Effectively Wild Episode 1825: Boom, Ghosted

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about new details about Freddie Freeman and Kris Bryant’s contracts, Stat Blast about players not touching the ball, and then (18:59) bring on Effectively Wild listener and Patreon supporter Kevin Brotzman to discuss being an Orioles fan and season-ticket holder and answer listener emails about whether Goodhart’s law will apply to WAR figures used in the new CBA, updating baseball terminology to be more inclusive, fans bragging about their teams’ titles, abandoning A’s fandom, and adjusting stats for the universal DH.

Audio intro: Jim White, “Fighting My Ghosts Again
Audio outro: The Bees, “These Are the Ghosts

Link to ESPN on Freeman’s deal
Link to story about Bryant’s introduction
Link to Stat Blast data
Link to Kevin’s Orioles numbers site
Link to Kevin’s Orioles cards site
Link to Rosenthal on Correa
Link to Camden Chat on Correa
Link to Trezza tweet
Link to Apstein tweets
Link to Goodhart’s law wiki
Link to Ben on pitcher deception
Link to “manager” etymology
Link to ICC “batter” story
Link to Ben on league quality
Link to cosmic distance ladder wiki
Link to Russell on DH penalties
Link to Suzuki video
Link to FanGraphs transaction roundup

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The Padres Plan to Voit Early, Voit Often

Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

After a relatively tame offseason, the Padres finally were able to close the deal on a transaction, picking up 1B/DH Luke Voit from the Yankees for minor league pitcher Justin Lange. The 31-year-old Voit, a Cinderella story just a few years ago after heading to New York for Giovanny Gallegos, had his worst season in pinstripes in 2021, hitting .239/.328/.437 and limited to 68 games due to a partial meniscus tear in his left knee. A fifth-round pick in 2020, Lange made his professional debut in the Florida Complex League in 2021, striking out a healthy 12 batters per nine over 22 innings but also walking a less-than-healthy six batters per game.

San Diego’s front office has been aware of the team’s significant weaknesses at the offense-first positions, expressing interest in Michael Conforto and Kris Bryant and said to be thick in the hunt for Seiya Suzuki and Freddie Freeman. The only problem is that, similar to their experience at the trade deadline, the Padres have come up short for their efforts. This winter’s only significant outfield pickup, Nomar Mazara, is not exactly who you want to see start a season high on the depth chart if you’re a would-be contender. And with first base and the outfield corners already not strengths, it’s hard to imagine the Padres being happy about the designated hitter becoming universal in 2022, leaving them scrambling to fill another offensive position. There’s no realistic contender, at least according to our projections, that had a less enviable 1B/LF/RF/DH situation.

Team 1B/LF/RF/DH, Depth Chart Projections
Team 1B LF RF DH Total WAR
Pirates 0.7 1.2 0.6 0.6 3.1
Reds 1.9 0.6 0.9 -0.1 3.3
Rockies 1.9 1.0 0.8 0.4 4.1
Padres 1.1 0.4 1.2 1.6 4.3
Athletics 0.8 1.1 2.3 0.2 4.4
Diamondbacks 1.1 1.7 1.2 0.6 4.6
Royals 1.3 2.2 1.6 1.2 6.3
Tigers 2.6 2.0 1.8 0.0 6.4
Rangers 2.4 1.1 1.6 1.4 6.5
Twins 1.5 1.1 3.0 1.0 6.6
Red Sox 1.5 1.8 1.5 2.0 6.8
Orioles 1.9 1.7 1.7 1.5 6.8
Guardians 0.9 1.9 1.6 2.5 6.9
Marlins 1.7 2.1 2.0 1.1 6.9
Brewers 1.2 3.0 1.8 1.0 7.0
Giants 2.5 1.8 1.9 1.1 7.3
Cubs 1.3 2.3 3.6 1.0 8.2
White Sox 2.4 2.6 1.8 1.8 8.6
Rays 1.9 2.8 2.3 2.2 9.2
Braves 4.4 1.8 2.2 1.7 10.1
Mets 3.6 2.3 3.4 0.9 10.2
Cardinals 3.5 3.9 2.5 0.7 10.6
Mariners 2.6 3.4 3.4 1.4 10.8
Phillies 2.8 1.4 4.8 1.8 10.8
Blue Jays 6.0 1.8 1.5 1.8 11.1
Nationals 2.2 0.7 7.0 1.8 11.7
Angels 2.8 3.9 1.8 3.9 12.4
Astros 2.0 2.7 4.9 4.4 14.0
Dodgers 4.7 2.3 5.5 3.1 15.6
Yankees 3.3 4.3 5.9 3.1 16.6

