MLB 2018 Season

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Tebow sent to the minor-league camp by the Mets after he went 0-for-4 with 4 strikeouts Tuesday.

In 7 big-league exhibitions, he batted .056 (1-for-18) with 11 Ks.

Silliness.

Is that bad?

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Yadi level (the GOAT of catchers defensively)

You spelled Ivan Rodriguez wrong.

[Anti-Dentite]

You spelled Ivan Rodriguez wrong.

P-U-D-G-E

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Very surprised Cobb got 4/60 so late in the offseason considering the contracts others had to settle for.

[MerrittsMustache]

Very surprised Cobb got 4/60 so late in the offseason considering the contracts others had to settle for.

The guys who took short-term deals (Lynn, Moustakas, etc) are likely betting on themselves and hoping to get their big pay day a year from now. Cobb took the money and could end up being a steal for the Orioles at $15M/season.

[🏀]

The guys who took short-term deals (Lynn, Moustakas, etc) are likely betting on themselves and hoping to get their big pay day a year from now. Cobb took the money and could end up being a steal for the Orioles at $15M/season.

I think Cobb was a $15-17 pitcher. Given injuries, I think it's a good deal for both sides. Quite frankly, I'm glad he waiting. I'm sure the Cubs offered similar dollars, but because he held out Theo got Yu.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I think Cobb was a $15-17 pitcher. Given injuries, I think it's a good deal for both sides. Quite frankly, I'm glad he waiting. I'm sure the Cubs offered similar dollars, but because he held out Theo got Yu.

I don't disagree he was worth around that amount but considering how many other players got much less than they were worth I think he is fortunate. 

I've seen rumors the Cubs offered 3/42 or 4/48, although you always have to take that with a grain of salt.  Definitely happy with how it worked out for the Cubs. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

I think Cobb was a $15-17 pitcher. Given injuries, I think it's a good deal for both sides. Quite frankly, I'm glad he waiting. I'm sure the Cubs offered similar dollars, but because he held out Theo got Yu.

O's also have to give up the 51st pick as he had a qualifying offer. I think this made Cobb the Cubs' Plan C or D.

[CTWarrior]

You spelled Ivan Rodriguez wrong.

Actually, while Pudge may have been the greatest throwing catcher ever, he wasn't great at blocking balls, preventing wild pitches, etc.  Johnny Bench may well be the guy.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Opening Day tomorrow

PECOTA projections for 2018:

AL East
NYY 97-65
BOS 89-73
TB 83-79
TOR 79-83
BAL 70-92

AL Central
CLE 96-66
MIN 82-80
CWS 72-90
DET 68-94
KC 65-97

AL West
HOU 99-63
SEA 82-80
LAA 79-83
OAK 76-96
TEX 75-87

NL East
WSH 88-74
PHI 81-81
NYM 80-82
ATL 76-86
MIA 65-97

NL Central
CHC 91-71
STL 85-77
MIL 84-78
PIT 78-84
CIN 75-87

NL West
LAD 97-65
ARZ 87-75
SFG 83-79
COL 78-84
SD 73-89

[GB Warrior]

Opening Day tomorrow

PECOTA projections for 2018:

AL East
NYY 97-65
BOS 89-73
TB 83-79
TOR 79-83
BAL 70-92

AL Central
CLE 96-66
MIN 82-80
CWS 72-90
DET 68-94
KC 65-97

AL West
HOU 99-63
SEA 82-80
LAA 79-83
OAK 76-96
TEX 75-87

NL East
WSH 88-74
PHI 81-81
NYM 80-82
ATL 76-86
MIA 65-97

NL Central
CHC 91-71
STL 85-77
MIL 84-78
PIT 78-84
CIN 75-87

NL West
LAD 97-65
ARZ 87-75
SFG 83-79
COL 78-84
SD 73-89

If I'm the Brewers, I'm pleased with that given I didn't make any splashes in FA. Last year was predicated on career highs for a lot of players (Anderson, Shaw, Arcia, Santana, Sogard, and - to a lesser extent - Thames, Aguilar). PECOTA rightfully projects regression there. If everyone regresses as severely as projected, 84 wins feels pretty good.

