moonslav59

Paxton, at 20.1 IP in 2020, still placed 6th in starter IP in 2020, so don't pretend he didn't pitch. He was also a big part of the 2019 rotation, and I was comparing 2021 to 2020 and 2019. Here's the real deal: "far more upside" only counts for Yankee pitchers, to you. James Paxton already has had a 140 ERA+ season. How much "upside did and does he have?" Happ had a 125 ERA+ from 2016-2018 and had over 160 IP in 2018 and 2019. How much "Upside?" Tanaka was a huge part of your rotation. Yes, he was replaced by some big upside players, but none have done squat for 1-2 years. Why are ERod, Sale, Richards and Eovaldi all written off? I never hear you say the word "upside" with any of those 4 Sox pitchers. The fact is, on paper, the Yanks did not improve from 2020 or 2019. The Jays did. Every year, the Yanks face a lot of injuries, but you don't seem to chalk it up to being injury prone, like you do to Eovaldi & Richards. That being said, I do see the Yanks getting better due to players returning from injury and expecting you get something good from Kluber, Taillon and Severino, but in no way have you clearly gotten way better than the Jays, who added Springer and Semien and pen help. "Upside potential" is not something only Yankees have. How much upside is there for these Jays? Vlad turns 22, this year. The sky seems like the limit for this kid. (24 HRs and 102 RBI in his first 685 ABs) Bichette turns 23, this year. He already has an .896 OPS and a projected 35 HR per 162 game number. Gurriel turns 25, this year. He's hit .874 the last 2 years (31 Hrs in 600 ABs). Teoscar Hernandez turns 24, soon. He hiy .919 last year and has 42 HRs in his last 671 ABs. Rowdy Tellez turns 26, soon. He has a career .797 OPs (33 Hrs in 553 ABs) Cavan Biggio turns 26, soon. He has a .798 career OPS (24 Hrs in 574 ABs) Others: Grichuk (29): .770 since 2018 (34 HRs per 162 games) © Jansen (26): .668 career OPS (22 HRs in 548 ABs) Nobody is over 27. NOBODY HAS EVEN REACHED PEAK PRIME! Most are on the upside of their age-prime curve. Not many injury issues, either. MASSIVE Upside potential for 6-7 players above. Some may slump, but others could move off the charts to the good. Their rotation is the big question mark, and even if Kluber, Severino & Taillon give the Yanks very little, the Yankee ratation might still do better than a 100% healthy Jays rotation.

Agreed, and even if he gives only 80 IP, $2.5M might be a bargain.

The Yanks finished 7 games behind the Rays, who look to be significantly worse than last year- losing Snell, Morton and others and replacing them with bigger question marks than the Yanks & Sox added. The Yanks finished 1 game ahead of the Jays, who vastly improved over 2020. They added George Springer, Marcus Semien, Kirby Yates, Steven Matz and Tyler Chatwood. They have a lot of very young talent moving closer to prime. The Yanks lost 3 big innings eaters from 2019 and or 2020: Tanaka, Paxton & Happ. They replaced them with pitchers who are coming off injuries and have pitched very little in the last year or two: Kluber, Taillon, O'Day and Justin Wilson. Is this an improvement? Many teams have players returning from injury, some that played very little or not at all, last year. The Yanks probably have more of these players than the Jays and Rays, and a guy like Severino could provide a big boost mid season. While I agree, the Yanks look the best, on paper, than the Rays and jays, I thought they did, last year, too. I don't see a major improvement from the Yanks, like I see with the Jays, and I certainly would not call it "head and shoulders." Favorites? YES!

