MLB Thread

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I could easily see some curmudgeon voting McCutchen or somebody #1 simply because his team made the playoffs.

Harper will still win decisively though, and rightly so.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Also I personally would have gone with Greinke over Arrieta, although that's not a knock on Arrieta as he (and Kershaw) both had compelling arguments and would have been deserving.

Greinke was basically dominant the whole season. Arrieta was good until August then he just went into otherworldly territory. If you were to flip his Apr/May results with his Aug/Sept ones and give him the same stats to end the year and he almost certainly doesn't win the award. Definitely benefited from the timing of his hot streak.

But still good for him, hell of an award season for the Cubbies.</font>

[Frank Drebin]

I miss Scott Feldman.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I think Price would have won easily if he hadn't shit the bed in the playoffs.....his second half run was amazing....

Writers cannot take playoffs into account when voting for regular season awards. Maybe Coach if the team wins it all but still probably not.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

20 > 18. Dallas
2.48 < 2.45 Price but not by much.
216 < 225 Price also but not by much.
Golden Glove-Dallas.

Wins are the biggest thing and 20 game winner is a huge Cy Young selling point.

[road doggy dogg]

That was such an awfully-formatted post.

[Damian Rey]

Lol wins. About as useless as TEH RIBBIES

[Damian Rey]

And that's not a jab at std, just the voting process in general and why I have little faith in the process in which the bbwa votes on awards.

[screech]

They gave it to Felix one year when he went like, 13-12 didn't they?

[screech]

Which was the one time in recent memory they didn't just go with the wins leader, or at least look only at wins.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I can't believe Mark Melancon got a vote. Nothing against him but giving any reliever even a 5th place vote in a league as packed with amazing SPs as the NL was this year is complete lunacy.</font>

[screech]

But....but the SAVES, Vito.

THE SAVES

[screech]

I agree with you, though, it's odd. And I'm a Melancon fan.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Lol wins. About as useless as TEH RIBBIES

I'm going to find you and pee on all of your analytics

[screech]

YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME

[Damian Rey]

I love you gorgeous Dale. I think the year Greinke won it, his record was not stellar. But the numbers he actually controlled were absolutely stellar. They really had to no choice but to acknowledge both Felix and Greinke were fantastic and that their win loss record was superfluous.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Mwah!

[Evil Vito]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CUNgO1WWcAE22VT.jpg:large

<font color=goldenrod>lol Trevor Rosenthal got a 6th place vote. What the fuck?</font>

[Damian Rey]

That scoring system seems so fucked. You'd think it would just be to vote for one guy and call it a day. Not sure why they have to "score" it.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Damn...Cubs snuck in and swiped Jack Leathersich from the Mets. He's a reliever who throws high heat with his left arm and had like a 15 K/9 ratio in the minors. Problem is he also had a 5 BB/9 so he was still very much a work in progress.

Main reason the Mets dropped him is because they needed to free up spots on the 40 man roster. He had TJS in late July and so they didn't feel another team would keep an unproven guy like him on the 40 all offseason and then also have to pay him a big league salary to spend most if not all of 2016 on the 60-day DL.

Cubs must really like him. Moreover though I'm sad to lose him cause his name is awesome.</font>

[Damian Rey]

The rule 5 was cooler before they moved the cutoff back an extra year. Highly unlikely you'll see teams pluck guys like Dan Uggla or Johan Santana since teams now have an extra year to protect guys and add them to the 40 man.

[road doggy dogg]

Goldshmidt should've won simply because his name fucked up their table

[Emperor Smeat]

Josh Donaldson beat out Mike Trout to take the AL MVP award. In terms of 1st place votes, Donaldson got 23 and Trout the rest.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

What I most respect about Mike Trout is that he's named after a fish.

[poopfromweiner dude]

not his WAR?

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

tbh his WAR is RAW

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I really think it's impossible to overstate Mike Trout's greatness at this point.

Just the fact that you can make a legitimate case for a 24 year old guy to have 4 MVP awards in the bank already is absurd.</font>

[Damian Rey]

He is the best player in the game at the moment. Though, if Harper is moved to centerfield I think it's a tie. They're both supremely gifted athletes.

[road doggy dogg]

Yeah Trout is best player in the league, and that's coming from a huge Miggy homer (real glad Miggy got the MVP in 2013 anyway, suck it)

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

More.like miggy homo

[ClockShot]

Tigers get Cameron Maybin from the Braves for Ian Krol and Gabe Speier.


Blue Jays continue to tweak their rotation and grab Jesse Chavez from Oakland for Liam Hendriks.

[road doggy dogg]

Would be funny if Tigers opted to try and get Miller instead of K-Rod. Maybin and Miller on the team with Cabrera as well, good times

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>One of the NY baseball writers tried to say the Mets should swap Zack Wheeler to the Yankees for Brett Gardner. That made for a nice laugh.

Even if the terms were more even, you'd never see a blockbuster trade happen between those two teams. Neither team would want to risk trading a guy across town who can end up becoming an actual difference maker. That's why the Mets and Yankees have only ever swapped spare parts on the rare occasions that they've traded.</font>

[Damian Rey]

Silly reason not to make a move. If it makes your team better, you should be open to trading with anyone.

That said, that's a terrible trade idea.

[Frank Drebin]

Cubs and White Sox have made numerous high profile deals in years past.

[Frank Drebin]

hmmmm....Starlin Castro for Brett Gardner....

[DaveWadding]

Do it, Theo.

[Damian Rey]

Great deal for the Cubbies. Castro is supremely overrated.

How about Baez for Ross, Frankie?

[Frank Drebin]

I'm not a baez guy so I would be all about dealing him. He almost torpedoed his stock this year and he's one month full of ks away from that level again. I would do it, but I think the Cubs want to sign pitching and use their inventory on a trade in mid season after seeing what they have.

[Evil Vito]

Silly reason not to make a move. If it makes your team better, you should be open to trading with anyone.

That said, that's a terrible trade idea.

<font color=goldenrod>It's just the way NY is, seemingly. Everything in NY gets blown out of proportion so there's always the worry of a deal blowing up in your face and the guy you give up goes on to do great things in your backyard.

