Aside from the groundball pitcher thing, there's one pretty obvious thing about Ben's approach this winter that stands out. Next year's prospective Opening Day lineup/rotation includes only two guys over 31, to last year's five, and three guys under 25, to last year's one. Average ages: 2014: 30, 2015: 28.
This has happened partly because two more prospects have graduated to probable regulars, but also because all of the players Ben has added so far this winter have been players in their prime (broadly defined), ranging from Porcello (26) to Hanley (31). A far cry from last year when the major additions were Pierzynski, Sizemore (the oldest 31 in baseball history) and Capuano.
This has happened partly because two more prospects have graduated to probable regulars, but also because all of the players Ben has added so far this winter have been players in their prime (broadly defined), ranging from Porcello (26) to Hanley (31). A far cry from last year when the major additions were Pierzynski, Sizemore (the oldest 31 in baseball history) and Capuano.