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Chapman and Robertson would be my picks if going the FA route. For some reason I feel like Chapman might be out due to bad feelings with Yadi? Is that completely wrong?
Chapman and Robertson
The idea of a barnacle encrusted veteran or two out in the pen seems like a fit with what Mo seems to be doing. But my sense is that it always goes wrong. I don’t know if that is accurate. I haven’t followed Robertson much, but Chapman seems like he’s plugging along just fine. Still, I will be surprised if Mo spends any real money out there.
I just don’t think 2 bullpen arms and Sonny Ĝray is enough to win the division. Hopefully they add something more substantial.
Maybe Mo’s boss thinks it’s not too much to ask the player development system to contribute something to the decor besides the accent pillows. He already had to go out and buy an entire rotation and a catcher, to add to a middle of the order previously acquired by trade. Is some relief pitching too much to expect?
They traded 2 tor pitchers and 2 pretty good mob’s. This isn’t all on the player development people. I don’t spend all my time looking in the rear view, but this situation lies squarely on the front office decision makers. Including not having competent on field manager.
If that was the case, we wouldn’t be in last place. He’s listening to the wonks, polo shirts, clipboard cadets, gun gurus, joy stick junkies, lab coats, carpet walkers and desk sitters.
Redbird Rants had an article that soured me on Maton. The Astros used him in low-leverage situations primarily and he gave up something like a .352 BA-against in the high-leverage situations that he did see. Also, Neris was mentioned and he has a FIP approaching 4.00 so his shiny ERA is a little bit of a mirage going forward.
The only three guys that had good seasons and had a FIP that ‘beat’ their ERA…AND had above-average K/9 rate were Jordan Hicks, Robert Stephenson, and Aroldis Chapman.
Another guy I like as a SECOND pickup, in addition to the above guys would be Keynan Middleton. I think he turned a corner last year 11.4 K/9 rate and a 3.38 ERA (but low-leverage mostly, and 4.20 FIP)
Speaking of Maton, this caused quite a stir three weeks ago. I didn’t share it at the time for obvious reasons…
Free-agent reliever Phil Maton close to agreement with #STLCards , per source.
— Chris Lollis (@_ChrisLollis) December 6, 2023
6th inning guys are what you hope your young arms can be as they debut. Shouldn’t have to pay FA dollars on that role.
Neris is proven as a late inning reliever. 89 career saves, 33 of 34 in holds and saves last season. 208 IP over the last 3 seasons.
If Mo allowed me one signing, it would be Neris at 3/30mil. We could cover closer with Helsley and GG. A shared 9th inning role may benefit all. Someone besides JoJo, to carry the load in the 8th, gives JoJo a safety net.
“Bill is letting Mo spend 1/12 for starters, I can’t see him paying 3/30 for a set up man”.
You don’t know this to be fact.Just depends whose salary you compare him to. The same Bill authorized 3/75mil, but that’s hardly the issue.
The pen is about roles. We have numerous 6th and 7th inning options in-house, and if we get the quality starts we’ve already paid for, it’s already late inning relief (7th-9th). I don’t expect our limited experience young arms to be ready to fill a 8th or 9th inning role.
The competition for 7th inning appearances will be strong if we have four 8th/9th guys. We already have two and I’m trying to believe JoJo is a third.
If proven and reliable works for the rotation, just keep applying to the pen. Get a guy proven for the role.
I saw speculation on MLBTR that Boston may dump more salary by trying to move Jansen and Chris Martin. Both with one year left under contract. Jansen at $16M and Martin $9.5M. They would fit in with the Geritol crowd we have going. Maybe put shuffleboard in the clubhouse. But as of last season they were both pretty effective. By that I mean, probably better than anything we presently have. Mo doesn’t seem concerned with age related health risks. Not that he is authorized to spend any real money on the pen.
Hear that the Cardinals are in serious discussions to trade outfielder Richie Palacios to the Rays for pitcher Andrew Kittredge. Not a done deal yet. But working on it. Kittredge further addresses StL desire to deepen pitching staff. Palacios is LHH OF after TB dealt Raley.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 5, 2024
Hmm . . . A solid, decent reliever with a good track record but well into his 30’s for a fan favorite, but probably overrated prospect with modest potential and years of control left. I don’t love it because I like Palacios as much as the next fan, but since we literally got him for nothing and we need experienced bullpen arms more than we need Palacios, I guess it’s ok. Probably helps both teams in 2024, but it’s very likely the Rays “win” this trade in the long run.
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