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The Fisher Cats were down to their final strike, trailing by two runs but came back from the dead to walk it off. That made up for the losses of Dunedin and Lansing. Buffalo were "colded out". Ryan Hissey was the big star in New Hampshire with Josh Palacios close behind. Patrick Murphy started and pitched well.

Pawtucket at Buffalo postponed

The game was called because of the cold. It will be made up on April 29th. To make up for the disappointment, Vlad Jr. has been called up and will meet the team in Scranton for Thursdays game.


Reading 4 New Hampshire 5

Patrick Murphy was on fire in this game. It was 13 up, 13 down and, through five innings, Murphy had faced one hitter over the minimum and allowed two hits. In the sixth Murphy issued his first walk of the game and then gave up a two run home run to Micky Moniak, the overall first pick in the 2016 draft. Murphy came back out for the seventh and the defense made two errors behind him. That led to two more unearned runs. Despite the four runs allowed, it was an excellent start for Murphy. He had eight K's in his 6.2 innings.

NH scored in the first inning, Vinny Capra singled and later scored when Alberto Mineo singled. They added another in the third, Josh Palacios and Santiago Espinal singled. That brings us to the ninth inning with the Cats trailing 4-2. Brandon Grudzielanek reached on an error. Ryan Hissey came to bat with two outs. On a 1-2 count, down to his last strike, Hissey homered to tie the game. Capra followed with a walk, stole second and scored thanks to a single by Palacios. Palacios, Mineo and Espinal had two hits each.


Dunedin 0 Fort Myers 4

Dunedin are in a bad run of form at the moment and the bats are dead. This is their second straight shutout. They picked up five hits in the game, one for each of five hitters. Ryan Noda had the only extra base hit, a double. Only Chris Bec did not strikeout, Christian Williams had three K's.

Maximo Castillo was the starter and he started well but was hit around a little in the second inning and surrendered three runs. He went 5.1 innings and had five K's and one walk. 2018 13th round draftee Brad Wilson pitched 2.2 innings with just one hit allowed.


West Michigan 6 Lansing 4

Joey Murray had a rough start. He was hit around in the second inning for five runs, an inning that included a home run and a couple of doubles. That was it for Murray after two innings. Murray was replaced by Jackson Rees who pitched five innings, just allowing one unearned run. He struck out eight.

For the offense Hagen Danner hit a solo home run. It was his third hit of the season and his third home run. Seven hitters had one hit each. Alejandro Kirk drove in two runs, one with a sac fly.



3 Stars

3rd star: Patrick Murphy

2nd star: Josh Palacios

1st star: Ryan Hissey


Boxes

Fisher Cat's Resurrection | 36 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Thomas - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 08:37 AM EDT (#372353) #
It sounds like that it was a really exciting game in New Hampshire, and a very promising start by Murphy.
whiterasta80 - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 09:59 AM EDT (#372355) #
Either the club has a tonne of faith in Murphy's makeup or that was a particularly bad handling of a pitcher making his 3rd career start at AA.
Mike Green - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 10:06 AM EDT (#372356) #
Why do you think do, whiterasta?  Murphy ended up throwing 83 pitches in his 6.2 innings of work.  In his last inning,  he faced 5 batters- the first reached on an error by the leftfielder, the second struck out, the third grounded a triple to right field, the fourth struck out and the last reached on a throwing error by the third baseman.  He was probably at between 65 and 70 pitches through 6 innings.  I would have left him in unless he looked tired. 
whiterasta80 - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 10:44 AM EDT (#372358) #
After the walk and the HR I'd have been worried about him overthrowing (not knowing anything about his makeup, which I acknowledged in my comment). Given how he'd thrown until then I'd certainly let him try to finish 6 with a short leash but opening 7 is too much risk of undoing the good in my mind.

On top of the situation in the game, its also early in the season and he only went 4 his last time out.

Admittedly, when I wrote the comment I was also of the opinion that cold weather increased the risk of injury but upon further review if anything it is the opposite.

