Free agent starter Mike Fiers is being courted by multiple clubs, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (via Twitter). Among those with interest are the Reds, Giants, Rangers and Nationals, none of whom should surprise given their collective desire for more pitching. Fiers, 33, had his best year as a pro in 2018, working to a 12-8 record with a 3.56 ERA across 30 starts for Detroit and Oakland. His peripherals don’t scream drastic transformation, though he did lower his walk rate to a career-low 1.94 BB/9. He also threw more sliders, a pitch he has steadily worked into his repertoire since 2015, which could signal sustainability for Fiers’ 2018 success. Park factors for Comerica Park and the Oakland Coliseum definitely worked in his favor, so it’s fair to wonder how his stuff will fare in the bandboxes of Cincinnati, Texas, and Washington, especially considering increased use of his slider corresponded with a similar decrease in sinker usage, leading to elevated launch angles and more flyballs (43.2 FB%). Fiers has been homer prone in the past, though it’s a delicate balancing act for the righty, as he has generally been more effective when keeping the ball in the air – a strategy that obviously holds more water in Oakland than it would in, say, Cincinnati.
- The opposite can be said of Anibal Sanchez, coming off a surprising comeback with the Atlanta Braves driven in part by a return to the wormburning ways of his early career. His groundball rate (45 GB%) returned to career levels after dipping below 40% for a two-year stretch that just so happened to produce career-high ERAs. Atlanta has interest in bringing the righty back for 2019, per Morosi (via Twitter), but they’re not the only club with interest. Given their similar price points, Sanchez and Fiers likely share suitors, though the Reds and Nationals have shown the most interest in Sanchez thus far. A year and a half older than Fiers, Sanchez will be 35 by Opening Day.
- It’s a little surprising not to see the Milwaukee Brewers listed as pursuers for the starters above, but a slow burn winter isn’t uncommon for the Brew Crew. They have made one notable move, sending a Competitive Balance draft pick to Texas for funky left-hander Alex Claudio. Interestingly, Claudio’s sidelong delivery may be more than an incidental quirk for the Brewers, per Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs. The Brewers now boast a relatively substantial stable of minor leaguers who rely on deception and unique throwing motions, enough of a sample to presume an organizational focus, or at least curiosity. Given the stirring ascendancy of Josh Hader, himself a non-traditional thrower, it’s interesting to see the Brewers potentially exploring a system-wide extrapolation of Hader’s success. From a player valuation standpoint, the one-for-one swap with Texas is noteworthy because of what it means about Milwaukee’s evaluation of college hurlers. The pick being sent to Texas likely lands somewhere in the 40s, where advanced college relievers are often available. Meanwhile, Claudio’s price is rising as a first-time arbitration player. One view supposes the cost-conscious Brewers must view the prospects available in that spot as less-than. The other view, of course, is that this deal is not a wholesale denunciation of the draft class, rather Milwaukee just likes Claudio and views his major league experience as present-day value for a team with legitimate pennant aspirations in 2019.
Nats Park is a bandbox? News to me.
Seems more neutral to me.
Seems like a pitcher-friendly place – who is this writer??
No way is Nationals Park a “pitchers park.” Know what you are talking about before critiquing the writer.
I have more baseball knowledge in my pinkie nail than you ever will in your entire body in your entire life.
It’s not a hitters park, so therefore its more pitcher-friendly. Basic. Logic. Learn. Grow. Go to school or something, you cant be this dumb in public.
Gotta love how I literally echo the first 2 posters yet I get all downvoted by the troll infestation on this site, when knibley and agm2pc get zero downvotes. Sigh. Be better MLBTR. Block the trolls rocky7 and Baseball1600, they are never adding anything.
Just because a park isn’t a hitter’s park doesn’t mean that it is a pitcher’s park, end of conversation. You know, it is possible to have a neutral park, which is what both were saying/implying. You can’t pretend that they were saying the same thing as you, not when it wasn’t close. Besides, saying someone shares an opinion with you is basically calling them an idiot.
