Baseball thread

[Martino Knockavelli]

The former I think. Too many miles on the odometer.

 

[.V.]

5 years $100m+ left on his contract too

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

LAST MINUTE PRE-SEASON THOUGHTS?

For the Sawx:

They should score some runs, which will be a welcome change after the noodle joint that was the 2014 line up. Sandoval and Ramirez are big additions, both somewhat risky deals but neither in that mega bucks category that can give a team with Boston's wallet proper long term indigestion. It's reasonable to expect some sort of bounce back year from Pedroia, Papi and/or Napoli. It's reasonable to expect a step forward from Xander Bogaerts. Mookie Betts is surely gonna come back down to earth at some point, but looks like a real contributor even if he does. Not entirely sure what RF is gonna shape up like, but with all the options they have they should be able to find production somewhere. Losing Vazquez before we've even started is a pisser, but this line-up should be able to carry another all glove catcher down at the bottom with out too much tooth ache. As a group they look pretty sharp defensively too, with Ramirez and Bogaerts the only real questions marks (the latter quite a large one with the ground ball heavy staff, admittedly).

Unfortunately I fear they're gonna have to score some runs, cos I'm not too bullish on this rotation. Buchholz has had a decent spring, but I wouldn't stake too much on the certainty of that holding up for the year. Beyond that Porcello is the only guy who looks capable of being above average, and not very far above average at that. The rest of em are essentially mediocre, and it seems to me that downside far outweighs upside when it comes to banking on mediocre pitchers staying that way. I won't attempt to project the bullpen except to say that having Koji likely start the season DL isn't exactly reassuring.

Normally I think that would be a recipe for a competitive rebuilding year, but the East is so wide open now that I dunno. Most of the projections have the entire division within the margin for error, which seems about right. This squad looks pretty well equipped to be solid and hang around, and they have plenty of trade chits to acquire a pitcher or 2 before the deadline if they want to go for it. One can say more or less the same of everyone else in the division too though, obviously.

Given all that, trying to pluck a number out of the air seems an even bigger folly than usual, but (assuming reasonable health and wotnot) I think 88-90 wins is doable, which should be good enough for a wild card spot, and perhaps even the division. And if they arrive at 89 or 90 as a hot team riding a newly acquired ace... maybe a post-season run is not entirely too much to dream of?

AGREE/DISAGREE/YOUR LOTS?

 

[.V.]

We'll go as far as our rotation will take us, because we ain't gonna lead the league in runs this year.

I'd like to think CC will transform into a latter day Pettitte/Mussina, but all the innings are now taking a toll on his knee/body, and it's still unclear if he can be a better pitcher, now he doesn't have the stuff to be a thrower. I have high hopes for Pineda and Tanaka if healthy, and Eovaldi has looked very good in spring. Nova should be back before the ASG, but fuck knows how he'll pitch.

I do like the look of our bullpen, although Betances has looked very much out of sorts.

Our infield D is a lot better this year, which will help some. The outfield D is still good with two + defends in Gardner and Ellsbury.

As for hitting, think we'll see the same from Tex as last year pretty much, Drew to hit low .200s (he's cooked), Headley to hit .250 with 25 HRs (which I'd take) and I have no idea how Gregorius will hit TBH. I expect the same from Ellsbury and Gardner as last year but, with less power from Gardner, and for Beltran to have a much better year now he's healthy. I'm quietly confident Arod will hit 20 home runs this year, think a year off may have done him a favour, and sounds like his head might be right for once.

As CF says, the AL East is wide open, but still think the Blue Jays will win it, despite saying that for 3 years in a row now. The Yankees will win anywhere from 78-93 games depending on the rotation. To win it all? Would very much like to see the Nationals win it, given my trips to Nationals Park the last few years.

 

[.V.]

100% the right decision

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2...ive-no-discipline-in-the-wake-of-his-relapse/

 

[Toffee_Joe]

I was much higher on our chances until the last few weeks.

Our starting pitching is our biggest strength, but its mainly injured. Cobb, Archer, Smyly, Odorizzi and Moore is the best rotation in the division. 3/5ths of that is currently injures. Add in our 6th starter Colome being injured and its not great to start the year. If we can get through April without losing much ground it could be an exciting season.

I like our bullpen. Should be a strength but once again McGee starts the year on the DL which is a loss.

Our offence is the only area we should start largely intact with only Franklin down. Hopefully this should be about league average. This really rests on two players. Souza is someone I really like but as a rookie he is someone we can't bank on yet. Longoria is the main man as usual. If he can bounceback from last year and we can get through April in touch I think we win this division.

For the World Series I agree with Martino and think the Nationals are favourites. They are my favourite National League side but I wouldn't mind seeing them lose to the Rays at all!

 

[.V.]

This is good

http://m.mlb.com/video/v60085883/mlb-players-recite-famous-field-of-dreams-speech

But not as good as this

http://m.mlb.com/video/?content_id=12919391

 

[.V.]

A Yankees view of the AL East

http://riveraveblues.com/2015/04/new-era-widespread-al-east-mediocrity-2015-season-preview-116724/

 

[Toffee_Joe]

A Yankees view of the AL East

http://riveraveblues.com/2015/04/new-era-widespread-al-east-mediocrity-2015-season-preview-116724/

Have to say I disagree with almost everything this article says! Orioles have 5 average or better starters? I can't see one that I would say confidently is average or better.

