MLB Offseason 2014-15: Wait, pitchers and catchers report WHEN?

[Timby]

Enjoy Buchholz as your #1.

With McCarthy signing with Los Angeles, the Yankees' rotation currently comprises:

1. CC Sabathia, coming off a career-worst year and a severe knee injury
2. Masahiro Tanaka, whose elbow is a ticking time bomb (even moreso than most pitchers)
3. Michael Pineda, who gets hurt a lot and is bad at cheating
4. A ham sandwich
5. My dead grandma

So ... glass houses and all that.

 

[Jedi_Master]

Enjoy Buchholz as your #1.

With McCarthy signing with Los Angeles, the Yankees' rotation currently comprises:

1. CC Sabathia, coming off a career-worst year and a severe knee injury
2. Masahiro Tanaka, whose elbow is a ticking time bomb (even moreso than most pitchers)
3. Michael Pineda, who gets hurt a lot and is bad at cheating
4. A ham sandwich
5. My dead grandma

So ... glass houses and all that.

Now that's a rotation!

 

[Yanks]

Enjoy Buchholz as your #1.

With McCarthy signing with Los Angeles, the Yankees' rotation currently comprises:

1. CC Sabathia, coming off a career-worst year and a severe knee injury
2. Masahiro Tanaka, whose elbow is a ticking time bomb (even moreso than most pitchers)
3. Michael Pineda, who gets hurt a lot and is bad at cheating
4. A ham sandwich
5. My dead grandma

So ... glass houses and all that.

Better than Boston's

But that said, I don't know what Cashman's doing or goal is with the pitching staff... I would have kept McCarthy and Greene. But hey, we need a touchy-feely good fielding shortstop that can't hit in the AL East...

Now if we land Scherzer I guess we'll have another discussion.

We still have Nova too I believe.

 

[Timby]

I would have kept McCarthy and Greene. But hey, we need a touchy-feely good fielding shortstop that can't hit in the AL East...

Keep crying about a shitty pitcher who had two good months. After the decade of butchery that was Jeter's "defense" one would think you'd like a guy who can actually move to his right at shortstop.

We still have Nova too I believe.

Coming back from Tommy John, not expected until the All-Star Break at the soonest.

 

[Yanks]

Coming back from Tommy John, not expected until the All-Star Break at the soonest.

Well that's better than your dead grandma, and Boston pitching staff

 

[Tom Servo]

Coming back from Tommy John, not expected until the All-Star Break at the soonest.

Well that's better than your dead grandma, and Boston pitching staff

Well seeing as how they've added Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, and Justin Masterson in the last few hours I think they know what they are doing. Those are good, durable, groundball starters (Masterson less so but he does have some upside), they have acquired for essentially spare parts. And now they still have the main prospects (you know, like young, cost controlled players, not that the Yankees would know what those are) they would need to go get an ace, if they decide to go that route.

 

[Scout101]

And a lot of those contracts are either expiring or movable, so if they don't get an "ace" this offseason, plenty of room to reload again next year and make an offer to one of the new guys (Cueto, Greinke, Samardzija , Latos, Price, Zimmermann for example). Can only have so many 25M+ pitchers in rotations, and lots of the big market teams seem to be pretty saturated with them. Seems like plenty of opportunity to snag one next year, if not traded for this offseason.

Not like Masterson is blocking someone, he can be moved to the pen if needed. Or maybe they'll finally decide to move on from Buchholz. Either way, I'd have taken the Red Sox rotation over the Yankees rotation BEFORE they got 3 new guys today. After those moves? Come on, not even same league. Only Yankees starter worth the roster spot at the moment decided to try and pitch through an injury vice just getting the TJ surgery and having things fixed. All that did is delay the surgery until something THIS year instead, so when it blows out again in June, we won't see him until Opening Day 2017...

On the other hand... Pinstripes or something. Don't even have Captain Intangibles anymore, so even the likeability factor is DOA on the current team. 3 more years of ARod, though.

Edit: Actually, it's kinda depressing. I miss the Yanks/Sox rivalry, having the big names on both sides, slugging it out, respecting at least a couple of the opposition. Yankees got old fast, it seems, and the star factor is gone. Bunch of "has-been" stars, but the homegrown guys are gone, and the good mercenaries are even out of it, not sure what's really even left to care about any more. Tanaka is interesting, but destined for the scalpel. Ellsbury at least has the Sox recognition from us. After that, any current Yankees that you'd want on your team if you could pick? Or an easier metric: if the entire roster was on fantasy baseball waivers, would you pick any of them up? Those two, Gardner maybe. Anyone else? McCann used to be good, but disappeared quickly. Tex too. ARod years ago. Ichiro a long time ago. what am I missing? And doesn't seem like much in the Farm System ready to hit the scene and start the next dynasty era. This is what people have been predicting for the Yankees for a long time, but seems like it's starting to really happen...

