New thread in honor of the offseason's first trade.
The Angels and Braves wasted little time hammering out the first significant trade of the offseason, as the teams announced Thursday that they've agreed on a swap sending designated hitter Jorge Soler to Anaheim in exchange for righty Griffin Canning.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/braves-trade-jorge-soler-angels.html
NEW YORK (AP) — After 42 seasons, Bob Costas is retiring from baseball play-by-play.
Costas had done games the past couple seasons for MLB Network and TBS Sports. His final games were the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals.
https://apnews.com/article/bob-costas-retires-baseball-1ce422d7c087c3fc162f4a535fa1f7f0
Quote from: Pakuni on October 31, 2024, 04:40:03 PMNEW YORK (AP) — After 42 seasons, Bob Costas is retiring from baseball play-by-play.
Costas had done games the past couple seasons for MLB Network and TBS Sports. His final games were the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals.
https://apnews.com/article/bob-costas-retires-baseball-1ce422d7c087c3fc162f4a535fa1f7f0
He lost his fastball a while ago, but in his prime I really enjoyed Costas in the booth. He obviously loves baseball.
Interesting situation in Tampa.
Tropicana Field won't be ready until 2026, but that will cost almost $56 million. With a new stadium expected to be ready for 2028, the Tampa city council might not want to invest that much on a two-year stopgap.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/tropicana-field-can-be-fixed-for-2026-season.html
Hearing rumors the White Sox are going to low ball offer Santander and then say "well we tried"
Quote from: Hidden User on November 12, 2024, 05:35:24 PMHearing rumors the White Sox are going to low ball offer Santander and then say "well we tried"
I hope you're right, I guess.
The only 30-year-olds they should be signing are guys on 1- or 2-year contracts that can be unloaded for prospects at the deadline.
Quote from: Pakuni on November 12, 2024, 05:40:53 PMI hope you're right, I guess.
The only 30-year-olds they should be signing are guys on 1- or 2-year contracts that can be unloaded for prospects at the deadline.
They should build the entire team out of Tommy Phams
Quote from: Hidden User on November 12, 2024, 05:45:33 PMThey should build the entire team out of Tommy Phams
There can be only one.
Quote from: Hidden User on November 12, 2024, 05:35:24 PMHearing rumors the White Sox are going to low ball offer Santander and then say "well we tried"
What's the point? They have made it clear they are cutting payroll, so why even go there? Plus if they did actually sign him they will alienate the fans even more.
On second thought, this is exactly what they will do.
Reports are the Tigers also low-balled Skubal. With Boras as his agent. Dumb.
Quote from: tower912 on November 13, 2024, 06:10:26 AMReports are the Tigers also low-balled Skubal. With Boras as his agent. Dumb.
My guess is the Tigers don't want to pay what he's going to get, and this is their way of saying "hey, we tried."
I said this during their run and during the playoffs. Making the playoffs and defeating the Astros with an $18.8 million payroll may not have been great. Instead of biting the bullet and paying market rate for a Cy Young award level pitcher, they may take the Tampa path, thinking their farm system and coaches are enough.
OTOH, they have been hamstrung by big contracts gone bad. Cabrera, Baez. And they do have really good prospects in the pipeline.
I would rather they reward the good players they develop.
They still hold his arbitration rights for two more years. It will get figured out.
Quote from: tower912 on November 13, 2024, 08:07:20 AMI said this during their run and during the playoffs. Making the playoffs and defeating the Astros with an $18.8 million payroll may not have been great. Instead of biting the bullet and paying market rate for a Cy Young award level pitcher, they may take the Tampa path, thinking their farm system and coaches are enough.
OTOH, they have been hamstrung by big contracts gone bad. Cabrera, Baez. And they do have really good prospects in the pipeline.
I would rather they reward the good players they develop.
They probably offered to buyout the arby years and added on a few years with an opt-out. Boras doesn't take those deals typically. He'll almost certainly hit the open market post-arby years as a Boras agent.
Quote from: Hidden User on November 12, 2024, 05:45:33 PMThey should build the entire team out of Tommy Phams
Best they can do is silly putty
Pat Murphy is your NL MOY
Jackson Chourio finished 3rd in NL ROY voting behind Paul Skenes and Jackson Merrill
Quote from: Uncle Rico on November 19, 2024, 06:03:37 PMPat Murphy is your NL MOY
Jackson Chourio finished 3rd in NL ROY voting behind Paul Skenes and Jackson Merrill
Skenes also a finalist for the Cy Young. He won't win it but as a rookie on an innings limit that's really special.
Skubal's price tag just went up. Congratulations, young man.
Some thought my predictions of the White Sox being even worse next year were hyperbole, but the Sox #1 priority of the off season was to sign 32 year old Austin Slater ( .209/2 HR/ 18 RBI)
"The White Sox were the first team to reach out. They told me I was their top target," said Austin Slater.
The Dodgers have a lot of money
Such a dumb league.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on November 23, 2024, 10:56:36 AMSome thought my predictions of the White Sox being even worse next year were hyperbole, but the Sox #1 priority of the off season was to sign 32 year old Austin Slater ( .209/2 HR/ 18 RBI)
"The White Sox were the first team to reach out. They told me I was their top target," said Austin Slater.
LaRussa knows ball.
Quote from: tower912 on November 13, 2024, 08:07:20 AMI said this during their run and during the playoffs. Making the playoffs and defeating the Astros with an $18.8 million payroll may not have been great. Instead of biting the bullet and paying market rate for a Cy Young award level pitcher, they may take the Tampa path, thinking their farm system and coaches are enough.
OTOH, they have been hamstrung by big contracts gone bad. Cabrera, Baez. And they do have really good prospects in the pipeline.
I would rather they reward the good players they develop.
The problem is nepobaby Chris Illich is more interested in making profits, not bringing home a championship to Detroit like his dad was. The Tigers have always needed to be selective with big contracts, they can't spend like the Dodgers, Yanks and Mets. Skubal is the guy they need to lock up.
Quote from: Jockey on November 27, 2024, 08:51:47 AMLaRussa knows ball.
LaRussa has forgotten
more everything about baseball...
Truly an ownership issue of driving the franchise into the ground on purpose. Is there some plan for MLB contraction and JR wants to be first in line for the check?
I want them to lock up Skubal. And you aren't necessarily wrong. What I see as more of a determinant is that disaster that is the Baez contract.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on November 23, 2024, 10:56:36 AMSome thought my predictions of the White Sox being even worse next year were hyperbole, but the Sox #1 priority of the off season was to sign 32 year old Austin Slater ( .209/2 HR/ 18 RBI)
"The White Sox were the first team to reach out. They told me I was their top target," said Austin Slater.
I still think it's hyperbole. Are you by any chance a man who likes to gamble?
Quote from: Lennys Tap on November 27, 2024, 10:50:22 AMI still think it's hyperbole. Are you by any chance a man who likes to gamble?
Well I am not a gambler, but I can see the logic of having me put my money where my mouth is.
I don't think it is guaranteed, but I think 110 loses is and I see a decent possibility that the will surpass 121. But hey, maybe they "catch lightning in a bottle" and only lose 105.
(crazy, every other team views 105 loses as "the wheels coming off")
Quote from: tower912 on November 27, 2024, 09:07:52 AMI want them to lock up Skubal. And you aren't necessarily wrong. What I see as more of a determinant is that disaster that is the Baez contract.
The only optimism I have regarding signing Skubs is he's a homegrown guy they developed; they're not bringing in a guy from the outside like Baez.
Golden at bat? Nononononono. Play the game.
Quote from: tower912 on December 02, 2024, 05:37:59 PMGolden at bat? Nononononono. Play the game.
Could be interesting..., or a complete cluster****?
Quote from: tower912 on December 02, 2024, 05:37:59 PMGolden at bat? Nononononono. Play the game.
Agreed. Not even a little bit interested in that.
We keep getting closer to MLB Slugfest.
Willy Adames headed to the Giants on a 7yr/$182mm contract.
Quote from: CreightonWarrior on December 07, 2024, 04:53:40 PMWilly Adames headed to the Giants on a 7yr/$182mm contract.
Deserves every penny. Good luck to him.
Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on December 07, 2024, 05:00:05 PMDeserves every penny. Good luck to him.
$26 million per. Soto should get $78 per
Always find moves like that hilarious
Sure GIants can afford it. But dropping the bank on WIlly Adames in a division where you're basically hoping it lets you jump the Dbacks for..............3rd?
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on December 07, 2024, 05:14:27 PMAlways find moves like that hilarious
Sure GIants can afford it. But dropping the bank on WIlly Adames in a division where you're basically hoping it lets you jump the Dbacks for..............3rd?
I'll say this about Willy, his value will go beyond the field. Is it worth the value of this deal, probably not but he'll he missed in the Brewers dugout as much as the field.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on December 07, 2024, 05:16:44 PMI'll say this about Willy, his value will go beyond the field. Is it worth the value of this deal, probably not but he'll he missed in the Brewers dugout as much as the field.
Yeah. My favorite overall Brewer probably in my lifetime. Not the best player, but I love that dude.
Quote from: BM1090 on December 07, 2024, 05:49:05 PMYeah. My favorite overall Brewer probably in my lifetime. Not the best player, but I love that dude.
Seconded. I'm a Cubs fan but told my story about working with/interacting with him at an event a few summers ago and now he had personal touchpoints and small moments with everyone he came across. I'd imagine he will be missed far more in the halls of AmFam Field and by support staff than actually on the diamond.
