C. Bethancourt to SD for RHP Kelly, and '14 International Signee R. Rodriguez (C)

[rico43]

Very well said and my sentiments exactly. Fredi is a damned idiot for not playing him regularly last year, and now as a result his value is ruined and we had to trade him at an all time low.

Did it occur to you that the pitchers did not like throwing to him?

[rico43]

I think I do. He's a lazy dickhead.

You gotta watch "reports on his defense..." It's hard to quantify. And every time I hear "great arm," I wonder about the other 80%.

Kelly does look like crap. Somebody must have seen something. The other guy is the return. Another young lottery ticket, but this one catches.

This past season was his first year back from TJ. Sometimes guys need that year to find themselves. But if he's still a shadow of himself when 2016 begins, then you cut him loose. He has two options remaining, which I'm sure was a factor.

[clvclv]

agree until the bold statement....Folty may be an okay starter in the long run... but his main value could be at the back end of the bullpen setting up/closing down the line....and with the amount of pitching we have coming through our system I wouldn't be opposed to let him grow into the role...

Starting in February.

[emk418]

We follow a brilliant move with a head scratching move.

[skillet]

Did it occur to you that the pitchers did not like throwing to him?

Rico do you know this for a fact, or is this conjecture on your part?

[clvclv]

Rodriguez is 17, you of all people should be excited about that.

Still young, time to develop let's see how he goes through our system. Other than Fredi do we have any catching gurus in our organization? I know Chino Cadahia was a big influence to McCann back in the day.

IIRC, Javy has been or might be working with them to some extent. Has been too long for me to remember exactly what was said, but I seem to recall it being discussed a bit while he was in the booth when he went into the Braves' HOF back in the spring.

Might be just during camp - sad that I can't recall exactly what he said - maybe that'll jog someone else's memory.

[Tapate50]

We follow a brilliant move with a head scratching move.

Eh?

[JohnAdcox]

Did it occur to you that the pitchers did not like throwing to him?

Really? I didn't remember his bat being that strong.*





*Relax, I'm kidding. I know what you meant. Seriously, that's been verified, yes? I've heard it so much, and seen enough*just watching casually, that my knee-jerk reaction is to believe it. Still....

[clvclv]

Sure!

I mean we're not competing with him really. He has his own thing, clvclv posts his articles here.

And really simply because that's much easier (and better for everyone here who'd prefer not to read my long-winded opinions in threads) to try to keep things on topic rather than spinning threads too far out of control when I try to project what moves might mean for the future. Not really trying to "do anything" with my site other than shoot off my mouth. Always appreciate replies there, but more interested in having it drive posters to this forum FWIW. I don't have time to post enough columns to make it much more than it is. It is nice to have it picked up by MLBTR from time to time though.

[clvclv]

Rico do you know this for a fact, or is this conjecture on your part?

Not conjecture. Was discussed on game telecasts after he was called back up late last season. He and Julio always seemed to have at least some trouble getting together when he was on the mound.

[Metaphysicist]

So is there an official count on the number of Tommy John's we've now traded for?

[Russ2dollas]

law's write up on the trade is much higher on the pitcher than I thought and solid on the catcher.

Called Rodriguez a catcher with a chance to hit. That's a good thing to have in the system. I doubt he ever plays, he's not toolsy. But we have a chance and didn't have to pay him 800K.

[GovClintonTyree]

Not conjecture. Was discussed on game telecasts after he was called back up late last season. He and Julio always seemed to have at least some trouble getting together when he was on the mound.

Julio has a little Bob Gibson in him.

"Get the f**k off my mound and go back behind the plate!"

[50PoundHead]

Julio has a little Bob Gibson in him.

"Get the f**k off my mound and go back behind the plate!"

I agree. It gets him off his game every now and then, but he doesn't back down when hitters don't back off the plate. He also knows what he wants to do on the mound. No nonsense guy when things are going right.