on August 1st announcing that Chris Sale, Jarren Duran and Tanner Houk were their additions and are better than any other additions they could have made (while avoiding questions on whether the Red Sox were just trying to stay under the tax).
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 8, 2021 18:03:24 GMT -5
I believe I was talking about the Dalbec who hit .200 in May, .237 in June and is hitting .214 so far in July. I was talking about the Dalbec whose OBP are .243 in May, .280 in June and .214 in July. I am talking about a Kiké who is hitting home runs at roughly the same rate as Dalbec. I want Dalbec to succeed. He is potentially a very solid power hitter. But he is not arguably hitting better than Kiké. As for Duran, if you believe he is a less than average hitter, then you have a massive disagreement with his ratings as our number two prospect and number 29 in MLB. Where are you getting Duran as the #29 prospect in baseball? Haven’t seen that anywhere - best I’ve seen is MLB’s top 100 has him at 86 BA updated last month: www.masslive.com/redsox/2021/06/boston-red-sox-prospect-jarren-duran-leaps-up-to-no-29-in-baseball-america-top-100-triston-casas-up-to-no-27.html
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 8, 2021 15:37:58 GMT -5
It seems to me that some are saying that Duran should replace Hernandez in CF and that Hernandez should be moved to 2B. This sounds like Duran replacing Arroyo in the usual starting lineup. I'm not so sure I like that idea. How about Kiké to 1B? I keep wishing/hoping that Bobby gets his act together, but introducing Duran as a starter seems to mean that Dalbec or Arroyo or Kiké loses his starting berth. I think you're trying too hard to find a spot for Kiké. Marwin Gonzalez and Danny Santana have been nearly full-time players for this team. Since Kiké can play every position, it's easy for him to take away their at-bats while relieving Duran in center - once he's called up.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jul 8, 2021 15:34:38 GMT -5
More positive comments about Duran's OF play in a new interview with Bloom. sports.yahoo.com/chaim-bloom-shares-updates-red-205331095.html"The one thing that's pretty clear is he's a heck of a lot closer than he was when the season started. I think it's been a steady, upward trajectory for him in Worcester in terms of his comfort in the outfield, his jumps, his ability to read the ball off the bat, and all that adds up to making plays. We know he has the speed and the athleticism to make pretty much any play out there. You guys have seen it, it's a high bar to be in our outfield right now, so we want to make sure that if he's ready to come, then he's ready to contribute there."
This is encouraging coming from Bloom. While it's true Bloom tries to put a positive spin on just about everything if you read between the lines when he's commenting on players he does not offer unjustified praise. If Duran wasn't making significant progress and looking much better Bloom would likely have said Duran is "working hard everyday to improve and the Sox are pleased with the effort he has been putting in." In other words he'd dodge the question in a way which gives away the answer without knocking the player. In this case he specifically positively addresses the two main concerns (jumps and reads) when it comes to Duran's defense. I agree with you that the positive statements are very good sign. However, my primary take on this was 'he's not yet good enough defensively to promote to the majors'. This is what we have assumed for some time, so it's not surprising. The 'high bar' may imply they want to keep him in CF rather than hide him in LF.
|
|
|
Noah Song
Jun 28, 2021 9:53:37 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by wcsoxfan on Jun 28, 2021 9:53:37 GMT -5
I'm assuming he's pitching on the side during his off time.
Anyone have first-person insights into whether my above assumptions is reasonable?
Any word on whether the Red Sox have given him an arm conditioning program?
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jun 24, 2021 14:06:19 GMT -5
Just want to throw out there that Marwin has 213 PA and a 57 wRC (one year after a 66 wRC). If Kiké takes most of his at-bats as a utility player, a few at-bats from Arauz and is the defensive replacement in center, that should be plenty.
Keeping Marwin as a rarely played backup / defensive replacement and sending down Danny Santana seems to be the best move for depth (unless there's an injury) on the 26-man, but someone needs to be cut from the 40-man. Rios could be the answer, but I think it more likely would be Santana/Cordero/Marwin - which would hurt the major league depth. I'm guessing that (along with Duran's development) is the hold up - may be waiting for the next guy who has to go to the 60-day DL.