Yeah.....Soto got paid.
Stearns appears to be enjoying the large market.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on December 07, 2024, 05:16:44 PMI'll say this about Willy, his value will go beyond the field. Is it worth the value of this deal, probably not but he'll he missed in the Brewers dugout as much as the field.
More or less off the field value than Yadi?
Quote from: PGsHeroes32 on December 08, 2024, 09:33:54 PMYeah.....Soto got paid.
You could build 30.6 Draftkings Sportsbooks in Wrigleyville with that type of cash.
Quote from: 4 Falling Turds on December 09, 2024, 02:06:03 PMMore or less off the field value than Yadi?
No one can match the value Yadier Molina brought to a team
White Sox are winning the offseason with the addition of Mike Tauchman.
-Tauchman is a .241 hitter with 32 homers and 155 RBIs in 474 career games
If he can come close to his career numbers, he will be a major upgrade of the Sox's roster. Maybe the new cleanup hitter.
C'mon. The Tigers upgrading their rotation by signing Alex Cobb is clearly a bigger deal.
Quote from: tower912 on December 11, 2024, 08:44:43 AMC'mon. The Tigers upgrading their rotation by signing Alex Cobb is clearly a bigger deal.
Maybe your right for on the field play, but I was also taking into account that Tauchman is a Chicago guy so the Sox will sellout most home games.
I was oozing sarcasm.
Has anyone seen, either officially or unofficially, what the Brewers offer to Adames was? I would assume they were at least close in AAV and just didn't want to offer the length that he got, but I haven't seen anything with #'s.
TBC, don't blame Willy for taking it, don't blame the Brewers for not matching it, just curious to see what the numbers were.
Quote from: tower912 on December 11, 2024, 09:32:26 AMI was oozing sarcasm.
Get a Band-Aid for that. It's disgusting.
Quote from: Its DJOver on December 11, 2024, 09:36:43 AMHas anyone seen, either officially or unofficially, what the Brewers offer to Adames was? I would assume they were at least close in AAV and just didn't want to offer the length that he got, but I haven't seen anything with #'s.
TBC, don't blame Willy for taking it, don't blame the Brewers for not matching it, just curious to see what the numbers were.
Outside of the qualifying offer they had to make to ensure draft pick compensation (around $18.5M for one year), I don't think any offer was made by the Brewers. They simply do not have the ability/desire to have $50M+/year tied up in two players (Yelich being the other).
Quote from: ChuckyChip on December 11, 2024, 12:00:51 PMOutside of the qualifying offer they had to make to ensure draft pick compensation (around $18.5M for one year), I don't think any offer was made by the Brewers. They simply do have the ability/desire to have $50M+/year tied up in two players (Yelich being the other).
Fully agree with the last sentence, but I still would have thought that they'd throw a 5/120 out there as a curtesy just so that Mark could say that he tried. You may be right though, if nothing's leaked they might not have even made one.
Quote from: Its DJOver on December 11, 2024, 12:12:39 PMFully agree with the last sentence, but I still would have thought that they'd throw a 5/120 out there as a curtesy just so that Mark could say that he tried. You may be right though, if nothing's leaked they might not have even made one.
My guess is that Mark did try - a long time ago and the answer was clear. Not that Mark has to justify anything.
Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on December 11, 2024, 12:32:13 PMMy guess is that Mark did try - a long time ago and the answer was clear. Not that Mark has to justify anything.
And it's about respecting Adames as well. If you make some token offer just to save face, and make it look like Adames "turned us down", that's disrespectful to a guy who did nothing but good things for the organization.
Do you think the White Sox did well with the Crochet deal?
I think Getz has his first acceptable deal as GM. Crochet could turn into the best pitcher in baseball but his injury history is a major concern and thus the return seems decent.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 11, 2024, 04:41:24 PMDo you think the White Sox did well with the Crochet deal?
I think Getz has his first acceptable deal as GM. Crochet could turn into the best pitcher in baseball but his injury history is a major concern and thus the return seems decent.
Think it's a very good return. Prospects are high-risk stocks. You never know what they are until they get to the bigs but moving Crochet now was the right move.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on December 11, 2024, 04:44:44 PMThink it's a very good return. Prospects are high-risk stocks. You never know what they are until they get to the bigs but moving Crochet now was the right move.
Getz has been directed to cut payroll, so major league players were never going to be the return. So I'll judge him on what he allowed to do. I'll concede another team could have received more but the CWS are a true dumpster fire.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 11, 2024, 04:50:20 PMGetz has been directed to cut payroll, so major league players were never going to be the return. So I'll judge him on what he allowed to do. I'll concede another team could have received more but the CWS are a true dumpster fire.
Maybe? White Sox need talent infusion and this helps. Will they pan out and be developed? TBD.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on December 11, 2024, 04:41:24 PMDo you think the White Sox did well with the Crochet deal?
I think Getz has his first acceptable deal as GM. Crochet could turn into the best pitcher in baseball but his injury history is a major concern and thus the return seems decent.
Yes.
Even high prospects are risky, but there is no other options for a team like Chicago. If they traded for major league players, they would be gone by the time the team gets good.
I think Montgomery will end up being the best piece of this deal. Cannon arm switch hitter outfielder who fell in the draft due to an ankle injury. Obviously that injury presents risks but he was quite the player in college.
White Sox despite their endless ineptitude can develop pitchers. I think the return on Crochet was perfectly fine, especially considering how they've been fleeced consistently in the past.
Sounds like Devin Williams is headed to the Yankees per Passan. I assume it will be straight up for Judge.
Nestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin coming back.
Quote from: CreightonWarrior on December 13, 2024, 11:33:36 AMSounds like Devin Williams is headed to the Yankees per Passan. I assume it will be straight up for Judge.
Nestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin. Cortes is in the last year of his deal and they'll control Durbin for awhile. A very "Brewers" trade.
Quote from: The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole on December 13, 2024, 11:38:47 AMNestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin. Cortes is in the last year of his deal and they'll control Durbin for awhile. A very "Brewers" trade.
Yeah, I'm not sure this is the sexy Reliever trade I was expecting. But it sounds like Durbin had a bit of a breakout year and is a middle infielder with talent. Sounds like Cortes is a solid mid-rotation starter.
Feels like a decent return for one year of Williams. Especially with how erratic relievers can be.
Turang to SS?
Quote from: Its DJOver on December 13, 2024, 12:15:58 PMTurang to SS?
Or Ortiz. Durbin can apparently play third.
Brewer fans, do you like Cortes as part of this deal? I was surprised by him being in this deal. Not bad/good, just "Cortes? Huh".
Quote from: DegenerateDish on December 13, 2024, 01:47:45 PMBrewer fans, do you like Cortes as part of this deal? I was surprised by him being in this deal. Not bad/good, just "Cortes? Huh".
Needed another starter. Pitching lab go brrrrrrrrrrr. If healthy, and that seems like an if (I'd assume the medical are fine but you never know), he slots in for Rea.
Durbin is interesting. Fits the Brewers type. Some thought he'd be the Yankees starting 2B in 2025, others doubted that. Weak exit velocity and given they have Frelick, that's a concern. A lot of people really like him, a lot don't. Wait and see but if he gets on-base, they might be a team with a lot of speed
Quote from: DegenerateDish on December 13, 2024, 01:47:45 PMBrewer fans, do you like Cortes as part of this deal? I was surprised by him being in this deal. Not bad/good, just "Cortes? Huh".
Just my opinion, but I don't love it. Just not enough team control remaining. He's fine, and like Rico said - the Brewers will get every bit of performance out of his quirkiness they can. But I don't see a ton of value in having a player with one year of control be a big part of the return for a player with one year of control.
Quote from: MUBurrow on December 13, 2024, 02:26:09 PMJust my opinion, but I don't love it. Just not enough team control remaining. He's fine, and like Rico said - the Brewers will get every bit of performance out of his quirkiness they can. But I don't see a ton of value in having a player with one year of control be a big part of the return for a player with one year of control.
Though, I will say, if Devin was pitching the 9th inning in a high leverage spot next October, I'd have driven to AmFam and escorted each FO member to Mitchell International myself
Largely fine with it.
Williams is a great regular season closer. But with his postseason struggles/wall punching, and only one year of control the return wasn't going to blow anyone away. And they get $4.5 million in sand cash.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on December 13, 2024, 02:36:14 PMThough, I will say, if Devin was pitching the 9th inning in a high leverage spot next October, I'd have driven to AmFam and escorted each FO member to Mitchell International myself
That's fair - I'm probably nitpicking the return. Always just way too much traffic.
As said, starting pitching needed. It's really an exchange of two good pitchers in the last year of contracts with each team filling a need and dealing from their surplus. (Brewers short relief depth a little more iffy than Yanks starting depth).
Then Durbin thrown in who runs really well, puts the ball in play and gives them IF depth and versatility to move Turang to SS, his natural position if they want.
Both teams seemed to do fine in this. Cashman said wait and see about any long term commitment to Williams.
Quote from: DegenerateDish on December 13, 2024, 01:47:45 PMBrewer fans, do you like Cortes as part of this deal? I was surprised by him being in this deal. Not bad/good, just "Cortes? Huh".
