BamaDoc

I wonder if the 40 man issues are why the signings haven't been announced? Obviously teams know we have to remove someone so not sure you could be working on a 2:1 trade or getting a return not requiring 40 man placement.

Ok I have probably called out more people for wanting Alex Wood who couldn't pitch last year because of repeated back issues. In the interest of fairness, I found this in an Athletic article about Houston sign stealing where they talked to Wood As he drove to a throwing session this week near his offseason home in Atlanta, so he is maybe somewhat healthy. At least it didn't say he was in traction or bed ridden. The article also stated he was looking for a pillow contract to be a FA again after the season.

Nice find. I was wondering how they worked together. It goes both ways, Grandal probably put in a good word. Also, Gio probably liked throwing to Grandal or he could have gone elsewhere.

He is a good addition. I had him in my plan to start the year in the rotation and then piggyback with Kopech when he comes up.

isn't he going to be a catcher? LOL for whoever used to post that

Reds pitching coach used to be Vanderbilt's pitching coach. Had Gray in college. In another post, I discussed how many of the college coaches learned how to communicate analytics to players in part because of smaller staffs. I think it helps at the pro level that a coach is talking to you instead of a "nerd".

And easy path to roster as the Sox have several on 40 man who will return to 60 day IL. Some other teams may not want to risk someone on their 40.

I had him in my plan on three years maybe with incentives triggering a fourth. He wants max money and should have a chip on his shoulder after last year. He might like sticking it to his old team several times a year. He is okay if your #3 this year then #4 then #5 in third year. He will want to be paid like a #2. I think he is out there because no one has gone to four years.

Part of me is hopeful that we could have meaningful games in the fall. If the average outing is 4 innings x 30 starts = 120 innings. It leaves enough innings to let him go six innings his last few starts or multiple 5 innings or most hopefully make post season starts. If his hard cap is 140-150 you might not have to shut him down yet you have still protected him. Obviously, this all changes if he appears fatigued/pain etc.

Thank you very much and hopefully this board can be a place where people can respectfully disagree. Appreciate your thoughts as well.

Keeping him in warm weather and potentially a reduced/modified work load is not grounds for a grievance. You are protecting an asset. Regaining the year is a happy byproduct of protecting him. Maybe the next CBA addresses players on a injured list for a prolonged period should get partial service time accumulation. I could see that concession from players if the overall time to free agency is lessened but that should be another thread entirely.

Rereading I will add for clarification. One start of 3 innings or 60 pitches. The next start 4 innings or 80 pitches. Third start 5 innings or 100 pitches. Repeat the cycle. The rest of my post stands. This could work for other pitchers coming back as well.

I addressed Kopech in more length here for those that missed it and how I expect him to be handled. It was based off Hahn comments though I don't have quotes. The specifics of the plan are mine.

Has anyone seen anything anywhere regarding Wood's health? He seems to be a favorite add but couldn't pitch because of his back. I have looked and found nothing.

Meh vets would be a tremendous improvement over what we put out at the end of the year.

Getting something better than nothing. Maybe a DSL flier or SS throw in? Obviously he wouldn't have a lot of value so probably best to give him his last chance. Just spitballing that they may be a team willing to give something. Hell, I hope Carson is working with Vandy or some pitching guru this off season.

Poop! to quote a famous poster but thanks for the info. Maybe we resign him.

Wonder if Cincy would have interest in Fulmer. Their pitching coach came from Vandy and fixed alum Sonny Gray. If we have to expose Carson to waivers, I bet they bite so maybe a winter swap when we can get something?

My second half or Sept sleeper is Jacob Lindgren. LHP. Drafted second round by the Yankees in 2014 and made it to the majors in 2015. Injuries wiped out all of 17-18. Picked up off scrap heap and now 26. Made it to High A. Looks like never pitched back to back games but previously stuff was there. At A+, 12 g 17.2ip with 17k and 4 w. If stays healthy may have a chance. Again, this is a very deep sleeper and with injury history certainly could get reinjured and be done. It would make a good story.

With what we see as the cost of decent pitching, to not get the year back is crazy. Wonder if he looks great in spring training you could do a deal getting 1-2 free agent years covered and make it a non issue?

Of the three Tier C options, the only one I want is Keuchle because I wouldn't give up the draft pick. Sorry, not for that tier or that contract length. I want a guy who will be good for 4-5 years to sacrifice the pick, not a guy I am holding my breathe for his health or nose on the tail end of the deal. If I can't get a C, Miley at two years ok. After one of the above, my one year guy would be Gio as I said before to start at the beginning of year and then maybe piggy back with Kopech. My reclamation project, so one year with a team option, would be Taijuan Walker who did make it back to the mound at the end of the year. Until his medicals are in order, don't give Wood much of anything guaranteed, his back was toast last year.

Anyone's know where Menechino profiles in his use of analytics? Would he have influence over minors or is that strictly the domain of Getz?

Charlie Brown, Lucy, and the football. Youngsters go look it up.

Gets grounders? Is as close to a positive comment as I can come.

The minor league protected lists are not published so no way to know prior to the picks being announced.