The Window

[moonslav59]

Trading Betts will return depth to the farm, but it doesnt fix the fact that $77 mil AAV is stuck in your rotation between 3 guys who aren’t even 1-2’s in Price, Sale and Eovaldi and it will stay that way for 3 more years.

 

My bet is DD rides with this squad for one more hurrah and the Sox probably do achieve more than 2019 just based on them being managed better in ST and likely not playing deep into October. But I doubt the Sox reach title contention in 2020. But I bet DD thinks they will

 

You seem pretty certain all our starters are toast.

 

Do you feel the same about your starters?

 

[jacksonianmarch]

I am not sure your guys are toast. Far from it. I am just saying that they aren't guys who should lead a rotation at this point. Sale with his diminished velocity and hit or miss nature this year makes him a poor bet to lead a rotation. He will be best served transitioning to a crafty lefty and focus on command and movement over power. That doesn't imply an ace, but he will be a useful pitcher. Just not $29 mil AAV useful.

 

Price has been a bit unlucky, but his velocity is at the lowest it has ever been and he has been fading as the season wore on. Can he be an effective back end pitcher? Absolutely. Does he lead a rotation going forward and is he worth his AAV? No.

 

Eovaldi, nobody knows what he is at this point. He was a back end starter his whole career. He sucked when he got to Boston and even lost his rotation spot. Then turned an epic October into a massive overpay and hasn't been able to stay healthy. Your guess is as good as mine on Eovaldi. But he sure as s*** hasn't earned his $17 mil this year.

 

In terms of our starters, who knows. German has been very good but very homer prone. Tanaka has proven very effective on extra rest, but up to today had s*** the bed. Paxton has been hit or miss as well, very Sale like without the velocity concerns. Severino might be back come the end of the month. CC and Happ are a crapshoot. But we follow that rotation with the best pen in the majors. Add in Betances and it is an epic pen. If deployed properly, we could use the rotation to the point of trouble then finish the game with the pen. Having those arms back there changes the game.

[moonslav59]

I am not sure your guys are toast. Far from it. I am just saying that they aren't guys who should lead a rotation at this point. Sale with his diminished velocity and hit or miss nature this year makes him a poor bet to lead a rotation. He will be best served transitioning to a crafty lefty and focus on command and movement over power. That doesn't imply an ace, but he will be a useful pitcher. Just not $29 mil AAV useful.

 

Price has been a bit unlucky, but his velocity is at the lowest it has ever been and he has been fading as the season wore on. Can he be an effective back end pitcher? Absolutely. Does he lead a rotation going forward and is he worth his AAV? No.

 

Eovaldi, nobody knows what he is at this point. He was a back end starter his whole career. He sucked when he got to Boston and even lost his rotation spot. Then turned an epic October into a massive overpay and hasn't been able to stay healthy. Your guess is as good as mine on Eovaldi. But he sure as s*** hasn't earned his $17 mil this year.

 

In terms of our starters, who knows. German has been very good but very homer prone. Tanaka has proven very effective on extra rest, but up to today had s*** the bed. Paxton has been hit or miss as well, very Sale like without the velocity concerns. Severino might be back come the end of the month. CC and Happ are a crapshoot. But we follow that rotation with the best pen in the majors. Add in Betances and it is an epic pen. If deployed properly, we could use the rotation to the point of trouble then finish the game with the pen. Having those arms back there changes the game.

 

Do you respect the Astros management and their choices of talent?

 

Well, if it's yes, they really wanted Eovaldi last winter. (More than Morton)

 

I'd still take our rotation over yours next year (not counting the money part of it).

[jacksonianmarch]

Do you respect the Astros management and their choices of talent?

 

Well, if it's yes, they really wanted Eovaldi last winter. (More than Morton)

 

I'd still take our rotation over yours next year (not counting the money part of it).

