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[Schad]

Like, lifting Snell early is pretty iffy, but not iffy? The Rays' approach to pitching! Two things got them to that point: a singular hitter and their pitching staff, because the rest of the team's hitting was a hot mess throughout the playoffs. They scored less than 4 runs a game in the whole of their playoff campaign, despite Arozarena having arguably the best postseason of any hitter ever, almost a full run below their regular season total.

Yeah, Snell was lifted early, but it's hard to point to a postseason where Tampa's primary redeeming factor was their bullpen and conclude that their bullpen usage was the real culprit.

[Schad]

If Nick Anderson was pitching like he did in the regular season it would be one thing. But he’s been really bad. Had given up runs in six straight games. How does that not factor into the decision?

It absolutely does factor in. I don't think I make that particular move, and I don't think it was the right move. But those who see this as some sort of overarching indictment of the Rays' pitching management clearly didn't watch the rest of the playoffs.

[vaff87]

If Nick Anderson was pitching like he did in the regular season it would be one thing. But he’s been really bad. Had given up runs in six straight games. How does that not factor into the decision?

It absolutely does factor in. I don't think I make that particular move, and I don't think it was the right move. But those who see this as some sort of overarching indictment of the Rays' pitching management clearly didn't watch the rest of the playoffs.

The bullpen was arguably the biggest reason they got to that point. However, they wore them out in the process. Where at the end they weren’t the same bullpen they were early on. And Anderson in particular, the difference in his stats in the playoffs vs the regular season are so staggering, I would guess he was battling some sort of injury. Like how do you go from striking out over 14 per 9 innings, to less than 6?

[Schad]

Don't think Anderson's problems came from overuse. He only threw 16.1 IP in the regular season, and while his outings were a bit longer in the playoffs, he only pitched b2b once all postseason (and that was six pitches on the second night). Don't know what his malfunction was, but I don't think that the numbers would support using someone malfunctioning in that fashion in the singlemost high-leverage spot all year.

The most likely scenario, honestly, is a very old-fashioned one: in a big spot, a manager ignored recent bad results and went with the guy he trusted the most.

[vaff87]

Don't think Anderson's problems came from overuse. He only threw 16.1 IP in the regular season, and while his outings were a bit longer in the playoffs, he only pitched b2b once all postseason (and that was six pitches on the second night). Don't know what his malfunction was, but I don't think that the numbers would support using someone malfunctioning in that fashion in the singlemost high-leverage spot all year.

I would think that Blake Snell at 73 dominant pitches entering the third time through the order would be a better option than any of their relievers. Given Anderson’s struggles, given that Castillo had already appeared in the series three times, and Pete Fairbanks gave up a run in both of his first two appearances in the series (and again when he came in tonight).

When making these pitching changes, how do you quantify the quality everyone is in? Like, normally bringing Anderson in might be the best option, but he was really struggling. While, normally taking Snell out going into the third time through the order might be the wise move, but he was really dominating. When they’re making these moves, how is current “form” accounted for?

[Schad]

I don't know exactly how they account for it, though I have little doubt that they do: how pitchers perform on b2bs and 3-in-4s etc are all things that are undoubtedly quantified.

That's why I'm dubious that this was a numbers-driven decision. It was Snell's lowest pitch count of the playoffs, and the second time all postseason that he didn't pitch to some hitters a third time through (the first was Game 6 against the Astros, where he couldn't throw strikes and put the first two runners on in the fifth, so his removal was simply a matter of performance). It's hard to believe that he was pulled for some sort of reflexive "no pitcher should ever see a lineup a third time under any circumstances" FO diktat given that it was never present in any previous start of his.

For that reason, my best guess is that Cash, assuming that Snell's night would end in an inning anyway, reached for his high-leverage security blanket despite his recent failings, and it was the wrong move.

[GoRapstheoriginal]

Congrats to the Dodgers!

[vaff87]

So, apparently, despite his positive covid test, Turner returned to the field to celebrate with the Dodgers.

[Fairview4Life]

Pulling Snell was Joe Morgan's revenge.

[GoRapstheoriginal]

What will Turners punishment be?

[polo007]

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[The_Hater]

Like, lifting Snell early is pretty iffy, but not iffy? The Rays' approach to pitching! Two things got them to that point: a singular hitter and their pitching staff, because the rest of the team's hitting was a hot mess throughout the playoffs. They scored less than 4 runs a game in the whole of their playoff campaign, despite Arozarena having arguably the best postseason of any hitter ever, almost a full run below their regular season total.

Yeah, Snell was lifted early, but it's hard to point to a postseason where Tampa's primary redeeming factor was their bullpen and conclude that their bullpen usage was the real culprit.

While true in the macro sense that their bullpen was their biggest strength, Snell still is their best player, was pitching fantastic, had only thrown 73 pitches and the guy they brought in literally couldn’t get anyone out during the playoffs. There were multiple reasons to question the decision even before it backfired.

[The_Hater]

What will Turners punishment be?

I think the league suspends him for 10+ games to start next season. But with no precedent, who knows exactly what that number might me.

This was so incredibly selfish of him, not just from the virus standpoint but his actions have now overshadowed his team winning the title.

[polo007]

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White Sox Manager Tony La Russa Introductory Press Conference

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New White Sox Manager Tony La Russa Talks Returning to the South Side

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[SharoneWright]

What will Turners punishment be?

I guess he might have to quarantine with his wife for 2 weeks..

[polo007]

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[polo007]

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[Schad]

There are initial signs that this offseason is going to get weird. Morton wasn't at all bad in 2020, though not as good as his (completely insane) 2019. His option likely would have been an easy pickup even for the Rays pre-2020. Brad Hand is an excellent closer with a very reasonable deal who got waived because Cleveland couldn't find a taker for a 1 year, $10m option. They bought his option out for $1m in the end.

I could see a lot of players signing well-below-expectations one-year deals. And if ownership wanted to get a little freaky, we could be really well-positioned to go get some low-risk talent, because we don't have much on the books.

[polo007]

Source: Mets to extend QO to Stroman - MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The Mets are in dire need of starting pitching. Marcus Stroman is a starting pitcher.

For those reasons, the Mets intend to extend Stroman a one-year, $18.9 million qualifying offer prior to the deadline on Sunday, a source said. The widespread industry expectation is that Stroman will decline and enter free agency for the first time.

Mets officials have not commented on whether they plan to extend the qualifying offer, but the expected decision makes sense for a team with only two starting pitchers -- Jacob deGrom and David Peterson -- penciled into the 2021 rotation. Additional in-house options include Seth Lugo and Steven Matz, but the former is unproven as a full-time starting option while the latter struggled throughout '20.

“I should be one of the top arms,” Stroman said in July, after electing not to play the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. “I believe I’m one of the youngest. I’m extremely healthy. I’m coming off a great year. So however it plays out, I think it will play out.”

Even if the Mets include one or both of them in next year’s starting five, they will need to pursue multiple starters via free agency or trade this winter -- including mid- or top-market options. Stroman rates as one of the most accomplished arms available, along with Trevor Bauer, James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka and others. He would likely command more than $18.9 million annually as a free agent, which is why extending him a qualifying offer makes such sense from the Mets’ perspective.

[SharoneWright]

He would likely command more than $18.9 million annually as a free agent, which is why extending him a qualifying offer makes such sense from the Mets’ perspective.

And we're paying Ryu $20M....