 

[Skywalker]

Last night the Red Sox sent Rubby de la Rosa and Allen Webster (plus one more minor leaguer to be determined) to Arizona for Wade Miley, and today they sent Yoenis Cespedes, Alex Wilson and a minor leaguer to Detroit for Rick Porcello. Both pretty solid pickups, IMO. I'd still like to see them bring in a genuine #1 starter--they've still got a ton of outfield depth and prospects to work with--but for now their rotation is already in much better shape.

ETA: Bah, didn't notice all of that news had already been posted. That's what I get for skimming.

 

[Timby]

ETA: Bah, didn't notice all of that news had already been posted. That's what I get for skimming.

Over the last few days:

A's traded Jeff Samardzija to the White Sox for Marcus Semien and things even less notable than Marcus Semien.

White Sox signed David Robertson for 4 years.

Phillies traded Antonio Bastardo to the Pirates for an MiLB person.
Phillies traded Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers for an MiLB person.

Dodgers traded Dee Gordon and Dan Haren's corpse to the Marlins for Andrew Heaney, Austin Barnes and a few others.
Dodgers traded Andrew Heaney to the Angels for Howie Kendrick. (lol)
Dodgers signed Brandon McCarthy for four years.
Dodgers traded Matt Kemp to the Padres for Yasmani Grandal, Joe Wieland and Zach Eflin.

Red Sox traded Cespedes to Detroit for Porcello.
Red Sox signed Masterson.

Twins signed Ervin Santana.

Marlins traded two prospects to Cincinnati for Latos.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Phillies traded Antonio Bastardo to the Phillies

Wow, that's deep.

 

[Timby]

Phillies traded Antonio Bastardo to the Phillies

Wow, that's deep.

My head is still spinning from the Dodgers flipping Heaney for Howie fucking Kendrick.

 

[Use of Time]

Phillies traded Antonio Bastardo to the Phillies

Wow, that's deep.

My head is still spinning from the Dodgers flipping Heaney for Howie fucking Kendrick.

Don't put it past Amaro. He could find a way to pull it off.

 

[Yanks]

And a lot of those contracts are either expiring or movable, so if they don't get an "ace" this offseason, plenty of room to reload again next year and make an offer to one of the new guys (Cueto, Greinke, Samardzija , Latos, Price, Zimmermann for example). Can only have so many 25M+ pitchers in rotations, and lots of the big market teams seem to be pretty saturated with them. Seems like plenty of opportunity to snag one next year, if not traded for this offseason.

Not like Masterson is blocking someone, he can be moved to the pen if needed. Or maybe they'll finally decide to move on from Buchholz. Either way, I'd have taken the Red Sox rotation over the Yankees rotation BEFORE they got 3 new guys today. After those moves? Come on, not even same league. Only Yankees starter worth the roster spot at the moment decided to try and pitch through an injury vice just getting the TJ surgery and having things fixed. All that did is delay the surgery until something THIS year instead, so when it blows out again in June, we won't see him until Opening Day 2017...

On the other hand... Pinstripes or something. Don't even have Captain Intangibles anymore, so even the likeability factor is DOA on the current team. 3 more years of ARod, though.

Edit: Actually, it's kinda depressing. I miss the Yanks/Sox rivalry, having the big names on both sides, slugging it out, respecting at least a couple of the opposition. Yankees got old fast, it seems, and the star factor is gone. Bunch of "has-been" stars, but the homegrown guys are gone, and the good mercenaries are even out of it, not sure what's really even left to care about any more. Tanaka is interesting, but destined for the scalpel. Ellsbury at least has the Sox recognition from us. After that, any current Yankees that you'd want on your team if you could pick? Or an easier metric: if the entire roster was on fantasy baseball waivers, would you pick any of them up? Those two, Gardner maybe. Anyone else? McCann used to be good, but disappeared quickly. Tex too. ARod years ago. Ichiro a long time ago. what am I missing? And doesn't seem like much in the Farm System ready to hit the scene and start the next dynasty era. This is what people have been predicting for the Yankees for a long time, but seems like it's starting to really happen...

"Star Power" has definitely taken a hit for sure. Mo, Jorge, Andy & Captain retire... A-ROID is a f#$%#$%king punk (broke one too), CC had knee surgery, Tex for whatever reason will NOT get out of the "pull everything mode" (for gods sake I teach my hitter to go with the pitch), and Cashman loses 2 home grown stars in Cano and Robertson.

Like I've said before, W...T... F... is he doing? I don't put Choke-Rod on Cashman because that was George's last hoorah. (Thanks Boss )

I don't think you let Greene that pitched more than adequately with much potential go for a Shortstop that can't field or hit better than the one you have on your roster already. When you need to bolster your bullpen, I don't think you sign one guy and let a better one go.