Not a Brewer fan but I think Cortes is fine. He was great in 22, injured in 23 and serviceable last year. He was taken out of the rotation very briefly last year and showed a bit of an attitude about it. Could have something to do with him being available.
I'm sorry to see Nasty Nestor leave my Yankees but he'll be good in Milwaukee.
I'm not sure Durbin is just a throw in.
Quote from: cheebs09 on December 14, 2024, 09:31:38 AMI'm not sure Durbin is just a throw in.
I hope he is more than that, but let's be real. He's a fringe prospect. He was the Yankees #25 prospect. He was a 14th round pick from DIII. Yes, AFL Breakout POY this year, so was Oliver Dunn a year before who the Brewers grabbed last offseason, who showed little in a brief appearance last season.
Durbin has a few tools, so we'll see.
Quote from: cheebs09 on December 14, 2024, 09:31:38 AMI'm not sure Durbin is just a throw in.
Nick Madrigal with more speed. Zero power and his exit velocity last year would have been at the bottom of MLB.
Cortes had shoulder & elbow issues last year. If he holds up, though, One year of him will help more than one year of Devin.
Tigers sign Gleyber Torres. Colt Keith to first. Anybody need a Torkelson?
Quote from: tower912 on December 27, 2024, 12:38:03 PMTigers sign Gleyber Torres. Colt Keith to first. Anybody need a Torkelson?
That feels like a bargain for one-year of Torres. I know returns have diminished the last two seasons but he'll only be 28 and playing for another opportunity at a long-term deal. Have to admit, I kind of hoped Milwaukee kicked the tires on him, especially on that kind of deal
Detroit needs right handed bats.
Burned to Arizona. The Diamondbacks can count on Burnes to be the last person to help them stop any skid they get on but he's a great front runner if they get ahead
Quote from: Uncle Rico on December 28, 2024, 11:20:26 AMBurned to Arizona. The Diamondbacks can count on Burnes to be the last person to help them stop any skid they get on but he's a great front runner if they get ahead
Bad memories. I went to the last game he pitched in Milwaukee and he blew an early lead against the Dbacks in the Playoffs.
Quote from: Jockey on December 28, 2024, 01:27:24 PMBad memories. I went to the last game he pitched in Milwaukee and he blew an early lead against the Dbacks in the Playoffs.
When they announced Woodruff was out and needed Burnes to pitch a gem, that was an easy loss to see coming
Orioles are crafting a masterclass of having about 100 highly rated players 26 and under and turning it into nothing
210 million reasons why Corbin duzant kare watt anywon thinks no moore, aina?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on December 28, 2024, 03:37:43 PM260 million reasons why Corbin duzant kare watt anywon thinks no moore, aina?
Probably why Jordan Love doesn't care what you think
Same reason I don't care what lotsa folks think, hey?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on December 28, 2024, 03:52:20 PMSame reason I don't care what lotsa folks think, hey?
Really? You seem to care quite a bit what people think of you
I care 'bout the truth, not some bullchiter spewin' ignorance on the internet, hey?
Quote from: 4everwarriors on December 28, 2024, 04:03:24 PMI care 'bout the truth, not some bullchiter spewin' ignorance on the internet, hey?
So you do care. Good to get the truth.
Cheap ass Brewers at it again.
https://x.com/Feinsand/status/1877547256020115924?s=19
Cheap ass Cubs at it again
https://x.com/jesserogersespn/status/1877541219783332345?s=46&t=T--mXc-05-QK2638LPjuBg
Cheap ass Tigers at it again. $10.15 for one year for Skubal.
It's almost like they have this system in place for a reason.
I understand arbitration and its purpose, but the way some teams approach it is not created equal.
Quote from: Shaka Shart on January 10, 2025, 12:26:07 PMI understand arbitration and its purpose, but the way some teams approach it is not created equal.
Like the Red Sox, purported to be in the Soto sweepstakes, but offering $500K less than asked for their young star, Duran. Especially when his ask was almost $1MM under expected
Quote from: wadesworld on January 10, 2025, 09:57:51 AMIt's almost like they have this system in place for a reason.
Right? It's a strange take that the Brewers should automatically meet the demands of the player, and if they don't, they're "cheap."
Regardless what's the downside? That he'll be mad or something?
Quote from: JWags85 on January 10, 2025, 01:17:05 PMLike the Red Sox, purported to be in the Soto sweepstakes, but offering $500K less than asked for their young star, Duran. Especially when his ask was almost $1MM under expected
Arbitration offering less is fine. But grinding a young star through it endlessly rightfully puts a bad taste in one's mouth. 500k of goodwill to plan for the future is nothing!
Quote from: Shaka Shart on January 10, 2025, 02:04:17 PMArbitration offering less is fine. But grinding a young star through it endlessly rightfully puts a bad taste in one's mouth. 500k of goodwill to plan for the future is nothing!
Seriously? Is the thought that they are going to give them a break on a long term deal because they were nice to them during arbitration?
Quote from: The Sultan on January 10, 2025, 02:06:59 PMSeriously? Is the thought that they are going to give them a break on a long term deal because they were nice to them during arbitration?
Mitigating naked cynicism in extension negotiations is good in my opinion, yes. I believe it cascades across the org and league on how people approach you in transactions.
I understand why you would disagree and honestly might depend on the agent.
There's an ROI trade off with the annual arbitration amounts where you are hedging that your young star is worth significantly more than what your first arbitration amount reaches. The question is, is the compounding savings you get up front going to torch you after round 3 of arbitration and open market salary hits with your player not giving you the benefit of the doubt? Many teams say yes but then that's where the haves and have nots come in with spending.
A significant chunk of teams have no intention of giving market FA value after the last round of arbitration anyway so why not set the market for the rest of your players hitting arb in the future.
Quote from: Shaka Shart on January 10, 2025, 02:04:17 PMArbitration offering less is fine. But grinding a young star through it endlessly rightfully puts a bad taste in one's mouth. 500k of goodwill to plan for the future is nothing!
Goodwill doesn't matter. Tucker will be looking for a $400+ million deal depending on the season he has. The Cubs aren't paying that to anybody. Heck, they've never even paid 1/2 of that to anybody.
Quote from: Shaka Shart on January 10, 2025, 02:13:57 PMMitigating naked cynicism in extension negotiations is good in my opinion, yes. I believe it cascades across the org and league on how people approach you in transactions.
I understand why you would disagree and honestly might depend on the agent.
There's an ROI trade off with the annual arbitration amounts where you are hedging that your young star is worth significantly more than what your first arbitration amount reaches. The question is, is the compounding savings you get up front going to torch you after round 3 of arbitration and open market salary hits with your player not giving you the benefit of the doubt? Many teams say yes but then that's where the haves and have nots come in with spending.
A significant chunk of teams have no intention of giving market FA value after the last round of arbitration anyway so why not set the market for the rest of your players hitting arb in the future.
The Brewers are never going to be able to pay for players like Willie Adames or William Contreras when they hit free agency. They aren't going to give the Brewers a $250MM discount because the Brewers gave them an extra $500K in arbitration. They've been doing this for years, yet the Brewers are pretty universally praised as an organization.
Anyone know who the loser was who voted against Ichiro to keep him from being unanimous 1st ballot HOF?
Quote from: JWags85 on January 21, 2025, 06:52:25 PMAnyone know who the loser was who voted against Ichiro to keep him from being unanimous 1st ballot HOF?
Same loser that kept Babe Ruth from being unanimous?
Quote from: JWags85 on January 21, 2025, 06:52:25 PMAnyone know who the loser was who voted against Ichiro to keep him from being unanimous 1st ballot HOF?
Ichiro is 588th all time in OBP, not in the top 1000 in SLG, tied for 879th in OPS+, and in the bottom half of HOF outfielders in career WAR. I don't think it is unreasonable for someone to think he is not a first ballot Hall of Famer. If I had a vote, I would definitely have voted for him. I'm just saying he's a weird guy to get upset about not being unanimous.
I'm a Red Sox fan, and Dustin Pedroia has higher numbers in all three categories, and is one of the best defensive second basemen I ever saw, and he's not getting in (and I would not vote for him either).
I think the whole drama over whether or not he's unanimous (by both the voters and the media) is silly and takes away from the actual accomplishment.
I think it brings adequate attention to a bunch of voters being buffoons though
Quote from: CTWarrior on January 22, 2025, 02:50:40 PMIchiro is 588th all time in OBP, not in the top 1000 in SLG, tied for 879th in OPS+, and in the bottom half of HOF outfielders in career WAR. I don't think it is unreasonable for someone to think he is not a first ballot Hall of Famer. If I had a vote, I would definitely have voted for him. I'm just saying he's a weird guy to get upset about not being unanimous.
I'm a Red Sox fan, and Dustin Pedroia has higher numbers in all three categories, and is one of the best defensive second basemen I ever saw, and he's not getting in (and I would not vote for him either).
I think Ichiro's career has to be properly viewed through the lens of not playing an MLB season until he was 27 if you're talking about a counting stat like WAR. Griffey had a WAR of over 40 by the time he was the age of Ichiro's debut. Another light hitter like Tony Gwynn had 30ish. Ichiro had a WAR of 25 by age 30...despite debuting at 27. His longevity is impressive but those first 5 years were insane. The only people who accumulated GGs are the rate he did at an older age were Clemente and Willie Mays. Pedroia was a really good fielding second baseman, but he was not in the top 5 discussion all time at the position, Ichiro can be. Ichiro was a very very good hitter. He was an even better outfielder.