To my knowledge, the highest profile deal the NY teams have made together was Robin Ventura for David Justice. And both guys were washed up by then.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Anyway I've seen Wheeler's name pop up in trades a lot the past week, and while he's clearly the pitcher the Mets could move with the least impact on the 2016 season (won't be back until June or July likely)...they just aren't going to get the kind of difference-making bat that you'd want to get back for a cost controlled pitcher with ace potential. Best to just stand pat unless somebody totally blows you away.</font>

[Damian Rey]

They should call the Cubs and see what they'd need to package with Wheeler to get Baez and Soler. Think that'd be a solid starting point for both teams if Soler is indeed on the market.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mets and Cubs have been linked together for the last few years, but they've always said they have never been close on any deals. Soler would be interesting.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>In other news, Dave Roberts is the new manager of the Dodgers.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Sounds like there will be very little, if any, activity on the Hot Stove through the Thanksgiving weekend. Ben Zobrist and Darren O'Day appear to be holding things up and aren't planning on signing until after the holiday.

Zobrist reportedly had 20 teams contact his agent and he now has 10 offers in hand. O'Day had 15 teams contact him and he has 8 offers. With so many teams interested in the same two free agents, they pretty much need to choose where to sign before everybody moves in other directions and activity can start happening in the rest of the league.</font>

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Jays still in the discussion for Price which comes to the surprise of pretty much everyone.

[Damian Rey]

They should back up a Brinks truck in his front yard.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I still think he ends up elsewhere

[Frank Drebin]

Ill be shocked if he stays in Toronto. Someone is going to throw a ton of money at him or he goes to the Cubs and Joe Maddon at a slight discount because its an ideal situation for him. I'm assuming he loved playing for Maddon.

[ClockShot]

Contract between YES Network and Comcast has apparently expired.

So unless something gets worked out between now and the start of next season, we're all screwed.

[road doggy dogg]

Who's screwed? What does it all mean?

(not meant to sound.. idk "dumb".. honestly don't understand the implications of this)

[Emperor Smeat]

Is the YES Network exclusive to Comcast where you live?

Over here NESN is carried by all the big cable providers plus the dish ones. YES is carried by some of the big ones and dish ones.

[Nicky Fives]

I'd take Gardner in a heartbeat, even though Jays don't really need an OF.... I feel as though that guy doesn't get as much credit as he deserves....

[ClockShot]

Who's screwed? What does it all mean?

(not meant to sound.. idk "dumb".. honestly don't understand the implications of this)

All Yankees fans (also Nets fans) who got Comcast as their cable tv provider are screwed now and can't catch Yankee games. I think we can still catch them on My TV 9. But that's like 1 or 2 every other week or so.

So the only way to watch YES now is on DirectTV. :mad:

[ClockShot]

Is the YES Network exclusive to Comcast where you live?

Over here NESN is carried by all the big cable providers plus the dish ones. YES is carried by some of the big ones and dish ones.

It is. We got Charter & Frontier in the area. But they don't get it. DirectTV is the only option now.

[road doggy dogg]

Does MLB.tv get blacked out in your area?

[road doggy dogg]

I mean, I know that doesn't really solve the issue of the games not being available on basic cable, but MLB.tv is awesome anyway and everyone should have it :yes:

[ClockShot]

Got MLB Channel through cable. They'll have 2 random games on each night I can choose from.

MLB.tv is an option. I'm kinda hoping Comcast & the Yankees get this shit sorted out.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Ill be shocked if he stays in Toronto. Someone is going to throw a ton of money at him or he goes to the Cubs and Joe Maddon at a slight discount because its an ideal situation for him. I'm assuming he loved playing for Maddon.

The Jays have deeper pockets than you think though. They don't nec. choose to spend, but don't fool yourself about the wealth of Rogers, they are as rich as anyone else.

[screech]

I mean, I know that doesn't really solve the issue of the games not being available on basic cable, but MLB.tv is awesome anyway and everyone should have it :yes:

I can't watch the Phillies because blackouts, but I love being able to keep up with everyone else :y:

[Nicky Fives]

The Jays have deeper pockets than you think though. They don't nec. choose to spend, but don't fool yourself about the wealth of Rogers, they are as rich as anyone else.

This is very true.... they just need to realize the more they spend on baseball players to make a competitive team, the more money they will make in the long-run.....

[road doggy dogg]

I can't watch the Phillies because blackouts, but I love being able to keep up with everyone else :y:

I hate that shit so much.

I really hope/expect within 5 years that there will be no more regional blackouts as people realize how fucking pointless cable companies are.

Really hoping more things like HBO Now come out to convince more and more people to cut the cord. Although it could have the adverse effect on sporting since that is literally the only reason people would choose to keep cable.

I don't know. The one good aspect of being a displaced fan, I get no Tigers blackouts. /woo

[poopfromweiner dude]

All Yankees fans (also Nets fans) who got Comcast as their cable tv provider are screwed now and can't catch Yankee games. I think we can still catch them on My TV 9. But that's like 1 or 2 every other week or so.

So the only way to watch YES now is on DirectTV. :mad:

Wait WTF

Comcast is the only service I can get at my house. I probably caught +/- 150 Yankee games this year

this is not good

poopfromweiner dude is not happy. this is not good

[poopfromweiner dude]

idk about all this MLB.tv s....I guess I could get that and "stream" it on my television...but I like to "flip channels" a lot

[RoXer]

Wouldn't Yankee/Met games be blacked out for you via MLB.tv?

[poopfromweiner dude]

idk

There's ways around everything right......

[road doggy dogg]

I think they would be. I mean, you could always just get a VPN

[RoXer]

Yes but, it's much too complicated for you


For anyone else, it's doable

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'd be fairly shocked if Comcast and YES didn't come to an agreement before the start of the 2016 season.</font>

[road doggy dogg]

lol Avila signed with the White Sox... pretty rough that your pops doesn't even wanna resign you, ouch

[Nicky Fives]

Cubs pick up Rex Brothers

[Ruien]

lol Avila signed with the White Sox... pretty rough that your pops doesn't even wanna resign you, ouch

Hell ya! Is he any good?

[poopfromweiner dude]

He had 13 RBIS last year.......

[Damian Rey]

He's a solid backup. Hasn't been better than replacement level since 2011 or 2012 I think. He's a nice add as a backup with a solid bat.

[Ruien]

He had 13 RBIS last year.......

Heck ya. White Sox going all the way!

