I agree, I think Soto could have been a good fit for the Rangers. 1yr @ DH would give us that fill, and then with either Langford and/or Duran sliding into position, Adolis or Seager could fill DH. I just don't know Soto's clubhouse demeanor/fit.
I think Dunning would be too big of a loss and wouldn't have been necessary. He was our best SP the 1H23 and with 3 years of Arb, is a tremendous inexpensive piece moving forward.
Dunning as a SP went:May and June:10GS, 60IP and a 3.00 ERA
July: 5 GS, 5.06 ERA
Aug/Sept: 11 GS, 4.40 ERA
I'm hoping Dunning ran out of gas in the 2H and started to see fatigue and some loss in effectiveness. If he could sustain the 3.00 or even go to 3.50-3.75, for the entire 2024... I'd be pleased as punch.
Here is what NYY gave up:Michael King (28-MLB-RHP): 9GS, 49G, 2.75, 104.7, 127 SO, 1.146 WHIP)
Arb2 in '24
Jhony Brito (25-MLB-RHP): 13GS, 25G, 4.28, 90.1, 72 SO
Kyle Higashioka (33-MLB-C): 92G, .236, 10 HR, .274 OBP
Drew Thorpe (22-AA/A+-RHP): 23GS, 2.78, 139.1 IP, 182 SO (
Now SDP #6 prospect, #99overall)
Randy Vsquez (25-MLB-RHP): 5GS, 11G, 2.87, 37.2 IP, 33 SO (
Now SDP #15)
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Rangers equivalents?!Dunning (28-MLB-RHP): 26GS, 35G, 3.70 ERA, 172.2 IP, 140 SO, 1.263 WHIP
Arb1 in '24
Brito about like Brock Burke (26) or Cody Bradford (25), maybe?!
Thorpe is ranked somewhere between Brock Porter (our #4, 91 overall) and Jack Leiter. Foscue is our #6.
Our #15 is Josh Stephan (22-AA-RHP)
If we were in on Ohtani, Soto would have been a good short-term option:
J Soto (24-OF-LHB): 162G, .275, 35 HR, 12 SB, .410 OBP, 129 SO
Ohtani (28-DH-LHB): 135G, .304, 44 HR, 20 SB, .412 OBP, 143 SO
Having said that, keeping our powder dry will allow us to leverage those players during the season, if necessary. When the Yanks get eliminated, maybe they're willing to give up Soto for less.
OR... we might be in the market for a SP.