FWIW, I think there are numerous other guys who should have been unanimous. The fact that Ichiro got so close and lost by a vote just highlighted the buffoonery of the voting process for a lot of writers. "oh he's a HOF player, no doubt, he just doesn't deserve to get in right away".
Quote from: JWags85 on January 22, 2025, 08:07:30 PMI think Ichiro's career has to be properly viewed through the lens of not playing an MLB season until he was 27 if you're talking about a counting stat like WAR. Griffey had a WAR of over 40 by the time he was the age of Ichiro's debut. Another light hitter like Tony Gwynn had 30ish. Ichiro had a WAR of 25 by age 30...despite debuting at 27. His longevity is impressive but those first 5 years were insane. The only people who accumulated GGs are the rate he did at an older age were Clemente and Willie Mays. Pedroia was a really good fielding second baseman, but he was not in the top 5 discussion all time at the position, Ichiro can be. Ichiro was a very very good hitter. He was an even better outfielder.
I thought the exact same thing regarding career WAR, but looked at Ichiro's WAR7 (his seven peak years)and it wasn't nearly as impressive as I'd have thought.
His WAR7 was 43.7, which ties him with Scott Rolen and Edgar Martinez and puts him below the likes of Sammy Sosa, Joey Votto, Sal Bando and Alan Trammel.
Among right fielders, he ranks 15th all time in this category. But everyone ahead of him, and six of the 10 behind him, are in the Hall. The ones ahead of him that aren't are Joe Jackson, Aaron Judge and Sammy Sosa.
Anyhow, Ichiro clearly is a Hall of Famer, but perhaps not as dominant as my memory indicates.
And I agree that the whole first ballot thing is silly. A player either is or isn't worthy of Cooperstown. The idea that some writers will vote against a guy one year, but deem him worthy two years later based on no new criteria or information is nonsensical.
Brewers agree to contract with Contreras and avoid arbitration hearing.
Quote from: HutchwasClutch on February 01, 2025, 07:43:23 AMBrewers agree to contract with Contreras and avoid arbitration hearing.
No longer a cheap or incompetent organization that players can't wait to leave!
Flaherty returns to the Tigers on a two year deal. $25 million in 2025, $10 million in 2026, bumping up to $20 million if he makes more than 15 starts in 2025. Player opt out after 2025.
A healthy Flaherty behind a healthy Skubal is a nice top of the rotation. Detroit's pitching is loaded, at least on paper. Of course, I thought that a season ago and injuries matched only by the Lion's defense led to the pitching chaos they turned into a virtue.
Fingers crossed for health.
Quote from: tower912 on February 03, 2025, 06:40:29 AMFlaherty returns to the Tigers on a two year deal. $25 million in 2025, $10 million in 2026, bumping up to $20 million if he makes more than 15 starts in 2025. Player opt out after 2025.
A healthy Flaherty behind a healthy Skubal is a nice top of the rotation. Detroit's pitching is loaded, at least on paper. Of course, I thought that a season ago and injuries matched only by the Lion's defense led to the pitching chaos they turned into a virtue.
Fingers crossed for health.
Detroit trades Flaherty, gets two promising prospects in return (one who played in the post season last year) and then gets Flaherty back. Al Avila is definitely not in charge in Detroit anymore.
It's not hot stove related, but the Brewers are shrinking capacity by 1600 seats to expand Terrace Level offices:
https://x.com/DairylandSent/status/1886604397947277391
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on February 04, 2025, 10:17:15 AMIt's not hot stove related, but the Brewers are shrinking capacity by 1600 seats to expand Terrace Level offices:
https://x.com/DairylandSent/status/1886604397947277391
The average attendance for the Brewers this year, one of their best regular seasons ever, was 31,000. And that's tickets sold, not bodies in seats. Stadium capacity is 41,000. 10,000 unsold tickets per game. Taking away 1,600 from the 400s level is fine. Would guess it'll be over whatever the club is called now that is on the club level of the left field corner.
The team offices are on the RF side, those terrace seats up there are some of the worst in the ballpark. They probably sell those less than a dozen times per season.
Schlesinger said they they expect to be able to add back some of the lost 1600 seats in other areas, maybe the new party deck they're planning.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 04, 2025, 10:27:53 AMThe average attendance for the Brewers this year, one of their best regular seasons ever, was 31,000. And that's tickets sold, not bodies in seats. Stadium capacity is 41,000. 10,000 unsold tickets per game. Taking away 1,600 from the 400s level is fine. Would guess it'll be over whatever the club is called now that is on the club level of the left field corner.
Also the assumption that pure ticket sales is some massive differentiator for the Brewers eligible moves as a small market team. Even if those tickets were completely sold out, lets say $30 a pop, removing those seats in a vacuumm would be only a few million for a team that does $300MM+ in revenue
Bregman gets 3 years/$120 million from the Red Sox. I'm glad the Tigers held firm at 6 years and $171 million (around $28 million/year).
I actually think 3 years, $120 makes a lot of sense and may start a trend. Pay them a lot for fewer years, don't get hamstrung by years 4-5-6.
Bregman will hit better in Fenway than Comerica, anyway.
Quote from: tower912 on February 13, 2025, 10:16:07 AMI actually think 3 years, $120 makes a lot of sense and may start a trend. Pay them a lot for fewer years, don't get hamstrung by years 4-5-6.
Bregman will hit better in Fenway than Comerica, anyway.
I agree with the shorter contract (Angels and Pujols) but $40 million for Bregman is ridiculous and I'm glad the Tigers didn't go that high.
That is fair. And I don't disagree. But I look at Baez and really wish they had overpaid him to keep the length of the deal to 3 years.
Quote from: tower912 on February 13, 2025, 10:24:49 AMThat is fair. And I don't disagree. But I look at Baez and really wish they had overpaid him to keep the length of the deal to 3 years.
As a Brewers fan, these short deals, make me angrier than I usually would be about their quiet off-season.
Rumblings of owners taking a hardline in the next bargaining session feels likely. If Mark isn't spending for 1-3 year deals, I'm buying he's one of the guys pushing for the hardline stance of a salary cap
Quote from: Uncle Rico on February 13, 2025, 10:27:32 AMAs a Brewers fan, these short deals, make me angrier than I usually would be about their quiet off-season.
Rumblings of owners taking a hardline in the next bargaining session feels likely. If Mark isn't spending for 1-3 year deals, I'm buying he's one of the guys pushing for the hardline stance of a salary cap
On the other hand, our last short term deal was Hoskins, who is why Mark can't afford more
sand infield upgrades
White Sox are the kings of signings that would have made me happy five years ago. Joey Gallo come on down!
They want a salary cap. As usual.
Good luck!
Quote from: Shaka Shart on February 13, 2025, 08:48:36 PMWhite Sox are the kings of signings that would have made me happy five years ago. Joey Gallo come on down!
It's actually a decent, no-downside move. It's a minor-league deal, so if he flops, they haven't spent much money or a spot on the 40-man roster. If he has a resurgence, you flip him at the deadline for a prospect or two. A lefthanded power bat could be in demand come July.
This is the kind of signing they should be making right now.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 13, 2025, 09:43:28 PMIt's actually a decent, no-downside move. It's a minor-league deal, so if he flops, they haven't spent much money or a spot on the 40-man roster. If he has a resurgence, you flip him at the deadline for a prospect or two. A lefthanded power bat could be in demand come July.
This is the kind of signing they should be making right now.
There will be zero demand for a career .194 hitter. And that .194 average actually makes him seem better than he is.
Just one more broken down hitter signed by the worst organization in professional sports.
This is the kind of signing they ARE making - not what they should be making.
Quote from: Jockey on February 13, 2025, 09:51:53 PMThere will be zero demand for a career .194 hitter. And that .194 average actually makes him seem better than he is.
Just one more broken down hitter signed by the worst organization in professional sports.
This is the kind of signing they ARE making - not what they should be making.
Imagine thinking batting average is an important stat.
Are we back in 1987?
Quote from: Pakuni on February 13, 2025, 09:57:21 PMImagine thinking batting average is an important stat.
Are we back in 1987?
So, Gallo has been traded a couple toiled. How did they help the teams that traded him?
He will not even bring a top-30 prospect in return. That's in the unexpected scenario that another team would want him.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 13, 2025, 09:43:28 PMIt's actually a decent, no-downside move. It's a minor-league deal, so if he flops, they haven't spent much money or a spot on the 40-man roster. If he has a resurgence, you flip him at the deadline for a prospect or two. A lefthanded power bat could be in demand come July.
This is the kind of signing they should be making right now.
Doesn't change what I said
Quote from: Jockey on February 13, 2025, 10:10:14 PMSo, Gallo has been traded a couple toiled. How did they help the teams that traded him?
He will not even bring a top-30 prospect in return. That's in the unexpected scenario that another team would want him.
Never has so much angst been created by a minor-league deal.
Again, if he sucks - as you're certain he will - it costs the team nothing.
Explain the downside.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 14, 2025, 07:15:41 AMNever has so much angst been created by a minor-league deal.
Again, if he sucks - as you're certain he will - it costs the team nothing.
Explain the downside.
There is none. He produces? Great. He doesn't? Ok. Best case scenario? You catch lightning in a bottle. Worst case? You cut him on a minor league deal
Quote from: Pakuni on February 14, 2025, 07:15:41 AMNever has so much angst been created by a minor-league deal.
