The Officially Official Off Season Thread (2016)

[jta4437]

Not too excited about his potential if based upon 2014. AAA numbers do not always translate. Rethinking Mazara vs Brinson. Since Maz is on roster, it does make more sense for him to come up ahead of Brinson all things equal. Now this is more exciting. No disrespect to Rua

I've always said its situational, most likely its Mazara due to the reasons you mentioned above but if its halfway through the season and DDJ blows a hammy, then it makes more sense to see what Brinson has if he's playing moderately well in AAA, even if Mazara is having a better season, b/c at that point the need is CF and speed and a right handed bat

 

[Kelleyman]

I've always said its situational, most likely its Mazara due to the reasons you mentioned above but if its halfway through the season and DDJ blows a hammy, then it makes more sense to see what Brinson has if he's playing moderately well in AAA, even if Mazara is having a better season, b/c at that point the need is CF and speed and a right handed bat

Well yea you ge a premium return defensively for Brinson so that sounds about right. There are MLB clock issues and who loses a roster spot albeit some may go on LT DL.
I of course would like to think the best man plays. I do think this happens more frequently than when Wash put together a lineup.

Gonna be interesting to watch these prospects progress.

 

[saddles]

Not too excited about his potential if based upon 2014. AAA numbers do not always translate. Rethinking Mazara vs Brinson. Since Maz is on roster, it does make more sense for him to come up ahead of Brinson all things equal. Now this is more exciting. No disrespect to Rua

I was referencing his MLB performance in 2014 and not his AAA performance.

 

[saddles]

Hello, Win Column! Hot Stove Segment

Good Hot Stove conversation here with hitting coach Anthony Iapoce.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Noticed who is not mentioned in this article from a Phillies Insider? Eickhoff

Acquired: RHPs Jerad Eickhoff, Jake Thompson, Alec Asher, Matt Harrison, C Jorge Alfaro, OF Nick Williams

The current landscape: A rival scout said, “I like the way the Phillies rebooted their system with this trade. They picked up some good prospects.”

It probably says something for the quality of the Phillies’ return that Eickhoff ranked fourth on the list of players coming over from Texas and he managed to come to the big leagues and pitch well enough that he’s been penciled in to hold down a rotation spot in April.

Ultimately, the success of this deal will hinge on the development of Thompson, Alfaro and Williams and the impact they have in the majors. All three have the tools to be quality regulars — Thompson at least a mid-rotation starter, Alfaro an offensive-minded catcher and Williams a gifted hitter.

Thompson, who turns 22 in January, went 5-1 with a 1.80 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in seven starts at Reading after the trade. He added 16 innings of one-run ball in the Eastern League playoffs. He projects to open in Triple A.

“I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility to see him pitch in Philadelphia at some point (in 2016),” Reading manager Dusty Wathan said in the fall. “He’s got all the talent in the world and his mentality is something I really like. He goes right after people. He’s very aggressive in the strike zone and all business on the mound. He also holds runners well. He’s pretty much the total package. He’s still only 21, but it’s just a matter of time, I think, before he’s a quality major-league pitcher.”

Alfaro, 22, has a rocket arm and some thunder in his bat, but still needs work behind the plate. He missed significant time with an ankle injury last year and probably needs to go back to Double A and play every day. The Rangers signed Alfaro for $1.3 million when he was 16 and one rival scout rates him as having the highest upside of any player the Phillies acquired. But he still has to put it together.

Williams, 22, looked like a guy who was putting it all together in 2015. He hit .303 with 17 homers and 55 RBIs for the Rangers’ and Phillies’ Double A clubs and is ready for Triple A.

“I saw him in the Arizona Fall League two years ago and thought he was a very undisciplined hitter,” a rival scout said. “But looking at his numbers from last year it’s encouraging that he really appears to have improved. If his plate discipline continues to improve, he has all the tools to be good.”

