Rhino and Compass

Great stuff...
My first thought: After the Drew Maggi debacle in September, I'm all about getting Moonlight Graham the start and letting him get 3-4 at bats!! 

I think the answer, with regards to Astudillo is right there in your description of Barnes as a pitcher. Astudillo doesn't strike out, so if the imperative is to make contact, it's hard to go wrong with Willians. A high k pitcher is a perfect opportunity to use him if the goal is simply to put a ball in play, given his unique approach

I, for one, don't believe Jose Altuve has any choice but to hit the bottom of the ball. He would have to jump to get on top of one to hit it on the ground anywhere. 

I agree, this is getting embarrassing. You did a great job touching on the racial issues, but people also overreact to the Park and Nishioka signings. They weren't even disasters. The investments made were modest and I even think there's still some debate that either guy may have panned out if they hadn't have gotten injured. 
 
With posting fees and everything else a grand total of $38.85MM was committed to those two players. Nishi was a $5MM posting and a $9MM contract, Park was $12.85MM posting and a $12MM contract. And some of that was even recuperated when each of those guys returned home. 
 
These weren't six-figure signings. Their failures did not cripple the franchise. These are fans who saw their club give Ricky Nolasco $49MM and Phil Hughes a $42MM extension, if anything the argument should be don't give pitchers money. But then again ...
 
Why am I even arguing this!?!?!? Park and Nishioka have nothing to do with Darvish, Ohtani or anyone else!!! It's just the worst take ever on so many levels and I've seen it like a hundred times now. Barf. Those fans don't deserve to get to see Darvish or Ohtani pitch for their team.

Trade posts are my favorite. Thanks for putting this together!

Another so-called pundit that doesn't think Sano has the chops to be a starting 3b. smh
 
 
 

So much big catcher news this week

Kind of a tough week all around. Good thing there will be a whole bunch of opening day stuff next week

I think we will know what kind of front office the Twins have if Justin Haley breaks camp with the team. He hasn't done much this spring, and there are probably better options, but he was also one of the very few players the new regime added. Will they be OK returninghim? Or even paying to keep him on the roster? Or will they have too much pride and bury him on the roster all year, a la JR Graham? I'm sufficiently intrigued. 

The outfield defense will function as offense, but it is quite possible the infield defense will be offensive

The outfield defense will function as offense, but it is quite possible the infield defense will be offensive