tipmypitch

With the avalanche of trade activity in front, now is a good time to summarize the handful of trades over the last few days.

The Jose Quitana deal was all Cubs.  Do not underestimate Theo Epstein.  Mr. Quintana struggled this year without the company of Chris Sale, but who wouldn’t?  Lefty starters are wonderful.  Especially the type that throw a minimum of 200+ innings the last four years.  In return the White Sox went two for four.  The two are Dylan Cease and Eloy Jimenez.  Mr. Cease has a three-year total of 2.54 era and 1.20 whip.  He is bound for a promotion to A+ ball and more than likely wears a White Sox uniform in 2020.  Mr Jimenez has power (32 homers, 179 rbi in four years of play), plus he hits for average .293/.340.  He is due to play AA ball before the end of the year.  The other two, Bryant Flete and Matt Rose, are inconsistent at best.

Why the Yankees chose Garrett Cooper given the plethora of quality first basemen (Tyler Austin, Billy Fleming and Chris Gittens) in their system is a question without answer.  Mr. Cooper is a 26-year-old AAA first baseman who couldn’t land a job in Milwaukee with very little competition within the Brewers development system.  Commentators who are quick to praise his power numbers must pause for the effect of playing baseball in Colorado Springs, Colorado . . . elevation 6,035 feet.  Milwaukee receives Tyler Webb who rated as the Yankees #4 reliever in system in my 2016 review.  Mr. Webb is of the left-handed variety and should receive plenty of opportunity in Milwaukee.  Advantage Brewers.

Why did Billy Beane aim the equivalent of a cannon at his bullpen by trading Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson to the Nationals or any other team for that matter?  The A’s go from bad to worse.  The Nats strengthen their bullpen.  Both Mr. Doolittle and Mr. Madson are former closers.  Both can log innings.  Neither complains about their respective relief role.  Of the three players obtained by Oakland, Jesus Lazardo is 19 and in rookie ball.   Do explain the long-term forecasting involved in choosing a teenager in rookie ball?  Sheldon Neuse is in year two and playing A ball.  He does show hints of power (10/62 and 24 doubles in total).  Blake Treinen hopes to regain his form from 2014 to 2016  since this year was a disaster (5.73/1.62).  Advantage Nationals.

Returning to Brian Cashman’s brain function, at least the Todd Frazier deal is passable, but I do not find completely sensible the resulting move of Chase Headley to first so that Mr. Frazier can play a suspect third.  Mr. Frazier does offer the chance of dingers almost every at bat, but his obp is dreadful.  However, the NYY bullpen receives a healthy dose of help with David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle.  Mr. Robertson has closed the last four years and does provide options if Aroldis Chapman continues to struggle with his control and Joe Girardi’s confidence.  Mr. Kahnle does suffer from the good year/bad year complex, but 2017 is currently a good year.  The White Sox did well in return.  Yes, Tyler Clippard struggled of late, but his lifetime numbers are solid.  Why baseball mavens rate Blake Rutherford highly is without merit.  Mr. Rutherford is only in A ball and has a difficult journey in front of him.  If he continues to produce in AA, then we can talk.  Ian Clarkin and Tito Polo were both good choices.  Mr. Clarkin is a lefty starter with cumulative era and whip of 3.20/1.29.  Year four of development and in A+ ball is ideal progression.  Mr. Polo has speed (157 stolen bases total) and is in AA ball.  He is 22 and ready for a September call to Chicago.  Advantage NYY (with a nod to of approval to the White Sox).

J.D. Martinez (suffers a hand injury during his first game with the Snakes) is an underrated ball player.  All of 29 and hitting above .300 three of his last four years, he is a productive ball player.  Detroit made a strange choice in return.  All three minor leaguers (Dawel Lugo, Serio Alcantara, and Jose King) are 2b/ss.  None of the three post exceptional offensive numbers.  Mr. King is in rookie ball.  Mr. Alacantara bounces around A- to A+ ball without effect.  Mr. Lugo is in AA ball and strikes out far too often.  I imagine this is a panic move to develop middle infield talent given the imminent departure of Ian Kinsler and likely departure of Jose Iglesias.  Advantage Arizona.