You didn’t literally echo anything. You didn’t even figuratively echo it and you criticized a writer on top of it. You probably get the negatives because you name call in most of your comments. It’s ironic you call people idiots (or some variation) and then say something as stupid as literally echo.
Dude, you’re so cool with all your baseball knowledge. Where does that get you besides the comment board on mlbtr?
Except I don’t. Ever. And its always the butthurt trolls who hate what I say the most. My posts shine like diamonds on these nightmarishly stupid comment threads.
My rent paid and haters mad.
“My posts shine like diamonds”.
Funny. And I kinda liked it. Disagree completely, but I liked it.
Why are you so dumb?
last few seasons Nats park has become increasingly more homerun friendly, last year it becoming a top homerun factor park for batters from both side of the plate
I go to lots of Nats games. I’d say it’s nuetral overall. The park plays big in Spring and Fall (in the cold) but the ball flies during Summer heat.
Right Field in a the Summertime is a Band Box but the rest of the Park is fair
espn.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor
There you go. ESPN gives Nationals park the third highest hitter friendly park factor.
Pirates have been linked to Sanchez. I’d prefer a LH starter but Anibal is a good fit
I’m definitely not opposed to the Braves bringing back Sanchez if the search for a top of the rotation starter fizzles. I’m not sure he’ll be able to repeat his stellar performance of 2018, but I like him over many other semi flawed options.
Interesting piece on the Brewers. It makes sense to give your opponent many different “funky” looks from the pitching staff. The less comfortable and familiar the batters are, the better. It also meshes pretty well with the whole “out getter” thing.
What would Fiers asking price be? and why isn’t Oakland in on retaining him?
Loudly denounced their opener strategy, which they appear set to make a part of their strategy, so, guy who was probably not worth arbitration price amd against organizational plans. As A’s fan I think this is sort of stupid, kind of baseball politics type decision, but I guess you have to give executives benefit of doubt after 97-win season, despite the disappointing result.
I’d guess a one or two year deal at around $6-7 million or so per year, and I’m assuming the A’s are trying to find bargains late in the offseason like last year (whether that’s the right call or not)
As far as the Brewers not in on some of the starters I think there is going to be a Wade Miley available in 60 days for a lot less. There rotation is looking a lot better then last year at this time. A lot can be said for continuity too with not changing players every year. With the Brewers this year can be one of those years. They have a lot of moving parts in there pitching as far as shuffling pitchers between major and AAA again. Catching I think is top priority at this moment. Really surprised they haven’t talked to Lucroy at all. I know Brewers want to gain an extra year of control of Huira which could be done with time split at majors and AAA with Dubon if they dont want to sign a second baseman which should be the way they go
I don’t think Lucroy is any sort of upgrade over what they have now.
Still, it looks like we’re in for another year of predictions saying the Brewers need/are in on back of the rotation starters. Thanks but no thanks. I believe the Brewers’ biggest need, after 2nd base, is someone who can spell Braun and Jesus Aguilar, who was either exposed or wore down in the second half last year. They need a good left handed bat without the dreaded strikeout disease, who can play decent outfield defense. This was the role Eric Thanes simply could not fill last year.
That’s what I’m talking about I think Wil Myers would be perfect for that
I thought so too, until I looked at his contract status. He’s owed $5.5 million in ’19..then a whopping $22.5 million in’20,’21 and’22!!
Domingo Santana could be the guy this year. If you figure Braun can play 60 games in RF and 40 at 1B, Aguilar can cover the remaining games at 1B and Santana can cover the remaining 100 games in RF
Milwaukees biggest need is hastening the impending injury to Hader for how he’s being used. It’s coming…just not sure when.
They are very careful with Hader… don’t know where you’re going at with this but you’re grasping at straws.