A 40-man spot will be needed for Sale before long as well.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jun 16, 2021 19:36:07 GMT -5
I would argue that if he can't grip/control the baseball on his pitches, then he is having trouble executing the pitches. If he can't accurately throw his pitches without over-gripping (is that a thing?) or using illegal substances then shouldn't he be throwing less-good pitches instead? Given the history of 'honesty' among baseball players involved with scandal, I'm going to lean toward not believing him. Go watch his last two starts and tell me he has trouble executing pitches without sticky stuff They have to grip the ball harder to control it now. It puts extra stress on the arm. I reckon this isn’t going to be just him. That just reinforces that the injury probably has nothing to do with all of this and it's just a bunch of drama from a guy who's frustrated because he's hurt. Being frustrated is understandable, but blaming someone because they wouldn't let you cheat is petty.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jun 16, 2021 19:28:39 GMT -5
I don't have a problem with anyone that was cheating once it became clear that MLB was going to let everyone get away with it. It's hard to stomach the whining that they only get three weeks notice that the rules are going to be enforced, though. Especially given that they were notified in spring training that this would happen, so them complaining about it being just 3 weeks is them playing the spin game: www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/03/24/mlb-foreign-substances-baseball-pitchers-crackdown/And I'm not condoning MLB here, their behavior (or lack of) essentially forced players into this situation. But listening to players complain is like getting caught going 85 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean that you get a free pass. You just happened to be the one caught. Thanks for the link - the part I didn't realize previously is that MLB had notified the players the PREVIOUS offseason. Now understanding that's the case, I still think MLB managed this poorly, but because they should have prepared and instituted the punishments during this past offseason to avoid much of this drama. (anyone wonder if MLB is going the NFL route and intentionally creating drama?)
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jun 16, 2021 19:24:29 GMT -5
I agree that it's whining (Glasnow is essentially saying that he can't throw his pitches without cheating), but it does bring into question the level of MLB's competence. MLB has known that pitchers use just about any sticky substance they can get their hands on to enhance their pitching. If they had been forward looking they could have foreseen that the use of these foreign substances would have continued to grow and push past the envelope as pitchers gain more and more of an advantage. But instead they see pitchers dominating 6 weeks into the season and make a reactionary panic move. They should have issues a warning/reminder that anyone found using a foreign substance will be ejected/fined/suspended, without taking additional measures. This wouldn't have fixed the issue, but it would have given a warning that MLB could follow-up on in the offseason with a more robust plan. I also believe that MLB should conduct analysis of all of the substances and make a re-determination as to what should, and shouldn't, be allowed. That’s actually not at all what Glasnow was saying. As a matter of fact he was pretty much saying the opposite. He has no problem executing the pitches, it’s just requiring more stress to be put on his elbow to control them without any sort of grip substance. Which is true. It doesn’t help that MLB is constantly tinkering with the balls I understand where he’s coming from. This is nothing more than the league trying to increase offense and I’ve had enough of people trying to paint this as a cheating/morality issue when it’s something the games blatantly allowed for years. I would argue that if he can't grip/control the baseball on his pitches, then he is having trouble executing the pitches. If he can't accurately throw his pitches without over-gripping (is that a thing?) or using illegal substances then shouldn't he be throwing less-good pitches instead? Given the history of 'honesty' among baseball players involved with scandal, I'm going to lean toward not believing him.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jun 16, 2021 18:17:49 GMT -5
He’s still so much fun to watch play defense Well, curiously, his defense has cratered this year. He's at -3 OAA overall on the year and -6 from the shortstop position (they must shift a lot - he's +3 starting from "second base"). He's already tied his career high with 11 errors this season...not sure what to make of that. Could be there was an unusually excessive amount of sun on those plays, but either way it seems he made the routine look spectacular. Definitely fun to watch.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jun 15, 2021 19:38:55 GMT -5
I don't have a problem with anyone that was cheating once it became clear that MLB was going to let everyone get away with it. It's hard to stomach the whining that they only get three weeks notice that the rules are going to be enforced, though. I agree that it's whining (Glasnow is essentially saying that he can't throw his pitches without cheating), but it does bring into question the level of MLB's competence. MLB has known that pitchers use just about any sticky substance they can get their hands on to enhance their pitching. If they had been forward looking they could have foreseen that the use of these foreign substances would have continued to grow and push past the envelope as pitchers gain more and more of an advantage. But instead they see pitchers dominating 6 weeks into the season and make a reactionary panic move. They should have issues a warning/reminder that anyone found using a foreign substance will be ejected/fined/suspended, without taking additional measures. This wouldn't have fixed the issue, but it would have given a warning that MLB could follow-up on in the offseason with a more robust plan. I also believe that MLB should conduct analysis of all of the substances and make a re-determination as to what should, and shouldn't, be allowed.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jun 10, 2021 11:11:07 GMT -5
So FWIW, I don't think the Bello promotion is technically official yet and wonder if someone jumped the gun. We still don't have a Portland countermove, the Portland and Greenville rosters would be one over and one under the limit otherwise, and the transaction still isn't in the Portland game notes. Among other things. I wonder if the plan is Bello goes up to Portland once Gambrell is ready, and they made a last minute decision to wait? Maybe there is a AA pitcher who they're waiting to promote to Worcester? Winckowski pitches today.
|
|
|
Post by wcsoxfan on Jun 5, 2021 15:48:09 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure you got it right the first time. Signed on July 2nd of 2018 that would put 5 seasons at December 2022. Brainer Bonaci, for instance, is in the same boat (signed July 9th and eligible December 2022). There are occasional guys who sign late, or who's league doesn't exist that season (happened in Venezuela a while back), that skew the dates. But I don't see anything here to indicate that (although he didn't play until 2019). I was definitely reading "next year" as "this year." No idea why. Sorry about that. I still think this year is last year, so you're doing better than I am.
|
|
|