MLB 2018 Season

[Jockey]

I didn't know much about Burnes, so I looked him up, and I know he had been great leading up to this season, but he has basically been BP in AAA, and while  I know the PCL is terrible for pitching, it seems weird that a guy with a 5.15 ERA in AAA is untouchable for a guy that could help the Brewers win their first World Series.

That is a better ERA than Josh Hader had in either of his seasons pitching in Colorado Springs. A pitcher's ERA pitching there is about as important as the color of their hair.

[Jockey]

Excellent article on what Machado is worth on the trade market. FanGraphs, of course.


https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-precedent-for-a-manny-machado-trade/

[TallTitan34]

This Cardinal thing keeps getting better and better.

https://deadspin.com/extremely-cardinals-report-mike-matheny-respects-bud-n-1827528307

[Jockey]

Matheny is the worst manager in baseball. I hope he is in St. Louis for years to come.

[GGGG]

This Cardinal thing keeps getting better and better.

https://deadspin.com/extremely-cardinals-report-mike-matheny-respects-bud-n-1827528307

My general rule of thumb is that any time you hear a coach, fan, player, etc. say a sport is "getting soft," what they are basically saying is "the world has changed and I don't know how to adopt to these changes."

[buckchuckler]

That is a better ERA than Josh Hader had in either of his seasons pitching in Colorado Springs. A pitcher's ERA pitching there is about as important as the color of their hair.

Well, I knew it was a bad place to pitch but that adds some perspective.   Thanks.

[CreightonWarrior]

Well, I knew it was a bad place to pitch but that adds some perspective.   Thanks.

Hasn't his ERA been affected a lot by a transition to the bullpen so they could get him up to the majors this year? Read in the JSO the other day that he was still trying to figure out how to get himself ready to pitch vs. a starting role.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

This Cardinal thing keeps getting better and better.

https://deadspin.com/extremely-cardinals-report-mike-matheny-respects-bud-n-1827528307

Bud Norris is a piece of sh*t.  Matheny is probably going to get a fired after this season, which is disappointing as he's terrible. 

[buckchuckler]

Hasn't his ERA been affected a lot by a transition to the bullpen so they could get him up to the majors this year? Read in the JSO the other day that he was still trying to figure out how to get himself ready to pitch vs. a starting role.

Looking at his numbers, he only had 6 appearances out of the pen and 13 starts, so I can't imagine the relief appearances making that much of a difference. 

By the way, did anyone see the Rockies pitcher hit a homer off the DBacks position player yesterday?  What a game. 

[MerrittsMustache]

By the way, did anyone see the Rockies pitcher hit a homer off the DBacks position player yesterday?  What a game.

Dbacks pitchers: 3.1 IP, 16 ER, 17 H

Dbacks position players: 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 H

They went to a position player in the 4TH INNING! Not only that but Descalso went from 2B to pitcher and then to 1B. That's Little League stuff right there.

[Jockey]

Dbacks pitchers: 3.1 IP, 16 ER, 17 H

Dbacks position players: 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 H

They went to a position player in the 4TH INNING! Not only that but Descalso went from 2B to pitcher and then to 1B. That's Little League stuff right there.

Last time that happened that early in a game was Sal Bando for the Brewers back in the '70s.

[MU82]

Dbacks pitchers: 3.1 IP, 16 ER, 17 H

Dbacks position players: 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 H

They went to a position player in the 4TH INNING! Not only that but Descalso went from 2B to pitcher and then to 1B. That's Little League stuff right there.

I've got no problem with it. None. Why waste the pitchers? These days, it's rare that a team get a chance to not use its bullpen, whether the game is close, a blowout or something in-between.

And it gives both DBacks fans, baseball fans and interwebs folks like us something to talk about.

More teams should do it.

Of course, the first time one of these position players suffers a serious injury while pitching, it will be hell to pay for the manager ...

[MerrittsMustache]

I've got no problem with it. None. Why waste the pitchers? These days, it's rare that a team get a chance to not use its bullpen, whether the game is close, a blowout or something in-between.

And it gives both DBacks fans, baseball fans and interwebs folks like us something to talk about.

More teams should do it.

Of course, the first time one of these position players suffers a serious injury while pitching, it will be hell to pay for the manager ...

I agree. It's fun and (usually) harmless. It's a long season and getting blown out in July isn't going to make or break things. Why not have some fun with it?

Jose Canseco blew out his arm pitching an inning for Texas in the mid-90s. There's a reason it's usually utility guys and back-up catchers.

[MU82]

I agree. It's fun and (usually) harmless. It's a long season and getting blown out in July isn't going to make or break things. Why not have some fun with it?

Jose Canseco blew out his arm pitching an inning for Texas in the mid-90s. There's a reason it's usually utility guys and back-up catchers.

Good point, MM.

[TallTitan34]

Jose Canseco blew out his arm pitching an inning for Texas in the mid-90s.

(insert wadesworld/Jake Arrieta joke here)

[JWags85]

I agree. It's fun and (usually) harmless. It's a long season and getting blown out in July isn't going to make or break things. Why not have some fun with it?

Jose Canseco blew out his arm pitching an inning for Texas in the mid-90s. There's a reason it's usually utility guys and back-up catchers.

