caulfield12

Elizabeth Wurtzel, 52, Harvard alum, Prozac Nation author...cancer

The most recent time was a BA prospects chat...I think it’s largely based on his frame, his ability to get it up in the high 90’s in shorter outings, having two really high-quality pitches and the logjam of pitchers in front of him, including Dunning, Rodon and the loser of the Cease/Lopez battle. But sure, everyone prefers “Justin Verlander” as a comp.

A lot of scouts are projecting Stiever as the next strong internal closing candidate.

https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/baby-yoda-jon-favreau-mandalorian-083123243.html

Didn’t realize how much that dude was paid from 2012-19...his agent is now the Mets’ GM.

Uncut Gems 3.25 Dolemite 3.5 1917 3.75 Jojo Rabbit 3.5 Marriage Story 3.5 (but have to be in the right mood to watch it) The Farewell 3.75 Six Underground 2.75 (better than I expected, since it’s Michael Bay) The Two Popes 3.25 Little Women 3.0 Parasite got robbed at the Golden Globes. And if you want to see George McKay (1917) at his best, try Captain Fantastic or watch it again.

Sure, the last couple of months....but through the first half of the season, he and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., were struggling mightily, compared to, let's say, Peter Alonso and Tatis.

Can they get out of that contract?

He's the most important weapon in the entire organization after Yelich and perhaps Hiura (cost-control). It's going to take a boatload of talent...I'm sure Collins and Stiever alone wouldn't get it done. Equally sure that Vaughn, Collins and Stiever risks an overpay and the fact that he's a significant risk for injury considering how heavily he's been used in the last 2-3 seasons.

Here's the obvious problem with looking down on the likes of Kimbrel, Diaz and Jansen. Not much to choose from until after 2021, and there's many red flags already with that group, for a variety of reasons. Seems that between Rodon, Dunning, Stiever, Hamilton, Burdi and perhaps Lopez, the options are more likely to come internally rather than buying at top of the free agency class prices. Kimbrel's the obvious poster child for that, especially not getting him during spring training...coming off some anxious moments in the 2018 post-season, it would have been much better to get him back out there in February of 2020 instead of giving him months and months to dwell on it. Free Agents 2020-21 Relievers: Blake Treinen, Alex Colome, Andrew Miller (vesting option) 2021-22 Relievers: Kenley Jansen, Brad Hand, Jeurys Familia, Corey Knebel, Archie Bradley, Raisel Iglesias, Roberto Osuna, Zack Britton (club option) 2022-23: Aaron Judge, Trea Turner, Gary Sanchez, Aaron Nola (club option), Luis Severino (club option), Aroldis Chapman, Edwin Diaz, Sale (opt-out), deGrom (opt-out) 2023-24: Machado (opt-out), José Ramírez, Matt Chapman, Cody Bellinger, Rhys Hoskins, Blake Snell, Josh Hader

I didn't say the Cubs would take both. "and/or" depending on Cubs' interest. Nobody actually WANTS Herrera. So simply sell higher on Colome and get more money back... sell lower on Herrera. Not even sure the Cubs would buy into Colome as their closer to replace Kimbrel. In the end, the Cubs would still have to send a ton of money to the Sox to make it interesting enough. They're better off hoping for a rebound, just like they should hold onto Bryant at least until the ASB. Colome for Kimbrel plus X amount of money would be or could be interesting for both teams. But not without risk.

In the same way trading Borchard for Thornton worked out. Kimbrel and Herrera get fresh starts with new teams, Cubs get rid of some of their payroll problem. It doesn't matter, Hahn is not going to be perceived as helping the Cubs, and Epstein would look like he got snookered if Kimbrel rebounded, especially with money going to the Sox as well. In general, we should sell high on Colome and Kimbrel's the perfect buy low candidate depending on how much the Cubs will send along with him. Sure, there's risk, just like iit's possible or even likely Colome and Bummer regress and Herrera never returns to form. That's undoubtedly one of the most volatile parts of this team and their intentions to contend this season. Does anyone believe in Herrera getting key 7th and 8th inning outs in the heart of a real pennant race? He couldn't even execute when there wasn't any legitimate pressure, other than pride.