Asher, 24, struggled in a big cameo last year and will probably open at Triple A. Harrison is an established major-leaguer, but his status for 2016 is uncertain as he recovers from serious back surgery. The Phillies took on the remainder of his contract (about $33 million) to enhance their return of prospects. The Phillies will learn more about Harrison’s condition in spring training. His contract is partially insured so the team will recoup a sizeable chunk of salary if he can’t pitch.

Hamels and Diekman helped pitch the Rangers to the postseason in 2015 and could do the same in 2016 and beyond.

 

[Justinkm83]

and the new screen in LF, which is long overdue. Glad they're making upgrades.

 

[Kelleyman]

I was referencing his MLB performance in 2014 and not his AAA performance.[/QUOTE

I know but Rua perform and was not that impressive in 2014. And was learning the position.
Not enough to warrant a starting spot IMo

 

[saddles]

I think we have a significant difference of opinion in what is impressive in a rookie's first stint in the majors then. lol

 

[Kelleyman]

I think we have a significant difference of opinion in what is impressive in a rookie's first stint in the majors then. lol

Profar was more impressive to me. ObviouslybOdoe has worked out. So did DDJ. Issue really does he have potiential. Thinking of all the talent about to come up. Odds are more in their favor. Rua can still play 3B though Perhaps learning curve and distraction

 

[donaldson79]

Noticed who is not mentioned in this article from a Phillies Insider? Eickhoff

It probably says something for the quality of the Phillies’ return that Eickhoff ranked fourth on the list of players coming over from Texas and he managed to come to the big leagues and pitch well enough that he’s been penciled in to hold down a rotation spot in April.

I think this says a lot about him actually.

 

[saddles]

Daniels on 06 Adrian Gonzalez Adam Eaton trade

 

[saddles]

5 pitchers expected to be big AL West factors

 

[donaldson79]

Daniels on 06 Adrian Gonzalez Adam Eaton trade

This epitomizes why I like JD. Honest appraisal of himself.

 

[Kelleyman]

Ranger rule the international market

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

Jurickson Profar: The Prodigal Phenom Returns

 

[Bmurph]

So Prince should have a good year, if this ranking is on base. Park getting a lot of credit, without facing MLB pitching yet?

Ranking the best 10 designated hitters in Major League Baseball for 2016
By Dayn Perry | Baseball Writer

February 2, 2016 2:30 pm ET

We've made our way through the position player rankings (previous rankings: C | 1B | 2B |SS| 3B | LF | CF | RF), and now it's time to give the desginated hitters their due.

As was the case with previous rankings, let's keep these things in mind:

1. We are ranking the players based upon which ones we'd most want to have for the 2016 season only, ignoring salary. Quite simply, if money were no object and you were trying to win the World Series this season, which player would you most want to have?

2. These are subjective, as voted on by Matt Snyder, Dayn Perry and Mike Axisa. We ranked the players at each position individually and averaged out the results.

3. These aren't fantasy baseball rankings. All-around play matters (obviously, though, defense isn't a part of the DH calculus).


At the top of our DH rankings for 2016? This guy. (USATSI)



1. Nelson Cruz, Mariners
Cruz has proved himself in a big way over the last two seasons. First, he showed us he could hit outside of Arlington when he blasted 40 homers for the Orioles in 2014. Then he proved he could hit in run-suppressing Safeco by tallying 44 homers last season. Over that span, Cruz has slugged .545 with an OPS+ of 148. Yes, he's entering into his age-35 season, but the fact that he ranked sixth in all of baseball last season in average distance of fly balls bodes well for the near future.

2. David Ortiz, Red Sox
The possible future Hall of Famer is coming off yet another impressive season. For a while, it looked like decline had set in, but Ortiz in 2015 thumped .325/.401/.701 in the second half to lift his numbers into characteristic territory. Yes, Big Papi is 40 years old, but the expectation is that he continues to produce in his final season.

3. Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays
Since his breakout season of 2012, E.E. has batted .274/.371/.549 (150 OPS+) and averaged 44 homers per 162 games played. He's battled occasional injuries, but the rate-based productivity is tremendous. There's very little separating the top three.

