The Rays are preparing to give a long look at outfielder Mallex Smith, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes. As he nears his 25th birthday, Smith has upped his offensive game, with a .373/.418/.510 batting line. Though he’s carrying an unsustainable .432 BABIP, it’s notable that Smith has been striking out at a meager 12.5% clip. With Kevin Kiermaier just starting a lengthy DL stint, there’s little reason not to see whether Smith can stake a claim to an everyday job. Topkin also covers some of the other players who could see additional opportunities due to the loss of Kiermaier.
Here’s more from the rest of the AL East:
- Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski gave an honest answer when asked by Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald whether he foresaw the team’s unbelievable start to the season. “We thought the capabilities were there,” said Dombrowski. “But for me to say we expected it to this point, that would be a bit much.” Still, he did acknowledge that he and the rest of the front office truly believed that last year’s tepid run production would turn around, with or without the addition of J.D. Martinez. Sox fans will want to read the entire piece, which gives an interesting look at all the things going right in Boston at the moment.
- The story isn’t quite the same in Baltimore, where the Orioles are off to a miserable opening run. One bright spot has been Andrew Cashner, one of several offseason pitching additions. Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun examines whether his 3.00 ERA through 24 innings — which follows a 3.40 mark in 166 2/3 frames last year — could be sustainable despite still-middling peripherals. Skipper Buck Showalter seems to believe that Cashner has matured as a pitcher and “came into his own last year.” He says he’s “hoping that we’re going to reap the benefits of that” over the full course of the current season. Of course, as Meoli explains, there are certainly some reasons not to buy in.
- Relief pitching was expected to be an overwhelming strength for the Yankees in 2018, but Marc Carig of The Athletic writes (subscription link) that there are some cracks in the pen. Beyond just short-term struggles with results, the Yanks have seen cause for deeper concern with some pitchers. In particular, Dellin Betances has shown a bit of a velo drop and, perhaps more worryingly, reduced spin rate. There are similar issues for Tommy Kahnle, who is now on the DL after not looking capable of sustaining his 2017 breakout in the early going.
- The Blue Jays have received generally promising news on star third baseman Josh Donaldson, as Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca tweets. Skipper John Gibbons says that, though Donaldson isn’t going to be ready to come back after the minimum ten-day stint, he has resumed throwing and is feeling “great.” The real question, though, is whether Donaldson will be able to throw without limitation after showing reduced form early in the season.
Aoe3
I hope the Jays take their time with JD. Last year on one or two occasions players were rushed back only to go back on the dl. We are doing fine right now from our increased depth options.
Chris
You’d have to think Donaldson himself rushing to get back is an issue, as he wants to get paid
its_happening
Jays also need JD in that lineup. Of course they can’t rush him back too quick because he’s important, yet the team needs him because he’s THAT important. Him on the sideline gives the team some time to figure out what to do with Teoscar who’s raking.
SKbreesy
As a Sox fan I don’t think anyone expected this type of production/ record.
I thought they’d be between their 2016 and 2017 production.
yukongold
They caught the Angels and Yankees in a slump. Every other team they’ve played have been AAA rosters. Real competition is going to eat them alive.
RedSox4Life4ever
How can you say the Angels were in a slump when they came into the series as one of the winningest teams?
redsox18
Lol a 7 game winning streak is a slump now?
jmi1950
Really? The Angels were at home with a great record and the Sox put them in a slump — 10 to 1, 9 to 0 and 8 to 2. Cle, Hou and NYY will be good but “eat them alive” is just plain stupid.
ThePriceWasRight
angels were one of the best teams in the league (won 7 prior and 10 of 12). So that argument goes out the window.
the Yankees slump as you call it. They were 500 coming I to yesterday. that’s not a slump, they are just average.
but hey in October when the yanks are at home and sox are playing in the playoffs, in sure it’s because all the playoff teams just happened to catch the yanks when they were slumping.
bababooeytoyall
Another Red Sox fan daydreaming again.
Berger
Another hater being a troll.
Red Sox rule
Moron!!!!
SKbreesy
The same AAA teams the Yankees have lost to. 3 out of 4 to the Orioles( who the Red Sox swept) and 1 out of 2 to the Marlins and the game they lost, the Yanks had their best starter on the mound.
MB923
Tanaka isn’t the Yankees best SP.
thegreatcerealfamine
Come-on guy the Red Sox are just a more balanced team right now.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
Come-on guy the Red Sox are just destroying everyone right now
thegreatcerealfamine
I’m trying to find a significant difference in what I posted and what you posted…come-on guy
Bruin1012
Yukongold that was one of the stupidest comments yet. The Angels were on fire when the Red Sox got there if they are in a slump it’s because Boston put them in one. I don’t care who you play you start 16-2 and you are doing something right. Last year it just seems that every player on the team had a down year they were a good team last year.
This year they are hitting on all cylinders. They won’t keep up this pace, of course, but they are a very good team that barring injuries should compete all the way till the end.
