Jeff Passan (a favorite) has a very good breakdown of the big trade that just sent James Shields to the Royals and uber prospect Wil Myers to the Rays.
This trade very much reminds me of the trade that send Josh Beckett to the Red Sox and uber prospect Hanley Ramirez to the Marlins. That trade ended up being a win for both teams. The Red Sox got a final piece that allowed them to meet their goal of winning the World Series while the Marlins got a young superstar under team control. The extra piece that ended up giving value way beyond what was expected in that trade was Mike Lowell who would go on to become the World Series MVP for Boston. Wade Davis is giving off that vibe for me in this trade for Kansas City. Please note that I'm not saying Shields is the final piece for a Royals World Series - their goal is simply to be competitive in the AL Central and I think this trade helps them with that goal.
It should also be noted that if sabermetric GM Theo Epstein was in place at the time for Boston then that trade may never have happened and the Red Sox could still be searching for their second Series win. Point is sometimes sabermetrics doesn't tell the whole story. I consider myself a stats guy but I also realize that games aren't won on the spreadsheet.
Chris Lynch's slanted view on sports, politics and entertainment. Please send thoughts or comments to chris.lynch@gmail.com
Showing posts with label James Shields. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Shields. Show all posts
Monday, December 10, 2012
Monday, July 07, 2008
Tampa Bay Rays Starting Pitching
The Boston Red Sox are very careful about overworking young pitchers. You can see this in how they are handling Clay Buchholz. The Yankees are treating Joba Chamberlain in a similar manner. I was curious about how the Tampa Bay Rays pitching will look at the end of the season and if possibly - overwork could be a factor down the stretch. Here's what I found.
James Shields is on pace to pitch 215 innings - the same as he did last season.
Andy Sonnanstine is on pace to pitch 201 innings this season - also the exact same number as he pitched in 2007 (MLB and minors combined)
Edwin Jackson, however, is on pace to pitch 192 innings. Jackson has never pitched more than 161 in a season.
Matt Garza is on pace to pitch 168 innings when the most he's pitched in the past is 135.
Scott Kazmir is on pace for only 133 inning because he spent so much time on the DL to start the season. His arm should be relatively rested and I'd guess he'll end up with much more than 133 innings but well shy of the 206 he pitched last year.
Fatigue probably is a concern for the Tampa front office in regards to both Jackson and Garza. David Price will probably be called up to give Jackson or Garza some rest but injury to one of the Rays starting pitching could be a huge issue. That's why I expect them to be active in the trade market for a starter like a Randy Wolf or possibly Rich Harden.
It should also be noted that going into today - Tampa Bay has played 11 more home games than road games so far this season. The Red Sox have played 9 more road games than home games. I've said it before - but when that even out - the Red Sox will be back in first place.
The Boston Red Sox are very careful about overworking young pitchers. You can see this in how they are handling Clay Buchholz. The Yankees are treating Joba Chamberlain in a similar manner. I was curious about how the Tampa Bay Rays pitching will look at the end of the season and if possibly - overwork could be a factor down the stretch. Here's what I found.
James Shields is on pace to pitch 215 innings - the same as he did last season.
Andy Sonnanstine is on pace to pitch 201 innings this season - also the exact same number as he pitched in 2007 (MLB and minors combined)
Edwin Jackson, however, is on pace to pitch 192 innings. Jackson has never pitched more than 161 in a season.
Matt Garza is on pace to pitch 168 innings when the most he's pitched in the past is 135.
Scott Kazmir is on pace for only 133 inning because he spent so much time on the DL to start the season. His arm should be relatively rested and I'd guess he'll end up with much more than 133 innings but well shy of the 206 he pitched last year.
Fatigue probably is a concern for the Tampa front office in regards to both Jackson and Garza. David Price will probably be called up to give Jackson or Garza some rest but injury to one of the Rays starting pitching could be a huge issue. That's why I expect them to be active in the trade market for a starter like a Randy Wolf or possibly Rich Harden.
It should also be noted that going into today - Tampa Bay has played 11 more home games than road games so far this season. The Red Sox have played 9 more road games than home games. I've said it before - but when that even out - the Red Sox will be back in first place.
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