Tim

He just seems more effective as a reliever, and the times he starts, you're crossing your fingers you get five innings out of him. I think he's fine in a pinch, but not a guy I would plan around. His numbers fell precipitously the second time through the order last year (.188/.232./.256 first time through, .283/.389/.424 second time through) Montgomery started 14 games last year, a couple were on short rest. 7 of those starts went at least 6 innings. Considering the handicap Montgomery had in those couple short rest starts, the ratio of deep starts is about the same as Lester's. But again, I can't really understand the point you're making. Everything you're writing comes across like "I don't think Montgomery should have a rotation spot guys", but that's not something anyone is advocating for and obviously not something the front office is doing. If you literally think he shouldn't be starting at all, then it's gonna be on you to find a 6th starter option that is not only superior to Montgomery, but is available to be acquired, and is optionable or a good reliever as well. This person probably does not exist. Maybe he's a Tseng fan.

He meant 10 million for 150 years Also known as the Bobby Bonilla contract.

I wish there was a recent example of us getting a pitcher who was reputed to have awesome stuff that he just hadn't harnessed yet. Maybe someone that was really good at generating soft contact. Hmm... Arrieta (2013): 7.17 k/9 4.90 bb/9 4.78 era 4.84 fip 4.61 xfip Chatwood (2017): 7.31 k/9 4.69 bb/9 4.69 era 4.94 fip 4.27 xfip Not saying it's a guarantee by any means. But I wouldn't be too quick to jump to saying Chatwood can't be anything more than a fifth starter. I never said that "Chatwood can't be anything more than a fifth starter", but I would think that the FO isn't going into the season without planning on a starter with a better/more consistent track record on a team trying to get to the WS. Both true. I just really wanted an excuse to trot out the parallels between Arrieta and Chatwood.

Let's hope so. Chatwood is a decent #5. I wish there was a recent example of us getting a pitcher who was reputed to have awesome stuff that he just hadn't harnessed yet. Maybe someone that was really good at generating soft contact. Hmm... Arrieta (2013): 7.17 k/9 4.90 bb/9 4.78 era 4.84 fip 4.61 xfip Chatwood (2017): 7.31 k/9 4.69 bb/9 4.69 era 4.94 fip 4.27 xfip Not saying it's a guarantee by any means. But I wouldn't be too quick to jump to saying Chatwood can't be anything more than a fifth starter.

In my mind, I'm picturing a primary 2019 lineup of: 2B Happ 3B Bryant CF Harper LF Stanton 1B Rizzo C Contreras LF (beast mode) Schwarber SS Russell With Baez and Zobrist available to sub in when we actually want to play defense. Sure, it would be comical in the field. But oh my god that lineup.

I wonder if Theo really wishes he had pulled the trigger on Verlander now.

I'm guessing we'll trade for the other starter at this point.

Maybe Stanton just feels he's lost enough teammates to drinking and driving already.

I'm optimistic about the signing. I'll be really excited if he throws more strikes now that he's out of Coors.

You didn't read the complete first post, did you?

MR, is that really you?

Theoretically, he'd be on autorenew contracts through year three. He'd hit arbitration after that.

btw - with Ohtani having already turned them down, how fun would it be to have Stanton use his NTC to deny a trade to st louis?

The hell? What’s that mean? That would mean that the "real" finalists are the Mariners, Giants, Angels and Cubs. Just kidding. It means he's ours.

You forgot to incorporate Harper's name in there. I actually did think about that. BryBryzzohtani? This team has too many really good players. Contreras deserves recognition here. He's my sneaky candidate to be WAR leader for the team in 2018.

If I had 30 minutes to make the presentation, I'd spend about 15 minutes of it showing highlights of Javy & Addison playing infield defense.

interesting... KC has said that they are rebuilding. I'd be pretty interested to kick the doors on a Nate Karns trade.

Interesting, I'd guess Happ is more valuable than Almora.

I picture Theo and Jed having already gone through months of intense language training so they could make the presentation in Japanese.

If we're trading for Yelich, would we actually be better off keeping Almora to hit against lefties? Our remaining OF's after trading Almora would all be better against right handed pitching: Heyward, Schwarber, Happ, Zobrist and Yelich. I know you suggested signing Jackson afterwards, but I'm wondering if that would be enough. How about sending Happ+, but also taking back Nick Wittgren as an optionable relief candidate?

As much as I like Salazar when he's healthy, I don't trust his health anywhere close to enough to give up Happ + CJ. And while I'm really grateful we got a splendid year from Duensing, I don't expect it to happen again.

So...after we sign Ohtani and Cobb this week, the starting pitching will be set. I'll stick with the rest of my original post in the thread to close out the offseason. Monty is the swing starter who will need to get some innings with the likely limits on Ohtani. Behind him we have Mills, Tseng and Alzolay (for the second half depth). I'm sure we'll also make a move to sign some additional depth past those guys. I'd think hard about signing Pineda to a one year + option deal. He'd serve as depth for the second half of the season and could potentially be brought up to the pen for the playoffs to serve as a long man. I see Neshek as a guy that takes a one year deal with an option and I see that being really attractive to the front office. He's also a strike thrower that provides a unique look. I really think they'll go after McGee. When he was with Hickey in TB, he was a monster. I think they make that reunion happen. I think they'll avoid the top of the reliever market (Davis & Holland) and go with Reed. All three of these guys throw strikes and get whiffs. That sets the pen up as Reed, McGee, Strop, Wilson, Carl, Neshek, Grimm, Monty. Grimm will have to beat out the guys from the minors as we've got some quality knocking on the door with Maples and others. For the offense, re-sign Rivera. I really like signing Nunez if he can be fit into the budget. That gives a pretty robust OF rotation and extra IF depth so we never, ever have to see Mike Freeman again. If everyone is healthy, play DL games or the Iowa shuttle for the extra man. Contreras, Rizzo, Baez, Bryant, Russell, Schwarber, Almora, Heyward Rivera, Zobrist, La Stella, Nunez, Happ Quintana, Lester, Hendricks, Cobb, Ohtani Reed, McGee, Strop, Wilson, Carl, Neshek, Grimm, Monty, (Maples, et al)

2nd in fumbles lost, though.

For good measure: 20th in rushing TD

Down to 12th in YPG and 10th in YPC at the moment with some updates still pending from today. Is there enough data yet to say they're not elite?