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Post by Blunashun on Apr 10, 2018 16:10:12 GMT
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Post by boron on Apr 13, 2018 13:08:17 GMT
So here's a question: If Kershaw's fastball speed doesn't increase back to last year's level (which was already showing a downward trend), do the Dodgers give him a long-term extension?
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Post by laker8la on Apr 13, 2018 14:58:16 GMT
As long as Kershaw keeps producing results at an elite level (and he has so far this season), then yes. Kershaw deserves to be 2-0, not 0-2.
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Post by boron on Apr 13, 2018 15:21:37 GMT
My heart agrees with you, but I'm not sure it's the wisest move. The question is not whether he is elite now, the question is will he continue to produce at an elite level. He certainly has the skills to weather a drop in velocity, but for how long and to what degree?
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Post by hunteralan on Apr 13, 2018 16:27:55 GMT
So here's a question: If Kershaw's fastball speed doesn't increase back to last year's level (which was already showing a downward trend), do the Dodgers give him a long-term extension? Depends on if you believe he is capable of continuing to be an ace without 95 mph. The fact that he has a killer slider and possibly the best curveball in the game, allays my fears personally. Kershaw is already beginning to make the adjustment himself. That adjustment started last year as he threw a lower percentage of fastballs than he ever had and has continued this season. This adjustment from starters being more fastball dominant is beginning to look like a trend in baseball. I read in an article on the Dodgers homepage that fastball usage is down across the league among starters. The two Cy Young winner last season, Scherzer and Kluber, had markedly lower fastball usage in 2017. Scherzer threw a career low 48% fastballs last season (down from 59% just two years earlier) and Kluber threw a career low 43% fastballs (down from 58% just the previous year). So Kershaw isn't alone in this. If you think about it, it shouldn't be too great a surprise that starters are adjusting their games in this way. With all the hitters changing launch angles and swinging for power, starters beginning to change a hitters timing by throwing more off speed and mixing their pitches a little more makes sense. One of the things I've heard about Kershaw is he's changing his pitch sequencing more than in the past. Pitching off his slider just as much as he does off his fastball. Even more so than the injury concerns, watching Kershaw as he makes adjustments to his game this season may be a bigger factor in the teams decision to extend him or not. |
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Post by boron on Apr 13, 2018 22:03:08 GMT
So here's a question: If Kershaw's fastball speed doesn't increase back to last year's level (which was already showing a downward trend), do the Dodgers give him a long-term extension? Depends on if you believe he is capable of continuing to be an ace without 95 mph. The fact that he has a killer slider and possibly the best curveball in the game, allays my fears personally. Kershaw is already beginning to make the adjustment himself. That adjustment started last year as he threw a lower percentage of fastballs than he ever had and has continued this season. This adjustment from starters being more fastball dominant is beginning to look like a trend in baseball. I read in an article on the Dodgers homepage that fastball usage is down across the league among starters. The two Cy Young winner last season, Scherzer and Kluber, had markedly lower fastball usage in 2017. Scherzer threw a career low 48% fastballs last season (down from 59% just two years earlier) and Kluber threw a career low 43% fastballs (down from 58% just the previous year). So Kershaw isn't alone in this. If you think about it, it shouldn't be too great a surprise that starters are adjusting their games in this way. With all the hitters changing launch angles and swinging for power, starters beginning to change a hitters timing by throwing more off speed and mixing their pitches a little more makes sense. One of the things I've heard about Kershaw is he's changing his pitch sequencing more than in the past. Pitching off his slider just as much as he does off his fastball. Even more so than the injury concerns, watching Kershaw as he makes adjustments to his game this season may be a bigger factor in the teams decision to extend him or not. All fine and fair points. I'm not concerned about him dominating with a 92 mph fastball. I worried about what happens when its an 89 mph fastball - or perhaps lower. |
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Post by jeremyv98 on Apr 16, 2018 3:51:24 GMT
So here's a question: If Kershaw's fastball speed doesn't increase back to last year's level (which was already showing a downward trend), do the Dodgers give him a long-term extension? Good question. |
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Post by laker8la on Apr 16, 2018 15:29:17 GMT
So here's a question: If Kershaw's fastball speed doesn't increase back to last year's level (which was already showing a downward trend), do the Dodgers give him a long-term extension? Good question. Yes, the Dodgers are going to give him a long-term extension. He might be down a tick or two on his fastball, but his slider looks down right nasty again, and his curveball is deadly too. Again, Kershaw is still putting up elite numbers. So far he is 1-2, but other than that his stat-line is very impressive! 26 IP, 31 Ks, only 3 BBs, 1.73 ERA, 0.9 WAR already. The only thing I worry about is the HRs, he's already given up 4 of them. If he could cut those down, he would be un-hittable. |
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Post by 88bulldog on Apr 16, 2018 15:46:54 GMT
Yup...
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Post by boron on Apr 18, 2018 21:51:35 GMT
There is no doubt he is incredibly impressive and fully expect him to have an outstanding year, health permitting. But how good will he be in 4-5 (or 7) years? Maybe its worth it to keep your franchise player and accept you are going to eat some salary on the back end of his contract. I hope they resign him - but I'm not sure its a cut and dry choice. I'm really glad I don't have to make the decision.
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Post by 88bulldog on Apr 18, 2018 23:01:20 GMT
I think it's a no brainer. He's the face of the franchise. Much like Jeter was to the Yankees.
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Post by Bklyn_LA on Apr 18, 2018 23:18:05 GMT
There is no doubt he is incredibly impressive and fully expect him to have an outstanding year, health permitting. But how good will he be in 4-5 (or 7) years? Maybe its worth it to keep your franchise player and accept you are going to eat some salary on the back end of his contract. I hope they resign him - but I'm not sure its a cut and dry choice. I'm really glad I don't have to make the decision. The ONLY thing that concerns me about Kersh, is his back!!. If that part of the body stay relatively free and clear, then all is green and I certainly would like for Clayton to be a Dodger 4 life! |
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Post by boron on Apr 18, 2018 23:46:22 GMT
But at what cost? Surely, there is an amount and number of years that you have to say no to.
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Post by 88bulldog on Apr 19, 2018 2:29:49 GMT
Of course, I don't think it gets to that point though.
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Post by Bklyn_LA on Apr 19, 2018 2:48:28 GMT
But at what cost? Surely, there is an amount and number of years that you have to say no to. That is the question; First of all I'd give CK a flat 100m just for being himself, just based on what Kersh has meant to this franchise. I'd really need to think about that, but off the top of my head: I don't want to go past 5 years, as that what nature tells me after 35 years old, especially without options, but if he performs, he performs and he'll get much better than market rate, especially if a WS is won! However, with the front office paying much more attention to saber metrics these days will make players a little less rich, but time will tell? |
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