Beane’s pathetic offseason so far:
Says “I want to bring back everyone who was here last year”
But lets Fiers, who was good and worth $9M in 2019, walk
Lets the Mets outbid him for Familia
Loses Kinsler to a 2/8 deal – even the A’s have that money
Hears Tulo WANTS to play for him, refuses to give him a $0.6M min deal
Signs Hermann to battle Phegley for the LH C spot, but both are really terrible
Leaves Martin (a guy voted as best defender in the org) unprotected in Rule V but protects Skye Bolt, a guy with no headline skill.
Signs the terrible Dull and Hendriks for 2019
Lets Smolinski, Gearrin and Graveman walk
Doesn’t sign JA Happ to a 3 year 30 deal
Doesn’t sign Tyson Ross or even make Charlie Morton an offer
Puts off a Khrush extension for no reason
A’s fans need to be on this guy – he’s really been bad so far. They need at least 3 reliable SPs, a couple RP’s, a STARTING short term C, and a 2B option to replace Lowrie/bridge to Barreto. We’ve heard almost nothing from him during the meetings, where is this HOF GM again?
Calm down, dude. The off-season isn’t over yet.
David Forst is the GM.
Who cares, Beane makes the moves and is going into the HOF with the title “GM” – dont be pedantic its worthless posting.
All of your posts are worthless, so I can’t see how you can criticize others for being correct.
Cry about it, hater troll
Tbh I think the plan is to build spending flexibility to lock down Chapman Olson Davis Semien through 2023 then pray pitching in the system is good enough and Sean Murphy and Barreto pan out or are at least not embarassments. Not a bad plan if you ask me!
So you list “preying” [sic] as part of the plan, then said its “not a bad plan”?
If praying to a higher power to help is part of the plan, then the plan is absolutely terrible. Sorry.
Weren’t you the guy saying Beane was better than Sabean? Lmao. Nice to see you are doing well with Beane.
Beane is better than Sabean but – and I know this is a strange concept to idiot homer fans like yourself – but being a TRUE fan doesn’t mean swallowing every move the team makes and acting like every move is a “win” for “your guys.”
I know these boards are swarmed with morons like you who cannot fathom your fave team doing a dumb thing, but my fandom is and will always be superior – no one is infallible, Beane is a legend but he’s sucking right now – it IS totally fine to say this about teams you follow, and also, as I have REPEATEDLY stated, I’m not an A’s fan, just a guy who pays his rent by following them closely.
You missed bringing back Rodney for $.5 million when he stunk it up. Morton was over price so was famila as a set up man. Kisner is not a great player anymore he is at the end of his career. Tyson Ross I agree with he should have been offered. Fiers is a question too why not bring him back. Tulo is a good risk contract.
Rodney is a nightmare RP too, good catch.
I like you how agree with most of what I said but weirdly frame it like you don’t like what I said.
Exactly how was Beane gonna sign Happ for $30m? By asking nicely?
By giving him 3 years. He wanted 3 years and got ZERO offers. Beane just had to make one.
So.. who in their right mind would take 3 years and 30 million dollars over two years and 34 million dollars? It makes no sense, Happ has the potential to earn a couple million even if he is awful when he is a free agent again.
Love the Passion.
Is the “.” broke on your phone/keyboard?
why do you care
This guy. He’ll criticize typos but can’t handle criticism of his run on and on and on sentences.
there’s no run on sentences, they are POINTS so I put them on different lines, its bad enough that all you morons on these threads outnumber the 1% like me who make quality posts, but now you peons dont know even know of basic writing skills? pathetic.
Would love to see the Angels take a flyer on Sanchez. Great low risk low cost opportunity.
Personally think Derek Holland would look great on the Angels. 2/10 for someone who was an effective 4th man last year
I would not mind Sanchez back next year but if that happens I think the Braves need a drastic improvement in the bullpen. I still am not crazy on giving Kimberll the contract he seeks. Would like a trade for Leclerc.
Hopefully the rumors on Realmuto is true and Flowers can be moved with Teheran to free up some more money.
Brewers acquired Claudio to play shortstop, obvi
For a throwaway article that was some pretty good analysis there Zencka. Thanks