Some of the really good pitch framing is cheating, when you get down to it. Catchers pull in balls to make them look like strikes. It's as old as the game, I get that. But I don't think the game would suffer without it.
I don't really disagree.
I'll say this, if you look at 2018, our starting pitching depth was no better than it is this year. Johnson and Velazquez were much bigger helps last year.
Bunting does still occur, though. And some say it should be used more, against the shift etc. And when bad bunt attempts are made, the 'lost art' thing comes up.
I think Slash's point was valid.
Underperformance can be a difficult thing to figure out.
Take a guy like Porcello. I highly doubt that he isn't doing anything but trying his ass off out there every time out. Especially when you consider he's in his walk year and there's a lot of money on the line for him. He's not getting the results, but I don't think it's from a lack of effort.
s*** happens.
I think 22 mill for one of the top hitters is perfectly fair.
The going rate for the top all-around players in the game now is about 35 mill.
So you're paying about 60% of that. And you don't have as much injury concern.