Around The Majors 2019

[drewdat]

"We really tried to get an ex-Cy Young winner in here"

(R.A. Dickey)

[Carp]

So...at the time of the Markakis signing "we were working on a really big trade with a really big salary, that didn't get done"

OK, that can't be Realmuto since he doesn't meet the really big salary part (assuming AA is speaking truthfully)

Then who?

It has to be one of a handful of positions, likely an OF or a SP, with SP being most likely.

There aren't a lot of OF who are a. worthwhile in trade and b. have a "really big" salary.

There are a few SP that would probably fall into that bucket.

I'm thinking Kluber.

To move Greinke the D'Backs would have to eat a bunch of his salary.

Greinke and Kluber make the most sense from a pitching standpoint. May be Rick Porcello, but probably less likely. From a hitting standpoint, the only 2 I think fit are probably Wil Myers or Buster Posey. Considering the Pads were in the running for both Machado and Harper, I think Myers is the logical conclusion here, since they would have needed to both clear payroll and move an OF to make Harper fit.

[Super]

AA has taken a lot of backlash for his lackluster offseason. I could see a Kimbrel signing in the next week.

i think it's fair to not be content with this offseason but man i hope AA doesn't start making moves based on backlash.

[Chico]

I'm accepting AA as the Warren Buffet of General Managers. That means he will definitely miss out on some great deals (not investing in Amazon and Google because he didn't understand how they would be profitable) due to fear of overpaying, but he'll always find value. That's not sexy, but I'm trying to accept that fact.

My hope is he really is utilizing data like he claims and it'll help him find those value plays.

[UNCBlue012]

This is a really awesome piece on Dansby Swanson. It highlights baseball and his personal life. It's REALLY hard to not love this guy: http://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/n...l1h3yt1jwu8d04

[Super]

Matt Wisler DFA by the Reds

[thewupk]

True but it's all relative. For Greinke to be moved, the D'Backs probably have to pay down enough of his salary so that he equals the AAV of Kluber or ~$13.5M.

Realmuto is at $5.9M and probably doesn't arbitrate much above where Kluber is right now by the time he hits FA.

Who else you got?


I'm assuming AA was NOT discussing Pujols, King Felix or Heyward...

I think Greinke is the most logical option here. He's still a good pitcher but just overpaid.

Kluber never made much sense to me because the Indians are in full contend mode. Trading Kluber for prospects seems counter productive.

[UNCBlue012]

Freaking Ender leading off. lol

[striker42]

Matt Wisler DFA by the Reds

I'd take him back. I think he has potential as a reliever if you can get him adjusted to it. He's got a legit slider and excellent control. That might be enough to get him over the hump out of the pen.

[Super]

I'd take him back. I think he has potential as a reliever if you can get him adjusted to it. He's got a legit slider and excellent control. That might be enough to get him over the hump out of the pen.

i think he'll be a useful pitcher as well somewhere, someday.

[Super]

Freaking Ender leading off. lol

he actually had a lower OBP vs righties than lefties. hit better overall tho.

[50PoundHead]

I'd take him back. I think he has potential as a reliever if you can get him adjusted to it. He's got a legit slider and excellent control. That might be enough to get him over the hump out of the pen.

Curious to see where he ends up. Another Consensus Top 100 prospect whose stuff just didn't translate at the big league level, at least yet. Could be one of those guys who finds something and can contribute consistently in the major leagues. I don't think he's poised to blow up, but he still has time.

[TheBravos]

So...at the end of last year, who would have bet out first game of 2019 would have Ender leading off and Julio starting...

[thewupk]

Freaking Ender leading off. lol

Ender should be leading off against righties

[thewupk]

So...at the end of last year, who would have bet out first game of 2019 would have Ender leading off and Julio starting...

Ender? Decent possibility of that. Juliio? High unlikely.

[Jaw]

So...at the end of last year, who would have bet out first game of 2019 would have Ender leading off and Julio starting...

I'm curious to see if having 3 impact bats immediately behind him helps Ender improve.
I'm also curious to see how Acuna is pitched to with Markakis as his protection. My instinct would have been to swap him and Donaldson for that reason.

[Super]

Ender should be leading off against righties

i think only because there unfortunately isn't a better option.
i would prob put neck there tho.

[bravesfanMatt]

i think only because there unfortunately isn't a better option.
i would prob put neck there tho.

Markickass is going to have 5 rbi’s In the 5 hole today. What a glorious opener this will be.

[Jaw]

As the old bull once told his son: “you wanna charge down this hill and screw one of those cows? Or walk down there and screw ‘em all?”

[thewupk]

i think only because there unfortunately isn't a better option.
i would prob put neck there tho.

He's a slightly below avg leadoff hitter (with a better OBP) when facing righties that's a plus base runner. You always want the best players available but he's not a liability.