I could fix Heyward's swing in two weeks max.
I could fix Heyward's swing in two weeks max.
Forever Fredi
But those percentage points are big difference makers when spread out over a season. There's a reason why B-ref uses a system based off wOBA and wRAA for it's WAR not OPS+. The difference between 5% above average and 5% below average is a healthy enough chunk of runs. We're talking about almost 10 run difference in terms of value.
Using the standard aging curve, Heyward is still likely to be a net positive defender for quite some time. Don't look at the fall off this year and expect that to be the norm every year after. Plus who knows what happens to defensive value when his OF partner is Inciarte, arguably one of the better defensive CF in the game. Maybe he takes a few more chances which get a few more outs which drives his value up. That's just speculative of course.
I'm not saying Heyward is the answer, but he could an answer and we could get him for a back of the rotation starter and a maybe good pitching prospect who could also maybe not be any real contribution because his arm blows out.
Stockholm, more densely populated than NYC - sturg
I honestly don't get why people are so in love with Gausman, he's a decent pitcher who can't go deep into games. Not a bad guy to have but he's hardly a prime asset, that's why we were able to get him for a collection of C/C+ prospects. He's kind of cheap but that's eroding quickly as he's already made 5M in arb.
Stockholm, more densely populated than NYC - sturg
Heyward for Fried and Gausman would be one of the worst trades ever, you trying to make Chicago win the NL going forward?
You seem to be equally in love with a player who is overpaid and has underperformed for three years straight now. Yeah, he has been a little better this year but is about to be 30 and is simply not a great player, at least offensively. I get the fact that he came up as a Brave and gave us a few really good years. I liked having him around, but trading Gausman and Fried for him would be insane.
I'm also not really in love with Gausman. I don't think he is going to be a 2 ERA stud ace level pitcher or anything. But I could see him being a solid 3 or 4 on a playoff team that we control through 2020. That is a valuable piece moving forward.
Heyward likely has negative value on that contract. Not sure anyone should give up anything with a pulse for the opportunity to pay him and see if he can recover some value.
Ivermectin Man
You're forgetting and about 50M coming our way. Think of it this way. Jay Bruce is going to be getting paid 13M a season until he's 33. I'm proposing using assets to get Heyward for 12M or maybe less if AA is really good at negotiation per season. Heyward has certainly been a more consistent and better performer than Bruce (Bruce with about 5700 PA compiled a 20 fWAR before this year Heyward with about 5000 PA has compiled at least a 29 fWAR) so what I'm proposing is that we use Gausman and Fried, 2 players of more or less excess value to get Heyward to that point. Heck maybe Gausman keeps pitching out of his ass and we don't need to give up Fried. I was including Fried because I know Epstein is a relatively smart GM and would likely want more than a back of rotation pitcher to clear out that much salary.
Stockholm, more densely populated than NYC - sturg
I'm in love with Heyward at 12M a year. Would be a great shot at a bargain and if he ever refinds any old form he'll be one of the best deals in baseball.
Sadly what's going to happen though is we'll keep Gausman and he'll revert to his norms, we'll re-sign Markakis for more money than he's worth and he'll be miserably bad again, and all the while we'll be wondering, what if.
Stockholm, more densely populated than NYC - sturg
"Well, you’ll learn soon enough that this was a massive red wave landslide." - thethe on the 2020 election that trump lost bigly
“I can’t fix my life, but I can fix the world.” - sturg
No way on Heyward. Don't need him coming here bringing the team down. I wouldn't want him back at 5 million per season. I'd rather keep Kakes for another year or two, knowing that he'll be back to his old stats next year.
"Well, you’ll learn soon enough that this was a massive red wave landslide." - thethe on the 2020 election that trump lost bigly
“I can’t fix my life, but I can fix the world.” - sturg
Jaw (08-28-2018)
Gausman is easily more valuable than Heyward right now. I think Gausman will be a solid pitcher for us. Not "in love" with him, but do love that we bought low on a guy who still has some upside. Heyward only has downside from here.
"Well, you’ll learn soon enough that this was a massive red wave landslide." - thethe on the 2020 election that trump lost bigly
“I can’t fix my life, but I can fix the world.” - sturg
Saying Heyward only has downside is a bit disingenuous. Heyward still has upside. And still has the potential to hit. He hit early on and for what ever reason you believe, lost it. The man has talent. I personally don’t want to gamble he re-finds that talent. But I wouldn’t be completely shocked if jhey has a better year next year than even this one.
Coppy
"Well, you’ll learn soon enough that this was a massive red wave landslide." - thethe on the 2020 election that trump lost bigly
“I can’t fix my life, but I can fix the world.” - sturg