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2018 MLB Season Thread


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Now that the Browns have officially locked up the #1 pick in the 2018 NFL draft, I am going full throttle into baseball. Pirates are trying to sell off Gerrit Cole (I actually approve of this assuming we get a nice haul)

 

Still got some big time free agents out on the market....we shall see!

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Wade Davis 3 years $52 million to the Rockies Thanks for a great year, Wade (but wow that's a lot of money for about 200 outs a year).
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http://www.bleachernation.com/2018/01/03/cubs-sign-right-hander-ryan-weber-to-a-minor-league-deal/

 

Cubs Sign Right-Hander Ryan Weber to a Minor League Deal

January 3, 2018, by Michael Cerami Chicago Cubs News, Chicago Cubs Transactions, Cubs Minor Leagues and Prospects

Well, this is fun:

 

League source says Cubs have signed righty Ryan Weber to a minor league deal. Weber, 27, was a solid Braves prospect for a while (command/control/groundball swing guy), got a handful of starts for Braves and Mariners in 2015, 16, 17. Biceps injury derailed 2017.

 

According to a report from … our very own Brett Taylor on Twitter, the Chicago Cubs have signed right-handed pitcher Ryan Weber to a Minor League deal. So let’s see who this guy has been throughout his career, and what he might be for the Cubs.

 

Webber, 27, was drafted in the 22nd round by the Braves back in 2009, and took a long time to reach the upper Minors – he didn’t debut in Double-A until 2014. He did make five starts for the Braves just a year later, but was bounced back down to Triple-A in 2016. This past season, as Brett mentions in his Tweet, Weber pitched for the Mariners (they claimed him off waivers), but a biceps injury limited him to just six starts (five in Triple-A and one in the Majors).

 

Those five Triple-A starts, however, were really, really good. Over 31.2 IP, Webber compiled a 0.85 ERA with 19 strikeouts to just 4 walks. Opposing hitters managed just a .179 batting average against him, and he allowed just a single homer during that stretch. Weber has never quite been a top prospect/had a high pedigree, but you can definitely see why the Braves stuck with him for so long, and why the Mariners/Cubs have both taken a chance on him.

 

After the 2015 season, FanGraphs’ Dan Farnsworth evaluated the Braves prospects and ranked Webber fifth overall. In that post, he had some awfully nice things to say, including this crazy compliment: “I hate player comps, and I may enrage more people with this, but I don’t think there’s much separating Weber from a guy like Dallas Keuchel.” Obviously, that’s not quite played out, and clearly not everyone agreed with Farnsworth’s extremely bullish take on Weber, but his reasoning wasn’t completely out in left field:

 

He [Weber] has limited free passes throughout his professional career, racking up just enough strikeouts to be interesting, but never being fully recognized in prospect circles. This season helped put him on the map, with his excellent pitchability giving him a chance in the young Braves rotation during a losing season.

 

His stuff draws impressive marks for movement across the board, with the command he has of his full arsenal being his carrying tool. Projecting as a starter, he will need to continue developing his front-door two-seam fastball and further hone his command to be a weapon against opposite-handed hitters.

 

I don’t think it’s wrong to say that Weber still has starter-upside, even as a 6th/7th/8th starter in a quality Major League organization. And that’s all he actually needs to be for the Cubs.

 

In all likelihood, Weber was brought aboard to be yet another flyer/Triple-A depth type for the Major League rotation. If catastrophe strikes, he can be among the many options to fill in in a pinch. And if lightening strikes, and he somehow figures it out and stays healthy, then the Cubs have a quality, still young, very cheap rotation option awaiting them in Triple-A.

 

There’s always the chance, of course, that the Cubs could like his work as a reliever more than a starter – and, note that he has experience as both in the past – but that’s not clear up to this point, so I’m assuming he’ll serve as rotational depth for now. Perhaps, the Cubs even dream on a role similar to Mike Montgomery’s (hangs out in the bullpen, steps into the rotation as needed) at some point in the future. You never know what might happen with Montgomery, who has popped up in Manny Machado rumors and who also has expressed a desire to start full-time. Heck, if the Cubs don’t add another starter this offseason, Montgomery might be in the rotation anyway, requiring even more immediate depth behind him.