 

Our rotation isn't complete for 2020. But having Severino, German, Paxton and Tanaka 1-4 isn't bad. My guess is there's an ace in front of those 4

[moonslav59]

Our rotation isn't complete for 2020. But having Severino, German, Paxton and Tanaka 1-4 isn't bad. My guess is there's an ace in front of those 4

 

I'm sorry, but I can't help but literally laugh out loud on this one.

 

Tanaka is at 4.93 (1.32 WHIP) and is 30 years old, but he's great.

Sale is at 4.41/1.09 and is 30 years old.He is toast.

 

Paxton is at 4.40 (1.43 WHIP) and is 30 years old, but he's great.

Price is at 4.36 (1.32) and is 33. He sucks.

 

German is young enough, and that 4.05 ERA is just spectacular.

ERod is 4.17/1.34 and must be traded.

 

Severino's injury should be totally forgotten, since all Yankee pitchers come back strong from injuries, unlike those pansy Sox pitcher.

Eovaldi's injury was not as severe as Severino's, but he's toast, too.

 

The FA starter you guys sign next year will break the mold of near constant disappointing big FA signings by every other club. The Yanks will strike gold.

 

All is good. Why? Because you are the Yanks!

 

 

Now, back to reality...

 

For performance (not pay), I'll take Sale, Price & ERod over Tanaka, Paxton & German in 2020.

 

I'd prefer to have Severino over Eovaldi, but both have to prove they can return, and only one is pitching now.

 

As for the 5th starter. Let's wait and see,

 

Stick to drooling over your pen and crapping on ours. There's a lot of truth behind that line of attack.

 

 

 

[jacksonianmarch]

Well, that’s part of it. Tanaka just threw 8 shutout innings and usually finishes the year strong. His ERA will be around 4 by the end of the season. Sale is the better regular season pitcher, but Tanaka is the better post season pitcher and it ain’t close. I’ve seen Tanaka do this every year now where he is an abject disaster for a month. He usually comes out of it on fire. Yesterday was the start, I hope. Tanaka also hasn’t seen a demonstrable downturn in stuff like Sale has. Sale is has five more years on his contract at $29 mil per. Tanaka has one more year on his contract at $22.5 mil per. Who’d you rather have?

 

Paxton has been the enigma. His stuff is there. His FB is exactly what it has been the last two seasons. He’s allowed 1 more walk per 9 and 0.5 more HRs per 9. Otherwise, he’s been a bit unlucky. His stuff and prior performance point towards better results to come. He’s also controllable for one more season under arbitration. Price is currently hurt and has been on a roll of s*** lately. His velocity is at a career low and he’s almost 34 (next month). He’s heading in the wrong direction and he’s got another 3 yrs and $31 mil per season on the docket. Who’s you rather have?

 

German I am still not sure what he is. He’s been dominant and beatable at the same time. Great K rate and walk rate, insane HR rate. He became more of a pitcher this year throwing less than 50% fastballs with nearly 20% changes and 35% breaking balls. Stuff is really, really good. Control is good. His strike zone command can be spotty. He’s only 27 and we control him for another 5 years. ERod walls more guys. He K’s around the same amount. His HR rate is high, but below German’s. He’s actually a few months younger than German. His FIP and xFIP are almost identical to German’s (better FIP, worse xFIP). But he’s under control for only two more seasons. Who’d you rather have?

 

Luis Severino has been an ace for two seasons finishing within the top 10 in CY young in consecutive years. He had an injury to his lat muscle that the Yanks initially misdiagnosed which caused the setback. No surgery needed and he’s ramping up now. It was Sevy’s first significant injury and it didn’t require the knife. Sevy is under control for 3 more years at a total of $30 mil. Eovaldi has seen more knives than a Benny Hana. He’s also 4 years older. He had elbow surgery this year and was tossed into the pen. He’s had a history of being an injury prone, mediocre pitcher in his history and outside of one magical month, has done nothing to dispel that. He’s under control for the exact same amount of time as Severino, but for a total of $21 mil more.