Again, if he sucks - as you're certain he will - it costs the team nothing.
Explain the downside.
Optics. Continuing an off-season of accumulating useless players.
It doesn't matter at all, though. There is no more inconsequential team in professional sports than the White Sox.
Quote from: Jockey on February 14, 2025, 07:41:56 AMOptics. Continuing an off-season of accumulating useless players.
It doesn't matter at all, though. There is no more inconsequential team in professional sports than the White Sox.
I see. You're new to the concept of a rebuild.
The Sox hope to someday be as relevant as the Miami Marlins and Sacramento As.
Quote from: Jockey on February 14, 2025, 07:41:56 AMOptics. Continuing an off-season of accumulating useless players.
It doesn't matter at all, though. There is no more inconsequential team in professional sports than the White Sox.
I see you've decided to double down again.
SO who will take Nolan Arenado?
Quote from: Pakuni on February 14, 2025, 07:52:34 AMI see. You're new to the concept of a rebuild.
The Sox hope to someday be as relevant as the Miami Marlins and Sacramento As.
Hey the A's spent more this offseason than any team in either central division!
I don't hate the signing, like you said: "why not?".
Keep loading up the farm system, you got a whole slew of guys in the top 50 prospects now. Keep going.
Quote from: dgies9156 on February 14, 2025, 10:27:39 AMSO who will take Nolan Arenado?
Criollos de Caguas In return for manager Yadi
I'm octo-ing down.
Gallo, Taylor, Drury, Narvaez, Slater, Thaiss, Dalbec, Perez
That is adding -3.2 WAR to a team that lost 121 games.
The only value the Sox have is as a punchline. I for one will enjoy that. Even if they catch lightning in a bottle with their farm system, it doesn't matter. Reinsdorf will never, ever spend the money to augment those young players.
My entire point was that signing Gallo doesn't matter. He won't help the team as a player or as a trading chip. Think Hollywood awards shows. Gallo is a seat filler so the place looks full for TV.
Quote from: dgies9156 on February 14, 2025, 10:27:39 AMSO who will take Nolan Arenado?
That no-trade makes him hard to move
Quote from: Jockey on February 14, 2025, 10:42:14 AMI'm octo-ing down.
Gallo, Taylor, Drury, Narvaez, Slater, Thaiss, Dalbec, Perez
That is adding -3.2 WAR to a team that lost 121 games.
The only value the Sox have is as a punchline. I for one will enjoy that. Even if they catch lightning in a bottle with their farm system, it doesn't matter. Reinsdorf will never, ever spend the money to augment those young players.
My entire point was that signing Gallo doesn't matter. He won't help the team as a player or as a trading chip. Think Hollywood awards shows. Gallo is a seat filler so the place looks full for TV.
You mentioned "optics" for why it is a bad deal. No front office should be not making deals because of how it looks.
Yes we all know the White Sox organization is bad. But even bad organizations do low-risk with high potential upside moves all the time. Especially at the start of Spring Training.
The essence of negotiation. Detroit has some pieces in the farm system, a need, and the money. Does Arenado want to play in Detroit? What is the asking price? I can see it and I think Detroit will sniff around. But a whole bunch of things have to work out perfectly.
If I gambled, my money would go on not Detroit.
Quote from: tower912 on February 14, 2025, 10:53:55 AMThe essence of negotiation. Detroit has some pieces in the farm system, a need, and the money. Does Arenado want to play in Detroit? What is the asking price? I can see it and I think Detroit will sniff around. But a whole bunch of things have to work out perfectly.
If I gambled, my money would go on not Detroit.
Deals like his rarely age out well and why no-trade clauses are bad ideas for the teams
Often discussed on NYC sports talk radio. Consensus seems to think he will end up on the Yankees and in return St. Louis gets Marcus Stroman. Along those lines or it may turn into a 3-team trade kind of thing.
Quote from: Jockey on February 14, 2025, 07:41:56 AMOptics. Continuing an off-season of accumulating useless players.
It doesn't matter at all, though. There is no more inconsequential team in professional sports than the White Sox.
Yeah, I still favor the under on the 49.5 win total.
Quote from: Jockey on February 14, 2025, 10:42:14 AMI'm octo-ing down.
Gallo, Taylor, Drury, Narvaez, Slater, Thaiss, Dalbec, Perez
That is adding -3.2 WAR to a team that lost 121 games.
The only value the Sox have is as a punchline. I for one will enjoy that. Even if they catch lightning in a bottle with their farm system, it doesn't matter. Reinsdorf will never, ever spend the money to augment those young players.
My entire point was that signing Gallo doesn't matter. He won't help the team as a player or as a trading chip. Think Hollywood awards shows. Gallo is a seat filler so the place looks full for TV.
Not to get all facts-y on you, but the White Sox had the 10th highest payroll in the league in 2023 and the 7th in 2022, years when they thought they had a window to compete.
In the decade after the 2005 WS team, their payrolls ranked: 4th, 5th, 5th, 12th, 7th, 5th, 11th, 8th, 20th, 15th.
Since 2001, the payroll has been in the top 10 twice as often (8 times) than bottom 10 (4 times).
There's lots to criticize about the way that organization has been mismanaged for most of the past 20 years. They've made terrible free agent decisions, bad draft picks, disastrous managerial hirings and allowed a completely dysfunctional front office in which people were literally sabotaging one another.
"Jerry is cheap and never spends money" is lazy and not really true. He's never going to spend like the Yankees and Dodgers, but been in the upper half of the league or so for most of the last 20 years.
Every team in MLB has given out larger contracts than the White Sox except the A's and that will change soon.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on February 14, 2025, 12:37:56 PMYeah, I still favor the under on the 49.5 win total.
It takes a ton of effort to win less than 50 games.
Quote from: Jockey on February 14, 2025, 01:45:50 PMEvery team in MLB has given out larger contracts than the White Sox except the A's and that will change soon.
Why focus on 24 years of data when you can focus on just one?
Quote from: The Sultan on February 14, 2025, 02:06:25 PMWhy focus on 24 years of data when you can focus on just one?
In the last 24 years, every team but the a's have given out larger contracts.
But, you gotta love Scoop. I never would have guessed the Sox would set the place ablaze. In the not too distant future, being a fan of the White Sox will be akin to being a fan of the Chicago Cardinals. Go Ollie Matson.
Quote from: Jockey on February 14, 2025, 03:27:44 PMIn the last 24 years, every team but the a's have given out larger contracts.
But, you gotta love Scoop. I never would have guessed the Sox would set the place ablaze. In the not too distant future, being a fan of the White Sox will be akin to being a fan of the Chicago Cardinals. Go Ollie Matson.
Yes, let's focus on one individual contract instead of total payroll.
Even though Pittsburgh's payroll was $57 million less than the Sox's last year, they have a $100 million player, so they actually spent more. #jockeymath
Quote from: Jockey on February 14, 2025, 03:27:44 PMIn the last 24 years, every team but the a's have given out larger contracts.
But, you gotta love Scoop. I never would have guessed the Sox would set the place ablaze. In the not too distant future, being a fan of the White Sox will be akin to being a fan of the Chicago Cardinals. Go Ollie Matson.
Nah. It's because you are getting worked up over a minor league deal that all sorts of teams do routinely.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 14, 2025, 03:46:26 PMNah. It's because you are getting worked up over a minor league deal that all sorts of teams do routinely.
I just contested that it was a typical CWS signing because the Sox are funny. Couldn't believe how everyone got so butt hurt over that.
Quote from: Jockey on February 14, 2025, 04:29:58 PMI just contested that it was a typical CWS signing because the Sox are funny. Couldn't believe how everyone got so butt hurt over that.
Because it's a typical MLB signing.
Quote from: Jockey on February 14, 2025, 01:47:22 PMIt takes a ton of effort to win less than 50 games.
They have proven they have metal to do it. Shead a lot of talent from last year.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on February 14, 2025, 09:27:45 PMThey have proven they have metal to do it. Shead a lot of talent from last year.
Wut?
Quote from: Uncle Rico on February 15, 2025, 08:02:20 AMWut?
Didn't think an explanation was needed but here you go.
The CWS won 41 games last year.
They have traded their best talent from that team. (Mid and off season trades)
Quote from: WhiteTrash on February 14, 2025, 09:27:45 PMThey have proven they have metal to do it. Shead a lot of talent from last year.
Don't underestimate the job they did. Hard to shed a lot of talent from a pretty talentless team. 8-)
Quote from: Jockey on February 15, 2025, 10:05:15 AMDon't underestimate the job they did. Hard to shed a lot of talent from a pretty talentless team. 8-)
So true. It was the CWS' best talent, not MLB's best talent.
The CWS have the advantage of having no negative impact of injuries costing them with a dropoff of talent. :-\
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal on the Cubs' failure to make a serious run at Bregman:
Theo Epstein famously used the phrase, "If not now, when?" to justify the Chicago Cubs' trade for Aroldis Chapman during the 2016 season. Epstein, then the Cubs' president of baseball operations, was trying to end a 108-year title drought.
Nine years later, the Cubs' position is not as urgent, but the availability of Bregman amounted to a new opportunity. The team, after years of exerting financial discipline and making a win-now trade for Kyle Tucker, had every reason to revive Epstein's mantra from 2016 in its pursuit of Bregman. Instead, owner Tom Ricketts authorized an offer that was only Bregman's fourth highest in total guaranteed money: four years, $115 million, with opt-outs after the second and third years, according to The Athletic's Patrick Mooney.
