• Changing RCF's index page, please click on "Forums" to access the forums.

2019 Series #5 | Indians @ Royals | April 12th, 13th, and 14th

Do Not Sell My Personal Information
I remember last year there was a discussion about arm slot issue when Kluber was going through any tough stretches. Has there been any analysis on that this year?

Would feel better about his "struggles" and Carrasco slow start if we had Callaway not Willis.

Also as weird as Bauer is it seems as if he has had some influence on both Clevinger and Bieber success so far this year. Didn't quite see that happening with him be such a introvert at times.
 
I remember last year there was a discussion about arm slot issue when Kluber was going through any tough stretches. Has there been any analysis on that this year?

Would feel better about his "struggles" and Carrasco slow start if we had Callaway not Willis.

Also as weird as Bauer is it seems as if he has had some influence on both Clevinger and Bieber success so far this year. Didn't quite see that happening with him be such a introvert at times.

The ironic thing about your post is that Bauer did not see eye to eye with Callaway, and Callaway did not like Bauer weighing in with other pitchers. Whether Willis is good or bad, (I fall somewhere in the middle) I think Bauer reporting to "a boss" that gives him freedom to do his own thing and share his ideas with the rest of the staff is a net positive for the team.
 
My God are you an insufferable asshole.

The article clearly stated the drop in velocity and increase in hard hit contact; the two reasons I cited in an earlier post about why Kluber was starting to decline.

Further, I cited Baseball Savant in another post showing his current standing in velocity and hard hit contact for 2019.

In terms of the Colon-type offer, I cited it as an example of the type of haul the Indians were reportedly searching for this offseason (blue-chip prospects with years of cost control).

Not only couldn't they get multiple high-end prospects, they couldn't get one according to Ken Rosenthal:

"According to sources, the Indians wanted at least one of the Reds’ top two prospects — infielder Nick Senzel and outfielder Taylor Trammell — for right-hander Corey Kluber. But rather than trade from the top of their farm system, the Reds have parted with players who are less than sure things."

https://theathletic.com/777766/2019...ras-what-the-dodgers-are-thinking-more-notes/

The ol' "thanks but no thanks." Clearly, rival teams saw something less than ideal in projecting Kluber's production for the next three yeas on his deal.

Not impressed with some rube like me spreading heresy? How about venerable reporter Jonah Keri?
Here's a quote from an article he posted before the season about his player rankings:

"It’s crushing to have to drop the two-time Cy Young winner from the list. But as one National League talent evaluator said about the soon-to-turn-33-year-old-ace: “Big velo drop in September, workload and age concerns, owed real money (3/52 with escalators that have kicked in).” Cleveland shopped Kluber this winter, but couldn’t get anything close to what the team hoped to land."

https://theathletic.com/874585/2019/03/19/keri-the-2019-mlb-trade-value-rankings-part-1/

Are Rosenthal and Keri "hindsight fans"?

No one disagrees with Kluber hasn't been as strong, but heck he makes his adjustments as the season goes along if you haven't noticed. What makes an Ace pitcher isn't always just stuff, it is the fact they can make adjustments as the league adjusts to them. Kluber has a veteran pitching coach, and other pitchers like Bauer to talk to and get opinions from at the end of the day to make the adjustments he needs to either correct the fact his velocity is going down or make adjustments with his other pitches to off set that. He will make the adjustments and get back to being an ace pitcher.

Kluber won't make the Hall of Fame mostly because of the age he became a dominant pitcher, but he will finish out his contract strong, but I am not sure what he will have left in the tank after that.
 

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Video

Episode 3-13: "Backup Bash Brothers"

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Spotify

Episode 3:11: "Clipping Bucks."
Top