The Pen

[BillyWilliams]

The only proven effective closer on the market right now is Kimbrel. Ottavino had the best season of the relievers left. Beyond them, the rest are reclamation projects coming off bad years or trending in the wrong direction.

 

Agreed, I just wanted to see his list of "closers"

[moonslav59]

Agreed, I just wanted to see his list of "closers"

 

 

There could also be trade options.

[notin]

Agreed, I just wanted to see his list of "closers"

 

 

Why?

 

You really didn’t think I knew what a closer was?

[moonslav59]

The only proven effective closer on the market right now is Kimbrel. Ottavino had the best season of the relievers left. Beyond them, the rest are reclamation projects coming off bad years or trending in the wrong direction.

 

So, one bad year means we write them off? Cody Allen just turned 30. He's younger than Chapman and Kimbrel, but I guess we're supposed to believe he's over the hill due to a bad year. He had 5 straight very good to great seasons before last year's "bad year"- a year in which he still posted a 10.7 K/9 rate. His BB rate spiked

 

Also, the "market" extends beyond free agency. I think there's a significant chance we trade for a decent to solid RP'er and sign Allen or Brach. We leave some money left over for a mid summer trade, if needed.

 

We also can fall back on using Eovaldi as a closer.

 

[notin]

The only proven effective closer on the market right now is Kimbrel. Ottavino had the best season of the relievers left. Beyond them, the rest are reclamation projects coming off bad years or trending in the wrong direction.

 

So one season indicates a “trend”?

[moonslav59]

So one season indicates a “trend”?

 

One could easily argue Kimbrel is showing signs of decline, and when you look at his age, I would guess Kimbrel is more likely to decline than Allen or other younger RP'ers.

 

[dgalehouse]

One could easily argue Kimbrel is showing signs of decline, and when you look at his age, I would guess Kimbrel is more likely to decline than Allen or other younger RP'ers.

 

Allen and Kimbrel are the same age . 30.

[moonslav59]

Allen and Kimbrel are the same age . 30.

 

These pain meds are doing me in!

 

I thought Kimbrel was 2 years older not 200 days older.

 

My bad.

[Larry Cook]

So, one bad year means we write them off? Cody Allen just turned 30. He's younger than Chapman and Kimbrel, but I guess we're supposed to believe he's over the hill due to a bad year. He had 5 straight very good to great seasons before last year's "bad year"- a year in which he still posted a 10.7 K/9 rate. His BB rate spiked

 

Also, the "market" extends beyond free agency. I think there's a significant chance we trade for a decent to solid RP'er and sign Allen or Brach. We leave some money left over for a mid summer trade, if needed.

 

We also can fall back on using Eovaldi as a closer.

 

 

Wasn’t allen’s Velocity down in 2018?

 

I’m beginning to think desperate Dave is counting on Feltman in spring training to prove he is the guy!

[moonslav59]

Wasn’t allen’s Velocity down in 2018?

 

 

Slightly, but by about the same as Kimbrel...

CK

https://www.fangraphs.com/graphs.aspx?playerid=6655&position=P&pitchgraphs=true&statArr=&legend=1&split=base&time=daily&start=2016&end=2018&rtype=mult&gt1=15&dStatArray=FA&ymin=&ymax=

 

CA

https://www.fangraphs.com/graphs.aspx?playerid=12183&position=P&pitchgraphs=true&statArr=&legend=1&split=base&time=daily&start=2016&end=2018&rtype=mult&gt1=15&dStatArray=FA&ymin=&ymax=

[moonslav59]

 

I’m beginning to think desperate Dave is counting on Feltman in spring training to prove he is the guy!

 

Not a chance.

[notin]

Wasn’t allen’s Velocity down in 2018?

 

I’m beginning to think desperate Dave is counting on Feltman in spring training to prove he is the guy!

 

 

If that was the case, Feltman would have been added to the 40 man roster...

[Nick]

If that was the case, Feltman would have been added to the 40 man roster...

 

Yeah, don't let the facts get in the way.

[Jack Flap]

If that was the case, Feltman would have been added to the 40 man roster...

 

Not that I in any way expect Feltman to make the team out of spring training, but...not necessarily. At this point there would be no reason to add him to the 40 until they absolutely need to.

[notin]

Not that I in any way expect Feltman to make the team out of spring training, but...not necessarily. At this point there would be no reason to add him to the 40 until they absolutely need to.

