So we're up to Padres/Giants/Cubs/Pirates/Royals/Angels. Most likely the Mets too. Maddon to the Angels seems to be everyone's thinking, he worked for them for decades. Expect Espada to get one of these jobs.
Figured they'd give him more time. I mean, what were their actual expectations of this season? Win the West?
I think they just want to nab Madden while they can. I wouldn't be surprised to see Ausmus managing elsewhere. There will be a ton of openings, though he's been pretty selective in the past.
Before the season began, were they not picked as finishing 2nd in the division? Not saying 4th is Brad's fault. I have no idea.
Ausmus' micro-managing of the bullpen came under some scrutiny. It could also just be that there's not much talent there, so he favored getting guys out before they made a mistake. But what it also did was tax/over-tire arms that were constantly either warming up or getting in games at different times, without much of a formula.
I've seen nothing to indicate Ausmus is a good manager now, after stints with 2 separate clubs. I'm not saying he isn't a good manager, I'm just saying I don't see how anyone could make the case, conclusively, that he is. He's no AJ Hinch imo. He's also no Bo Porter, imo, so I imagine he's like almost everyone else out there and somewhere in between those 2 extremes.
Less than 1 fWAR. I doubt he will get more than $40M/3yr. He’s heading into a fatter pitching market.
So basically what he was expected to be. It was never likely to go well for him being just another year older. He'll need a great postseason to see any great number. The most comparable guys that signed last year are Lance Lynn who got 3/$30 and JA Happ who got 2/$34 with 3rd year vesting option.
Keutchel got bad data, but I can’t blame him for wanting to get paid, and playing hardball. The unfortunate thing was that the Astros actually got the opposite of a home town discount, whatever the number to start the bidding war was too rich for the Astros, and ended up being too rich for all of the other teams too. Hence, the discount playing price may not have made available to the Astros...
Interesting that they went with the veteran over the rookie despite Soroka being the clear ace of that staff. Maybe reduce the pressure, but also to have him match up against Flaherty?
makes sense to let a former Cy Young winner/ace and experienced post-season pitcher go first...remember Keuche's wins against the Yankees? He was ice cold. I think the spotlight could be too big for a rookie. I think its a smart move.
Uhhhh can Folty get a shoutout for 7 innings of shutout ball against the Cards? Hard to support the Braves, but you can’t not love STL getting dominated, and by one of our own no less. Bravo Luhnow, you work in mysterious ways. 7ks, 0bbs, 3 hits...an absolute gem. His best performance ever, and at the biggest stage no less. DK wasn’t shabby either, 1ER in 4.2IP, albeit on 8 hits/walks. Hopefully he can get it going this playoffs as well. How can you not root for DK taking down St. Louis and L.A...
And we wouldn't have had to trade the prospects. Honestly I was always for acquiring Wheeler as a rental for lesser propects, but c'est la vie.