castino2

Love this energy. Although those big offers won't come, just cuz TV revenue is the biggest factor is Team profits and our market is just not big enough compared to LA and NY (and others), I think Ryu is the most talented guy out there(other than Cole, obvs). But he is real injury risk. That groin goes out every year, and it could be his undoing. So MadBum is the next best choice, to me. I think its smart to focus on him, and he's a safe bet for a longer term contract, in my mind.

I'm not afraid to compare MadBum to Greg Maddux (as I wrote in an earlier comment). He was on the same trajectory as Maddux right up until he had his dirt bike accident. IF I say IF there was no permanent damage from that injury I think he can be that kind of pitcher moving forward. I just don't feel your Carl Pavano comparison at all.

May I attempt an answer? 1) he has never been a true power pitcher, his velocity was down in the recent past due to injury but actually made an uptick last year. He relies on a above average curve and changeup and nibbling the corners. He conceivably could become a Greg Maddux type guy, but he'll never be a Verlander. 2) He leads by example and is quiet and intense which I think will play well with this crew. He is no-nonsense and fierce. I hope they get him!

Bumgarner is a analyticians worst nightmare. Last few seasons, he looks utterly hittable on paper. But he checks every "intangibles" box known to man: fierce competitor, nerves of steel, quiet leadership, relative batting prowess (he'll pinch hit, BTW). Hard to qualify these elements, so beware when ripping him. His last 3 seasons do not indicated decline, rather are the results of 2 freak injuries that do NOT indicate any susceptibility to recurring injury. One was a shoulder injury from a dirt bike accident and the next year was a fractured hand from a line drive in spring training. Add that to being on an un-competitive team going nowhere and it was surely frustrating for him. A new environment is exactly what the doc ordered. His numbers will improve and he is a stud in the post season, as proven. He would have changed our entire post-season run this past year. Its a smart more. Thanks for the article and GO TWINS!