 

So, considering cost and control, how could anyone advocate for your squad?

[Bellhorn04]

Eovaldi has seen more knives than a Benny Hana. He’s also 4 years older. He had elbow surgery this year and was tossed into the pen. He’s had a history of being an injury prone, mediocre pitcher in his history and outside of one magical month, has done nothing to dispel that. He’s under control for the exact same amount of time as Severino, but for a total of $21 mil more.

 

Eovaldi had removal of some loose crap from prior surgery this year, correct? You gave us your diagnosis at the time.

 

Also, Eovaldi posted some very good peripherals in the 2018 regular season, albeit in 111 innings:

 

3.60 FIP

1.13 WHIP

5.05 K/BB

 

He added a cutter to his repertoire in 2018, I believe, which was credited with making him a better pitcher.

 

DD did not sign him solely for the postseason heroics. Other teams were interested. You said at one point you thought the Yankees might sign him.

Edited August 12, 2019 by Bellhorn04

[moonslav59]

Well, that’s part of it. Tanaka just threw 8 shutout innings and usually finishes the year strong. His ERA will be around 4 by the end of the season. Sale is the better regular season pitcher, but Tanaka is the better post season pitcher and it ain’t close. I’ve seen Tanaka do this every year now where he is an abject disaster for a month. He usually comes out of it on fire. Yesterday was the start, I hope. Tanaka also hasn’t seen a demonstrable downturn in stuff like Sale has. Sale is has five more years on his contract at $29 mil per. Tanaka has one more year on his contract at $22.5 mil per. Who’d you rather have?

 

You know I respect you, Jacko, but of late, you seem to be changing criteria to judge players on your team vs our team. A great recent start by Tanaka has deep meaning. One by Sale has little meaning. Sale is better than Tanaka. Sale has been better than Tanaka. Sale will be better than Tanaka. My point specifically said apart from the money.

 

I'll take Sale anyday.

 

When he bounces back, his contract, which begins next year will be viewed as a steal.

 

Paxton has been the enigma. His stuff is there. His FB is exactly what it has been the last two seasons. He’s allowed 1 more walk per 9 and 0.5 more HRs per 9. Otherwise, he’s been a bit unlucky. His stuff and prior performance point towards better results to come. He’s also controllable for one more season under arbitration. Price is currently hurt and has been on a roll of s*** lately. His velocity is at a career low and he’s almost 34 (next month). He’s heading in the wrong direction and he’s got another 3 yrs and $31 mil per season on the docket. Who’s you rather have?

 

I'd rather have Price, but for the money.

 

German I am still not sure what he is. He’s been dominant and beatable at the same time. Great K rate and walk rate, insane HR rate. He became more of a pitcher this year throwing less than 50% fastballs with nearly 20% changes and 35% breaking balls. Stuff is really, really good. Control is good. His strike zone command can be spotty. He’s only 27 and we control him for another 5 years. ERod walls more guys. He K’s around the same amount. His HR rate is high, but below German’s. He’s actually a few months younger than German. His FIP and xFIP are almost identical to German’s (better FIP, worse xFIP). But he’s under control for only two more seasons. Who’d you rather have?

 

ERod- hands down. He has a longer record of decency and is improving.

 

Luis Severino has been an ace for two seasons finishing within the top 10 in CY young in consecutive years. He had an injury to his lat muscle that the Yanks initially misdiagnosed which caused the setback. No surgery needed and he’s ramping up now. It was Sevy’s first significant injury and it didn’t require the knife. Sevy is under control for 3 more years at a total of $30 mil. Eovaldi has seen more knives than a Benny Hana. He’s also 4 years older. He had elbow surgery this year and was tossed into the pen. He’s had a history of being an injury prone, mediocre pitcher in his history and outside of one magical month, has done nothing to dispel that. He’s under control for the exact same amount of time as Severino, but for a total of $21 mil more.

 

I'd clearly take Severino and said as much in my post.

 

So, considering cost and control, how could anyone advocate for your squad?

