2016's Around Major League Baseball

[TC in Mississippi]

Really good deal for the White Sox. EJ wasn't cutting it and Tatis is super young and years away. Plus the White Sox get over 50% of James' salary paid. It gives them three legit starters and helps the bullpen get much needed rest.

Agreed. I was listening to MLB radio this morning and the scuttlebutt is that the talks started with Anderson or Fulmer if San Diego was going to eat any money and the AJ Preller dug in firm. The Sox walked away. The prospects he wanted from other clubs like Boston were complete non starters so they went back to the the Sox. That division is absolutely winnable and they had to try. Kudos to Hahn, Williams and companies.

 

[brett05]

Agreed. I was listening to MLB radio this morning and the scuttlebutt is that the talks started with Anderson or Fulmer if San Diego was going to eat any money and the AJ Preller dug in firm. The Sox walked away. The prospects he wanted from other clubs like Boston were complete non starters so they went back to the the Sox. That division is absolutely winnable and they had to try. Kudos to Hahn, Williams and companies.

I agree, it is winnable. I still see the AL Central as the strongest division thanks to parity. Not the best teams, but certainly the least predictable.

 

[beckdawg]

It's only a good deal if Shields returns to form. I think it's an ok deal for both sides to be honest. At this point, the pads just want to dump as much of his salary as they can and Tatis while a long ways away is still a legit prospect.

 

[brett05]

It's only a good deal if Shields returns to form. I think it's an ok deal for both sides to be honest. At this point, the pads just want to dump as much of his salary as they can and Tatis while a long ways away is still a legit prospect.

If he returns to form than the White Sox become AL favorites and the trade becomes one of the most lopsided in the history of the game. He doesn't have to return to form. His era prior to this last start sat this year at 3.06. His most used catcher he has an era of 3.86 when he is caught by him. That guy...Navarro. His era is 3.00 in US Cell. Has a sub 4 era against KC in his career. If he can be just what he is right now which is a 200 innings sub 4.00 era it's a great deal. If his era is more 4.20 then it's a good deal. 4.5 or higher and it becomes a possibly bad deal. there is no resources tied in this deal. Saved 13.5 on Laroche, saying $16 million per after this year on Danks.

This is a no brainer move really. If the Padres weren't so offensive to close off talks with other teams they would have gotten quite a bit more. Hahn stuck it out.

 

[DanTown]

If he returns to form than the White Sox become AL favorites and the trade becomes one of the most lopsided in the history of the game. He doesn't have to return to form. His era prior to this last start sat this year at 3.06. His most used catcher he has an era of 3.86 when he is caught by him. That guy...Navarro. His era is 3.00 in US Cell. Has a sub 4 era against KC in his career. If he can be just what he is right now which is a 200 innings sub 4.00 era it's a great deal. If his era is more 4.20 then it's a good deal. 4.5 or higher and it becomes a possibly bad deal. there is no resources tied in this deal. Saved 13.5 on Laroche, saying $16 million per after this year on Danks.

This is a no brainer move really. If the Padres weren't so offensive to close off talks with other teams they would have gotten quite a bit more. Hahn stuck it out.

They're paying 3/27 for a guy to hopefully be a low 4's FIP pitcher who eats innings. While that's fine and dandy and a decent value and solves their terrible fifth pitching problem, it doesn't solve their inability to hit the baseball. It's also important to realize that Shields had frankly bad numbers outside of Petco (4.5 ERA last year, above 5 this year) and it's concerning that moving to the NL, he's watched his HR skyrocket. He's now coming back to the AL and he's pitching in a hitters park.

I think there's a fairly decent chance the Sox could spend 3/27 on Shields and he not solve the problem at all so to say this deal has "no risk" isn't entirely accurate; especially because the Sox are a team that can't truly afford to spend that kind of money on a guy and get nothing out of him.

 

[DanTown]

http://nypost.com/2016/06/04/what-hotshot-prospects-could-yankees-land-for-stud-relievers/

No club fits that mode more than the Cubs. I checked to see if they would do a Miller-for-Kyle Schwarber deal. They wouldn’t. Their love for Schwarber is just too great. They reasoned that the Mets wouldn’t trade Michael Conforto (from the top of the same draft class as Schwarber) for Miller, and they think Schwarber is a better hitter.

My thought was Schwarber profiled best as a DH even before he shredded his left knee in an on-field collision in early April and was lost for this season, thus, losing another season of catching experience while possibly jeopardizing his outfield athleticism, too.

