Baseball thread

[.V.]

Might as well start another one of these here.

 

[.V.]

Great story. And now he's a Yankee!

http://m.bleacherreport.com/article...y-from-hardware-store-employer-to-mlb-pitcher

 

[.V.]

So Sherzer is a National then. Very disappointed that the Yankees aren't in on any of the elite starters hitting the market this year, especially Sherzer.

I wouldn't be too disappointed if David Price was avalible in November, but he won't hit the market for two more years now, if at all.

Whilst I like the look of the rotation, the problem is that only Eovaldi doesn't have a question mark over his health.

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Lack of a top starter causing consternation in Boston too. The line-up should be better, and it's reasonable to expect some of the youngsters to take a step forward, but a rotation of Buchholz/Masterson/Porcello/Miley/Kelly looks like a "more in hope than anticipation" sort of a thing.

 

[.V.]

Cashman really gambling on the health of his starters. I can understand a little, balking on long contracts given we signed Tanaka a year ago, but to not even make Brandon McCarthy one; I just don't get it.

And for the record, I'm not all that happy about trading Prado and Banuelos.

 

[RavenBish]

$180m, 7 years for a 30 year old power/strikeout guy...good luck with all of that Nats.

 

[.V.]

Randy Johnson was a power/strikeout guy and pitched to 46. Granted he's a first ballot hall of famer, but not impossible.

 

[.V.]

http://mweb.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24983019/franchise-bestsworsts-new-york-yankees

 

[TomPNE94]

http://mweb.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24983019/franchise-bestsworsts-new-york-yankees

"We're the Yankees, so we'll dabble briefly in mascotitude, but only with an understated yet distinguishing sense of contempt about the whole enterprise. Anyway, viva la Dandy."

 

[TomPNE94]

"We're the Yankees, so we'll dabble briefly in mascotitude, but only with an understated yet distinguishing sense of contempt about the whole enterprise. Anyway, viva la Dandy."

Damnit that is too raucous of a laugh, I didn't find it THAT funny!

 

[Toffee_Joe]

I am a Tampa Bay Rays fan. We have had a fascinating offseason.

I think we will still be up there in the AL East next year. Though it looks a very even division. We really need some of our new acquisitions to come through well and we are set. Looking forward to watching Souza in particular.

 

[.V.]

I am a Tampa Bay Rays fan. We have had a fascinating offseason.

I think we will still be up there in the AL East next year. Though it looks a very even division. We really need some of our new acquisitions to come through well and we are set. Looking forward to watching Souza in particular.

Really? Outside looking in admittedly, I thought you were more in a transitional mode.

I think the Yankees and O's will be worse this year, Toronto and Baston better and the Rays a little worse.

As of today I'd predict:

Blue Jays
Sox
O's
Yankees
Rays

 

[Toffee_Joe]

Really? Outside looking in admittedly, I thought you were more in a transitional mode.

I think the Yankees and O's will be worse this year, Toronto and Baston better and the Rays a little worse.

As of today I'd predict:

Blue Jays
Sox
O's
Yankees
Rays

We got rid of a whole lot of junk and did well replacing them while restocking the farm. Zobrist will be a massive miss but we will improve on the production of Escobar, S Rod, Myers, catcher and the bullpen. Mix that with our rotation, a bit of a bounceback from Longoria, and some young players coming through, we will compete. I predict.

Red Socks
Rays
Jays
Orioles
Yankees

 

[.V.]

Moncada is now a free agent, go get him Cash!

 

[.V.]

https://twitter.com/tbtimes_rays/status/563749510942560257

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Colour me shocked, shocked I say, that the arithmetic of the Rays + general minor league chintzery resulted in something like this.

Was Truck Day in Boston today. Not long now.

 

[.V.]

Colour me shocked, shocked I say, that the arithmetic of the Rays + general minor league chintzery resulted in something like this.

Was Truck Day in Boston today. Not long now.

I know, it's so tinpot it has to be the Rays.

 

[Toffee_Joe]

I know, it's so tinpot it has to be the Rays.

Lol, its a bit of fun?

Also technically it has nothing to do with the Rays but oh well!

