We had him for 6 years. I don't see adding 2 years as being called "long-term."
One could say the 6 years were "long term" to begin with." A 2 year extension is not long term, IMO.
I'm fine with you and other thinking it became long term by adding 2 years. It's nice deal, no matter how we word it.
No player should be solely judged on one season, especially with scattered 136 PAs in MLB.
He his .931 in 334 PAs at AAA, last year, and is on fire, early this year.
I'm not arguing to call him up. I was just wondering about him getting another chance.
Will it take an injury to an OF'er or JD?
I'm not sure we can judge him on just 2021, although most of us thought he got more than enough opportunities, last year.
The way Fitzy is playing, Cordero might not ever get another chance like '21 with the Sox.
We need another capable starting pitcher. That takes an enormous strain off the pen, and maybe even moves Houck to the pen.
That's not to say the pen is fine, as is, but let's not think only the pen need addressing.
Except this is not really a "long term investment."
Didn't Whitlock still have 5 years of team control remaining? 2 pre-arb and 3 arbs?
This is really a one year extension and takes away arb year estimating and haggling.
Don't get me wrong. I like this deal, but we didn't really add much.
I agree 100%.
Had we signed more RP'er or a decent starter, so Houck could be in the pen, we might have 2 wins, right now.
Also, 7.1 innings in 2 games has seen some good pen pitching, so far, and Barnes & Taylor were not even available.
Pen Numbers, so far:
7.1 IP
4 H
1 ER (+2 ghost runs) 1.23 ERA
3 BB
9 K
0.955 WHIP
.160 BA Against
.267 OBP Against
.320 SLG Against
.587 OPS Against
It's just 2 games, but the pen has not been even close to the main reason for either loss.
Our bats have come alive, early, then poof.
Our starters have given up the long ball, too often.
Let's hope Houck can right the ship.
You crack me up.
By the way, we all know Bobby Dee has some sizable split differentials, but are these numbers all that bad for any players first 331 PAs vs righties in his MLB career?
.296 OBP
.463 SLG
.759 OPS
19 HRs
48 RBI
Project that to 662 PAs:
.218 38 96
Dave Kingman stuff, here!
vs LHPs per 660 PAs
.279 42 138 (.898 OPS)
Yes, the 138 RBIs is correct- the man gets hits with men on base. Too bad that is not a repeatable skill. (Cue hysteria)
I never said the pen did well. I just said blaming them more than Eovaldi was not right, and Nate did not have to start 2 of his 5 innings with a man on 2nd.