MLB Thread

[ClockShot]

Diamondbacks sign Tyler Clippard. 2-years, $12.25 mil.

Delmon Young got arrested for battery after allegedly threatened and beat up a valet attendant.

The Gurriel Bros. have reportedly defected from Cuba. I guess they're the next big thing.

[road doggy dogg]

lol delmon, seems like he never learns his lesson

[Droford]

He stinks. At best he's mediocre, but that's it. He's gonna get shelled in that division though.

How many teams have a 5th starter that is better than mediocre

[Damian Rey 2.0]

A fair question, except Despaigne isn't mediocre. That's his ceiling, as in best case scenario. Right now he's a below average pitcher who gives up 6runs a game

[Droford]

Orioles are probably going to sign Gallardo and Dexter Fowler. Fowler will play LF, he had a career worst.346 obp last year which would hsve been 3rd on the orioles behind Davis/Machado and well ahead of the LFers they used combined .287 obp last year. Fowler getsv 2/20 which seems reasonable if he bounces back..

I dont know about Gallardo though

[Damian Rey 2.0]

They shouldn't sign neither of them, especially Gallardo. Neither of them make Baltimore a contender in their own or in aggregate. Not to mention, their farm system is a barren wasteland and giving up two top picks for two guys who won't make much of a difference.

They're better off trying to make trades. Mortgaging the future isn't gonna do them any good.

[Evil Vito]

Bryce Harper was asked about the potential of signing a $400 million contract when he hits free agency in three years, and Harper told the person interviewing him to not sell him short.

christ almighty is that going to be an entertaining offseason.

[ClockShot]

Bryce Harper was asked about the potential of signing a $400 million contract when he hits free agency in three years, and Harper told the person interviewing him to not sell him short.

christ almighty is that going to be an entertaining offseason.



There's a reason why the Yankees didn't spend money this offseason.

[Evil Vito]

Tbh the Yankees and any other team would be smart to clear as much money as possible before that offseason. It's going to be fucking mayhem.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Jenrry Mejia receives a lifetime ban for his third failed test for performance enhancing drugs. He loses all of his near $3 million he agreed to via arbitration. There's a chance he could be reinstated but at for now he's done.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Lolololollololoollolololollol. At least the Mets get the cash back but lolollollold lol lol jajjajajjjajajajaajak hahahahahahja

[road doggy dogg]

^ what

[ClockShot]

Jenrry Mejia receives a lifetime ban for his third failed test for performance enhancing drugs. He loses all of his near $3 million he agreed to via arbitration. There's a chance he could be reinstated but at for now he's done.

First thing I thought of when I heard this news.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J4s5XOFnv7I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

[road doggy dogg]

Have some respect, the man's only been dead a week

[ClockShot]

Other tidbits:

Yankees and Aroldis Chapman avoid arbitration. 1-year, $11.325 mil. deal.

Royals and Mike "Moose" Moustakas agree to a 2-year extenstion.

Giants and Brandon Belt agree to a 1-year, $6.2 mil. deal to avoid arb.

Blue Jays lock up Josh Donaldson for an extra 2 years.

Mat Latos ends up on the South Side of Chicago. 1-year, $3 mil. deal with the White Sox.

[Emperor Smeat]

Jenrry Mejia receives a lifetime ban for his third failed test for performance enhancing drugs. He loses all of his near $3 million he agreed to via arbitration. There's a chance he could be reinstated but at for now he's done.

Pretty stupid to get busted twice while serving suspensions. One would think after the first or second time getting busted, probably would be smart to stop taking roids to avoid this situation in the end.

[Evil Vito]

LOL Jesus Christ mejia. Oh well, I really wasn't counting on him this year anyway. Moron.

[Evil Vito]

When he managed to get popped for PEDs not once but twice in a single year, I saw little reason to expect him to be reliable going forward. We're better off without him. Good fucking riddance.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Agreed. And while the CBA does have reinstatement provisions written into, you'd have to think Mejia is going to made an example of. Highly unlikely they allow the very first 3x offender get back in.

[Emperor Smeat]

The Brewers have traded power-hitting outfielder Khris Davis to the Oakland Athletics for a pair of prospects.

Milwaukee acquired catcher Jacob Nottingham and right-handed pitcher Bubba Derby in the deal Friday.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Is the K instead of C representative of his strikeouts?

[Damian Rey 2.0]

He's a decent hitter. More pop than anything but it's enough to carry him. His defense is worrisome though. He's an average overall player probably and with 4 years of team control it's not a bad pickup.

Have to say I'm impressed with the Brewers and their rebuilding efforts. They're stocked their farm system in the matter of 2 years and they still have Will Smith and Jonathan Lucroy on their roster. They're gonna reload rather quickly I think.

[Nicky Fives]

Agreed. And while the CBA does have reinstatement provisions written into, you'd have to think Mejia is going to made an example of. Highly unlikely they allow the very first 3x offender get back in.

just screwed himself out of any chance of Major league action.... off to Japan/Korea/Mexico to play any ball at all....

[Bad News Gertner]

Going to the Blue Jays opening weekend! Taking in all three games.

[Droford]

You can't just graph international players' numbers and say "oh if he comes close" because the league he was posting those numbers in isc the equivalent of AA or AAA at best. He's not going to be facing the same inferior talent.

Can you name even 10 guys in the least 20 years who came over from Japan or other country who came over here and hit like gangbusters? Can you name even 5?
Fangraphs is projecting 1.7 wins above replacement with a .273/.338/.420 batting line and 18 home runs for Kim which would be miles above what they had last yesr

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Only if you don't don't know what the team got out of left field last year. It's. A 2 game swing assuming he can actually produce at that clip. I wouldn't say miles. More like modest improvement.

[Droford]

left-field-disaster (http://thebaltimorewire.com/2015/09/04/baltimore-orioles-the-left-field-disaster-of-2015/)

This was posted with a month left in the season but it didnt get much better
Avg. .203
Hits 95
Runs 53
RBIs 33
OBP .275
HRs 10

.70 pts better BA, .60 pts better OBP 8 more homers

[Damian Rey 2.0]

The Orioles got -0.4 WAR out of left field last year. If Kim puts v up a 1.7 WAR, then it's a two game swing regardless of whatever counting numbers you post. That's what I'm trying to explain.

[Nicky Fives]

How often does a Japanese/Korean/Asian meet expectations their first season in?

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Rarely. The only two Japanese guys I can think of are Ichiro and Hideki Matsui. Kang from Pittsburgh is another Asian transplant that hit well, so like 3 in 20 years or something like that.

Not a stellar track record.

[Bad News Gertner]

Mune Kawasaki.

The greatest Asian to ever play.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Maybe most entertaining

[ClockShot]

Pitchers & catchers report in 3 days. And there's 1 question Yankee fans need answered.

Anybody know what it is?

[Nicky Fives]

Rarely. The only two Japanese guys I can think of are Ichiro and Hideki Matsui. Kang from Pittsburgh is another Asian transplant that hit well, so like 3 in 20 years or something like that.

Not a stellar track record.

