2020-2021 Off-season News Notes and Discussion #2

[Gary Redus]

Dwayne Murphy has to be on that list.

[Ron Madden]

Jon Heyman
@JonHeyman
Anibal Sanchez turned down multiple MLB offers after impressing in a showcase but now plans to wait to see how the protocols/virus go in spring and hope a contender calls while he waits. If things are under control he’ll pitch. Not opting out, just stepping back at the moment.

[M2]

Dwayne Murphy has to be on that list.

I'm guessing you mean the Murphy, Rickey Henderson, Tony Armas (one name, four body parts) outfield. They'd definitely be on the short list for all-time stud defensive OFs. The Expos crew of Marquis Grissom, Larry Walker and Moises Alou also was pretty slick.

[mth123]

I'm guessing you mean the Murphy, Rickey Henderson, Tony Armas (one name, four body parts) outfield. They'd definitely be on the short list for all-time stud defensive OFs. The Expos crew of Marquis Grissom, Larry Walker and Moises Alou also was pretty slick.

I'll take Bobby Bonds, Willie Mays and Ken Henderson as my best defebsive OF ever and take my chances with whoever anyone else comes up with. Buford, Blair and Robinson might be one. Matthews, Maddox and McBride need to be on the list as well.

[M2]

Matthews, Maddox and McBride need to be on the list as well.

I got to see a lot of the Phillies in those years. That OF only existed in the strike-shortened 1981 season, all three were in their 30s and the unit was overall pretty bad. McBride was shot by that point (went over the hill fast), and Maddox made him look better than he was even when he was at his best. Prime Bake was a pro hitter with a solid (but no better than solid) glove. Matthews was never a good fielder. Even Maddox was coming off his prime by '81. When Lonnie Smith played in either corner that season, he was defensive upgrade over what they normally had ... and Skates is one of the most infamous fielders in history.

I also don't think Old Willie, Henderson (meh glove) and Bonds (meh glove, big arm) belong in the conversation, though I didn't get to see them in person like I did with the 1981 Phillies.

[Bourgeois Zee]

1956 Milwaukee had Bobby Thomson (a solid all-around LF), Bill Bruton (a defense-first CF), and Hank Aaron (perhaps the greatest defensive RF of all time).

[texasdave]

In the late 1990s, the Reds manned a monstrous outfield that had Tinkers-to-Evers-to-Chance possibilities written all over it: Young, Frank and Stynes. Scary to think how good that might have turned out.

[Ron Madden]

Jon Heyman
@JonHeyman
There are about a half dozen teams that seem to be considering JBJ

Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez said Tuesday former teammate Jackie Bradley Jr. told him he's waiting for a team to "take the next step" in free agency.

Bradley told Martinez he has a couple of standing offers but nothing that's enticed him to sign

per Chris Cotillo of MassLive

[Ron Madden]

Adam McCalvy
@AdamMcCalvy
After a decade of The Cardinal Way, Kolten Wong said he's been enjoying a different way. He views the Brewers as more aggressive shifters, deeper into analytics. "The newer way," Wong said.

[Ron Madden]

Though his first season as Yard Goats manager never got started, Southington’s Chris Denorfia will eventually make his debut in 2021.

The Rockies named Denorfia, the former major league outfielder, to manage their Double-A affiliate in Hartford, keeping the staff intact.

Denorfia, 40, who played at Choate School in Wallingford and Division III Wheaton College, spent the 2019 season with the Cubs as “quality assurance coach.” Previously, he played parts of 10 years in the majors with the Reds, A’s, Padres, Mariners and Cubs, hitting .272 in 808 games. In San Diego, he played for Bud Black, now the Rockies manager. After finishing is playing career in the Rockies organization in 2017, he launched a new career as special assistant to the GM with the Cubs.

https://www.courant.com

[M2]

I plan on catching a Yard Goats game this summer, assuming that they'll have fans in the stands.

[Ron Madden]

Love this answer from Dayton Moore

Alec Lewis
Royals GM Dayton Moore was asked today by
@BillShaikin about putting a competitive team together in this time, amid baseball's current climate. Thought Dayton's response was fascinating. A lot of awareness:

https://mobile.twitter.com/alec_lewi...65189932441602

[Joeyjection19]

Joe Madden with a thoughtful response regarding Andrelton Simmons and mental health.

Fabian Ardaya
Joe Maddon was asked about Andrelton Simmons’ comments about opting out of the last week of 2020 as he battled depression and thoughts of suicide, and what he can take from that going forward as a manager. He was pretty candid.

This was his full response.

https://mobile.twitter.com/FabianArd...26768506798084

[RedTeamGo!]

Royce Lewis blew out his knee. Will likely miss all of a 2021.

Bummer.

[redsmetz]

C Trent had an interesting take on the Reds' chances this season - a discussion with a bookmaker and how he's rating the team this season. A ray of hope.

He has the Reds expected win total at 81.5.

https://theathletic.com/2410051/2021...shared_article