The Hey its 2021 now guys MLB thread

[cheebs09]

Wilson Contreras out of the lineup today too.

I’m guessing that’s pretty normal for a catcher in a day game after a night game.

It was bush league to throw at Woodruff. I’d be surprised if the Brewers try and retaliate as that doesn’t seem to be Counsell’s way.

I only saw the second one from last series, but that one was close to a strike. Contreras is going to get hit a lot when standing over the plate. He led the majors with 14 last year in a short season.

[jficke13]

Burnes got his run support today.

[wadesworld]

Burnes got his run support today.

Not that he needs much of it.  SHEESH!

[Hards Alumni]

Not that he needs much of it.  SHEESH!

Threw $10 at him winning cy young before the season started

[jsglow]

Threw $10 at him winning cy young before the season started

His season line is just sick.  18.1IP, 4H, 1ER, 0BB, 30K

[jficke13]

His season line is just sick.  18.1IP, 4H, 1ER, 0BB, 30K

He's absolutely dealing.

Plus helped his cause by knocking in 2 RBIs too (again not that he needed 'em)

[Spotcheck Billy]

He now has more RBIs than ER given up

[Jockey]

His season line is just sick.  18.1IP, 4H, 1ER, 0BB, 30K

His worst start of the year. He gave up 2 hits!!

[tower912]

Baddoo having the hottest start in Tiger history.  You know it will end, but it is always fun to watch.

[CreightonWarrior]

It’s fine when Javy throws his bat at the pitcher or two brewers get plunked up and in while the Cubs are getting blown out or Woody gets thrown at. But god forbid Contreras stands over the plate and gets hit.

[jficke13]

It’s fine when Javy throws his bat at the pitcher or two brewers get plunked up and in while the Cubs are getting blown out or Woody gets thrown at. But god forbid Contreras stands over the plate and gets hit.

Can you imagine what the Cardinals might have done had Contreras if they were on the receiving end of his hot dogging last night and not the Brewers? Gasp. I shudder to think.

[buckchuckler]

Baddoo having the hottest start in Tiger history.  You know it will end, but it is always fun to watch.

Take that Chris Shelton.

[jsglow]

It’s fine when Javy throws his bat at the pitcher or two brewers get plunked up and in while the Cubs are getting blown out or Woody gets thrown at. But god forbid Contreras stands over the plate and gets hit.

My favorite part was the ump patting Woody on the shoulder. "You're right.... Take it easy.... I got this...."

Two out of three, again. Fly the 'L' boys.   

[DegenerateDish]

I’m not taking anything away from the Brewers, but that is a very bad Cubs team.

[jsglow]

I’m not taking anything away from the Brewers, but that is a very bad Cubs team.

Pretty much like every other Chicago team now, eh?  (Just givin' ya crap dish.)

[buckchuckler]

Its very interesting, and I think a lot remains to be seen how this year shakes out.  There is a lot of recency bias.  Baez was terrible at the plate in 2020 by his standards, but we're not even 10% through the season.  Baez goes 3-4, 2-4, and 1-3 in a 3 game series and all of a sudden he's hitting .290 and rumors of his demise are forgotten.

Seager I'd agree with. He's quietly become arguably a top 3 SS.  Story if he stays in Colorado, definitely.  But Baez is a much better defender than both of them.

Correa I don't agree with.  He got most of his shine from those first 3 years.  He was pretty meh in 2018 which was his last full season.  Then up and down in 2019.  And again, not the fielder Baez is.



Again, this is all assuming Baez regains some semblance of himself at the plate.  He's had struggles that he's worked through, its not new.  He's always been confident and free swinging.  But those 4 will all make the market very competitive.  If not for COVID, Baez probably would have gotten a big deal in Chicago in the offseason and been locked up for the long haul.

Iglesias and Simmons are both older and light hitting, so they will be decently behind.

I don't know... Correa, from 15-19 was the better offensive player.  More HR, RBI.  Better OBP, OPS.  He was even worth more bWAR and fWAR over that period, if WAR is your thing.  I'm not sure that includes slides and tags though...  But if your argument is based around the 2018 season, yeah Baez was better.  It was Baez's best season and Correa's worst.  Baez probably has a higher ceiling, but also a lower floor.  Correa has been much more consistent. 

And while Simmons and Iglesias are certainly behind, they offer options for teams looking for a SS.  Options with elite  skills.  They are likely the best 2 defensive SS in the game.  Hell, for that same period, 15-19(not chosen to cherry pick, more because that was Correa's rookie season), Simmons has a better bWAR and fWAR than Baez.  Will he get the money Baez gets, no.  Will he take a suitor away that is looking for a SS?  Yes. 

And the thing about Story is silly.  Plenty of guys leave Coors and hit just fine.  Will he hit as many homers?  No probably not, but Baez has hit more than 30 one time.  So he isn't exactly a power hitter.  And Story will still hit, and be well above average.  And he can steal 30ish bases in a season.  Baez was great in 18 and 19.  Before that he was ok.  Since then he has been horrible, though I'm willing to completely dismiss 20 for a lot of guys, and this year is too early.  But there has been plenty written about Baez suffering from not being able to watch film between ABs.  If that doesn't come back, I think there is plenty of reason to be skeptical of him.  And if I'm looking for a defense first SS, I'd prefer Simmons and Iglesias. 

EDIT:
This was released this evening, it isn't the end all be all, but for the record, Seager is 1, Correa is 3, Story is 4 and Baez is mentioned in the around the edges of the top 10 commentary. 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/2021-22-mlb-free-agent-power-rankings-2.html

[buckchuckler]

Pretty much like every other Chicago team now, eh?  (Just givin' ya crap dish.)

You're right though.  The Sox have played pretty poorly.  Their depth is embarrassing.  Tim can't get back soon enough. 

[jsglow]

You're right though.  The Sox have played pretty poorly.  Their depth is embarrassing.  Tim can't get back soon enough.

I enjoyed following the Sox for the many years we lived down there.  Would love them to have success.

[tower912]

Take that Chris Shelton.

Or Brennan Boesch.    Man, Shelton had a great couple of months.   Baddoo is hitting more homers.   First to have 4 homers in his first 8 games.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Shelton

Shelton had 57 at bats in 2004, spent 2005 in the minors, and had a ridiculous first two months of 2006.    Which is why he doesn't officially count as having the hottest start as a Tiger.   

[DegenerateDish]

Pretty much like every other Chicago team now, eh?  (Just givin' ya crap dish.)

You’re not wrong. It’s not a great state of affairs. Everyday it seems there’s a new Sox problem (today it’s Crochet’s velo and spin rates being down).

[Jockey]

None of the Cubs who started today's game had batting averages above the Mendoza Line.

It's probably Joe Maddon's fault.

[DegenerateDish]

Yermin is 12-1 on PointsBet to win AL Rookie of the Year.

Just sayin...

[buckchuckler]

Will they finish ahead of Baltimore?

You really motivated Boston with this one...

[#UnleashSean]

Jomboy with the voice of reason regarding the cubs and brewers...

https://youtu.be/nza8se5xZOA

[WI inferiority Complexes]

The o/u for no hitters in MLB this year should be 20.