That's my point....

[Damian Rey 2.0]

To which I agree.

[Frank Drebin]

Nori Aoki's been pretty good. Tadihito Iguchi had a nice little run too.

[Frank Drebin]

Pitchers & catchers report in 3 days. And there's 1 question Yankee fans need answered.

Anybody know what it is?

Where does Starlin Castro party first?

[Evil Vito]

By far the best Asian player moment in MLB history

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XRoKDDKkKoc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Nicky Fives]

Pitchers & catchers report in 3 days. And there's 1 question Yankee fans need answered.

Anybody know what it is?

Can A-Roid catch Babe Ruth?

[ClockShot]

Nope and nope.

[Droford]

Pitchers & catchers report in 3 days. And there's 1 question Yankee fans need answered.

Anybody know what it is?


How am I going to the game now that I can't use print at home tickets (http://deadspin.com/yankees-will-no-longer-accept-print-at-home-tickets-th-1759655868)

I mean..you know it's coming for other teams but still..

[Evil Vito]

Meh, downloading tickets straight to the Passbook on my iPhone has been insanely convenient anyway.

[road doggy dogg]

Passbook is super great I agree, but that's a dumb change

[ClockShot]

The answer is:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sFq_asWwT6o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>


There is no way I'm gonna watch my Yankee games on FOX with Joe Buck calling them. I WANT MY YES NETWORK!

[Ruien]

The Asian guy that was in the White Sox in like 2008 maybe we pretty good. And not the closer guy who was amazing for one year.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Tad Iguchi? He stunk. Had like 2 mediocre years and was done after 4.

[Frank Drebin]

The Gooch had something like a 6.5 WAR in three years before an injury plagued 4th. He was a solid starter if not an all star.

[Frank Drebin]

I can also see ruien doesn't read my posts.

[Nicky Fives]

The answer is:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sFq_asWwT6o" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>


There is no way I'm gonna watch my Yankee games on FOX with Joe Buck calling them. I WANT MY YES NETWORK!

They're off YES? Here in Canada Sportsnet will broadcast a handful of Yankee games all season from YES on days the Jays don't play or if they have rain delays/postponed games.... That sucks....

[Evil Vito]

Comcast will cave on YES eventually

[Evil Vito]

Orioles officially ink Yovani Gallardo. 3 years, $35 million with a 4th year option.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Great. Now they're still definitely still mediocre. And they lose their first round pick in what's an already desolate farm system. All just to be a game or two better, and still behind the Jays, BoSox and Yankees. Excellent work.

[Droford]

Fowler should be coming too

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

How often does a Japanese/Korean/Asian meet expectations their first season in?

Yu Darvish. 16 game winner. 3x Allstar now.

[Droford]

He pitched well that one time in the playoffs in 2012

Oh wait..

[Bad News Gertner]

Hideki Irabu!!!

[Ruien]

I can also see ruien doesn't read my posts.

I didn't remember his name, sorry :(

[Frank Drebin]

Great. Now they're still definitely still mediocre. And they lose their first round pick in what's an already desolate farm system. All just to be a game or two better, and still behind the Jays, BoSox and Yankees. Excellent work.

Got to go for it before Chris Davis falls off a cliff I guess. Thatl be a only a year or two.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Fowler should be coming too

So an average offensive player who sucks at defense, and has to move to a corner spot, negating his primary source of value from playing cf, and forces them to give up another draft pick to further cripple a depleted farm. Excellent.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I don't get what Baltimore is thinking at all. They've spent most of their money this offseason on guys who were on the team last year. They've spent $53 million on O'Day, Weiters and Davis. Add in Trumbo's $9 mil and now they're $62 million in on 3 guys who were there last year and a league average bat who can't catch.

Just to put that in perspective, that could've bought them Justin Upton, Jordan Zimmerman and Johnny Cueto. I know Weiters taking the qualifying offer came ( RKO) outta nowhere, but to blow that kind of money and literally not improve at all is hysterical.

That doesn't even include Kim's modest deal and whatever it is they're gonna hand too Fowler.

What a clusterfuck offseason in Baltimore.

[Evil Vito]

This offseason mostly flew by (certainly helps when your team doesn't start its offseason until November) but shit, this is going to be a long 6 weeks before the opener. Can't wait.

[Evil Vito]

Guess I should work on my predictions. Pretty sure I've worked out my NL playoff picks (although injuries and shit in ST could change things).

AL is a whole other story. No fucking clue about that one. I see a few teams in the AL that I think will wind up being mediocre but I don't see any apparent dumpster fires that will help me with prediction division winners. Could see the top 6 picks in the 2017 draft all being NL teams because of how many crap teams are in that league.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Possibly one of the most exciting offseasons we've had in a while in terms of signings.

My NL predictions are Dodgers, Cubs and Nationals for the divisions, Cardinals and Mets for the wildcards.

AL is a little tougher. I think it'll be Houston, Detroit and Boston with the Royals and Rays as my wildcards.

[Evil Vito]

Looking through past prediction history, I definitely tend to do better in terms of picking the playoff teams correctly for the NL. Partly because that league had less balance for a while and partly because it was the league I was way more familiar with.

My World Series predictions though have been atrocious, which I suppose is totally understandable given that the playoffs themselves are a crapshoot and trying to pick a winner 7 months early is nothing but a shot in the dark. Since I started doing regular predictions, my World Series picks have been:

2010: Yankees over Cardinals
2011: Phillies over Yankees
2012: Yankees over Diamondbacks
2013: Nationals over Angels
2014: Cardinals over Tigers
2015: Dodgers over Angels

jesus...I hate the Yankees and all that but they sure were my "when in doubt, just guess the Yankees" team for a while. Probably because they were until recently the one AL team I always felt comfortable assuming would make the playoffs.

[ClockShot]

Yankees coming in with a lot of question marks.

How's Sabathia going to be post rehab.


And now there's a report flying around that Chapman might be banned from spring training over this domestic abuse stuff.

[Droford]

I don't get what Baltimore is thinking at all. They've spent most of their money this offseason on guys who were on the team last year. They've spent $53 million on O'Day, Weiters and Davis. Add in Trumbo's $9 mil and now they're $62 million in on 3 guys who were there last year and a league average bat who can't catch.

Just to put that in perspective, that could've bought them Justin Upton, Jordan Zimmerman and Johnny Cueto. I know Weiters taking the qualifying offer came ( RKO) outta nowhere, but to blow that kind of money and literally not improve at all is hysterical.

That doesn't even include Kim's modest deal and whatever it is they're gonna hand too Fowler.

What a clusterfuck offseason in Baltimore.

oday is #8 on mlbs top 10 RP right now
Wieters can hit (as evidenced by his # in 14 before he got hurt .308/.338/.500 5 hr in 26 games) This being first full season back I expect his bat to come around as well.
Davis is Davis

The Orioles won't ever pay big $$$ for pitching so saying they could have gotten Cuetto and Zimmermann for what they gave those 3 is ridiculous.
I still see all the moves made as upgrades. Chen being the only major FA they lost was replaced with Gallardo for 1/2 as much money. He's essentially the same pitcher just not left handed.Gallardo gets flack for giving up hrs but Chen gave up 28 last year so..twice as many as Gallardo.

