Quote from fenn68 on February 14, 2026, 1:55 pm

Will be interesting to see the contracts for Marquez and Canning ... both are legit candidates for the bottom of the rotation contending with Sears and Vasquez.

On the other hand not enough room on the staff for all of them ... not sure what to do with the leftovers.

Quote from fenn68 on February 14, 2026, 2:03 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on February 14, 2026, 1:52 pm

Quote from lafnboy13 on February 14, 2026, 1:30 pm

We got German Marquez as well. It's Preller time.

This one is... Well, doesn't excite as much. Worst starting pitcher in the bigs last season, or close to it. Was actually worse away than he was at Coors. Niebla is awesome, but he's gonna have to dig deep on this project.

Looking at his career ... but just his starts away from COORS ... he is has an "average" ERA (2025 was just overall bad recovering from injury). Only 30 and with his AWAY stats combined with Niebla ... does make for a workable 5th SP. He does have (or had) the stuff for success. Still a gamble ... so let us see the contract.

Quote from Commie on February 14, 2026, 2:49 pm

Castellanos is a solid, no risk add. Fits in budget and if he'd doesn't get along with Manny and Joe... been nice to know you.

I agree with some of the sentiment above on Marquez. Could be a sneaky good add. I always thought he was miscast at Coors. While home-away splits are relavent in evaluating Rockies players, I think playing half your games on the moon tends to influence players in negative ways at sea level.

Quote from BoosterSD on February 14, 2026, 5:11 pm

With the signing of Canning and Marquez, does Preller have a big trade up his sleeve? Pivetta and maybe a RP  traded for salary relief and a surprising return piece.

Quote from Commie on February 14, 2026, 5:40 pm

Quote from BoosterSD on February 14, 2026, 5:11 pm

With the signing of Canning and Marquez, does Preller have a big trade up his sleeve? Pivetta and maybe a RP  traded for salary relief and a surprising return piece.

Such as?

Never underestimate AJP of course.

Quote from Jeremy Hill on February 14, 2026, 6:08 pm

Catching up on all of the signings today. I like the Canning signing. He looked like he was having a mini breakout of sorts early last year. He was on my short list of guys I thought could still help.

I was surprised by the Castellanos signing. I thought he might go somewhere where playing time might be more guaranteed. If he can hit lefties and make the transition to 1B he could be useful. I'm looking at it similarly to signing a guy to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. If he shows well he's got a chance to make the team otherwise it's still easy to move on. I'm also wondering if Manny had any input since Castellanos is a Miami guy.

With Marquez I think we have to remember that he was coming back from what was basically a 2 year absence. I'm never going to be upset by a low cost bounce back play.

Quote from brent wolff on February 14, 2026, 6:58 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on February 14, 2026, 1:52 pm

Quote from lafnboy13 on February 14, 2026, 1:30 pm

We got German Marquez as well. It's Preller time.

This one is... Well, doesn't excite as much. Worst starting pitcher in the bigs last season, or close to it. Was actually worse away than he was at Coors. Niebla is awesome, but he's gonna have to dig deep on this project.

It seems to me that Marquez has always pitched well at Petco, plus throw in a little Nieabla magic touch and he may surprise.  It is AJ Preller time!

Quote from fenn68 on February 14, 2026, 7:24 pm

All these moves should make for an interesting ST for the SP. A lot of upside while at the same time a lot of downside for each player. I don't expect any moves until near the end of ST after we see the status of each arm.

First (and most important) the top 3 of Pivetta, King, and Musgrove need to stay healthy. Then the competition of #4 and #5 is wide open:

1. Vasquez ... incumbent leader coming off a good 2025 but the analytical guys seem concerned with regression given his weak pereferials yet a guy who makes his starts
2. Sears ... solid innings eater who stays healthy but ERA over the years above league average for a SP ...
3. Marquez ... in the 2018-22 timeframe a top arm away from Coors ... TJ surgery and some subsequent injuries have lead to little  innings then poor performance during 2025 recovery. Is he healthy? Has his stuff returned? Can Niebla modify his repertoire to protect his arm?
4. Canning ... below average ERA for years and coming off an Achilles injury BUT showed life before the injury as the Mets adjusted his pitch arsenal. Is he healthy? Can Niebla continue on the pitch repertoire modifications the Mets introduced?
5. Waldron ... out of options who had streaks of effectiveness in the past
6. McKenzie ... non-roster but was outstanding with Niebla in Cleveland years back. Can he rebound.
7. Gonzalez ... non-roster and injured last year but was a good arm prior. Healthy?

I would like to say I see to clear winners for the #4-5 roles ... but I don't. Don't see the odds being very good for Waldron - McKenzie - Gonzalez out of ST. If both Canning and Marquez show well ... technically Sears and Vasquez can be optioned or one goes as the long man / 6th SP. However, in turn, that adds to an already packed pen.

Preller may be making moves at the end of ST IF all the candidates are looking effective (unlikely ALL). Fun ST.

Quote from fenn68 on February 14, 2026, 7:43 pm

Also in ST will be interesting who adapts defensively to 1B.

1. Sheet played little in the ML although was a 1B in college. CWS put him in the OF. Seems "stiff" and would question his range.
2. Andujar played little 1B but at last his history as a 3B suggest he has some facility to deal with ground balls.
3. Castellanos has played virtually no 1B ... came up as a 3B (but very bad defense), so a conversion has its risks.

Andujar may be the best hitter vs RHP and LHP but seems to get injured a lot ... has not proven to be a full season guy. Castellanos in on the downside of his career. Sheets historically can't hit LHP. Going to be an interesting mix and match when starting adding in the use of the DH as a resting spot for regulars.

I would almost want Andujar to be the full time 1B with Sheets / Castellanos be the DH platoon. Again, ST will be interesting.