NEWS/RUMORS/DISCUSSION Thread

love that they credit the braves for the return on shelby miller
but not the d'bags

Top 5 offseason moves
by David Schoenfield | ESPN Senior Writer — 3 hours ago

From free-agent signings to trades, the offseason has had its share of player movement. Here are the five moves that could ultimately have the most impact.

1. Royals re-sign Alex Gordon to a four year, $72 million deal
Given some of the other free-agent signings that happened this offseason, Gordon's contract looks like a relative bargain. The Royals are already weak offensively at one outfield position so they needed to bring back Gordon. He'll turn 32 next week, but given his broad-based skill-set, he should age well over the next four seasons.

2. Braves acquire Ender Inciarte and Dansby Swanson for Shelby Miller
This would have been a decent trade for the Braves even if it was just Inciarte for Miller. Inciarte is a defensive wiz who hits enough to be as valuable as Miller. But they also got Swanson, last year's No. 1 overall pick in the draft, thrown in the trade. He could develop into a star.

3. Cubs sign John Lackey to a two-year, $32 million deal
Is Lackey as good as David Price or Zack Greinke? No, but he also didn't cost $200 million and the Cubs swiped him away from their division rival, the Cardinals. Lackey has averaged 202 innings the past three seasons, and if he comes within half a run of the 2.77 ERA he had in 2015, the Cubs will be happy.

4. White Sox get Todd Frazier from Reds for three prospects
Frazier slumped in the second half of last season, but he still finished with 35 home runs -- exactly the power bat the White Sox needed after finishing last in the American League in home runs and runs in 2015. They didn't give up any high-upside prospects, and Frazier replaces the worst third-base production in the majors last year.

5. Angels acquire Andrelton Simmons from the Braves for Sean Newcomb and Erick Aybar
Simmons is signed to a team-friendly deal through 2020, giving the Angels a new shortstop to replace the aging Aybar. It cost the Angels a good pitching prospect in Newcomb, but the Angels get the sure thing in Simmons while Atlanta absorbs all the risk.​

 

hey yankees
carl can play 1st

Yankees Bird to miss 2016 season with a torn labrum
by Chris Cwik | Big League Stew — 2 hours ago

The New York Yankees will be without one of their promising youngsters during the 2016 season. First baseman Greg Bird reportedly has a torn labrum, and will undergo season-ending surgery, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

The injury is significant for a number of reasons. When Mark Teixeira went down last season, the 23-year-old Bird put up exceptional numbers in his absence. Bird hit .261/.343/.529, with 11 home runs, over 178 plate appearances. When the Yankees offense was puttering down the stretch, Bird emerged as one of the lone bright spots.

Given Teixeira's lengthy injury history, it's assumed Bird would have been called upon again in 2016. Teixeira had a bounce-back season offensively in 2015, but was limited to just 111 games. In the prior two seasons, he played in just 123 games each year. Bird may not have opened the year with the major-league club, but he likely would have stumbled into a full-time role when Teixeira went down again.

It's not just the 35-year-old Teixiera, though. The Yankees are built on veteran players who may need the occasional day off in order to keep their bodies healthy. While Alex Rodriguez was fantastic last year, he's now 40, and is coming off a rough second half. Even if both Rodriguez and Teixiera stayed healthy in 2016, Bird could have been used as a frequent replacement when those guys needed a blow as the season progressed.

If there's a silver lining, it's that Bird's injury prevents a weird playing time issue. As currently constructed, the Yankees don't really have a place for Bird in the everyday lineup. It's likely that, despite his numbers last year, Bird would have opened the season in Triple-A.

That's not a bad thing, as Bird deserves to receive a full workload, but he also more than proved himself in the majors during his brief stint. His 2015 wasn't without flaws. Bird's strikeout rate was a dangerous 29.8 percent, so it's possible he would have been exposed as the league adjusted to his approach. Still, he earned the shot to prove as much based on his production.

With Teixeira entering the final year of his contract, Bird seems like a natural replacement at the position in 2017 once he gets healthy. There's uncertainty in that, and it's less than optimal for both the club and the fans, but at least it works out as far as contracts are concerned.

Either way, the whole thing is pretty disappointing. Bird looked like a promising young player on a team desperately in need of young stars. While he's in line to become a full-time player once he's able to return, Bird likely would have played a significant role in the team's success in 2016.​

 

Turner should be ready for Opening Day
by Justin Russo | Dodgers Nation — 16 minutes ago



Coming back from microfracture surgery is never an easy thing, but for Justin Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, it looks like he might be able to make a full recovery and be ready to go by the time the season starts in San Diego.

According to an article on MLB.com today, Turner, and also the team, remain adamant about him being 100 percent by the time Opening Day rolls around. If he is, then that’s a major shot in the arm for the team at an area of need.

From Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
He and the team insist he’s right on schedule in his recovery, with the expectation he’ll be 100 percent ready to go by Opening Day.