[Evil Vito]

Dodgers open up the wallets for yet another international free agent. Cuban reliever Yasiel Sierra gets a 6-year, $30 million deal. Was agreed to a while ago but is only now official.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

oday is #8 on mlbs top 10 RP right now
Wieters can hit (as evidenced by his # in 14 before he got hurt .308/.338/.500 5 hr in 26 games) This being first full season back I expect his bat to come around as well.
Davis is Davis

The Orioles won't ever pay big $$$ for pitching so saying they could have gotten Cuetto and Zimmermann for what they gave those 3 is ridiculous.
I still see all the moves made as upgrades. Chen being the only major FA they lost was replaced with Gallardo for 1/2 as much money. He's essentially the same pitcher just not left handed.Gallardo gets flack for giving up hrs but Chen gave up 28 last year so..twice as many as Gallardo.

How is bringing back 3 guys they already had least year an "upgrade"? That doesn't make sense.

Saying them adding big pitching isn't ridiculous. Just because they have some dumb organizational stance on signing pitchers to big money (instead of one tool first basemen) doesn't make the fact that they blew money better spent elsewhere ridiculous.

What's ridiculous is they've poured tons of money into 2016 and they've only marginally improved their chances of winning. They're not better than the Red Sox, their pitching isn't anywhere Tampa's, their offense can't touch Toronto's. The only team they maybe match up with is New York. Maybe.

I love that you're trying to sell O'Day. He's been great for them
Wonderful. Now they're going to pay market value for him, in a position that has high turnover and is obscenely volatile. Remember when Jim Johnson was an "elite" reliever?

Weiters could bounce back. That one was out of their hands. Davis' deal is DOA. Everybody knows he's never gonna live up to the deal and nobody thought out bidding themselves, which will shortly prove to be futile, was a great, good or ever decent idea.

They could've instead spent that money on actually improving the team across the board instead of just repeating last year's roster and getting marginal players like Kim and Trumbo and a #3 starter.

[Evil Vito]

BREAKING NEWS: Pablo Sandoval is still fat.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbxGiT7WAAAAxJp.jpg:large

[Droford]

Makes me miss mo Vaughn

[Emperor Smeat]

BREAKING NEWS: Pablo Sandoval is still fat.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbxGiT7WAAAAxJp.jpg:large

Somehow the Red Sox have a really odd tradition in recent times where someone would always show up really overweight for camps.

Used to be Josh Beckett as the resident fat guy when he was with the team. Got to the point it was possible to accurately predict if he'd have a good or bad season depending on how fat he was during the camps.

[Droford]

The Orioles are going to win the AL East. The only team that remotely scares me is Toronto and their pitching staff is worse than the Os..a 41 year old coming off knee surgery and their "ace" has thrown less than 180 innings total in the last 2 years. Ooooh I'm shaking in my shoes

[poopfromweiner dude]

I'll bet you the Yankees own their ass all year...PUT UP OR SHUT UP pansi,,,

[Droford]

Yankees rotation is rudiculous. Outside of Severino who was a rookie and only pitched 60 some innings not one guy is without injury concerns.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

How are the Orioles going to win the East when they're fielding the same team as last year with maybe one moderate improvement and didn't make not one significant upgrade?

[Droford]

Just like 2014

Lots of offense, average pitching, great defense and bullpen

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Your blind homerism knows no bounds.

[Droford]

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/fb/28/13/fb2813a40a70ca568150c27a9aa5fad7.jpg

[Ruien]

But other teams HAVE improved since 2014.

[road doggy dogg]

mattingly enforcing no facial hair rule

i don't know anything about anything anymore

[Evil Vito]

Can't even begin to express the stupidity of enforcing facial hair rules on a professional sports team

[weather vane]

Just like 2014

Lots of offense, average pitching, great defense and bullpen

Ill bet you the Red Sox finish ahead of them.

[weather vane]

Let's bet. $200.

[Evil Vito]

Jimmy Rollins to the White Sox on a minor league deal

[Damian Rey 2.0]

He'll probably make the club as a utility glove

[Droford]

But other teams HAVE improved since 2014.

I only used that pic because he called me a homer and only pic i could find with homer in OS gear

[weather vane]

Ill take that as a no.

[Droford]

I might do an over under Win total bet

Boston is 85
Orioles are 80
Toronto is 87
NY is 85
Tampa is 78

Toronto is probably the only team beside the Os that will go over

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Article on fangraphs sums up the Orioles offseason perfectly; "but the Orioles still managed to bid against themselves anyway, rather than taking advantage of a soft market for offense and loading up on multiple players at discounted rates who could have provided more value overall."

On the button, as they say.

[Droford]

Who were they going to sign? The only holes they had were SP, 1B (before Davis resigned ) Corner OF, DH.

They signed Trumbo who can play 1B/DH
They signed Kim for OF
They signed Gallardo for SP
They still will probably sign Fowler for OF.

All of these moves were done relatively cheap.

No one expected Wieters to take the QO so nothing they could do about that.

Im not going to complain about the Orioles spending money to keep Davis when for years before they never would spend big money to kerp guys or sign free agents. Everyone is expecting the Davis signing to blow up in their face, but it csnt be any worse than Albert Belle, vlad Guerrero, Sammy Sosa, NOT resigning nelson Cruz after 2014, etc..

The only potential worry any Os fan has is thst Davis contract might hinder them from being able to resign Machado who will get a bigger payday than anyone gotbthis offseason..

[Evil Vito]

Joey Bats says there will be no negotiations on the extensions with the Blue Jays. He let them know the amount of money he's seeking on his deal and he said he will not budge from that number under any circumstances. There will be no hometown discount, as he feels he's given them a 5 year hometown discount already.

He's not wrong. $14 million a year for him on his current deal has been a fucking steal. He'll be 36 next year but if he keeps up the big production some team will pay him way more than $14 million a year, even if it's a one year deal or something.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Who were they going to sign? The only holes they had were SP, 1B (before Davis resigned ) Corner OF, DH.

They signed Trumbo who can play 1B/DH
They signed Kim for OF
They signed Gallardo for SP
They still will probably sign Fowler for OF.

All of these moves were done relatively cheap.

No one expected Wieters to take the QO so nothing they could do about that.

Im not going to complain about the Orioles spending money to keep Davis when for years before they never would spend big money to kerp guys or sign free agents. Everyone is expecting the Davis signing to blow up in their face, but it csnt be any worse than Albert Belle, vlad Guerrero, Sammy Sosa, NOT resigning nelson Cruz after 2014, etc..

The only potential worry any Os fan has is thst Davis contract might hinder them from being able to resign Machado who will get a bigger payday than anyone gotbthis offseason..

I've already pointed out who they could've signed. Lol at you trying to justify the Davis deal by mentioning three guys who spent 2 years on the team at the most. You act like Belle was an albatross and he wasn't. He was actually a productive hitter.

