The Astros have reallocated resources away from traditional scouting roles to newer methods of assessing talent, most notably eliminating eight positions recently. It’s a move that could signal yet another stage of development in the now-ensconced analytical revolution, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic explores in detail through conversations with numerous key industry figures (subscription required and recommended). Houston is one of a few teams drawing back on the live-game player analysis of pro scouting. That said, per Rosenthal, other clubs have increased their staff sizes, making for a multitude of approaches around the game. The piece is essential reading for baseball fans.
Here are some more notes from the American League:
- Danny Salazar’s first start upon returning from the disabled list lasted just two-third of an inning and put his spot in the Indians’ postseason rotation in question, writes Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Trevor Bauer, like staff aces Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, is pitching well right now, Hoynes observes, and right-handers Mike Clevinger and Josh Tomlin have also been throwing better (should a fourth starter be needed). Hoynes wonders if the Indians could again use Salazar as a bullpen piece in the playoffs, noting that the righty did at least display strong velocity in his otherwise ugly outing.
- With the Rangers foregoing an opportunity to bring up Jurickson Profar this month, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News examines how the one-time uber prospect fell entirely out of the club’s plans. If Texas can’t even find a use for him with expanded rosters, it only stands to reason that the team will elect to move on over the winter — even if that means taking far less in return than once would have seemed reasonable. As Grant notes, that’s particularly true given that Profar will be out of options. Surely some other team will offer something to take a shot on a player who is still just 24 years of age and won’t command much of a raise on his $1.05MM arbitration salary. Notably, too, given his minimal MLB time this year — and the Rangers’ decision not to activate him in September — Profar will be controllable through arbitration for three more seasons.
- While Devon Travis has mostly been excellent for the Blue Jays when healthy, he has also appeared in only 213 games over the past three years while dealing with a variety of injuries. That has led to some suggestions that he might be best off moving off of second base to the outfield, though GM Ross Atkins (via MLB.com’s Gregor Chisholm, on Twitter) doesn’t sound wholly convinced of the idea. Atkins suggested some openness, but emphasized that it could be explored “more in the context of versatility” rather than that of improving durability. The GM made clear that he thinks Travis is most valuable as the team’s everyday second baseman and also stressed that there’s no real “research” showing that shifting onto the grass would really help keep Travis on the field.
Maddon would love to play Profar all over and try to make his talents come to fruition. He can learn how to be Zobrist, under Zobrist.
Agreed… Madison loves his position flexibility, but wouldn’t Cubs fans rather see Happ be the “new” Zobrist?
*Maddon
The reason they aren’t bringing up Profar is that his service time will grant him club control thru 2020 with less than 4 years. lol
Playing 2B isn’t why he’s gotten injured
Travis is obviously fragile and that means getting him off of turf. Period.
It always seems that all the good articles are on a paywall site.
Right!? I’m willing to pay a dollar or two for the article but no subscriptions!
i wonder if stl will go after profar. years back i remember taveras/profar talks floated
STL has enough surplus OF to send an underperforming one to the Rangers for Profar, but don’t the Cardinals now have enough depth and better in-house options to make such a trade unnecessary?
Yes, they do not really need him anymore. We also already new the Astros were going to do this before they did…no news here.
i agree a lot of depth, but if it was player they felt highly about I could see the roll of a dice. like they stated the $ and control shouldn’t be an issue.
Profar could still have a shot at full-time 2B duties next year with a limited number of teams… Mets, Padres, or maybe Tampa Bay?
Or maybe the answer’s right in this post: Profar as a possible “Plan B” at 2B and erstwhile UT for TOR in 2018 depending on Travis’s health.
Ya Toronto’s a great fit for Profar
Yeah, the Padres don’t need anymore 2nd baseman. They already have Spangenberg, Asuaje, Pirela, and Solarte. They have all established themselves on a big league team more than Profar has.
In opposition to all the lowball offers for Profar to be posted here, I suggest Profar for for your team’s top prospect. No? Now you know the answer to your lowball offer.
Profar sucks, a total bust. Get over it, dude.
