A Realistic View at 2019: Part I

[Kimmi]

Make it 3.50 equivalent ERA+ or ERA-, and it's a done deal.

 

Actually, 20 'aces' seems just about right.

 

I'm not sure that I'd consider 20 pitchers as 'aces'.

 

I don't have any set criteria for it, but I think my idea of an ace would have that number around 12, maybe 15.

 

There are some other very good #1 pitchers, I just wouldn't call them aces.

[Kimmi]

I feel like he's a guy I don't hear enough from! I see a lot of pictures of him at community events. Seems like a good dude.

 

Apparently, he is taking some flack for stating that Mookie is his favorite player.

[Kimmi]

Dan Clark

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@DanClarkSports

5h5 hours ago

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If Manny Machado signs with the Yankees, I cannot wait for the inevitable bench-clearer against the Red Sox. I hope he knocks out Dustin Pedroia too.

 

Major WTF?

 

Yup.

[Bellhorn04]

Apparently, he is taking some flack for stating that Mookie is his favorite player.

 

Why's that?

[Bellhorn04]

Yup.

 

That's one of the most brain-dead comments I've read in a while by any sort of sports commentator. What exactly did Pedroia do to deserve that? He got spiked by Machado and was seriously injured, and he obviously didn't condone throwing at Machado's head.

 

This idiot Clark is the one who should be knocked out.

[Kimmi]

Change of pace : Saw Mookie the other night on a TV show called " Celebrity Bowling Invitational." Don't know when it was taped . The idea is that they pair a celebrity with a professional bowler . Mookie was teamed with a pro named Tommy Jones . They won and took home the trophies by defeating seven other teams of celebrities & pro bowlers . Mookie continues to be on quite a roll . No pun intended .

 

This was just taped a couple of weeks ago. As a huge bowling fan, I am very impressed by the way Mookie bowls. It isn't as easy as many people think it is. Mookie has even bowled in 300 in a PBA event. That's crazy.

[notin]

U

That's one of the most brain-dead comments I've read in a while by any sort of sports commentator. What exactly did Pedroia do to deserve that? He got spiked by Machado and was seriously injured, and he obviously didn't condone throwing at Machado's head.

 

This idiot Clark is the one who should be knocked out.

 

This is one of those instances where a sports personality is desperately trying to create a controversy (and in all likelihood, a name for himself) where there is none.

 

IMO the only difference between this guy and myself (or any of us) is that he went and paid $75 to be a member of the IBWAA, which is the sports journalism equivalent of a time share condo board...

[Kimmi]

Why's that?

 

I don't know. I guess because he's picking one player over the rest of his teammates?

 

I personally don't see anything wrong with it, but I could see how it could create some backlash.

[Kimmi]

That's one of the most brain-dead comments I've read in a while by any sort of sports commentator. What exactly did Pedroia do to deserve that? He got spiked by Machado and was seriously injured, and he obviously didn't condone throwing at Machado's head.

 

This idiot Clark is the one who should be knocked out.

 

I completely agree.

[Bellhorn04]

I'm not sure that I'd consider 20 pitchers as 'aces'.

 

I don't have any set criteria for it, but I think my idea of an ace would have that number around 12, maybe 15.

 

There are some other very good #1 pitchers, I just wouldn't call them aces.

 

Oh sure, somewhere between 10 and 20 is reasonable. It all depends on the definition.

[moonslav59]

"Ace" is hard term to define. Most fans call the best starter on their team their "ace." In this sense, one could argue there are 30 aces, but I'd argue a better #2 or even #3 on another team could and should replace the weaker "aces" in the top 30, but I'm okay with making a distinction between "ace" and "number ones". One could claim there are 10-20 "aces" in MLB and 30 "number ones" including the aces.

 

 

 

[notin]

The whole "ace" thing so 100% subjective. I think the best pitcher is the ace of the staff, and I don't get what anyone means when they try to turn it into some sort of achievement-based ranking. Especially since it's extremely rare for anyone to ever define what it takes to be an ace, and likes to rely solely upon opinions. The conversations usually go like:

 

Person X: Chris Archer is NOT am ace.

