A Realistic View at 2019: Part I

[oldtimer]

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?

 

A friend of mine works in the Cardinals organization. He said one consideration in baseball is to force teams to use relief pitchers for at least 3 batters, unless the pitcher is injured. This is to speed up the game and to avoid pitchers being brought in for one hitter. I like the idea and hope it sticks.

[Kimmi]

A friend of mine works in the Cardinals organization. He said one consideration in baseball is to force teams to use relief pitchers for at least 3 batters, unless the pitcher is injured. This is to speed up the game and to avoid pitchers being brought in for one hitter. I like the idea and hope it sticks.

 

I like this idea as well.

[Bellhorn04]

Personally I'd be satisfied if they made it a 2 batter minimum.

[harmony]

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

Openers apparently are supported by analytics, which are all about increasing the chances of winning, not about providing the best entertainment for the fan.

 

That's often the conundrum with analytics.

[Bellhorn04]

Openers apparently are supported by analytics, which are all about increasing the chances of winning, not about providing the best entertainment for the fan.

 

That's often the conundrum with analytics.

 

Good point.

[Bellhorn04]

From the aesthetic/entertainment standpoint, I HATE the Opener, if the Opener is only used for one inning and followed by a guy who pitches 3-5 innings.

 

It has kind of a trashy, sneaky 'bait and switch' feel to it.

 

I don't have a problem with true 'bullpen games' if they're every fifth game or less.

[cp176]

Openers apparently are supported by analytics, which are all about increasing the chances of winning, not about providing the best entertainment for the fan.

 

That's often the conundrum with analytics.

 

That actually is an excellent point. There are always plusses and minuses to just about everything.

[notin]

That actually is an excellent point. There are always plusses and minuses to just about everything.

 

It is. Leon, for example, might grade put as an excellent pitch framer. And this may help the Sox pitchers steal a few strikes and win a few games. But who gets excited to watch pitch framing?

[harmony]

That actually is an excellent point. There are always plusses and minuses to just about everything.

Former ESPN columnist and "analytics pioneer" Rob Neyer made that point (and many other excellent points) in his latest book Power Ball: Anatomy of a Modern Baseball Game:

 

https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062853615/power-ball/

[moonslav59]

It is. Leon, for example, might grade put as an excellent pitch framer. And this may help the Sox pitchers steal a few strikes and win a few games. But who gets excited to watch pitch framing?

 

I get excited when we win, so if analytics help us win, count me IN!

[notin]

I get excited when we win, so if analytics help us win, count me IN!

 

 

And you might get excited when JBJ makes a great play. But when he runs a long way and still makes the catch look routine, do you stand up and shout “Way to make that out of zone grab!!!”?

[cp176]

And you might get excited when JBJ makes a great play. But when he runs a long way and still makes the catch look routine, do you stand up and shout “Way to make that out of zone grab!!!”?

 

seriously - now a whole new language needs to be learned.

[moonslav59]

And you might get excited when JBJ makes a great play. But when he runs a long way and still makes the catch look routine, do you stand up and shout “Way to make that out of zone grab!!!”?

 

No, but I often think, "That's a catch someone else would not have made or would have had to dive for it."

[notin]

No, but I often think, "That's a catch someone else would not have made or would have had to dive for it."

 

While probably true for some CF, that becomes a bit subjective and impossible to prove, especially since it operates on the assumption everyone plays CF starting in the same spot...

[notin]

A friend of mine works in the Cardinals organization. He said one consideration in baseball is to force teams to use relief pitchers for at least 3 batters, unless the pitcher is injured. This is to speed up the game and to avoid pitchers being brought in for one hitter. I like the idea and hope it sticks.

 

 

I hate that idea, and I’m the guy railing against the pointless strategy of the LOOGY.

 

How about 1) enforcing existing rules for pitching time between pitches and 2) stop the stupid practice of roster expansion, which gives teams 12-14 man bullpens for a full month? (I’m looking at you, Bruce Bochy.)

[cp176]

I hate that idea, and I’m the guy railing against the pointless strategy of the LOOGY.

 

How about 1) enforcing existing rules for pitching time between pitches and 2) stop the stupid practice of roster expansion, which gives teams 12-14 man bullpens for a full month? (I’m looking at you, Bruce Bochy.)

 

There have been many changes to the game that I don't particularly like but roster expansion would be close to the top of the list.

[notin]

There have been many changes to the game that I don't particularly like but roster expansion would be close to the top of the list.

 

 

It’s stupid. If you want to see your younger players, get them on the 25 man roster. If you have to release a couple guys and kickoff their free agency a month early, so be it...

[moonslav59]

While probably true for some CF, that becomes a bit subjective and impossible to prove, especially since it operates on the assumption everyone plays CF starting in the same spot...

 

I know it's subjective, but I still say it to myself pretty often.

[S5Dewey]

While probably true for some CF, that becomes a bit subjective and impossible to prove, especially since it operates on the assumption everyone plays CF starting in the same spot...