It definitely is going to be worse because they're paying him boat loads of money for more years than any of those guys. What a daft comparison.

Like I said, Justin Upton, Johnny Cueto, Jordan Zimmerman along with Kim, Trumbo if they'd like, and Gallardo and possibly Fowler would've all worked for the money they've blown thus far, and those first three would've made them better than they are now with bringing back 3 guys from the same team as last year. A brilliant strategy.

[Droford]

I've already pointed out who they could've signed. Lol at you trying to justify the Davis deal by mentioning three guys who spent 2 years on the team at the most. You act like Belle was an albatross and he wasn't. He was actually a productive hitter.

It definitely is going to be worse because they're paying him boat loads of money for more years than any of those guys. What a daft comparison.

Like I said, Justin Upton, Johnny Cueto, Jordan Zimmerman along with Kim, Trumbo if they'd like, and Gallardo and possibly Fowler would've all worked for the money they've blown thus far, and those first three would've made them better than they are now with bringing back 3 guys from the same team as last year. A brilliant strategy.

the Belle contract is specifically why for years the Orioles would not spend big moneybon free agents.

Belle signed for five years and $65 million. The Orioles thought they were stealing the slugger away from the New York Yankees. Instead, they got an angry man with a chronic hip condition.

He had a splendid first year, hitting 37 home runs with 117 RBIs, a .297 average and a .400 on-base percentage.

On the day Belle hit three home runs, he decided to talk to the press for the first and only time that season. He spoke, not in the Orioles clubhouse, but in the press dining room and chose the occasion to denounce a beat writer.

Belle broke down late in 2000, and didn’t play the final three years of his contract. He was on his way to a Hall of Fame career, but it was over at 33. He wasn’t missed


They had to pay him thev3 years he didnt plsy just to get some money back through insurance. The definition of an albatross

[Damian Rey 2.0]

So you think, by comparison, Davis, who's getting paid more money, for more years, and well into his next contact or retirement, is better than a productive hitter who happened to get hurt? Can you explain how Davis' deal is in any way better rather than the same or worse?

Can you also please explain how blowing the about of money they did to essentially field the same team when they could've spent that money on countless other players who were actual significant upgrades instead of just carbon copying last year's team but with a higher payroll?

How is blowing your load on the same that wasn't a playoff team last year better than taking that money and signing two corner outfielders, one of which is an all-star, two top of the rotation starters, a #3 starter, a dh and and 4th of/dh for similar total dollars?

Could you please explain in what world that would be considered a good idea in. Instead of trying to get better, the Orioles just stayed the course, while everyone else in the division made a conscious effort to add.

[ClockShot]

Joey Bats says there will be no negotiations on the extensions with the Blue Jays. He let them know the amount of money he's seeking on his deal and he said he will not budge from that number under any circumstances. There will be no hometown discount, as he feels he's given them a 5 year hometown discount already.

He's not wrong. $14 million a year for him on his current deal has been a fucking steal. He'll be 36 next year but if he keeps up the big production some team will pay him way more than $14 million a year, even if it's a one year deal or something.

Bautista on his last year? Unless the Blue Jays re-engage extension talks, he could be some serious trade bait come deadline time.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

The new front office in Toronto is probably gonna let him walk. If Anthopolous were there, I'd firmly believe in their chances of retaining him. With the new regime, the recent offseason and lack of any real effort to build on last year tells me they're not giving any thought to keeping Bautista. At all.

[DaveWadding]

Jays might be adding Jay Bruce, don't speak too soon.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Decent pickup assuming he's healthy but he's not a pricey player. I don't mean to say the new regime won't try to add or improve the club, which they're clearly trying to do. I just think the splashy, big name acquisitions of the Anthopolous era are now gone.

[screech]

You will show Vladimir Guerrero some respect, droford

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I like that Droford has championed such names as Mark Trumbo and Nate Mclouth, then complains about Vladimir Guerrero being a mediocre hitter to the tune of $7 million, which can't be any worse than paying Chris Davis over 3x as much.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

mattingly enforcing no facial hair rule

i don't know anything about anything anymore

Get rid of those sideburns Mattingly!

[Droford]

I like that Droford has championed such names as Mark Trumbo and Nate Mclouth, then complains about Vladimir Guerrero being a mediocre hitter to the tune of $7 million, which can't be any worse than paying Chris Davis over 3x as much.

Nare had his 2nd best season in his career with the Os in 2013. 30 SBs were nice
Trumbo is an upgrade over what they had at DH last year.

[Droford]

You will show Vladimir Guerrero some respect, droford

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/950181/Guerrero9.gif.opt.gif

2011 seems so long ago

[Droford]

Part of me figures he plays with the Os til the deadline and they trade him to a contender though there might not be as much interest in him considering he usually tanks in the playoffs..

Still, I suppose the offense will be one of the best the Os have had in a long time. If the pitching is as decent as it was the last half of the season last year, they might at least be able to stay in contention through September for a WC spot.

C - Wieters
1B - Lee
2B - Roberts
SS - Hardy
3B - Reynolds
LF - Scott
CF - Jones
RF - Markakis
DH - Guerrero

69-93 although they were 15-13 in Sept and elininated the red Sox in game 162. Which pretty much started the Orioles renaissance

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Mclouth actually didn't have his best year in Baltimore but nice try.

[Droford]

I said 2nd best

[Droford]

good article on Gallardo (http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2016/2/22/11086388/yovani-gallardo-orioles-signing-groundball-rate)


Gallardo's ground-ball effectiveness and minimal home run rate are ideal for Baltimore considering their solid defense. He is unlikely to give up many fly balls, resulting in a home run per nine under one.

The Orioles have a potent offense, decent defense, and strong bullpen. Their starting pitching will be their Achilles' Heel (more on this on Thursday), but for a team that did not have a solidified rotation this close to spring training, Baltimore did well to sign Gallardo. Considering the terms, they could have done a lot worse (cough Ian Kennedy cough).

Don't know how anyone can say replacing Chen for Gallardo for 1/2 the cost wasn't an upgrade. Chen gave up 28 home runs last year. Gallardo plays right into the Orioles best strength (infield defense) with the ground balls. Don't really Care about the lower K rate if he's getting ground balls.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Because he's not. Gallardo just posted his best year ever. Unlikely he repeats. More likely he just replaces Chen in the rotation, rather than upgrades. That's the part you keep whiffing on. You can't upgrade if what you're adding only replaces what you lost. Had they kept Chen and signed Gallardo, it would've been an upgrade. As it stands it's more of a lateral move than anything else, and it cost them a draft pick.

[Droford]

I think he has better years when he was with the Brewers..most are saying his numbers are declining but it's only his k rate. Hrs getting more ground balls. Texas defense was shut last year they were 28th the os were 2nd. Ground ball pitcher in OPACY with that defense behind him will do well.

Wei Yin Chen had the 11th highest fly ball % in mlb last year. Gallardo had the 23rd highest ground ball %.

[Droford]

Chen is going from Camden Yards (222 hrs last year) to Marlins Park (111 hrs) he should pitch well for them.

