moonslav59

I think Henry might agree to send big for 2 more years (2019 & 2020), then he forces a re-set. Just my opinion- no evidence.

I was really hoping that between Chavis, Dalbec and Ockimey, we could find a capable 1Bman by the time Moreland's deal ran out. 2019 would be a good time for one to help as a platoon, but I don't see it happening.

We can probably keep Betts, Bogey & JBJ, but say good bye to Porcello (likely) and probably both Sale & JD (to opt out).

IMO, it's going to take massive spending. That's not impossible, but to me, I think we re-set the luxury tax after 2020, and if we do that, "finding ways" within the current system is going to be extremely difficult. Again, I'm not fretting or in despair. I love this team and am very happy with where we are going into next year, and I'm okay with a down year or two, because I know we will bounce back after re-setting the tax.

I choose to believe most players are good character guys and prefer to play on teams that support each other and do what is best for the team, even if it means sitting on the bench when maybe you think you should be playing. Like I said, I'm okay with Moreland, but I know we are losing a lot of comparative value at 1B- a position traditionally known for big offensive numbers. I get that his defense and clubhouse values offset much of that offensive loss, and I don't really view him as a net negative, but when you look at the fact that our nearest competitors will be trying to make major improvements this winter, I can't help but look at positions where we are weakest- not weak, but weakest. I don't want to mess with our catching duo, despite the .533 OPS. Maybe I'm wrong about this position, but I really value the intangibles Vaz & Leon bring to the team, the staff and the clubhouse/dugout. We can't afford to spend big at 2B, and with six guys who could help at 2B (Holt, Nunez, Pedey, Lin, Quiroz, Hernandez), I think we wait that position out, at least until mid-season. I look at 1B and think we could (not have to) better. Losing Pearce hurts. It looks, to me, like the easiest, least costly, everyday position to upgrade over the winter. We may not need to touch anything having to do with everyday players. I think we'll lead the league in runs next year, even without Pearce (and Kinsler).

I get that, and that's why I am a "cliff dweller." It's also why I think 2021 is ground zero. We can still be highly competitive in 2020 by adding guys like Eovaldi, Pearce and Nunez- after that we enter the great unknown.

There are good character guys who do better than Moreland, but has been a net plus at his salary. I've softened my stance on him a lot since last year. I guess it's hard for me to get past my idea that 1B should be a highly productive offensive position. With a pretty balanced line-up and team, it's okay, but I'd still like to see more. I'm hopeful our catching position can add 100+ points to their collective 2018 OPS of .533. Our .658 OPS at 2B may be improved upon as well, but I'm not counting on Pedey to do it. (I'm not giving up hope, either.) I'd say the 3B OPS of .711 should be the easiest to improve. I'm looking for Devers to bust out next year or 2020. I'm pretty sure we'll see a dip at another position or two, but we may see an even better offense next year, even if we don't bring back Pearce.

It is treated like it isn't part of this one.

Nope.

He certainly did better than most of the other 1B options. Contract / fWAR in 2018 $144M/8 Hosmer -0.1 $60M/3 Santana 1.9 $16M/2 Alonso 0.7 $13M/2 Moreland 0.6 $8.3M/2 P Alvarez -0.2 $6.5M Morrison -0.7 $4M/1 M Adams 0.8 $3.5M/1 Duda 0.0 3B? $6.5M/1 Moustakas 2.4 I'm sure glad we didn't go with Hosmer like a few here wanted. I was pushing hard for Moose and Squirrel...I mean Duda, which wouldn't have been all that great, unless Moose switched to 1B.

If Betts, Trout & Ramirez was a sucky fielders, JD would be in the conversation.

Snell had just 22 more IP than Sale. (1.9 less WAR.) Verlander had 34 more IP than Snell and a 2.2 higher WAR. ERA- 46 Snell 47 Sale 50 Bauer 62 Verlander 65 Kluber WHIP 0.86 Sale 0.90 Verlander 0.97 Snell 0.99 Kluber K-BB% 32.9 Sale 30.4 Verlander (7th) 22.4 Snell xFIP- 55 Sale 69 Carrasco 72 Paxton 72 Verlander (9th) 75 Snell

He's not being penalized. Betts and others are being rewarded for being great fielders and/or runners.

I disagree. There was no luxury. We needed JD almost as much as he needed us. Moreland made no difference. There were 4-5 other good and cheap 1Bman on the market.

I don't think a drop off happens in 2020. I think it will be 2021. I don't despair or get anxiety over our future, but when I think about it (usually when someone else brings it up) I do have concerns. We won't lose everyone. We will keep enough to probably not finish in last place, but I thought that in 2012, 2014 and 2015, too. A lot depends on what our budget will be, and that is largely unpredictable, so I can understand why many feel it is futile to even think about it, let alone discuss it, but to me, winter is always about "next year" (and after), except maybe now, when we still are celebrating a championship and basking in the glory.

True, but I think that was more about HRam and his contract and the rest was a smoke screen- perhaps to prevent a law suit. I doubt they trade Swihart to keep Pedey, because Pedey is too sketchy, but trading Swihart to give Chavis a look could happen. We also have Lin, Quiroz, Ockimey and maybe Marco Hernandez available as the 25th man.

If Pedey, Nunez and Holt are all on the opening day roster, and nobody is on the DL, I doubt Swihart makes the roster. Holt can play 1B, but I think we'll try Chavis or acquire a platoon bat for 1B, instead of using Swihart there.

Yes, but I'm pretty sure that if Cora tells DD he doesn't plan on playing Swihart much, inless a catcher gets hurt, DD might look to trade Swihart.

I looked at the splits of Chavis in all his farm years. I hope the faith in Swihart is not enough to slot him into a vital role on opening day. I haven't given up on Swihart, but I don't think his hit toll is good enough to play 1B or dH, except in an emergency role.

But, you doesn't hasta call me Johnson..."

Now we have 2 DHs, and playing in a NL park gets even more complicated.

Chavis has shown signs of being a reverse split player or even vs both, but I doubt we anoint him our platoon guy before ST'ing. I'm just not high enough on Swihart's bat to see him as any kind of 1B solution, even if just on the short end of a platoon.

That makes a lot of sense, but then who DHs vs LHPs? Chavis? I doubt it. If so, then why not play him at 1B over JD? Swihart? DH? Nope. Nunez? Maybe, especially if Holt plays. Pedey? Maybe.

Yes, Johnson filled a big need for us. I'm glad he finally showed what we all hoped he might be able to do. It would be great, if he could improve.

I think you convinced me. I was thinking maybe a Chavis-Pearce platoon might work out better than a Moreland-Swihart/Holt/Chavis/Ockimey one.