2017 Rotation Discussion

[moonslav59]

And your conclusion is that they asked him to retire and give up $13 million.

 

NO, my conclusion is I was thrilled he retired. I heard something about his family. Maybe his wife or child was sick or they just wanted to be together more. Once you're a multi-millionaire, priorities can chance for some. Not every rich guy only thinks of how to get even more richer.

[a700hitter]

NO, my conclusion is I was thrilled he retired. I heard something about his family. Maybe his wife or child was sick or they just wanted to be together more. Once you're a multi-millionaire, priorities can chance for some. Not every rich guy only thinks of how to get even more richer.

Just my opinion, but when your prime earning years end at age 35, you should maximize your earnings. He is not in the economic strata of an ARod. Richer players than Dempster have lost everything in bad investments. He has very limited earning ability going forward.

[S5Dewey]

Just my opinion, but when your prime earning years end at age 35, you should maximize your earnings. He is not in the economic strata of an ARod. Richer players than Dempster have lost everything in bad investments. He has very limited earning ability going forward.

 

As compared to his playing salary, yes. But since then he's done (doing?) some gigs as color man during broadcasts. I know they don't pay those guys like players but it keeps him in the game and keeps a little dough flowing in.

 

His attitude struck me as one of a person who's had his s*** together. I saw an interview with him during the ST of 2014 when he said [roughly quoted] 'I've been in professional baseball for 15 years and treated like a king. Now I have to learn how to live like a normal person'. I found it refreshing that a player actually recognizes that.

[S5Dewey]

Didn't he say he did it for his family?

 

Oh, c'mon.. .don't they all?? LOL

[notin]

Just my opinion, but when your prime earning years end at age 35, you should maximize your earnings. He is not in the economic strata of an ARod. Richer players than Dempster have lost everything in bad investments. He has very limited earning ability going forward.

 

Ryan Dempster made over $89 million in his career as a baseball player. If he can't feed his family on that money, another $13 million wasn't going to make a difference. ..

[a700hitter]

Ryan Dempster made over $89 million in his career as a baseball player. If he can't feed his family on that money, another $13 million wasn't going to make a difference. ..

After taxes, agents fees etc., he probably netted out $30 million. Kareem Jabbar lost more than $40 million in the late 70's early 80's and had to play as a shell for his final 2 seasons. It can happen quite easily. Everyday people have a hard time wrapping their minds around the notion, but he does have 40 -50 years more to live and he probably lives a lifestyle where he needs a cashflow that would surprise most people. My only point is that leaving $13 million on the table taking into account that he was underpaid in his early career is just stupid, imo.

[a700hitter]

Oh, c'mon.. .don't they all?? LOL

Ryne Sandberg said the same thing when he walked away from $14 million---- and his wife filed for divorce 3 weeks after he retired. The stated cause for divorce was probably stupidity.

[a700hitter]

Ryne Sandberg said the same thing when he walked away from $14 million---- and his wife filed for divorce 3 weeks after he retired. The stated cause for divorce was probably stupidity.

Apparently spending more time with his family didn't work out very well for Dempster either. Just an athlete who is a dope when it comes to finances:

 

Former Cub Ryan Dempster deeds Lakeview house to ex-wife

Bob GoldsboroughChicago Tribune

Retired Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster has one fewer Lakeview-area house in his portfolio.

Dempster in January deeded a large, two-story house in Lakeview to his ex-wife, according to public records. The couple paid $2.7 million in 2008 for the newly built house.

Dempster, 37, and his wife divorced last year, according to court records. He is an assistant to Cubs general manager Theo Epstein.

At one point, Dempster owned four properties in Lakeview. He and his then-wife sold their first home in Lakeview — a five-bedroom, 5,300-square-foot, all-brick mansion that they most recently had been renting out — for $1.77 million.

 

Dempster still owns a recently built, 5,650-square-foot house in West Lakeview that he bought in 2014 for $1.95 million. He also owns a Lakeview condo that he bought for $480,000 in 2009 and uses as a rental property, according to court records.

 

 

Copyright © 2017, Chicago Tribune

 

[Slasher9]

just because he gave his ex a 2MM house doesnt mean he is broke. just means he should have had a better pre-nup.

but to your original point...i think 999 out of 1000 people would ride out the final year of that contract for $13MM. some of us might even do it just to give the $$$ to charity.....dempster had his reasons....i guess....

[a700hitter]

just because he gave his ex a 2MM house doesnt mean he is broke. just means he should have had a better pre-nup.

but to your original point...i think 999 out of 1000 people would ride out the final year of that contract for $13MM. some of us might even do it just to give the $$$ to charity.....dempster had his reasons....i guess....

