I almost feel we are the point where teams are actively searching for pitchers who won't be ready until mid-season ensuring rested arms for the back half. The Jays benefitted greatly from Bieber, Scherzer and Yesavage (to a lesser extent) That trio started 12 of 18 post season games; as opposed to 27 of 162 in the regular season.
Yeah I hold on to Triantos unless there's a MAJOR crunch. He's only 22 - I'd give him another season for his skills to gel. I think his hit tool is real.
If you look at Suzuki's season his BB% and SO% are basically the same as previous seasons. Taking into account that he played more games in '25 he essentially traded 25ish singles for 10ish HRs. I feel that's not a horrible trade off. I think he's a B
PCA I feel has to be an A. Before the season you're not even sure if he's going to hit enough to stay in the line-up. IF the path to his end result were smoother I think you feel better about his season. Pre-season, if you were able to offer locking in PCA for 14 hrs I think 90% of the board takes that. So while you may have some legitimate concerns going forward - looking back at what he achieved last year has to be an A - I think.
I recall hearing that you want about a 10mph difference in pitches. Lob balls from the back-up INF in a blowout notwithstanding, if the pitch is too slow the batter can tell the difference and adjust. To the ridiculous extreme lobbing the ball underhanded would give the greatest disparity in MPH but obviously no-ones ever going to do that.
I'm fully expecting Darvish to give up 5 in the 2nd, and then, as he is walking off , he'll rip off his Padres jersey to reveal a "FO23VR" t-shirt. Then laugh maniacally as he shouts "I've been a Cub this entire time!" The long con is the best con!