This week in baseball blogs:
- Outfield Fly Rule examines the Braves’ signings of right-handers R.A. Dickey and Bartolo Colon.
- Blue Jay Hunter reacts to Toronto’s addition of designated hitter Kendrys Morales.
- Inside the ’Zona explains why a Diamondbacks rebuild is on the horizon.
- Clubhouse Corner chats with highly regarded Brewers outfield prospect Brett Phillips.
- North Shore Nine wonders what’s next for Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen, while Pirates Breakdown is relieved the Bucs didn’t trade him over the summer.
- Off The Bench Baseball focuses on a few potential landing spots for free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
- The Score breaks down possible destinations for free agent slugger Jose Bautista.
- Baseball Hot Corner sees free agent outfielder Dexter Fowler as a fit for the Blue Jays.
- Yanks Go Yard evaluates DH replacements for the Yankees if they trade Brian McCann.
- Burning River Baseball wants the Indians to move on from free agent first baseman/DH Mike Napoli.
- Sports Talk Philly contends that the Phillies should extend third baseman Maikel Franco.
- Baseball Docs lists several potential offseason moves that would surprise fans.
- Jays From the Couch regards Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig as a trade target for Toronto.
- Outside Pitch MLB opines that the White Sox should be buyers this offseason.
- Camden Depot doesn’t expect the Orioles to make a splash in the outfield this winter.
- The Point of Pittsburgh suggests Rays right-hander Alex Cobb as a trade target for the Pirates.
- BP Toronto posits that Diamondbacks southpaw Patrick Corbin could be the next Andrew Miller, and recommends the Blue Jays acquire him.
- MLB451 delves into former Mariners DH Edgar Martinez’s Hall of Fame case.
- Chin Music Baseball writes that White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu still has plenty of value, but his recent decline does merit concern.
- When Sid Slid presents an offseason plan for the Braves.
- Jays Journal names offseason bullpen targets for the Blue Jays.
- Brew Crew Fever responds to the contract extension Brewers manager Craig Counsell agreed to Friday.
- The Runner Sports takes a detailed look at Astros second base prospect Nick Tanielu.
- Call to the Pen argues that the Phillies are building a winning atmosphere.
- Everything Bluebirds hopes the Blue Jays liven up their clubhouse.
Please send submissions to ZachBBWI @gmail.com.
Have to chime in my agreement that the White Sox should be buyers. That it is near-consensus that they should be selling is a reflection of the “what have you done for me lately” attitude that is painfully pervasive in sports.
They have so many good players, such a nearly-complete roster. The type of team that could add 10+ wins with just a little shake up like a coaching change. Add a couple of good free agents on back-loaded deals and the team could win 100 games next year.
lol at complete roster… name an above average position player other than eaton.
abreu, melky, frazier, Anderson(he will improve but probably not this year) are basically average. and they still have 4 other holes on offense.
Abreu was an MVP caliber hitter not long ago, with a manageable contract. I know you’re just a clueless, Cubs fan, but even you should see he has value. Frazier has above average HR power at 3rd, and Melky is a quality contact hitter most years. Anderson is young and controllable, and has star potential, so no reason to trade him.
babe Ruth was an mvp. should we dig him up? like i said they are average players. 2 war is average. I think you are confusing average with replacement level.
wait why are you talking about “value” that’s irrelevant in terms of competetiveness, read what I was responding too. i was responding to them adding not trading.
Chisoxcity, don’t include this moron in with the rest of Cubs fans. He’s been spewing garbage for days. He thinks Baez is going to be traded (no chance in hell). He thinks Hendricks and Edwards will be traded, (no chance in hell). He’s clearly bigpapi4ever just under a different name. Making ridiculous trade proposals that’ll never happen and saying players, like Abreu, who’s a solid player and perhaps the Sox best position player, are garbage. He needs to just GO AWAY
The Sox would have you believe that they’ve been “buyers” for years now. The reality is Jerry Reinsdorf won’t spend the kind of money you need to attract top free agents. Year after year, the White Sox are linked to players who are obvious fits for the roster. They always end up settling for bargain bench players no one else wants. This is why some fans and experts in the industry say maybe it’s time to sell and restock the farm system.
They’re not having much success with their current strategy, and the fans aren’t buying that they’re going “all in” to contend. The Sox aren’t putting their money where their mouth is.
They’ve signed Abreu, Robertson and Cabrera over just the last few seasons.
If the white sox are not in contention at the deadline, they need to consider in trading sale or quintana
Corbin could a nice bullpen guy
My kid is busily figuring out a trade destination for Ben Zobrist, striking while the iron is hot (he has settled on the Mets for now). Boy should be a GM by age 23, I reckon.
teach him about how no trade clauses work first then.
How about you first look at the contract. Zobrist is only guaranteed a full no trade clause the 1st 3 years. 4th of the contract year the cubs can trade him to whomever they want.
so he is looking at trading him 2 years from now?
Also, Zo signed for less to come to Chicago. Yes you could argue there isnt a spot for him in the field TODAY. But dont forget about the grind that is major league baseball. What happens if Javy gets hurt? Zo plays 2nd. KB goes down? Javy to 3rd Zo at 2nd. Schwarber hurt again? No problen, kb to left or zo to left. You get my point. Oh, and hes also a switch hitter. Besides, Hapl needs to improve on D. Zobrist aint going anywhere. WS mvp t’boot
Stroman for Puig? Evan as a Dodgers fan I balk at that price for Jays fans. Wow they must not understand how overmatched offensively Puig has been since 2013. He certainly can rework his swing but anything hard on the inner half easily ties him up. Hard down and away he easily willing to bight. Defensively his arm is second to none. He’s a good defender in RF when he’s engaged in the game. Defensively he is not a long term solution in cf. He’s not a great baserunner and his speed really doesn’t show up to disturb the game the way it should. Puig is just an average player with superstar tools. So any team trading for him would be banking on potential not developed substance. I like Puig but I’m ok with the Dodgers trading him. Realistically, I don’t think the return will be substantial unless Puig is a secondary/throw in piece. So unless the dodgers are going to give him away I don’t see the Jays and Dodgers matching up. I mean unless they were willing to move Estrada being on his last year and that would cost the Dodgers a big package which I’d be ok with. But Stroman just presents too much control for two years of Puig.
puig has been 8% better than average with the bat the last 2 years, I don’t think you understand what overmatched means.
Just what this site needed, another know it all in all things baseball. There should be an age requirement to post on this site. Stick to the Cubs kid, you will aggregate fewer people..
or you can look it up and not embarrass yourself.
I wasn’t saying he is worth stroman. just that he isn’t overmatched.
The overmatched comment was based upon the ways he’s being pitched. Which isn’t going to change until he makes the adjustment. In terms of offense he is 16-17th best RF fangraphs. He is what the 4th best offensive RF in the NL west. His power has continued its declines, his OPS has continued its decline. As mentioned in the article his hard contact rate has continued his decline. His % whiff rate on fb as shown in the graph continued its decline.
In a position that is power based his power is relegated to mistakes. So yes if you have a fb you can spot up on the inside part of the plate he is overmatched and has not been able to make an adjustment. As evident by his exit velo and batting average on those pitches.
It’s evident if you’ve watched Puig the last two years just not highlights and looked at raw numbers of what defines average. So yes I’ll be perfectly clear Puig is overmatched by pitchers who possess average-above average fastballs. He is also overmatched when guys are able to spot up inside. So did I embarrass myself or did you make a bad attempt to try and make me look bad for no apparent reason.
Which if we disagree that’s no problem but tactfully be better that.
What will Yankees get for McCann
Not what they’re asking for.