I never said that he is broke...not yet. But the Ex will get half of what is left of his baseball earnings. His net of $30 - 40 million is now down to $15 - 20 million. He is a couple of bad investment decisions away from being broke. Ask Jack Clark.

[cp176]

Ryne Sandberg said the same thing when he walked away from $14 million---- and his wife filed for divorce 3 weeks after he retired. The stated cause for divorce was probably stupidity.

 

I like that one!

[moonslav59]

Kevin Durant left $9M on the table, not counting all the extra taxes he pays in CA.

 

Mauer left money on the table to stay in MN.

 

It happens occasionally.

[a700hitter]

At this point, after taxes and a divorce, he may have left an amount of money that was nearly equal to his total net worth.

[a700hitter]

Kevin Durant left $9M on the table, not counting all the extra taxes he pays in CA.

 

Mauer left money on the table to stay in MN.

 

It happens occasionally.

It is a lot different when you are still active and still earning. When you retire the spigot gets turned off completely.

[oldtimer]

Another nice start for Pomeranz and a chance to pick up a game on the division. Toronto is down, The Rays lost to the Sox and both Baltimore and NY are in close ones. I guess a little rest helped the Sox get grounded for tonights game.

[cp176]

Kevin Durant left $9M on the table, not counting all the extra taxes he pays in CA.

 

Mauer left money on the table to stay in MN.

 

It happens occasionally.

 

I think that in the long run Durant gets his money from ownership some way. I believe what he did was bad for the league in general. I would have liked to been able to hear the conversation he had with ownership when they told him how they were going to make that money up to him. Maybe the IRS folks would have liked to have been there as well!

[notin]

After taxes, agents fees etc., he probably netted out $30 million. Kareem Jabbar lost more than $40 million in the late 70's early 80's and had to play as a shell for his final 2 seasons. It can happen quite easily. Everyday people have a hard time wrapping their minds around the notion, but he does have 40 -50 years more to live and he probably lives a lifestyle where he needs a cashflow that would surprise most people. My only point is that leaving $13 million on the table taking into account that he was underpaid in his early career is just stupid, imo.

 

And that addional $14mill would be subject to the same taxes, etc. By your same math, another $13mill in salary would have only netted him another $4mill.

 

Are you saying he's struggling with $30mill but $34mill puts him on Easy Street?

[a700hitter]

And that addional $14mill would be subject to the same taxes, etc. By your same math, another $13mill in salary would have only netted him another $4mill.

 

Are you saying he's struggling with $30mill but $34mill puts him on Easy Street?

He is likely down to $15 million after the divorce, so even if he clears only $4-5 million on the final $13 million that be an increase in total net worth of 26% for 1 season. In addition to the hefty property settlement, he no doubt has to paya hefty maintenanc and child support, that was determined based on his player salary. Good luck in getting that reduced when he retires. You don't have to agree with me and most people can't even dream of $15 million, but imo it is a very stupid financial move walking away from such a large payday.

[Bellhorn04]

It was definitely a stupid move financially. What I gathered from Dempster's comments was that his marriage was breaking down and he didn't feel like he was capable of playing in 2014. I don't see how we can judge his motives without being in his shoes.

[a700hitter]

It was definitely a stupid move financially. What I gathered from Dempster's comments was that his marriage was breaking down and he didn't feel like he was capable of playing in 2014. I don't see how we can judge his motives without being in his shoes.

We can judge it as a financial move, which is all that I am doing. Maybe someone will counsel future players that the way to save a marriage isn't to quit your job. He is a dope imo, and needed better counseling. The other thing that makes it even dumber is that any earnings made after the divorce would not be subject to division in a 50/50 property settlement. It was just stupid anyway you slice it, but I am not shedding a tear for the dumb fool, because he does have at least $15 million.

[Bellhorn04]

We can judge it as a financial move, which is all that I am doing. Maybe someone will counsel future players that the way to save a marriage isn't to quit your job. He is a dope imo, and needed better counseling. The other thing that makes it even dumber is that any earnings made after the divorce would not be subject to division in a 50/50 property settlement. It was just stupid anyway you slice it, but I am not shedding a tear for the dumb fool, because he does have at least $15 million.

 

No one can dispute that it was a bad move financially. No one does dispute it, as far as I know.

[a700hitter]

No one can dispute that it was a bad move financially. No one does dispute it, as far as I know.

Well there has been the rationalization that he had enough money etc. It is still a very stupid move and there is no rationalizing it.

[Nick]

Is it safe to assume that Tanaka will opt out of his contract this fall? He's got $67M remaining through 2020. I'm assuming he can do better? or Not?

