[Mick]

Rodon signs with the Yankees.  6 years $162M

His AAV is greater than Correa…

27.0 v. 26.92

Correa is a much, much better deal than Rodon. Rodon's had two All-Star years in a row (his Chisox year being a bit better than his Giants year, but he led the league in Fielding Independent Pitching last year at 2.25). His WHIP's been tremendous, 1.028 last year, 0.978 the year before. His six years prior to that were ordinary with a fair amount of injuries -- he had 92 starts in those six years. Stripling's career WHIP is less than 1.200 and he went 10-4 last year. I'm amazed he didn't get more interest.

This is shaping up to be a really strong team, that will do well with the new shift limits. The shift limits are actually stronger than I thought they would be.  Each team has to have two fielders on either side of second base -- that's the easy part. They also have to be on the infield dirt, not the outfield rim. Also, the fielders can't switch sides for different batters; e.g., Correa can't switch with the 2nd baseman if a strong lefty hitter is up. It does not prevent a team from positioning an outfielder in the infield or in shallow outfield grass.  I think Giants hitters and fielders will be better off with these rules.

Two other new rules:
1) Bases will be 18 inches square instead of 15 inches square, in order to reduce injuries.
2) Pitch timer will include 30 seconds between batters, 15 seconds between pitches with no one on base, 20 seconds between pitches with men on base. These rules have been in various minor leagues, and the effect has been games that are 26 minutes shorter on average, with steal attempts increasing from 2.23 per game with a 68% success rate to 2.83 attempts with a 77% success rate. BTW, the Giants' shiny new catcher who hit so well in AAA can't throw a lick. His caught stealing rate is about 10%.

[Mick]

Rodon signs with the Yankees.  6 years $162M

His AAV is greater than Correa…

27.0 v. 26.92

Correa is a much, much better deal than Rodon. Rodon's had two All-Star years in a row (his Chisox year being a bit better than his Giants year, but he led the league in Fielding Independent Pitching last year at 2.25). His WHIP's been tremendous, 1.028 last year, 0.978 the year before. His six years prior to that were ordinary with a fair amount of injuries -- he had 92 starts in those six years. Stripling's career WHIP is less than 1.200 and he went 10-4 last year. I'm amazed he didn't get more interest.

This is shaping up to be a really strong team, that will do well with the new shift limits. The shift limits are actually stronger than I thought they would be.  Each team has to have two fielders on either side of second base -- that's the easy part. They also have to be on the infield dirt, not the outfield rim. Also, the fielders can't switch sides for different batters; e.g., Correa can't switch with the 2nd baseman if a strong lefty hitter is up. It does not prevent a team from positioning an outfielder in the infield or in shallow outfield grass.  I think Giants hitters and fielders will be better off with these rules.

Two other new rules:
1) Bases will be 18 inches square instead of 15 inches square, in order to reduce injuries.
2) Pitch timer will include 30 seconds between batters, 15 seconds between pitches with no one on base, 20 seconds between pitches with men on base. These rules have been in various minor leagues, and the effect has been games that are 26 minutes shorter on average, with steal attempts increasing from 2.23 per game with a 68% success rate to 2.83 attempts with a 77% success rate. BTW, the Giants' shiny new catcher who hit so well in AAA can't throw a lick. His caught stealing rate is about 10%.