Berger
Youkongold-Better to be thought a fool than open your your mouth and remove all doubt.
start_wearing_purple
You don’t go 16-2 on luck alone.
its_happening
And they are missing a couple key players. Red Sox are loaded.
aj_54
Yukongold? more like fools gold
rocky7
Come on yukongold
Even as a diehard Yankee fan you have to give the sox their due.
They came in played better defense, got timely hitting, and out pitched both our starters and relievers.
As far the Angels, they were one of the hottest teams in baseball right behind the Sox when they came in to play them and we can see what happened.
In the long run, things may begin to even out, but right now there is no way you can denigrate the way the Sox are winning.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
Who do you suggest would be real competition?
davidcoonce74
I always liked Smith; surprised he’s already on his 4th ML team. He’s always struck me as a Denard Span type – can play center field despite a below-average arm and runs well, enough on-base skills to get to his speed. Hope he does well for them.
casmith12
I was a Mallex Smith fan when he was in Atlanta, but understood there wasn’t much of a place for him here. I think he really has potential to be a solid CF and speed guy. He may not be a perennial all star, but I think he’ll be slightly above league average for as long as his blazing speed holds up.
bravesfan88
I always rooted for Mallex. His personality, his self-confidence, and his exciting style of play quickly made him a favorite among most fans who followed the Braves’ closely..
However, he struggled with his routes in CF, he failed to display a good arm, and he also just couldn’t get it clicking offensively enough for the Braves to keep him around.
Clearly, it was a no-brainer for the Braves to trade away Mallex for a rare lefty talent like Gohara…
Mallex has his flaws, but if he puts it all together he can become a competent CF’er and a real contributor for the Rays..
Definitely wish Mallex nothing but the best!!
start_wearing_purple
I got to see Smith a lot so far since the Rays have had 2 series against the Sox. I thought he looked a little lost in the outfield. That said I will give him credit for quickly adjusting on his miscues and frankly I’ve seen gold glove veterans who can’t handle bounces off the Green Monster, it doesn’t always act the way you think it will.
If he gets more experience, he could easily be a very solid player.
Knowthemarket
See Mallex isn’t getting enough attention off of this thread. He could be a good CF’er. He looks like an Ender type. Good contact hitter that gives you speed and a strong glove. Routes are probably among the more easily taught skills
jdgoat
The Houston Astros weren’t even good last year, they just caught the entire league in a slump
its_happening
Funny
jimmertee
Red Soz will win AL East easily. Yankees will wild card it and do a World Series run. You heard it hear. #Scoutseyes
start_wearing_purple
Eh, I never count the yankees out. Cashman will make some minor trade in July for a player even most hardcore fans have barely heard of and they’ll play the best baseball of their lives for the rest of the season.
But I’m not calling any division yet for any team. Almost every team is one major injury away from a slide. Right now, I’m still betting on an Astros repeat. On paper and on the field, they’re still a powerhouse.
mnsports
They’ll trade for Rib Refsynder
jdgoat
And Bo Bichette will bust!
jimmertee
As I have said before, Bichette won’t be a MLB bust, just be a below average player. Not a star. I still think Bichette will play 7-9 years in the big leagues which is an awesome thing to do…..
jdgoat
So a bust considering pro scouts think he’s going to be a star. It’s a good thing scouting isn’t your day job
start_wearing_purple
If I had a nickel for every time a major league scout declare a prospect a star and then the player doesn’t reach the lofty expectations, then I’d have a I’d have enough nickels to fill a Scourge McDuck sized vault.
Not every top prospect succeeds and Bo Bichette is just starting to show promise in AA. Let’s not pretend he’s the next sure thing.
its_happening
JD just worry about today. Marcus Stroman may want to beat the Yankees #5 starter and get out of this funk. This would be a good time and to salvage at least a split in the Bronx is not bad. And because Gibby needed 4 relievers last night a 7=8 inning performance from Stroman would be nice.
jimmertee
Amen and amen. Right on. If anyone wants to see more examples of what you are saying, just look at the Yankees prospect hype machine. Sometimes it produces a Judge and sometimes it produces a Rob Refsynder,. lol.
jimmertee
Yankees take the next two games from the Jays. #Scoutseyes
jimmertee
And the yanks take the last two games from the jays series in NewYork!
Bruin1012
Jimmer I think the Yankees are a really good team. I also think the Red Sox are a really good team that almost nothing went right last year and they still win the division.
This year everything is going right it won’t continue at this level but they are a really good team. They were a really good team last year but the difference this year is they seem to really like to play for Cora. Last year Boston seemed lukewarm at best for Farrell.
The last few years I always felt the Yankees overachieved under Giardi and I’m not sure about Boone. I may be wrong and Boone may turn out to be a good hire but I felt at the time the Yankees let go of Giardi and got Boone that was a plus for Boston.
jimmertee
Yeah, Bosox first, Yankees 2nd Jays 3rd as I called in Spring training. #Scoutseyes