The Yankees and Red Sox are among the seven teams this offseason that kept their closer but also added another team’s closer, ESPN’s Jayson Stark writes. “It’s been the wave. Let’s face it,” says Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who made a huge trade for Craig Kimbrel in November. “A lot of clubs have improved the depth in their bullpen. And it has paid off.” Of course, the most recent template for this kind of bullpen stockpiling came from the Royals, who rode a weak rotation and a dominant bunch of late-inning relievers to a World Series win last season. But Royals assistant GM J.J. Picollo points out that the Reds’ “Nasty Boys” bullpen of a quarter-century ago was similarly potent. “We didn’t invent this,” he says. “[W]e just stumbled upon it.” Here’s more from the American League.
- Royals catcher Salvador Perez confirms that he and his team have been working on an extension, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com writes. Jon Heyman reported earlier this week that the two sides were working on a new deal. “I got my agents they are talking to. We’ll see,” says Perez. “We have to wait for it. I’m happy either way. I’m happy no matter what. I’m here to play the game.” Perez, of course, is signed to one of baseball’s most team-friendly contracts — he’s set to make just $2MM next season and then has three club options after that, none of them exceeding $6MM.
- The Rays’ offseason moves have focused on fixing an offense that finished 14th in the AL in runs scored last season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes. The team’s recent additions of Corey Dickerson and Steve Pearce (to go along with Brad Miller and Logan Morrison, who they’d previously acquired) give the Rays a wider variety of offensive options. It remains to be seen, however, how they’ll deploy them. As Topkin points out, one victim of all the Rays’ additions could be first baseman James Loney. With Desmond Jennings, Kevin Kiermaier and Steven Souza in the outfield, Dickerson could play DH while Pearce and Morrison share first base.
I’m surprised the Rays didn’t throw in Loney to the Rox as part of the McGee/Dickerson deal. At least Colorado could of used him at first.
Rays have a crowded outfield, angels need a left fielder.
Desmond Jennings, a natural LF, can probably be had for the old tires that come off the team bus when the Angels have new ones put on.
Or, a dozen broken bats and a slightly soiled jockstrap provided at least one of the elastic bands in the back is still intact.
Solid deal. They should take that.
If I’ve learned anything the last few seasons, it’s this: Your lineup and rotation get you TO the postseason, but your defense and bullpen get you THROUGH the postseason.
Unless you’re the Royals who somehow finished with the best record in the AL despite their starters throwing the fewest innings in the AL and having the 2nd lowest WAR in the AL. Strange game aint it.
Angels also need the space under the cap to pay for that LF. That’s where the problem is.
I think the rays have some players the angels can afford
But do they have the prospects the Rays want? That’s the question.
Cam Bedrosian , Nick Tropeano , Nate Smith and maybe Baldoquin
The 2016 Rays are starting to look sneaky good
If Cobb comes back healthy and a strong year from Moore plus archer, they could fight for a wild card spot
A wild card spot? In that division? Every single team in the AL East can win it. Your first reaction is but Boston got so much better. No they didn’t. They picked up maybe 5 wins with Price. That wouldn’t have gotten them out of last place in the AL East in 2015. Your next reaction is but NYY have improved so much. No they haven’t. All they have is a closer controversy and still have the worst rotation in the division. They’ll need all their pen arms and more. The Orioles are not markedly better and the Jays pitching is still very suspect to say the least. The Rays finished 6 wins out of the postseason in 2015 and were 26-30 in one run games. It doesn’t take many runs to win one run games and they’ve added a few to that batting order.
Net, the AL East is going to be a mediocre cat fight for the division win. The wildcards will come from the AL Central and West.
Yankees with the worst rotation? I can easily make an argument that it may be the second best one behind Tampa (it actually Was in 2015 by fWAR) For now, I’d put it behind Tampa and Boston and a push with Toronto.
Baltimore by far has the worst rotation in the AL East.
The beauty of baseball is their is so many different ways of building a winning team, I don’t think one perfect way of doing it exists. The AL has been very exciting the last couple years with no clear favorite team, Last year only one team was out of it for the majority of the season, that team also lost something like 28 1 run games imagine the impact those 28 games had on such a close race and how different things could have been, the extra wild card has been the greatest thing added to baseball in my lifetime.
I assume the 1 team you’re talking about is the A’s who had a record of 68-94, despite being only outscored by 35 runs, which probably equates to a pythag record, give or take of 78-84 as opposed to 68-94
I agree about that second wild card. Keeps things exciting until the last week. This is from a guy who remembers the 10 team leagues and no divisions. Wait until next year came around Independence Day for some fans.
The Rays should get Lucroy now to top it all off.
and the brewers would prolly ask for snell
The Rays would probably hang up immediately.
I’d like to see the cubs trade for one of their starters
Brewers should ask for Snell. Probably wouldn’t give him up but that is who I would ask for. With the Rays payroll Lucroy is a perfect fit because he makes almost nothing for the next two years.
You’re right, the Brewers should ask for Snell. Silverman needs a good laugh I’m sure. Snell won’t go anywhere unless its for a very rich return.
Lucroy ain’t it.
I’m sure he’s wonderful but a 23 year old top 15 prospect LH SP for a 30 year old catcher? LoL. As a wise man once said “I don’t think so”
Haha I love how people always crown their top prospects superstars even though he’s never played in a major league game. Just like Brown from the Phillies who was the top prospect in baseball a few years ago. Then the Phillies cut him and last I heard he can’t find a job.
The difference between Lucroy and Snell now is that Lucroy is a superstar when healthy. One of the top catchers in the game while you “hope,” Snell is good. Major difference.
It’s just basic though. The upside is never worth that type of risk.
So there is no risk in a prospect? That’s why they are called Prospects. There are dudes every year that are considered untouchable superstar prospects that bomb
I love people like you because if brewers asked for snell rays would laugh and hang up right away
The dude before you already said that. Don’t repost. Come up with something original.
I didnt repost go troll somewhere else, you dont even know why prospects are called prospects
You said the same thing someone else said. Don’t post unless you say something original. You’re wasting all of our time
the due above said the rays would hang up and I said they rays would hang up and laugh how how is that reposting what someone said lol I
The dude above said the rays would hang up and then the next guy (Valkyrie) goes Silverman could use a good laugh. Then your unoriginal self combines both of their statements and makes it his own. Lol
who the heck cares I could care less I am done talking with you good day
I guess you only get remembered for your dominant bullpen if you win the World Series. Otherwise it doesn’t matter because no one ever mentions any of the completely dominant bullpens the Braves have had over the years like 2002, 2010-2013.