Thursday Bantering: Martin, Osuna

Just some random links:

John Lott, over in the Athletic, wrote about Russell Martin playing third base last night. He was terrific. He made plays that Josh Donaldson wouldn’t have. He made plays that Josh might not have made in his prime.

Martin said:

“If there ever comes a day where I want to keep playing and catching is not no longer an option or something, I definitely feel like I can play just about anywhere on the field,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to be versatile and be able to play different positions, or know later on, if I’m just a role player and they need a super utility–type guy, I can be that guy.”

I think that would be a good spot for him next year when, I hope, Danny Jansen, takes over at catcher.

And there was this:

Growing up in Montreal, he was a teenage shortstop. Then, in college, mainly a third baseman but also a catcher, second baseman, first baseman and outfielder. And when the Dodgers drafted him, they told him that catching would be his quickest way to the majors.

All major leaguers played short at one time. All major leaguers were the best athletes on their teams in high school and you put your best athlete at short (or center field).

Over at FanGraphs, Sheryl Ring wrote about Roberto Osuna and the “limits of presuming innocence”.

To me this is the important part:

Let’s start with the Blue Jays’ statement. As a lawyer, among the first things one learns is that words matter, and what struck me about that statement is what was missing from it. Nowhere in that statement is there any qualification, like the words “allegedly” or “if true.”

The presumption of innocence is important in the courts. It is important that if it goes to court, no one on a jury prejudges him.

But the MLB, the Blue Jays, they aren’t a court of law.

Lots of things can happen between being arrested and appearing in a court of law. Many times the victim will want the charges dropped. Why? Economic reasons, Osuna stands to lose a ton of money. Personal reasons, she plans to stay with him, despite this. And some feeling that he’s been punished enough.

But the Jays don’t have to care about the charges being dropped or not. They can say ‘we see the evidence, we believe the police, we feel this happened’. If the Jays or MLB wait to see if a player is convicted on these things, well, they wouldn’t need a policy on sexual and domestic assault.

But they do need one. We can’t allow players to feel they can do these things because the know they won’t be convicted. You and I know that the odds that Osuna is actually convicted is slim. Almost 0.

Grant Brisbee and I agree on some things. Caring about the Red Sox and Yankees is one of them.

After hitting his grand slam, Yangervis Solarte’s family had a party for him.

Why do you think this is?

I wish they would score more runs early but it is fun that we score late. Why does it happen? I don’t know. Perhaps we are good against the fastball? Relievers tend to throw more fastballs. Many it is because relievers throw fewer different types of pitches than starters. It is easier for guess hitters.

Maybe we just like drama?