Colome's Hat

Interesting. Especially since Keuchel and Rodon share an agent, I think this deal gets it done with Rodon. I would prefer Rodon over Keuchel but I don't think you could get Keuchel into long relief. I do remember, what was it 2011, when the Sox starting rotation was so deep that they used 6 starters through most of the year. I wonder though if we could trade Keuchel to a team hoping to get a motivated starter in the final year of his contract, one that might be kind of rebuilding or on the verge of contention? Or one that is just desperate for pitching?

Good lord. Are you serious?

Has he not earned a reputation considering he will likely join Smoltz in Cooperstown? The whole reason I think we are saying Kimbrel should maybe get the 9th, I'm not there yet, is because he's one of the best players at his position to ever play the game.

Again, gave up zero runs in September 2020 on a playoff baseball team. He righted the ship September of last year. In September of 2019, his ERA ballooned because of a few really disasterous outings. He actually had a very good August posting a 1.35 ERA that month. He has said before that the long layoff was really problematic for him as he never got a rhythm going. Add to that the long layoff at the beginning of 2020, it was a recipe for disaster. He had a really good September that year for the Cubs and was lights out for them for the rest of his time there.

Can Kimbrel teach my cat not to hop on my counter?

100% Madrigal tears a hamstring on that one. Sorry that was too soon.

Last week everyone on this thread wanted Hendriks demoted to mop up and Kimbrel pitching the 9th.

100% madrigal blows that one.

Hendriks has publicly said he is fine with pitching the 8th. He could be lying but I take him at his word. He seems to be able to pitch in whatever situation you throw him in.

Hypothetically, Kimbrel pitching in in early season form in the 9th and Hendriks dominating in the 8th makes the White Sox bullpen better, no? I'm not of the opinion that the White Sox should do this. But just saying...

It depends on what you look at. Dude saved 6 of 7 games. And yes walked a highwire act but also got the job done. And dude was literally putting up historic numbers through July.

I remember Stoney, I think it was when Addison Reed was closing in 2012, basically said that ERA was worthless for a closer. I'm not sure I entirely agree but I see his point. All of it is moot when you get the job done. Kimbrel got the job done way more than he didn't in 2018 in the playoffs.

I'm not making excuses. He had a very high era in his first series because he literally only pitched twice. He allowed a home run that was of no consequence in Game 1 and gave up two runs in Game 3. In both games he got the save. This is hardly shitting your pants. Dude was 6 of 7 in save opportunities in the playoffs. That's pretty damned good.

Given Hendriks history of pitching in the 8th and his ability to go multiple innings, I think he will likely make the adjustment pretty easily. That being said, given what Kimbrel has said and what has been written about him, this may be a thing where it requires a longer period of adjustment then normal (i.e. a month). I'm not sure suddenly pulling him from a role he's trying to get comfortable with and sticking him a new role would be great. Although I do think he can pitch the 9th without any problem.

As somone who actually followed the Red Sox in October of 2018 because my friend is a giant fan and I watched many of the games with her, he didn't shit his pants in the playoffs. He wasn't great by any means but he saved 3 of the 4 games in the ALCS and saved one game in the world series, there weren't that many save situations in that series, although he did have an iffy one in a non save situation. He blew one save in that marathon game but it was also a kind of freak occurrence play anyways. Again. Dude didn't allow a run in September of 2020. And was having a historically good season up until this month. Again, if you are going to say these things you should have numbers to actually back you up.

If you are going to rip into the guy, at least know your shit. Dude was straight up dominant in 2018. He’s going through a rough stretch. Again, from what I know of him, he really is someone who is routine orientated. And so I imagine it must be difficult for him to make an adjustment mid season. Luckily these games ere kind of meaningless in the grand scheme of things. The fact is, we will know the value of this trade based on October and how well he does there. I’m still pretty confident in him. Definitely more confident than any of the other options we have.

Yep. The 2005 Guardians were a really good team. Many people don't remember how good the AL Central was that year. Likely the best division in baseball (during that two year stretch where the AL Central was the best in baseball) and the Guardians just were playing up to their potential.

Is it possible they want him to avoid playing on astroturf if possible?

Cesar definitely needs a day off. But I wonder if with TA's day to dayness and Leury being out, we can't really give him one without bringing Vaughn to 2nd. Have a feeling once the two come back, he'll get a day off. I still think he's had some good at bats and he's still contributing with the glove out there.

I enjoyed it greatly. A solidly good sci-fi noir. Not sure why this is getting so much hate.

Beckham admitting he's a Creed fan is grounds for firing.

I assume he would get one in Toronto once TA is fully back.

New metrodome.

Was curious and went back and watched the at bat. One of those pitches, the third one, was absolutely a strike. I would say the fourth was borderline. He looked much more comfortable in the strikeout. One of the drawbacks to Kimbrel is he's super easy to run on. To be honest, catchers need to be aware of that and just block anything.

Kimbrel will be fine. He likely would have worked his way out of the jam. He also was stiffed on a few close calls in that first at bat. Reading about Kimbrel. He's a creature of habit. He thrives on routines. And he's likely now getting used to that routine of the 8th inning. I would rather he learn to get used to it now than in the postseason. I would give him a few opportunities to close.