[road doggy dogg]

I'd be surprised if he isn't retired in 3 years because of all the concussions he's had tbh

[Nicky Fives]

Stick him at DH for 75% of games and he might rebound offensively....It was hard for him to get DH playing time behind Martinez, Fielder and Cabrera for so many years....

[road doggy dogg]

If a team is considering putting Avila at DH then holy hell are they in trouble

[Damian Rey]

He doesn't hit enough at dh to be of any value. Maybe he bounces back a tick or so but it's doubtful not catching the majority of the time is going to suddenly improve his bat by great measure.

[Frank Drebin]

I think the White Sox would let Henry Blanco start 150 games if he wanted to. Tyler Flowers is so garbage.

[Bad News Gertner]

Jays sign J.A Happ 3 years 36 million.

Yup.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

good signing. Really hope Stromayng can be the ace he seems like he can be.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

They pretty much have 2, 3,4 and 5. Happ and Dickey at 4 and 5 of course. Chavez should work from the bullpen.

[Bad News Gertner]

That's a horrible staff. Happ benefitted from favorable match ups last year and his advanced stats weren't good. Stupid waste of money,

[Bad News Gertner]

Owenbrown looking for his dad in this thread

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

That's a horrible staff. Happ benefitted from favorable match ups last year and his advanced stats weren't good. Stupid waste of money,

Dunno, we'll have to wait and see. Wonder if this is "the plan".

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I personally like Estrada. Happ is a wildcard, so is dickey and chavez. so is Stroman LOL. I dunno, I just think happ is dece as like a back end guy. But who knows.

[Damian Rey]

Not a fan of the signing. Below average run prevention for his career. Gertner hit the advance stats not liking him. With the pitching market as deep as it is, $12 million seems like a lot for a guy who's barely decent.

What's even more weird is he's been I Toronto before and was meh at best. Can't see what they think will be different the second time around at ages 33-35.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Well if it doesn't work... I guess Rogers is cool with an immediate drop in attendance, because that will happen at the drop of a hat.

If these moves don't work, it's the old father knows best mentality failing the organization one more time.

I'm not an advanced stats guy, so I'll give Happ the benefit of the doubt for having a decent season last year.

[Damian Rey]

We'll see. Toronto is maybe the most interesting team this offseason. They unloaded some legit talent to go for it all and came incredibly and justifiably close. They need to replace Price, and maybe add one more starter and I think they're still very close with the Yankees and Bosox in fluxand Baltimore kind of sitting on their hands.

[Damian Rey]

Apparently mlb is investigating a bar fight Yasiel Puig was involved in. Dodgers outfielder Andy van Slyke has been on record saying Kershaw doesn't want Puig on the team. There's now rumours starting to rumble about moving him.

Wonder how desperate the Dodgers would be. They'd be idiots to move him, honestly. He's an excellent player when healthy and a young core of him, Seager and Peterson just sounds deadly.

[ClockShot]

Mike Hessman retires at age 37.

A few of us know about him. But this is sorta relevant because he's the all-time home run leader in the minor leagues with 433.

[road doggy dogg]

ha that was a fun story earlier this season

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Tigers sign Jordan Zimmermann</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Zimmermann's deal is 5 years, $110 million per <s>TPWW poster</s> Heyman.</font>

[road doggy dogg]

Hell yes

V impressed with the moves Avila has made so far

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

lol fuck, tigers get zimmerman for a pretty decent deal, and the jays pull in Happ and Chavez.

I don't mind bringing back Happ at all as a backend of the roation guy, but jeez Shapiro talked about wanting to be aggressive about winning and they go bring back 2 guys who didn't work out. Very odd moves so far.

[Nicky Fives]

Twitter shitting all over Jays signing Happ, but I love it.... a solid back-end guy to eat innings.... essentially a younger, cheaper Mark Buerhle

[DaveWadding]

I will always remember this Bill Simmons column complaining about the Red Sox signing someone who was an "innings eater" and Simmons said that if they say that about someone, they suck.

[Damian Rey]

Well Happ has pretty much sucked outside of one second half worth of innings. I don't see what they saw in his previous 940 some odd innings pre Pittsburgh that makes them think he's suddenly figured out out at age 32.

[Nicky Fives]

I will always remember this Bill Simmons column complaining about the Red Sox signing someone who was an "innings eater" and Simmons said that if they say that about someone, they suck.

Hard to be an innings eater in a park like Fenway.... doesn't work for a lot of teams because of the parks they play in....

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I wouldn't say sucked. Not been great but hasn't sucked.

[Damian Rey]

You're right. I'll re state to say he's been very mediocre at best. Nonetheless, they've sunk, what, over 20 million a year into both Estrada and Happ when that price could've netted them Jordan Zimmerman over the next 5 years with some money left over.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Cueto supposedly turned down a 6 year, $120 million offer from the D-Backs

D-Backs have to view that as a slap in the face really. I can't see Cueto getting much more money from anyone else. He just simply didn't want to play in Arizona.</font>

[RoXer]

cool

i don't want cueto

[RoXer]

i like him on my fantasy team and that's about it

[RoXer]

honestly, i'm more worried about the new uniforms this week rather than nailing down an ace long term

#priorities

[poopfromweiner dude]

cool deal @ Zimmermann...dunno what THE STATS say but I've always had a hunch he was underrated. Wish the Yankees.......................

What else is happening...need someone to post the MLB trade rumour headlines daily

[Emperor Smeat]

Red Sox signed Chris Young to a multi-year deal. Also rumored to be trying to trade Hanley Ramirez.

[ClockShot]

Lotte Giants out of the KBO have posted 3B Jae-gyun Hwang.

[Damian Rey]

Zimmerman is good. I don't know how much longer that new elbow ligament from Tommy John is gonna last but for the next two years or so he's going to be a good maybe great piece on their rotation.

[DaveWadding]

Red Sox signed Chris Young to a multi-year deal. Also rumored to be trying to trade Hanley Ramirez.

which Chris Young? the black one, the country musician or the pitcher?

[Emperor Smeat]

The black one from the Yankees last season.

Maybe the Red Sox could invoke some sort of Freebird Rule for all three. Need a good outing, use the pitcher. Need some outfield help, use the outfielder. Need some music to distract the crowd in case the season stinks again, use the musician.

