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QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 09:59 AM) Maybe it's like saying Yolmer was a 2 WAR 3rd baseman but he wasn't at 3rd base all the time accumulating that WAR so wasn't really a 2 WAR 3rd baseman but a 2 WAR player. He played 52 games at 3rd and 92 at all other positions. But he's still in the pool of players you could acquire to be 3b.

Sounded like Quenton Nelson, the notre dame guard, has tackle size, which makes him even more attractive.

It was the trying him at 3b that really intrigued me. We get into some "where will they play" discussions, but look at the playoff teams last year. More starting players than positions, but they found them all playing time. If Cordell can show to be passable at 4 positions (3 OF, 1 3b), that really gives him a boost as a regular MLB player. Excited to see him develop, he's much bigger than I pictured.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Feb 28, 2018 -> 09:25 AM) Not sure what stats you are using but Nunez and Headley barely played 3B last year and Nunez had a WAR of .9. Only 5 teams in the MLB last year accumulated 2 WAR at 3B. They aren't that easy to find. https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=...=&players=0 Nunez across two teams had a fWAR of 2.2, but also was not a part of qualified batters in the list above. Only 5 teams in the MLB last year accumulated 2 WAR at 3B. Where is this from, you just said 19 teams had a 2 WAR 3b? Even if they played off 3b for a portion, someone else could not be such a net negative that it drags all those teams down.

I am going to regret this but I really think Mizzou locked up a tourney trip last night.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Feb 27, 2018 -> 05:27 PM) That's weird. Since there were only 19 in all of the MLB that means 1/3 of all teams didn't have one. That doesn't sound easy to find to me. But I was never good at math. Right but I don't expect them to be waiting outside the stadium. Of those 1/3, how many were trying to contend? So how much surplus was available to acquire fairly cheaply. In the last year, 2 WAR or borderline 2 WAR players Evan Longoria, Todd Frazier, Chase Headley and Eduardo Nunez were moved cheaply. There are others that I could imagine would be available for an affordable price. If we need one, we will be able to get one without paying through the teeth.

The only time I remember a "favorite" of ours happening was probably Burdi in the last few years.

I don't know what it is. But in baseball, there's the allure of letting these players getting a chance to play and see how they do, even if terrible, and if some are too good you trade them for some more players to play in the minors. But there are minors to pay attention to. In NBA, it's mainly the "we are going to try and be so bad we will literally just bench any players too good". And because of the lack of positions, there's less of a flow of "just need a chance" players to try their hand. I guess its mainly that MLB has the basic premise of development, whereas NBA tankers right now literally just seem to want to cancel their season if it means #1 pick. And I'm not saying it doesn't make sense, the difference between picking #6 overall and #1 in baseball is big but not that big, not "you are screwed for another year" big. But in NBA terms it's basically like "wellp, gotta skip next season too". I still think my rewarding the best of the worst is better than this crap.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Feb 27, 2018 -> 01:34 PM) There were only 19 2 WAR 3b last year. They aren't easy to find. That actually sounds pretty easy to find. For instance, the white sox had 2 of them.

my preferences remain for #4 1. super athletic middle infielder (hs/college) 2. power HS infielder 3. literally top college pitcher 4. HS outfielder 5. College outfielder 6. HS pitcher

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 27, 2018 -> 09:38 AM) Moustakas just had bad timing. He may have but I think it's at the margins. I think he could have made more next year, or last year. But I don't see these all power, not particularly versatile, low-OBP players coming back at least in the next 2-3 offseasons (conservatively). Justin Turner is really good, he was granted older and shorter track record, but had an unreal year and got 4 for 64. I'm not so sure this isn't the ceiling for the 29+ year old FA 3b for a few cycles.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 27, 2018 -> 09:38 AM) By that philosophy, we never would have added Dye, Pods, Pierzynski, Contreras, Thome, Quentin, Eaton...too many ?’s. Very simple. Buy low. Sell high. Rinse, repeat. We kept buying high and selling low until last year. It’s also how we ended up with Abreu...big market teams all on sideline then. Wow, great examples!

