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Since the last POTD Update, DiPoto has onloaded three (3) relief pitchers, we did the Marte shtick, and even threw in an Angel's Advocate on king Leonydas. In all the tables we even swapped out the flava text. Now tell me, would Harball Times do this for yer? I think NOT
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| Grab | HQ Bumper Sticker | Dr. D's Micro Grok |
| Volatile. And that's with UP of "meh" | Truly the "dime a dozen" GREEN BEANS can on the shelf | |
| RP Ryan Cook | studiously avoids the subject | Throwback to Zduriencik 8:4 CTL days, if not 1950s Phillies days |
| RP Joe Wieland | beneath their dignity | My kinda steady-head 7:1 CTL scrub (but then so was Erasmo) |
| SS Ketel Marte | remarkable how far along he is at 21 | Pretty nifty dice roll to come up with a young star |
| CF Leonydas | a better choice = flush the wallet down the toilet | Just hasta play pepper, if he's willing (which Dr. D gravely doubts) |
And for your convenience, the earlier groks, in light of discussion since. For ex. you can sort Fangraphs 2010-15 rookies to include those who hit 100 innings and 8 strikeouts, coming up with a long list of Jose Fernandezes. True, there's also Matt Shoemaker. But I wouldn't turn Shoemaker down for a quick dance at the prom, either.
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| Grab | HQ bumper sticker | SSI in two words |
| Nate Karns, SP | UP: 200K, 3.25 ERA | Rookie comps: Pineda, Moore, Miller, Odorizzi |
| Leonydas, CF | MLB will flush toilet on him. Hard | Winter performance mildly encouraging |
| Gutierrez, #4 OF | "Pure," and I quote, "speculation" | 50% chance to cut bait, 50% to redux 2015 |
| Cano, 2B/1B | .300/.360/.480, $30 roto | Ichiro used to get Q'ed after every down spell too |
| Nuno, RELIEF pitcher | Impact, if in pen | Has he been Chef-Boy-ar-Dee'd into "spaghetti" class among 16 RP's? |
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| Grab | HQ snippet | Dr. D's far wiser estimation |
| Aoki, LF | A bit shrill on the roster style here | |
| Cishek, RP CL | (rationing our Big Reveals) | Call me when he has 10 saves. Won't hold my breth |
| Lind, 1B | Just have to think about this one to geek out | |
| Scribner, RP | Goes into ST with a job, I bet | |
| Miley, SP3 | Very, very predictable* | Paid 2x his value. And if he's blocking our 3rd young star in June, I'll .... |
| Clevinger, C | Guilty pleasure for Dr. D | |
| Iannetta, C | Stable BBs, will give 4.0 runs per 27* | Military-grade "Bridge" asset |
| Bass, SW P | It's the thought that counts. Especially when coughing up Kivlehan | |
| Benoit, RP SU | Time Warp on Fernando Rodney |
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Overall? We're going to neutralize Miller and Chapman and Kimbrel and Carson Smith with an eye for Scrubs. The eye for Scrubs that powerflushed Carson Smith. Objectively speaking, the bullpen roulette game is a really tough one to win. Can you find ONE guy to help, such as Norm Charlton off the waiver wire? Sure, if he's coming in behind Nelson and Rhodes and Sasaki.
Other than that bullpen quibble, though, Dr. D likes the quick IDs on Zych and Marte, the aggressive grabs on Nate Karns and Adam Lind, the networking on Chris Ianetta, just likes the rotation and lineup in principle.
If you'd offered me this deal on Oct. 1, I've got to admit I'd have taken this roster. Like the D.A. in My Cousin Vinny ... well, I'd like to have a "bullpen murder weapon." But other than that ... I feel pretty good. "Yeah?" Oh yeah.
BABVA,
Dr D
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Are we going to be better than last year? Who knows? (Remember WAR said the M's and Red Sox would battle for the AL flag last year). But overall, I'm liking the fact that we'll be rooting for a different kind of team.
Where's the concern? Duh--bullpen.
Who will we be in love with by the 4th fo July? Nate Karns and Ketel Marte.
Which player do I most want to see breakout in 2016? D.J. Peterson.
Back to the mothership...
I didn't like the Martin trade originally, until I studied his entire resume. There is a hitter in there.
Pleasantly surprised to get Boog Powell. Giving up Miller to get him...well, understandable Because Karns was the key, and we made a decision on SS. That's a plus.
This is a very good team with stoploss protection. I don't sweat spaghetti thrown bullpens much. There are lotsa good pieces here, and it will shake out. Benoit is an anchor. Everyone else will find their roles.
Catching is improved.
Meanwhile, a lineup of:
Cano
Cruz
Seager
Lind
with lots and lots of inning extenders who Servais (a manager who is in tune with the front office) can mix and match as necessary, and Powell in AAA. There is a lot to like about this team. A whole lot.
I think the place to sacrifice security is the bullpen (even the Seahawks have to make bets like this, and sacrificed security in the OL because they have Wilson, Beast, and a great defense).
I've seen too many bullpens go from awesome to shaky, and vice versa, to get overworked about it. What you want is a good coaching staff that can get every guy who can't start (hence a reliever) to focus on his strengths (often considerable, but unfocused) for his .3-2 IP appearance. I like the spaghetti, and I especially hope Furbush and Hultzen find their way back on the train.
But maybe that's my AARP membership card talking.