moonslav59

Throwing ping pong balls? Lol

Martin was a throwback, but really, many SPers were going 250+ IP in the years right before those Oakland years, and several others during that time went 250+, too.

ST'ing Start 7-0 BOS (+35 run diff) 10-2 KC (+33) 6-2 LAD (+9) 6-3 TOR (+15) 6-3 STL (+14) 7-4 NYY (+14) 7-4 CHC (+1) 5-3 HOU (+11) (4-5 TBR +21)

No, but why distract from the issue raised. Manning is not the scum Clemens was/is.

So, you're saying he aimed for the nub of the bat?

You mean MVP made a non-perfect post?

I've been to 10 different European nations in 4 trips, Brazil 3 times, all over Canada, lived in Mexico for 4 years, visited every state east of the Mississippi and maybe half of those west of the M, and take weeks long road trips every summer, but still I was told I need to get out more. I have yet to visit a talk show radio station. It's the last thing on my bucket list. I did come close to buying a radio station, once. Should that count?

Maybe visit a talkshow radio station.

Rafaela defensive clips... Red Sox prospect Ceddanne Rafaela critiques his own highlights WWW.MLB.COM FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Take any defensive cliché you prefer, and it applies to Ceddanne Rafaela. He’s a future Gold Glove contender. Water covers 71 percent of the Earth’s surface; he covers the remaining 29 percent. He’s a highlight reel all to himself. OK, that last one is true, and

First game- ready or not! Sounds like a great stradgedy.

I remember that play. The ball bounced towards Rico Petrocelli, who ran right by the ball to help Pole. Burleson went to get the ball in short LF or foul territory. That was a scary moment.

He did throw that broken bat at him. The funny thing was, reading his lips, he said to the ump, "I thought it was the ball!" (Like if the ball had come to him, he'd have throw that ball at Piazza as he ran to 1B. Maybe he thought they were playing kickball.)

The problem is, you need to get out more.

I’d put Wink and Crawford ahead of Mata, too. My point was only about Mata v Walter as SPers in early 2023. (I have both ahead of Murphy.) Man, we are already reaching down to #8 !

Agreed. We'd need way too many unexpected over-achievements to occur, if Sale gives us next to nothing. His salary is about 13% of the player budget, so it does hurt, if he keeps giving us nothing.

I wanted him re-signed and was happy we did it. I thought the contract amount reflected the idea that he might miss a year. $145M/4 would be worth it, if he was Chris Freakin' Sale in all 4 of them. $145M/5 seemed about right. I've not given up on him, but I'm not counting on much, either.

SP's Rankings and Rundowns: 15. Blaze Jordan: Hit: potential average Run: well below average Field: fringe-average at 3B/ potential above average at 1B Arm: above average Notes: Was well-known from a young age thanks to viral YouTube videos showing his power, such as one with nearly 1.5 million views in which he hit an alleged 500-foot home run at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas at age 13. As a result, is still fairly well-known nationally and gets a number of endorsement deals. Won the High School Home Run Derby at the 2019 MLB All-Star Game. Recorded the highest exit velocity of any player at the 2019 World Wood Bat Championships (106.9 mph). Attended the same high school as Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley. Was very young for his draft class after reclassifying in May 2019 from the 2021 class to the 2020 class. Committed to Mississippi State. Participated in the 2020 Fall Instructional League. Participated in the 2021 Fall Performance Program. Participated in the 2022 Winter Warm-Up. Was set to participate in the 2022 Fall Performance Program that was cancelled due to Hurricane Ian. Summary: Potential up-and-down bench bat. Ceiling of a bat-first regular, likely at first base. Really has to hit, as he is maxed out and has a tough potential profile as a right-right first baseman. A favorite of predictive models due to his age compared to his draft class, elite exit velocities, and bat speed. Needs to show he can hit advanced pitching in order to tap into his raw power, which is his best tool. Will have to watch conditioning. Ultimate defensive position is likely first base, but has a better chance to be able to play at least part time at third base now than when he signed. 14. Matthew Lugo: Hit: potential fringe average Run: average Field: potential average at 3B Arm: average Notes: Nephew of former MLB player Carlos Beltran, whose baseball academy he attended. Committed to University of Miami before being drafted. First overall pick in the 2019 draft in the Puerto Rican winter league. Participated in the Fall Instructional League in 2019 and 2020. Did not play in 2020 Puerto Rican winter league due to a wrist injury. Did not participate in the 2021 Puerto Rican winter league despite being announced as part of the Caguas roster. Participated in the 2021 Fall Performance Program. Participated in 2022 Winter Warm-Up. Was set to participate in the 2022 Fall Performance Program that was cancelled due to Hurricane Ian. Received a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training in 2023. Summary: Potential up-and-down utility player. Ceiling of a reserve infielder. Lacks a true carrying tool, but has several that grade in the 45-50 range. Bat took a step forward in 2022, but still needs to improve his approach, especially breaking balls. Needs to cut his chase rate and improve quality of contact to reach his potential at the plate. Given his defensive profile, will have to hit to reach his potential.

It looks like the injury issues are mounting. I hope this is not a sign of what is to come, during the season. We already look to start the year with these guys on the IL or bench due to injuries: 60 Day Story 10 Day or not ready by opening day? (CBS ETAs) Mondesi (at least May 1st) Abreu (at least April 15) Game 14 of season Paxton (at least April 10) Game 9 of season Whitlock (at least April 8) Game 7 of season Bello (at least April 8th) Wong (questionable for opening day) Turner (probable for opening day)

MLBTR... The Sox provided reporters an update on Turner, with Abraham among those to relay it (Twitter links). Turner is receiving treatment for soft tissue injuries and is being monitored for a concussion. The club also says he is stable, alert and in good spirits given the circumstances. More updates will follow after further testing. Video:

Where did you get “aberration” from. I was just responding to you saying maybe luck was involved.

I kind of have mixed feelings about this. I think you might be totally right, but how long can a pitcher go on such high pitch counts? He was a long term investment, and they viewed him as such.

I never came close to saying that. I actually agree, that seems to be the direction they are moving towards- not that it wasn't a priority before. Certainly, mata's high BB rate might move him down the list, but he does have several areas where he is clearly better than Wink, Craw, Murphy and Walter. I'm not sure it's by enough to outweigh the walks. I was basically just asking where you had Mata and said I thought he was close to or ahead of Walter. I'm not sure how you got me thinking the Sox don't value BB/9 from that, but I must be wrong, since all your posts are "perfect."

Certainly luck could have been involved on the good stretches or the bad. His high K rate was encouraging. The velo charts are more concerning to me: https://www.fangraphs.com/players/chris-sale/10603/graphs?pitchgraphs=true&statArr=&legend=1&split=base&time=daily&start=2014&end=2022&rtype=mult&gt1=15&dStatArray=FA&ymin=&ymax=

Pretty costly, too, back in that day, especially the posting fee or bid, or whatever they called it.

Okay. I guess I should have remember he might have said "real deal" on BDC many years ago. My "trouble understanding" is on full display.