Mike Green - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 10:53 AM EDT (#372360) #
Murphy threw 76 pitches in those 4 innings in his first start.  83 pitches spread out over more innings seems like a reasonable step up to me. 
hypobole - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 01:35 PM EDT (#372367) #
Has anyone tried to watch any of the Lansing home games? I could swear they had audio last year.
ramone - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 01:38 PM EDT (#372368) #
"Has anyone tried to watch any of the Lansing home games? I could swear they had audio last year."

I asked Jesse Goldberg-Strassler on twitter, he says they have no idea why there is no volume and thus far haven't been able to fix it.
hypobole - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 01:46 PM EDT (#372369) #
No Groshans in the lineup today. He was removed yesterday after 2 PA's.
ramone - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 01:47 PM EDT (#372370) #
"No Groshans in the lineup today. He was removed yesterday after 2 PA's."

Sorry for replying to everything, I am listening to the Lugs right now, Jesse said on the broadcast that Groshans is dealing with something minor, they said something to the effect of no big deal.
hypobole - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 01:57 PM EDT (#372371) #
ramone, thank you for the answers and by all means keep replying.
bpoz - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 01:58 PM EDT (#372372) #
I anticipated P Murphy to have a pretty good AA season this year because he dominated last year.. So far so good.

Z Logue I saw as high floor/low ceiling. His success would be great but not really wow me. I do think he will get to the Majors. A T Pannone type probably.


H Perez and Y Diaz I was prepared for a season of struggles like SRF and C Greene in 2017. Surprised that Y Diaz has the best results so far.

I really don't know how good A Sopko is or what he throws. He has 189 IP in AA.
Gerry - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 02:08 PM EDT (#372373) #
Vladdy is at DH for the Bisons game tonight.
hypobole - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 02:34 PM EDT (#372374) #
Today is also day 15 of the season, so he could be called up starting tomorrow and still be a Jay for the 7th year (unless there is a makeup game at season's end). I'm guessing it will still be a few days more rehab in Buffalo.

Then it's getting Vlad on the 40 man. DFA for Hansen or Brito?
Mike Green - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 03:41 PM EDT (#372376) #
Albies extended on the basis of 5 X $7 million plus two option years at $7M.  Analysts describe it as variously "team-friendly", "a massive bargain for the Braves", "the worst contract ever for a player", and "malpractice" (presumably on the part of the player's agent.  With the Acuna Jr. contract already negotiated this year, they're going to be putting up statues of Anthopoulos in Atlanta soon.  They might have some space for them...Atlanta's Alex Anthopoulos adds Acuna and Albies.
85bluejay - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 04:18 PM EDT (#372379) #
You really have to question the conflict of interest of agents - the agent knows he can be fired at any time and lose out on future commissions, but he gets paid with the contract signing - I feel like the MLPA is MIA on educating players. seems like every man for himself.
uglyone - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 04:23 PM EDT (#372380) #
Alex Anthopolous, man.

Fortune Favors the Bold.
uglyone - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 04:32 PM EDT (#372381) #
Otto Lopez won't stop, can't stop.
hypobole - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 06:18 PM EDT (#372382) #
The Bautista extension was bold. The Acuna/Albies extensions definitely not bold on Atlanta's part.

AA is one slick salesman though.
Thomas - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 06:27 PM EDT (#372383) #
There is nothing bold about this Albies deal.

It is, frankly, ridiculous.
uglyone - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 06:54 PM EDT (#372384) #
SK in NJ - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 08:51 PM EDT (#372391) #
The Albies extension defies logic. That seems like the type of low ball offer you give someone in the beginning stages of a negotiation, knowing the counter will be a lot higher, but somehow the original offer was accepted. Smart of AA to get him and Acuna signed to extremely team friendly extensions, but I'm not sure what that says about the future of the game. Are players so afraid of an impending lockout that they would give away their 20's at bargain basement cost? Albies probably could have made around $35 million if he just went through the normal arbitration process, and he likely would have cleared $45 million easily in his first free agent deal assuming he didn't fall off a cliff in his mid-20's.

