Baseball Chatter 03/16

Rick Porcello got 7.6 runs of support per nine innings last season, most of any pitcher in the American League

Javier Baez will back up Ben Zobrist at second and occasionally Addison Russell at short as well as Kris Bryant at third. Manager Joe Maddon‘‘I’m certain that he’s going to play often,’’

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/92810284-132.html

Jason Kipnis has been shut down with a strained right rotator cuff with plans to get a second opinion tomorrow. Francona says it is unlikely Kipnis will be ready for opening day.

Greg Holland pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning in just 10 pitches yesterday. His old manager, Ned Yost, called him one of the two best closers he has ever seen. In 2014, Holland recorded a 1.21 ERA, and in 2015 it was 1.44 ERA. He struck out two of every five batters he faced over those two seasons

Fans would rather see prospect JaCoby Jones get the nod at center field, but for now it looks like they will instead get a mix of Mikie Mahtook and Tyler Collins.

Joe Musgrove and Mike Fiers are the top contenders for the fifth rotation spot in Houston. Neither has taken advantage of the opportunity, yet.

Martin Prado injured his right hamstring during Team Venezuela’s second-round game against the United States last night. If he should miss any significant time, Derek Dietrich and Miguel Rojas would be available to fill in at third base.

Joe Girardi compared prospect Gleyber Torres to Miguel Cabrera

He was [23], in the big leagues and already been there nine years, What’s [Torres], 20? You wouldn’t think he was 20 years old. At that age, Miguel was really mature.Joe Girardi on Gleyber Torres

The Mets are unsure if Matt Harvey will ever be the same pitcher he was two seasons ago. In his third outing this spring, Harvey’s fastball averaged 92-93 mph, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk with three strikeouts through 68 pitches. That lowered his ERA to 7.88.

I’m not looking to throw 100 mph again or 97 even. My job is to get people out no matter what I’m throwing, and I’m looking forward to it. [The velocity] is going to be there or it’s not, and I have to go out there and pitch.Matt Harvey

Cain has allowed 16 hits and 11 earned runs and struck out five over 10 1/3 innings in four spring outings. General Manager Bobby Evans says it is “hard to classify.”

Basically, he just doesn’t know what to do with Cain. He obviously likes the guy, and the Giants still owe him a bit of money.

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Kevin Kiermaier will make $53.5 million over six years, lower than many others with his skill set will earn over that time. Odubel Herrera will make 45% less than Kiermeier in terms of Average Annual Value

 

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