CLE is still the best team in the central, but MIN has closed the gap. They’ve added some good pieces. Clearly not elite yet, but they could be a playoff team, especially if CLE’s...interesting offseason doesn’t pan out. Does MIN have any good prospects coming up? This looks like an 87-90 win team. Theyve got a loooot of games vs. KC, DET, CWS... OF: Rosario, Buxton, Kepler IF: Sano, Polanco, Schoop, Cron DH: Cruz C: Castro Util: Marwin SP: Berrios, Gibson, Pineda, Odorizzi, Romero/Mejia
It stretched over five seasons and was the first 25 home runs he hit in his career. It more than doubled the second place guy (11). Over 70% of his at bats had at least one man on base during that time.
Not Astros related but Jeff Sullivan is leaving Fangraphs and Effectively Wild podcast. Taking a job with the Rays. Thought some here might be interested in that news.
Would Keuchel say no to 1yr/22mil? Astros staff would be elite from top to bottom. Still gives the Astros the flexibility to extend Verlander, Cole & maybe McHugh beyond the season. 2019 JV Cole Keuchel McHugh Miley/James 2020 2-3 spots for extension/re-signing JV, Cole, McHugh, Miley Whitley James McCullers
Another huge loss for Fangraphs. I cancelled my Fangraphs subscription after Cistulli left. I don't see them recovering from losing Cameron, Cistulli and Sullivan. It went from a daily must-read to a "oh yea, Fangraphs still exists" pretty quickly. As much as I like Longenhagen and Kiley, there's only so much prospect coverage I care about. The rest of Fangraphs is now chats and non-baseball baseball stuff like collective bargaining or HOF candidacy.
Padres should sign him. In that park, with that left side of the IF (unless they **** it up and put Maldonado at SS)....Twins too, but their IF outside of Shoop sucks, they do need another pitcher if they're serious.
He looked pretty good. He left a changeup up in the strikezone and it was crushed for a HR. The big concern is he doesn't get a lot of strikeouts. His fastball seems very straight.
I hope so but I highly doubt it. If Springer would even agree to anything with an AAV under 13-15 million we would lock him up in a hurry. If 6/80 (buying out his last year) would get Springer to sign it would be foolish not to. Hicks has been completely unable to stay healthy, and when he is healthy he's inconsistent. He was willing to just take his guaranteed 70 and not take the risk. He's made less in his whole career than George is making this season.
They’ve played almost the same number of games and Springer has been worth 18 fWAR to Hicks 11. Springer is the far more valuable player. That said, it does give more data for what a Springer extension might look like. I think $90M/6yrs would be in range.
A 6 year extension starting next season would cover his age 30-35 seasons. It might be 1 year too long but the aav is not that high so I think it’s reasonable. A bad year this season would be devastating for him since he showed signs of potential decline last season. Luhnow signed Reddick and Brantley thru age 33 so it’s not like they won’t sign guys into their mid 30s for the right price. $15M/yr isn’t likely to be an albatross even if Springer is just a fringe bat the last 2 years.
BREAKING: Third baseman Nolan Arenado and the Colorado Rockies are finalizing an eight-year, contract extension worth more than $255M, league sources tell ESPN. Deal includes an opt-out after three years, would give Arenado the largest per-year salary of any position player. Nolan Arenado’s deal with the Colorado Rockies will run through 2026, though the opt-out clause after the third season would allow him to hit free agency at 30 years old, sources tell ESPN. The eighth year and record-breaking AAV offered by the Rockies got this deal done. full no trade clause Information from Jeff Passan What does that mean for Alex Bregman and the Astros?
Nothing yet. Arenado has a much longer track record, and was in his last season. We still have Bregman for 4 more years. There's no reason for us to assume he will remain at this level, and there's no reason for him to accept less than being paid like he will stay at this level. If he would be willing to give up some free agency to lock in security maybe it could come into play. Offer Bregman a 5/60, 6/90 to buy out a year or 2 of free agency and see if he bites.