The Cubs have done a great job of talent accumulation. But they have to be cognizant of their window to win their first title since 1908. Jake Arrieta is a free agent after next season (same as John Lackey) with no indicators he will be retained. Jon Lester is 32. The Cubs’ talent stockpile is weighted heavily toward position players, not starters. Which is why there was a stretch when we saw the Cubs and the starting-pitching-blessed Mets as natural trade partners.

But within what feels like a special year for the Cubs, their late-game bullpen is an area of concern, even with closer Hector Rondon thriving. Put Miller (or Chapman or Betances) on the Cubs, and they become even stronger favorites to end their hex.

The Yanks badly need a third baseman of the near future, someone like Jeimer Candelario. Javier Baez, despite his strikeout penchant, has value for his power and defensive versatility. Switch-hitting Ian Happ, the ninth pick in last year’s draft, is alluring, too. And if the Yanks need to include, say, Beltran to get what they want as the Cubs try to survive without Schwarber and with struggling corner outfielders Jason Heyward and Jorge Soler, so be it.

 

[chibears55]

If that's what the Yanks are starting at good fucking luck getting Miller.

No.. that was a suggestion from a reporter NewYork Post supposedly asked someone from Cubs organization if they'd do that..

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[SilenceS]

Baez has the third best strikeout rate on the Cubs. Im not giving up Baez for Miller either. Baez is on pace for over a 2.0 fWAR as a part time player. That is way to valuable and they see him starting soon.

 

[chibears55]

I dont think Epstein will give up anyone that will make us scratch our heads over..

But if true of rumors that Nationals and Giants are interested in one of the two Closers, with both teams being the most likely hurdles come playoff. Id hope we get one of the relievers to keep a hurdle from gaining an advantage.







Sent from my LG-V495 using Tapatalk

 

[beckdawg]

If he returns to form than the White Sox become AL favorites and the trade becomes one of the most lopsided in the history of the game. He doesn't have to return to form. His era prior to this last start sat this year at 3.06. His most used catcher he has an era of 3.86 when he is caught by him. That guy...Navarro. His era is 3.00 in US Cell. Has a sub 4 era against KC in his career. If he can be just what he is right now which is a 200 innings sub 4.00 era it's a great deal. If his era is more 4.20 then it's a good deal. 4.5 or higher and it becomes a possibly bad deal. there is no resources tied in this deal. Saved 13.5 on Laroche, saying $16 million per after this year on Danks.

This is a no brainer move really. If the Padres weren't so offensive to close off talks with other teams they would have gotten quite a bit more. Hahn stuck it out.

He had a 3.91/4.45 ERA/FIP last year and has a 4.28/4.42 ERA/FIP this year and keep in mind half his starts come at a pitcher friendly Pads stadium. Even if there's no change in that ERA moving back to the AL, that's still pretty mediocre. Like I said, I think it's a fine deal for each team. All I'm saying is Tatis wasn't a fringe MLB type. He's viewed as a legitimate prospect albeit a long ways away and Johnson while not being much right now was also a top 100 prospect at points in the past. I don't see it as a steal for either side because both sides got what they want. SD adds a legit prospect to their minor leagues after throwing a lot away last year. They also add Johnson who like Pomeranz might thrive in a pitching friendly NL west. The Sox obviously get a well regarded pitcher and don't even have to eat that much money with him.

To me the worry is just that Shields is 34 and his walk rate has been significantly higher the past 2 seasons than his career average. Lackey's the perfect example that you should never place too much concern on age but pitcher can rather quickly go from being very good to very bad.

 

[brett05]

They're paying 3/27 for a guy to hopefully be a low 4's FIP pitcher who eats innings. While that's fine and dandy and a decent value and solves their terrible fifth pitching problem, it doesn't solve their inability to hit the baseball. It's also important to realize that Shields had frankly bad numbers outside of Petco (4.5 ERA last year, above 5 this year) and it's concerning that moving to the NL, he's watched his HR skyrocket. He's now coming back to the AL and he's pitching in a hitters park.

I think there's a fairly decent chance the Sox could spend 3/27 on Shields and he not solve the problem at all so to say this deal has "no risk" isn't entirely accurate; especially because the Sox are a team that can't truly afford to spend that kind of money on a guy and get nothing out of him.

