MASH Report (1/7/16)
• Kenta Maeda was recently signed by the Dodgers and looks to have some major elbow issues which will eventually cost him some playing time.
The sides agreed to a deal before the new year, but a source told Crasnick that concerns arose over he pitcher’s elbow during a physical. A source told ESPN’s Jim Bowden that the Dodgers also see an issue with Maeda’s shoulder and that a ligament in his elbow is indeed compromised. However, the 27-year-old has been pitching with both issues.
According to a source, the Dodgers know that Maeda will require surgery at some point but feel that signing him is still worth it if they can get three or four useful years out of him.
I have no clue where I am going to value him right now. I have heard his production and arsenal are similar to what Kuroda had which isn’t great. I think the buzz and unknown nature will get him overvalued.
• Omar Infante had bone chips removed from his elbow in November
Kansas City Royals second baseman Omar Infante underwent surgery in November to remove bone chips from his right elbow but is expected to be at full strength by the start of spring training, major-league sources told FOX Sports.
The Royals, who made no announcement of Infante’s procedure at the time it occurred, are confident the surgery will alleviate the shoulder issues that hampered Infante throughout his first two seasons in Kansas City. The team believes Infante altered his throwing motion to compensate for the elbow pain, thus creating the shoulder problem.
I am not sold on Infante being a shallow league relevant, but in deeper leagues where about everyone is in play, he may be worth a flier a bounceback candidate.
• Denard Span’s hip is well enough that he can jump high a few times.
I’m jus sayin ????? pic.twitter.com/b7QYRXfSuR
— Denard Span (@thisisdspan) January 4, 2016
• Cliff Lee is looking to make a comeback with the right team. I am not going to hold out too much hope until I hear some scouting reports from him.
• Jane Lee gives a health update on several Oakland players.
Hahn completed his rehab and is expected to enter camp on the same page as every other healthy starting pitcher. Josh Phegley and Stephen Vogt are also anticipated to come in with full health ….
Players possibly on the DL in 2016
The Red players have had updates since the last report. Click on the “Date” for a link to go to the latest article on the player.
Jeff, one of the authors of the fantasy baseball guide,The Process, writes for RotoGraphs, The Hardball Times, Rotowire, Baseball America, and BaseballHQ. He has been nominated for two SABR Analytics Research Award for Contemporary Analysis and won it in 2013 in tandem with Bill Petti. He has won four FSWA Awards including on for his Mining the News series. He's won Tout Wars three times, LABR twice, and got his first NFBC Main Event win in 2021. Follow him on Twitter @jeffwzimmerman.
You said ” I have heard his production and arsenal are similar to what Kuroda had which isn’t great.”
Kuroda was pretty damn good with a career ERA of 3.45 and WHIP of 1.17.
A 23.7 WAR from ages 33 to 39 is pretty good, right ?
Kuroda’s stats were playable in all leagues, but not great. Zach had him as the 35th ranked pitcher after the 2013 season. It would put him as a team’s #3 or #4 in a mixed 12-team league. Guessing around a 8th to 12th round pick.
http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/2013-end-of-season-rankings-starting-pitching/
Sure, but my point is that Kuroda was in his mid-30’s.
Maeda is 27. You have to believe that 27-32 year old Hiroki Kuroda would be better than 33-39 year old Hiroki Kuroda, don’t you ?
@Francis
Not if their stuff is the same
ie Kuroda’s at 35 and Maeda’s at 27
filihok:
I kind of thought of that after I posted. If whoever made the comparison said the 27 YO Maeda has the stuff of a 35 YO Kuroda, then it all makes sense.