[ClockShot]

D-Backs ain't taking no as an answer from Johnny Cueto. They sent GM Dave Stewart, President Derrick Hall, and Baseball Ops. President Tony La Russa down to the Dominican Republic to try to change his mind. Talk about being aggressive.

Meanwhile, the Marlins are finalizing a deal that will make Barry Bonds their new hitting coach.

[road doggy dogg]

Haven't had all my coffee yet but someone post a witty one-liner about Stanton hitting 80 HRs this year

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Would be hilarious if Dee Gordon hits like 50 HRs out of nowhere.</font>

[ClockShot]

And steal zero bases.

[ClockShot]

Red Sox win the David Price sweepstakes. 7-years, $217 mil.

[weather vane]

PRICE!!!!!!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>$31 million average annual value. Jesus...</font>

[Damian Rey]

Ton of fucking money but it gives then a legitimate ace.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

2015: We're all aces.
2016: Yeah no.

[road doggy dogg]

So glad he stayed in the AL... he's one of my keepers in my AL-only league lol

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

gonna go jump off a bridge now brb

[ClockShot]

Shit. He's back in the AL East. Yankees gotta deal with him for another 18 games. I'd had him getting just shy of $200 mil. But god damn Davey D. made one hell of splash.

Wish the Yankees would have gotten him, but at dollar amount, you can have him, Boston.

[Emperor Smeat]

With how badly their starters experiment backfired last year, no surprise they'd over spend to get Price. Only concern is the years since 7 seems too long.

Also rumored to be considering getting rid of a starter or two to make up what was lost in prospect depth from the Kimbrel deal. SB Nation's Red Sox blog thinks its either Wade Miley, Joe Kelly, or both if possible get dealt soon.

[Droford]

David Price gettin passed around the al east like an expensive whore

[Emperor Smeat]

Zack Greinke sweepstakes down to just the Dodgers and Giants with a signing expected this week. Rumored to be in the 5-6 year range for length and in the Price range for yearly average.

[road doggy dogg]

Well.

5 years of Zimmermann @ $110M vs 7 years of Price @ $217M seems pretty good right now

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Toronto reportedly didn't even make Price an offer.

Also just like Greinke's last Dodger contract, Price's deal contains an opt-out clause after 3 years. So there's at leas a chance he'll hit the market again at 33 if he is beasting it up then and feels he can milk more years out of a team.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

Cardinals ended up being the runner up in the Price sweepstakes. Their offer was around $30 million less but same years.

[Droford]

Mark Trumbo to the Os for Steve Clevenger

Ok

[DaveWadding]

it's like the Orioles traded Arrieta and Strop for 3 months of Scott Feldman and Mark Trumbo. Win!

[Droford]

Clevenger was 3rd catcher so its a pretty solid move for 1 year/9 mil consider he can plug any one of the holes they have at of, dh and 1b should davis go

[Damian Rey]

Looks like the Orioles effectively replaced nobody.

[Droford]

Chris Davis is hardly nobody

[ClockShot]

O's got a bargain for Trumbo. Just hope they got the space to put him at first or outfield. Power hitter, but strikes out a bit too much.


Always my emergency go-to for fantasy baseball.

[screech]

I'm a fan of Mark Trumbo for no real reason.

Okay, maybe because I can call his home runs TRUMBOMBS.

That is all.

[Damian Rey]

Chris Davis is hardly nobody

Yep, and they replaced him with nobody, i.e. he isn't very good and the O's aren't any better, maybe worse for acquiring him.

[screech]

But...the TRUMBOMBS

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Trumboners</font>

[Damian Rey]

More like TrumbOuts

[ClockShot]

On the subject of Zack Greinke, does he seriously want to start up the Hatfields & McCoys feud all over again? I can picture a lot of Dodger fans trashing their jerseys if he goes to the other side.

[Damian Rey]

I don't think he cares.

[Frank Drebin]

As got a steal by getting Alonso for Pomerantz. Love Alonso.

[Nicky Fives]

As got a steal by getting Alonso for Pomerantz. Love Alonso.

"Alphabet Soup" Rzepzynski also a steal in that trade, such an "Oakland" type player....

[Droford]

The Os also got LHP cJ Riefenhauser for Clevenger, which is funny causd they both went to Chipola College in FL

[RoXer]

that IS funny

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, my sides are splitting. I can barely contain my laughter.</font>

[road doggy dogg]

you guys are such unbelievable cunts when it comes to Droford and sports... what is it about sports that makes people entirely unbearable

[RoXer]

you're right, it was NOT funny

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

you guys are such unbelievable cunts when it comes to Droford and sports... what is it about sports that makes people entirely unbearable

Yeah guys the only person allowed to be a big cunt when it comes to his sports opinions is RDD.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>It's fine to post a random anecdote you find interesting. But saying "it's funny" just seems weird when it's clearly not funny

I dunno. Whatever.</font>

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

you guys are such unbelievable cunts when it comes to Droford and sports... what is it about sports that makes people entirely unbearable

1. Competition.
2. geographical hatreds. (North/South, East Coast/West Coast, Mets fans/Yankee fans)
3. teams having a chance of winning.
4. Droford just posts random stats that don't matter.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Pedro Alvarez and Chris Carter non-tendered by the Pirates and Astros, respectively. Both guys have a shitload of power but are one dimensional.

Henderson Alvarez leads the list of pitchers non-tendered yesterday.</font>

[Innovator]

Shit. He's back in the AL East. Yankees gotta deal with him for another 18 games. I'd had him getting just shy of $200 mil. But god damn Davey D. made one hell of splash.

Wish the Yankees would have gotten him, but at dollar amount, you can have him, Boston.

Last thing the Yankees need is another huge long term contract with a 30+ year old pitcher. Yankees still have Teixeira, A-Rod, and CC on the books for long deals. Also, Yankees are 13-7 against Price in 30 games.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Sounds like the Mets had Zobrist and O'Day as the top two guys on their wishlist but never expected both would command 4-year offers for multiple teams, so now they're likely out on both players.

Can understand not committing 4 years to Zobrist. A lot of money and time to pump into an everyday player about to enter his age 35 season and who is good at a lot of things but doesn't have any "can't miss" qualities to him.