I'm kinda feeling that way, too. I really like Devers, a lot, but I'm not sure anyone is my favorite player, anymore. I grew to love baseball when the Seattle pilots moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers. I lived almost in the shadow of old County Stadium and remember going to Brewer games at a dollar a bleacher ticket. Tommy Harper quickly became my favorite player as he became one of the first 30-30 players in MLB with me watching & cheering. My family moved to Portland,Maine, and my first real friend was a huge Sox fan, so when Tommy was traded to the Sox, shortly after our move, I decided to switch to being a Sox fan. (I'm still aPacker and Bucks fan.) I've never looked back. I'm not sure I had one favorite player after Harper retired. There were so many players I loved- Lynn, Tiant, Burleson, Aparichio, Lee, Rice, Evans, Rico & Fisk were but a few, and the team's management bungled and traded most away. There were some tough times for many young Sox fans, in those days. I've always loved defense, especially at SS and CF, and when JBJ came into the Sox system, I was excited. Maybe I fell for the hype, but the guy was magical on defense. What was not to love? (Oh yeah, he sucked on O out of the gate.) He slumped a lot and had some red hot streaks, and I found myself defending him against a lot of attacks- maybe as much or more than anybody. I've caught some flack for pointing out his drop off on defense, and maybe I have overblown the drop. I still really respect JBJ and would love him to be in our CF for 2021 and maybe even 2022, but I thought he'd cost way too much. Perhaps, he will become affordable and I can squeeze a year or two more years out of him as my fave. I don't usually pick the best player as my fave. The Bucks won a ring while I was in Milwaukee, but Lew Alcindor (Jabbar) was not my favorite player, now was the big O or Lucius Allen. It was Bobby Dandridge. My favorite Packer player was not Bart Star or Ray Nitschke, but Lionel Aldridge and later, MacArther Lane.

Yes, I was talking about the jersey's but there was also the case where he came to a player's aid. When I first heard the story, I thought it was kind of funny. I figured he'd not be loved by management, but it didn't seem like a clubhouse issue between players or players and coaches.

I loved what Sale did in Chicago, and it did not tear the team apart, at all.

Yes, and something similar could be said about all of the top 4 ALE teams' starters.

The Red Sox Rotation: Chris Sale (32): The guy was a stud and an ace right out of the gates. His career 140 ERA+ is among the best of the best, this era. His lowest ERA+ of his career, before the 109 in 2019 was 114 in 2015. His first 2 years with the Sox were mind-boggling: 146 ERA+ (29-12 2.56 w a K/9 of 13.2 and BB/9 of 1.9 and 7.08 K/BB. His career 5.37 K/BB rate is a ML record.) Like Kluber, he was dominant but suffered a major injury. Zero IP in 2020 and starts the season on the 60 day IL, which could end up being more like 90-100 days. Eduardo Rodriguez (28): He's been a bright spot for the Sox since day one. He has a career 113 ERA+ but was 118 from '17 to '19 and 122 the previous 2 seasons before missing 2020 with COVID related issues. His main issue was always too many pitches per IP, and he had finally pitched over 200 IP in 2019, when COVID struck him down hard. He says he feels great. Garrett Richards (32-33): Had some great success with the Angels for a 5 years stretch- not quite like Sale or Kluber, but some very nice numbers, except for not pitching over 76 IP the last 5 seasons. Had a 108 ERA+ with LA but was at 122 the last 5 years there. His 92 ERA+ in just 60 IP the last 2 years is concerning, but he did start 10 games out of 60, last season. Nathan Eovaldi (31): Still rather young with low innings pitched (966) in 9 years of MLB. He had a great 13 starts for the Sox in 2018 and 64 IP, counting the playoffs (with some fine relief work, too. He's hit over 112 ERA+ with 100+ IP, twice in his career and had a 126 ERA+ in his 9 starts, last season. Martin Perez (30): Nothing special, here. He hit 114, once and had a 102 ERA+ from '16-'17 before hitting 104, for us, in 2020 in 12 starts. A decent 4/5 type starter, but may not be what we hope (84 ERA+ from '18-'19). Nick Pivetta (28): Nothing very impressive with his numbers, but he's had some hype over his talent. His best stretch was '18-'19 and an 85 ERA+. Despite all this, he shows real promise. Tanner Houck (24-25): Came out of no where. It's hard to get all gooey over 3 starts, but that 895 ERA+ kinda grabs you. Out of college, he only had 25 IP at AAA (3.96) and 83 IP at AA (4.25), where he walked a lot (about 4 per 9) but also K'd a few (about 9 per 9). Mata, Seabold, Andriese, Whitlock: some promise, here.

