MLB NEWS/RUMORS Thread

Don't think the plan is Manny OR a bullpen arm. I feel the original plan was Manny, then use an OF'er to get a good BP arm and still add another arm on top of that. This FO has addressed the bullpen at each deadline and I can tell you that this year will be no different. In a playoff series, you are probably looking at right now
SP 1 Kershaw
SP 2 Buehler
SP 3 Stripling/Hill/Wood
SP 4 Stripling/Hill/Wood/Ryu

CL Jansen
SU Maeda
SU Hill/Wood
SU Hill/Wood (if Ryu comes back anything like he was pre injury)
SU Alexander
MR Hudson(has been surprisingly good for over a month now)
MR Ferguson
MR Floro

That is not a bad bullpen in a short series, that is actually a pretty good one thanks to additions from the rotation. There are obviously a lot of factors in play, specifically injuries to Fields, Cingrani, Koehler, Urias and Ryu that could also impact the pen, but the base for a good post season bullpen is certainly there with matchup guys and pitchers who can get you multiple high quality innings. An addition of another good arm makes the pen pretty tough and that is all you need in the playoffs. Shorten the game and anything can happen once you get there.

 

LOL, I have seen at least 5-6 tweets about this and all I can think is "WHO FUCKING CARES!?!"

 

Man, he seems really fucking confident about it too. "Likely to Los Angeles" is not something a national reporter would say lightly. weird...

 

I'd like to add how hilarious it is that the Orioles are rumored to have originally asked for a package around Buehler and Verdugo in a Machado deal like there is a chance in hell that would happen. I would be shocked if the Dodgers would even offer Buehler straight up if it was 1.5 years left of Manny at this point. Kind of fits with the early word that the O's were insane with their initial asking price.

 

Fair points but the best pitcher out there as a starter for instance is JA Happ and reliever is Britton (coming off an injury), both not game changers. As to my original point on the pitching to be ranked that high despite ALL of the injuries and role changes is impressive.

 

In fairness you have to aim high and HOPE the PT Barnum adage applies about suckers.

 

Yeah, it is a big reason why most folks don't trust a thing he says. Some guys in the industry are known shills for GM's and it would not shock me if he was one. He just tweeted this too

"The #Orioles have discussed potentially packaging reliever Zach Britton with Manny Machado to enhance the prospect package they”ll receive from #Dodgers or anyone else"

Britton has been fucking terrible, not sure he is of much assistance.

 

I know he is pretty well hated on this board (despite him actually being pretty good for a blogger), but Dustin Nosler just brought up a good point. Names are starting to be dropped with more regularity in terms of targets for the O's. That is usually a sign that things are starting to come together. It doesn't mean that the Dodgers are going to land Machado or are super close. Just that the O's may be hearing some deals they kinda like and are zeroing in on those teams. Nosler also has sources within the Dodgers org that he never likes to use/leak info from, but he will drop subtle hints. I would not be shocked if he has been told that the teams are a bit further along in negotiations.

 

I'm not real nuts about trading assets for a rental normally but it's Manny. He's a top 5 all around player. I'm huge on keeping specs but this time feels different IMO.

 

Nightenfail has stepped in for Gammons in this role

 

Yup