 

[.V.]

Have to say I disagree with almost everything this article says! Orioles have 5 average or better starters? I can't see one that I would say confidently is average or better.

I dunno, 5 of the 6 starters they used last year had an ERA below league average.

 

[Toffee_Joe]

I dunno, 5 of the 6 starters they used last year had an ERA below league average.

If we treat an average player as about 2.5 WAR not one single Oriole starter is projected for that. And that's because they aren't very good. They played last year in front of a good defence; got lucky at times and looked just about average.

The only three that even have a shot at being average this year are Tillman, Chen and Gausmann. Tillman broke out last year in a big way and has a chance but his strikeouts went down. I think he reverts back to a more than useful four. Unfortunately he is their ace. Chen is a poor pitcher. Someone who shouldn't be higher than a five on a contending team or a four on an average one. He doesn't strike people out, relies totally on his defence and last year looked ok due to a phenomenal walk rate. I just don't see him being able to do that for another year. His stuff isn't good enough. Gaussman again doesn't strike enough people out, and got lucky on his home run rate last year. He does have an elite fastball, but that is it. He doesn't have good off speed stuff. Because of that i think the only place he ends up being good is the bullpen (he could be very very good.)

Yeah this post could make me look silly in a few months! Who do you reckon can be above average?

 

[TomPNE94]

Similar to what Carel said for the Red Sox, I feel we are going to have to score a lot of runs to win games. The rotation really doesn't fill me with confidence apart from Alvarez. Think the bullpen looks stronger than last year but Spring didn't really back that up.

Thankfully, I don't think there is a more explosive 3+4 than Stanton+Morse. With Yelich leading off, the top of the order should score heavily this year.

Anyway, 48 hours from now and we'll be an hour in and already lol'ing at the Cubs (although they look okay this year...)

Edit: oh, and Dee Gordon. You RULE Dee Gordon.

 

[.V.]

If we treat an average player as about 2.5 WAR not one single Oriole starter is projected for that. And that's because they aren't very good. They played last year in front of a good defence; got lucky at times and looked just about average.

The only three that even have a shot at being average this year are Tillman, Chen and Gausmann. Tillman broke out last year in a big way and has a chance but his strikeouts went down. I think he reverts back to a more than useful four. Unfortunately he is their ace. Chen is a poor pitcher. Someone who shouldn't be higher than a five on a contending team or a four on an average one. He doesn't strike people out, relies totally on his defence and last year looked ok due to a phenomenal walk rate. I just don't see him being able to do that for another year. His stuff isn't good enough. Gaussman again doesn't strike enough people out, and got lucky on his home run rate last year. He does have an elite fastball, but that is it. He doesn't have good off speed stuff. Because of that i think the only place he ends up being good is the bullpen (he could be very very good.)

Yeah this post could make me look silly in a few months! Who do you reckon can be above average?

I'm gonna put a tenner on Gaussman to win the Cy Young now you've said that

 

[Toffee_Joe]

I'm gonna put a tenner on Gaussman to win the Cy Young now you've said that

Probably worse things to have a bet on!

 

[TomPNE94]

Opening day!

 

[TomPNE94]

Worst singer ever her

 

[thespus]

Jason Heyward looks a great addition for the Cardinals.

 

[Scumarmy.]

I have just started playing Baseball at Uni. What do you know? I could've been MLB.

 

[.V.]

I have just started playing Baseball at Uni. What do you know? I could've been MLB.

Argyle Dude used to play, and Pompey Red Sox, who I've not seen in a very long time, did too. How're you finding it? I've thought about giving it a go, but at 34 I'm not sure how easy it would be for me to pick up.

Opening day y'all Let's go Yankees!!!

 

[.V.]

Jason Heyward looks a great addition for the Cardinals.

We'll see, had to give up a lot to get him!

 

[Scumarmy.]

Argyle Dude used to play, and Pompey Red Sox, who I've not seen in a very long time, did too. How're you finding it? I've thought about giving it a go, but at 34 I'm not sure how easy it would be for me to pick up.

Me and a few mates started it after a random conversation down the pub about sports we could try our hand at. I did not and still do not know a lot about it as it stands but I have to say, I have a lot more respect for it now as a sport having played it for a couple of months or so as it is a lot harder than it looks. I cannot pitch for shit and my batting is not great either at the moment. The only thing I am good at is catching. It will all come in time I guess, practice, practice, practice.

 

[.V.]

I've tried pitching on flat ground with my brother in law, but there's so much going on, I think I threw one pitch vaguely correctly in 50 odd attempts.

Am off to Florida next month so will try to find a batting cage there.

 

[.V.]

Tanaka looked sharp the first two innings, but has completely lost his control this inning. 5 ER for 1 out so far in the 3rd.

 

[.V.]

Tanaka out after 4 innings, not exactly ideal!

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Crowd erupts as A-Rod drives one into the gap for a single. What a moment. Must have been what it was like when Di Maggio got #56.

 

[.V.]

Whoops

https://vine.co/v/eBuAjv9rt3t

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

^^^ delaying obvious joke until I've seen if Buchholz has a meltdown...

 

[.V.]

 

[Craig]

Yankees tactic to hit every ball over there and hope?

 

[.V.]

Yankees tactic to hit every ball over there and hope?

Hutchinson pitched well to be fair, but 92 pitches, 3 hits and 2 walks in 6 innings doesn't exactky scream free swinging Yankees.