The Red Sox made the big-market push the Cubs backed away from, signing Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract with opt-outs after the first and second years. The deferrals in the deal lowered its present-day value to $95.1 million, or slightly more than half of the $182 million the San Francisco Giants committed to shortstop Willy Adames.
At the start of the offseason, few would have predicted such an outcome between Adames and Bregman. In a relative sense, Bregman turned out to be something of a bargain. Yet the Cubs, who would have deferred only a portion of Bregman's signing bonus, according to a source who briefed Mooney on the negotiations, still fell short.
The Cubs in 2023 were top five in both revenue and franchise value, according to Forbes.
But their current estimated luxury-tax payroll ranks 14th, according to Baseball Prospectus. They potentially are wasting what likely will be their only season with Tucker, who would have benefited from the addition of Bregman to the lineup. If Ricketts couldn't land Bregman on a short deal, why should anyone expect him to keep Tucker long-term?
It's not as if Ricketts' payroll commitments are suffocating. Only two Cubs are under contract past 2026: left-hander Shota Imanaga (through 2027 if he exercises player options) and shortstop Dansby Swanson (signed through 2029). The team is more than $31 million under the luxury-tax threshold and possibly could have remained under even if it had signed Bregman, through deferrals or other moves. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, however, told reporters the organization "philosophically" has avoided the kinds of large-scale deferrals other teams employ.
These words from Hoyer, regarding his case to ownership for Bregman, were telling: "I realize this is a financial stretch above our budget, but I realize this is the moment to do it." The Cubs are projected to win a weakened NL Central even without Bregman, but his addition might have sealed the deal. He was a better fit for their roster than he is for Boston's. And by getting him on a short deal, the Cubs could have given additional development time to third-base prospect Matt Shaw.
If not now, when? Lately, with Ricketts, the answer seems to be "never."
Quote from: MU82 on February 18, 2025, 09:27:14 AMTheo Epstein famously used the phrase, "If not now, when will we be able to add a wife beater?" to justify the Chicago Cubs' trade for Aroldis Chapman during the 2016 season.
Fixed it for Theo.
Tucker will absolutely NOT be a Cub in 2026.
I've been an Attanasio defender but, woo boy, he should quit doing pressers. I'd hate to be in the ticket office this week
Quote from: Uncle Rico on February 19, 2025, 08:13:18 AMI've been an Attanasio defender but, woo boy, he should quit doing pressers. I'd hate to be in the ticket office this week
Don't you appreciate a summer of entertainment and passion and a way for families to come together?
Quote from: MUfan12 on February 19, 2025, 09:53:42 AMDon't you appreciate a summer of entertainment and passion and a way for families to come together?
No, families anger me
Always wait for the full quote
Quote from: Uncle Rico on February 19, 2025, 08:13:18 AMI've been an Attanasio defender but, woo boy, he should quit doing pressers. I'd hate to be in the ticket office this week
I thoroughly believe that the small and middle market owners are ready for a big fight over the next CBA.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 19, 2025, 01:59:30 PMI thoroughly believe that the small and middle market owners are ready for a big fight over the next CBA.
As do I. I think there are more than a few big market teams on board as well
The owners have gone 0-fer in MLB work stoppages dating back 50+ years, and often have found themselves in a worse position than what they could have had when the stoppage began.
No reason to suspect that will change.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 19, 2025, 02:14:36 PMThe owners have gone 0-fer in MLB work stoppages dating back 50+ years, and often have found themselves in a worse position than what they could have had when the stoppage began.
No reason to suspect that will change.
The 2022 stoppage was a pretty minor thing over minor issues - I have no idea who "won" that one. The last one prior to that was 30 years ago.
But the union is considered weak and I think the owners are going to want significant changes to the compensation structure.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 19, 2025, 02:23:51 PMThe 2022 stoppage was a pretty minor thing over minor issues - I have no idea who "won" that one. The last one prior to that was 30 years ago.
But the union is considered weak and I think the owners are going to want significant changes to the compensation structure.
Not sure the union matters all that much. Players will be taking their cues from Scott Boras, Joel Wolfe and CAA, not Tony Clark.
And given the rise in salaries, players have never been better positioned to wait out a long stoppage.
Owners wanted significant changes in 1981 and 1994 also. They didn't get them.
Never say never, but historically speaking work stoppages have led to worse outcomes for owners than players.
Owners always want to "break' the union. Reinsdorf & Selig always led the charge. Bas as Pak said, it usually didn't go real well for them.
My money wouldn't be on the owners.
One of baseball's great traditions is no more.
I'm speaking, of course,of the Yankees' ban on beards.
(https://giphy.com/gifs/thesimpsons-the-simpsons-3x17-3orieQbF2Tfs5IUJTq)
Quote from: Pakuni on February 21, 2025, 08:35:40 AMOne of baseball's great traditions is no more.
I'm speaking, of course,of the Yankees' ban on beards.
(https://giphy.com/gifs/thesimpsons-the-simpsons-3x17-3orieQbF2Tfs5IUJTq)
RIP to a once strong, proud franchise.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 21, 2025, 08:35:40 AMOne of baseball's great traditions is no more.
I'm speaking, of course,of the Yankees' ban on beards.
(https://giphy.com/gifs/thesimpsons-the-simpsons-3x17-3orieQbF2Tfs5IUJTq)
Devin Williams was so ugly clean shaven that it finally got the Yankees out of the 19th century.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 21, 2025, 10:13:51 AMDevin Williams was so ugly clean shaven that it finally got the Yankees out of the 19th century.
Hope he didn't punch a wall when he found out the changed they rule right after he shaved.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 21, 2025, 08:35:40 AMOne of baseball's great traditions is no more.
I'm speaking, of course,of the Yankees' ban on beards.
(https://giphy.com/gifs/thesimpsons-the-simpsons-3x17-3orieQbF2Tfs5IUJTq)
DEI?
For a team trying to build goodwill with the fans, who else would you resign yet again but Mike Clevinger!
Quote from: Shaka Shart on February 21, 2025, 04:00:01 PMFor a team trying to build goodwill with the fans, who else would you resign yet again but Mike Clevinger!
But, at least he sucks so he'll fit right in.
Quote from: Shaka Shart on February 21, 2025, 04:00:01 PMFor a team trying to build goodwill with the fans, who else would you resign yet again but Mike Clevinger!
Based upon their entire body of work the past year, I don't think that is a factual statement. I honestly don't think the Sox or Bulls care one lick about the fans.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on February 21, 2025, 05:18:16 PMBased upon their entire body of work the past year, I don't think that is a factual statement. I honestly don't think the Sox or Bulls care one lick about the fans.
The beatings will continue until morale improves
Quote from: GB Warrior on February 21, 2025, 05:32:01 PMThe beatings will continue until morale improves
I could see P Diddy singing the national anthem on opening day for the Sox to get fans back.
There's no way Justin Ishbia is giving up on buying the Twins to "only" increase his minority share in the Sox. He's most likely getting these shares way below fair market value for the non Reinsdorf family shares, with some type of understanding about the future.
Quote from: Dish on February 22, 2025, 12:18:48 AMThere's no way Justin Ishbia is giving up on buying the Twins to "only" increase his minority share in the Sox. He's most likely getting these shares way below fair market value for the non Reinsdorf family shares, with some type of understanding about the future.
Yep. Matter of when not if.
Quote from: wadesworld on February 21, 2025, 10:13:51 AMDevin Williams was so ugly clean shaven that it finally got the Yankees out of the 19th century.
The Athletic story on this is just something.
"Steinbrenner said he spoke with team leaders Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton, among others, to gather their thoughts on possibly changing the rule. He also spoke with former Yankees and individuals outside of baseball to get their take on whether the most recognizable rule in American sports should change."
I mean, JFC, the policy was dumb to begin with. But you had to check with former Yankees to get their input??? Watch your own sport. Watch a different sport. Just walk down the street for once.
Quote from: The Sultan on February 22, 2025, 11:27:59 AMThe Athletic story on this is just something.
"Steinbrenner said he spoke with team leaders Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton, among others, to gather their thoughts on possibly changing the rule. He also spoke with former Yankees and individuals outside of baseball to get their take on whether the most recognizable rule in American sports should change."
I mean, JFC, the policy was dumb to begin with. But you had to check with former Yankees to get their input??? Watch your own sport. Watch a different sport. Just walk down the street for once.
Is this a seminal moment for facial hair social justice? I don't get the interest in this "story".
Quote from: WhiteTrash on February 22, 2025, 01:16:27 PMIs this a seminal moment for facial hair social justice? I don't get the interest in this "story".
It's the Yankees.
Quote from: Dish on February 22, 2025, 12:18:48 AMThere's no way Justin Ishbia is giving up on buying the Twins to "only" increase his minority share in the Sox. He's most likely getting these shares way below fair market value for the non Reinsdorf family shares, with some type of understanding about the future.
If the Reinsdorfs are positioning to exit the Sox, and it sure looks that way, I think the Bulls will be next. All indications in the past were the Bulls are an afterthought that Jerry would sell way before he would sell the Sox.
Interesting years ahead for Chicago team ownerships.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on February 22, 2025, 01:57:56 PMIf the Reinsdorfs are positioning to exit the Sox, and it sure looks that way, I think the Bulls will be next. All indications in the past were the Bulls are an afterthought that Jerry would sell way before he would sell the Sox.
