BamaDoc

He will get a qualifying offer. What draft picks would you lose for one year of the player, second rounder? I dug up. We would lose our second rounder and that slot money in draft as well as 500k of international pool money. Total loss not insignificant .

I have long liked Madrigal’s ability to hit behind the runner in the two hole. Timmy is getting on at a .450 clip in the first inning. I like a healthy Moncada at two or three but he isn’t healthy. I give mo and Robert at least two days off between now and playoffs.

On the broadcast, they talked about Cincinnati considering using Bauer on three days rest to try to get in playoffs. Hope they try and results may be interesting. I don’t think you do it all year long but come playoffs sometimes there is consideration of pitching a guy on short rest. Obviously it would be a small sample size but some info might be interesting.

Thanks. Glad it was just my old eyes.

First love the win but did anyone notice the double play to end game? Men on first and second, defenders shifted to right. Grounder right of second. Tim fielded and tagged runner with glove extended. Problem I think I saw was ball was in right hand and about 4 feet from glove. I always thought tag had to be made ball in glove with glove. Alternatively, tag made ball in hand, tagged and ball held by that hand. Checked a state rule book and my interpretation correct. Is mlb different or did I not see it correctly?

I will make a couple predictions: First if Kopech comes back next year and has an ERA of 2.50 and becomes our #1 or 2 in the future, everyone will praise him for being smart, getting healthy(whatever way) and maturing. Second if he comes back and has a 7 ERA, most people will pile on and it will be ugly. In essence, like almost all players, his performance will be the determining factor in how many perceive him. I hope he and all realize and understand that your true friends are there for you in either situation. If they are only there in situation number one, they aren't true friends. When you think all is lost, the guy who shows up or picks up the phone when no one else will is the true friend.

Great take and thank you for your service!

I will agree that current 7-8 of Cleveland or a getting healthy Yankees would probably not be my picks to play. However we are playoff bound!!!! Really a year ahead of schedule. Have to see how Keuchel’s back responds. Could you imagine doing this with old 24 man roster?

It is time that if both are in the lineup, EE and Mazara belong hitting 7-8. I don’t care who occupies which slot. Until they get hot, no movement. Engel has earned right to platoon.

Many of our young players have grown with this staff. These coaches get at least next year to see where it goes. Barring a terrible year, likely more years. At that point, re Menechino, I want to see our young guys mature in regards to a two strike approach. I realize Robert is aggressive but the other game he saw four total pitches in four at bats. Overall, I am thrilled with this year. We are basically arriving a year early and reinforcements are still coming/arriving.

Will need to open a space on the forty. Maybe move someone to 45 day injured list?

Not a lot of options. Honestly not crazy about starting his clock. We just need innings. Kinda thought Gio González could go three then Flores a couple but it sure will be exciting! Even if much of the board had no problem trading him at deadline. And I am poking fun. We all know, if he does well we should get Cooperstown ready and if he performs poorly we should have traded the stiff!

He has stated he is big on using video between at bats which has been banned. The unfamiliarity with pitchers plays into no video. It will matter different amounts to different players. Probably hurts the cerebral guys which catchers often are. He also commented on the catching side that video helps seeing that nights strike zone.

At 39 years old, he had ten complete games for the Sox!

Here is something to look at on 16-30 which speaks to some depth problems. I count 8 unproven teenagers. 2 older unproven prospects and 4 relievers. The two starting pitchers are Flores and Pilkington who probably profile as #5 or reliever. At least with the teenagers, it won't impact Rule 5 status for awhile.

If he plays in the fall and does well or even next spring, Burger may become our best trade chip. Unless you keep him as legitimate depth for Moncada. Wish he hit left handed.

Nothing fits this year better than the 2020 season beginning Jan 2021 and the 2021 season begins Jan 2022! This will totally mess people up in discussions etc. Should have said cancelling 2020 but moving 2021 up to Jan 2021 from July.

I wonder with the way he has outperformed projections for years that when he loses something it may get ugly really quick?

