AL East Thread

[navamind]

Sox DFA Matt Barnes

Quite a fall from grace

Wouldn't be shocked if they bring him back on a minor league deal.

 

[nynasty]

Wouldn't be shocked if they bring him back on a minor league deal.

If they can get him through waivers. Based on his past, someone's going to take a chance at the minimum I would think

 

[chappee11]

Sox DFA Matt Barnes

Quite a fall from grace

Especially when they still have Brasier and Ort on the roster.

 

[navamind]

If they can get him through waivers. Based on his past, someone's going to take a chance at the minimum I would think

It is amazing how quickly Barnes fell off last year, but you also have to wonder if his amazing start in 2021 was just small sample size randomness (which happens a lot with relievers). He's a reliever with a career 4.07 ERA (112 ERA+) and 1.34 WHIP. Relievers with high walk rates are risky and Barnes did see his K/9 did below 8 in 2022, plus he's fairly HR prone.

 

[nynasty]

It is amazing how quickly Barnes fell off last year, but you also have to wonder if his amazing start in 2021 was just small sample size randomness (which happens a lot with relievers). He's a reliever with a career 4.07 ERA (112 ERA+) and 1.34 WHIP. Relievers with high walk rates are risky and Barnes did see his K/9 did below 8 in 2022, plus he's fairly HR prone.

No doubt. And it's usually the starting pitching prospects converted to relievers that start out like a house on fire, but falter as time goes on.


See: Chamberlain, Joba

 

[Pure Steel]

No doubt. And it's usually the starting pitching prospects converted to relievers that start out like a house on fire, but falter as time goes on.


See: Chamberlain, Joba

I miss Mariano.....

 

[nynasty]

I miss Mariano.....

We didn't know how good we had it. Game 7 2001 and Game 5 2004 notwithstanding.

 

[Pure Steel]

We didn't know how good we had it. Game 7 2001 and Game 5 2004 notwithstanding.

Yup….Was a starter and transitioned pretty well as a reliever thank God…..

 

[navamind]

2023 ZiPS Projections: Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays might not be elite, but they’re definitely relevant.

blogs.fangraphs.com

FanGraphs also dropped their Top 48 Rays prospects list.

Tampa Bay Rays Top 48 Prospects

The Rays system is headlined by near-ready impact players and young high-variance hitters.

blogs.fangraphs.com

 

[navamind]

Baltimore Orioles Top 38 Prospects

Star-caliber lefty-hitting shortstops headline a strong Orioles system.

blogs.fangraphs.com

 

[cerealboi]

 

[cerealboi]

Someone on the A's invented a time machine because they're playing in 1995.

 

[bksballer89]

 

[navamind]

Low expectations for the Sox aside, I'm really looking forward to watching baseball again.

 

[chappee11]

$38.5m for Anthony Rendon! Holy shit.

 

[chillerdab]

Low expectations for the Sox aside, I'm really looking forward to watching baseball again.

I second this.

I also hope the O’s continue their climb upwards towards being an actually good to very good team this year, despite essentially sitting out free agency.

C’mon depth in the minors….!!!!!

 

[navamind]

I second this.

I also hope the O’s continue their climb upwards towards being an actually good to very good team this year, despite essentially sitting out free agency.

C’mon depth in the minors….!!!!!

Hopefully Rodriguez and Hall step up and give the O's rotation the boost it needs. We'll see about Means, he could be back in time for the 2nd half.

O's shouldn't have too many issues scoring runs. Really excited to see what Henderson can do in his first full season. You guys are starting to put together a core.

 

[chillerdab]

Hopefully Rodriguez and Hall step up and give the O's rotation the boost it needs. We'll see about Means, he could be back in time for the 2nd half.

O's shouldn't have too many issues scoring runs. Really excited to see what Henderson can do in his first full season. You guys are starting to put together a core.

The rotation is currently filled with #3’s and #4 type pitchers. If Rodriguez can be a #1 that would solve a lot of issues.

Henderson looked good in his call up, but who knows what happens when pitchers adjust.

 

[navamind]

The rotation is currently filled with #3’s and #4 type pitchers. If Rodriguez can be a #1 that would solve a lot of issues.

Henderson looked good in his call up, but who knows what happens when pitchers adjust.

I don't think BA will be a strong part of his game, but he should hit for enough average... I love his OBP skills and power.

 

[navamind]

Red Sox... I could see this rotation ranging anywhere from surprisingly decent to being an injured clusterfuck, akin to what it was in 2022. I think the bullpen will be improved but if the rotation is struggling to go 5+, then it's going to get overworked again. Sox do seem to be gravitating towards relievers with low walk rates as opposed to guys like Darwinzon Hernandez/Barnes/Sawamura/Davis. I do like the ensemble of position players, though I don't love the outfield outside of Yoshida (and he's still an unproven commodity, though I'm excited for him).

ZiPS projected standings currently have us pegged at 79-83, good for 5th just behind the O's (80-82). If the pitching holds up, I could see 85-87 wins. If it doesn't, I could see <72 wins.