Post by rog on Mar 15, 2019 20:02:58 GMT -5
Several rules have changed, but the three that may affect things the most are:
. The roster is increased from 25 to 26 men. This helps offset the huge number of pitchers being used and gives teams a little more semblance of a true bench. This new rule might save Drew Ferguson.
. There will be only one trade deadline -- July 31st. Players can be waived after that date, but they can't be traded. This will force the Giants to make their trades earlier this summer, but it may also make for more of a trade frenzy as the one and only trade deadline approahces.
. Pitchers will be required to face a minimum of three batters or reach the end of a half inning. This will cut down on the use of LOOGY's a bit. As for now the Giants shouldn't be affected too much, since Will Smith, Tony Watson and Travis Bergen can all get right-handers out. Surprsingly, the guy it might hurt the most is switch pitcher Pat Venditte, who was just optioned to the minors along with Austin Slater. As I mentioned when the Giants signed him, Venditte is pretty much a LOOGY despite being able to pitch with his right hand. He's just not as good a pitcher right-handed.
So who makes it?
The starters are Bumgarner, Holland, Samardzija, Pomeranz and Rodriguez. The relievers may be Smith, Watson, Bergen, Dyson, Gott, Moronta, Vincent and Stratton, with Blach and Suarez going down and Melancon on the DL.
Catchers -- Buster and Rivera
Infielders -- Belt, Panik, Crawford, Longoria, Solarte and Sandoval
Outfielders -- Duggar, Williamson, Parra, Maybin and Ferguson
There are several other players with a chance, but those are my guesses. Ferguson is very vulnerable and may not even be a favorite. Certainly Hanson has a shot. And Garcia, not Rivera, could easily be the backup catcher. Vincent is anything but a lock, and perhaps the Giants will trade one of the lefty relievers to make room for Blach.
How does the roster look to the rest of you?
. The roster is increased from 25 to 26 men. This helps offset the huge number of pitchers being used and gives teams a little more semblance of a true bench. This new rule might save Drew Ferguson.
. There will be only one trade deadline -- July 31st. Players can be waived after that date, but they can't be traded. This will force the Giants to make their trades earlier this summer, but it may also make for more of a trade frenzy as the one and only trade deadline approahces.
. Pitchers will be required to face a minimum of three batters or reach the end of a half inning. This will cut down on the use of LOOGY's a bit. As for now the Giants shouldn't be affected too much, since Will Smith, Tony Watson and Travis Bergen can all get right-handers out. Surprsingly, the guy it might hurt the most is switch pitcher Pat Venditte, who was just optioned to the minors along with Austin Slater. As I mentioned when the Giants signed him, Venditte is pretty much a LOOGY despite being able to pitch with his right hand. He's just not as good a pitcher right-handed.
So who makes it?
The starters are Bumgarner, Holland, Samardzija, Pomeranz and Rodriguez. The relievers may be Smith, Watson, Bergen, Dyson, Gott, Moronta, Vincent and Stratton, with Blach and Suarez going down and Melancon on the DL.
Catchers -- Buster and Rivera
Infielders -- Belt, Panik, Crawford, Longoria, Solarte and Sandoval
Outfielders -- Duggar, Williamson, Parra, Maybin and Ferguson
There are several other players with a chance, but those are my guesses. Ferguson is very vulnerable and may not even be a favorite. Certainly Hanson has a shot. And Garcia, not Rivera, could easily be the backup catcher. Vincent is anything but a lock, and perhaps the Giants will trade one of the lefty relievers to make room for Blach.
How does the roster look to the rest of you?