 

Considering cost: the Yankee choice is much closer.

 

Considering control: The Sox.

 

Considering who is better: Clearly the Sox. It's not even close.

 

Considering who will be better next year, and this is what I responded to: Clearly the Sox. Not even close.

[jacksonianmarch]

Price over Paxton is an absolute homerism for next season, cmon. For the price, it’s ridiculously in favor of the Yanks. For production this year, they’re within 0.2 in WAR with Paxton having a bad season for him. Add an extra year on a rapidly declining Price and you’ll still take the guy going in the wrong direction? Take off the rosy glasses man

 

Tanaka has always had a month of s*** every year. He just had his. He’s also been a better postseason pitcher. Sale is the better regular season pitcher. That’s not debatable nor is it close. When the lights come on and the games really matter, Sale is nowhere in sight. Tanaka is the better postseason pitcher. Take whoever you want, but for a Yankee team poised to make the playoffs the next few seasons, I’ll take the guy who dominates when the lights are brightest. Also, you think Sale’s contract will look like a steal? How much Kool Aid are you drinking? Diminished Sale will never live up to the contract.

 

ERod has the track record. You’re correct there. German has the control. 5 yrs of control vs 2 when the current year production is essentially the same, I’ll take the longer control. I only said you should deal ERod because he only has two years of control left and if you rebuild, those two years won’t be good. If the Sox go for it next year, you need ERod

[Slasher9]

to compare tanaka to sale is HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[jacksonianmarch]

Not this year. Enjoy a diminished pitcher for 5 more years! If Tanaka falls off a cliff, we can wipe the slate clean in a season.

 

Also, postseason

Tanaka- 3-2 1.50ERA 30IP 6GS 0.80WHIP

Sale- 1-2 5.76ERA 33IP 4GS 1.32WHIP

 

Tanaka isn’t Sale. Not even close. Doesn’t dominate like him. Doesn’t K nearly as many guys. He’s control over power. But Sale blows his load in the regular season and by the postseason, he’s a wreck. This year, Sale’s stuff has waned and he’s been inconsistent in the regular season and is a big reason why the Sox won’t see the postseason. Tanaka always has a month every year where he loses the splitter and gets absolutely bombed. He finds it and starts pitching well again. Also, we will be in the postseason and will need Tanaka to continue pitching well when the lights are the brightest.

[Slasher9]

pretty small postseason sample sizes there jacksonianmarch. i think Sale had a pretty nice K vs Manny Machado in one of those innings????

[moonslav59]

Price over Paxton is an absolute homerism for next season, cmon. For the price, it’s ridiculously in favor of the Yanks. For production this year, they’re within 0.2 in WAR with Paxton having a bad season for him. Add an extra year on a rapidly declining Price and you’ll still take the guy going in the wrong direction? Take off the rosy glasses man.

 

Your point is well taken on this one, but it's not any where near a clear choice for next year. Price had a down year in 2016 and bounced back the next 2 years. BTW, his FIP over the last 4 years is 3.74. It is 3.64 this year. Not all indicators signal a steady decline in progress, but I'll give this one to you.

 

Tanaka has always had a month of s*** every year. He just had his. He’s also been a better postseason pitcher. Sale is the better regular season pitcher. That’s not debatable nor is it close. When the lights come on and the games really matter, Sale is nowhere in sight. Tanaka is the better postseason pitcher. Take whoever you want, but for a Yankee team poised to make the playoffs the next few seasons, I’ll take the guy who dominates when the lights are brightest. Also, you think Sale’s contract will look like a steal? How much Kool Aid are you drinking? Diminished Sale will never live up to the contract.

 

So, now post season stats are the chosen criteria. Can you just choose one and stick to it for all comps?

You are so convinced Sale is done, despite the fact that most great starters bounce back after a down year or two. We'll see.

If you said Sale will "probably" never live up to his contract, I'd have more respect. You are so certain about Sale but leave the window open for Paxton, Sev and other Yankee pitchers.

