Offseason Notes for October 14th
One of baseball’s best shortstops is playing High-A ball.
1. Assorted Headlines
2. Arizona Fall League Action
3. Prospecting: John Sickels on Atlanta
Assorted Headlines
“Theo Epstein” and Compensation
I’ve placed quotation marks around Epstein’s name not because I suspect the former Boston GM of using a pseudonym, but rather because it’s part of a Google search to which I’ve linked because there are — as you will see — many internet thoughts on Theo Epstein and the compensation the Red Sox are seeking for his departure. If, as some have mentioned, Cub outfield prospect Brett Jackson is a possibility, that’s unfortunate for the Chicagos. Even if we assume that Jackson is only a top 76-100 hitting prospect, he’s likely worth almost as much in surplus value to the Cubs as the Cubs have agreed to pay Epstein over the next five years… Does that make sense? Wait a sec, I’ll read it over again… Okay, it mostly makes sense.
Maholm Either Will Be or Won’t Be Traded
The Pittsburgh Pirates hold a $9.75 million option on left-hander Paul Maholm for the 2012 season, but are waiting to make a decision on same, on account of they may be able trade Maholm. For me, they should trade him for Ryan Braun or Evan Longoria. Why don’t they just do that?
Diamondbacks Release Gutierrez
Juan Gutierrez had the distinction, in 2010, of being not-the-worst reliever in a historically poor Diamondback bullpen. He pitched well in 2011 (18.1 IP, 3.03 SIERA, 3.39 xFIP, 88 xFIP-), but dealt with shoulder injuries and, eventually, Tommy John surgery. It’s possible he won’t return until 2013, at this point.
Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League Action
This is the time in the show when we look at Arizona Fall League action.
Notable Performances
Here are some notable performances from said AFL action:
• Kansas City right-hander Nathan Adcock, 23, showed posted an excellent ground-ball rate (55.6% GB) this season pitching almost exclusively in relief for the Royals, but struck out only 13.6% of the batters he faced while walking 9.8%. Starting for Surprise on Thursday, things worked out differently for Adcock, who K’d seven of 12 opposing batters in three innings of work while walking only one.
• Ranger minor-leaguer, 23-year-old Johan Yan is a former infielder who converted to pitching 2009. The numbers from StatCorner suggest that he induces lots of grounders, with his rates having fallen in the 60% range in limited experience. Thursday night it was mostly a moot point: pitching out of relief, Yan struck out four of the seven batters he faced.
Prospecting: John Sickels on Atlanta
Prospect maven John Sickels has published his preliminary top-20 list for the Atlanta Braves. Below are some notable rankings, with comments from my own self.
4. Andrelton Simmons, SS, Grade B+: Simmons’ glove has basically broken Brian Cartwright’s OLIVER system the past couple seasons, rating him (i.e. Simmons) basically a +20-run shortstop each year. That’s enough to make him almost an average major-leaguer. Simmons also appears to possess good contact skills, having struck out in just 6.9% of his first 839 plate appearances; however, the power on contact remains weak.
6. Edward Salcedo, 3B, Grade B: If you ever wanted to know everything about Edward Salcedo, luckily Mike Newman has provided that sort of information.
8. Tyler Pastornicky, SS, Grade B-: With Alex Gonzalez entering free agency, Pastornicky is a candidate to play shortstop for the Braves in 2012. Or, at least that’s Carson Cistulli thinks in his head. Pastornicky, just 21, homered only six times in 512 plate appearances, but struck out in fewer than 10% of his plate appearances even after a promotion to Triple-A.
Carson Cistulli has published a book of aphorisms called Spirited Ejaculations of a New Enthusiast.
I heard the Red Sox were going to get Jay Jackson, not Brett, which would be altogether more agreeable.
Also, Klaassen said it wouldn’t be Brett and in Klaassen we trust.
And finally, it really shouldn’t be Brett Jackson.
We’re on to you, Dan Duquette.
As much as I would like a lot of compensation for my home team, I just don’t see that the right to pay Epstein slightly less than 3M in 2012 when the Sox brass probably need (and want) to let him go now is worth all that much. Especially since he would be making roughly the same money (although with the security of 5 years) in Chicago. Am I missing anything or is this negotiation more of a texas hold-em heads-up game and the Sox are holding 5-10 offsuit?
Paul Maholm for Evan Longoria seems perfectly reasonable.
Simmons is definately a pleasure to have in the system. His highlights are awesome to see, basically Yunel with his head on straight. While I do not think he will develop the power, I do think pastornicky will start at some point in 2012, with Simmons coming up in 2013. While I think simmons could develop into a decent stick, I think his best value will always be at 8th in the order, as he does not have plate discipline or much potential with solid contact. As a result, my expectation is that Simmons, at his pick, would be an Elvis Andrus+glove/Ryan Theriot+ bat, thus making him a much more valuable player in reality than fantasy. This will mean he will be an underrated but valuable player, which is a great title to have as a shortstop.
Make that peak
It has been said around KC that Adcock is being groomed for the starting rotation and will start 2012 in AA. He did well during the season, but basically as the mop-up man in low-leverage situations.