 

These sort of signings rarely ever realize their full potential, but when they do the value can be enormous. Given his excellent, but brief stretch in Triple-A as recently as last season, I can understand why the Cubs rolled the dice. Hopefully Weber is fully healthy now after the biceps issue, and the Cubs can see what they have in the spring.

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Here are my way-too-early (especially given the plethora of free agents who haven’t signed anywhere yet) predictions for the 2018 season:

 

AL EAST

 

1. Yankees (97-65)

2. Red Sox (93-69)

3. Blue Jays (80-82)

4. Orioles (77-85)

5. Rays (72-90)

 

It’s going to be a two-horse race in the East. The Yanks and Sox are the only teams in the division with any pitching. I have to give the edge to New York for their high-powered lineup and more balanced bullpen, but the Accursed Ones—ahem, the Red Sox—will more than likely make the playoffs, too.

 

AL CENTRAL

 

1. Indians (99-63)

2. Twins (88-74)

3. Royals (78-84)

4. White Sox (74-88)

5. Tigers (69-93)

 

The Twins were no fluke last year, they’ll be back in the Wild Card Game this time around. I have a feeling they’re going to get Darvish—just a hunch, but watch me be wrong—which will give them a pretty solid rotation with Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios behind him. But even so, come on. The Indians are going to win the division handily. They can slug with the best of ‘me, and their rotation’s 1-2 punch of Kluber/Carrasco is devastating.

 

AL WEST

 

1. Astros (104-58)

2. Angels (86-76)

3. Mariners (81-81)

4. Rangers (76-86)

5. Athletics (67-95)

 

Sorry, Earl, your A’s aren’t going anywhere. Shohei Ohtani makes the Angels better, but this is Houston’s division to lose. They have an intimidating, balanced lineup and maybe the game’s best rotation. The ‘Stros should lock up the West pretty early on, as they did last year.

 

NL EAST

 

1. Nationals (99-63)

2. Mets (80-82)

3. Phillies (78-84)

4. Braves (72-90)

5. Marlins (57-105)

 

The NL East is going to be another snooze fest. It’s not just the fact that it’s hard to compete with the Nationals’ top-tier rotation and difficult lineup—no one else in the division is even any good. The only other team that stands a chance of finishing over .500 is the Mets, if they can stay healthy. But so far, they’ve proven that they can’t.

 

NL CENTRAL

 

1. Cubs (89-73)

2. Cardinals (87-75)

3. Brewers (86-76)

4. Pirates (73-89)

5. Reds (65-97)

 

This division is going to be intriguing to watch. The Cubs are not as strong as they were the last few seasons, especially without Jake Arrieta and with an aging Jon Lester, but I still expect them to eke out a division title. The Cards are always in the thick of the mess, and I expect more of the same this year. And the Brewers were no fluke, either. They have a solid lineup and a rotation that is better than a lot of people give them credit for. Unfortunately though, they’ll miss out on the Wild Card because of the powerhouse teams in the NL West.

 

NL WEST

 

1. Dodgers (102-60)

2. Diamondbacks (96-76)

3. Rockies (92-70)

4. Giants (82-80)

5. Padres (55-107)

 

The Padres are WAY outclassed in this division. San Francisco will be better with a full season of Madison Bumgarner and the addition of Evan Longoria, but it’s going to be the same three-horse race it was last year. The Rockies’ unfair combo of power hitters and a rocket launchpad for a home stadium, the Dbacks’ 1-2 rotation punch of Greinke/Corbin and solid offense, and the Dodgers’ possession of Clayton Kershaw and some no-name kids named Seager and Bellinger will provide for an intense competition out in the West. This is going to be exciting.

