Ask Bimbo

[DCTribefan]

Becomes a highly collectible rarity, front office pieces them out on eBay at $44 average.

I don’t know about that price. My Roberto Perez bobble head in mint condition seems to have cratered in value. Plenty available but few buyers.

 

[sportscoach]

I don’t know about that price. My Roberto Perez bobble head in mint condition seems to have cratered in value. Plenty available but few buyers.
View attachment 11278

Is it only in person pickup or do you ship? Lol

 

[Benway]

I don’t know about that price. My Roberto Perez bobble head in mint condition seems to have cratered in value. Plenty available but few buyers.
View attachment 11278

That's the key: They now control the supply!
It's like the Antwerp diamond market.

 

[rmacd]

What is this doing on Ask Bimbo?

 

[sportscoach]

What is this doing on Ask Bimbo?

I have no clue... lol

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Miller has benefited a lot from the fall of Franmil. He's basically been granted an unlimited suckage season at the plate because of the lack of 1B options up until recently.

Miller benefited by getting 358 major league plate appearances when he only had 202 previously in his career. The problem is he hasn't really taken advantage of all those plate appearances.

The one thing he's good at is sacrifice flies.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Bimbo, thank you for all of the time you spend doing this. Here are my two questions:

1) Can you give me your thoughts on what our lineup will be in 2023 or even 2024? Seems like we have a glut of outfielder prospects and middle infielders so I am curious as to what you think will happen.
2) Does the organization view Gim as a cornerstone to the franchise? Also, has the way he has played this year changed their belief on him at all? Do we see him as the future 2B or SS?

Thanks again!

I don’t think it changes much in 2023 outside of C and Rosario. Think it’s a given one of Lavastida or Naylor breaks camp with a small vet FA signing serving as backup or to split duties.

Rosario’s potential replacement depends on who wins the job. This will be a spring to watch where they’re actually playing guys to see if they tip their hand. Gimenez at SS would point to Freeman at 2B. Gimenez at 2B would point to Arias at SS.

2024 you have a chance to see more dramatic changes.

And yeah, this year has solidified his place moving forward as a key player. Lot of people who think he can be even better than he currently is too. Very inexperienced at the big league level still.

 

[BimboColesHair]

I was curious if you think there is a chance Cleveland would possibly make a move as aggressive with Jaison Chourio as the Brewers were with his brother Jackson? Their assignment of him going straight from DSL to Low A.

That said I wonder if Carolina opposed to Lake County weather difference at the start of the season might factor in.

There’s always a possibility, but I’d be shocked if he did.

It’s so incredibly hard to come stateside for the first time and jump instantly into full season ball.

 

[MadThinker88]

@BimboColesHair
Any insight into why Richie Palacios has been MIA for a while??

 

[BimboColesHair]

What's the latest with EspinGOAT and Hankins? I know Hankins was scheduled to start in ACL but was pulled for a sickness. Espino's prolonged absence is now concerning me. Any news?

@BimboColesHair

Hankins is obviously fine.

Espino tweaked his shoulder overcompensating for his knee while rehabbing and they’re being extra cautious with him. Be surprised if he pitched again this year.

Said it before, but he doesn’t have much left to prove in the minors outside of longevity/durability.

 

[BimboColesHair]

@BimboColesHair I know, I know, I know... but is there any chance the organization would entertain Benson in CF if someone like OGon or Valera plays so well that we can't take them out of RF? Moving Straw to the 4th OF spot with the possibility to be traded?

As I’m sure you already saw with Benson getting run in CF at the MLB level, yes.

He’s the best overall defensive OFer in the organization. LF, CF, RF he can play at a high level.

Starting next season Straw will be on 4th OF watch, IMO.

 

[Alabuckeye]

Bimbo…I would imagine that working for a MLB club is exciting…..tense…..and even boring sometimes. Do you enjoy it?

 

[BimboColesHair]

Has Lavastida done any backfield work at 1B or strictly to concerned with catching him up in the catching department since he's relatively new? I kinda wonder if Bo has jumped in the pecking order and they want at least one veteran where could Bryan slot in as 3rd catcher utility RH bat and cut his teeth until he could pair with Naylor.

Strictly C. He wasn’t a C fully until he became a pro, so a lot of time has been dedicated to C for obvious reasons.

C is the one position where you are getting a ton of playing time even if you’re the backup. Getting at least 2, often times 3 starts a week to keep the main guy fresh. The opening of the DH spot and every position player on the 40 man currently and moving forward able to play at least 1 position well is big for finding ABs for all these youngsters at the MLB level as well.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Based on the bolded, it seems like a lot of the projection and planning is done with advanced technology (pitch tracking, ground force readings, etc). How much of that is already available pre draft vs after?

In other words, does the development staff have enough information pre-draft to already start mocking up development plans before the pick is finalized, or are the first few days after reporting really key to finding those little holes that need to be plugged?

There are people who are far smarter than me when it comes to math who are able to get real accurate figuring that stuff out just using high speed film. Guys like that are employed by most teams in their scouting/analytics departments.

The new draft combine has added another avenue to compile useful data as well.

 

[BimboColesHair]

What minor league park has the best food?

I can’t tell you the last time I’ve had stadium food.