The 37 IP in the last 2 years raises my eyebrow, but he seems like a better signing than Richards. I'm no doctor, and one might be needed to determine the chances he regains 100%, 80% or less than 60% of his former skill set. He also turns 35, this year, so he might have seen steep decline, even without the serious injury that stopped his streak of dominance. If Cole, Kluber, Severino & Taillon all pitch at their best, there will be no stopping them, IMO, but that's a hug if. (On a lesser scale, if Sale, Richards, ERod and Eovaldi all pitch at their best, we'd be a top contending team, but as with the Yanks, that's a hug if, too.)

Always been a Mariner's fan.

The AL East Contenders and their rotations: Yankee Rotation: Gerrit Cole (30-31): A true ace and a top 5 CYA the last 3 years. 162 ERA+ from 2018-2020. Never misses a start. Luis Severino (27): True ace skills and was a top 9 CYA in 2017 & 2018 (137 ERA+). Injury issues have limited him to just 12 IP the last 2 years combined, and he is starting the year on the 60 day IL. Corey Kluber (34-35): Was a true ace for 5 straight years (top 9 CYA all 5 and top 3 in 4 of those years, including winning it twice). 151 ERA+ those 5 seasons. Injury issues limited him to just 37 IP the last 2 years combined (86 ERA+). Jameson Taillon: Very promising start to his career in Pittsburg (112 ERA+ in first 4 seasons). 119 ERA+ from 2018-2019, but injury issues limited him to just 37 IP the last 2 years combined. Jordan Montgomery (28): Had a good season back in 2017 (116 ERA+), but has just 75 IP in the last 2 years combined (92 ERA+). He has 48 IP in MLB the last 2 years (82 ERA+). The guy has promise, but he has a lot to prove. Deivi Garcia (21-22): Very young and untested but very promising. 34 IP in 2020 (86 ERA+). High K (12.7) and BB (3.8) rate in the minors that got worse in AA (14.4/4.3) and AAA (10.1/4.5). Nice depth but questionable outlook. Michael King (26-27): Just 29 IP at the ML level (61 ERA+) and not many IP at AA (95 w 3.61 ERA) and AAA (63 w 2.93 ERA))after coming from college baseball. Not a big K pitcher (7.5 in minors but a decent 1.6 BB/9.) Domingo German (28-29): Zero IP in 2020 and domestic abuse issues cloud his 2021 outlook. Had a decent 111 ER+ for the Yanks in 2019 in 143 IP, but he had an 82 ERA+ from 2017-2018. His 10-3 KK/9 to BB/9 rate is not bad. It was 8.9/ 2.7 in the minors. Blue Jays Rotation: Hyun Jin Ryu (34): Can pitch like an ace (179 ERA+ from 2018-2020), but has only pitched over 83 IP once in the last 3 years. He pitched 127 IP in 2017 and just 5 IP, combined the previous 2 seasons. Nate Pearson (24-25): Pitched 18 innings in 2020 (74 ERA+ in rookie year). Played 1 NCAA season and 123 IP in the minors over 3 seasons. Did very well (2.19 ERA and 0.868 WHIP) Robbie Ray (29): Has a career 103 ERA+ but seemed to be declining, recently. 134 ERA+ from 2017-2018 and a 93 ERA+ the last 2 years in 226 IP. Not a big innings eater- never going over 175 IP. Steven Matz (29-30): Inconsistent career with a few injury issues. Hasn’t had an ERA+ over 97 since 2016 (82 in the last 4 years and 81 the last 2 years). Never pitched 161+ IP in the bigs. Tanner Rourk (34): Was an innings eater from 2014-2018 (112 ERA+). Has a 95 ERA+ since 2017 (92 the last 2 years combined). Ross Stripling(31): Has not always been a starter and only went over 120 IP, once back in 2018. Had a 110 ERA+ with the Dodgers in 420 IP in 5 years. It slipped to 71 in 16 IP with the Jays, last year. Thomas Hatch (26): Only 26 IP at the ML level (162 ERA+). Had 2 years of college and 403 IP in the minors (3.99 ERA/ 1.318 WHIP). Skipped AAA. Trent Thornton, Anthony Kay, TJ Zeuch: Who? Rays Rotation: Tyler Glasnow (27): Had a lot of promise but never really came through. He’s only pitched more than 62 IP ONE TIME! His career His career ERA+ is 95, but it is 129 with the Rays in 174 IP over the last 3 seasons. Ryan Yarbrough (29): Hasn’t always been a SP’er. In 345 IP over his 3 year career, he has a 108 ERA+ and about a 7 to 2 K/9 to BB/9 ratio. Chris Archer (32-33): Started out well (115 ERA+ in first 4 seasons with TBR. Was at 102 the next two years and was traded. He had an 89 ERA+ from 2018-2019 and had zero IP in 2020. Michael Wacha (29-30): Started out very promisingly (118 ERA+ first 3 years), slipped to 91 the next 2 years before doing okay in year 6 9121 but only 84 IP). He’s had an 82 ERA+ the last 2 years (160 IP). Rich Hill (41-42): Has had some great numbers, even in his old age, when he pitches. His problem has always been injuries. Weirdly, he’s put up about half of his career IP at age 36 and beyond! (136 ERA+) He went over 132 IP twice in LA (2017 & 2018), but he had just 97 IP the last 2 seasons combined (158 ERA+). Collin McHugh (33-34): Topped out at 204 IP in 2015, but has not gone more than 75 in any of his last 3 seasons- some spent as a RP’er (126 ERA+) before getting zero IP in 2020. Can pitch well, when he pitches, but he’s averaged about 52 IP the last 4 seasons. Josh Fleming (24-25): Promising starter. 153 ERA+ in 32 IP, last year. Only has 21 IP at AAA and 294 total in the minors (3.40 ERA/ 1.150 WHIP and low K rate of 6.6. BB/9 at 1.6.) Shane McClanahan & Luis Patino: Young promising SP’ers. People laugh and point fingers at the Sox starters or speak of the huge questions surrounding so many of them, but look above.