Relative to the Dodgers at these positions, the Friars start off 11 wins in the red. With the team reportedly not feeling all tingly about the possibility of Nick Castellanos and the league’s top trade target here, Matt Olson, already off the board, the Padres were quickly running out of options to chip away at some of this deficit. But the Anthony Rizzo signing provided a new opportunity, as it had the effect of removing any real path for Voit to get playing time in New York. Read the rest of this entry »


Job Posting: Cleveland Guardians Minor League Bench Coach

Job Title: Minor League Bench Coach – Cleveland Guardians

Primary Purpose
The Cleveland Guardians are currently seeking a Minor League Bench Coach to join the Player Development Department. The main purpose of this position will be to serve as a coach for a Guardians’ Minor League Complex Team and provide support to Guardians’ field staff, coordinators, special assistants, and front office personnel – with an emphasis on implementing player plans, monitoring and reporting on baserunning and defensive progress, and participating in all pre- and post-game work. This position will be located in Arizona or the Dominican Republic.

The ideal candidate will possess a passion for player and personal growth, experience integrating multiple information sources to create and implement player plans, and a thorough understanding of skill acquisition principles. Excellent applicants will demonstrate curiosity, creativity, and a drive to learn new concepts to problem solve. First and foremost, we are looking for great people!

Application deadline for submission: March 22, 2022

Responsibilities & Duties
The Bench Coach will work hand-in-hand with the rest of the coaching staff and coordinator group to provide quality instruction within our current fundamental framework and philosophies.

Domain-Specific Programming & Communication

  • Implement programming specific to individual player plans as it relates to your assigned defensive domain(s) and baserunning.
  • Document progress within your defensive domain and baserunning.
  • Maintain consistent contact with applicable coordinators about the development and plans of each player as it pertains to your defensive domain.

On-Field Work

  • Assist in the set-up and coordination of all hitting and defensive activities and related matters with the manager and other staff at the complex.
  • Be an on-field resource for duties including but not limited to: throwing batting practice, hitting fungos, managing cage routines, throwing with pitchers, and other on-field activities as they relate to the development or rehabilitation of Guardians players.
  • Coach first/third base as needed with emphasis on reinforcing organizational baserunning philosophy.

Game Preparation & Reflection

  • Communicate with other staff on planning and executing game-review meetings and reflecting on game play. Help players reflect on their game play.
  • Assist the Manager in any and all administrative duties as it relates to running a successful minor league team – including but not limited to daily schedules and educational initiatives.

Education & Experience Requirements and Preference
The Cleveland Guardians are committed to developing and maintaining an environment that embraces all forms of diversity to enrich our core values, enhance our competitive position, strengthen our impact within our community, and foster a greater sense of belonging for our employees.

In this spirit, we know studies have shown that people from historically underserved groups – including women and people of color – are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and understand that candidate may bring certain skills and experiences to the role that are not listed above, but that would add tremendous value to our organization. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our qualifications described.

Minimum of two years related experience and/or training required. Previous experience with a Major or Minor League Baseball organization or collegiate baseball program is preferred.

  • Candidate is willing to potentially work at one of our developmental complexes in either Arizona or the Dominican Republic.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people and backgrounds.
  • Interest in personal and professional development with a desire to be involved in internal continuing education opportunities.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office and Outlook.

Preferred Experience
We are looking for a variety of skill sets. If you have demonstrated experience with any of the following, you may be who we are looking for to join our team.

  • Fluency in Spanish is a plus but not required.
  • Proficiency in SQL is a plus but not required.
  • Strength & conditioning experience.