That wasn’t all, though. The vital cog at third base had this to say about it all:
“My game plan is not just to be ready Opening Day, but to be 100 percent in baseball shape for Opening Day,” said Turner.

From all the reports, it sounds like Turner is exactly on track to play on Opening Day. And, in his words, potentially not even be ready to play but in “100 percent baseball shape” by that time.

As it currently stands, the Dodgers are hoping that Turner can man the hot corner once again in 2016 while they have other utility options in the infield that can fill in for him as far as spot duty goes. Whether that’s Howie Kendrick one day, Chase Utley another day, or even Kike Hernandez remains to be seen. But the options are there on the club now.

Perhaps that’s one of the bright spots about Howie Kendrick’s return. It no longer puts a ton of pressure on Turner to rush himself back. Now he can take his time, make sure it’s done right, and be ready to play. As of now, it sounds like he’s right on track. Let’s hope the good news keeps rolling in.

 

Pederson could learn from beneficiary of a big payday
by Jeremy Evans | Dodgers Nation — 55 minutes ago

Much has been made of the swing changes that Jason Heyward, now of the Chicago Cubs, has made throughout his career. He has had an open stance, closed stance, lowered arms, higher set arms, etc. A full analysis of Jason Heyward’s swing can be found here, here, and here.

Similarly, the Dodgers Joc Pederson has made swing changes and adjustments. You can learn more about that here, here, and here. Pederson was once a called a “5’o clock hitter” by his father, former Dodger Stu Pederson, because Pederson could only hit during batting practice. Pederson eventually passed up the University of Southern California to enter the draft and was drafted by the Dodgers. He never looked back and has been a stud ever since.

All ballplayers, at least the ones that want to stay longer than a cup of coffee in the Major Leagues (e.g., Stu Pederson), make changes and adjustments, whether that is during one at bat, one game, one series, one half of a season, one season, or multiple seasons, and of course over a career. What is interesting here is that the swing changes by Jason Heyward and Joc Pederson in their careers have provided such drastic changes to their corresponding statistical performances.

Heyward was drafted as a power hitting right fielder who could play stellar defense. However, swing changes in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 have been reflected in his offensive statistical performance. In 2014 and 2015, he had the two most similar statistical seasons of his career. His defense has stayed great throughout his career and is really where a lot of his value originates from for front offices and analysts. It is also one of the main reasons the Cubs signed Heyward to a $186 million dollar deal.

Surely, his offensive performance, although good, but not great, is not why he was paid such a figure. He will play center field for the Cubs even though he won a Gold Glove Award in 2014 and 2015 playing right field for the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals, respectively.

However, from 2010-2012, Heyward went from 18, to 14, then 27 home runs, then back to 14, 11, and 13 for 2013-2015, which the latter half is likely more in line with his career trajectory. His runs batted in went from 72, 42, 82 for 2010-2012, and then 38, 58, and 60 for 2013-2015, again with the latter half of this equation more in line with his career trajectory. We are not swing experts, but Heyward played in only 104 games in 2013 during an injury-shortened season so we can argue that his swing adjustments from 2010-2011, and 2013-2014 were the most drastic when looking at his statistical output.

Heyward’s Minor League seasons also reflect statistical numbers more in line with his performance by home runs, runs batted in, on base percentage, and batting average as that of his 2014 and 2015 seasons.

In comparing Joc Pederson, we look to the combination of his playing time in the Minors and Majors because his service time is roughly five seasons less than that of Jason Heyward. Meaning, Heyward has been in the League for five more years than Pederson. That being said, Pederson has stayed consistent throughout his minor league years and into his first year in the Major Leagues. Like Heyward, Pederson was drafted as a power hitting and strong defensive outfielder, but in center field. His power numbers, runs batted in, and on-base percentage have stayed roughly the same from the minor leagues to the majors.

From 2011-2014, Pederson hit 11, 18, 22, and 33 homeruns, respectively, while driving in 65, 70, 58, and 78 runs. He also stole 26, 26, 31, and 30 bases during those same seasons. His 2015 Major League campaign produced the following slash line: 26 homeruns, 54 runs batted in, 92 walks, 170 strikeouts, and a .346 on base percentage, which earned Pederson an All-Star and Homerun Derby selections.

The key difference was Pederson’s batting average. It dropped significantly to .210 for his first full season in the Majors from .302 career batting average in the Minors. His on base, slugging, and on base plus slugging percentages all dropped drastically, where his on base percentage dropped by over 50 percentage points once he played a full season in the Majors. His Minor League career on base percentage was an excellent .405. Pederson’s slump occurred midway through the 2015 season, his first full season in the Major Leagues.

What happened? Was it the long length of his first Major League season? What it mid-season adjustments? Were the Pacific Coast League ballparks too hitter friendly? Were pitchers finding holes in Pederson’s swing? Was it because former Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly lacked confidence in him? Some have argued that Pederson’s struggles were related to the Homerun Derby in Cincinnati where he made it to the finals that concluded with an epic, but losing battle, with hometown favorite Todd Frazier.

