mtutiger

Regarding Boyd and Lorenzen, alex said it best earlier in the thread - modern pitching rotations needs to be 8 or 9 deep. David Cone said something to that effect on a Yankees ST broadcast involving the Tigers last year, and little did we know that the 2022 Detroit Tigers would learn that lesson in spades. So no, Matt Boyd and Michael Lorenzen aren't blocking anyone.... they are ensuring that guys that were getting #4/#5 type starts last year are #7/8 on the depth chart. And subsequently helping to ensure that as injuries happen, and they will, they won't be turning to the Drew Hutchison's, Ty Alexander's and Derek Norris's of the world to cover starts.

On one hand, yes, but on the other hand, someone who deserves to be make this team will not on account of his existence. And that is frustrating.

One imagines that with as little as he has played this ST, this is basically the equivalent of week one for him right now.

Baddoo needs to hit, but if he does, he simply brings tools that other guys do not bring to bear offensively; he takes walks, he can steal bases, he's generally disruptive. Very few players on the roster can do this, and that adds value to carrying him. It's tough because Carpenter has probably done enough this ST to make the team as well, but unless they plan on carrying just one IF on the bench, which doesn't seem likely, or unless Cabrera has a freak accident sometime between now and Opening Day, they'll have to choose between one or the other.

I'm gonna need more than two games post-injury stint to conclude that Vierling goes to AAA. Everything the team has messaged would suggest he's a lock.

Will Vest.... not so encouraging lol

His statcast numbers from 2022 are pretty tantalizing and presumably why Keith Law is a fan.

Gotta be honest, I was really understanding of the NY DA's position until Van Jones dispelled me of those notions lol

Gross

In the various recaps of the Soto trade, nobody was higher on Matt Vierling than Keith Law iirc.

Truly shocking /s

They have been using him more as a reliever during the Spring. Either way, if Wingenter keeps pitching well, especially with Englert basically a lock to make it, gotta think Hill is on the short list to head to Toledo

On a somewhat different note, doesn't his tendency to make ALL-CAPS social media posts make him seem even more insane / harder to take seriously than during his Presidency? It just has major "chain email that's been shared 24 times" vibes to it lol

Maton is likely to get the bulk of the reps at 3rd, but he's going to have to play other positions as well - depending on how they handle the last 1-2 roster spots as far as infielders, he may be the only real backup at SS for instance. So they will need other guys to be able to man 3rd from time to time even if Maton is starting. ST seems like a good time to give players times at different positions.

Another day, another hit for TORK!

First time really paying attention to Trey Wingenter.... he's filthy

LOL, Ron DeSantis accusing someone else of weaponizing their office.... that's rich.

Good Lord, what an idiotic argument....

How's everyone feeling about Torkelson? A little more relaxed?

He needs to mix in a "Trust your stuff" and "keyhole" every now and again lol

So, if my math is correct, Bobby Scales and Cam Maybin will account for around 85% of road broadcasts this year? That will be better than the carousel they had the past couple of years anyway

Vierling hasn't played much, but I tend to believe him+Carpenter/Baddoo will be respectable enough. At least offensively, they badly need Meadows to show signs of his old self, but still some reason to have faith. No argument on 2B and DH.

OK

The fact that there's an established pattern of Purdue playing down to sub-13 seed competition in the First Round suggests that angle may be easier said than done.

Kinda to my point as well.... there seems to be more certitude about Jobe's injury/prognosis than warrants based on the information we actually have. People are gonna do what they are gonna do, but there isn't any harm in keeping one's powder dry until more information becomes available.