Me: What exactly is an ace?

Person X: Well, not Chris Archer.

[moonslav59]

The whole "ace" thing so 100% subjective. I think the best pitcher is the ace of the staff, and I don't get what anyone means when they try to turn it into some sort of achievement-based ranking. Especially since it's extremely rare for anyone to ever define what it takes to be an ace, and likes to rely solely upon opinions. The conversations usually go like:

 

Person X: Chris Archer is NOT am ace.

Me: What exactly is an ace?

Person X: Well, not Chris Archer.

 

The best pitcher on one team might be 4th or 5th best on another.

[dgalehouse]

As the owners look for more ways to economize, it will be interesting to see if the concept of " openers " and " bullpen games " catches on . It could lead to less emphasis on traditional pitching staffs and fewer " aces . " And it would save money for the owners.

[notin]

The best pitcher on one team might be 4th or 5th best on another.

 

The best player on any team might be fourth or fifth or elem this best on another. That doesn’t mean he isn’t their best player.

 

Or someone can define an “ace” as a universal term?

[notin]

As the owners look for more ways to economize, it will be interesting to see if the concept of " openers " and " bullpen games " catches on . It could lead to less emphasis on traditional pitching staffs and fewer " aces . " And it would save money for the owners.

 

 

Very possible...

[dgalehouse]

Usually , when you hear the term " ace " used it is in the context of a team's pitching staff. " Bill Monbouquette is the ace of Boston's staff ." It doesn't necessarily compare him to the rest of MLB .

[moonslav59]

Usually , when you hear the term " ace " used it is in the context of a team's pitching staff. " Bill Monbouquette is the ace of Boston's staff ." It doesn't necessarily compare him to the rest of MLB .

 

Yes, that's the normal interpretation, and every team has an ace, since every team has a best pitcher.

 

Then, fans say, "We need an ace!"

 

But, they already have one. They really just need a better ace.

 

Fans have also been know to say, "We have 2 or 3 aces." They never say that, if they have 3 equally mediocre best pitchers on the team, so a certain objective criteria for better performance is implied.

[Bellhorn04]

The best player on any team might be fourth or fifth or elem this best on another. That doesn’t mean he isn’t their best player.

 

Or someone can define an “ace” as a universal term?

 

The whole ace thing is pretty dumb, because after all these years it's still undefined.

 

But ace is a cool-sounding word, so it will continue to be used.

[Kimmi]

The whole "ace" thing so 100% subjective. I think the best pitcher is the ace of the staff, and I don't get what anyone means when they try to turn it into some sort of achievement-based ranking. Especially since it's extremely rare for anyone to ever define what it takes to be an ace, and likes to rely solely upon opinions. The conversations usually go like:

 

Person X: Chris Archer is NOT am ace.

Me: What exactly is an ace?

Person X: Well, not Chris Archer.

 

The term 'ace' is extremely subjective. I don't argue that. I don't even have my own set criteria or definition for it.

 

I am just saying that with my feeling or interpretation of what an ace is, there aren't that many.

[Kimmi]

As the owners look for more ways to economize, it will be interesting to see if the concept of " openers " and " bullpen games " catches on . It could lead to less emphasis on traditional pitching staffs and fewer " aces . " And it would save money for the owners.

 

It seems to be picking up steam already.

[moonslav59]

It seems to be picking up steam already.

 

Maybe something like this...

 

3 Wright- 6 Sale

2 Johnson- 6 Prcie

3 Velazquez- 6 Porcello

2 Workman- 6 Eovaldi

2 Wright- 6 ERod

3 Johnson- 6 Sale

2 Velazquez- 6 Price

3 Workman-6 Porcello

3 Wright- 6 Eovaldi

2 Johnson- 6 ERod

 

(A 4 man opener rotation of 2-3 IP with a 5 man rotation)

 

3 late inning RP'ers:

Barnes, Brasier & Thornburg

 

Edited February 16, 2019 by moonslav59

[notin]

Yes, that's the normal interpretation, and every team has an ace, since every team has a best pitcher.

