In a 14 IP sample I'm not really interested if a pitcher has a fluky SSS HR/FB% which drives up his ERA. Obviously Lance is not going to give up anything close to a HR for every two flyballs he surrenders. I do think the K% and elevated SwStr% he exhibited during the postseason is a lot more meaningful in that kind of sample and if he can come close to maintaining those numbers than he has a very good chance of a successful season in 2021. I'm also excited that he utilized his cutter in a meaningful way in the playoffs and that is also something that could pay dividends for him if he sticks with it.
I would also point out that his ALDS performance was likely an above average performance for that series as he performed a lot better than A's starters. No more day games in LA during the postseason please.
For fun... That's a good deal. Hope Astros can snag someone to play center that is as good as him for that price.
LMJ obviously needs to stay healthy but he should be a fine SP3. His situation is a hard one to read/predict...not too much stock should be put into 2020 stats IMO, but his injury history before then also is what it is. LMJ is going to get hit hard at times, but he also gets in grooves where he is un-hittable, or, as he calls it, “******* nasty”. He needs to become more consistent, as he pitches like an SP2 sometimes but a SP4 in other innings. Honestly, he reminds me of a bit of Wandy and Bud Norris (2011 version)...not as far as stuff is concerned, but as far as being a suitable SP3. I think he’s better suited in the bullpen, but that’s a move best made once it becomes necessary. Let him continue in the rotation until he can’t do it consistently anymore.
Dammit, we have glaring need at CF and that's a short commitment/small price. Man I wish we couldve done that.
McCullers is a good regular season #3 for a contender. He will show flashes of being a number 2 but his inability to consistently pitch deep into games and his injury history means it’s probably not a good idea to count on him to be more than that. He has more value in the playoffs, where he can be deployed as very effectively as a starter (starting and going 2 times thru the lineup) or as a dominant closer, because he can rely so much more on his curve. My hope is that Framber and one of Urquidy, Javier, Garcia, or Whitley gets established as a more reliable 2-3, both for the regular season and playoffs. Playoff pitching staff: Game 1: Greinke Game 2: Valdez Game 3: Verlander (followed by Whitley) Game 4: Urquidy BP: Paredes, Javier, Baez, Smith, and Stanek in the 6th and 7th based on matchups, then Pressly in the 8th and McCullers in the 9th.
my best base for the lineup . Tucker can play CF and Yordan can play RF . We find a good Dh (maybe toro ?) tucker Bregman Correa Yordan Yuli Brantley Tuve Machete DH
I don't want Yordan and his geriatric knees getting any more wear/tear unless absolutely necessary (i.e. - playing the field during the World Series in the NL ballparks where there is no DH). Tucker could probably be fine in CF... there are some here saying his defense is better than Mike Trout based on analytics!.. but hopefully that Leon guy is the one that takes control of the position, either early on or by mid-season.
possibly . I’m curious to find out how this last surgery effected him . It’s possible he had underlying issues that got cleared up and his knees won’t be a huge impediment . he’s got a pretty good arm from what I recall and if he can play 80 games at RF it allows you to use DH to rest yuli and bregman . Maybe he can play first to sub for Yuli ? I’m just not ready to give up on him being a fielder given his age and hope with the surgery . maybe I’m too optimistic, I just hope he’s recovered enough to be great at the plate again . but , you gotta admit , that lineup is sick
If they want to put Tucker in CF go sign Puig for RF. He easily replaces the offense of Reddick and you have likely improved the offense from last season if Alvarez can replace Springer's production. Plus Puig is a solid defender in RF with a cannon arm. I don't really like Tucker in RF. He should be in LF but can't with Brantley. Altuve Brantley Bregman Alvarez Correa Tucker Gurriel Puig Maldonado
Since he was 16 years old and playing in Cuba until today, Yordan has played a grand total of 2 games in right field.
what !? No way haha , I had no clue I thought he played RF for us in the minors . Shows what I know lol
Bwahaha. You must be the most butt hurt individual on the site. If you do not like the fact that I have faith in defensive metrics as opposed to your eyes, then prove me wrong. It is that simple. You made a lot of statements, threw out a lot of rhetoric, but provided nothing to support your position. Nada, zilch. If you are so convinced that Trout played better defense last year, then buttress it. Or are you just going to make snide comments to show what a whiny ******** you are? Can you provide any defense, anything at all? Something tells me I am wasting my breath. By the way, the metrics say that Tucker played better in mostly LF than Trout played in CF. They did not address Tucker's ability to play CF at all.
Alvarez really wants to play the outfield, he has trained and puts a lot of time and effort on defense. If he plays the outfield it will be in left field and not right. He is certainly capable of doing it, but he is a very large man and some feel may become injury prone. Seems to me that they could possibly compromise and get him like 40 starts in left and the rest at DH if he is healthy and insistent.
This. There are a few guys out there that are quality corner outfield bats that aren’t going to get big money. Supposedly Puig has been humbled some as well.