[jacksonianmarch]

Tanaka has been pretty bad this season. With the elbow concerns and his poor performance, I don't think he opts out. He would be doing us a favor in allowing us to go after Darvish

[Nick]

Tanaka has been pretty bad this season. With the elbow concerns and his poor performance, I don't think he opts out. He would be doing us a favor in allowing us to go after Darvish

 

good point....Yankees probably should go after Darvish regardless? I'm assuming they will part ways with Sabathia and his $25M? (not resign him)

Edited July 8, 2017 by Nick

[Larry Cook]

Our 2017 starting rotation got off to a rocky start, mostly due to injuries, I think. But lately, they have started to come together as a group and pitch to their potential.

 

Sale continues to pitch well. He has been better than advertised and well worth the price of admission.

Pomeranz has been a huge surprise and is really spinning the curveball well.

Porcello appears to be figuring out how to make the sinker sink. He is always going to throw a meatball or two per game, but if the sinker is sinking, he can be an above average starter.

Every game Price's control is improving, especially on the secondary stuff (not named changeups). He has more velocity on the fastball this year than last year and gets nice movement on it.

We need Rodriguesz to come off the DL and work his way back to pre DL form.

 

And we still have Johnson and Velaquez at Pawtucket if needed.

 

Given everything the starting rotation has been through this season, if we get Rodriguez healthy and the rest of the starters stay healthy for the next three months, we should be in position to make the post season.

[moonslav59]

Even with our 5th starter out all year (Wright), Price missing several starts, ERod still out injured, and Porcello pitching worse than he ever has, our starters still rank 1st in AL SP'er WAR and 4th in MLB.

 

Starter K/BB

3.91 BOS

3.57 CLE

3.53 NYY

3.43 LAD

3.22 WAS

3.04 HOU

 

When you figure none of these guys should get a start in the playoffs, our starters look even better:

GS'd

5 Wright 1-3 8.25

4 Johnson 2-0 4.29

3 Fister 0-2 6.14

2 Kendrick 0-2 12.96

2 Velazquez 0-1 6.97

 

Replace these starts with a returning ERod, a rejuvinated Pom & Porcello, and we look very very strong.

 

Last 2-3 starts (14 days):

 

Pom 3-0 1.59

Price 2-0 2.08

Sale 2-1 2.21

Porc 0-2 3.53

 

Oh, and by the way, our pen has the 5th best WAR. They are 3rd in WHIP at 1.17.

 

Overall, we have the 3rd best pitcher WAR in MLB (just behind CLE).

 

Without Pablito at 3B, we've greatly improved our defense. We now rank...

 

1st in UZR (+20.9)

3rd in UZR/150 at +6.3

6th in DRS at 19

We're way ahead in Range (RngR):

15.6 BOS

10.9 KCR

9.8 LAA/DET

9.0 LAD

8.0 Cubs

 

THere's more ways tow inning than just out bashing other teams.

 

 

 

[S5Dewey]

Our 2017 starting rotation got off to a rocky start, mostly due to injuries, I think. But lately, they have started to come together as a group and pitch to their potential.

 

Sale continues to pitch well. He has been better than advertised and well worth the price of admission.

Pomeranz has been a huge surprise and is really spinning the curveball well.

Porcello appears to be figuring out how to make the sinker sink. He is always going to throw a meatball or two per game, but if the sinker is sinking, he can be an above average starter.

Every game Price's control is improving, especially on the secondary stuff (not named changeups). He has more velocity on the fastball this year than last year and gets nice movement on it.

We need Rodriguesz to come off the DL and work his way back to pre DL form.

 

And we still have Johnson and Velaquez at Pawtucket if needed.

 

Given everything the starting rotation has been through this season, if we get Rodriguez healthy and the rest of the starters stay healthy for the next three months, we should be in position to make the post season.

 

Welcome, Larry. Good posts, both of them thus far. Keep 'em coming. It's good to have some new blood here.

[Jasonbay44]

PawSox‏Verified account @PawSox 15m15 minutes ago

 

Strong rehab outing for Eduardo Rodriguez in Pawtucket - 6 shutout innings, 4 hits with 0 BB & 7 SO on 87 pitches. #PawSox lead Buffalo 1-0

2 replies 11 retweets 28 likes

[jacksonianmarch]

good point....Yankees probably should go after Darvish regardless? I'm assuming they will part ways with Sabathia and his $25M? (not resign him)

 

We will likely be the top bidder for Darvish. Whether he signs or not will depend on his preference. We have CC and Pineda going off into FA. Tanaka will likely not opt out. Severino and Montgomery have earned spots in the middle to upper portion of the rotation. Adding a lockdown ace like Darvish and promoting Adams seems like the right choice.