 

Then, fans say, "We need an ace!"

 

But, they already have one. They really just need a better ace.

 

Fans have also been know to say, "We have 2 or 3 aces." They never say that, if they have 3 equally mediocre best pitchers on the team, so a certain objective criteria for better performance is implied.

 

 

I would say “we really need a better ace” is correct. But also more cumbersome...

[moonslav59]

Let's see what our line-up might look like if Pedey starts vs all LHPs (~60) and maybe one-third vs RHPs (~40).

 

vs RHPs

1. Beni L

2. Betts R

3. Bogey R

4. JD R

5. Devers L

6. Moreland R

7. Holt L/ Pedey R

8. Vaz R/ Leon #

9. JBJ L

 

vs L

1. Beni L

2. Betts R

3. Bogey R

4. JD R

5. Pearce R

6. Pedey R

7. Devers L

8. Vaz R/ Leon #

9. JBJ L

 

 

[moonslav59]

MLBTR...

 

The Red Sox are expected to trade a catcher – be it Christian Vazquez, Sandy Leon or Blake Swihart – before the season. If that happens, they’ll likely be left with minor league signing Juan Centeno as their No. 3 backstop. Manager Alex Cora said Saturday he’d be “comfortable” in that scenario, pointing out he’s familiar with the veteran Centeno from their time with the World Series-winning Houston organization in 2017, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Centeno’s contract does not include an opt-out clause, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski confirmed to Smith, so the Red Sox aren’t in danger of losing him before the season. However, as Smith notes, if Boston adds Centeno to its 40-man roster at some point and then tries to send him to the minors, it’ll need to pass him through waivers because he’s out of options.

[cp176]

i love the fact that the use of the term "ace" is subjective - including this term as well as any other of the very subjective ideas and concepts that exist in the game are what make it so special. not everything can nor does it need to be defined. i look at these types of things as a way to use creativity and imagination.

[notin]

It seems to be picking up steam already.

 

I really don’t see the difference in that and the movement a couple years ago to limit the starter to 4 or 5 IP and then bring in the bulllpen.

 

I know using the opener, he gets to face the top of the order, but then when you’re using Ryne Stanek, is this really an advantage?

[Kimmi]

Maybe something like this...

 

3 Wright- 6 Sale

2 Johnson- 6 Prcie

3 Velazquez- 6 Porcello

2 Workman- 6 Eovaldi

2 Wright- 6 ERod

3 Johnson- 6 Sale

2 Velazquez- 6 Price

3 Workman-6 Porcello

3 Wright- 6 Eovaldi

2 Johnson- 6 ERod

 

(A 4 man opener rotation of 2-3 IP with a 5 man rotation)

 

3 late inning RP'ers:

Barnes, Brasier & Thornburg

 

 

I am not really a fan of the Opener, but your plan looks fine, assuming the 'starter' can goes 6 innings.

 

Personally, I'd rather see the scheduled starter start the game.

[Kimmi]

MLBTR...

 

The Red Sox are expected to trade a catcher – be it Christian Vazquez, Sandy Leon or Blake Swihart – before the season. If that happens, they’ll likely be left with minor league signing Juan Centeno as their No. 3 backstop. Manager Alex Cora said Saturday he’d be “comfortable” in that scenario, pointing out he’s familiar with the veteran Centeno from their time with the World Series-winning Houston organization in 2017, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Centeno’s contract does not include an opt-out clause, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski confirmed to Smith, so the Red Sox aren’t in danger of losing him before the season. However, as Smith notes, if Boston adds Centeno to its 40-man roster at some point and then tries to send him to the minors, it’ll need to pass him through waivers because he’s out of options.

 

That would put the team in a hairy situation, not unlike the one that we have now with Swihart.

[Kimmi]

I really don’t see the difference in that and the movement a couple years ago to limit the starter to 4 or 5 IP and then bring in the bulllpen.

 

I know using the opener, he gets to face the top of the order, but then when you’re using Ryne Stanek, is this really an advantage?

 

As I just posted, I don't really like the idea of an opener. I'd rather have the starter start the game.