2011(and beyond!) MLB thread.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

Noesi was historically bad last year, no question. Vasquez in 2011 (he pitched fewer innings in '11 than Noesi in '12) was so very much worse. You may not really be correctly remembering just how beer-league softball Vasquez looked when he pitched. And I'm actually not even joking or exaggerating to say that's what he looked like. Really.

[darkwinterbeast8]

Noesi started out decent last year and got worse and worse with each start. He would've looked beer-league softball if he was still starting by the September call-ups and hadn't been benched with the way he was pitching. And yes, I remember how bad Vasquez was. His pitching was about as bad as Smoak's batting and was basically a guaranteed loss the moment it was announced that he was the starter for that day's game or a guaranteed blown lead the moment he trotted to the mound in relief.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

Noesi's big problem is between his ears, though. He has all the stuff in the world. He just doesn't really know how to pitch.

Vasquez could be the smartest pitcher in baseball, but when every freaking one of your pitches is a 77 mph meatball, you're gonna get thrashed.

[M_Robbins5]

Noesi's big problem is between his ears, though. He has all the stuff in the world. He just doesn't really know how to pitch.

That's pretty much how I feel about Ervin Santana.

[darkwinterbeast8]

Some rare good news made by the Mariners, although they should've done this move 2 years ago.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

About goddamned time.

I'd love to see Catricala get a shot with the big club.

[darkwinterbeast8]

As long as the batting average is above the mendoza line and/or the player is being paid the league minimum, I don't really care who is manning that spot because they'll still be an upgrade over Figgins since a beach ball would've been an upgrade over Figgins.

With that move and not resigning Olivo, Justin Smoak is now the the most pathetic worthless Mariners player currently on the roster.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

Catricala's problem isn't his bat, at all. It's his glove. His "natural" position is 3B, but he sucks at fielding something fierce. That's why they've tried him at 1B and LF, too (kinda reminds you of Alex Liddi, actually), and he's been just as bad there.

The solution would seem to be a platoon involving DH and the catcher position. Assuming he hits big league pitching well enough to merit a roster spot (which I think he absolutely will), it may look something like this:

Against LHP
C Montero
DH Catricala

Against RHP
C Jaso
DH Montero (or vice-versa)

With Mike Carp or somebody in the mix as well, since Montero probably will only play about 100-120 games tops.

Though one of the roster spots freed up by Olivo and Figgins' departures really should go to an outfielder (a competent outfielder). Who are the locks to make the opening-day roster in the outfield? Michael Saunders, Franklin Gutierrez, Eric Thames, Casper Wells.....4 outfielders kinda isn't much. Especially when one is as fragile as Gutierrez. Although the only other outfielder I can even think of in the organization that's had MLB experience is Carlos Pegue....oops, just barfed in my mouth a little.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

What would you give up for Giancarlo Stanton?

I'd offer two of Hultzen/Paxton/Walker, along with two of Catricala/Liddi/Triunfel, some organizational depth pieces like Rich Poythress and Marcus Littlewood, and ****, they can take Jesus Montero for all I care.

[M_Robbins5]

What would you give up for Giancarlo Stanton?

I'd offer two of Hultzen/Paxton/Walker, along with two of Catricala/Liddi/Triunfel, some organizational depth pieces like Rich Poythress and Marcus Littlewood, and ****, they can take Jesus Montero for all I care.

I would be very suprised if the Marlins trade Stanton.