Around the League: 2017 offseason edition / 2018 Season

[clvclv]

You sure you were actually talking to Greg Holland?

Maybe you aren’t as good a buddy to him as your name dropping suggests haha?

Who in the *uck is name dropping??? Greg happens to be from my hometown, is an acquaintance of mine, and went to school at WCU a few years after I was there. I play golf with him (when he's in town), his father, and his brother (when he's in town) from time to time along with any number of other people who happen to be members at the same club. I've never purported to be part of his "inner circle" as you seem to want to suggest.

I did mention the fact that he said he enjoyed his time in Colorado when Heyman reported a deal was close a few weeks back. That did come directly from him, but it certainly wasn't a secret or some "inside information" that anyone that knows him, any member of his family, or any of his hunting buddies didn't know. He has a good relationship and goes hunting with Darren Holmes who also is from this area. *hit - there I go again dropping names.

Apparently it's a crime to be from the same town as a player. Guess that's not a problem for you since none of them hail from cesspools.

[Nerfherders]

One thing we've learned from this rebuild is that you don't need to pay for relievers. That's a pretty terrible deal for the Rockies, when they should be concentrating on the starting pitching.

[50PoundHead]

absurd overpay by the Rockies...i guess I won't be moving them from my list of dumb teams anytime soon

My thoughts exactly. When I first saw the $52 MM number, I thought 4 years. I suppose length of contract at 3 years plays into the higher AAV, but it's still an absurd overpay.

Holland must be asking for the Zuiderzee.

[clvclv]

My thoughts exactly. When I first saw the $52 MM number, I thought 4 years. I suppose length of contract at 3 years plays into the higher AAV, but it's still an absurd overpay.

Holland must be asking for the Zuiderzee.

I don't think Greg is, he's never struck me as that type of guy (didn't even buy his wife a new car until his third season since "she's got the truck to drive while I'm gone if something's wrong with hers") - but it's pretty obvious the piece of *hit that represents him is. Probably the only time I've ever rooted for one of Borass' clients NOT to be the one left without a chair when the music stops.

[Enscheff]

I don't think Greg is, he's never struck me as that type of guy (didn't even buy his wife a new car until his third season since "she's got the truck to drive while I'm gone if something's wrong with hers") - but it's pretty obvious the piece of *hit that represents him is. Probably the only time I've ever rooted for one of Borass' clients NOT to be the one left without a chair when the music stops.

Sounds to me like you got the standard “I would love to sign with my former team” answer all FAs give when asked by any random fan, and then you decided to run over to these forums and name drop about your connection.

Perhaps he isn’t as close to you as you think, and isn’t going to give you any real info?

Or do you have another hot take we can quote a month from now?

[thewupk]

absurd overpay by the Rockies...i guess I won't be moving them from my list of dumb teams anytime soon

Davis' last 3 years he accumulated 4.4 fWAR. That's an average of 1.4 WAR per year. Yes relievers get paid more $$/WAR than others but good lord. Considering he's declined in WAR the last 3 years I think it's more than generous to expect another 4.4 WAR over his next 3 seasons but even giving them the benefit of the doubt that's still 12 million per WAR (likely even higher when real projected production is taken into consideration). Is that the highest expected to date on a free agent contract?

[nsacpi]

Davis' last 3 years he accumulated 4.4 fWAR. That's an average of 1.4 WAR per year. Yes relievers get paid more $$/WAR than others but good lord. Considering he's declined in WAR the last 3 years I think it's more than generous to expect another 4.4 WAR over his next 3 seasons but even giving them the benefit of the doubt that's still 12 million per WAR (likely even higher when real projected production is taken into consideration). Is that the highest expected to date on a free agent contract?

believe so

[Enscheff]

Rox have committed over $100M for a BP that will be approximately as productive as their 2017 unit. They will project to be about a .500 team. Seems like a questionable use of resources.

There are folks on these boards who suggested the Braves make a similarly expensive upgrade to their BP. Who thinks that was a good idea?

[thewupk]

Rox have committed over $100M for a BP that will be approximately as productive as their 2017 unit. They will project to be about a .500 team. Seems like a questionable use of resources.

There are folks on these boards who suggested the Braves make a similarly expensive upgrade to their BP. Who thinks that was a good idea?