Organizational Requirements

  • All applicants for employment with the Cleveland Guardians will need to comply with the Cleveland Guardians Vaccination Policy as a condition of employment. Potential candidates for employment will be notified of the requirements of this policy prior to the start of employment.
  • Reads, speaks, comprehends, and communicates English effectively in all communications.
  • Represents the Cleveland Guardians in a positive fashion to all business partners and the general public.
  • Ability to develop and maintain successful working relationship with members of the Front Office.
  • Ability to act according to the organizational values and service excellence at all times.
  • Ability to work with diverse populations and have a demonstrated commitment to social justice.
  • Ability to walk, sit or stand for an entire shift.
  • Ability to work extended days and hours, including holidays and weekends.
  • Ability to move throughout all areas and levels of the Ballpark.
  • Ability to work in a diverse and changing environment.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.

The content in this posting was created and provided solely by the Cleveland Guardians.


Jay Jaffe FanGraphs Chat – 3/18/22

2:01
Avatar Jay Jaffe: Good afternoon, folks, and welcome to my Friday chat! It’s a lovely day outside in Brooklyn and I’ve got spring baseball on my TV

2:02
Avatar Jay Jaffe: it’s been a busy week writing about transactions. Yesterday alone I wrote up the Kris Bryant deal (https://blogs.fangraphs.com/kris-bryants-enormous-payday-highlights-qu…) and the Zack Greinke/Mike Minor/Amir Garrett ones (https://blogs.fangraphs.com/zack-greinkes-return-to-kansas-city-headli…)

2:03
Avatar Jay Jaffe: and when I haven’t been covering transactions I’ve been burrowing into my Positional Power Rankings assignments. First up: first base, where you might have heard about a few transactions

2:03
>this guy<: Jay what is your favorite trade or signing since the lockout ended? and least fav?

2:06
Avatar Jay Jaffe: I don’t like anything about the Reds’ sequence of deals. Saw them as contenders for a Wild Card spot with a little TLC but they seem intent upon getting into the draft lottery.

2:07
Avatar Jay Jaffe: I’m not wild about the Rizzo signing by the Yankees but the projections for  him are stronger than my gut instinct. And I’m still not sure what to make of the Kris Bryant deal

Read the rest of this entry »


Reliever Roundup: Cubs and Angels Edition

© Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

Free agent signings come in several flavors. There are the big splashy ones – ooh, Kris Bryant and Freddie Freeman are in the NL West now! There are good-fit signings – Mark Canha on the Mets and Yusei Kikuchi on the Blue Jays fill necessary roles on exciting clubs. There are even feel-good reunions, like Zack Greinke returning to the Royals.

There are also reliever signings. So, so many reliever signings. Not every team can sign a star first baseman, but everyone needs a flock of middle-inning arms. There are nine innings every game, and starters don’t pitch as many frames as they used to, and – well, you get the idea, there are a ton of reasons to go out and find some innings, even if you’re not planning on winning 257 games like the Dodgers or overthrowing the established order of things like the Blue Jays.

To that end, the Cubs signed three relievers yesterday, and the Angels signed two of their own. Chicago gave Daniel Norris one year and $1.75 million plus incentives, David Robertson one year and $3.5 million plus incentives, and Mychal Givens one year and $5 million plus incentives. For their part, the Angels signed Archie Bradley for one year and $3.75 million, but also went up-market and signed MVP vote-getter Ryan Tepera to a two-year, $14 million deal. Read the rest of this entry »


FanGraphs Audio: Transaction Reactions With Eric Longenhagen and Ben Clemens

Episode 966

On this edition of FanGraphs Audio, our own Eric Longenhagen and Ben Clemens discuss some of the numerous signings and trades of the past week.

Eric and Ben talk about the first sunburn of the season, Cristian Pache’s upside, Sean Murphy’s hamates and trade value, and the arrival of Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa on the Yankees — and how weird the latter’s defensive metrics can be. The pair also discuss Oakland and Cincinnati seemingly tearing it all down, and how important it is to consider which choices are made by the front office and which are dictated by ownership. Eric and Ben also react to the reactions to the Rockies signing Kris Bryant with some thoughts about how and why we root for players to get paid.