He's not a run-first style of QB, so doesn't that alleviate SOME of concern? Is this at all similar to the Greg Oden situation...or that was more about his feet as well?

Right, conversely, things went so poorly for the Cubs with that deal last year...they almost have to go all-in on keeping him, simply because there aren't many other options on the market and they've already jettisoned so much of their previous two bullpens that depth is lacking. They have to hope for the second year rebound, since it seems nearly every pitcher waiting until mid-season to start has been victimized by that decision. I guess I could see trading Colome and/or Herrera for Kimbrel...with money coming back to the White Sox, the good 'ol change of scenery trade. But that's highly unlikely.

That "top 8" includes some of these smartest teams in baseball.

Sure, Edwin Diaz and Kimbrel. But all three guys would amount to substantial risks in different ways. Probably not much worse than giving Hudson $10~12 million, depending on what else we get back.

Felix Diaz and Carlos Lee should be in your personal HoF, then...

This is the "curse" for GM's like Dombrowski and Epstein when they operate in "blank check" organizations. They both have a better sense for amateur/young talent than playing the top of the free agent market. It was their undoing in all four places (the exception would be DD earlier in his career with Montreal and the Marlins.) Of course, on the other hand, you have the more "cost efficient" spending approach of the Dodgers....which has led to seven consecutive playoff appearances but no World Series titles. Ultimately, giving up Torres, Cease, Jimenez and some of the other prized youngsters like Candelario and Paredes. Simultaneously, you had a failure from Schwarber, Almora, Russell, Soler, Happ, etc., to fill in as that next generation of homegrown stars to adequately supplement the core.

Mid to late first round. The premium for legit QB’s and consequences for not having one are just way too high. Everyone keeps bringing up Bo Jackson and avascular necrosis, but that’s not the case here.

Probably closer to $178-180 million with Boston subsidy but this kind of move was always a deadline one for the Sox, depending on their place in the standings. Alex Rios claim is last similar situation, but they won’t get Betts, too.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/2013-schedule-scores.shtml This is close to what we should be expecting, 85-87 wins. The Tigers and Indians won 93 and 92 that year, in 2013. The Twins should be in the low 90’s or high 80’s. Jury’s still out on CLE, depending on the ultimate fate of Lindor and Clevinger.

Madrigal’s greatest gift is his speed, which Sickels notes manifests itself as “ an ideal combination of instincts, athleticism, and aggression.” He goes on to add: By all accounts, Madrigal is the type of player who would develop quickly in the minors and could likely see his path to the major leagues fast-tracked as a result. https://www.blessyouboys.com/2018/5/2/17311276/mlb-draft-2018-nick-madrigal-scouting-report-oregon-state-university-detroit-tigers

http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/splits/_/id/34064/type/batting3 Over the last three years combined, he’s been a 679 ops hitter against LHP. Hits lefties well for one season is SSS.

Well, the only way to avoid it would have been losing Year 7 and bringing him up for OD (in which case they’d now only have him for 2020) or giving him the biggest early extension in the history of baseball, which Boras Corporation has done how many times in its lengthy history? Injuries are almost impossible to predict, as well...at least on the position player side of things.

You think it will be that easy to trade Giolito or Moncada, right before the team’s two best projected years, 2022/23? In the Cubs’ case, after the World Series season or even 2017? Their fanbase would have gone crazy. We can say it makes some sense since the Cubs’ window opened so quickly and they won it in Year 2...or the Royals getting to the World Series in Years 2&3 of their window, but Jerry Reinsdorf and his loyalty tendencies don’t seem to fit with this concept of trading a World Series hero like Konerko or Buehrle right after they won. In fact, we held onto most of that core into 2009-10-11. We did the exact opposite, other than trading Rowand.