I share your disappointment about Waters, but what about Reyes as a new test case? Doesn't solve an OF spot, but it's a bigger bat. I'm not placing any big bets on him turning it around, but he does intrigue me more than most reclamation projects. What do you think? Am I just Spring Training dreaming on that?
I think Reyes will get a ton of ABs, mostly at DH and perhaps also in LF when Melendez moves to C and Salvy DHs. Oliveras was in jeopardy, but now he probably gets the RF job until Waters recovers.... so he'd better take advantage of his opp. Both Reyes and Oliveras are similar in that they both have negative defensive value and depend on their bat for value. Same player in that sense, but Reyes has a history of multiple 30 HR seasons.
Kind of a no brainer to me. Same age, Reyes has a 4.7 oWAR, Oli has a 0.4. They wouldn't have brought Reyes in if they were sold on Olivares. Edward has thus far failed to become a decent OF. He has the speed. Reyes will always be DH and a guy you don't want to put in the field. If Oli could defend, his chances would be much much better.
I actually do think he turns it around. He came into camp fat and out of shape last year and got a rude awakening. He's 27, entering his prime, has shed the excess weight and knows his career is riding on it. He still hit the ball very hard in terms of max and avg exit velocity.
I'm optimistic that he is properly motivated. This could be a huge get for the Royals, given he's two years from having the service time for free agency.
Mr. B, I can distinctly recall a strike zone from kneecap to letters. Now, it's rare to call a strike above a belly button. Any forethoughts on how any of the new rule changes might get fudged?
You'll probably be waiting for robot umps for a larger strike zone. If they tweak that. (I definitely remember hearing Denny say, "Fastball at the letters for a strike.") Personally, I'm excited to see the pitch clock and how that can impact the time of game.
I share your disappointment about Waters, but what about Reyes as a new test case? Doesn't solve an OF spot, but it's a bigger bat. I'm not placing any big bets on him turning it around, but he does intrigue me more than most reclamation projects. What do you think? Am I just Spring Training dreaming on that?
I think Reyes will get a ton of ABs, mostly at DH and perhaps also in LF when Melendez moves to C and Salvy DHs. Oliveras was in jeopardy, but now he probably gets the RF job until Waters recovers.... so he'd better take advantage of his opp. Both Reyes and Oliveras are similar in that they both have negative defensive value and depend on their bat for value. Same player in that sense, but Reyes has a history of multiple 30 HR seasons.
Agree on Olivares. This is his shot.
No! Reyes is most definitely in the mix. I think he’s always had the inside track on the DH spot.
Kind of a no brainer to me. Same age, Reyes has a 4.7 oWAR, Oli has a 0.4. They wouldn't have brought Reyes in if they were sold on Olivares. Edward has thus far failed to become a decent OF. He has the speed. Reyes will always be DH and a guy you don't want to put in the field. If Oli could defend, his chances would be much much better.
I actually do think he turns it around. He came into camp fat and out of shape last year and got a rude awakening. He's 27, entering his prime, has shed the excess weight and knows his career is riding on it. He still hit the ball very hard in terms of max and avg exit velocity.
I'm optimistic that he is properly motivated. This could be a huge get for the Royals, given he's two years from having the service time for free agency.
Mr. B, I can distinctly recall a strike zone from kneecap to letters. Now, it's rare to call a strike above a belly button. Any forethoughts on how any of the new rule changes might get fudged?
You'll probably be waiting for robot umps for a larger strike zone. If they tweak that. (I definitely remember hearing Denny say, "Fastball at the letters for a strike.") Personally, I'm excited to see the pitch clock and how that can impact the time of game.
I think the pitchers have enough advantages without expanding the K zone. Offensive numbers have been in steady decline now for about 20 years.