 

ERod has the track record. You’re correct there. German has the control. 5 yrs of control vs 2 when the current year production is essentially the same, I’ll take the longer control. I only said you should deal ERod because he only has two years of control left and if you rebuild, those two years won’t be good. If the Sox go for it next year, you need ERod.

 

Again, I am not talking money or years of control. I'm talking next year. ERod should be better than German, and I think most baseball projections will agree. If we are talking cost and years of control, I can see wanting German over Sale, but again, I was responding to your post about the Yankee starter being better than the Sox rotation NEXT YEAR.

 

Can we stay on one line of debate.

 

(I'm happy to debate longer term and contractual comps, and will likely agree with you.)

[moonslav59]

Not this year. Enjoy a diminished pitcher for 5 more years! If Tanaka falls off a cliff, we can wipe the slate clean in a season.

 

Also, postseason

Tanaka- 3-2 1.50ERA 30IP 6GS 0.80WHIP

Sale- 1-2 5.76ERA 33IP 4GS 1.32WHIP

 

Tanaka isn’t Sale. Not even close. Doesn’t dominate like him. Doesn’t K nearly as many guys. He’s control over power. But Sale blows his load in the regular season and by the postseason, he’s a wreck. This year, Sale’s stuff has waned and he’s been inconsistent in the regular season and is a big reason why the Sox won’t see the postseason. Tanaka always has a month every year where he loses the splitter and gets absolutely bombed. He finds it and starts pitching well again. Also, we will be in the postseason and will need Tanaka to continue pitching well when the lights are the brightest.

 

Forget money, Forget Futture years of team control. If you had to have just one SP'er for 2020, who would it be?

 

Sale or Tanaka?

 

How about for just 2021 (no money involved) assuming Tanaka will still be a Yankee then?

[jacksonianmarch]

I can stick to criteria. For next year’s regular season production alone.

 

Sale>Tanaka

Paxton>Price

ERod>German

Severino>Eovaldi

[moonslav59]

I can stick to criteria. For next year’s regular season production alone.

 

Sale>Tanaka

Paxton>Price

ERod>German

Severino>Eovaldi

 

Why not use playoff numbers with Eovaldi vs Sev?

[Slasher9]

I can stick to criteria. For next year’s regular season production alone.

 

Sale>Tanaka

Paxton>Price

ERod>German

Severino>Eovaldi

 

Fair.

[moonslav59]

I can stick to criteria. For next year’s regular season production alone.

 

Sale>Tanaka

Paxton>Price

ERod>German

Severino>Eovaldi

 

Okay, that is more realistic.

 

Id say Price & Paxton are close to a toss-up, but I can understand anyone liking Paxton better, especially looking at Price's recent trend. I tend to look at 2-3 year sample size and trends, which also show Price in decline, but Paxtons huge drop off this year looks more concerning, to me, than Sale's, who has other numbers that show he is not really having such an awful season as you make it out to be.

 

Paxton has also only started more than 24 games one and more than 20 twice. At age 30, that has to be a ding on his value.

 

Last 5 seasons' IP'd:

803 Price (3.47 ERA/ 1.17 WHIP) largely in a hitter's park

587 Paxton (3.71/1.24) largely in a pitcher's park.

 

Last 2 seasons:

281 Price (3.87/1.21) ERA+ 117*

263 Paxton (4.01/1.23) ERA+ 105*

 

* Includes park adjustments

[jacksonianmarch]

Paxton has shown no drop in stuff which is reassuring. I’d also expect Paxton to be better in year 2 and in his walk year. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Paxton posts career best numbers next year in his walk year

[moonslav59]

Paxton has shown no drop in stuff which is reassuring. I’d also expect Paxton to be better in year 2 and in his walk year. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Paxton posts career best numbers next year in his walk year

 

I've heard the walk year argument too many times. It's not always a good thing.

