Seems like the natural course as teams get updated scouting reports based on latest trends. Moran really didn't have enough MLB exposure to have a "book" out on him. Now he does, and will have to adjust back. So many forget the adjustments that are required year after year to stay on top of your game... both pitchers/hitters alike. Makes the consistency that Altuve, Verlander, Keuchel and other vets show that much more remarkable. Hitters/pitchers know what to do... and still can't get it done on these guys (in part because they too are making the necessary adjustments).
The one that really really stings this season is Teoscar. We didn't need Francisco freaking Liriano last year and we have a need for a LF. He's hitting the cover off the ball.
Yes, in baseball adjustments need to be made all the time. Look no further than Justin Verlander. He has had to make major changes in pitch selection and type over the last 15 years. There were several times where he looked like he was going to slide into a back of the rotation type starter or worse.
Separates the men from the boys. On a local, more recent level, Oswalt had to make similar adjustments after 2004 when hitters were able to key in more on the fastball/curveball patterns he employed. He started going more to 4-seam, 2-seam, sinker exclusivity... putting the curve in pseudo-mothballs till it was absolutely necessary. Seems easier for pitchers to identify the necessary adjustments, as their stuff is usually easier to scrutinize. Making the adjustment, however, is a whole other challenge... and that's why HOFers are HOFers.
He certainly is. A very Tyler White start to the season. That being said, if he were to go 0-5 in his next game, his average would drop from .343 to .300, his OBP from .395 to .348 and his slugging from .743 to .650. Still outstanding numbers but goes to show the volatility of early season stats. I am sure if the Astros could have looked into the future, they would have strongly reconsidered that trade. And, that being said, Liriano did the exact job he was brought in to do in September and October. In September, he pitched in 10 games (generally an out or two as a LH specialist is prone to do), he got 17 outs. and only allowed 5 baserunners. In the playoffs, he pitched in 5 games. He did poorly in the 10-3 loss to Boston and gave up what amounted to the game winning run in the 3rd inning), but otherwise pitched in 4 other games, faced 7 batters and allowed 1 baserunner.
In the natural course of "making moves to make a move", the Liriano trade fits that bill for me. Yes, he didn't move the spectrum one iota. And the front office was struggling to do something/anything to maximize this pitching staff without giving up a good prospect, and seems like he was the deal they settled for to get something done. But in the end, the lack of movement at the trade deadline, the backlash that occurred, hurricane freaking harvey, and Jim Crane's comepetivie juices are what eventually led to the genesis of a Verlander trade... so maybe it was all meant to be. Teoscar would still not be an everyday player here. He'd get in vs lefties, and get in whenever Marwin/Yuli needed a day off. Some guys don't progress without regular playing time... which Toronto was able to provide. Wish him well.
With the exception of carlos gomez, I like seeing all of our guys doing well . Jeff Luhnow said it made him proud to see them excel when he was on the J*** *nn*s show
Mike Foltynewicz is off to a great start. 2.53 ERA across his 4 starts with a 26K:9BB ratio. Not going deep into games, but very LMJish to start the year.
He has gotten off to similar starts the past 2 years. He needs to establish consistency. Hopefully he can.
Liriano did get Bellinger to ground into a fielder's choice for that important 2nd out during Game 7. I timestamped the video.
Liriano! The man they call Liriano! He threw from the mound and they did not score. Stood up to the man and he gave him what for. Our love for him now, ain't hard to explain, The hero of LA, the man they call Liriano! Edit...Brain dead when I wrote Sipp instead of Liriano.
I may be wrong, but I suspect Teoscar was traded in part as the cost of getting rid of Aoki w/o DFA-ing him. But also, after his collision with Altuve, they saw him as a bull-in-a-china-shop dangerous player whose lack of awareness almost took out the team & the AL's MVP.
My goodness Carlos Gomez has got the biggest D-Bag in all of sports. Even his own team's twitter is trolling him with the "exhibiting some tremendous veteran leadership" remark in response to his antics. https://www.draysbay.com/2018/4/23/17268000/tampa-bay-rays-carlos-gomez-walk-off-home-run-analysis
Daniel Mengden, Josh Hader, Vince Velasquez, and Mike Foltynewicz are all in the top 120 in fWAR among pitchers this season. Teoscar Hernandez and Enrique Hernandez are among the leaders in fWAR for position players.