Good points however it's still no risk really. The money is nothing. The team has it with no Laroche and still saved 8 million plus this season. When you look at what the Sox have been getting out of their #3-5 Shields even with inflated taters is a huge upgrade. He also rests the pen to make them better. I have faith that Cooper can get his homerun total down.

The hitting still needs to be addressed but they need more than a lh hitter. They need the guys they got to play to career norms more than anything. They also need another arm in the pen tho that is less of a need now that they have gotten Shields.

 

[brett05]

He had a 3.91/4.45 ERA/FIP last year and has a 4.28/4.42 ERA/FIP this year and keep in mind half his starts come at a pitcher friendly Pads stadium. Even if there's no change in that ERA moving back to the AL, that's still pretty mediocre. Like I said, I think it's a fine deal for each team. All I'm saying is Tatis wasn't a fringe MLB type. He's viewed as a legitimate prospect albeit a long ways away and Johnson while not being much right now was also a top 100 prospect at points in the past. I don't see it as a steal for either side because both sides got what they want. SD adds a legit prospect to their minor leagues after throwing a lot away last year. They also add Johnson who like Pomeranz might thrive in a pitching friendly NL west. The Sox obviously get a well regarded pitcher and don't even have to eat that much money with him.

To me the worry is just that Shields is 34 and his walk rate has been significantly higher the past 2 seasons than his career average. Lackey's the perfect example that you should never place too much concern on age but pitcher can rather quickly go from being very good to very bad.

And after Sale and Q we have no mediocre pitcher right now. Rodon has the makings of a star pitcher but that isn't happening this season. So Shields even at mediocre levels is way better than what the team has been getting. Toss in that his pitching coach will be Cooper and he gets his most frequently used catcher back and I can see him continuing on his 3.06 era he has this year (tossing out his last start). Tatis could be someone. Won't know for several years and several more even if he is before we see him in a mlb uni. That's not a loss for any team imo. End Eric is the perfect example on how severely flawed the top 100 specs are. If your class is below average than you are still a top 100 spec but not a viable ballplayer. EJ is at best a AAAA pitcher. I hope he does well but there is no smart money on that play.

 

[SilenceS]

White Sox had to do something. Teams are starting to streak in that division. Cleveland I have always believed to be the most well rounded team and they are playing well. Detroit has had 10 hits or more in six straight games. That offense is just dangerous. Royals can never be counted out because they seem to strive with their backs against the wall.

I am also enamored with Francisco Lindor. The plays that kid makes is just unreal. The quickness and range is jaw dropping.

 

[beckdawg]

And after Sale and Q we have no mediocre pitcher right now. Rodon has the makings of a star pitcher but that isn't happening this season. So Shields even at mediocre levels is way better than what the team has been getting. Toss in that his pitching coach will be Cooper and he gets his most frequently used catcher back and I can see him continuing on his 3.06 era he has this year (tossing out his last start). Tatis could be someone. Won't know for several years and several more even if he is before we see him in a mlb uni. That's not a loss for any team imo. End Eric is the perfect example on how severely flawed the top 100 specs are. If your class is below average than you are still a top 100 spec but not a viable ballplayer. EJ is at best a AAAA pitcher. I hope he does well but there is no smart money on that play.

Like I said I think it makes sense for both teams. I just don't think if largely favors either team. You've already spoken to how it benefits Sox and given you're a Sox fan I have no reason to doubt that. But from SD's perspective, they are dumping $27 mil of sunk cost for them and they are getting two players who can be useful for them. Shields wasn't going to be.

As for EJ, you could have said the same think about Pomeranz last year. SD having the park they do turns pitchers who are iffy into useful pitchers. They've done it a number of times.

 

[TL1961]

James Shields being the notable exception.

 

[SilenceS]

Anyone seen Stanton hit lately? Lost is an understatement

 

[TL1961]

Shields down 6-0 in the 2nd.

 

[Diehardfan]

Shields down 6-0 in the 2nd.

Yeah, plus he threw 84 pitches in two innings. I'm not sure I've ever seen that before.

 

[Diehardfan]

This weekend is a big series.

What's that you say? Atlanta?

Yes, only because if the Cubs take care of business they will gain ground on somebody.
Cardinals are playing the Pirates this weekend.

 

[TL1961]

This weekend is a big series.

What's that you say? Atlanta?

Yes, only because if the Cubs take care of business they will gain ground on somebody.
Cardinals are playing the Pirates this weekend.

I hope the Pirates sweep.