A guy who has put up good minor league numbers but hasn’t done anything in the big leagues. Sure, you could say he’s been mishandled but idk what kind of return you are expecting at this point. A swap for another failed/mishandled top prospect or maybe a solid but not great reliever. I really can’t see a whole lot going back
Yes, because Profar is oozing with value
is this sarcasm or not?^^
Almost all of those cutbacks were in international scouting. Like most teams, they will employ 3rd party scouts.
Forgot to add that with the huge decrease in how much teams can spend on international players that it makes sense for teams to cut back on full-time scouts in country. They will just hire a local scout for much less money that is not on the team’s payroll and who they don’t have to pay travel costs for. Plus, since they are not US citizens the team’s tax and other payroll related costs are much lower.
I disagree. Without the ability to collect a large group of elite international prospects due to the hard cap, having a greater scouting presence to assist in finding under the radar prospects is even more important than ever.
That a LIE! ALL Of the firings were to amateur & pro scouts. None were international
That is true….and since Luhnow has become GM, the scouts responsible for signing Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer and Lance McCullers, the heart of the team (Dallas Kuchel not withstanding) have not been retained. Did they lose their ability to scout when Luhnow come on board?
No they didn’t. Luhnow has little NO value for scouts and what they do. His biggest appeal to Crane was prob restocking the system and saving him a TON of $$$. Winning is icing on the cake
I would love to see Profar end up in Colorado next year as a utility guy. He would be good as a guy to push Trevor Story to either get better or get traded/benched.
Profar looks like a Pirates-style dumpster dive this offseason
The Rangers should keep JP as utility player next season (insurance for SS, 2B, 3B and CF) And who plays SS in 2019 if Andrus opts out next season?
Jurickson Profar isn’t a bust just look at his AAA numbers. .280/.380/.420
Still not really hitting for power. I’m not at the point where I’ll be entirely willing to give up on his career, but he’s trade value is basically nil. A contending team can’t commit to basically a replacement – level player, and a rebuilding team is hamstrung a bit by his lack of team control. I do expect somebody to acquire him, but I’m thinking they probably get a utility or relief prospect
I dont care what team Im running. I’d trade a middle or low-set up reliever or almost any other “bust” for Profar. Say what you will, but the ceiling is certainly there.
I wonder if the Phillies’ FO would consider taking some of their soon to be 40man roster casualties and make a play for Profar. The interest was very high under the old regime, then again, so was Profar’s value. I’d be willing to wager it as a good possibility, try to find an in house replacement for Franco if he should continue to stall out next year. If Profar finally clicks, you can put him at 2B, move Kingery to 3B, maybe vice versa. If they both poo out, then you open the war chest for Machado. If not this, you overpay on Moustakas and hope his spike in power is no fluke.
Will be a very interesting offseason for the Phillies, for sure.
OK …. let the tomatoes rip!
I made a list of likely 40-man casualties:
Ty Kelly
Cam Perkins
Adam morgan
Jesmuel Valentin
Edubray Ramos
Pedro Florimon
I could also see Rupp non-tendered on 12/02
If the Rangers want any of these guys for Profar Im 100% down.
Put him at 2B and trade Odors ass
I second that motion.
No one is taking that contract.
Padres have the need,the assets to trade and a GM that knows Profar as well as anyone.
If they want him it will happen.
No
Go away
Annoying
I’m not sure any team in baseball doesn’t have the assets to get profane…
Houston needs to sit down with the Rangers and explain to them how to run there minor league teams. And also giving the chance Profar would make a great utility player. Look how Deshileds turned out he’s a good ball player. Houston needs to get some of these guys away from John Daniels and quick
Funny thing is, the rangers selected deshields in the rule 5 draft. Which resulted in them not protecting Odubel Herrera and thus losing him in the very same rule 5 draft. Herrera has gone on to post close to 9 fWAR for the Phillies. Just a very poor assessment of the the Rangers FO.
Profar certainly is a better option than Odor. However they gave a contract to Odor he did not deserve.
The Rangers are going in the wrong direction. They have 2 potential superstars. They better shape up soon or it could turn into many years of 4th place in the West.
You are correct. Very well said my friend. Rangers got talent in there farm system but there not letting them play in sept. Your giving more credit to the Rangers than what I would. But very well said.