Edited by Disk98
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And here’s the postseason:

 

AL WILD CARD: Twins vs. Red Sox

Winner: Red Sox

 

Just a hunch. Or, you know, the fact that the Twins haven’t advanced past the first round in the postseason since 1991, when they won the World Series, and they’ll be facing the second-toughest lefty in baseball, Chris Sale.

 

NL WILD CARD: Rockies vs. Diamondbacks

Winner: Diamondbacks

 

Only because they won’t be playing this game at Coors. The ball still flies at Chase, but the Dbacks have a good offense, too. Oh, and Zack Greinke.

 

ALDS: Red Sox vs. Astros

Winner: Red Sox in 4

 

I have a hunch that Boston pulls it out. They will win Game 1 against Verlander in Houston and then will have two of the next three games at home. Call it a hunch.

 

ALDS: Yankees vs. Indians

Winner: Yankees in 4

 

I think New York has the edge this time around. They beat Cleveland last year with a worse team. Now they’re better, and the Indians are worse. And I’m a biased Yankee fan, so there’s that.

 

NLDS: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Winner: Dodgers in 5

 

The Dodgers should come out on top here. The Dbacks’ offense, while still good, isn’t the same without JD Martinez, and they’ll only have Zack Greinke available for one start.

 

NLDS: Cubs vs. Nationals

Winner: Nationals in 5

 

2018 is the year that Washington finally wins a postseason series. Their 1-2-3 combo of Scherzer/Strasburg/Gonzalez simply outmatched the Cubs’ offerings of Lester/Hendricks/Quintana. It’ll be a pitchers’ series, I think, and the Nationals have the stronger rotation.

 

ALCS: Red Sox vs. Yankees

Winner: Yankees in 7

 

Yeah, this is going to be a classic. But I’m a Yankee fan, so…Yankees win! Okay, that’s a cop out. The Yankees have more firepower than Boston does and have shown in the past that they can outpitch just about anybody. So they have the edge.

 

NLCS: Nationals vs. Dodgers

Winner: Nationals in 6

 

With Clayton Kershaw used twice in the NLDS, he won’t be available for the Dodgers until Game 3 at the earliest. The same is true for Max Scherzer and the Nationals. The difference-maker here is Stephen Strasburg, who is much better than the Dodgers’ No. 2 starter, Rich Hill. And Gio Gonzalez ain’t bad, either.

 

WORLD SERIES: Yankees vs. Nationals

Winner: Yankees in 7

 

Okay, this is seriously a hunch. But you can forgive me for this one, can’t you? They’ve gotten this far!

Edited by Disk98
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The Pirates just traded Gerrit Cole to the Astros.

Finally... Any word on what they gave up?

 

INF Colin Moran and RHP Joe Musgrove. They are supposedly getting more back, but haven't heard past those two players yet. Moran's a prospect and Musgrove's a starting pitcher that looks cheap and might be something the Pirates can build on.

 

Cole still has two more years of team control so the Bucs better get something more out of this deal or they just got bamboozled.

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The Pirates just traded Gerrit Cole to the Astros.

Finally... Any word on what they gave up?

 

INF Colin Moran and RHP Joe Musgrove. They are supposedly getting more back, but haven't heard past those two players yet. Moran's a prospect and Musgrove's a starting pitcher that looks cheap and might be something the Pirates can build on.

 

Cole still has two more years of team control so the Bucs better get something more out of this deal or they just got bamboozled.

Mid-priced is decent but yeah, that's not enough.

 

Glad to see Cole out of the division (and not with the Yankees), he started twice against us last year but only gave up 2 hits and no ER in about 15 or 16 IP.

 

Wouldn't mind seeing him in the post season. :)

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The Pirates just traded Gerrit Cole to the Astros.

Finally... Any word on what they gave up?

 

INF Colin Moran and RHP Joe Musgrove. They are supposedly getting more back, but haven't heard past those two players yet. Moran's a prospect and Musgrove's a starting pitcher that looks cheap and might be something the Pirates can build on.