 

Paxton's lack of innings and GS'd over his career would be a concern to you, if he was a Sox player.

 

Sale's "stuff" can drop quite a bit and still be better than Paxton's stuff. (Price still has very good "stuff," too.)

 

Some Paxton info:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/graphs.aspx?playerid=11828&position=P&statArr=6&legend=1&split=base&time=season&ymin=&ymax=

 

Last 3 seasons

xFIP

3.25> 3.02> 4.26

FIP

2.61>3.24>4.26

ERA-

71>93>94

WHIP

1.10>1.10>1.43

HR/9

0.60>1.29> 1.60

BB/9

2.45>2.36>3.43

K/BB

4.22>4.95>3.33

 

Somehow, I have to believe, if he was a Sox pitcher, you'd be claiming he is on the decline.

 

I'm not sure how you get that worse without having worse "stuff" than the last 2 years.

Edited August 12, 2019 by moonslav59

[Bellhorn04]

I've heard the walk year argument too many times. It's not always a good thing.

 

Rick Porcello's walk year has been more like a 'walk the plank' year...

[moonslav59]

Rick Porcello's walk year has been more like a 'walk the plank' year...

 

He's not a Yankee, so he doesn't count.

[Larry33]

Rick Porcello's walk year has been more like a 'walk the plank' year...

 

Walk the plank it's more like being thrown overboard without a life jacket.

[Slasher9]

Walk the plank it's more like being thrown overboard without a life jacket.

 

with chum smeared all over your body in Cape Cod waters.....

[jacksonianmarch]

I've heard the walk year argument too many times. It's not always a good thing.

 

Paxton's lack of innings and GS'd over his career would be a concern to you, if he was a Sox player.

 

Sale's "stuff" can drop quite a bit and still be better than Paxton's stuff. (Price still has very good "stuff," too.)

 

Some Paxton info:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/graphs.aspx?playerid=11828&position=P&statArr=6&legend=1&split=base&time=season&ymin=&ymax=

 

Last 3 seasons

xFIP

3.25> 3.02> 4.26

FIP

2.61>3.24>4.26

ERA-

71>93>94

WHIP

1.10>1.10>1.43

HR/9

0.60>1.29> 1.60

BB/9

2.45>2.36>3.43

K/BB

4.22>4.95>3.33

 

Somehow, I have to believe, if he was a Sox pitcher, you'd be claiming he is on the decline.

 

I'm not sure how you get that worse without having worse "stuff" than the last 2 years.

 

I expected a bit of a regression in the HR/9IP. That is a given moving from Safeco to YS. Add in the rocket ball and it's even more. But he has disappointed this year, no doubt. He had his yearly injury resulting in a 3 week stay on the IL. Since then, he has been inconsistent. Prior to the injury, he was nails. From the sounds of it, the issue with the knee isn't entirely gone and I wouldn't be surprised if he has offseason knee surgery.

 

That being said, when I see a guy in decline phase, I think of what anyone rational would look at, and it's velocity. Paxton has been incredibly consistent the last 3 yrs, within 0.1mph and he has shown no signs of slowing down. He has also seen a .346BABIP and a rise in HR's, meaning he is getting hit far more than before. I think this year is one of two things. One, it is adjustment. A lot of good pitchers have an adjustment year in the Bronx. Doesn't mean they get shellacked, but they usually are a touch below their baseline. Paxton has been far below his baseline, but the expected FIP and the BABIP point towards better results coming.

 

The second thing I look for in a decline phase is command. Is the pitcher selling out for velocity? Paxton's command has been spotty, so maybe you have a point there. But I don't see it as a guy trying to muscle up. I see it as a guy who isn't going in on righties as much. He is getting hurt going away far more than I expected and maybe the Yanks need to work on their pitch calling. I have seen him give up more oppo homers than I would have expected.