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Audio after the jump. (Approximate 50 minute play time.)


Job Posting: Synergy Sports Cape Cod Video Scout

Position: Synergy Sports Cape Cod Video Scout

Location: Cape Cod, MA

Description:
Synergy Sports and Blast Motion are seeking motivated candidates to work a dual role as Video Scouts (Synergy Sports) and Field Operations Interns (Blast Motion) during the 2022 Cape Cod Baseball League season – the premier collegiate summer wood-bat league in the United States.

Synergy Sports provides world-class video scouting for baseball globally at all professional, collegiate, and amateur levels. Synergy is the exclusive video provider of the CCBL to Major League clubs. Cape Cod Video Scouts will capture live multi-angle video footage from every game of the CCBL season and upload video/data to the Synergy platform for client use. Video scouts may also be asked to track rosters and perform various data audit projects throughout the summer.

Blast Motion is the industry standard Swing Analytics Technology working with 90% of MLB teams and their affiliates, along with college, high school, and travel programs worldwide. Blast Motion sensors are attached to players bats to capture swing data on hitters during the 2022 Cape Cod season and is provided to MLB clubs and partners. The Field Operations Interns work will be done primarily before the game and after, this includes preparing and distributing sensors for capture and uploading swings after the game. Qualified candidates need to have great attention to detail, be responsible, and be comfortable around players and coaches on the field. Many positions with MLB Clubs have Blast Motion experience as part of their job requirements – this internship will give you all the experience with Blast you will need.

Almost all past Synergy Sports Video Scouts and Blast Motion Interns have gone on to work with Major League and Collegiate baseball organizations, when pursued.

The position runs from June 8th, 2022, to August 15th, 2022, and will include hourly compensation.

Responsibilities:

  • Managing game day video setup and breakdown, maintaining equipment in good condition, and uploading video in a timely manner for logging.
  • Managing Blast Motion Sensors for assigned teams, including charging and prepping sensors for capture, and uploading data after workouts and games.
  • Serve as Synergy and Blast liaison on-site for Cape Cod team personnel.
  • Create relationships with players and coaches to drive video and sensor use and answer questions, develop on field and dugout experience.
  • Verify data accuracy and video quality.
  • Daily reporting and check-ins with Synergy staff on video upload and Blast Motion staff on operations and data capture.

Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of and strong interest in baseball operations, amateur scouting, or player development.
  • Proficiency with computers (Windows, Mac) and Apple Devices (iPhone or iPad).
  • Experience with video equipment, including cameras, SD cards, tripods, and clamps is preferred.
  • Experience in College Baseball, Softball, or Minor League Baseball is a plus.
  • Strong work ethic, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
  • Must have access to reliable transportation and housing on the Cape.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

Job Questions:

  1. Are you able to secure your own housing and transportation on Cape Cod for the summer?
  2. Are you comfortable being outside, often standing and in the elements, for several hours at a time?
  3. What area of baseball/softball interests you the most to work in?

To Apply:
Please follow this link to apply for the Cape Cod Video Scout Role.

Please follow this link to apply for the Regional Video Scout Role.

The content in this posting was created and provided solely by the Synergy Sports.


Effectively Wild Episode 1824: Who, What, When, Where, Why

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley continue to break down a busy, chaotic week in MLB by bantering about which was wilder, this week or the week leading up to the lockout, then breaking down the Rockies signing Kris Bryant, the Dodgers signing Freddie Freeman, the Blue Jays trading for Matt Chapman and the new AL East hierarchy, the Yankees re-signing Anthony Rizzo and largely confounding their fans, the Red Sox staying idle, Kyle Schwarber going to Philly and Zack Greinke returning to K.C., the Cubs signing Seiya Suzuki (and others) and seemingly not Nutting after all(?), assorted Giants and Braves moves, and more, plus closing banter about new/old minor league names, a milestone decision in a court case about minor league pay, and a rule reversion intended to cut down on rampant roster reshuffling.

