MLB 2017 Season

[Vander Blue Man Group]

At this point, the Sox have him under control through 2023 and they've likely cleared the dreaded "Super Two" deadline. If my calculations are correct (always a risky proposition, I know), they'd have to keep him down for most of 2018 - assuming a September call up - to gain another year of service time on the back end AND avoid Super Two I don't see how that does the player or the team much good.
No, he's not completely dominating AAA now, but he's shown enough there to indicate he isn't going to progress much more playing against that level of competition. Better off letting come up now and go through the likely rough patches than keep him at AAA for most of another season.

Got it.  Super Two shouldn't even be a consideration and I don't recall exactly how long he was up for last season but I would be surprised if they had to hold him down any longer than through May of next year to get the extra year of control.  Obviously I could be completely wrong. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Have the Cubs awakened?

Too early to tell but it certainly looks like it. Can't think of a better answer to all of the questions surrounding the Cubs then coming out and winning 5 (soon to be 6) in a row against two solid (but not good) squads.

Meanwhile, my Brewers barely managed two wins at home against the worst team in baseball before losing three in a row to two teams below .500. A LONG way from over but the race got a lot more interesting a lot quicker than I expected.

I fully expect EPSN to break out the whole "CHICAGO HAS RISEN" routine for the next few days at least.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

This is the Cubs team I remember from last season.  Quintana added and Hendricks coming back - things are looking up. 

[Pakuni]

Got it.  Super Two shouldn't even be a consideration and I don't recall exactly how long he was up for last season but I would be surprised if they had to hold him down any longer than through May of next year to get the extra year of control.  Obviously I could be completely wrong.

Assuming another September call up, he'd have about 60ish service days under his belt heading into next year. The get another year of control, they'd have to keep him under 172 ... or about about 110 in 2018. So he'd have to miss at least the first two months just for that year.
But even then, he'd almost be guaranteed Super Two status. Super Two guys, especially the good ones, can earn an additional $10+ million more over years 3-6. So at that point, unless you fear the player is going to bolt town as soon as he is able, there's really not much to be gained by keeping him back another year. You're either going to pay when year seven comes earlier, or you're going to pay over years 3 to 6 .

I just think the developmental benefits of bringing Moncada up now outweigh the potential costs in 2024. I may be proven wrong.

[DegenerateDish]

I think there's nothing to lose with bringing up Moncada now. Let him go through growing pains with the big league club now, I don't think there's much more development he's going to get in Charlotte. Plus Abreu is still here, and there's a third of the season with nothing to lose, no pressure on him this year to be a mega star.

[🏀]

Moncada makes total sense, contractual and interesting.

[#UnleashSean]

1 game back. That race got close quick.

[GGGG]

1 game back. That race got close quick.

I doubt a single Brewer fan is really all that surprised.

[wadesworld]

I doubt a single Brewer fan is really all that surprised.

Yeah.  The fact that the Brewers are in first place on July 21 is a billion times more surprising than it is that the Cubs closed the gap in the division (on any team, let alone the Brewers) by 4.5 games in 5 days.

[Jockey]

The cubs found the Brewers formula for losing.

Relievers walking guys. Edwards, Rondon, and Grimm combined for 7 walks in just over an inning. These 3 have walked 58 batters in 110 IP. The Brewers have lost several games recently by relievers coming in and walking the 1st batter who ends up scoring.

Is it really that hard to find guys who can throw strikes?

[#UnleashSean]

Today showed the immediate need for relief pitching for the cubs.

[#UnleashSean]

Is it really that hard to find guys who can throw strikes?

I think the hard part is not having the ball Charlie brown them on the way up the middle

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Today showed the immediate need for relief pitching for the cubs.

The Cubs bullpen has actually been really good overall this season, excluding the 8th inning today.

[Jockey]

The Cubs bullpen has actually been really good overall this season, excluding the 8th inning today.

Rondon and Grimm are pretty bad, but the rest of the guys have thrown well.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Rondon and Grimm are pretty bad, but the rest of the guys have thrown well.

Rondon had a really nice stretch until that turd today. I'd take another solid arm but it's not something I'm terribly worried about.

[DegenerateDish]

Nice trade for the Sox, Swarzak having a good year, but this was a guy they signed to a minor league deal in the spring. If Cordell can be a 4th outfielder, that'll work.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I'll grant that Lackey is a jackass but Hawk Harrelson is a complete moron:

“I was hoping that they would drill his ass big time because he’s an idiot,” Harrelson said. “At that point, the game was not the issue. It was Lackey. He’s in the pennant race. This is a big-boy game. There’s no bull(expletive) here. He’s putting (Kris) Bryant and (Anthony) Rizzo in jeopardy.”

Harrelson said he was “protecting my Sox.” When told Lackey said he hadn’t hit the Sox players on purpose, Harrelson balked.

“He’s full of (expletive), and you can print that,” Harrerlson said. “He’s full of it. He always has been.”

Harrelson said he didn’t know if the score was settled after Sox reliever Chris Beck hit Ian Happ with a pitch in the bottom of the inning.

“I hope not,” Harrelson said. “4-for-1 is not very good math. Let’s see how the game goes. Sometimes you might even file it until maybe -- I don’t think he will be, but if he’s back with them next year -- maybe file it until next year.”  

[GGGG]

Harrelson has been an embarrassment for years. No idea why the Sox keep him around.

[buckchuckler]

nm

[DegenerateDish]

I finally figured out what Kansas City Special means. I like to think Hawk realizes what it means too, and just doesn't give an eff when he says it.

[JWags85]

Harrelson has been an embarrassment for years. No idea why the Sox keep him around.

I particularly liked when he was calling for the Sox to settle it with Lackey in the parking lot.  Pure class.  Cause hitting someone to load the bases in a 2 run game is totally a spiteful move.  Lackey just sucks and has lost most of his control.

Hawk and Brian McCann can go sit on a porch somewhere together and scream at kids for playing baseball in the street the wrong way.

[Pakuni]

I get why people dislike Hawk, but I'll never understand why he's despised for being a unrepentant homer and Harry Caray is beloved for being an unrepentant homer.

[MerrittsMustache]

I get why people dislike Hawk, but I'll never understand why he's despised for being a unrepentant homer and Harry Caray is beloved for being an unrepentant homer.

Really?

Hawk is the mean drunk uncle.

Harry was the fun-loving drunk uncle.

[robmufan]

I get why people dislike Hawk, but I'll never understand why he's despised for being a unrepentant homer and Harry Caray is beloved for being an unrepentant homer.

Steve Stone has done broadcasts with both of them...and he really can't stand being with Hawk

[MU82]

Really?

Hawk is the mean drunk uncle.

Harry was the fun-loving drunk uncle.

This.

Plus, Hawk was a former ballplayer and, for about 3 hours, a GM. He should know what the hell he's talking about sometimes.