Canseco was also a meathead who likely tried to just chuck it as hard as he could.  Descalso and Avila were pitchers at times in their careers (even if HS, I think Avila said he pitched a few times in college), so at least they understood the mechanics.

[TallTitan34]

Nice article on Javy being the most exciting player in baseball:

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24080545/chicago-cubs-javier-baez-most-exciting-player-baseball

[buckchuckler]

Nice article on Javy being the most exciting player in baseball:

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24080545/chicago-cubs-javier-baez-most-exciting-player-baseball

From Jesse Rogers?  Javy may as well have written it himself.  Have you watched any exciting non Cub players this season?  Angels games?  Rockie games?  Indians games?  Just curious.  You may enjoy watching Trout, Arenado, Ramirez among others.

[wadesworld]

I watch very little baseball outside of Brewers games until October. So for me the most exciting player is Hader and it's not really even close.

[buckchuckler]

I watch very little baseball outside of Brewers games until October. So for me the most exciting player is Hader and it's not really even close.

I find him completely boring.  He strikes everyone out.  It is a very predictable outcome.

Even highlights though?  You see Betts slam on the 13th pitch of an AB?  Arenado barehanding and gunning out a guy at home?  Some pretty great stuff, yesterday.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

From Jesse Rogers?  Javy may as well have written it himself.  Have you watched any exciting non Cub players this season?  Angels games?  Rockie games?  Indians games?  Just curious.  You may enjoy watching Trout, Arenado, Ramirez among others.

Trout is the best player in baseball but when you combine all the facets and what Javy has done offensively, running the bases, and defensively, yes he is absolutely among the most exciting. Exciting does not mean best.

And Jesse Rogers is certainly not the only person in the media that has expressed this sentiment.

[JWags85]

From Jesse Rogers?  Javy may as well have written it himself.  Have you watched any exciting non Cub players this season?  Angels games?  Rockie games?  Indians games?  Just curious.  You may enjoy watching Trout, Arenado, Ramirez among others.

Arenado I think is a valid argument due to his fielding prowess.  Trout is one of the best, most consistent hitters of all time, but he's not as fast and is just a solid defensive center fielder. Ramirez is probably a similar comp due to his intangibles.

I think you're confusing "best" with "exciting".  Part of what makes Baez exciting is his inconsistency.  Its infuriating as well, but my god you never know what he's going to do.  His flair for the game I think has a lot to do with it as well.  The slides, the tags, the daring base running, he's got a very visually appealing game.  I don't think he's even close to the same league as a complete player to Arenado or Ramirez, but he's exciting as hell.

Its not an open and shut case, but to act like its a preposterous statement is just standard Cubs shade.  Dominique Wilkins was never close to a top 5 player in the NBA, but everyone can agree he was super exciting.

[TallTitan34]

Dominique Wilkins was never close to a top 5 player in the NBA, but everyone can agree he was super exciting.

Great analogy! 

[buckchuckler]

Arenado I think is a valid argument due to his fielding prowess.  Trout is one of the best, most consistent hitters of all time, but he's not as fast and is just a solid defensive center fielder. Ramirez is probably a similar comp due to his intangibles.

I think you're confusing "best" with "exciting".  Part of what makes Baez exciting is his inconsistency.  Its infuriating as well, but my god you never know what he's going to do.  His flair for the game I think has a lot to do with it as well.  The slides, the tags, the daring base running, he's got a very visually appealing game.  I don't think he's even close to the same league as a complete player to Arenado or Ramirez, but he's exciting as hell.

Its not an open and shut case, but to act like its a preposterous statement is just standard Cubs shade.  Dominique Wilkins was never close to a top 5 player in the NBA, but everyone can agree he was super exciting.

No, he is faster.  This is Mike Trout ignorance.  He is fairly routinely stat-casted over 20 MPH and has completely elite speed.  Basically since he was drafted he has had 70-80 grade speed. 

I didn't act like it was preposterous.  Though to make that statement over and over and over again, as Cub fans and the Chicago media have, is preposterous.  He is an exciting player.  There are scores more that are at least as exciting.  Yeah, Baez is quick, and has elite bat speed.  So do a bunch of other guys. 

Everything you wrote about Baez, directly applies to Tim Anderson, should he be in the conversation?  No clearly not.  Moncada has elite tools all the way around, but he isn't nearly as exciting as some of the other guys right now because his game isn't complete.  It is insane that people are bored with Trout because he is too good.  He isn't exciting because we expect him to be amazing.  That says it all right there.  I also do wonder, as I did earlier, how much Mike Trout do most baseball fans see?  My guess is not much, and if you consider yourself a fan of the game, you should seek out watching him.  Your opinion of him being not exciting would change.  He does things on the baseball field that no one else does, and he does them every week. 

[buckchuckler]

Trout is the best player in baseball but when you combine all the facets and what Javy has done offensively, running the bases, and defensively, yes he is absolutely among the most exciting. Exciting does not mean best.

And Jesse Rogers is certainly not the only person in the media that has expressed this sentiment.

That is a key word that has not been used in this conversation previously.

Mookie Betts, Jose Altuve, Francisco Lindor, Trea Turner, Ozzie Albies, Paul Goldschmidt, Juan Soto are all guys that belong in there, and heck, how everyone is setting up Baez as the most exciting, he doesn't hold a candle to Yasiel Puig in those categories.