Audio intro: Spoon, “Wild
Audio outro: Michael Nesmith, “Keep On

Link to The Athletic report about Bryant
Link to FanGraphs post about Bryant
Link to Van Lenten hiring report
Link to Van Lenten firing report
Link to Ben on the Freeman saga
Link to Ben Clemens on Freeman
Link to Chapman trade post
Link to Rizzo signing post
Link to Lindsey Adler on the Yankees
Link to Sale injury news
Link to The Athletic on Schwarber
Link to FanGraphs on Schwarber
Link to Greinke signing post
Link to Suzuki signing post
Link to Suzuki projections post
Link to Villar signing post
Link to Giants signings post
Link to Braves signings post
Link to league names news
Link to minor league pay ruling
Link to Baseball America on the ruling
Link to California bill story
Link to news about roster-churn rules
Link to BP on options use
Link to FanGraphs playoff odds
Link to FanGraphs transaction roundup

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Zack Greinke’s Return to Kansas City Headlines Royals Pitching Moves

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Zack Greinke is coming full circle. On Wednesday, the 38-year-old righthander agreed to a one-year contract with the Royals, the team that drafted him in 2002 and stayed with him through low points and high over the course of seven big-league seasons (2004–10), the pinnacle of which was his AL Cy Young award win in ’09. The Greinke deal headlined a busy day for the Royals, who additionally swapped lefties with the Reds, sending 34-year-old starter Mike Minor and cash to Cincinnati in exchange for 29-year-old reliever Amir Garrett.

Via the New York Post’s Joel Sherman, Greinke’s deal guarantees him $13 million, with an additional $2 million in potential bonuses based on innings pitched. Despite the Royals coming off a 74-win season and not looking much stronger for 2022 (though our Playoff Odds give them a 10.7% chance of joining the expanded party), Greinke had this destination in mind. Via MLB.com’s Anne Rogers:

Though he helped the Astros reach the World Series for the second time in less than three full seasons in Houston, Greinke had an uneven 2021 campaign. Prior to landing on the COVID-19 injured list in early September, he led the AL in innings pitched, though he struggled upon returning; his ERA went up more than half a run, and he wound up finishing 11th with 179 innings. His overall 4.16 ERA was his highest mark since 2016, his first year with the Diamondbacks after signing a six-year, $206.5 million deal, but more jarring was his 4.71 FIP, the worst mark of his career.

While Greinke was typically stingy with walks, posting the AL’s second-lowest rate among qualifiers (5.2%), his 1.58 homers per nine allowed was the AL’s second-highest mark and the highest of his career since his 2004 rookie season. Meanwhile, his 17.2% strikeout rate and 12.1% strikeout-walk differential were his worst marks since 2005 (I’m throwing out his three-appearance 2006 for all of these comparisons). Read the rest of this entry »


Jonathan Villar Joins the Cubs as Their Newest Jack of All Trades

Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Seiya Suzuki is rightfully the headline grabber, but the Cubs stayed in the news on Thursday by agreeing to terms with infielder Jonathan Villar on a one-year deal worth $6 million. Villar spent the 2021 season with the Mets, hitting .249/.322/.416 in 142 games for 2.1 WAR and playing second base, third base, and shortstop for the injury-riddled franchise. That 2021 season represented a colossal comeback from his poor showing in 2020, when his power disappeared and he finished with a lackluster .232/.301/.292 line.

Versatility is one of those things that’s hard to put a precise figure on, but having a player such as Villar on your roster is basically like giving yourself a 27- or 28-man roster. He won’t remind anyone of Ozzie Smith at short, but that’s hardly the point with a player with his skillset. Whatever infielder you lose to a pulled hammy or a sprained elbow, Villar represents a 20/20-capable player who can man the position. He’s played much less often in the outfield, but there’s no particular reason to think he’d be a problem out there; he’s certainly fast enough to play even center field, and he stole 40 bases as recently as 2019. Being versatile isn’t one of the parameters that ZiPS looks for when making comps, but it still warms my heart to see Tony Phillips, the Platonic ideal of a super-sub, showing up high in Villar’s comp list at 15th. If he is 80% of Phillips, the retooling Cubs ought to be overjoyed with how their $6 million was spent. Read the rest of this entry »