Kolek planning to go pro
There a certainly more than a few teams that have a better "3" than Shields, such as the Cubs, Mets, Nats, SF, Cleveland, Toronto. There's also a number of teams you could make a solid argument for as well, such as St. Louis, Texas, TB, etc. There's also the difference of being a 3 on any team vs a playoff caliber 3, which I know is subjective. Shields as actually fairly mediocre at this point, IMO. He's nowhere near the pitcher he was. Still a solid trade considering what he is replacing and the money SD is eating, but I wouldn't expect a ton. We'll see how the move to the AL and the Cell and the move out of Petco goes. 4.50 ERA/4.14 FIP on the road last year.
It hurts your credibility to claim that Samardizja, who was the worst qualifying pitcher in baseball last year, is better than Shields. There arent many numbers that would support that claim.
Shark -- Career numbers (as a starter) : ERA 4.07; WHIP 1.24; record 44- 59;Shields -- ERA 3.76; WHIP 1.24; record 129- 104So career wise, Shields has been better. Especially considering, last year excluded, Shark has been in the NL and Shields in the AL. As for Shark being so much better this year, well... Shields has gone at least 6 innings in every start but 1. He has allowed 3 runs or fewer in 8/11 starts. Samardizja has had 3 starts in which he has not gone 6 innings. He has given up 3 or fewer in 9/12. Shark's career numbers also say he is considerably better in the first half than the second half, where Shields stays basically the same. Last year was an anomaly, Samardizja isn't that bad. But he isn't all that great either. He is a pretty basic 3 starter. Same as Shields. The historical numbers are certainly in Shields' favor. But you are right. It makes no sense to expect the Shields from 5 years ago. But the numbers this year aren't so much in Shark's favor as you would make it seem. And apart from one disastrous start, Shields has given his team a chance to win every start. Most of those teams you mentioned have a claim for a better 3, but most are not clear cut.And by the way, as for your last comment, yeah, they are playing terrible, but that has nothing to do with this conversation.
Machado should receive some kind of commendation for taking out Yordano last night. Ventura had it coming.
Brewers picking #5.I'd like to see them go for a high ceiling pitcher. AJ Pint would be great. They've also been tied to outfielders Blake Rutherford and Corey Ray. Collins also an option for Brewers, would save them some money to use on later picks. He's got a pretty high k rate (though more bb's than Schwarber). Would be a quick bat to the majors as a 1b if things went right.
Sounds like Puk is going #1. Groome and Delvin Perez sound like they are falling. Perez way down with the PED test positive.
Shields throwing BP so far in his Sox debut. 79 pitches to get through 2 innings.
Shark threw bp for a year. Thanks for caring though.
Of course, Corey Ray to Brewers.meh. Puk and Groome still on the board.