NFBC Message Boards

May as well get it started.

"Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Monday that he hasn't decided who will close for the team in 2016.
The safe bet is Ken Giles, who was picked up from the Phillies last week as part of a seven-player swap, but Luke Gregerson is the incumbent and still technically in the running. "Let the offseason play itself out and see how the names adjust throughout our team," Hinch told reporters. "I'm no dummy ... right now, it's nothing we need to address. We'll sort it out. It won't be a secret.""

Yup...it should be neck-and-neck all spring...Gregerson and Giles...

The Astros are one of the most sabr-savvy squads out there. They also just signed Tony Sipp. Sipp sqaushes LHB, Gregerson squashes RHB. Giles can go more than 3 outs and has K-potential when needed.

I can see a deploying a match-up scenario at times - using Giles earlier than the 9th if a punch out is needed then playing match-ups in the 9th.

ToddZ wrote:The Astros are one of the most sabr-savvy squads out there. They also just signed Tony Sipp. Sipp sqaushes LHB, Gregerson squashes RHB. Giles can go more than 3 outs and has K-potential when needed.

I can see a deploying a match-up scenario at times - using Giles earlier than the 9th if a punch out is needed then playing match-ups in the 9th.

Accepted if "at times" equates to "once in a blue moon"...

I think Hinch was just trying to downplay all the GilesCloser talk until he talks to Gregerson (who should be happy as hell to go back to the 8th inning)

Edwards Kings wrote:

Accepted if "at times" equates to "once in a blue moon"...

Figuring on maybe five blue moons in a 180 day season.

Captain Hook wrote:I think Hinch was just trying to downplay all the GilesCloser talk until he talks to Gregerson (who should be happy as hell to go back to the 8th inning)

Nailed it.

"Orioles signed OF Hyun-soo Kim to a two-year, $7 million contract.
The agreement was reported last week and it's now official after Kim completed a pre-signing physical. The 27-year-old batted .326/.438/.541 with 28 homers and 121 RBI last season with the Doosan Bears in the Korea Baseball Organization. Known for his plate discipline, he drew 101 walks while striking out just 63 times. The Orioles could still make more moves, but he appears headed for a semi-regular role."

Doughboy's Player Notes - Hyun-soo Kim has a good eye and has really good at bats.

Edwards Kings wrote:"Orioles signed OF Hyun-soo Kim to a two-year, $7 million contract.
The agreement was reported last week and it's now official after Kim completed a pre-signing physical. The 27-year-old batted .326/.438/.541 with 28 homers and 121 RBI last season with the Doosan Bears in the Korea Baseball Organization. Known for his plate discipline, he drew 101 walks while striking out just 63 times. The Orioles could still make more moves, but he appears headed for a semi-regular role."

Doughboy's Player Notes - Hyun-soo Kim has a good eye and has really good at bats.

Roto writers still have the bad habit of presuming and assuming that a lot of walks are a good thing for all fantasy players.
Ugh.
If he can't run and is hitting in front of Hardy or Joseph, his walks become the end of inning phrase that drafters do not want to hear..."
"For Kim, there was no runs, no hits, no stolen bases, and he was left on base".

'Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen said Monday that Steven Matz is working on shortening his arm angle to put "less bang" on his troublesome left elbow.
Altering pitching mechanics to compensate for discomfort in a specific area is often how minor injuries turn into major injuries. Matz has been scratched from his final turn in the Grapefruit League rotation due to irritation in his left elbow, and he felt some lingering tightness Monday while throwing on flat ground from 70 feet. The young southpaw is ticketed for the 10-day disabled list to open the 2017 regular season. Seth Lugo is probably going to take his spot.'

So Mets, right?

The interesting thing is the reminder that the 15 day dl has been changed to 10 days.
For fantasy purposes, it could be both a good and bad thing.
Offensive players will probably hit the dl at a faster rate. A minor pulled hammy or a bruised finger or knee may result in a quicker decision to disable the player.
It seemed last year, that the Mets waited forever to see if Cespedes could play and even the Reds gave the lost cause of Devan Mesoraco a lot of days to 'heal'.
A 10 day 'penalty' being shorter makes the choice more palatable for clubs.
This will prevent the Chipper Jones aggravation of a player sitting multiple days, leaving us not knowing whether to start or sit him.

Pitching-wise, I believe it'll be abused in real baseball.
A starter's schedule over 10 days is...

Day 1- Start
Day 2-5 Rest
Day 6 Start
Day 7-10 Rest

A 10 day disabled stint with an off day leaves any starter open to missing one start and coming back to the rotation on turn.
Perfect for manipulation.
An extra roster spot over a pitcher not used for 10 days will be too much to resist for many teams.
A dead-armed pitcher will certainly miss a turn.
And with a couple of off days in a short span, it'll be easy for teams to use their front four starters while rostering an extra reliever or bat off the bench.
I believe it means less starts for fifth starters and starters who are struggling.
We could see a 'trickle down' effect of starts instead of all pitchers in a five man rotation getting over 30 starts.
Something like this, presuming good health for all:

Lester 34 starts
Arrieta 32 starts
Lackey 29 starts
Hendricks 27 starts
Anderson 25 starts
Montgomery 15 starts

In this instance, Lester would not miss a start while others would be periodically 'rested' by the disabled list. At the same time, giving the Cubs another player in which to feed Joe Maddon's button pushing qualities.

For fantasy overall, it'll probably have little effect. We may be a little more patient before cutting ties with a dl'ed player.
Now, if a player is hurt and dl'ed on Wednesday, he would only miss one FAAB period if coming back from injury after his 10 days.
The effect of instantly dl'ing a player rather than sitting him for a few days would make our decision process a lot easier for lineups.
I believe that more teams will carry the 'Montgomery types'. A hurler who can start and throw five or six innings for any pitcher dl'ed, while also throwing long relief from the bullpen. This will keep teams from having to call up and use a roster spot for a Starter needing rest and a reprieve via the disabled list.