His defense did not struggle though and the Dodgers finally found their center fielder for the future. Pederson’s defensive play is also why he stayed in the lineup as much as he did during his midseason slump.

However, towards the end of August and into September, Pederson made swing adjustments and he rebounded. He increased his leg lift and step (likely because of Justin Turner and his hitting coach). Pederson quickly found his batting average and walks increase, while his strikeouts stayed somewhat the same. He never really did find his homerun stroke though.

What is most encouraging is that Pederson walked nearly one hundred times in his first full season in 2015. If Pederson can walk one hundred times, hit twenty plus homeruns, with 50 plus runs batted in, get on base at a .350 mark and above, while playing stellar defense, the Dodgers will be happy. So will the fans.

Moreover, Pederson is a free agent in 2021 and will be salary arbitration eligible for the first time in 2018. This plays well for the front office thinking of controllable, good, talent.

Pederson has the opportunity to be great with shortstop Corey Seager. Having those two in the middle of the lineup for years to come will be the Dodgers future and the fans hope.

One thing is for certain, Chicago Cubs fans can now join the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals in the debate of how good is Jason Heyward? Pederson does not provide that much of a drastic debate. Pederson was called up to the Majors and did what was asked of him: hit homeruns and play great defense. It will be up to Pederson whether he makes the consistent adjustments to increase his batting average, steal more bases (although the Dodgers stole more bases after Lorenzo Bundy was demoted to the Minors), and cut down on the strikeouts, while simultaneously increasing his on base, slugging, and on base plus slugging percentages. The Dodgers are certainly counting on him to do just that, while maintaining and increasing his performance on the field.

 

Dodgers hoping Puig can regain 2013 magic
by Justin Russo | Dodgers Nation — 1 hour ago

Back in 2013, the Los Angeles Dodgers called up Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig, and he took baseball by storm. In fact, saying he took it by storm might not even do it complete justice. He, along with the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout, became one of the immediate faces of the sport.

After putting up a .319/.391/.534 line with 19 home runs, 42 runs batted in, and 66 runs scored in 2013, Puig had a really good 2014, but then slumped majorly in 2015 due to hamstring injuries and showing up a little out of shape.

But, for the team to be successful in 2016, the Dodgers will need Puig to find that 2013 burst of magic again, or else 2016 could be a disappointing season all-around.

As written by Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times today:
The Dodgers very much need him to get his groove back. Every starting player for the Dodgers this season comes with questions attached, though none may have the immediate ceiling offered by Puig.

The 25-year old Puig will need to find what made him great in 2013. He’s already off to a fantastic start by taking the offseason training regime seriously and getting into crazy shape, but it doesn’t mean anything unless he’s able to produce at the plate and in the field.

Last season, Puig produced 1.5 Wins Above Replacement in 311 plate appearances. In 2013, he produced 4.1 in 432 plate appearances. 2014 saw him have 640 plate appearances and a 5.3 WAR. If he can just approach a 5 WAR pace again, he will have easily done a great job.

Puig is entering his athletic prime, so to speak, and the team is surely hoping to benefit from his newfound focus. Hopefully he gets closer to his 2013, or even 2014, level of play. If not, and if the team gets 2015 all over again, then disaster could be written in the stars.

 

Utley to play multiple infield positions
by Justin Russo | Dodgers Nation — 90 minutes ago

With the news that Howie Kendrick was likely going to be shuffled around the infield this season in the hopes of helping the Los Angeles Dodgers as much as possible, it now seems like Kendrick won’t be the only one undergoing a constant change. Enter Chase Utley.

When Utley re-signed for $7 million over one season earlier this offseason, it appeared as if the second base job was his. Or at least, his likely permanent position. But with Kendrick back in the fold, it seems like Utley will be used all over the infield in whatever ways he can help the team.

From Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
Utley said that when he signed, he expected to play second base, third base and first base. Even with Kendrick’s return, Utley said that hasn’t changed.

Utley playing third base is a little interesting since he’s only played a grand total of three games and 25 innings as a third baseman in his career. On top of that, he’s only played 33 games and 230.1 innings as a first baseman. He’s been a second baseman his entire career, but now that seems open to change.

If Utley is able to put together at least meaningful innings at third base, or even first base, while Justin Turner attempts to come back from microfracture surgery, then he could be one of the team’s most valuable players simply because of his utility ability.

Then again, a lot also hinges on how well he hits in 2016. In 141 plate appearances for the Dodgers last season, the now 37-year old Utley hit .202 and only slugged three home runs. They’ll need someone closer to the 2014 Utley (.270, 11 home runs) if this plan is to fully work.

With Kendrick likely being moved all around, and now Utley being used in various roles, it seems like the Dodgers now have enough flexibility to sustain most anything that might hit them. We’ll see how it plays out this upcoming season, but for now it seems like the team has some viable options at play here.

 

ruh roh, shots fired! :laports96: