Pablo

1 hour ago, totdprods said:

I continue to think we’re going to be a dark-horse on Machado or Harper, and imagine Keuchel will be on the radar too. It’s obvious they aren’t afraid to spend some coin this offseason, and as the days go on, the odds of these guys requiring an ‘overpay’ start to dwindle.

Man, I hope not!

Ummm, yes please?

Gotta say I like this move better than the Harvey signing. Say what you will about fantasy sites (and they are certainly flawed), but I've always had alot of respect for Matthew Pouliot over at rotoworld. In his September preview for 2019, he listed as the #67 SP, with Matt Harvey #94. The October Fangraphs ranking has Trevor at #80, Harvey not in the top 100.  

I guess I can see Cahill as a legit #3 SP, which I CAN'T see Harvey as. I mean, at one time Harvey was a quality pitcher; now, he's just who he is. l think in his case, perception is trailing reality. But in Cahill, you don't have to go back 'before he was injured', you can just look at what he did last year and see he's a solid #3; with a shot at being better, but a better shot of being injured.  

Final comment on Harvey; I think 'potential' carries alot of weight with a rookie who is just starting to put it all together; much less impressive when applied to a guy who, in his prime was very good, but now is a bit of a broken down husk.

Apparently Doug White has begun his work with Matt Harvey...

3 hours ago, IIIII said:

Party boy couldn’t handle NY so he comes to LA, wonder how this will turn out. Been a very sad offseason thus far. I would say the team has gotten slightly worse when you factor in who left and who has been brought in.

See, this is where my concern is. Honestly, you can argue production the rest of the winter (and we probably will). He used to be good. Had some setbacks. Beginning a comeback. Is it a mirage? is it redemption? Time will tell. If that's all there was to the story, then yeah; great gamble!  

But I feel like I've seen this movie before. Ya can't fix stupid, and there's nothing in Harveys recent or distant past that tells me he can handle the 'away from baseball' temptations. Staying out til 4 in the morning on days he's pitching; then showing up late because he's tired....  I ain't judgin' - I was young and stupid once myself. But nobody rewarded me with a guaranteed 11 million for it. 

I guess, at the end of the day, at least we didn't tie up the teams future (as has happened previously) on a guy with no demonstrable self-control; but I sure don't have any expectation that he has suddenly matured; particularly in light of the fact he hasn't yet been forced to face consequences.

1 minute ago, Vlad27Trout27 said:

It's worth the risk, don't understand all the hare for him. Guy pitched his arm out for the mets.

It's not the arm I'm worried about; it's the 10 cent brain.

Oh, and it's also the arm.

Going on record that Garrett Richards will have a better season in 2019.

Yes, I know.

Just now, krAbs said:

JUST so we are clear, released Shoemaker to save about four million dollars, and then turned around and signed Matt-I-can't-pitch-to-save-my-god-damn-life-Harvey for ELEVEN million - before incentives.

Other peoples toys always look more fun

Heard they hired Josh Hamilton to babysit him....

7 hours ago, True Grich said:

The Twins aren't wasting any time retiring the number of Joe Mauer:

Which makes me wonder... when, if ever will the Angels retire Tim Salmon's #15.  No Angels player has worn the number since he retired - why not make it official.  I'd like to see this happen sooner rather than later.

Yes, I know his career numbers aren't HOF worthy by any means, but he is still deserving, IMO.

 

I'd take those numbers over Harold freakin' Baines.

Matt Esparza - had some success early, but struggled the last couple years. Maybe a clean peanut? Or, at least, a slightly tarnished one?

The hit sequencing issue seems really insightful to me. Without digging too deeply, it just seems like the "need", or perhaps "felt need" to put AP in the heart of the order could be responsible for alot of that. I was never on the Dump Scioscia bandwagon, but creating an effective lineup is the managers most important day-to-day contribution. I don't know if Ausmus will have the leeway (or the stones) to make lineup modifications, but that sure seems to be an area that needs to be shored up.

Can we create a position for 'Zen Coach'?  Or maybe that's the "Z" in Zhealth?

....the heck is a Fielding Bible award....

1 hour ago, Chuckster70 said:

RIP @Halofan

@Pablo, I found out that Beerman passed away shortly after he posted this thread. I'm not sure of the cause of death.

Oh my gosh!  That's unbelievable! So sorry to hear this Chuck - RIP Beerman

HaloFan - thanks for the thread and the memories! Had no idea you were the old 'Beerman'!!  I've been Pablo since the early days on LATimes board. Good ol' Carl Golden - every board has an adversary. He had a partner in crime, too; remember Leisure Suit? He was like a stat-driven version of Carl.

2 minutes ago, mulwin444 said:

And?  He's under club control for the next 6 years and he has options...better get used to him

Well, he certainly seems to fit in well with our other relievers.

Just now, mulwin444 said:

He's a solid Relief prospect that was acquired along with Buttrey from the Red Sox for Ian Kinsler.  

Like Anderson, it's called being a rookie

Caught his 'show' in person Saturday night. Not overwhelmed.

God this team is depressing.

9 hours ago, Blarg said:

No, I see it as he is defusing any media rush to get his opinion. Last thing he wanted was his first day back a bunch of questions about a no win subject. 

Nice try, Blarg - but this thread jumped the shark. Ain't no getting it back.

7 hours ago, laagamer said:

So, I should ignore that the Dodgers are over-paying because he entered the league at  nineteen with a barely above average OPS? Or that Mike Trout had a worse first year even though he's completely uncomparable since then?

How are you addressing that he's not worth the prospects or the money?

No offense, but I don't feel like continuing to argue is fair to you. 

1.  Ha ha! You're too kind!

2. Didn't realize we were arguing

3. Didn't say anything about being worth the prospects or money. Just pointing out that when you say "Machado has only been above average the past few seasons" that really, the past few seasons are pretty much tantamount to his whole career to this point.  SO - maybe you could help me out? Which seasons were you referring to that he was NOT above average?

9 minutes ago, laagamer said:

I'm confused. Are you trying to say he just entered the league or something?

You're not making any sense.

I'm saying he entered the league as a 19 year old, and still posted a respectable OPS of .739.  It has climbed every year, with the exception of last year. As a comp, Mike Trout entered the league at 19 as well, and posted an OPS of .672. Not trying to say Machado is in Trout's class (nobody is, or has been) although much of Manny's career has been spent at a more premium position. Just saying it's pretty harsh to judge a kid as "only" putting up a few good years when he's just reaching the age that many major leaguers get their first taste, and still a ways from his prime production years. Does that make more sense?

2 hours ago, laagamer said:

Am I the only one with the balls to state the obvious?

Machado has only been above average the past few seasons. He isn't worth the whole farm. 

The past few seasons?  Kid only turned 26 last week!

Well, wasn't THAT special.

1 minute ago, The Boogie Man said:

I would have let Alvarez finish the inning.  

I like this "walk a guy, you're outta there" attitude. Wasn't someone saying something about Scioscia holding people accountable?