Good one,Jeff. I am eager to see your input on the match-up issue. A fine initiative.
I would also more depth on the “sneaky fast” phenomenon with pitchers. I know height, stride, spin rate, quirky deliveries, hiding the ball can all make pitches appear faster to the hitter, getting swings and misses when the radar gun says “crush me.” Announcers often mention this and sometimes go in to factors but I want more on that.
Related to this, given all,the talk about how organizations and pitching coaches help pitchers add pitches, change deliveries, and make other adjustments, do they try to coach pitchers to become more “sneaky fast?” If not, why not? Adding the effects of velocity without over stressing the arm would seem a growth area for the pitching performance business, no?
The "option" argument is interesting. I understand it and you've explained it well, especially by showing context with other teams, but if there was a game tonight I'd rather have Andrew Chafin in the bullpen than Jeff Brigham even if Brigham can be optioned after the game.
Last year they used 31 pitchers. OK. But the bullpen to start the season was full of guys without options: Diaz, Lugo, May, Ottavino, Joely, Shreve, Williams plus Drew Smith and Sean Reid-Foley. And they still managed to bring in all those other pitchers. Because people get injured, because you are allowed to bring guys up for doubleheaders, and because some guys don’t pan out.
The plan should be to minimize the need for optioning in guys by minimizing the reasons you need to bring them in. And this is done by having more guys with track records of success.
Talk about overthinking a problem. Front office nerds thinking planned obsolescence is the way to managing rosters.
Isn’t there now a limit on the number of times a player can be sent down in one season? New rule starting last year? If so that even further limits flexibility.
My first thought about adding to the bullpen is that if you don’t do so now, you will have to at the trade deadline. Now it costs only money; at the deadline it costs prospects (and salary).
I’m speculating that the Mets really would like to keep Rule 5 draftee Zach Green. They must value him more than other organizations do. If he makes the team he provides zero flexibility, so I can see why they would really need to have other optionable pitchers on the roster.
Does one trip to the minors use up one option? Or is an option good for repeated uses within one season?
Good one,Jeff. I am eager to see your input on the match-up issue. A fine initiative.
I would also more depth on the “sneaky fast” phenomenon with pitchers. I know height, stride, spin rate, quirky deliveries, hiding the ball can all make pitches appear faster to the hitter, getting swings and misses when the radar gun says “crush me.” Announcers often mention this and sometimes go in to factors but I want more on that.
Related to this, given all,the talk about how organizations and pitching coaches help pitchers add pitches, change deliveries, and make other adjustments, do they try to coach pitchers to become more “sneaky fast?” If not, why not? Adding the effects of velocity without over stressing the arm would seem a growth area for the pitching performance business, no?
The "option" argument is interesting. I understand it and you've explained it well, especially by showing context with other teams, but if there was a game tonight I'd rather have Andrew Chafin in the bullpen than Jeff Brigham even if Brigham can be optioned after the game.
surpised at the Marte news - thought just a thumb or something
Last year they used 31 pitchers. OK. But the bullpen to start the season was full of guys without options: Diaz, Lugo, May, Ottavino, Joely, Shreve, Williams plus Drew Smith and Sean Reid-Foley. And they still managed to bring in all those other pitchers. Because people get injured, because you are allowed to bring guys up for doubleheaders, and because some guys don’t pan out.
The plan should be to minimize the need for optioning in guys by minimizing the reasons you need to bring them in. And this is done by having more guys with track records of success.
Talk about overthinking a problem. Front office nerds thinking planned obsolescence is the way to managing rosters.
Isn’t there now a limit on the number of times a player can be sent down in one season? New rule starting last year? If so that even further limits flexibility.
My first thought about adding to the bullpen is that if you don’t do so now, you will have to at the trade deadline. Now it costs only money; at the deadline it costs prospects (and salary).
I’m speculating that the Mets really would like to keep Rule 5 draftee Zach Green. They must value him more than other organizations do. If he makes the team he provides zero flexibility, so I can see why they would really need to have other optionable pitchers on the roster.