I understand but I wonder if putting men on base and running up a pitcher's pitch count is adequately reflected in the models. Most teams don't have 6-8 guys in a lineup capable of hitting 20 bombs in a normal year(4+ at 30+). I can't believe having a lot of one or two guys on and no outs causes you to score less. Now if a lineup has one or two power guys, I understand them not doing so but we have several guys who can hit it out opposite field and seem to stay on the ball better. Jack Nicklaus was once told his swing nearly fit the perfect swing model. Supposedly he suggested they look at their model.

I love the running game and putting pressure on the other team but the analytics prove otherwise. I am big on hitting the other way and beating shifts. To answer your question on how is stealing different than the other activities. Stealing the base is a voluntary activity that requires a 80% success rate to justify the potential out whereas the others are much more "required" regular activities of playing the game. Stone commented last night on Robert learning to allow some balls to drop rather than dive for a ball depending on the situation in a game to avoid injury. Eloy some people want to DH for fear of him getting hurt in the outfield on "required" play.

In the Earl Weaver Baltimore Orioles days, they had a reliever named Don Stanhouse. He was nicknamed "Full pack" because Weaver would go into the tunnel and smoke an entire pack before his inning was over. Thats how Alex makes me feel, just glad I don't smoke! Hmmmmm Alex "six pack" Colome.........

Thanks for doing this. I was working on something similar. I agree with most of your thoughts. I think Leury could be back as a super sub. Prior to his injury, he was handling the role well. 3.5 million not outrageous and with the presumed return to a 25 man roster, positional flexibility will matter. Catcher: I expect McCann to leave in order to be a #1. It is why I didn't want to trade Collins as he will be the number two. His left handed bat helps balance things out. Defense needs to improve but hasn't been horrible. RF: Mazara has the rest of the season to show that he can at least be a platoon player. It may be a situation where he is offered a number and if he doesn't take it he is allowed to leave ala Yolmer last year. His production doesn't merit the arbitration raise he would get. May be a left handed veteran cheap free agent in part depending on Engel showing he is a platoon guy through the entire year. He has really surprised me. Not sure you have to cement the position as you may be looking at the number 7-8 guy in a lineup. Mendick vs Yolmer: Similar role and not sure either makes cut if Leury back. Mendick struggling at plate a bit but is cheaper and can be stashed at AAA for depth. Yolmer should be grateful to be back and his FA foray should have been a humbling experience. Rotation: Agree Gonzales optioned declined. Could keep as long man/spot start if cheaper but I don't think he is much more than 1 maybe twice through lineup guy. Rodon will want to start with free agency looming but he really needs to do whatever leads to health. I could be mean and say he starts until injured then Kopech comes up but think Kopech stays down more than a couple starts....mean. Bullpen is the biggest need. Colome at 10 million isn't cheap, he doesn't pitch pretty, but gets the job done. I could see a resign if terms are favorable but he may chase the biggest contract. He has earned that right but if he leaves you probably add two guys at minimum one lefty. Really seeing the pain in the bullpen without Bummer. The young guys will be getting valuable experience this year so you should have a better idea but last night it looked like Heuer was feeling the pressure. Not singling him out, they all have had moments good and not so good. Lambert looked good but I don't know how bad he is injured. You may find a veteran bullpen guy willing to come for a chance at a ring.

It makes sense. Medical checks big. After world series makes sense. It was cool to see your teams draft pick play but if he blows out his arm, not so cool.

I may be wrong on the exact percentage, but I believe analytics show you need to be successful at about 75-80% rate to make stealing worthwhile. More importantly is going first to third, scoring from second on a single, scoring from first on a double and beating double plays by hustling. So far I would say we have done that pretty well. When the offense is clicking, it isn't worth the out or as some point out the injury risk.

This year they probably build him towards 80-100 pitches. Don't think innings will necessarily come into play. Next year maybe innings limits although he will be two years out from TJ. In the future, I expect a very solid dependable mid rotation or better starter who you can expect 6 plus innings most nights.