Romero had 11 days off before his start on Saturday. I don't know the circumstances surrounding that, but I'm guessing they are treating him with kids gloves off his surgery, and didn't want to make a decision Wednesday to say "you're actually going to start tomorrow in MN" or "take an extra 2 days and start Monday" As for Gonalves, he probably would've been my choice, but who knows.. maybe they thought Melville gave them a better chance to win than a kid making his MLB debut. The White Sox hit left handers significantly better than right handers, for what it's worth. 6th in the league in wRC+ vs Left Handers, 24th in the league in wRC+ vs Right Handers Pretty defensible decisions, far from optimal circumstances
I agree with you on Gonsalves - I also don't think the Tigers would take him as a headliner in a Verlander trade. Also there were evaluators who doubted Berrios ability to be anything more than a #3 due to his height - Keith Law specifically comes to mind, though I know he rated him fairly highly prior to 2016 As for Romero, I personally believe the only thing keeping him a peg or two below Berrios at this point is the missed 2015 season. I would guess he will shoot up some prospect rankings prior to 2018
Get a grip. This is what happens when you play 7 games in 5 days. Mejia, Enns are hurt, Romero pitched on Friday. How many pitchers do you expect them to have at their disposal
And Verlander is markedly worse this year by FIP + xFIP than he has been for his entire career. Again, because he's getting old. Do you want to bank on him turning back the clock the next 2 years when he is making $28 million? Not me. Agree to disagree
Justin Verlander will be 35 prior to next season has a xFIP of 4.59 and makes $28 million per year and you want to actively give up top prospects to acquire him. Lance Lynn and Cobb missed last season, that's generally how counting stats work, the totals tend to be lower. Verlander was awesome last year, I'll pass on his contract at 35+36. If you could trade for Verlander's 2016 season? Sign me up. Unfortunately that's not how it works Edit; FYI, WAR adjusts for Park you pitch your games in - clarifying your Chacin comment
Romero - I would guess there are many evaluators who prefer him to Berrios. Gonsalves - possibly Edit: Sickels gave Berrios an A- pre-2016, after having him as a B for a couple years, B+ in 2015 I would be willing to bet Romero will be an A- next year, B+ at worst.
Lance Lynn is 30, has a WAR within 1 of Verlander over the past 4 years. Cobb is 29, was better in 2014 + 2015 than Verlander, was hurt in '16, and has been pretty similar this year. Big difference when you factor in age? I would take either in 2018 + 2019, no doubt. For the stretch run this year, I would much rather give up a mid to lower level prospect for Jhoulys Chacin than give up 2+ good prospects for Verlander.
I'm sorry I'm not trying to be argumentative but I'm really not understanding your argument. You want another Berrios on the staff because you think he is worth $200 million but also want to trade the prospects who are like Berrios but a year or two behind? FWIW, I am not against making a trade for a pitcher at all. I would not trade top prospects for Justin Verlander and this contract
Can you point out examples? I haven't seen anyone say the Twins should continue to do what has led to he worst staff in baseball. Should sign bad players, or rely on prospects
Yes, Verlander is better than Hellickson today. I was giving examples of pitchers who are available at the cost of 0 prospects, less money, and potentially out perform a 35 + 36 year old Verlander. Hellickson probably shouldn't have been on the list btw, he is a stretch
So you shouldn't sign pitchers to deals that are 3 years plus, because it diminishes in value over time, but you should trade good prospects to help the Tigers get out of those last couple of years and $56 million owed to a 35 year old? Huh?
That's what you gathered from some people not wanting to trade those prospects for 1 specific pitcher, who has a no trade clause, makes $28 million per year and is going to be 35 by next season? Ok. Keep grasping at those straws
I could make an argument I would take any of the guys I listed over Verlander for 2018 + 2019. I'm not saying its a slam dunk. FWIW, I listed guys who are free agents, or could opt into FA. Those cost you 0 prospects. There are many other pitchers who would be "available" like Verlander, via trade. Most of those others aren't going to be 35 and making $28 million / year
I'm confused. You agree with my premise they could be considered similar over the next couple of years. You would take the pitcher with a higher total contract and and higher yearly avg? Why? Hellickson ($17) and an above avg $11 million RP pitcher isn't preferable than $28 million to Verlander?
Correct, should've added that caveat. If they each pitch well down the stretch I think they are still opt out candidates, but yeah for now each may be leaning no
Chacin, Cobb, Estrada, Lynn, Hellickson - would put these guys in a similar class to 35 year old Verlander, will command significantly less per year than $28 million. Arrietta, Darvish, Tanaka, Cueto - better than Verlander, will be expensive
46th in xFIP 31st in FIP 29th in ERA Turning 35 before next season. Triple the money for a similar talent??? They can spend the same amount of money over more years and get a similar talent
He's 9th in WAR out of 11 AL 2nd baseman this year. Your 2014-2017 sample size uses all counting stats, in which he's one of only 4 players to play 500 games (he's at 569). You don't extend someone because of past performance, you extend based on the future, and he'll be entering his age 32 season when his contract is up
Mejia was 23 when the Twins traded for him. He had started 7 games at AAA. You say Littell hasn't gotten his feet wet at AA, but he's started 7 games there. What's the difference. By the way, Littell is 21 years old, almost 2.5 years younger than Mejia. If you want to complain about a trade, have at it. But it would help if you stuck to facts. BTW, no mention that this veteran pitcher the Twins traded to the Yankees was acquired just 10 days prior for a hell of a lot less return?
2016 Trade Deadline, 2016 August Waivers, '16-'17 Offseason, '17 Trade deadline... how many Trade periods need to pass before people realize Santana does not have the type of value you think he does? If Santana had anywhere near the type of value people on this board think, he would've been gone long ago.
If Santana would've been a FA last year he would've got even more than 3 for $40, considering the lack of options in Free Agency,. that does not mean 10 teams are going to rush out to put a claim in. No one claimed him last August