pfffffft this team is crazy.

but in his largest samples at AA and AAA, Putnam has showed good ground ball rates (high 40% to high 50%, along with good K/9 rates (8-9 K/9 at Columbus). Also has shown good control (minors career high of 3 BB/9 at AAA in 2011).

Does anyone know why they had him start seven games at AA in 2010? I’m wondering if it was a conversion attempt, or just spot starts.

I hope your next move makes more sense than your last few you’ve made.

Signed,

Lost

“Putnam throws five pitches for strikes, with his power fastball and devastating split finger both rated as plus pitches. His fastball consistently sits at 92-93 MPH and touches 96 MPH with good arm-side run and heavy sink to it. His second best pitch is his splitter which is nasty and already considered a major league out pitch, and was widely considered one of the top secondary pitches in college last year. He also throws a slider which is an effective third pitch that really came on last year and has become another go-to pitch in his arsenal and has the makings of a third plus pitch in his arsenal. His curveball sits in the low 70s and has some good depth to it with the potential to be an average pitch. His fifth pitch is a changeup, but in college was more of a show pitch just to give hitters a different look and is a well below-average major league pitch. The curveball or changeup may be scrapped in order to have him concentrate more on refining his other much stronger pitches.

Putnam is considered around scouting circles as the ultimate college player because of his awesome two-way ability as a power pitcher and potent bat. He played some third base in college and is an excellent hitter who projects professionally as an outfielder with an excellent arm for right field. As a hitter, he showcases raw power to all fields and very good bat speed. At 6’2" 225-pounds he has a big frame to go along with very strong legs and broad shoulders that give him an ideal body to be a workhorse in the starting rotation. Now that he will concentrate solely on pitching, his velocity may creep up a little which is not uncommon for multi-positional players who pitch. He is an aggressive, power pitcher who shows excellent composure in tight games and is a notorious big game player who has that knack of coming through in the clutch with a big hit or quality start against another team’s ace."

I don’t mind long relief that can hit it out of the park!

Thoughts?

Slowey’s contract wasn’t gauranteed, so Rox could have cut Slowey and saved $3M without having to find a trade partner. Instead, now they have to pay $1.25 to NOT have Slowey.

Unless I’m missing something, this really does come down to paying a $1.25 signing bonus to Putnam. Worth it?