KingJustinian

I just think he has to improve quite a bit on the offensive end for me to think it's worth it. Yeah the annual average value isn't too bad but that's a lot of money to give to a guy who relies heavily on an asset, his speed, that deteriorates quickly. I think he's a good player, just not worth anything over 100 million. 

Aybar has a higher career OPS+ than him.

I think they overpaid by quite a bit. I think something in the 75-90 million dollar range makes way more sense. Yes, the shortstop crop sucks right now but he's just not that kind of player.

I seriously thought it was an April fools joke when I first heard it, but it's on major news sites. I guess the average salary isn't that much though, it's just a long contract but he's young.

EDIT: Didn't realize this probably included bullpen, I was just talking about starters because I just read the other thread and didn't pay close enough attention.

I'm a bit more optimistic than most people with our starting pitching. Weaver should perform like one of the top pitchers in the league, I think Wilson will rebound similarly to after the last time he had this elbow surgery and be ace caliber, giving us one of the best 1-2 punches. Vargas will be pretty good with our defense and at least be an average middle of the rotation starter. Blanton will be no worse than he has been in his career, possibly better given our defense/ballpark/being in better shape. Hanson is a huge question mark but I think Richards could be a decent #5 right now if Hanson has problems. Of course 2+ injuries could make this staff significantly worse, unless Williams steps up.

As it stands in the AL I only see Oakland, Tampa Bay, and Toronto being better than us for sure when healthy (1-2 others you could argue for) and will almost certainly outperform our staff. I predict they'll finish between 5-8th in ERA, right around the middle of the pack.

Jimenez can make the team if they go to an 11-man pitching staff.

 

Bench:

 

Wells

Conger (or the other C)

Calhoun

Romine

Jimenez

 

With

 

Frieri

Downs

Jepsen

Burnett

Richards

Williams

 

in the 'pen.

With Blanton and a questionable Hanson I would want as many relievers as possible.

I'm curious to see what Jimenez does these next few weeks. If he continues to take walks like he has been doing, I'd love to see him make the team. 

They need a utility player that can play shortstop so I don't think that will happen.

Kendrick sure is getting a lot of looks in the #2 hole.  Of course the way he is hitting, I can see why.  But it just seems like that is the direction that Scioscia is leaning right now.

True, but that could change once Aybar is back

This might be the opening day lineup with Aybar in for Romine obviously

Could be one of those situations where Hansen needs to just sit on the shelf for a while and let that shoulder get healthy again.  We'll see what he does in the way of growing as a pitcher, meaning holding runners, hitting his spots, changing speeds etc. A loss in velocity doesn't have to be a death sentence (that's the optimist talking).  

Possibly Scott Kazmir #2

yeah, fair point.  I guess I'm suspect of Butcher's abilities, but admittedly I don't think fans can know much about how effective one coach is vs. another.

Yeah, we don't see what actually goes on so it's tough to judge. All we see is the results which depends on many things other than what the pitching/hitting coaches do, but when the results aren't there they are often scapegoats to keep the fans happy.

I don't doubt that was the case, but for argument's sake, how are we explaining Fernando Rodney?

No one knows what happened there. Probably mostly mental. We'll see how Rodney does this year to see if it's a fluke.

If you say it's Butcher's fault then you should also be criticizing the Tigers pitching coach.

I don't care much for Butcher, but Kazmir was physically broken when he was here.

I have a hard time putting that one on Butcher.

And like you said, it's still a huge if. He's not far removed from getting his ass kicked by independent ball.

Definitely not Butcher's fault. It was pretty well known that Kazmir'z elbow wasn't letting him put the sharp break on his slider and his velocity was down.

Was Hanson known as a power pitcher before???

I've never seen him pitch but this is what wikipedia says "Hanson throws four main pitches: a four-seam fastball at 89–92 mph, a slider at 78–82 mph, and a curveball at 71–73 mph. He occasionally throws a two-seam fastball and changeup, mainly to left-handed hitters. His slider is his most common 2-strike pitch to right-handers, and it responsible for a plurality of his strikeouts. His curve has the highest whiff rate, at 38% over his career."

I was referring to the Jimenez kid who came in after Frieri and walked the first 2 batters he faced.

Oh ok. I'm not following super closely but one was with runners on 2nd and 3rd with less than 2 outs right? That was probably "intentional"

Angels pitching prospects.....

Frieri and Hanson?

Haren had back problems last year so I wouldn't blame Butcher for that. And Santana has been inconsistent, so I'd wait for him to put up at least 2 good seasons before judging Butcher for that

The problem I have with Conger being a back up, is the same problem I have with Romine being the utility infielder. Back up positions, in my opinion, should be reserved for journeymen veterans. They shouldn't play much who are extremely strong defensively. It does no good for the development of a player to sit on the bench in the bigs when he could be getting his reps in AAA. 

Backing up Iannetta at catcher is different though. Iannetta won't play more than 110-120 games at most so that leaves a good deal of games for Conger.

man, howie is having a great spring so far

He always does. Without looking it up I bet April is his best slugging % month also. I think he hit under double digit homeruns last year and seems like they all came early.

BTW...Thanks for changing your avatar.

He probably does well in Spring training because he's a fastball hitter and pitchers are throwing more fastballs now to get their arms in shape.

In the AL, the next worst record is Texas, then the Yankees, then Detroit, then Toronto and Oakland. And Cincinnati is last in the NL. 

A bad farm system, got to expect to lose games early in spring.

That's why Texas and their farm that everyone says is awesome is 1-5...

The pitching has been ass so far this pre-season.

That's fine with me. It takes longer to get your arm up to full strength than it does for a hitter to be able to swing a bat to start the year.