Interesting years ahead for Chicago team ownerships.
Jerry definitely cares more about the Sox than the Bulls. Michael, however, is just the opposite. He's been heavily involved in the Bulls for a long time and has little to do with the Sox. I imagine dad is leaving the team to him.
I think the Reinsdorfs' heavy involvement in the private redevelopment of the neighborhood surrounding the UC lends further credence to this. I don't think they're investing their own money - $7 billion between them and the Wirtzes - into that project if the plan is to sell the team anytime soon.
Quote from: Pakuni on February 22, 2025, 03:36:42 PMJerry definitely cares more about the Sox than the Bulls. Michael, however, is just the opposite. He's been heavily involved in the Bulls for a long time and has little to do with the Sox. I imagine dad is leaving the team to him.
I think the Reinsdorfs' heavy involvement in the private redevelopment of the neighborhood surrounding the UC lends further credence to this. I don't think they're investing their own money - $7 billion between them and the Wirtzes - into that project if the plan is to sell the team anytime soon.
Great points.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on February 22, 2025, 01:16:27 PMIs this a seminal moment for facial hair social justice? I don't get the interest in this "story".
Baseball's player empowerment era
Quote from: WhiteTrash on February 22, 2025, 01:16:27 PMIs this a seminal moment for facial hair social justice? I don't get the interest in this "story".
It was a really big deal back in the 70s when Steinbrenner did it. He was a real hard-a$$ jerk who wanted to go back to the old days when players had a dress code and strict grooming rules. Once Charlie Finley broke that mold with the A's by allowing players to have long hair, beards, and mustaches, George had to show how tough he was. Baseball's version of Trump - make all the rules and fire people.
Quote from: Jockey on February 22, 2025, 08:13:45 PMIt was a really big deal back in the 70s when Steinbrenner did it. He was a real hard-a$$ jerk who wanted to go back to the old days when players had a dress code and strict grooming rules. Once Charlie Finley broke that mold with the A's by allowing players to have long hair, beards, and mustaches, George had to show how tough he was. Baseball's version of Trump - make all the rules and fire people.
🙄🙄🙄
Quote from: GB Warrior on February 22, 2025, 06:22:21 PMBaseball's player empowerment era
The rest of baseball should be worried as the Yankees will
finally be able to attract free agents.
Just read an article in The Athletic about no team wanting to sign Anthony Rizzo, even at a bargain price.
He's only 35, but his recent injury history and limited production seem to have scared everyone away.
With the way Rizzo has hit in Milwaukee I'd take a flyer on him.
Quote from: MUfan12 on February 23, 2025, 11:33:50 AMWith the way Rizzo has hit in Milwaukee I'd take a flyer on him.
You'd think there'd be some team who'd want a left-handed bat and a proven leader. But he suggested in the article that he wanted several million dollars because accepting the veteran's minimum would set a bad precedent. So some of this is him setting a financial bar that teams are unwilling to go over for an older, injury-prone first baseman with declining production.
Quote from: MUfan12 on February 23, 2025, 11:33:50 AMWith the way Rizzo has hit in Milwaukee I'd take a flyer on him.
After a whole season of watching Rhys Hoskins, I'd roll Mario Mendoza out there and see what happens.
Quote from: GB Warrior on February 23, 2025, 01:28:16 PMAfter a whole season of watching Rhys Hoskins, I'd roll Mario Mendoza out there and see what happens.
I'll give him a pass for last year coming off of an injury. We'll see what happens this year. Until last year his ops+ has been over 120 every year but one and that was 111. Average OPS was around .840 and OBP was in the .350 range.
If he goes back to pre-injury, he will help the team. If not, good riddance after this year.
Quote from: MU82 on February 23, 2025, 12:38:46 PMYou'd think there'd be some team who'd want a left-handed bat and a proven leader. But he suggested in the article that he wanted several million dollars because accepting the veteran's minimum would set a bad precedent. So some of this is him setting a financial bar that teams are unwilling to go over for an older, injury-prone first baseman with declining production.
I read that article as well, and picked up on a sense of entitlement from him when he was talking about how teams don't want to pay veterans and instead want to go with younger, cheaper guys. He seemed to lack self-awareness. His skills have been declining for several years and he no longer can stay healthy for a full season, or even 3/4 of one. Roster spots are too valuable for a team to burn one on an old guy who's getting worse every year and can only play 1B/DH, especially when that guy is going to cost them $6-10 million.
That said, he's had a long, successful career and will always be a hero in Chicago. But he's probably reached the end of the line as a player.
Rizzo was great in Grease.
Keep your filthy paws off my silky drawers ... would you pull that crap with Annette?
https://apnews.com/article/mlb-robot-umpires-abs-9034454b5a795262bf97446ff38d0361
Any thoughts on this technology?
Quote from: muwarrior69 on March 03, 2025, 12:24:35 PMhttps://apnews.com/article/mlb-robot-umpires-abs-9034454b5a795262bf97446ff38d0361
Any thoughts on this technology?
It should replace the ump.
Wondering if the Quintana signing means Woody won't be back for a while.
Q's numbers will be a lot worse now that he no longer pitches against the Brewers.
Quote from: wadesworld on March 03, 2025, 01:46:30 PMWondering if the Quintana signing means Woody won't be back for a while.
Maybe. But with Hall's injury and the Brewers desire for a 6 man rotation, it could be unrelated.
Quote from: wadesworld on March 03, 2025, 01:46:30 PMWondering if the Quintana signing means Woody won't be back for a while.
Maybe. But if they wanted a more proven option than Hall or Ashby as the second lefty starter, this was a pretty safe move.
Quote from: wadesworld on March 03, 2025, 01:46:30 PMWondering if the Quintana signing means Woody won't be back for a while.
Everything I've heard points to Woody being back on or ahead of schedule, meaning he should be in the rotation before May 1. I see the Q signing as an opportunistic move to get a good solid veteran starter at a reasonable price.
You can never have too much pitching.
In a surprise to no one, Ashby left with an injury tonight. https://x.com/Todd_Rosiak/status/1896735112966131918?t=_hRqgGqnQDMX2Q8e7Cr7PA&s=19
Quote from: MUfan12 on March 03, 2025, 07:38:39 PMIn a surprise to no one, Ashby left with an injury tonight. https://x.com/Todd_Rosiak/status/1896735112966131918?t=_hRqgGqnQDMX2Q8e7Cr7PA&s=19
Welcome aboard Jose Quintana
Quote from: GB Warrior on March 03, 2025, 11:41:03 PMMeaning?
(https://media.tenor.com/p3DZHrO7lZkAAAAM/balls-polishing-dude-lebowski-jesus.gif)
https://www.facebook.com/Brewers/posts/rep-the-wonder-kid-opening-day-only-get-a-limited-edition-chourio-t-shirt-with-s/1208313567324495/
Can't be in town for this game, but if anyone has these tickets I'd pay a pretty penny for this shirt.
Garrit Cole - Tommy John surgery.
He won't get another chance to forget to cover first base until 2026.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on March 03, 2025, 12:24:35 PMhttps://apnews.com/article/mlb-robot-umpires-abs-9034454b5a795262bf97446ff38d0361
Any thoughts on this technology?
Saw it today at a Mets/Cardinals preseason game. It's really good. Overturned two ball calls but otherwise confirmed the Umps' calls consistently.
If an ump misses two very tight strikes per game, he is doing very well.
Tampa Bay no longer pursuing their new stadium in St. Pete. Nashville next?
Quote from: Billy Hoyle on March 13, 2025, 01:06:01 PMTampa Bay no longer pursuing their new stadium in St. Pete. Nashville next?
No. I was reading MLB wants the Rays in the Tampa area and there are 3 Tampa area groups who want to buy the Rays including George Steinbrenners former son-in-law who leads one group.
The DeBartalo family (49ers owners) was another. There are plans to privately fund a stadium in Ybor City too.
Quote from: MU82 on February 23, 2025, 11:02:22 AMJust read an article in The Athletic about no team wanting to sign Anthony Rizzo, even at a bargain price.
He's only 35, but his recent injury history and limited production seem to have scared everyone away.
I'm having serious nostalgia for the fall of 2016 right now. How I miss that entire 40 days. That was a great senior year.
Downtown St. Pete is spectacular, and it would be such an awesome place for a ballpark, with tons of restaurants, bars and other things to do right there, as well as the ocean.
But there just aren't enough fans in St. Pete, and it's not easy to get there. If you're gonna have a team in the metro area, Tampa makes so much more sense.
Quote from: MU82 on March 13, 2025, 04:50:39 PMDowntown St. Pete is spectacular, and it would be such an awesome place for a ballpark, with tons of restaurants, bars and other things to do right there, as well as the ocean.
But there just aren't enough fans in St. Pete, and it's not easy to get there. If you're gonna have a team in the metro area, Tampa makes so much more sense.
First part totally agree. Second part, actually don't agree.
Tampa proper is 350K, St Pete proper is roughly 270K. Pinellas County (St Pete/Clearwater) is about 1MM, Hillsborough County, which is Tampa, is 1.4MM but a lot of that stretches way inland, 20-30 min to downtown Tampa with no traffic. So its not like Tampa is heavily populated in a way that the greater St Pete area isn't. Especially factoring in Bradenton/Sarasota which are much more accessible to St Pete than Tampa.