Camden Yards was the top home run park last year and 4th over last 3years

[Nicky Fives]

I don't see Orioles winning the division easily at all.... I'm thinking its going to be a 5-horse race in the AL East for the majority of the year.....I personally don't think Orioles or Jays did much to get any better from last year, the Rays at least tried to and have tons of young (yet always unpredictable) pitching and you can never count out Boston or the Yanks....

[Damian Rey 2.0]

And Chen was still a productive player. Gallardo replaces him. Great. But he just takes Chen's place. Can't upgrade when your losing players guy. They haven't done anything to add on to what they had from last year. Which is why their offseason is underwhelming despite spending loads of money.

[Droford]

I've given up trying to proven Gallardo > Chen

All other things equal Gallardo ground ball pitcher in home run ballpark with a team that shifts a ton and plays good defense is a Huge improvement over Chen who was a fly ball pitcher that gave up twice as many Home runs last year. The fact Gallardo had success in a home run park with thev3rd worst defense in baseball last year indicates to me he will have a good year and one much better than Chen could have had all for 1/2 of what Chen got from Miami.

[Droford]

Heh

Gallardo isn't doing to well on the physical apparently.

Grant Balfour 2.0

Ugh

At least the I'd were right on Balfour

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I've given up trying to proven Gallardo > Chen

All other things equal Gallardo ground ball pitcher in home run ballpark with a team that shifts a ton and plays good defense is a Huge improvement over Chen who was a fly ball pitcher that gave up twice as many Home runs last year. The fact Gallardo had success in a home run park with thev3rd worst defense in baseball last year indicates to me he will have a good year and one much better than Chen could have had all for 1/2 of what Chen got from Miami.

Because what you're trying to prove isn't true. The only thing you can and have cited is homeruns allowed.

From a run prevention standpoint, you know, the primary job asked of a starting pitcher, Chen was better. 3.67 runs allowed per 9 innings to Gallardo's 3.71. Granted it's minuscule, but they peg them as even at best, not Gallardo>Chen. Their career numbers are in line as well. 4 runs per 9 for Chen to 3.98 for Gallardo. So where's the part that Gallardo is an upgrade? Regardless of his groundball rate, he's still giving up runs at a similar clip.

Innings pitched are similar too. WAR likes them all the same. Etc, etc, etc. There's nothing other than groundballs and money that you've cited to lead anyone but into Gallardo as more than a lateral move.

[Evil Vito]

Okay, I think I take back what I said about Bautista. I mean he's definitely underpaid and all that and I understand him taking a hardline approach with his asking price, buttttttttttt..........




....supposedly his asking price is 5 years, $150 million. LMFAO if true. I could easily see someone going crazy and giving him $30 million for a year or something but there is no chance in hell a 36 year old player is getting that much for that long.

[road doggy dogg]

Yeah especially when they just re-signed Donaldson for literally half of that for 2 years

[Droford]

<iframe width="340" height="221" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_dHWL-uEgYI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Technically he's been that good since his rebirth in Toronto. But that's a shit ton for a guy who's gonna be 36 in year one of the deal.

[road doggy dogg]

It's generally a bad idea to pay players for past performance, no matter how much that player means to the team (see: Verlander, Justin)

[Emperor Smeat]

Age-wise, the Jays could get around that problem by making Bautista their main DH hitter although would be crazy to do it for $30 million per year.

$20 million per year wouldn't be that bad compared to other DH hitters like Ortiz for some comparison.

[Bad News Gertner]

I will fucking murder the Jays if they sign Bautista to that contract.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Don't worry, Gerty. I highly doubt they give him that money.

[Bad News Gertner]

I don't even want him bach after this year to be honest. I'd rather they spend their money on Encarnacion.

[Droford]

Fowler to the os

[ClockShot]

Interesting news out of Denver. The Rockies put Jose Reyes on paid leave until his hearing on April 4th. After that, Commissioner Manfred will decide his fate.

[Droford]

So, possible O's lineup: RF Fowler, 3B Machado, CF Jones, 1B Davis, 2B Schoop, C Wieters, DH Trumbo, LF Kim, SS Hardy

Flip Trumbo and Schoop and I agree with Buster O

[Evil Vito]

After missing all of last year with an injury, Cliff Lee still isn't officially retired but the writing is pretty much on the wall. His agent said it would take the "perfect situation" for him to return, which most take to mean coming back to Philadelphia on a guaranteed contract for more than the rebuild-focused Phillies want to offer.

Was naturally kinda forced to dislike the guy because he was one of the key cogs of Philly's string of 5 division titles, but he was a great pitcher. That 2009 season when he only walked 18 batters in 212 innings was absurd.

[Nicky Fives]

I don't even want him bach after this year to be honest. I'd rather they spend their money on Encarnacion.

same. A 35+ year old outfielder, eating up tons of valuable funds to be used elsewhere, no thank you.....One year contract or nothing in my eyes....

[ClockShot]

After a couple red flags, Yovani Gallardo and the O's have agreed to a restructured deal.

2-years, $22 mil. with an option for a 3rd year.

[Droford]

Me Last year at this time
The Orioles sitting on their assets not making any moves this offseason but they're still going to repeat as AL East Champions. Its going to be great.

Well the good news is they didnt sit around this year. Msybe they'rethe AL version of the Giants

[Damian Rey 2.0]

The Cubs sign Dexter Fowler to a one year deal with a second year option. Fowler wanted an opt out clause but Baltimore said no, so he walked away. Wow!

[DaveWadding]

HOT STOVE

[Bad News Gertner]

Jays sign Domonic Brown to a minor league deal. Nice little move.

[Frank Drebin]

Droford is sad because Fowler left the O's hanging.

I have no idea what the Cubs opening day lineup will look like now. Just looking at the OF, and ignoring the possibility of a Bryant, Zobrist or Baez, who do you sit among Schwarber, Heyward Soler and Fowler? I mean, yeah you could sit Schwarber against a lefty but he has to learn to hit them at some point otherwise he's a platoon player that belongs in the AL which means trade him.

[screech]

At least the Jays have the option to not put Brown in the field.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Droford is sad because Fowler left the O's hanging.

I have no idea what the Cubs opening day lineup will look like now. Just looking at the OF, and ignoring the possibility of a Bryant, Zobrist or Baez, who do you sit among Schwarber, Heyward Soler and Fowler? I mean, yeah you could sit Schwarber against a lefty but he has to learn to hit them at some point otherwise he's a platoon player that belongs in the AL which means trade him.

I'd guess Fowler, Rizzo, Bryant, Schwarber, Heyward, Zobrist, Montero, pitcher and Russell. God that's a ridiculously stacked lineup.

[ClockShot]

O's front office looking like real schmucks right now. The retooled Gallardo contract. And now they lose Fowler.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Sb nation just posted an article detailing the numerous nixed deals due to Baltimore's seemingly impossible physicals. Great offseason out there.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

What's hilarious is that they didn't want to do the one year opt out due to losing a pick for a one year deal, but they'll lose a pick for a two year deal and, according to their medical staff, possible shoulder trouble as well. Brilliant. Just brilliant.