I'm not all that big on this aspect of team building, but I do think it makes a difference, most of the time. Price was not a plus in this area. I was glad we were able to dump half his salary- almost as happy as when we dumped most CC's salary in the first Dodger dump trade.

Odorizzi might end up getting $10M AVV or less. One could view the $15M saved from Price as getting us Odorizzi and Sawamura, or Richards & Samamura, or Ottavino & EHern. I'd say it was worth it.

JBJ did very well for us. It's not like I jinxed him. I'd love to have him back- just not at the money I felt he'd make.

He did well for us- better than I think his talent level indicated. I'm thankful for his service, especially in 2018. I didn't expect him to pitch for the Sox, this year, unless we use 20+ pitchers, and even then, maybe 10 IP max. I wish him well, but not seeing his name on the 40 man roster does not upset me.

I'm a huge fan of defense, especially at SS, but Bogey is such a great hitter, I'm fine with him staying there. Devers is probably my favorite player, now that JBJ is gone. I'm always open to trading anyone, if the return is right, but Devers is about last on my trade list. I still think he has shown signs he can be a plus on defense, but if he is sketchy, this year, and Dalbec does well, I could see just flipping them, but I'm basing that on the belief that Dalbec is a plus defender at 3B. I don't know that, for sure. This season has a lot if intrigue.

Domingo German https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/after-domingo-germans-unclear-apology-his-teammates-make-clear-demands/ar-BB1dZrOy?ocid=mailsignout&li=BBnbfcL

Some team might give us something. I'm not expecting anything or anything promising.

Agreed- who just happened to put up good numbers for a 90 inning stretch. I had him on my DFA list all winter. I won't miss him.

It's hard to know, for sure, how much we got better, and better than worst can still be pretty bad, but I like what we have, this year. I don't think we are a top contender, but I think we are good enough to make the last WC slot and have enough potential to put it all together and surprise people. 2013-like surprise? Doubtful, but who knows? GO Sox!

He might get picked up by someone, although his good stretches seemed like smoke & mirrors, to me. He had a 3.79 ERA from 2018-2019 (93 IP) 3.43 FIP 126 ERA+ 1.187 WHIP 0.6 HR/9

I can't find career or specific time period OPS against for pitchers anywhere. Seems like a telling stat.

Yes, by April some of these players should be fine, while others may not be.

+ Marwin What else?

I must have missed that report. Thanks. So, maybe Houck, Brewer, Taylor or Valdez for Sawamura. Who for Cordero? Wilson is the only true OF'er on the 40 man roster scheduled to start in the minors. We could activate Duran or Munoz (Gettys/Puello) or just call up Arauz and use Chavis, Marwin or EHern in the OF.