I don't know WTF they are doing. And don't give me the saving money crap, the Yankees could spend 400 million on a team.

But injuries aside, the Yankee rotation crushes the BoSox right now. But none of our players seem to get though a season without a major injury anymore... Any rotation that has the emotionally stable stalwart that is Buchholz (Boston's version of our pine tar idiot) as their ace is well... go ahead and hang your star on that one. "They" decided not to operate on Tanaka last year so I'm hoping they know what they are doing.

If you look at it, it wasn't the pitching that was the problem last year it was scoring frakin runs... what has Cashman done to improve that? .... Didi? I believe Headley will bring a 290/300 bat to play this year, but has he signed yet? I also believe that McCain will improve at the plate. I've seen time and time again that hitter struggle coming from the NL to the AL.

I too loved the monster rivalry they used to have. It was EPIC every time they played. Now it's far from that. It make a Sunday night game because of the name only.

I think the Yanks and the Sox HAVE to land Scherzer. I'm sure he's loving that.

 

[Timby]

"Star Power" has definitely taken a hit for sure. Mo, Jorge, Andy & Captain retire... A-ROID is a f#$%#$%king punk (broke one too), CC had knee surgery, Tex for whatever reason will NOT get out of the "pull everything mode" (for gods sake I teach my hitter to go with the pitch), and Cashman loses 2 home grown stars in Cano and Robertson.

It's cute that you moan about Pettite retiring, when he was a PED user, yet you think Rodriguez is worse than Hitler.

It's also funny that a year ago, you said you were happy to see Cano go because he didn't have the "brains" to hit .400 and wasn't a "true Yankee," and now you're bemoaning the loss of stars.

I don't think you let Greene that pitched more than adequately with much potential go for a Shortstop that can't field or hit better than the one you have on your roster already.

What part of "Greene has two pitches and bad command" do you not understand? He projects as a back of the rotation guy at best and most likely a middle reliever. That's a dime a dozen.

And Brendan Ryan is a terrible hitter (it's a miracle if he breaks .200) and a worse fielder. I don't know why on Earth you're objecting to having one of the legitimately best gloves in the league on the team (with a bat that has upside; Gregorius has good to very good strike zone judgment and merely needs to improve contact).

But injuries aside, the Yankee rotation crushes the BoSox right now. But none of our players seem to get though a season without a major injury anymore... Any rotation that has the emotionally stable stalwart that is Buchholz (Boston's version of our pine tar idiot) as their ace is well... go ahead and hang your star on that one. "They" decided not to operate on Tanaka last year so I'm hoping they know what they are doing.

The Yankees have three starting pitchers right now, one of whom gets hurt all the damn time, another of whom is probably toast, and the last is a near-certainty to have Tommy John surgery in the next twelve months. The Red Sox at least have Miley / Masterson / Kelly / Buchholz / Porcello, which isn't the sexiest rotation in recorded history, but they're all at least reliable innings-eaters.

If you look at it, it wasn't the pitching that was the problem last year it was scoring frakin runs... what has Cashman done to improve that? .... Didi? I believe Headley will bring a 290/300 bat to play this year, but has he signed yet? I also believe that McCain will improve at the plate. I've seen time and time again that hitter struggle coming from the NL to the AL.

Chase "career .265 batting average" Headley is going to bring a .300 bat?

 

[Yanks]

"Star Power" has definitely taken a hit for sure. Mo, Jorge, Andy & Captain retire... A-ROID is a f#$%#$%king punk (broke one too), CC had knee surgery, Tex for whatever reason will NOT get out of the "pull everything mode" (for gods sake I teach my hitter to go with the pitch), and Cashman loses 2 home grown stars in Cano and Robertson.

It's cute that you moan about Pettite retiring, when he was a PED user, yet you think Rodriguez is worse than Hitler.

What does Andy that have to do with anything? Papi and Manny juiced (just to mention 2) and that somehow doesn't matter? Roids was a baseball problem. A-ROID was given a pass the 1st time he lied, I don't give him one the second time he lied. He's a self centered punk. I don't like him.

It's also funny that a year ago, you said you were happy to see Cano go because he didn't have the "brains" to hit .400 and wasn't a "true Yankee," and now you're bemoaning the loss of stars.

Not bemoaning, recognizing. I also wasn't happy or wanted to see Cano gone, but there was plenty of grievances to mention on the way out for sure.

I don't think you let Greene that pitched more than adequately with much potential go for a Shortstop that can't field or hit better than the one you have on your roster already.

What part of "Greene has two pitches and bad command" do you not understand? He projects as a back of the rotation guy at best and most likely a middle reliever. That's a dime a dozen.

Bad command? 5&4 with a team that couldn't score. Not "bad" by any stretch. You saying he can't learn another pitch?

