davell

This [expletive] here has the damn gout lol

I don't think our 2015 IFA class is bad, but I definitely think we signed kids early that didn't develop well for their 16 year old season, therefore overpaid on a decent amount of our class. Some have came back, some haven't. Way too early to truly judge anything, but my current rankings on that group, would be like this, for what I think they end up.... 1. Albertos- not close, he's far and away the exciting guy from this class 2. Ademan- the bat seems to be better than advertised at this point and he's a legit SS 3. Amaya- I'd say the same as Ademan, but he's a C. 4. Paredes- Obviously interesting. Still feel he's advanced for his age, but guys will catch up to him fairly soon. Hope I'm wrong. 5- Marquez- Just projection so far, but when he adds a few MPH, he can become super exciting. 6- Sierra- I'm going to figure that within 2 years, he's added some weight and has a nice power/discipline combo. 9- Morel- Big drop off after Sierra. But, I like the projectability with him too. Has shown flashes in EXST. 8- Assad- Sturdy frame, solid velo and checks most boxes our FO likes. Hoping he gets a few SB innings this year. 7- Gutierrez- Switch him and Morel up. Gutierrez has the same projection, plays a more valuable position, and is more advanced too. 10- Carrera- Can see Antigua/Rodriguez type, advanced lefty that dominates early. Maybe he'll grow into more velo? Have to have some positive vibes, he's been great in the DSL.

Totally intriguing, but I can't see the Yankees letting him go without a bidding war. He won't come cheap. Even though he's one of the youngest arms available, if the Cubs are going to spend big, I might want someone with a better, healthier track record. As with most things, it all comes down to price. I know the Cubs will have plenty to spend this coming off season, but does anyone have a good handle on what they can afford to give a pitcher in his 4th, 5th and 6th years (if it comes to that) without getting in trouble with salary tax limit? If it is a big money guy, front loading the contract will make a lot of sense. I'll be a bit surprised if they keep Pineda. They're going to reset their LT next year. I fully expect them to be way, way under for their run at Bryce and Machado.

Picking hairs a bit, but a team can trade for up to 75% more too. Some teams will be able to offer him 10ish. Given how rarely the draft pools have been traded, I'm skeptical that any team is going to trade for more than a few more dollars of their international pool. Especially this first year when everyone will be feeling out that market. But yeah the same point applies even if someone offers him 9-10 million. There are teams out there that just don't spend internationally. The new system isn't going to change that. Baseball players marketability may not be what you think it is either. Sure, he may be able to make slightly more in Chicago than in most cities, but as of a year or so ago, NO ONE in MLB was making more than 5 mill a year in endorsements. So, he'd not be making up tons of salary loss that way, in all honesty. May not matter. He very well may want to play for the best roster in MLB. Money may truly not matter at all. But, its also possible that historic teams like the Yanks and Red Sox can give him close to 10 mill, a true chance to win, and as much or more endorsement money too.

https://twitter.com/billazbbphotog/status/855477630191124480

Picking hairs a bit, but a team can trade for up to 75% more too. Some teams will be able to offer him 10ish.

Clifton with a solid start, going 5 5 0 0 2 3. 3:5 GO/FO

That's the Sam Darnold Bowl.

[tweet] [/tweet] Good umpiring.

De La Cruz cruised thru 4, then fell apart in the 5th. 4.1 3 3 2 3 final line. The stuff seems to be there though, which is exciting. Easy to see him and Cease well into top 100's by mid season. If Clifton or Hatch joins them, we've got a great shot at jumping back into a top 10 system. Hudson has me very interested again too.

Seriously, if he's in SB a month from now, its kind of a waste. They can't hit him. MB may or may not be a challenge either, but he needs to find out soon.

Charcer Burks rarely, maybe never lol, gets a mention. Maybe he should..... 2015- 20 years old, .257/.339/.347 in South Bend, 3HR 44RBI 28SB 2016-21 years old, .247/.356/.407 in Myrtle Beach, 11HR 43RBI 23SB Starting off well in Tennessee as a 22 year old. 4th OF types aren't sexy, I get it. But, a 4th OF for us is potentially more than that for others. There's not much out there as far as scouting reports go on him. The improving power and plate discipline should at least bring him onto the radar somewhat.

