1984Echoes

The Points %-age (winning %-age, actually) is a good indicator of where we need to get to to make the playoffs. The Rangers are getting points at a 74% win rate. We're at a 56% win rate. That would be hard to catch up to. I don't see it happening. Certainly not this year. Boston and the Blue Jackets are at 58% and 60% respectively. That's our starting point. To get into the playoffs this year... we have to beat Boston's 58%. Convert the points per game numbers for each team and you're going to run into basically the same thing...

3-3.

Taketh and giveth...

Greiss is why I wanted so desperately to sign undrafted goalie Filip Lindberg. Once Petruzzelli said he wasn't signing with us... Lindberg was the perfect Plan B. He'd be playing in Grand Rapids this year... and be primed to replace Greiss next year or even for some games this year... At Wilkes-Barre he has a 2.76 GA and a .915 save percentage. He was even better in college. And I believe he'll improve and end up being the next Nedeljkovic... But that's just me.

Is Oesterle paired up with Seider...? And... Why?

No. That's why they have Paredes. And I am pretty certain Paredes will make the team out of ST...

And it might put him up in 5-ish WAR territory...

That's a huge plus for us if he's adamant about changing his approach and succeeds in doing so. If he's successful at it, it makes his contract look even better, although much, much more likely he opts out...

Absolutely my bad. I promise never to make the same mistake again. Or I'll eat my Red Wings cap.

I don't see it as a problem with Greene in the 3rd spot as that will be a challenge for him... and we've already seen that Hinch is unafraid to challenge anyone under any circumstances. Put Greene in the 3rd spot all year and it will be his learning curve: how to deal with MLB pitchers AND the pressure of the #3 spot. I mean... I'm not focusing on getting to the playoffs next year. I'm focusing on this team growing together, and all the kids getting better. That's it. If they just miss the playoffs because of rookie mistakes or rookie walls then so be it. If we DO make the playoffs... gravy. And if we actually win some games in the playoffs... icing on the cake. But I want Tork in the #5 spot all season and Greene in the #2 or #3 spot all season so they can learn what it takes to succeed.

Yes.

I think the best defensive OF alignment is Baddoo in LF, Hill in CF, and Greene in RF. You can liberally put Grossman in there to sub for Baddoo (against pretty much all LH'ers), and Hill (against quite a few righties... Greene moves to CF and Grossman takes over RF)... But I would like to see Greene play primarily RF I think.

"Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

Right... Gun owners.

Seattle Kraken 8-13-1, 3-7-1 AWAY ESPN+ 7:30 PM DET -105 Detroit Red Wings 11-9-3, 7-2-2 HOME I didn't even realize until just now that I had the wrong date on the Bruins game last night... Hah!

WIN!!!

Looks like Ned is saving our bacon again...

Yeah, I think I'm OK with the near future as well. But I want to keep my eye on that... and maybe he gives an upside surprise by changing his free-swinging ways, or at least being a little bit more discerning. If he does that, his value may go up even higher... We'll see what happens.

Zadina!

I am. He is struggling more and more with making contact. Once his contact ability goes too far down, he won't be able to get to his power... And he doesn't take walks. Better hope he changes his approach like he did with the Mets... in a small sample size...

I'm fine with Garneau so I agree with Archie. I think the Tigers tender him a contract. As I said... I think it's Short who might get the short end of the stick. And we can probably add a catcher on a minor league contract (AAA-type) who at least has a good glove. If we have Offense at all our other positions... and it's looking like we now do... we can afford to take less O at that one position, Catcher, on an as needed basis. And then we can sign Short or similar back here again in Spring Training on a minor league deal so I think we are right back to where we were with some fill-in depth. No-bat good glove SS's I think are too easily replaceable to waste a roster spot on... unless the team is completely barren there, which is not the case.

That's right around the time we should be considering giving 10-year contracts to Mize, Manning, Skubal, Tork & Greene. Buy out a few FA years and their remaining arbitration years and they become FA's around 32-ish or so (depending on each guy...). That's also buying each guy's prime years...

That, and natural immunity from catching Covid weakens over time just as much as getting the double or single shot. Get the booster and I think that matches the first part of what I quoted... the combination is just better than one thing alone...

At this point... I think so too. If anyone is treading thin ice I think it's Short, who can be easily replaced by another no-bat, good glove SS that we can pick up off the scrap heap in ST. Maybe even get Short back in camp if he hasn't caught on anywhere... on a minor league deal....

I want McHugh. He can start or relieve, and we can probably get him for 2 years or less. Chas mentioned him above. Keeps runners off the bases...