And Brendan Ryan is a terrible hitter (it's a miracle if he breaks .200) and a worse fielder. I don't know why on Earth you're objecting to having one of the legitimately best gloves in the league on the team (with a bat that has upside; Gregorius has good to very good strike zone judgment and merely needs to improve contact).

He never hit 300 in minors, but if you say so, I guess YOU know he can hit in the AL East in New York.

But injuries aside, the Yankee rotation crushes the BoSox right now. But none of our players seem to get though a season without a major injury anymore... Any rotation that has the emotionally stable stalwart that is Buchholz (Boston's version of our pine tar idiot) as their ace is well... go ahead and hang your star on that one. "They" decided not to operate on Tanaka last year so I'm hoping they know what they are doing.

The Yankees have three starting pitchers right now, one of whom gets hurt all the damn time, another of whom is probably toast, and the last is a near-certainty to have Tommy John surgery in the next twelve months. The Red Sox at least have Miley / Masterson / Kelly / Buchholz / Porcello, which isn't the sexiest rotation in recorded history, but they're all at least reliable innings-eaters.

Not true. You don't know what you're talking about. We have 5 starting pitchers. And our bullpen is better even without Robertson. You are blinded by Yankee hate.

If you look at it, it wasn't the pitching that was the problem last year it was scoring frakin runs... what has Cashman done to improve that? .... Didi? I believe Headley will bring a 290/300 bat to play this year, but has he signed yet? I also believe that McCain will improve at the plate. I've seen time and time again that hitter struggle coming from the NL to the AL.

Chase "career .265 batting average" Headley is going to bring a .300 bat?

Better chance than your starting rotation being above 500.

 

[Corran Horn]

Jon Lester to the Cubs, 6 years $155 million.

Fuck...yeah

Now we need to get Scherzer.

I'm not sure they have the cash for that but it'd be nice.

'Overpay' is the new 'pay' when it comes to FA these days.

 

[Jedi_Master]

It must be hard to be a Yankees or Red Sox fan, having to endure brief periods of mediocrity before returning to the playoffs with a roster worth more than the GDP of several countries put together.

 

[Timby]

Not bemoaning, recognizing. I also wasn't happy or wanted to see Cano gone, but there was plenty of grievances to mention on the way out for sure.

Oh, really? Because a year ago, you said:

Sorry, I have no mercy for Cano.

Leave the NYY for frakin Seattle?

Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

This just tells me he never really was a Yankee.

He will feel the wrath of my screams at the TV when we play Seattle.

Get over it. We didn't want him.

Funny way of saying you didn't want him to go.

Bad command? 5&4 with a team that couldn't score. Not "bad" by any stretch. You saying he can't learn another pitch?

Wins and losses are meaningless and it is highly uncommon for 26-year-old pitchers with a history of a BB/9 in the 4 - 5 range to develop another pitch, yes. And, yes, walking four or five guys a game means you have bad command.

Not true. You don't know what you're talking about. We have 5 starting pitchers. And our bullpen is better even without Robertson. You are blinded by Yankee hate.

Pro tip: I'm not a Red Sox fan, but keep on with your "Yankee hate" persecution complex if it helps you sleep better at night.

Oh, you have, what, David Phelps and Adam Warren? Wow, that's a mighty fuckin' rotation.

Chase "career .265 batting average" Headley is going to bring a .300 bat?

Better chance than your starting rotation being above 500.

This doesn't even make any sense (nor does referring to me as "Timbus").

 

[Yanks]

Jon Lester to the Cubs, 6 years $155 million.

Fuck...yeah

Now we need to get Scherzer.

I'm not sure they have the cash for that but it'd be nice.

'Overpay' is the new 'pay' when it comes to FA these days.

Isn't that the truth... TV money is out of control.

It must be hard to be a Yankees or Red Sox fan, having to endure brief periods of mediocrity before returning to the playoffs with a roster worth more than the GDP of several countries put together.

Sure enough... but I don't feel so bad when I see a team like the Angels or the Marlins spending cash.

At least the Yankees did sign Josh Hamilton.

 

[Yanks]

Oh, really? Because a year ago, you said:

Sorry, I have no mercy for Cano.

Leave the NYY for frakin Seattle?

Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

This just tells me he never really was a Yankee.

He will feel the wrath of my screams at the TV when we play Seattle.

Funny way of saying you didn't want him to go.

All after the contract to Seattle was accepted. Just as I said.

Wins and losses are meaningless and it is highly uncommon for 26-year-old pitchers with a history of a BB/9 in the 4 - 5 range to develop another pitch, yes. And, yes, walking four or five guys a game means you have bad command.

Pro tip: I'm not a Red Sox fan. Oh, you have, what, David Phelps and Adam Warren? Wow, that's a mighty fuckin' rotation.

Rookies have done worse, and yes - better than Boston's. What's your team again? You seem to defend Boston quite a bit.