8 Comments

I think both Yean and Linarez are MiLB free agents after the 2024 season. Does sending them to the AFL imply they have signed MiLB deals for next year? I wonder where such information can be found.

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I wouldn't say 100%. but it's probably a good bet. They are technically still with the Pirates even if they didn't sign yet for next year. At worst case, the two are getting paid to showcase themselves. We will find out soon when the milb free agent list is released. I'm sure I could find out by asking, but I don't like wasting questions on minor things such as marginal prospects signing. Don't want to be a bother.

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I'm fine with the Dodgers-Mets matchup and will be for Betts and the Dodgers. I'm guessing the celebration of a NY-LA NLCS was about as wild in MLB offices as in the Dodgers clubhouse.

Today I'm for the Guards and their example of consistent winning in a small market. If you have smart people in charge, you don't have to tank, you don't have to spend (the Guardians were 28th going into the season; we were 29th). And Neal Huntington is part of Cleveland's FO. He probably hasn't had much of an impact on this team but again, Cleveland knows what they're doing, and grabbed him almost as soon as he was available.

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In any case, today's winner will be the outlier in payroll though the Tigers have been high on the list before. The three teams that have already moved on were the top three in payroll at the start of the season.

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A lot has been written about Termarr Johnson, but he has done a lot this year for a kid who only turned 20 in June! In 2024 Spring Training he had 23 AB, 8 hits, a double, 2 HR, 4 RBI, and a 1.052 OPS. In the AFL through 3 Games - 10 AB, 4 H, 1 triple, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5 BB/1 K, Slash of .400/.600/.900/1.500 OPS, which is 6th Best in the AFL.

In his age 18, 19, and 20 years in the minors, he has 855 AB, 37 doubles, 2 triples, 34 HR, 119 RBI, 202 BB/257 K. His BB/K percentages are 18.6% BB, 23.6% K. Does anyone think we have a better leadoff hitter in the entire System, including the MLB level? Just amazed at the level of play he is maintaining!

On defense, he will most likely be a 2B in MLB, but he has been playing a lot of defense at SS this year.

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Opening day shortstop and 2025’runner up for ROY

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I like his athleticism and, as I mentioned, I am amazed at what he is doing at so young of an age. But he is an exceptional second baseman, and possibly only average to average + at SS. When he put up exc numbers in ST this year I expected the Pirates to bump him to AA based on the fact he had 100+ PA at A+ in 2023 (22.0% BB/24.2% K). But, they slow-walked him. Based on how they handled him this year, he is at least a half season or more away from MLB.

At this point, if I'm the GM I try everything possible to unload NG, Bae, Williams, and keep Peguero to start at SS, Yorke to possibly play 2B & Triolo stays as the insurance policy for 3B, and the fact he can field well at 2B, SS, and 1B. That preps the IF for the arrival of TJ, and takes advantage of NG's stock being UP (1.3 fWAR) after a good season. NG combined with a Rotation-capable pitcher can possibly get us a # 3, 4, 5, or 6 hitter with good OB numbers and some power (15+ HR capability). Who the pitcher is will mean a lot in that trade.

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suprising you lump nicky g in there with the others

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