O'Day though? Fuck it, I'd give him the 4th year guaranteed. I've seen little to suggest he's going to fall off a cliff. 3 years from him on par to what he's done of late makes a possibly bad 4th year worth it I think.</font>

[Damian Rey]

The fact that he's a reliever and that those guys typically burn out is probably one reason. I find it so odd that year after year, teams splurge on one inning guys when they really needn't to. Teams with a lead in the 9th win like 95% or some ridiculously near perfect percentage of the time.

Overpaying for that is silly.

Jumping on handsome Frank Drebin's point on Alonso going to Oakland, I agree. Pomeranz is a reliever trying to pretend to be a starterbut is really a lefty specialist. Gimme the everyday player who is average on offense and good on d.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I think the Royals have proven the importance of having lock down one-inning guys to turn to in the back of the bullpen. The real folly is when teams overpay for "closers".

If you have the 3-4-5 hitters due up in the 8th inning, I'm bringing in my best reliever then and turning elsewhere for the 9th. But no, managers feel obligated to make decisions in thrall of the almight save. It's a bullshit statistic that should be eliminated.</font>

[Damian Rey]

Yeah but the Royals aren't going out and paying free agent money on those guys. They're either developed from within or acquired through trade.

I do agree at the idea of a lockdown pen but as the Dodgers have so aptly proven blowing big money on free agent relief help is a fool's errand.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Repertoire also has a lot to do with it. Those fireballing relievers are eventually gonna slow up.

That's part of the reason I love the idea of bringing in O'Day. As a submarine guy he guts through batters with off-speed stuff and a lot of movement. I don't think he's going to suddenly break down.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/odayda01.shtml

Those numbers are eye-popping for a sidearm pitcher. Looking at that chart depresses me knowing the Mets let him get away with poor roster management early in the 2009 season.</font>

[Nicky Fives]

Cliff Lee cleared to pitch in 2016..... He's definitely worth the gamble at the right price with an incentive laden deal.....

[ClockShot]

Indians VP of Player Personnel Ross Atkins is the new Blue Jays GM.

[Damian Rey]

<font color=goldenrod>Repertoire also has a lot to do with it. Those fireballing relievers are eventually gonna slow up.

That's part of the reason I love the idea of bringing in O'Day. As a submarine guy he guts through batters with off-speed stuff and a lot of movement. I don't think he's going to suddenly break down.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/odayda01.shtml

Those numbers are eye-popping for a sidearm pitcher. Looking at that chart depresses me knowing the Mets let him get away with poor roster management early in the 2009 season.</font>

So was Jim Johnson. Then he woke up and sucked. I'm not saying O'Day is gonna tank but if I'm a contending team the team the last thing I'm looking to spend on is free agent relievers.

[Droford]

Im gonna miss Oday but the Os wont pay him

[Bad News Gertner]

I really hate the Jays

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

it does make you wonder what the motivations are, but whatever, I'm just gonna wait and see where everything goes.

[Droford]

<font color=goldenrod>It's fine to post a random anecdote you find interesting. But saying "it's funny" just seems weird when it's clearly not funny

I dunno. Whatever.</font>

You know who else went to Chipola? Jose Bautista

Kinda funny.

[DaveWadding]

fucking DBacks unis are super ugly because of this dumb sublimated diamond pattern everywhere

[RoXer]

honestly, i'm more worried about the new uniforms this week rather than nailing down an ace long term

#priorities

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DbacksEvolution?src=hash">#DbacksEvolution</a> is here! Introducing the 2016 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dbacks?src=hash">#Dbacks</a> uniform lineup: <a href="https://t.co/tM2b8Y0QDx">https://t.co/tM2b8Y0QDx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JoinTheEvolution?src=hash">#JoinTheEvolution</a> <a href="https://t.co/Bj54IsRTvu">pic.twitter.com/Bj54IsRTvu</a></p>&mdash; #DbacksEvolution (@Dbacks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks/status/672613213649764354">December 4, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[RoXer]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The 2016 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dbacks?src=hash">#Dbacks</a> road uniforms include a new Arizona wordmark. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DbacksEvolution?src=hash">#DbacksEvolution</a> <a href="https://t.co/DUPdWZGUJo">pic.twitter.com/DUPdWZGUJo</a></p>&mdash; #DbacksEvolution (@Dbacks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks/status/672606829780668416">December 4, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[RoXer]

the feedback is in!

https://twitter.com/Dbacks/status/672605802302062593

[Damian Rey]

Across the way, I actually love the new Padres unis. Well, except for the awful blue camo. But the home white and alternate brown are pretty sweet.

http://content.sportslogos.net/news/2015/12/padres-new-home-jersey-590x321.jpg

http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/2015/12/02/images/mlbf_532613083_th_45.jpg

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>D-Backs uniforms look like shit. Should have just gone back to the classic purple.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Pads uniforms are pretty sweet, however.</font>

[RoXer]

Like, they're called the DIAMONDBACKS so I honestly have no qualms putting a DIAMOND on their BACK.

But I think I would have done a diamondback/snakeskin pattern on the numbers rather than anywhere else on their uniform.

The DIAMOND pattern looks better on their teal alternates because it's on their BACK rather than their shoulders.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVWW3VSVEAAZz0E.jpg:large


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVWTabTUYAAYTTw.jpg:large

[Frank Drebin]

Did they find some old Florida Marlins lettering and decide to save on uniform costs?

[DaveWadding]

if they did away with the diamond pattern crap and put full piping on the pants (because this way looks dumb), I'd give it like an A-. Right nowe it's probably a C-.

[Damian Rey]

Those look like jerseys I see in my fucking Sunday league. Boo urns indeed. Like, the dye sub looks really amateur.

Read a rumor that reception to the brown alternate has been so staggeringly positive (a very large contingent of fans, myself, to an extent, included) that ownership and marketing is seriously reconsidering the uniforms for 2017, and possibly replace navy with brown permanently. I'd honestly love the idea. It's very much apart of the Padres history and easily their most popular jersey.

[ClockShot]

D-Backs uniforms look like shit. Should have just gone back to the classic purple.

Agree.

[ClockShot]

Jeff Samardzjia got a few offers on the table from the $90 - $100 mil. range. Hasn't made a decision yet.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mike Pelfrey to the Tigers. 1 year, $8 million.

In other news, Mike Ilitch still gives zero fucks about money.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Sandy Alderson diagnosed with cancer. Fuck.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mike Pelfrey to the Tigers. 1 year, $8 million.