If one or two of those players make last year their new normal (Arcia, Shaw and Santana the likely candidates), we could see a handful of wins above that.

This should be a fun season, but we should have no illusions of catching the Cubs unless there is a bizarre confluence of events and injuries.

[BM1090]

If I'm the Brewers, I'm pleased with that given I didn't make any splashes in FA. Last year was predicated on career highs for a lot of players (Anderson, Shaw, Arcia, Santana, Sogard, and - to a lesser extent - Thames, Aguilar). PECOTA rightfully projects regression there. If everyone regresses as severely as projected, 84 wins feels pretty good.

If one or two of those players make last year their new normal (Arcia, Shaw and Santana the likely candidates), we could see a handful of wins above that.

This should be a fun season, but we should have no illusions of catching the Cubs unless there is a bizarre confluence of events and injuries.

Agree with this. Catching the Cubs is unlikely but snagging one of the two WC spots is a realistic goal.

[jsglow]

Catching the Cubs IS unlikely.  But it's not true that the Crew didn't make any moves.  I point you to position #1 and #2 in the batting order.  Last year, they fell out of the playoff chase because they stopped scoring runs.  Fewer strikeouts and more runners on base should help.  It's a darn shame that Nelson isn't healthy.

[Jockey]

If I'm the Brewers, I'm pleased with that given I didn't make any splashes in FA.

Maybe you could actually follow baseball and its happenings before commenting on it.

[GB Warrior]

Maybe you could actually follow baseball and its happenings before commenting on it.

LOL. What I meant was *ahem* didn't make any splashes at PITCHING in FA. Not completely my thought aside (don't Scoop and conference call, kids), my point stands on regression. PECOTA is fairly conservative. Generally ballpark accurate, but conservative. I cannot see us falling below that line unless big injuries happen

[#UnleashSean]

Well that's a way for the opening pitch of 2018 to go.

[MerrittsMustache]

Predictions

NL East: Nationals
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Dodgers

NL Wild Cards: Giants, Cardinals

NL Champion: Cubs


AL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Twins
AL West: Astros

AL Wild Cards: Yankees, Indians

AL Champion: Red Sox

2018 World Series: Cubs over Red Sox in 6

[🏀]

Predictions

NL East: Nationals
NL Central: Cubs
NL West: Dodgers

NL Wild Cards: Diamondbacks, Mets

NL Champion: Cubs


AL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Indians
AL West: Astros

AL Wild Cards: Yankees, Twins

AL Champion: Indians

2018 World Series: Cubs over Indians in 7

[GB Warrior]

Well that's a way for the opening pitch of 2018 to go.

Everyone is going to revel in playing the Marlins this year

[#UnleashSean]

Well its safe to say that Shwarbs fielding has not improved.

[MU82]

SCHWARBS!

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Catching the Cubs IS unlikely.  But it's not true that the Crew didn't make any moves.  I point you to position #1 and #2 in the batting order.  Last year, they fell out of the playoff chase because they stopped scoring runs.  Fewer strikeouts and more runners on base should help.  It's a darn shame that Nelson isn't healthy.

Why add Cain and Yelich and then do basically nothing with the rotation?  Yeah, they added Chacin but that clearly seems to be a weakness of the team.  Seemed odd to me. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Well its safe to say that Shwarbs fielding has not improved.

The play on the ball to the wall was tough - he should have just played it for a double.  The base hit he overran was rough. 

I think I'll let the season surpass a handful of innings before saying his fielding hasn't improved. 

[jsglow]

Why add Cain and Yelich and then do basically nothing with the rotation?  Yeah, they added Chacin but that clearly seems to be a weakness of the team.  Seemed odd to me.

Not to me.  Small market teams have to grow their own pitching talent for the most part.  This year that'll mean Suter, Woodruff and Webb when he's healthy.  Not sure the Crew has enough but we'll see.

[ChuckyChip]

Not to me.  Small market teams have to grow their own pitching talent for the most part.  This year that'll mean Suter, Woodruff and Webb when he's healthy.  Not sure the Crew has enough but we'll see.

True, although Webb isn't really "home grown", having come over from the Yankees last July.