 

If Paxton stays healthy, I expect him to be something closer to last year's production. His K rates are big, he can lower the BB rates and maybe cut the walk rate a bit. Now, maybe he isn't gonna be healthy. Maybe he sees a drop in velocity. Hard to tell, but on a one year deal and with his stuff, it is pretty enticing to see

[moonslav59]

I expected a bit of a regression in the HR/9IP. That is a given moving from Safeco to YS. Add in the rocket ball and it's even more. But he has disappointed this year, no doubt. He had his yearly injury resulting in a 3 week stay on the IL. Since then, he has been inconsistent. Prior to the injury, he was nails. From the sounds of it, the issue with the knee isn't entirely gone and I wouldn't be surprised if he has offseason knee surgery.

 

That being said, when I see a guy in decline phase, I think of what anyone rational would look at, and it's velocity. Paxton has been incredibly consistent the last 3 yrs, within 0.1mph and he has shown no signs of slowing down. He has also seen a .346BABIP and a rise in HR's, meaning he is getting hit far more than before. I think this year is one of two things. One, it is adjustment. A lot of good pitchers have an adjustment year in the Bronx. Doesn't mean they get shellacked, but they usually are a touch below their baseline. Paxton has been far below his baseline, but the expected FIP and the BABIP point towards better results coming.

 

The second thing I look for in a decline phase is command. Is the pitcher selling out for velocity? Paxton's command has been spotty, so maybe you have a point there. But I don't see it as a guy trying to muscle up. I see it as a guy who isn't going in on righties as much. He is getting hurt going away far more than I expected and maybe the Yanks need to work on their pitch calling. I have seen him give up more oppo homers than I would have expected.

 

If Paxton stays healthy, I expect him to be something closer to last year's production. His K rates are big, he can lower the BB rates and maybe cut the walk rate a bit. Now, maybe he isn't gonna be healthy. Maybe he sees a drop in velocity. Hard to tell, but on a one year deal and with his stuff, it is pretty enticing to see

 

Why expect him to stay healthy?

 

Why is loss of velo the only clue that decline is taking place, especially as he heads into post 30 territory?

 

Why expect 29 year old numbers at 31, when he has shown decline and continuing injury issues? Is it because he's a Yankee?

 

You expected a lot out of Happ, this year, too, and we got into it last winter. It seems to me, your expectations are as rosy or more about the Yankee pitcher as mine are for the Sox pitchers.

[jacksonianmarch]

Happ had been solid the last 4 years. His velocity has dropped 1mph this year and it's an abysmal year.

[jacksonianmarch]

Why expect him to stay healthy?

 

Why is loss of velo the only clue that decline is taking place, especially as he heads into post 30 territory?

 

Why expect 29 year old numbers at 31, when he has shown decline and continuing injury issues? Is it because he's a Yankee?

 

You expected a lot out of Happ, this year, too, and we got into it last winter. It seems to me, your expectations are as rosy or more about the Yankee pitcher as mine are for the Sox pitchers.

 

Also, the season isn't over. Paxton has had two good starts and maybe he is gonna close out the year similarly to the way he started it?

[moonslav59]

Also, the season isn't over. Paxton has had two good starts and maybe he is gonna close out the year similarly to the way he started it?

 

The season's not over for Sale, either, but you've already written his whole future off.

[moonslav59]

Speaking of doing better lately, numbers from May 1 to now:

 

ERA- Pitcher

75 ERod

81 Sale

97 Price

100 German

106 Paxton

107 Tanaka

116 Sabathia

119 Porcello

124 Happ

n/a Severino

 

Since June 1st

73 ERod

93 Sale

103 German

117 Price

118 Paxton

132 Tanaka

 

Since July 1st:

57 ERod

94 German

97 Paxton

124 Sale

136 Price

149 Tanaka

 

I guess it depends on how much "recent" you want to go back.

 

And, if you want to change the criteria (again) to recent numbers, then ERod blows away German, Sale beats Tanaka in every sample size, and Price beats Paxton in 2 of the 3 sample sizes.

Edited August 12, 2019 by moonslav59