I rest my case that the Orioles front office literally has no plan in place to get better. What a clusterfuck.

[Emperor Smeat]

Could of new rule changes are happening this season.

Mound visits are now strictly timed for 30 seconds and starts the moment a manager or pitching coach leaves the dugout.

Due to a few nasty incidents last year, sliding rules got changed both to lessen potential injuries and determine what counts as a legal slide from now on. Automatic double play out if any of the 4 situations don't happen from a slide.
It starts by describing what a runner can do, outlining four main tenets of a legal slide into second base:

• Slide prior to reaching the base.
• Slide so you are able to and attempt to reach or touch the base.
• Slide so you are able to and attempt to stay on the base.
• Do not change your pathway to the base.

Runners who follow those four rules are allowed to take out the fielder legally, according to the rule.

Phantom out calls at 2nd base are now reviewable.
It also made the so-called neighborhood play — in which a fielder who doesn't touch second base but gets an out because he was near the bag — reviewable by replay.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/news/sources--mlb-to-tighten-mound-visit-rules--update-slide-rules-165116380.html

[Nicky Fives]

Jays sign Domonic Brown to a minor league deal. Nice little move.

Could be this year's Chris Colabello if injuries allow him to get out of Buffalo.....

[Frank Drebin]

I'd guess Fowler, Rizzo, Bryant, Schwarber, Heyward, Zobrist, Montero, pitcher and Russell. God that's a ridiculously stacked lineup.

That leaves Soler and Baez on the bench. Dear lord. I want a DH while this lasts.

[Frank Drebin]

If droford, with his Craigslist girls saga, was actually running the O's, would it surprise you?

[Droford]

I wouldn't be so staunchly anti opt out clause

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I think they might dea Soler or Baez. Baez is blocked by better infielders, and may Baez has the lesser track record, but may bring more back just by being a shortstop.

If I'm the Padres, I'm calling the Cubbies now and seeing what they want for either Soler or Baez. Preferably Soler as there's a giant hole in left field, San Diego.

[Droford]

Should call the Orioles

[Frank Drebin]

Tyson Ross for Javy Baez and a couple of minor leaguers

[harmsway]

Great, animal Sanchez already hurt

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Tyson Ross for Javy Baez and a couple of minor leaguers

Deal. Do you guys have a starter that would become expendable?

[DaveWadding]

Jason Hammel?

[Frank Drebin]

Jason Hammel. Boom. Done deal. Fax the sheet to the commissioners office.

The minor leaguers will be Matt Murton and that Kawasaki guy.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Just came in here to say I hate spring training.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Is Matt Murton still alive?

[Nicky Fives]

Victorino still looking for work, getting a minor league deal with Cubs.....

[ClockShot]

Indians' Abraham Almonte popped positive for PEDs. 80 game suspension for him.

Rafael Betancourt calls it a career.

[Droford]

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2016/2/26/11120392/orioles-dexter-fowler-mess

Wierdest team in baseball!

[Frank Drebin]

Is Matt Murton still alive?

Minor league deal with the cubs after 5 years in Japan. Can't believe it's been at least that long since he was in the Rich Harden trade. Remember Rich Harden? 100 pitches 4.2 innings. Everytime.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

What's Alcantara up to? Padres could use a utility bat. Ross for Soler, Alcantara, and a reliever.

[Nicky Fives]

Rickie Weeks on minor deal to Arizona....could be a good veteran presence on the bench for those kids....

[Evil Vito]

Ian Desmond finally finds a home. Goes to the Rangers on a 1 year deal. The plan is for him to play left field.

[Bad News Gertner]

Jason Hammel. Boom. Done deal. Fax the sheet to the commissioners office.

The minor leaguers will be Matt Murton and that Kawasaki guy.

Kawasaki alone gets you those players.

[ClockShot]

Ian Desmond to the Rangers?

There was chatter they might stick him in left field.

[ClockShot]

I know he made some bad money moves. Nationals sent him a $15 mil. qualifying offer and he turned that down.

And I guess they also offered him a $100+ extension back in 2013.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

He might've gotten a long term deal had the dumb rule of giving up a draft pick if you sign a free agent hadn't been in place. They need to get rid of that.

The team losing a player getting a pick is fine. The signing team shouldn't be penalized for trying to get better.

[Evil Vito]

I'm really interested in seeing how the qualifying offer will be treated next year if it stays following the next CBA negotiation. Rasmus, Wieters, and Brett Anderson finally jumped at it this year and I'm convinced that Murph would have taken it were he not coming off of one of the best postseason performances of all time. But Fowler and Desmond still got burned.

The cost might go up even higher to around $16.5-17 million or so. You might just see teams starting to balk at even offering it because eventually guys are just gonna accept that they aren't going to get anywhere near that type of AAV on their next deal and they'll just bet on themselves to put up good numbers.

[Evil Vito]

Also...5 more weeks. Fuck me this is going to feel like the longest Spring Training ever, especially since the Mets have almost their entire 25 man roster decided already. I guess 2 bullpen spots are officially up for grabs but 2 of the incumbents from last year already have the inside track.

[Evil Vito]

Blue Jays sign Rafael Soriano to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.

[Droford]

Os aren't letting Jones pie anyone any more because someone might get hurt.

If someone gets hurt with a pie in the face...they probably would get hurt randomly some other way

[Emperor Smeat]

Yankees' Aroldis Chapman got suspended for 30 games for violating MLB's domestic violence policy.

[Nicky Fives]

Smacking a bitch gets you 30 games.... seems about right....I'm assuming he still gets to participate in Spring Training games?

[Droford]

Os played a 4-4 tie with the braves

[ClockShot]

Yankees' Aroldis Chapman got suspended for 30 games for violating MLB's domestic violence policy.

I expect Jose Reyes to get much worse then.

[harmsway]

Blue Jays sign Rafael Soriano to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.

Any chance store doesn't have the closer job 100 percent?

[Damian Rey 2.0]

No chance. Soriano was brought on in the event he finds some smoke and mirrors as a middle reliever. Storen is their guy until he gives them a reason not to be.

[Nicky Fives]

No chance. Soriano was brought on in the event he finds some smoke and mirrors as a middle reliever. Storen is their guy until he gives them a reason not to be.

Roberto Osuna may have something to say about that.....kid did a great job last year, if he pitches like he did last year, hard to take the ball away from him....

[harmsway]

Storen was quality last year ,and why make a move for a guy to not give him the 9th. But Osuna is supposedly challenging.

[Evil Vito]

The Royals ripped up Salvador Perez' old contract, which was disgustingly favorable for the team. They only owed him $16.75 million total over the next 4 years.

Now he'll still get $2 million this year but the rest of the deal was ripped up and he'll get $52.5 million over 5 years beginning in 2017.

[Evil Vito]

While it looks like the Royals were simply just doing the right thing to reward their World Series MVP, I can only assume they feared that eventually he was going to be pissed off at being so underpaid and it might have led to a NFL-style holdout.