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 27, 2018 -> 09:25 AM) Tha't s pretty much true of any guy you sign to flip. But, he makes no sense for that because of the lost draft pick and salary, even discounted. There supposedly are teams willing to sign him to a one year deal. You offer him a multi year rate discounted. If he doesn't accept, fine, he takes the one year with someone else, and you can go after him next year if needed. But, signing him at a price you never thought you can sign him for at multiple years makes sense as well. If a better player comes along, he can still be replaced. If the white sox can get him at a price they never thought, I'd want them to consider why that is, especially after all of their value FA adds the last few years. He can still be replaced, but it will come at the cost of playing time for one of our fringe prospects. It is obviously unlikely that Sanchez ends up with a career as good as Moustakas, but allowing him and leury and the DH spot to be open could allow something more valuable than Moustakas years 2019-20-21

QUOTE (BrianAnderson @ Feb 27, 2018 -> 09:06 AM) Also worst case scenario Moose is paid at a very reasonable rate and you can flip his salary for a mid-level prospect if you really really want. Other than draft compensation I don't see the down side. Every team in baseball has the opportunity to sign him right now for merely his market rate. What do we think he could get in return for his market rate and rights? It would be nothing. He's not a good flip candidate, which we know because nobody wants to sign him.

But the point that I would make is even if we dont find a big upgrade in 2019 I have 100% confidence we can find a 2 WAR 3b either internally, FA, or trade. I know people think Moustakas is more than that, I don't, and so we may as well wait and just get the younger version in 2 years.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Feb 27, 2018 -> 08:38 AM) The top 3 is actually well done, those deserve to top the list IMO. Schwarber, Urias, and Story This list is full of the idea that players are overrated because they got injured. I'm sure if people knew in the future certain players would have devastating shoulder injuries, they wouldn't rate them so high.

What an incredibly stupid exercise. Michael Fulmer?

QUOTE (ptatc @ Feb 26, 2018 -> 04:28 PM) He shouldnt have an issue coming back. As a 3B not relying on speed his demands are different. His body type is a concern but he should be fine in about 6-8 months. NFL players come back from it, he can as well. Its not going to be a fun rehab. Ryan Howard said it sapped his power on his plant foot. Does that sound real? A lot of my concerns after reading the article was on weight distribution on the feet after the recovery.

I think where I'll have trouble agreeing is I just don't think the then-31 year old Moustakas is us ready-to-go in 2019/20. He seems like another piece we would be trying to upgrade. I don't think Moustakas is a bad player, but I at least think our prospects can create a series of depth and average-ish players similar to the Brewers offense. I'd prefer we use free agent money toward elite upgrades, and more toward the 26-28 year old free agents. Basically, if this was 2 years ago and a player like justin Upton was still available and we signed him, i'd be good with that. But to me this is more like signing 29 year old Todd Frazier. Todd Frazier is a good player! Definite mlb starter. But it turned out Frazier was more decent starter on a team, instead of all star 3b that we thought. And that's Mous to me. Not someone you are embarrassed about, but not great either. And I'm like 100% sure in the next two offseasons we won't care if we had to pay 5 million more a season if it means we get a great player instead of a decently priced Mous.

If you guys don't want to feel better about the situation read this: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/pr...a85a1f4eb9.html Now, wainwright somehow recovered in 5 months and pitched in relief, but this is literally a "no one is the same" injury, with pitchers seemingly the best?

Oh no.

I know it's spring training but man is gameday crap so far this year. Full innings behind.

I recommend no more over 30 safeties.

QUOTE (ChiliIrishHammock24 @ Feb 26, 2018 -> 03:15 PM) Collins? I must have missed that. He's available for today's game. My bad, I substituted first round picks. Meant to say Burger.

Trying to think what the best injury I can hope for is. I wrote last week after Honeywell went down how I always forget that after the initial excitement Spring Training is mostly just waiting and hoping no UCLs burst. But man, I know Jimenez doesn't have a bad injury, but Adolfo and now Burger, our hitters are getting picked off one after another. edit: originally said collins and not burger.