Baseball games are being played again! I know it's only spring training, but I'm a box score junkie and once again I can get my daily fix. Ah, life is worth living again!

 

In addition to the Twins' results, I always scan the other box scores too, looking to see how favorite players and/or ex-Twins players are doing. The results of the game between St. Louis and Miami had a couple of fun facts. The winning pitcher for the Marlins was none other than Alex Wimmers. The losing pitcher for the Cardinals? That was ex-Twins outfielder Jordan Schafer, now trying his luck at pitching.The Marlins were also playing J. B. Shuck, a guy the Twins had in camp last year.

 

Anyone notice any other interesting ex-Twins sightings this week?

Aaron Hicks went 0-1 with a walk, started in CF for the Yanks.

 

Chris Herrmann went 0-2 for the D'backs, while JRMurphy did not play.

 

Denard Span led off for the Rays and had a nice night.

 

 

 

Aaron Hicks went 0-1 with a walk, started in CF for the Yanks.

 

Chris Herrmann went 0-2 for the D'backs, while JRMurphy did not play.

 

Denard Span led off for the Rays and had a nice night.

So the Rays now have Span AND Carlos Gomez! Seems like too many old outfielders for a team like that, one that is supposedly rebuilding.

So the Rays now have Span AND Carlos Gomez! Seems like too many old outfielders for a team like that, one that is supposedly rebuilding.

Gomez will be flipable at the deadline. That's exactly what a rebuilding team should be doing.

Daniel Palka, now with the White Sox, had a hit in their game yesterday.yesterday. Wonder if he has a chance to make that club? But I tell you, looking at that box score and the names of some of the Chicago players, made my stomach rumble: Delmonico, Burger, and Danish!

 

Gomez will be flipable at the deadline. That's exactly what a rebuilding team should be doing.

Yeah, the first step of a rebuild is to move your young, good players in trade and replace them with old, flippable players to be a warm body because you still have to play the games.

 

I'm entirely underwhelmed with the Rays offseason but they're not wrong in this part of the approach.

 

Gomez will be flipable at the deadline. That's exactly what a rebuilding team should be doing.

Steamer ranks him as a replacement level player. That should get you some team's 40th best prospect.

 

Steamer ranks him as a replacement level player. That should get you some team's 40th best prospect.

Steamer isn't always right. Sure, Gomez may definitely regress but if he enters the deadline with a 1.5 WAR and another solid season to follow up his 2017 season (2.3 fWAR), he'll net a pretty good prospect in return.

 

And if he stumbles again and returns to being a replacement level player, oh well, that's the risk of signing older guys on the cheap that you plan to flip mid-season.

 

Gomez only had one kinda bad season - 2015 - and is only going into his age 32 season. This is the kind of deal rebuilding teams should make, the kind of deals the 2012-2015 Twins did not agree to often enough.

2/26

 

I see...

 

Justin Haley picked up the win for the Red Sox in a start, but allowed 3 hits (1 solo HR) in two innings with no walks or strikeouts.

 

Kurt Suzuki DH's for Braves and went 2-for-2 with a double and RBI.

 

Craig Breslow threw one inning for the Blue Jays and allowed a solo HR but had two strikeouts.

 

Matt Hague hit a solo HR, playing first base for the Mariners.

 

Danny Ortiz came in as a backup in CF for the Phillies and was hitless in two AB.

Pedro Florimon started for the Phillies at 2B and went 0-for-2.

 

bighat noted Aaron Hicks...backing up Aaron Hicks in CF for the Yankees yesterday was Shane Robinson.

 

Drew Butera started at catcher for the Royals and went 0-for-2.  Blaine Boyer pitched 1 scoreless inning for the Royals.

 

Steamer isn't always right. Sure, Gomez may definitely regress but if he enters the deadline with a 1.5 WAR and another solid season to follow up his 2017 season (2.3 fWAR), he'll net a pretty good prospect in return.

 

And if he stumbles again and returns to being a replacement level player, oh well, that's the risk of signing older guys on the cheap that you plan to flip mid-season.

 

Gomez only had one kinda bad season - 2015 - and is only going into his age 32 season. This is the kind of deal rebuilding teams should make, the kind of deals the 2012-2015 Twins did not agree to often enough.

With the trades this winter that Tampa has made it is tough to find anything much that says great prospect. Gomez and Span will provide more of the same. Placios might be the best prospect they got back thus far.

Steamer ranks him as a replacement level player. That should get you some team's 40th best prospect.

Just pointing out why a rebuilding team would sign a player like Gomez. Not claiming he's guaranteed to get a good return.

 

Just pointing out why a rebuilding team would sign a player like Gomez. Not claiming he's guaranteed to get a good return.

Spending 4 million in hopes of getting a prospect is an expensive prospect. That is the reason a frugal team like Tampa, who dumped far better plays for little return, shouldn't be signing these kinds of players.

With the trades this winter that Tampa has made it is tough to find anything much that says great prospect. Gomez and Span will provide more of the same. Placios might be the best prospect they got back thus far.

I’ve been very down on Tampa’s offseason but that’s a different subject: process vs execution.

I looked up Oswaldo Arcia after reading about ex-Twins and Tampa Bay.

 

He's signed up to play in Japan this year with the Nippon Ham Fighters. Hopefully not trying to fill in the shoes Ohtani left behind!

 

This has been your Oswaldo Arcia CBU.

Edited February 27, 20188 yr by Vanimal46

Spending 4 million in hopes of getting a prospect is an expensive prospect. That is the reason a frugal team like Tampa, who dumped far better plays for little return, shouldn't be signing these kinds of players.