Just a bizarre deal all around.
dan gordon - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 08:59 PM EDT (#372393) #
"Albies extended on the basis of 5 X $7 million plus two option years at $7M"

It's actually a lot worse than that (or better if you're a Braves fan). The deal is 7 years at $5 million, not 5 years at $7 million. And that includes the $4 million buyout if the 1st option year is not taken. Given that the option years will likely be exercised, the first 7 years are for a total of only $31 million, and then 2 option years at $7 million each, so 9 years, and $45 million. If Albies becomes a star, this contract will be as ridiculous as Chris Davis', only in the other direction.
bpoz - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 09:25 PM EDT (#372395) #
Dunedin wins 5-0.
Nick Allgeyer one of our older college picks of 2018 pitched 5 good innings.
Thomas - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 09:25 PM EDT (#372396) #
I read one analysis that said that Albies essentially signed away four years of free agency for less than he'd get in one year of free agency.

And, while I think that this contract is criminal, I thought that was a pure exaggeration. However, considering what Albies is expected to produce, and inflation, I think it's very possible that the author's point is entirely correct. And that ignores the fact he'd earn more going year-to-year in arbitration than he's guaranteed in this contract.

I mean, if you removed the four free agent seasons from this contract, it'd still be a steal from Atlanta's perspective, but at least you could make a case for as to why Albies would want to guarantee money, particularly if he got some money up front (which he doesn't in this deal in any case).

I've read a report suggesting that Albies' agency was afraid he would drop them before signing his big deal. I don't know how much stock to put in that report and we'll never know what Albies and his agency discussed before signing the deal. However, the comments Albies made at or around his press conference about being able to earn back any money he left on the table in four or five years don't suggest someone who is well-informed about how his next nine years are likely to play out.
krose - Thursday, April 11 2019 @ 09:30 PM EDT (#372397) #
VGJ has a homer,double and a stolen base so far tonight.
dan gordon - Friday, April 12 2019 @ 12:02 AM EDT (#372402) #
It all depends on how Albies develops, but if he becomes a star player, his salary for the 9 years could be something like (in millions): 0.5, 0.5, 4.0, 10.0, 18.0, 25.0, 25.0, 25.0, 25.0 which totals $133 million. He's getting $45 million, only 1/3 of the suggested number.
Glevin - Friday, April 12 2019 @ 04:25 AM EDT (#372404) #
Albies' contract is the worst I've ever seen and the more you look at it, the worse it looks. This is a product of an unfair system which, in this case, is as much the union's fault as the owners'. If the union had fought at all for younger players instead of focusing all their efforts on veteran free agents, this wouldn't happen. These players are signing cheap extensions because they got low signing bonuses and are getting relatively little money and want to take care of their families who are often quite poor and need immediate help. A structure that pays more fairly early in players' career (let's just say minimum salary of $1M or arbitration earlier) would alleviate these issues and allow players to hold out for full value instead of selling themselves short.
ayjackson - Friday, April 12 2019 @ 07:00 AM EDT (#372405) #
It comes down to an individual's tolerance for risk. This lad seems to have very little.
85bluejay - Friday, April 12 2019 @ 07:41 AM EDT (#372406) #
If I were a player I'd probably advocate to have Albies agent decertified by the MLBPA for conduct detrimental to the MLBPA.
uglyone - Friday, April 12 2019 @ 10:25 AM EDT (#372417) #
which was a crazier steal? the donaldson trade or this albies deal?

AA, man.
mathesond - Friday, April 12 2019 @ 11:16 AM EDT (#372419) #
Sounds lkke the Braves have a new fan!
SK in NJ - Friday, April 12 2019 @ 11:44 AM EDT (#372421) #
Albies originally signed for $350,000, and Acuna signed for $100,000. I don't know anything about their family situations, but between that and getting paid peanuts in the minors, they likely felt like they had to get the guaranteed money as quick as possible. It's weird to feel bad for a millionaire, but Albies got a really bad deal here.