4. Prince Fielder, Rangers
Fielder put injuries behind him in 2015 and came up with a big season: .305/.378/.463 with 23 homers in 158 games. Fielder doesn't have the raw power he had during his prime seasons, but he's got on-base skills and, except for 2014, has been uncommonly durable.

5. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
A-Rod came back from his suspension and was quite productive last season: 131 OPS+ with 33 homers. That was probably his best offensive season since 2009. He did fade down the stretch (fatigue?), and he's now 40 years of age. Thanks to his strong 2015, though, A-Rod projects quite well for 2016.

6. Kendrys Morales, Royals
Morales, coming off a terrible 2014, was a most pleasant surprise last season, as he batted .290/.362/.485 with 22 homers and 41 doubles for the world champion Royals. He's headed into his age-33 season, and the CBSSports Fantasy projections tab him for a useful line of .267/.335/.450.

7. Victor Martinez, Tigers
Will Martinez rebound from his miserable 2015? He's 37, so age-related decline is certainly a consideration. However, for most of his career V-Mart has been an elite blend of power and contact skills. It's certainly possible that Martinez's knee problems sapped his production last year, so better health may yield better results at the plate.

8. Mark Trumbo, Orioles
Trumbo's indeed a rich source of right-handed power, as he's averaged 31 homers per 162 games played over his career. He'll no doubt find Camden Yards to be very accommodating toward his skill set. On the downside, he's lugging around a career OBP of just .300. In his first season as a primary DH, will Trumbo be subject to the DH penalty?

9. Evan Gattis, Astros
Gattis is a lot like Trumbo, in that he has plenty of power from the right side but struggles to reach base at an adequate clip. CBSSports Fantasy projects him for 28 homers in 546 at-bats but an OBP of just .292.

10. Byung-Ho Park, Twins
Here's the unknown quantity. The 29-year-old Korean import boasts impressive power (105 homers over the last two seasons in KBO), and last season Jung Ho Kang proved that Korean hitters can pass muster and even thrive in MLB. That said, when a hitter is making such an extreme leap, it's wise to temper expectations. Park, though, has the upside to be much higher on this list next time.
Coming Wednesday: the top starting pitchers of 2016.

 

[saddles]

So Prince should have a good year, if this ranking is on base. Park getting a lot of credit, without facing MLB pitching yet?

Ranking the best 10 designated hitters in Major League Baseball for 2016
By Dayn Perry | Baseball Writer

February 2, 2016 2:30 pm ET

We've made our way through the position player rankings (previous rankings: C | 1B | 2B |SS| 3B | LF | CF | RF), and now it's time to give the desginated hitters their due.

As was the case with previous rankings, let's keep these things in mind:

1. We are ranking the players based upon which ones we'd most want to have for the 2016 season only, ignoring salary. Quite simply, if money were no object and you were trying to win the World Series this season, which player would you most want to have?

2. These are subjective, as voted on by Matt Snyder, Dayn Perry and Mike Axisa. We ranked the players at each position individually and averaged out the results.

3. These aren't fantasy baseball rankings. All-around play matters (obviously, though, defense isn't a part of the DH calculus).

I noticed we only had 2 position players in their top 15 at each position. Beltre was #6 at 3B and Odor was #10 at 2B. Hopefully that will improve over the next few years.

 

[Kelleyman]

I noticed we only had 2 position players in their top 15 at each position. Beltre was #6 at 3B and Odor was #10 at 2B. Hopefully that will improve over the next few years.

Choo returned to an elite hitting status 2nd half, DDJ sparked us. We won a division and have young talent coming up and the return of our Ace. I suspect the team will improve and suspect we will get more production out of LF and a full year of elite production by our relief pitchers. Biggest area of vulnerability is SP early in the year if injuries occur.

Depth though in position players in the minors including IMO Profar. I look forward to his progress.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Jurickson Profar: The Prodigal Phenom Returns

Motherf'er.. Cruz and Young were still on the Rangers back then... Damn time has flown.