MLB Offseason Thread

[MichaelWinicki]

Where it really shows up is in the playoffs. Especially in the shorter 5 game series. The wildcard is a crapshoot and no way to insure your ace is in position to pitch that game unless you have that spot locked up w/o going down to the wire.

Oh no question.

With elite teams being able to throw a legit #1 & #2 out there... what an incredible advantage. Not foolproof but pretty sold none-the-less.

I know Red got sick of me posting it... but the Yanks rotation was just a cluster this season. They would win three games 4-2, 3-2 and 5-3 and then turn around and lose 6-4, 7-3 and 8-5.

You simply couldn't count on the starter.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Oh no question.

With elite teams being able to throw a legit #1 & #2 out there... what an incredible advantage. Not foolproof but pretty sold none-the-less.

I know Red got sick of me posting it... but the Yanks rotation was just a cluster this season. They would win three games 4-2, 3-2 and 5-3 and then turn around and lose 6-4, 7-3 and 8-5.

You simply couldn't count on the starter.

I know that feeling. The Orioles had a good bullpen but the starters didnt carry their own weight. Its hard to overcome that. Toronto couldnt overcome it in the playoffs with a loaded offense.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I know that feeling. The Orioles had a good bullpen but the starters didnt carry their own weight. Its hard to overcome that. Toronto couldnt overcome it in the playoffs with a loaded offense.

This Yankee team reminded me of those in the 80's... good enough to be competitive but a chink in the armour, usually starting pitching, kept it from being a memorable season. If this was the 80's, this team wouldn't have made the playoffs either.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

The trouble is they don't have anyone on that list who I consider to be an "Ace" at this point. Pineda is so up & down. Tanaka... he wasn't that dominant this season. Nova? Who knows if he's going to get back to where he was. Severino... could get there, but I don't think it happens this season.

They have a bunch of #3's through #5's, but no clear #1... I'm not sure they have a #2 either... maybe Severino.

I'm thinking Iovaldi and Severino = future aces
Nova and Pineda =2's

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

This Yankee team reminded me of those in the 80's... good enough to be competitive but a chink in the armour, usually starting pitching, kept it from being a memorable season. If this was the 80's, this team wouldn't have made the playoffs either.

Thats back when I didnt mind the Yankees. Less idiot annoying fans back then and I liked players on their teams. Even Red Sox fans werent all that bad back then.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

This Yankee team reminded me of those in the 80's... good enough to be competitive but a chink in the armour, usually starting pitching, kept it from being a memorable season. If this was the 80's, this team wouldn't have made the playoffs either.

And yet not hitting and not scoring runs is why we missed playoffs. We had some good pitching performances down the stretch.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm thinking Iovaldi and Severino = future aces
Nova and Pineda =2's

I think you're way optimistic.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I think you're way optimistic.

You didn't see flashes of dominance from either guy?
Iovaldi reminded me of pettitte.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

You didn't see flashes of dominance from either guy?
Iovaldi reminded me of pettitte.

There are some flashes... more so with the youngster.

But to be #1, you've got to have the consistency... and there is no one on the Yanks roster who has shown that.

The other problem with their pitching roster... no dominant lefty starter.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

There are some flashes... more so with the youngster.

But to be #1, you've got to have the consistency... and there is no one on the Yanks roster who has shown that.

The other problem with their pitching roster... no dominant lefty starter.

David "Ace" Price consistency?

Or

Matt Harvey consistency?

Lol

Iovaldi is real deal.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

David "Ace" Price consistency?

Or

Matt Harvey consistency?

Lol

Iovaldi is real deal.

How about Dallas Kuechel consistency?

Evoldi had a 4.20 ERA and gave up more than a hit an inning.

When he goes through a season with an ERA of less than 3.00 then I'm a believer, but at this point he's nothing more than another "3" starter on a staff full of'em.

 

[Tabascocat]

Chris Davis is on my off-season wish list, anything to get Duda out of NY!

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The Astros declined the option on Qualls which wasn't a surprise.

But they did put in a qualifying order to Colby Rasmus, which means they either pay him $15 mil for this season or they get a draft pick. It appears the days of the team being super-cheap are behind.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

The Astros declined the option on Qualls which wasn't a surprise.

But they did put in a qualifying order to Colby Rasmus, which means they either pay him $15 mil for this season or they get a draft pick. It appears the days of the team being super-cheap are behind.

R u surprised they gave the QO to Rasmus? I am, at least a lil.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

R u surprised they gave the QO to Rasmus? I am, at least a lil.

Yep, I'm surprised.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Yep, I'm surprised.

Now it will be interesting to see if he becomes the first player to take the offer.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Now it will be interesting to see if he becomes the first player to take the offer.

That's a very good point... I had not thought of that.

He could take the offer. That's almost twice what he received this season and I'm just not sure how high anyone is going to go for him. He a typical Astro at this point... some power, but with a low average and doesn't take a lot of walks.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

That's a very good point... I had not thought of that.

He could take the offer. That's almost twice what he received this season and I'm just not sure how high anyone is going to go for him. He a typical Astro at this point... some power, but with a low average and doesn't take a lot of walks.

I read somewhere that his only real asset is his power. At least that was the opinion of the writer.

I also think Matt Wieters might be a candidate for the first to take a QO. He didnt show much this year coming back from TJ surgery so a big contract might be considered too much of a gamble by teams. He could take the QO and prove himself so to speak to get a nice contract the following year.

Let the signings and movement begin!

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I read somewhere that his only real asset is his power. At least that was the opinion of the writer.

I also think Matt Wieters might be a candidate for the first to take a QO. He didnt show much this year coming back from TJ surgery so a big contract might be considered too much of a gamble by teams. He could take the QO and prove himself so to speak to get a nice contract the following year.

Let the signings and movement begin!

Yeah, that would be accurate on Rasmus... Well that and he's an above average fielder. Not great, but above average.

Yep, Wieters could too.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/...-free-agents-with-predictions.html#more-58933

1. David Price – Cubs. Seven years, $217MM.

2. Jason Heyward – Yankees. Ten years, $200MM.

3. Zack Greinke – Dodgers. Six years, $156MM

4. Justin Upton – Nationals. Seven years, $147MM.

5. Chris Davis – Cardinals. Six years, $144MM

6. Yoenis Cespedes – Angels. Six years, $140MM

7. Jordan Zimmermann – Blue Jays. Six years, $126MM

8. Johnny Cueto – Red Sox. Five years, $115MM.

9. Alex Gordon – Royals. Five years, $105MM.

10. Ian Desmond – Mets. Five years, $80MM.