Eloy Jimenez got more before he even took a pitch in the Majors, and only had to give up 2 free agent years (which would pay him $16.5M and $18.5M if the options are exercised) to get that first six year guarantee. That deal makes a lot more sense for him. If all of his options are picked up he will get $75M and then hit free agency after his age 29 season. So best case he gets $75M from ages 22-29. Not the worst outcome. Albies got really bad advice. If he needed money that badly, he still could have negotiated a higher contract. He's giving up FOUR free agent years. He had some leverage there.

MLBPA definitely needs to change the system. Even something like a higher league minimum (ex. $1M in year 1, and $1.5M in year 2) followed by four years of arbitration would help the players. That type of structure might cause a lot of non-tenders in years 4 and 5, but do something where the players gets a $750k buyout if he's non-tendered, or something along those lines. That's still peanuts for the owners but makes a difference for the players.
Mike Green - Friday, April 12 2019 @ 11:56 AM EDT (#372423) #
Surely there has to be a way for a player to insure against the risk, or borrow at reasonable rates against reasonably anticipated future earnings.  Could the union not set something like this up itself if not available on the private market?  With a player like Albies, the primary risk is simply disability. 
SK in NJ - Friday, April 12 2019 @ 12:09 PM EDT (#372424) #
I think giving up a year or (at most) two years of free agency to get a guaranteed deal for years 0-6 is a good strategy by the players. It might end up looking like they short changed themselves, but going back to the Jimenez deal, he gets a guaranteed $43M for his 0-6 years, so even if he gets hurt or inexplicably declines to the point of not being good, that's his money. If he's good, then he gets $35M over his first two FA years, which is not a small dollar amount. You could live with that deal.

I think there was a way for both Acuna and Albies to sign these extensions and not give up (potentially) so much money or more importantly so much of their primes. Of course there is risk for the team as well but it's mostly injury risk, and the price is small enough to justify that risk for the team.
Thomas - Friday, April 12 2019 @ 12:24 PM EDT (#372426) #
Even with the primary risk being injury (which is of a distinct nature than it would be a for a pitcher), I think the degree of risk is overstated. Of course, Albies could conceivably suffer a career-ending injury tomorrow.

However, Jurickson Profar essentially missed two years due to injury, and then was poor in 2016 and 2017 (potentially because the injury had lingering effects or impacted his underlying talent). Those two seasons were his first years playing after his shoulder issues and he spent them between Texas and their Triple-A affiliate. Last year, Profar finally begun to show his potential and posted a 107 OPS during a full season in the majors at age 25. This was his first season posting an OPS over 80 in the majors during a full or partial season. Profar was worth 2.1 WAR.

With that background, which includes one above average season in the majors and a significant injury history, Profar is going to make $3.6 million this year. He has two more years of team control and, with mediocre offensive seasons, he'll likely earn more than Albies in his final year of arbitration eligibility (if Profar isnt released during this time).

Even if Albies was injured, I think that the risk to his earnings is generally overstated unless it was a career-ending injury. I think that this is particularly the case in a contract where the base salary on an annual basis is so low and it's not as if his option years are locked in at $15 or $20 million per season.
85bluejay - Friday, April 12 2019 @ 12:34 PM EDT (#372427) #
There are companies that buy a percentage of a players future earnings, so Albies had alternatives - the agent and the MLBPA really dropped the ball - I don't get the criticism of AA & the Braves - it's their job to get the best deal for their employer - I remember a few years ago when the Royals were criticised for the extremely team friendly deal they signed with Salvador Perez - the royals actually redid that contract to pay Perez more (I think after they made/won WS).
Fisher Cat's Resurrection | 36 comments | Create New Account
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