In other news, Mike Ilitch still gives zero fucks about money.</font>

<font color=goldenrod>Turns out it's now 2 years, $16 million. god what a dumb signing</font>

[ClockShot]

Marlins officially name Barry Bonds hitting coach.

Oliver Perez signs a 2-year, $7 mil. contract with the Nationals.

Cubs grab John Lackey. 2-years, $32 - $34 mil.

[Frank Drebin]

The Lackey signing fits right into the Cubs plans. Not a long term investment, mid to back end rotation piece. He basically replaces Dan Haren in the rotation. I expect them to add another arm or two since they still dont have much in terms of depth beyond the 5 starters they currently have.

After signing Lester last year, I never thought they were going to spend big on a top tier SP again.

Also LOL at the thought of Barry Bonds in a Marlins uniform.

[Damian Rey]

Lackey is a great pickup for them. Agree that they're likely to add one more piece and with two ace caliber arms in Lester and Arrieta at the top and Lackey anchoring the middle, I doubt they trade for or acquire another "big name". Probably a bounce back like Fister or a similar solid but not mind blowing piece.

[Frank Drebin]

Yup. They'll go through the DVD bargain bin at Best Buy. Maybe a guy like Beachy or Minor if they can be healthy. Would love a guy like Fister, but he would want a rotation spot, right? Seems like you would want to "get away" with keeping someone else in AAA or as a long man to start the year unless they trade Hammell or Hendricks.

[Emperor Smeat]

Price seems a bit high for Lackey but he's been pretty good overall since his Tommy John surgery.

According to Fox Sports, Scott Kazmir is the Dodgers backup plan if Zack Greinke leaves for the Giants.

[Frank Drebin]

A 16 mil AAV sounds high at first blush, but it seems like the going rate for a #4 is 3/35, so 2/32 for a #3 like Lackey isn't so bad.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Quality pickup for the Cubs.

That being said, holy hell is this free agent market ever expensive. When guys like Chris Young, Mike Pelfrey, and Oliver Perez are fetching multi-year deals from clubs, you know it's a crazy market.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>D-Backs say "NOT SO FAST!" to the Dodgers and Giants. They've apparently jumped in with a very lucrative offer for Zack Greinke.</font>

[ClockShot]

Quality pickup for the Cubs.

That being said, holy hell is this free agent market ever expensive. When guys like Chris Young, Mike Pelfrey, and Oliver Perez are fetching multi-year deals from clubs, you know it's a crazy market.

Only gonna get more expensive if MLBPA gets their way when the CBA expires next season. Luxury Tax cap is going up.

Oh, by the way, Dodgers ended up paying the record amount of $43.7 mil. for tax this season. Ended up with a team salary of $293 mil.

[Damian Rey]

Happ and Estrada are making an average of $12.5 million combined. Zimmerman just got $100 million while Price just got $30 mil guaranteed for 7 years, with Greinke right behind him and Kershaw already in that territory.

Lackey is better than those first, not as good as Zimmerman, and clearly a flight of stairs down from Price and co. $16-$20 mil is now the going rate for good to very good run prevention and innings.

It's a new world.

Also, fuck the luxury tax, draft slotting, and draft compensation. You're penalizing teams for trying to get better and it is unbelievably dumb.

[Emperor Smeat]

The idea of a luxury tax isn't bad but probably could use more tweaks so that cheapass owners are not the big winners of it.

At least its not NBA type dumb though. NBA has both a salary cap and a luxury tax but the cap is soo soft that there is no real reason for big or wealthy teams to follow it. Net's owner became famous for not caring at all about the cap and penalties when it came to building his mega team (that failed miserably).

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Zack Greinke has reached agreement with Diamondbacks, pending a physical. (via multiple reports) <a href="https://t.co/APeOGJ5Eu1">pic.twitter.com/APeOGJ5Eu1</a></p>&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/672946317145042944">December 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

D'Backs pulling a Vintage Orton with a signing OUTTA NOWHERE.

[RoXer]

But I don't like Zack Greinke

:(

[RoXer]

this is a problem

[DaveWadding]

6 years 195 is what I'm hearing.

[DaveWadding]

it's actually 206.

[Frank Drebin]

Gotta love old school GMs who make baseball moves in a vacuum. Would have to take a look at their roster, but this sounds like a strange move.

[Damian Rey]

Who the fuck wouldn't like Zack Greinke on their team?

And while he's worth the money, the team now is essentially Greinke, Goldschmidt, Pollock and...uh....some other guys. That's like 15 wins there, but considering their farm isn't great and the team is on the wrong end of the win curve it's a rather bizarre move indeed.

Cueto is now in the driver seat. He's the last of legit aces on the market. Time to open an off shore account Mr Cueto.

[DaveWadding]

it's really not. Their offense is pretty great and young and has 2 solid foundational pieces with Goldschmidt and Pollock plus other young quality young players like Ender Inciarte (who I think is overrated personally, but was worth a shade over 5 wins with an equal split between offensive and defensive value), David Peralta, whose offense was worth 4 wins, and Nick Ahmed, who had almost a 3 dWAR, even if he didn't hit a fucking lick.

The pitching on the other hand was consistently a fucking tire fire. Only one guy (Brad Ziegler) was even worth 2 wins and only 4 more were worth even 1(including Patrick Corbin and his half season return from TJ.)

Now they're looking at a full season of Corbin (who's a really legit #2) plus Greinke, developing young guys on the staff (Robbie Ray definitely, maybe Rubby de la Rosa and Randall Delgado), plus a ton of great arms on the farm, they just might be pretty set.

[Frank Drebin]

That's alot of "what ifs" there....

If you're depending on Delgado and De La Rosa (26 and 27 on opening day) developing thats not good. Agree with you about Corbin though. I like that dude.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I really don't think the D-Backs are all that far off from being a legit contender in the NL West. Still remains to be seen what, if any, big splashes the Dodgers/Giants will make in response to losing Greinke, but for right now I think Arizona is very close, terrible new uniforms aside.</font>

[Damian Rey]

I actually take back what I did. Wadding's comments caused me to review the D backs current roster, where most of their top prospects are already up contributing. Greinke is a big add. If Ahmed, Lamb, and Tomas can contribute I think they might pass up the Giants.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

They shouldn't say D-backs. Reminds too much of Douchebags.