 

 

Feltman might even pitch in the majors this year, although if he is closing it probably means something went horribly wrong. Either way I would think the goal is that he get some IP above A ball this year before he becomes an option...

[Jack Flap]

Feltman might even pitch in the majors this year, although if he is closing it probably means something went horribly wrong. Either way I would think the goal is that he get some IP above A ball this year before he becomes an option...

 

Oh, I definitely agree. I think we'll see him in the majors at some point in 2019, but there's no reason to rush him, and we certainly shouldn't be basing our offseason plans around any expectation of his readiness.

[mvp 78]

Oh, I definitely agree. I think we'll see him in the majors at some point in 2019, but there's no reason to rush him, and we certainly shouldn't be basing our offseason plans around any expectation of his readiness.

 

He's ready. His stuff won't get any better. His mechanics are just causing him to waste bullets in MiLB. Just bring him up until his arm can't handle it anymore.

[notin]

He's ready. His stuff won't get any better. His mechanics are just causing him to waste bullets in MiLB. Just bring him up until his arm can't handle it anymore.

 

 

The Craig Hansen Approach!!

 

 

More likely they leave him in AA until (at minimum) after the Super Two date.

 

I know he was considered one of the more/most MLB-ready players in his draft class, but that doesn’t really give any insight into his actual ceiling. He is the #10 prospect in a weak system, after all...

[mvp 78]

The Craig Hansen Approach!!

 

 

More likely they leave him in AA until (at minimum) after the Super Two date.

 

I know he was considered one of the more/most MLB-ready players in his draft class, but that doesn’t really give any insight into his actual ceiling. He is the #10 prospect in a weak system, after all...

 

If it didn't work once, never do it again, I guess? Hansen also played in the bigs the year he was drafted. They are taking more time with Feltman. He's only a #10 prospect because he'll never be more than a bullpen arm. The other guys ahead of him have the potential to be starters. Prospect rankings really ding the worth of a reliever.

[dgalehouse]

Wasn’t allen’s Velocity down in 2018?

 

I’m beginning to think desperate Dave is counting on Feltman in spring training to prove he is the guy!

 

I think the nickname " Desperate Dave " is really not accurate. Based on last off season and so far this off season , Dombrowski seems like the calmest, least worried guy in the room. Not the least bit desperate.

[notin]

I think the nickname " Desperate Dave " is really not accurate. Based on last off season and so far this off season , Dombrowski seems like the calmest, least worried guy in the room. Not the least bit desperate.

 

 

Dormant Dave?

[dgalehouse]

Dormant Dave?

 

Yeah. Hopefully, Deceptively Dormant Dave .

[BillyWilliams]

Why?

 

You really didn’t think I knew what a closer was?

 

No, just wanted to chuckle at the list of has beens and never was that you would put together.......

[cp176]

Dormant Dave?

 

Dominant Dave - Good one notin - glad you are coming around .

Whoops sorry notin. Thought you had finally gotten it right .

[moonslav59]

If that was the case, Feltman would have been added to the 40 man roster...

 

Not necessarily. Feltman was not rule 5, so he didn't need to be added. By not adding him, we were able to keep one more player a little longer in hopes of seeing MLB qualities.

 

If Feltman has a great spring, there is a slight chance he could be added to the 40 man immediately, maybe by putting someone on the 60 day DL, trading someone or DFA'ing someone not likely to ever amount to much anyways.

 

IMO, Feltman is unlikely to make the 25 man roster until 2020, September of 2019 at the very earliest, but stranger things have happened.

 

[fxkatt]

I would sign Allen and Romo to one-year deals. Or, make a trade for a bigger name reliever or a young guy with a big upside.

 

Whatever happened to the Mets need for one of our catchers. Or did the Mets sign a free agent catcher?

Edited January 10, 2019 by fxkatt

[sk7326]

I would sign Allen and Ramos to one-year deals. Or, make a trade for a bigger name reliever or a young guy with a big upside.

 

Whatever happened to the Mets need for one of our catchers. Or did the Mets sign a free agent catcher?

 

Yep. Wilson Ramos.

[moonslav59]

Yep. Wilson Ramos.

 

Now, TB needs a catcher.

[fxkatt]

Yep. Wilson Ramos.

 

Ah, yes I recall. As I see the name Ramos, I realize I wrote Romo's name as Ramos. I meant sign Allen and Romo.

[harmony]

Now, TB needs a catcher.

The Rays have defensive whiz Mike Zunino, who is a year removed from a 3.7 fWAR season.