The Padres are quietly rebuilding their rotation, adding Clayton Richard, Jhoulys Chacin and Trevor Cahill. Rumor has it they are looking for one more starting pitcher. Travis Wood or Jered Weaver are under consideration
Sources: Travis Wood, Jered Weaver remain options for #Padres; probably could sign one, not both. Jake Peavy less likely.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 10, 2017
Ryan Schimpf and Cory Spangenberg will compete this spring to play second base this spring
Matt Boyd heads into spring as an early favorite to land a spot in the Tigers rotation.but he will certainly face competition.
- Jordan Zimmermann (if healthy)
After a strong finish last season, Norris and Boyd will have the 4th and 5th spots entering camp. Ausmus says they will have to beat out veterans Anibal Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey.
Melvin Upton and Ezequiel Carrera project to open the season as a platoon in left field
Manny Machado Projections :
- Fangraphs STeamer – 6.5 WAR (the second highest hitter in baseball.)
- Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA – 4.8 WAR and only 25 home runs.
Gary Sanchez went 2-for-22 last spring, with one double. He was sent down to Triple-A to start the season.
Jay Bruce has been declared the right fielder, Curtis Granderson is in center and Yoenis Cespedes is in left. Michael Conforto could be the odd man out until a trade is made.
David Wright ran and fielded balls at third base in his third pre-camp workout session. He is not yet throwing the ball.
Addison Reed acting like The Effector!!
Tommy Joseph uses OPS to determine if he is having a good or bad season.
“It’s just something I started looking into,” Joseph said. “I know there’s WAR and all the defensive stuff, but OPS was just the easiest thing for me to look at. It’s simple: your on-base and your slugging. How well are you getting on base? Are you walking? Are you getting the hits when you can get them? And then obviously, if you’re driving the ball and doing damage.”
Phillies starters issued fewer walks than any team in baseball in 2016
Aaron Nola was shut down with a ‘low grade’ elbow sprain on July 28. He chose not to have surgery so watch Nola this spring.
Over his final 16 starts, Vince Velasquez had a 5.12 ERA. He suffered Biceps soreness, which slowed down his fastball and eventually sent him to the disabled list in June. ANother pitcher to watch this spring.
Marco Gonzales pitched from a mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John Surgery last April. He threw 20 fastballs,
“I definitely felt fatigued at the end of that but my arm feels really good,” said the lefthander who will be 25 next week.”
PECOTA projected all five National League playoff teams last season, leaving the Cardinals off for the second straight season in 2017. Mike Matheny commented after he saw the Cards missing from the list…
“That’s unbelievable. Yeah, I saw it. I hope the guys saw it, too. I’m not going to make a big deal of it, though. I’m not going to beat up what the rest of the world is saying — trying to prove everybody wrong,” said Matheny. “I just want to make sure our guys take a good look around and see what we really are and what we have. We’ve got guys who are motivated. Guys have an edge as to how it finished last year. We’ve got the makings of a fun, fun season.”
Share this Post