 

Cole still has two more years of team control so the Bucs better get something more out of this deal or they just got bamboozled.

Mid-priced is decent but yeah, that's not enough.

 

Glad to see Cole out of the division (and not with the Yankees), he started twice against us last year but only gave up 2 hits and no ER in about 15 or 16 IP.

 

Wouldn't mind seeing him in the post season. :)

 

I will pull for any NL Central team all the way to being champions if the Cubs don't make it.

 

Except if it's the Cardinals. I'll root for them in the World Series unless they're playing a championship starved AL franchise (Mariners or Indians for example). Up until then I'll root for their elimination.

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The Pirates just traded Gerrit Cole to the Astros.

Finally... Any word on what they gave up?

 

INF Colin Moran and RHP Joe Musgrove. They are supposedly getting more back, but haven't heard past those two players yet. Moran's a prospect and Musgrove's a starting pitcher that looks cheap and might be something the Pirates can build on.

 

Cole still has two more years of team control so the Bucs better get something more out of this deal or they just got bamboozled.

Mid-priced is decent but yeah, that's not enough.

 

Glad to see Cole out of the division (and not with the Yankees), he started twice against us last year but only gave up 2 hits and no ER in about 15 or 16 IP.

 

Wouldn't mind seeing him in the post season. :)

 

I will pull for any NL Central team all the way to being champions if the Cubs don't make it.

 

Except if it's the Cardinals. I'll root for them in the World Series unless they're playing a championship starved AL franchise (Mariners or Indians for example). Up until then I'll root for their elimination.

Agree with the exception of only rooting the the NL Evil Empire Vs the AL one.

 

Yes, that means that like in 13, I rooted for the Red Sox.

 

The 2011 chant is too much fun.

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My Angels had a good off season on paper with Ohtani, Upton not being a rental and Kinsler. They just need to stay healthy. Pity Sosh is still manager even though it’s the last year of the way too long contract of his. He should have been let go a long time ago. Trout won’t get a WS ring with someone like Mike managing. Edited by invisible airwave
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The Pirates just traded Gerrit Cole to the Astros.

Finally... Any word on what they gave up?

 

INF Colin Moran and RHP Joe Musgrove. They are supposedly getting more back, but haven't heard past those two players yet. Moran's a prospect and Musgrove's a starting pitcher that looks cheap and might be something the Pirates can build on.

 

Cole still has two more years of team control so the Bucs better get something more out of this deal or they just got bamboozled.

Mid-priced is decent but yeah, that's not enough.

 

Glad to see Cole out of the division (and not with the Yankees), he started twice against us last year but only gave up 2 hits and no ER in about 15 or 16 IP.

 

Wouldn't mind seeing him in the post season. :)

 

I will pull for any NL Central team all the way to being champions if the Cubs don't make it.

 

Except if it's the Cardinals. I'll root for them in the World Series unless they're playing a championship starved AL franchise (Mariners or Indians for example). Up until then I'll root for their elimination.

Agree with the exception of only rooting the the NL Evil Empire Vs the AL one.

 

Yes, that means that like in 13, I rooted for the Red Sox.

 

The 2011 chant is too much fun.

 

Bucs got another RHP and OF in the trade, so they didn't get completely floozed in this deal

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Cutch to the Giants, pending physical.

Yes, just heard the news this afternoon. :( :( Not really a surprise since the Pirates spent last off season shopping him around, but I'm still sad to see him go.

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Cutch to the Giants, pending physical.

Yes, just heard the news this afternoon. :( :( Not really a surprise since the Pirates spent last off season shopping him around, but I'm still sad to see him go.

It's sad when franchise icons move on.

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Cutch to the Giants, pending physical.

Yes, just heard the news this afternoon. :( :( Not really a surprise since the Pirates spent last off season shopping him around, but I'm still sad to see him go.

It's sad when franchise icons move on.

 

Cole and Cutch gone, Bucs really are tearing it down this off-season

Edited by BowlCity
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Cutch to the Giants, pending physical.