Also risky considering the insane workload they've given Perez, barely any days off behind the plate. He'll be 35 by the time he's 28.

[Innovator]

No chance. Soriano was brought on in the event he finds some smoke and mirrors as a middle reliever. Storen is their guy until he gives them a reason not to be.

I never felt good or safe when Soriano was in there

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Osuna was good and I'm not married to the one guy being appointed closer approach. I just don't think they'd go out and acquire Storen simply to use him as a late inning reliever.

[Nicky Fives]

Osuna was good and I'm not married to the one guy being appointed closer approach. I just don't think they'd go out and acquire Storen simply to use him as a late inning reliever.

I believe it's Storen's job to lose simply due to his experience and Osuna's lack thereof, but Osuna will definitely be first in line should Storen struggle in Spring Training or to open the season....In my eyes, the leash on Storen should be short, not for anything he has or hasn't done, but simply for what Osuna accomplished last year.... incentivizing/rewarding employees and whatnot....

[Droford]

Chris Davis hit the first of many more homers today..but the Os lost cause the braves had a 7 run 1st off Ubaldo

[road doggy dogg]

lol MLB Facebook page posted a gif of Severino striking out a Tiger, conveniently did not post a gif of the grand slam he gave up to a backup catcher the following inning

[ClockShot]

Yoenis Cespedes spent $7,000 on a grand champion hog..............only to have it butchered.

Obviously he's drawn the ire of PETA.

[Bad News Gertner]

Osuna/Storen/Cecil. Pretty solid 1-2-3 punch on paper. I have a feeling Sanchez is going to join them in the pen. Dickey-Stroman-Estrada-Happ and Gavin Floyd are my picks to head up the rotation. Hopefully Hutchison is sent to Siberia.

[Bad News Gertner]

This whole Bautista situation has me feeling like this is going to be a looooooong year for the Jays. I don't think they make the playoffs and in fact, I'm picking them to finish last in the division. Something just doesn't feel right.

[road doggy dogg]

Last year was definitely their window. I don't know about last in the division but I don't see another magical run this year

[Evil Vito]

could still see the Jays winning a ton of games with their offense alone but yeah, it might wind up being a 2006 Mets type of deal where that "core" just had a one year window where the stars seemed to be aligning.

we'll see though, every team in the AL East has flaws.

[Droford]

Osuna/Storen/Cecil. Pretty solid 1-2-3 punch on paper. I have a feeling Sanchez is going to join them in the pen. Dickey-Stroman-Estrada-Happ and Gavin Floyd are my picks to head up the rotation. Hopefully Hutchison is sent to Siberia.

Better save Hutchison for games vs the Orioles, hes 5-3 in 12 games vs the Os with 70ks whuch is the most vs any team.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I think Gerty is hitting the pitching staff lineup on the button. I don't expect them to finish last. I think they're as good as a Yankees team built on old bats and whose pitching staff is a hard sneeze away from being on the dl.

I also like their ability to just cream everyone on offense. I'm thinking they'll finish second or third, pushing for a wildcard.

[Evil Vito]

Maicer Izturis announces his retirement. Meaning that somehow, someway, Bartolo Colon is the last former Montreal Expo to still be active in the big leagues.

[ClockShot]

Uncas ain't going down without a fight.

[Nicky Fives]

Osuna/Storen/Cecil. Pretty solid 1-2-3 punch on paper. I have a feeling Sanchez is going to join them in the pen. Dickey-Stroman-Estrada-Happ and Gavin Floyd are my picks to head up the rotation. Hopefully Hutchison is sent to Siberia.

Hutchison will get a shot at long relief....If he pitches decent, he won't get DFA'd.....

[Bad News Gertner]

He's gonna have to beat out Chavez and Sanchez which I highly doubt he will.

[Droford]

First baseball game on the radio ofvthe year...yay

[Evil Vito]

MLB overturns Chase Utley's suspension for breaking Ruben Tejada's leg.

So his actions were deemed bad enough to lead to a rule change yet not bad enough to warrant keeping him out for 2 games? Nice job, Manfred.

[Nicky Fives]

He's gonna have to beat out Chavez and Sanchez which I highly doubt he will.

Chavez going to be 5th starter..... Sanchez in 7th/8th where he belings with Storen & Osuna, leaves Hutchison longman role.....I see his competiton as Gavin Floyd....

[Nicky Fives]

Watched NYM/DET on a stream this afternoon on my off-day from work, Detroit pitching depth seems a bit concerning....

[Bad News Gertner]

Chavez going to be 5th starter..... Sanchez in 7th/8th where he belings with Storen & Osuna, leaves Hutchison longman role.....I see his competiton as Gavin Floyd....

I think Floyd beats out Chavez and Drew gets dfa'd.

[Evil Vito]

Pedro Alvarez to the Orioles on a 1-year deal.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Nothing like another no on base strikeout machine.

[DaveWadding]

C'mon DRay, I came to this thread looking forward to your Brian Kenny-esque rant and that's all you've got? Lay it on me.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Lol. Not much to lay on. He's a one trick pony that can't catch, so you have to pretty much dh him. He probably has some value there but for Baltimore, I don't get the move. They don't have anybody to get on base, and Alvarez is essentially a right handed hitting Mark Trumbo, but at half the cost.

Lol at the Orioles trading for Trumbo at near $10 mil and acquiring the same player for half the cost. I cannot fathom how the front office there keeps a job. They don't draft or develop worth a shit, they don't sign any players that improve the club, they make shorter sighted trades, no organizational plan, etc.

I just don't see what Alvarez brings that they don't already have. It's kind of mind boggling how bad Baltimore's offseason been seeing as they've spent a fuck ton of money.

[Droford]

Word on Os forums is the RF situation sucks and expect Davis to play more RF with Trumbo at 1st and Alvarez as DH.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

A stellar defensive lineup. Plenty of runs saved in that situation.

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol my beer league softball team puts out a better defense than the O's.

[Droford]

Lol my beer league softball team puts out a better defense than the O's.

Well last year they were the 2nd best team defensively in baseball. LF is looking like Joey Richard who has speed and supposedly good defense so basically the only difference is whoever plays RF..oh and full year from Schoop who only played 86 games at 2b and a full year from Weiters who is good glove catcher.

So yeah the defense is gonna be terrible

[Bad News Gertner]

If Davis is playing RF and Trumbo is at first then yes that's terrible. Wieters has been hurt the past two years and I doubt you're getting a full year out of him.

[road doggy dogg]

At least they have Manny at 3B

[Bad News Gertner]

Hopefully they don't peak too early

[Evil Vito]

Jays won't fade http://www.tpwwforums.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Davis or Trumbo in right is a lose/lose. Weiters hasn't been average defensively in 3 years, and God knows what the Asian import is going to do. If Alvarez has to play defense it's even worse.

[Evil Vito]

Jered Weaver's fastball was clocking in between 78-80 MPH yesterday. Christ. Even for early spring that is dreadful. R.A. Dickey throws harder knuckleballs than that.

