Pickles

To turn bp pieces into an everyday player.

Giving up a potential everyday player, who projects to have 30+ hr power, for volatile relievers sure isn't a value play.

That's what I would think as well. It is the LHH for the RHH though and McKenna is obviously the least valuable player, but that makes the most sense. Hays starts against all LHP, and depending on how he hits, a certain number of RHP, and McKenna is 5th OF/defensive replacement for Santander.

I agree with this. I don't think they'll suddenly "change" strategies, but I expect them to alter their strategies from series to series.

Who goes for him? McKenna's comported himself well. He might well get claimed.

This.

dAtA A small sample size of save percentage. That is one data point. Who is the better option then? Use the data.

Did he pitch his worst ball last season because it was in the 9th, or did he just happen to be pitching his worst ball at that point in the season? I'm going to need a bigger sample size. He sure just looked fine in the 9th right there, in a much more difficult save situation than is typical. He's leading the league in ground ball %. He strikes out plenty of guys in conjunction with that. I seem to recall a guy named Brittong was a great closer without top end "swing and miss."

There's not a perfect answer, but avoid back to backs seems to make the most sense.

You lose games in the 8th as easily as the 9th. Cano is a good pitcher. He's our best bp piece. If he scares you in that role, everybody else should scare you more.

I'd keep Kimbrel at "closer" but restrict his usage. And yeah, Cano should be first in line to get those opportunities. Wells and and perhaps Suarez as well.

Seems like you have to have been retired for 3 years, which Jones should qualify for. Maybe they're holding off for a reason.

He should have just brought Cano out initially. Stop pitching Kimbrel on back to back days.

They actually just mentioned last night's decision on the broadcast. And basically said Hyde rolled with Mateo because he's been playing well. And he really has been. I'm probably his biggest supporter on the board so I'm thrilled to see it.