 

[thespus]

Cashman really gambling on the health of his starters. I can understand a little, balking on long contracts given we signed Tanaka a year ago, but to not even make Brandon McCarthy one; I just don't get it.

And for the record, I'm not all that happy about trading Prado and Banuelos.

I was shocked they let McCarthy walk. He has the talent to be a quality starter—he's just been in some unfortunate situations. Think he'll be a quality mid-rotation guy for the Dodgers.

I'm very concerned about the Cardinals rotation. If Wainwright and Wacha stay healthy, it has all the quality necessary, but I think the nature of their ongoing injury issues are major red flags. Think this could be the first year they miss the NLCS in a few years, and could even miss the playoffs. I really like the Jason Heyward addition (RIP Oscar Taveras) and I like Kolten Wong for an improved season, but I expect regression from Peralta and Jay. The rival Cubs could be challenging us for the division.

Early playoff predictions:

AL: Blue Jays, Indians, Mariners; Angels and Red Sox
NL: Nationals, Cardinals, Dodgers; Marlins and Padres

 

[Toffee_Joe]

I'm very concerned about the Cardinals rotation. If Wainwright and Wacha stay healthy, it has all the quality necessary, but I think the nature of their ongoing injury issues are major red flags. Think this could be the first year they miss the NLCS in a few years, and could even miss the playoffs. I really like the Jason Heyward addition (RIP Oscar Taveras) and I like Kolten Wong for an improved season, but I expect regression from Peralta and Jay. The rival Cubs could be challenging us for the division.

Early playoff predictions:

AL: Blue Jays, Indians, Mariners; Angels and Red Sox
NL: Nationals, Cardinals, Dodgers; Marlins and Padres

I think the Cardinals are well set up to win the NL Central this year. Heyward is a brilliant player and should be the difference. The Cubs and Pirates should be on the edge of the wildcard spots and I reckon one of them will get in. It will be interesting to see how the Cubs do, I expect a bedding in period needed for at least a couple of their prospects, but this year is the warm up for them. They will start properly challenging next year.

My early playoff predictions:
AL: Red Sox, Tigers, Mariners; Angels and Rays
NL: Nationals, Cardinals, Dodgers; Cubs and Padres

 

[.V.]

Moncada signs for the Sox

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Did not expect this. Great news.

 

[.V.]

Sounds like Cashman wanted him but ownership wouldn't pony up

 

[.V.]

http://www.pinstripealley.com/2015/2/23/8090067/yankees-yoan-moncada-signs-red-sox-steinbrenner

 

[TomPNE94]

http://www.pinstripealley.com/2015/2/23/8090067/yankees-yoan-moncada-signs-red-sox-steinbrenner

hahahaha, number 9 made me lol

 

[TomPNE94]

Nearly time for Spring training games

 

[.V.]

hahahaha, number 9 made me lol

I like number 10. Wasn't bothered with baseball when George was in his pomp, but with non moves like this, I do wish he was still pulling the strings. To some extent.

 

[.V.]

I'm in full Cashman/ownership bashing mode today.

http://riveraveblues.com/2015/02/yankees-may-missed-opportunity-bring-back-brandon-mccarthy-114872/

http://riveraveblues.com/2015/02/thoughts-yankees-lose-yoan-moncada-114858/

 

[Toffee_Joe]

I wouldn't be that bothered about missing out on Moncada. Unless he turns into a star you can replace his production on the free agent market for similar money. Then of course there is the chance he is a complete flop. Unlikely maybe but my no means impossible. The one thing with the Yankees is that they were already over the bonus pool. You would have thought that would have made it more tempting.

 

[.V.]

I wouldn't be that bothered about missing out on Moncada. Unless he turns into a star you can replace his production on the free agent market for similar money. Then of course there is the chance he is a complete flop. Unlikely maybe but my no means impossible. The one thing with the Yankees is that they were already over the bonus pool. You would have thought that would have made it more tempting.

I don't agree, fewer big players are hitting the market in their prime, and often when they do, a team has to over pay in years. Look at Cano last year, the last 3/4 years of that contract are going to be horrible for the Mariners.

Drafting and developing talent is the way baseball is heading at the moment. Add to the mix that the Yankees are handcuffed in terms of spending on young international players, and there may be an international draft once they aren't, means this is an opportunity missed.