[Droford]

Davis or Trumbo in right is a lose/lose. Weiters hasn't been average defensively in 3 years, and God knows what the Asian import is going to do. If Alvarez has to play defense it's even worse.

Chris Davis can play RF pretty well better than Trumbo anyway

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Uh no he can't. Unless you have some numbers to back that up (you don't), in no way can you concretely say Davis plays outfield well. Like, at all. He's not even a good first baseman over his career.

Going from train wreck to car crash in outfield defense isn't much of an improvement. Of course you will dance around criticising the Orioles so I'm not stunned. But it's a legit problem and they have 3 guys who can't catch who will all be getting regular at bats, two of which have to play the field. It's a bad mix.

[Bad News Gertner]

Jered Weaver's fastball was clocking in between 78-80 MPH yesterday. Christ. Even for early spring that is dreadful. R.A. Dickey throws harder knuckleballs than that.

Lol Jesus, that's 3mph lower than Buehrle's avg fastball last year

[Bad News Gertner]

Davis is 6"3 225-230 with no speed. Unless you hit the ball right at him he's not going to get to anything in the outfield.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

But maybe if he doesn't peak too early he will make the play.

[Droford]

From july of last year


Davis performed adequately in the outfield (split between left and right field), finishing with a Defensive Runs Saved total of -1 and a -0.1 Ultimate Zone Rating. In about 144 innings in right field this season, Davis has been about average again according to the numbers (-1 DRS, +1.6 UZR).

If Trumbo is terrible then Davis is better even if he's just average

[Damian Rey 2.0]

144 innings is less than 20 games. He doesn't grade out "adequately". According to the numbers he was below average in a less than ab20 game sample size. You run him out there for a full year and he's well below average.

Not to mention, your missing the point. The point isn't who's better, it's that they're both awful and the defense is going to stink no matter who they run out there. Hence, their defense is going to be bad.

[Evil Vito]

Jarrod Parker, veteran of 2 Tommy John Surgeries and a surgery to repair a broken elbow last summer, has injured his elbow again 12 pitches into a bullpen session today.

God damn...poor guy

[Damian Rey 2.0]

He's probably done.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Haven't even read any stories on the injury. But how much damage can the elbow take?

[Nicky Fives]

Jered Weaver's fastball was clocking in between 78-80 MPH yesterday. Christ. Even for early spring that is dreadful. R.A. Dickey throws harder knuckleballs than that.

He apparently has some degenerative spinal condition which is impacting his velocity.... I cannot see how anyone can pitch through that.....

[Evil Vito]

Mets waived Ruben Tejada. Damn. He's gotten more shit than just about any Met since Reyes left (mostly well deserved) but I can't help but feel bad for him that his final moment in a Mets uniform was getting his leg snapped by Utley.

[ClockShot]

In a case where threatening actually worked, Dillion Gee was gonna use his opt-out clause with the Royals if he wasn't added to the 40 man roster. He was, and moved a guy to the 60-day DL to make room. Heh.

[Evil Vito]

That happens a quite a bit with Major Leaguers who have no choice but to settle for a minor league deal, and guys with 6+ years of experience have automatic out clauses.

Actually this is a pretty nice read from CJ Nitkowski about it:

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/just-a-bit-outside/story/the-full-meaning-of-signing-a-minor-league-deal-021315

[Nicky Fives]

Adam LaRoche retiring out of nowhere and not taking his $10M+ guaranteed money is a bit strange...

[road doggy dogg]

possibly the most ridiculous thing I've ever read

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources: LaRoche chose to retire after <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhiteSox?src=hash">#WhiteSox</a> prez Ken Williams told him that he no longer could bring 14-year-old son into clubhouse.</p>&mdash; Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/710181381834297344">March 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Ruien]

Haha that is awesome. Wonder what the child did to get banned.

[Ruien]

So glad to be a White Sox fan.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Well that fucked them. If he had retired sooner they could've had money to sign Ian Desmond.

[ClockShot]

Not so much banned. I guess the front office didn't want LaRoche's son hanging around as much as he should be.

[Nicky Fives]

apparently he was just around all the time.... I kinda see she White Sox side of it, but still kinda a dick move....

[Ruien]

Meh. I doubt it randomly happened. I bet that other players were complaining. I mean, can you really be yourself in front of a 14 year old? Can see it being a bother to the other players/coaches. Hell, how is a coach going to dig into someone with their kid right there?

[Emperor Smeat]

According to Deadspin, seems like its being implied the club got tired of having to act as babysitters for the kid because LaRoche was way too laid back when it came to taking care of him in the clubhouse.

White Sox didn't have a real problem with the kid being around or running some errands to "earn his keep" but probably didn't want to be on the hook for any legal issues in case anything bad happened because of LaRoche's care-free attitude with him in the clubhouse.

http://deadspin.com/adam-laroche-retired-because-the-white-sox-wouldnt-let-1765311014

[ClockShot]

14 years old was around the time I could start taking care of myself and starting to be mature.

Unless this kid got issues or something.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Well his dad made millions so perhaps the kid's a bit spoiled?

[Nicky Fives]

Well his dad made millions so perhaps the kid's a bit spoiled?

one would tend to think that.... doubtful he's the "average" 14-year old when Daddy is a millionaire....

[Frank Drebin]

Laroche is a big Jesus guy who doesn't believe in vaccinating his kids or normal school. That's why the kid was around all the time. Because he wasn't in school. Laroche thinks, seriously, that you learn more in a baseball clubhouse "We're not big on school." That's what they were dealing with.

Sox players liked him and the kid, but off the record stuff here says multiple players went to the front office about it. Front office hasnt sent his retirement forms yo MLB yet, but they have to be not so secretly thrilled this -0.8 WAR player decided to leave 13 mil on the table.

[Frank Drebin]

Hearing more about it.....players went to Kenny Williams and totally went over Robin Ventura ' s head. Chris Sale says Williams should stay out of the clubhouse.

2016 is gonna a great year for this team.

[Evil Vito]

Chris Sale's contract sold to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.

[Frank Drebin]

Well, at least the White Sox are making national headlines one way or another.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I never understood why things "should stay in the clubhouse". Williams is the boss. In real life, if you want shit done, you go to the manager (Williams), not your supervisor (Ventura). Sale should just shut up and pitch.

[Ruien]

Well, at least the White Sox are making national headlines one way or another.

Don't hate.

[weather vane]

I never understood why things "should stay in the clubhouse". Williams is the boss. In real life, if you want shit done, you go to the manager (Williams), not your supervisor (Ventura). Sale should just shut up and pitch.

Clearly have never played high caliber sports.

[ClockShot]

Add Rafael Soriano to this week's list of players retiring.

He was to play in Toronto this season, but hasn't reported yet due to visa issues.

[Bad News Gertner]

Thank God.

[Nicky Fives]

Thank God.

Exactly.... Brad Penny is enough of a stretch for me, especially with young guys like Justin De Fratus being released.... I'm all for having a few veteran pictures with experience in case of injury, but there's a point where the bargain bin isn't worth the paperwork....