[Frank Drebin]

The Arizona Muskrats

[Damian Rey]

I do think they need at least one more starter. Reports indicate they're still in talks with Mike Leake, who I personally would love the Padres to sign. If they nab him they're at least a pretty competitive ballclub that's maybe a piece or two away.

[RoXer]

I like Smardjizkaicka

[ClockShot]

D-Backs signing Greinke means that trying to sway Johnny Cueto to reconsider the deal they offered him failed. Front office must be gearing up to "contend now" status.

NL West should be fun to watch between the Giants, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks with the arms they got now.

[Frank Drebin]

For their fans sake, I hope they aren't planning on signing tons of FAs. Trying to create a super team to compete with the Dodgers would be a mistake.

[Ruien]

Probably looking to sign 1 more pitcher. Which is what they need.

[DaveWadding]

That's alot of "what ifs" there....

If you're depending on Delgado and De La Rosa (26 and 27 on opening day) developing thats not good. Agree with you about Corbin though. I like that dude.

What I was really looking for is them to develop into competent #4 and 5 starters, that's not a huge stretch. I think they could do with another arm but they should wait until the market drops out the way it has for the past couple years, like it did with Ubaldo Jimenez. And a decent reliever or two on short term deals would be great.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Jeff Samardzija to the Giants. 5 years, $90 million.</font>

[Frank Drebin]

He should be much better not pitching at the Cell. I guess it goes along with the theme of SPs being expensive no matter what.

[DaveWadding]

pitching costs and you end up paying for the risks involved

[ClockShot]

Consolation prize for the Giants. Miss out on Greinke, go after the next best thing.

[Droford]

Im gonna miss Oday but the Os wont pay him

Well I was wrong..ok

[ClockShot]

4-years, $31 mil. for Darren O'Day.

I guess you can call him an "elite" closer if he's getting that money.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Nats supposedly offered O'Day the same day as well and O'Day took it back to the O's to give them a chance to match.</font>

[Damian Rey]

Good job on his agency to lock him up through age 36. I've stated how I feel about relievers. If O'Day can keep posting 2+ WAR per year over the length of the deal he's worth it. I just question if he CAN, but we'll see.

Meanwhile the Orioles have sunk about $35 million dollars into a maybe catcher, a mediocre first baseman and a reliever. Feel like they could've made much more tangible upgrades had they not offered Wieters the qualifying offer, and picked up Trumbo and O'Day.

You'd think with the Orioles finding Johnson, Hunter and now O'Day as originally bargain acquisitions to. dominate innings they'd be wiser with where their money goes.

They could pick up Pedro Alvarez and Chris Carter combined at what their paying Trumbo and get the same, maybe better offense in a platoon. I don't know if guys who except qualifying offers are protected from trades or not, but if not, they should shop the shit out of Wieters and take that $16 million and apply it elsewhere, like the corner outfield. Getting an Alex Gordon or Ben Zobrist would be a big upgrade for them. Gordon is actually a stellar fit.

I dunno. Feel like the Orioles just lack an actual plan.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mets supposedly now willing to guarantee a 4th year for Zobrist. I initially was against it figuring I didn't want the money he'd make on the back end of the deal to impact their ability to extend/re-sign any of the starters. But now that I've seen how batshit insane the open market is for SPs, I don't need to worry about extending any of the starters because there's little reason for any of them to agree to do so. I don't blame them.

I already assumed Harvey would be gone by 2019 anyway, but with the other 4 guys. If they develop as expected a couple if not all of them could be in line for 9-figure contracts assuming the open market only gets more and more expensive. I question if this front office would ever pump that kind of money into a starter again after the Johan Santana deal. But even if they do, it's tough to see them re-signing more than one of them.

Basically...fuck what Ben Zobrist is making in 2019. Just do what you can to win in the next few years because there's every reason to expect the window to close once the starters hit the market.</font>

[Damian Rey]

Yeah I wouldn't be giving Zobrist 4 years guaranteed. Don't the Mets have a second base prospect who's also pretty good? They should go with that and sink their money into a younger free agent who is more likely to be worth the money at the end of the deal, like Justin Upton.

I like Zobrist but not for four years. Three? Sure.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah Dilson Herrera is meant to be pretty good. If they don't upgrade 2B this offseason, he's likely to be the starting 2B on Opening Day.

Thing is Zobrist isn't strictly a 2B. If they want to give Herrera a look, Zobrist can play basically any other position competently. Pretty sure that's where most of his value comes into play.</font>

[ClockShot]

Ryan Madson to the A's. 3-years, $22 mil.

Sheesh, west coast grabbing all the arms right now.

[Damian Rey]

Christ. He was making 850k base with the Royals, and cashed in for $7 plus mil per year at 35? I'm stunned that relief pitchers are getting this kind of multi year investments in their 30s.

Mind boggling.

Back too Vito...Zobrist used to be able to play multiple positions but with the knee issues he's had of late and his age I think 2nd and 3rd are more likely where he's best suited. Maybe some outfield but I'm not sure he's gonna bring the same value there going forward. Defensive runs saved per baseball reference have him at either 0 or less runs below average at every position he played this year.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Madsen was the only hittable guy in KCs bullpen. Not a good pickup at that price. Happy the Jays didn't go all in on him.

[Damian Rey]

If by hittable you mean a 200 batting average against then sure. He didn't punch out a ton of guys though and that could change. I agree the rate is a lot.

[screech]

I'm a Ryan Madson fan, but goddamn that's a lotta money for him.

[ClockShot]

I guess the O's/Darren O'Day deal ain't set in stone yet. Physical ain't done yet.

Potential of being another Grant Balfour situation here.

[ClockShot]

Dodgers keep Chase Utley around on a 1-year deal.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

If by hittable you mean a 200 batting average against then sure. He didn't punch out a ton of guys though and that could change. I agree the rate is a lot.

lol didn't KC sign him to a minor league contract last year?

I think he and Tony Sipp are a little over rated, of the sample size i've seen of them. Analytics only means so much.

[Damian Rey]

Is Sipp still in the majors? Haven't heard of him in a bit.