 

If it's impossible to prove then it's also impossible to disprove.

[S5Dewey]

I know it's subjective, but I still say it to myself pretty often.

 

Something that's equally impressive to me is to see the camera on JBJ immediately after the ball is hit, then turning his back on the ball, running to 'the spot', then turning and waiting for the ball to come down.

[moonslav59]

Something that's equally impressive to me is to see the camera on JBJ immediately after the ball is hit, then turning his back on the ball, running to 'the spot', then turning and waiting for the ball to come down.

 

Occasionally, you get a view of the CF'er and the batter in the same frame. I realize we're talking fraction of seconds in reaction time differentials between one player and another, but it seems like he gets an excellent jump on his first step both in terms of speed and as you pointed out, perfect (or near perfect) directional instincts.

[cp176]

It’s stupid. If you want to see your younger players, get them on the 25 man roster. If you have to release a couple guys and kickoff their free agency a month early, so be it...

 

This is one where there is 0 debate between you and I. Expanding the roster in September the way they do, in my estimation does nothing to make me even want to watch. If we weren't so good, I might not. I think that it cheapens what has been done by the real team players for most of the year. If they want to make changes then, there should be some price to pay.

[Kimmi]

Openers apparently are supported by analytics, which are all about increasing the chances of winning, not about providing the best entertainment for the fan.

 

That's often the conundrum with analytics.

 

I do not disagree with that.

 

Shifts are also supported by analytics, and I'm not a big fan of those either.

[moonslav59]

I think the September roster expansion does allow for teams to rest players as they near the playoffs, but I agree that it gets out of hand.

 

 

I'd like to see the roster expanded to 26 or 27 players and maybe the 40 man roster to 42 to 44.

 

I could see allowing an expansion of 1 or 2 players depending on rosters being at 26 or 27 all year.

 

[Kimmi]

I think the September roster expansion does allow for teams to rest players as they near the playoffs, but I agree that it gets out of hand.

 

 

I'd like to see the roster expanded to 26 or 27 players and maybe the 40 man roster to 42 to 44.

 

I could see allowing an expansion of 1 or 2 players depending on rosters being at 26 or 27 all year.

 

 

I have no problem with roster expansions. What I have a problem with is the 35 relievers that come into the game once rosters are expanded. Having a 3 batter minimum for each pitcher would alleviate that problem.

[cp176]

I don't favor roster expansion at all. You dance with the ones you brung so to speak. I hate the fact that the playoffs in general have become a second season. If roster expansion is something that is important to some then i would suggest that the season certainly could be shortened. We all know that that isn't going to happen -$$$ !!!

[moonslav59]

Expand the 25 man to 27.

 

Expand the 40 man to 44.

 

Double minimum wage at the nest CBA.

 

Start arbs two years earlier and begin free agency one year earlier.

 

 

 

[moonslav59]

MLBTR...

 

Harper’s market is still “evolving,” as Heyman puts it in his latest tweet. The Phillies are still seen as the likeliest team to land Bryce Harper, though the outfielder has received several long-term deals with an average annual value of more than $30MM per season.

 

There is no deal yet, though according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale (Twitter link), Bryce Harper “will ultimately receive” a larger contract than the ten-year, $300MM offer he received from the Nationals before free agency began.

 

 

Rival general managers have been told that Manny Machado’s offer from the Padres is at least eight years/$240MM with deferred money, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale (Twitter links). Some other GMs, however, have been told that Machado has been offered $280MM.

 

The dominoes may fall, soon!

[dgalehouse]

MLBTR...

 

Harper’s market is still “evolving,” as Heyman puts it in his latest tweet. The Phillies are still seen as the likeliest team to land Bryce Harper, though the outfielder has received several long-term deals with an average annual value of more than $30MM per season.

 

There is no deal yet, though according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale (Twitter link), Bryce Harper “will ultimately receive” a larger contract than the ten-year, $300MM offer he received from the Nationals before free agency began.

 

 

Rival general managers have been told that Manny Machado’s offer from the Padres is at least eight years/$240MM with deferred money, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale (Twitter links). Some other GMs, however, have been told that Machado has been offered $280MM.

 

The dominoes may fall, soon!

 

To me , it would be somewhat surprising if Harper got a better deal than Machado . Anyway , I think that once Harper and Machado are signed, Keuchel and Kimbrel will follow shortly. That would still leave a lot of free agents hanging.

[moonslav59]

The Red Sox plan to use Steven Wright as a full-time reliever this season, MLB.com’s Ian Browne writes, with manager Alex Cora casting Wright as a potential multi-inning threat. At first glance, a knuckleballer would seem like an unusually durable option to relegate to the bullpen, though Wright is just happy to be pitching in any capacity after two injury-plagued seasons. There is also the possibility for higher-profile assignments within Boston’s pen, given the team’s lack of an established closer.