Well that's fair, but I don't agree. His prorated portion pre trade deadline will only be about 2.5 million, which isn't actually that expensive for a decent but not great prospect.

He's averaged 1.4 bWAR the last 3 seasons. If he gets off to a fair start, he should be able to return an Adalberto Mejia level prospect.

 

Even for a frugal team, this isn't a large commitment, IMO.

So the Rays now have Span AND Carlos Gomez! Seems like too many old outfielders for a team like that, one that is supposedly rebuilding.

the Rays aren't rebuilding. They were projected for more wins than the Twins by most systems. They dealt some old guys, and guys they had replacements for, and those replacements are likely better. Now, losing the top pitching prospect in the game hurts that....

Spending 4 million in hopes of getting a prospect is an expensive prospect. That is the reason a frugal team like Tampa, who dumped far better plays for little return, shouldn't be signing these kinds of players.

 

you are completely ignoring that some of those players had guys behind them that might be better....

 

you are completely ignoring that some of those players had guys behind them that might be better....

Please enlighten me which players Tampa had behind Souza, Longoria and Dickerson that might be better.

Please enlighten me which players Tampa had behind Souza, Longoria and Dickerson that might be better.

I was mostly talking about Odorizzi.... But I bet Gomez is better than Dickerson this year. Heck, whomever they have in their system might be better. Most of the guys they got rid of are ok players. Same with Souza,I bet Span is as good or better. I don't know if they have two guys in the minors better than both of the guys they lost. But they didn't get rid of any really good players, got prospects, and until Honeywell was hurt, were projected to win more games than the Twins.

 

 

Well that's fair, but I don't agree. His prorated portion pre trade deadline will only be about 2.5 million, which isn't actually that expensive for a decent but not great prospect.
He's averaged 1.4 bWAR the last 3 seasons. If he gets off to a fair start, he should be able to return an Adalberto Mejia level prospect.

Even for a frugal team, this isn't a large commitment, IMO.

Alex Mejia, not Aldaberto.

 

 

I was mostly talking about Odorizzi.... But I bet Gomez is better than Dickerson this year. Heck, whomever they have in their system might be better. Most of the guys they got rid of are ok players. Same with Souza,I bet Span is as good or better. I don't know if they have two guys in the minors better than both of the guys they lost. But they didn't get rid of any really good players, got prospects, and until Honeywell was hurt, were projected to win more games than the Twins.

They do have better player than Odorizzi. Odorizzi still gave them their best return. 4 of the best 5 poition players Tampa had over the last two years are gone with not much back. Calling them OK is selling them short for what they did for the team.

 

So the Rays now have Span AND Carlos Gomez! Seems like too many old outfielders for a team like that, one that is supposedly rebuilding.

They just need to coax Delmon out of retirement to complete the hat trick!

Alex Mejia, not Aldaberto.

Nunez averaged 0.1 bWAR the previous 3 seasons before putting up 1.5 in 4 months before he was traded.

Given that Gomez has averaged 1.4 bWAR the last 3 years, he could easily return a similar prospect with a solid start

Nunez averaged 0.1 bWAR the previous 3 seasons before putting up 1.5 in 4 months before he was traded.

Given that Gomez has averaged 1.4 bWAR the last 3 years, he could easily return a similar prospect with a solid start

Nunez had a full extra season of control before free agency, though.

 

Daniel Palka, now with the White Sox, had a hit in their game yesterday.yesterday. Wonder if he has a chance to make that club? But I tell you, looking at that box score and the names of some of the Chicago players, made my stomach rumble: Delmonico, Burger, and Danish!

Sounds like a 3-course meal! 

 

Nunez averaged 0.1 bWAR the previous 3 seasons before putting up 1.5 in 4 months before he was traded.
Given that Gomez has averaged 1.4 bWAR the last 3 years, he could easily return a similar prospect with a solid start

Odorizzi has averaged 2 bwar for the last 3 years and was called a replacement level player. At that standard of WAR, how is Gomez worth a near major league ready player?

Odorizzi has averaged 2 bwar for the last 3 years and was called a replacement level player. At that standard of WAR, how is Gomez worth a near major league ready player?

Admittedly I'm probably the low man on Odorizzi. Replacement level was my opinion of what Odorizzi will contribute going forward.

You are correct that his 3 year average is well above that. Based on the return, it's hard to tell how the league feels about him going forward.

The return seems light if you believe he's a 2-3 WAR pitcher, but perhaps TB just really likes Palacios. I have no idea.

 

Sounds like a 3-course meal! 

And then Burger went and got injured and is already out for the season!

I know it's only the first week of ST games, but it's still fun to see these box scores and some of the familiar names. Someone mentioned Niko Goodrum, now with the Tigers. He has 2 more hits yesterday and is now batting .545. Yeah, that won't last, but hope he can make that club. The Nationals have both Kintzler and our old pal Tommy Milone in camp. Milone pitched 2 scoreless innings yesterday! And Atlanta has both Kurt Suzuki (another hit yesterday and he's hitting .750!) and Danny Santana. Thinking about the Angels, does anyone know if is Alex Meyer injured again or in their camp? And is Nolasco still around?

 

Thinking about the Angels, does anyone know if is Alex Meyer injured again or in their camp? And is Nolasco still around?

Meyer had shoulder surgery in September, so he's out for the season. They just put him on the 60-day DL.

 

Nolasco is still a free agent after the Angels declined his option. I wonder if he's going to that special MLBPA camp for unsigned players...

Edited February 28, 20188 yr by spycake