Analytics mean a lot. They give you an unbiased, objective and sometimes merciless opinion on a player based on fact, not hyperbole like "he's feared" or "a club house presence". They'd also tell the Athletics that a 35 year old reliever on a multi year is probably a bad idea

[Frank Drebin]

Billy Beane probably meant to swipe left on that deal but he got distracted and swept right so now he's going on that date.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Dodgers sign Hisashi Iwakuma to a 3-year deal.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Dodgers aren't fucking around now...reportedly getting close on a trade with the Reds for Aroldis Chapman. Good on them if it transpires...Jensen and Chapman would be an absolutely retarded back end of the bullpen.</font>

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Is Sipp still in the majors? Haven't heard of him in a bit.

Analytics mean a lot. They give you an unbiased, objective and sometimes merciless opinion on a player based on fact, not hyperbole like "he's feared" or "a club house presence". They'd also tell the Athletics that a 35 year old reliever on a multi year is probably a bad idea

They are certainly useful but not the be all end all.

[Damian Rey]

All fine and dandy but they just lost their second best pitcher, who wasn't far off from being as good as their best pitcher.

I mean, Iwakuma is a decent piece but they need a big time starter like yesterday. Chapman is great but I'm curious as to what they'd give up for him. Pretty sure he's gonna be a free agent and I'm not keen on how strong the Dodgers' current system is.

[Damian Rey]

They are certainly useful but not the be all end all.

To which I'd ask is there really a better way to get a fair opinion on anything outside of taking all the information that's been compiled and creating a strongly supported idea of what it is you're really looking at?

I mean, people don't use intangibles to but cars. You wanna know the mileage, gas efficiency, resale value, performance history, availability of parts and how like vehicles faired in comparison. You wouldn't just but a car because it's nice or because "it drives great" or "has guts" right? Wouldn't you want to verify the statements first with tangible evidence?

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

well i mean for instance, they like to look past the rbi, but if ur in a spot in the line up where you're supposed to get 100 rbis, and you're able to drive in 130, one can assume you're effective in your roll on the team. I don't need to see somebody's WAR. You can also just tell when a guy is clutch and when a guy is a dude who racks up his numbers when he's up or down 6-1.

[Damian Rey]

Matt Kemp drove in 100 runs and he was pretty much average as a hitter. RBI is a stat of opportunity. For instance, Josh Donaldson drove in far more runs than Mike Trout did, but Donaldson also 70 some odd more at bats with runners on. It's a context dependant stat that gives the hitter credit for a situation he didn't create.

RBI is probably the most overused and uninformative stat for hitters I can think of. It's not as bad as pitchers wins. But it's pretty useless in evaluating actual performance. Nolan Arenado drove in more runs than Bryce Harper and I highly doubt anyone outside of homer Colorado fans felt Arenado should be right up there with Harper in mvp consideration or just overall offensive production.

And how can differentiate when a guy is clutch and when he isn't? There have been countless attempts to try and find some tangible skill in guys being clutch but the result always came down the clutch player just being good all the time. Guys don't randomly "get up" or a see an abnormal boost in their skill set based on the context within the game. If you actually look at players who are considered "clutch" you'll find the overwhelmingly majority of them are good anyways.

Clutch situations is also bias. You're unlikely to see the bottom of the order guys get as many big opportunities. The best hitters hit at the top and middle of the order. Of course they're going to seem more clutch. They hit with guys in base and have more at bats in general than half of the lineup.

Brandon Phillips drove in 100 plus runs in 2013. Based on your assertion hee did his job as expected or better. Based on fact, he was a below average hitter who was the beneficiary of hitting behind on base machines Shin Soo Choo and Joey Votto. Phillips epitomized what those emphasizing analytics had been suggesting all along; RBI are context dependant and an adequate or less hitter will still tally them at high rate given the guys ahead of him consistently reach base.

If you want access how productive a hitter is from at bat to at bat strip away everything that is outside of their control and just look at the slash line of average, in base and slugging. It's the most basic yet still telling set of rate stats that can give you pretty accurate indication of whether or not a hitter is actually any good.

Pitchers? Era is good, runs against per 9, strikeouts per 9, etc.

Rate stats are always more indicative of what is actually going on and of what you can expect from that player going forward.

[screech]

You can still look at RBI with some value because it shows that a guy can cash in on the opportunities he gets. Someone has to get those runs in, after all. Coupling it with say, average with runners in scoring position, can give some more context to it, but it shouldn't be completely ignored.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Soria is back where he started with the Royals. 3 years, $25 million with a mutual option for a 4th year.

Herrera, Soria, Davis. Good lord.</font>

[screech]

Because that's what KC really needed: bullpen help lol

I like the signing. He's basically "replacing" Madson and he's better so good job, Royals. That bullpen should be fun to watch.

[Evil Vito]

I like Zobrist but not for four years. Three? Sure.

<font color=goldenrod>Forgot to loop back to this. I really disagree with this. If Zobrist is good enough for three years, he's good enough for four. If you think he can be a key cog to get you back to the playoffs in 2016-18, you shouldn't fret about the fourth year. Not when you're a contending ballclub looking for a piece to get you back to October.

Cuddyer is gone after this year. Granderson (whose contract no longer seems like an albatross after a great 2015, but still) is gone after 2017. Duda is probably gone after 2017 as well. Aside from Wright, it's not like the 2019 Mets are projected to be filled with old dudes.

Besides that, the Mets nearly always have to give an extra year if they want to land a big free agent signing. If they become an annual playoff team, it'll be easier to attract marquee free agents when they want to splurge.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>If the Mets can land Zobrist and say, Denard Span to provide them some top of the order speed and a left-handed complement to Lagares, I think I'd really like the look of their lineup. It wouldn't be as strong as it was down the stretch this year with Murphy and Cespedes, but it'd still be a stronger overall roster than they had on Opening Day 2015 which should mean less offensive struggles in the first three months of the season.</font>

[road doggy dogg]

Under the radar but Tigers signed Saltalamacchia to a one-year deal for just above minimum (with Marlins eating most of his salary)

Agreed to two-year deal with Mark Lowe



Really liking the moves Avila has been making.

[ClockShot]

Dodgers get Aroldis "The Flamethrower" Chapman from the Reds for 2 prospects.

[ClockShot]

Cubbies re-sign Trevor Cahill. 1-year, $4.25 mil.

Mariners acquire Wade Miley from the Red Sox.

Tigers and Mark Lowe agree to a 2-year, $13 mil. pact.