To do it on the day the Pats visit the White House screams narcissism. He had to know they were going today.

And Steele may have had his best start in full season ball, as he finished 5.1 5 0 0 2 5, 92-63, 6:2.

Mekkes goes 1.2, allowing nothing. K'd 1. 9 0 0 0 4 12 line on the season lol Does he get credit for a no-no? I say yes.

Nope. Been a healthy year for draftees. Seth Romero is a top 10ish talent, that got kicked off his team. Its not even the 1st time for him, I doubt we'd consider him, since makeup is super important to us.

Nah, not really. He's a fringe major league arm. My guess is he will wind up throwing some major league innings at some point, for someone. But, he's got very average stuff and has no trade value or anything. He'd need to add some velo to become interesting, which his body type doesn't really allow for. Or actually turn one or two of his average offerings into plus pitches, which was thought to be possible a couple of years ago.

Hatch was solid, up until the 5th, when he gave up 3 and got chased. 4.2 6 4 4 3 3

Seems like a bit lower velo than his prior starts.

Good work on this. Did that include the guys drafted that already reached the majors? I think I got them all. Believe it or not, Gsellman and Garrett were actually drafted back in 2011, pre-Theo. Its still a bit of preference. I didn't list Seattle, with Diaz and Gohara, for instance. Conceivably, someone could put them with the upper tier teams. The interesting things to take from this, in my mind, is MOST of the top 30 IFA pitchers were signed for 50K or less. The Marlins created quite a few, despite not spending any money there. The Astros too, have had plenty of success with cheap guys. Again, not meaning top end guys, but turning 10K investments into top 30's in their system. The other thing that was surprising to me, was how many guys still in top 30's that were drafted or signed prior to 2012.

If the Bulls DO win this series, it just sets them back even further. Hell, this one win may have convinced horsefeathering GarPax that this team can contend. All I'm hoping for is for Jimmy to play well enough to convince Ainge to trade for him.

https://twitter.com/RaisinMan101/status/853779285110386688

Why would they trade him without getting an upper level elite guy? Theres other teams in need. The cost of young pitching is expensive. It'd take more than just Happ or Eloy. Hell, it might take both of them. Which is why we will buy pitching or trade for more projects. Can we be sure Jeimer isn't that/becoming that? And certain teams out there may view him as a big time 3B prospect? By the time of the deadline, if Cease stays healthy, he could be one of the best pitching prospects in baseball (or at least have one of the highest ceilings). I'd be inclined to include Javy with that package I mentioned, or a variation of it with those names, if that's what it took as well. I agree on just generally buying or finding projects for pitching. I know you're not a Javy fan. He's way too important defensively for us to trade. He's a major part of WHY our pitching outperforms their peripherals. He's a major reason searching for projects works for us. Cease? I love him. But, he's much more likely to wind up a closer than an ace. Too many question marks for him to be THAT type of a lead piece this season, at any rate. Candelario? Nah, he's playing in the PCL. He's going to be valued as a future average regular, with a bit of potential for more. I guess if he OPS's 1.100 or something for half a year, that'd change. Realistically, teams can beat offers involving Cease and Candelario, even if they are tearing it up this year. I do think Candelario gets moved, but probably for a pen arm. Maybe for a post hype starter.

First name that popped into my head that wasn't Stroman. Stroman would be suuuuuuch a beeast on this team. As far as pitching prospects go Reid-Foley is quality. Could we get Stroman without using 1 of Happ or Eloy? Would something like Jeimer, Cease, Zastryzny and like LaStella/Szczur (if they want a immediate ML guy) or else someone in the Zagunis/Underwood range if they want minor leaguers be enough? Why would they trade him without getting an upper level elite guy? Theres other teams in need. The cost of young pitching is expensive. It'd take more than just Happ or Eloy. Hell, it might take both of them. Which is why we will buy pitching or trade for more projects.