Scholarship table
Bump.
Harsh, but fair. I'll nom my crow - he's been dominant this postseason. I remain really surprised though - in a blind analysis, I'd probably make the same mistake again. Looking at Verlander's fastball velocity chart - http://www.fangraphs.com/pitchfxo.aspx?playerid=8700&position=&pitch=FA&data=pi - it looks like a clear uptick through 2016 that continued through 2017. But halfway through the year, that trend was less clear, and without his fastball velocity, Verlander isn't a great pitcher - https://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2017/8/12/16135278/justin-verlander-detroit-tigers-velocity-command-aging-trade-rumors-astros.I still have my doubts that he'll be able to keep this up for any extended period after the 2017 playoffs, and certainly wouldn't feel great being on the hook for $78M over the next three years (the 'Stros aren't, they got $ from Det to send better prospects). But there's no debating he's been lights out this postseason.
So.. was Verlander on PEDs?
No doubt he used PEDs in his career.
Did Nolan Ryan?
Kate was his PED. Seriously, he could end up being Doyle Alexander for the Astros. For those too young to remember, in 1987, the Tigers traded a prospect to Atlanta for Doyle Alexander. DA was lights out down the stretch, Detroit made the playoffs and lost to the Twins. DA had one more good year and then faded away. The prospect they traded away was John Smoltz.
Wow, I'm very concerned for Benny. Being able to mimic Myron Medcalf's writing so closely implies an oncoming case of dementia.
Verlanders early season numbers were skewed by two brutal starts against Cleveland. Watching him, I knew he was close to his best. Anybody who got him was going to get a horse. Yeah, he gave up two hits last night in 6 innings. He will give up homers.
It all depends on how the WS and next season play out. If Detroit won the WS in 1987, that trade would have been 100% worth it. Just like if Gleyber Torres becomes the best SS in baseball, that deal was worth it for the Cubs because Chapman helped them win the WS. If the Astros win the WS behind Verlander and Daz Cameron becomes Mike Trout, the trade is still worth it. If Houston loses, Verlander fades away and the prospects they traded become studs, the deal looks much, much worse.
Cubs got Brian Butterfield (third base coach) and Chili Davis (hitting coach) from the Red Sox. Davis has the reputation of being a great hitting coach, but basically every Red Sox hitter seemed to have a down year this year. I wonder how much influence Ortiz had on the young guys as hitters. Butterfield is a great 3rd base coach and was a popular guy in the clubhouse. Think Jerry Wainwright of baseball. First time in almost 50 years of Red Sox fandom that I cared that we're losing a 3rd base coach.
Thanks for the info. Sounds like the Boston guys and Hickey are highly regarded. I have to think Hickey has a lot of influence on how hard the Cubs will pursue Cobb.
...and if they'll attempt to make a move for Chris Archer. The Rays could use an upgrade at 2B and DH. Happ and/or Schwarber?
Reading between the lines so far of the Cubs offseason, one thing is clear, the seat is getting warm for Joe Maddon. Right or wrong, but it's pretty evident.
https://sports.yahoo.com/joe-torre-confirms-umps-blew-call-nationals-game-5-nlds-215507389.htmlBut boy, that'd hurt if I were a Nats fan.
Strongly disagree. How so?Epstein made it perfectly clear he's as safe as it gets.
Well, common sense for one. If I said "team loses in playoffs, head coach made questionable game decisions, third of coaching staff fired", you'd immediately say "wtf is going on there?". No matter who ultimately decided to let the three guys go, there's an issue in that clubhouse. Maybe it's Maddon, maybe it's not. No matter who it was, it puts the onus on Maddon now. It seems really really strange, between the timing, and Maddon's comments.The reaction of most Cubs fans is to believe nothing is wrong, but anyone who follows sports would suggest otherwise.