Yes, just heard the news this afternoon. :( :( Not really a surprise since the Pirates spent last off season shopping him around, but I'm still sad to see him go.

It's sad when franchise icons move on.

 

Cole and Cutch gone, Bucs really are tearing it down this off-season

For sure! I'm glad there will still be Josh Bell and Josh Harrison to watch.

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Cutch to the Giants, pending physical.

Yes, just heard the news this afternoon. :( :( Not really a surprise since the Pirates spent last off season shopping him around, but I'm still sad to see him go.

It's sad when franchise icons move on.

 

Cole and Cutch gone, Bucs really are tearing it down this off-season

And it turns out the Pirates got, um, not very much for McCutchen AND the cash they are sending with him. A pitcher, Kyle Crick, that still needs to develop, and a minor league prospect, plus bonus pool cash. Pirates must have really wanted to shake things up.

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Cutch to the Giants, pending physical.

Yes, just heard the news this afternoon. :( :( Not really a surprise since the Pirates spent last off season shopping him around, but I'm still sad to see him go.

It's sad when franchise icons move on.

 

Cole and Cutch gone, Bucs really are tearing it down this off-season

And it turns out the Pirates got, um, not very much for McCutchen AND the cash they are sending with him. A pitcher, Kyle Crick, that still needs to develop, and a minor league prospect, plus bonus pool cash. Pirates must have really wanted to shake things up.

What they need is for Polanco and Marte to do what they're capable of doing. Those guys have been major disappointments.

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Duensing is back at the low, low price of $7 million for 2.

 

 

Duensing was a good pen arms last year. Glad to have him back. I think we're stocked up now but no idea who the closer is gonna be.

 

Just need to get that last starter. The longer these FAs go without getting signed makes it seem more and more likely Arrieta comes back.

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Cutch to the Giants, pending physical.

Yes, just heard the news this afternoon. :( :( Not really a surprise since the Pirates spent last off season shopping him around, but I'm still sad to see him go.

It's sad when franchise icons move on.

 

Cole and Cutch gone, Bucs really are tearing it down this off-season

And it turns out the Pirates got, um, not very much for McCutchen AND the cash they are sending with him. A pitcher, Kyle Crick, that still needs to develop, and a minor league prospect, plus bonus pool cash. Pirates must have really wanted to shake things up.

What they need is for Polanco and Marte to do what they're capable of doing. Those guys have been major disappointments.

 

Harrison is probably gonna get dealt. Really damn depressing. Ownership is so frustrating. Everyone is comparing us to the Royals, but the Royals haven't dealt their stars in the last year or two of their respective contracts. Bottomline- our ownership doesn't want to financially commit to the team. Period. Extremely frustrating.

 

I'm actually not that high on Cole...he's not a true ace. However, if the Pirates were moderately active in free agency in acquiring a few pieces, we could have competed for a playoff spot. Polanco battled injuries last year, and obviously Marte had the suspension. Marte still played well. Polanco was having shoulder problems, which can unfortunately be chronic.

 

I would have liked to have seen the Pirates maybe go after Adrian Gonzalez or Carlos Gonzalez on a 1 year prove it contract, possibly catch lightning in a bottle for a season...sign someone like Addison Reed to bolster the bullpen, and go after a solid depth starting pitcher. I know that sounds fairly underwhelming in terms of investment, but doing that and keeping Cutch and Cole would have made us competitive.

 

Its so damn frustrating to have to constantly let players walk and trade valuable trade pieces, and wait for years at a time for the stars to align where we have enough studs on a shoe string budget to compete. Its also really frustrating because it seems the the Ray Searage magic dust is wearing off- pitchers are now leaving the Pirates and improving (Morton, Liriano). Freaking last year we were 2 games out of the wildcard and we dealt our closer. I personally think that closers are grossly overvalued, but come on, your a game or 2 out of the wildcard and you're selling?

 

rant over.....I wish Mark Cuban would buy the Pirates

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