I think it's clear this is a current market where it benefits mid market teams greatly to be able to build a reliable bullpen internally. Hopefully AA sees this and quickly moves some of the young starters at the upper levels, including the majors, if they don't show to be starting material.

[Enscheff]

I think it's clear this is a current market where it benefits mid market teams greatly to be able to build a reliable bullpen internally. Hopefully AA sees this and quickly moves some of the young starters at the upper levels, including the majors, if they don't show to be starting material.

Agreed. It’s almost enough to make me take back the bad things I said about the old FO acquiring so many pitchers.

Were they so behind the times their ideas came back into style? Like holding onto old clothes so long they cycle back into style?

[nsacpi]

Agreed. It’s almost enough to make me take back the bad things I said about the old FO acquiring so many pitchers.

Were they so behind the times their ideas came back into style? Like holding onto old clothes so long they cycle back into style?

Kind of like the South being so retro it is avant garde.

[50PoundHead]

Agreed. It’s almost enough to make me take back the bad things I said about the old FO acquiring so many pitchers.

Were they so behind the times their ideas came back into style? Like holding onto old clothes so long they cycle back into style?

I will be curious to see if the pitching patterns of the 1950s and 1960s re-emerge. Back then, you'd see a lot of pitchers who both started and relieved. I think we're seeing some changes to bullpen usage and I wonder if patterns of starting pitcher usage will change as well.

[Enscheff]

I will be curious to see if the pitching patterns of the 1950s and 1960s re-emerge. Back then, you'd see a lot of pitchers who both started and relieved. I think we're seeing some changes to bullpen usage and I wonder if patterns of starting pitcher usage will change as well.

Lines are definitely going to be blurred. We will see SPs and BP guys who throw ~100 innings per year.

Outside of the most talented arms, most pitchers are going to trend towards facing 9-18 batters each appearance.

[thewupk]

Lines are definitely going to be blurred. We will see SPs and BP guys who throw ~100 innings per year.

Outside of the most talented arms, most pitchers are going to trend towards facing 9-18 batters each appearance.

It's really just the next step of pitching specialization. How many numerous starters over the years struggle mightily the third time through the lineup? Instead of just hoping they can make it through just plan to not have that happen.

[Carp]

Rox have committed over $100M for a BP that will be approximately as productive as their 2017 unit. They will project to be about a .500 team. Seems like a questionable use of resources.

There are folks on these boards who suggested the Braves make a similarly expensive upgrade to their BP. Who thinks that was a good idea?

I do think the Rockies have to think outside the box a little considering how difficult it is for them to develop pitching. I don't think that it will work, but props to them for having a plan and sticking with it.

[thethe]

Braves saw where the price of pitching was going. Its always the most important commodity. That makes it the priority when developing from within.

[clvclv]

Sounds to me like you got the standard “I would love to sign with my former team” answer all FAs give when asked by any random fan, and then you decided to run over to these forums and name drop about your connection.

Perhaps he isn’t as close to you as you think, and isn’t going to give you any real info?

Or do you have another hot take we can quote a month from now?

Awwww, what's the matter - will none of the guys playing in the World Series Of Poker speak to you when they're in your casino? More likely that your bosses won't let you venture out of the closet you work in for fear some of them actually do meet you and are so insulted that they organize a boycott of the place.

[thewupk]

Braves saw where the price of pitching was going. Its always the most important commodity. That makes it the priority when developing from within.

False: If they saw where the price of relievers were going they wouldn't have attached BJ to Kimbrel.

[thethe]

False: If they saw where the price of relievers were going they wouldn't have attached BJ to Kimbrel.

Big misstep, like the Olivera trade, but the overall strategy will minimize the need to pay outrageous prices for pitching. I wanted investment in the BP this year but the prices being given out are prohibitive for a team like the Braves. Its a good thing we have a large surplus of pitching at the minor league levels. With AA's record on drafting pitching along with the Braves recent success I expect that strategy to continue.

[thewupk]

Big misstep, like the Olivera trade, but the overall strategy will minimize the need to pay outrageous prices for pitching. I wanted investment in the BP this year but the prices being given out are prohibitive for a team like the Braves. Its a good thing we have a large surplus of pitching at the minor league levels. With AA's record on drafting pitching along with the Braves recent success I expect that strategy to continue.

Whether it's pitching or position players teams like the Braves are competitive when they have multiple good players on the cheap. Looks to be off to a decent start in 2018.