Where Tropicana Field is now (which is also right next to the proposed new stadium location) is 15 min from downtown Tampa, straight shot on 275. Also 20 min from Bradenton and 30-40 to the greater Sarasota area.
If you want to argue downtown Tampa is more developed/more infrastructure/more of a total hub cause its closer to the airport and the Lightning/Bucs already play there, sure, I can buy that. Tampa is more of a proper city downtown where St Pete is more of a laid back less developed beachside downtown. But the Rays issues with attendance (outside of the terrible stadium) won't be solved by heading to Tampa, IMO.
Also, FWIW, despite technically living in St Pete, I prefer Tampa for a variety of reasons and living on the northern part of the St Pete area, we head to Tampa more often than we do to St Pete unless we want to do something on the water/the pier.
You're far closer to the situation than I am, Wags.
Given what you say, do you think the area is even a viable one for MLB?
Looks like the Rays owner just announced a rejection of the St. Pete's stadium plan.
My son and I went to a Lightning game two years ago (wife and daughters were at Taylor Swift). We were blown away. It was last game of the regular season vs the hapless Red Wings and the place was nuts. I used to have serioous distain for any Hockey team in FLA (or the South, and west, lol) but I came away so impressed with the fans. In that repsect I do see 82's point about Tampa vs. St Pete. I have never been to a Ray's game but have driven past the Trop a lot. The Bolts game seems like a great destination.
Quote from: MU82 on March 14, 2025, 01:15:32 PMYou're far closer to the situation than I am, Wags.
Given what you say, do you think the area is even a viable one for MLB?
Its hard to say. On one hand, as a market in general? Absolutely. Plenty of people and growing, great weather (as it pertains to an entertainment district around the stadium). St Pete alone is probably too small, but like I said, its very close to 2 big affiliated metros. I mean nobody is like "St Paul, MN is too mall for a team" when Minneapolis is right there to add to it.
On the other hand, attendance numbers don't lie. They are bottom 5 every year despite having a consistently pretty good to very good team. Its the same issue as Miami, for whatever reason, the regional nature of baseball just doesn't translate to snowbirds and transplants. Empirically, support for the Rays dwarfs in comparison to the Bucs and the Lightning. In random gear in stores, in random apparel seen walking around, etc...
But like I mentioned above, thats an issue if the stadium is in St Pete or if its in Ybor City or if its in Clearwater by where the Phillies facility is. If Steinberg and crew think it makes sense to move the team to Nashville or the like, I get it. But if people think (outside of affiliated business interests in the development of the stadium and district itself) that the stadium in Tampa makes a difference, I don't know if I agree.
This will be my 3rd MLB season since we moved in mid 2023, and Ive yet to go to a Rays game. Though I'll catch at least 1 or 2 at Steinbrenner field cause it will be a fun experience.
Quote from: The Lens on March 14, 2025, 01:55:49 PMMy son and I went to a Lightning game two years ago (wife and daughters were at Taylor Swift). We were blown away. It was last game of the regular season vs the hapless Red Wings and the place was nuts. I used to have serioous distain for any Hockey team in FLA (or the South, and west, lol) but I came away so impressed with the fans. In that repsect I do see 82's point about Tampa vs. St Pete. I have never been to a Ray's game but have driven past the Trop a lot. The Bolts game seems like a great destination.
Yea, goes to my point above with support. I think a TON more people with no connection to hockey before have adopted the Lightning (for example my parents have good friends/neighbors from the MKE area, Connecticut, and KC who are all transplants and big Lightning fans).
But also, Amelie Arena is in an awesome downtown spot, close to the water, close to a bunch of bars and restaurants, etc...
Trop's pure location sucks. Literally right next to the highway, though it is at the tail end of the main stretch of bars and restaurants in St Pete. But a huge part of the plan for the new stadium was to emulate what you can find right within a block of a Bolts game.
Having a shitty stadium is quite effective at dissuading the casual fan. And the Trop is probably one of the shittiest.
Quote from: wadesworld on March 07, 2025, 09:05:59 AMhttps://www.facebook.com/Brewers/posts/rep-the-wonder-kid-opening-day-only-get-a-limited-edition-chourio-t-shirt-with-s/1208313567324495/
Can't be in town for this game, but if anyone has these tickets I'd pay a pretty penny for this shirt.
Buy a ballpark pass for 39 for tickets to every game in April. Send someone to get you the shirt
Here the articles I saw on the Tampa situation.
MLB commissioner, several owners pressuring Stu Sternberg to sell Rays as buyers eye team
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6189456/2025/03/09/commissioner-owners-pressure-rays-sale-mlb/
As he considers walking away from a stadium deal in St. Petersburg, Fla., Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg is being pressured to sell his team by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and some other owners, people briefed on the ownership-level conversations who were not authorized to speak publicly told The Athletic.
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One of the groups interested in buying the Rays is the family of Edward DeBartolo Jr., which has roots in Tampa, three people briefed on the discussions said. Members of the DeBartolo family own the San Francisco 49ers, although Edward Jr. is no longer involved with that team. Former New York Yankees minority owner Joe Molloy is involved in the DeBartolo effort as well, but does not carry the same financial weight as DeBartolo.
The people briefed on the team's discussions also said Tampa businessman Dan Doyle Jr., who reportedly pulled out of a previous process to buy the Rays in 2023, is part of another group with recent interest.
MLB and the 49ers declined comment. Doyle and Molloy could not immediately be reached for comment...
MLB boss Rob Manfred reportedly pressuring Rays owner Stu Sternberg to sell team as stadium drama continues
Sternberg purchased the franchise for $65 million in October 2005
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-boss-rob-manfred-reportedly-pressuring-rays-owner-stu-sternberg-to-sell-team-as-stadium-drama-continues/
Detroit's pitching looks really good. With injuries to Vierling and Meadows, as well as Jace Jung getting sent down, I have very little feel for what half of the other starting 8 is going to look like. Or the batting order.
They went all in on Bregman and failed. It is going to look like the first two thirds of last season all over again. Good pitching, erratic fielding and hitting.
White Sox release Joey Gallo.
Terrible optics.
Quote from: Pakuni on March 18, 2025, 08:39:27 AMWhite Sox release Joey Gallo.
Terrible optics.
Terrible mistake. They could have swapped him for a top prospect at the deadline.
Quote from: Jockey on March 18, 2025, 09:03:29 AMTerrible mistake. They could have swapped him for a top prospect at the deadline.
Literally nobody said this.
The optics thing on the other hand ...
Quote from: Pakuni on March 18, 2025, 09:33:08 AMLiterally nobody said this.
The optics thing on the other hand ...
Being so bad you can't help the White Sox is not a sign from God to switch positions
Quote from: Pakuni on March 18, 2025, 09:33:08 AMLiterally nobody said this.
The optics thing on the other hand ...
Sarcasm, dude.
But people here (maybe you - I'm too lazy to look back at earlier comments) did say that maybe he could be swapped at the deadline which was never, ever going to be a thing.
Quote from: Shaka Shart on March 14, 2025, 04:07:56 PMHaving a shitty stadium is quite effective at dissuading the casual fan. And the Trop is probably one of the shittiest.
Oakland has a stadium that is available.
The word stadium is doing a lot of heavy lifting there
Maybe its coincidence, but MLB has two teams playing in minor league stadiums for the next two years. CWS' don't appear to be even worthy of a vote for stadium funding. Is there a real problem with MLB? I think there are media rights issues and maybe some teams without TV deals. Aa a casual fan, I don't understand why Miami can't draw flies to the new stadium or field a decent team.
I think MLB is entertaining expansion, but they appear to have more pressing issues.
But, I could be wrong.
To be fair, only one of those was planned. Having the Trop damaged by a hurricane was not part of any plan.
The Chicago Cubs currently have the worst record in all of Major League Baseball.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on March 18, 2025, 01:52:53 PMMaybe its coincidence, but MLB has two teams playing in minor league stadiums for the next two years. CWS' don't appear to be even worthy of a vote for stadium funding. Is there a real problem with MLB? I think there are media rights issues and maybe some teams without TV deals. Aa a casual fan, I don't understand why Miami can't draw flies to the new stadium or field a decent team.
I think MLB is entertaining expansion, but they appear to have more pressing issues.
But, I could be wrong.
1. Vastly uneven revenue distribution mostly due to reliance on local media deals.
2. Owners figuring out they can still make a bunch of $$ by keeping costs at rock bottom.
3. Continued weakness with national media deals.
4. Lack of vision by people running the game for how this may be fixed.
Quote from: BrewCity83 on March 18, 2025, 02:02:59 PMThe Chicago Cubs currently have the worst record in all of Major League Baseball.
All is right in the world. ;D
Well there's enough data out there now to extrapolate out a 0-162 season for the cubs. kraig is a failure.
Not that it mattered, but MLB out here gifting Ohtani homeruns.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on March 18, 2025, 01:52:53 PMMaybe its coincidence, but MLB has two teams playing in minor league stadiums for the next two years. CWS' don't appear to be even worthy of a vote for stadium funding. Is there a real problem with MLB? I think there are media rights issues and maybe some teams without TV deals. Aa a casual fan, I don't understand why Miami can't draw flies to the new stadium or field a decent team.
I think MLB is entertaining expansion, but they appear to have more pressing issues.
But, I could be wrong.
By all logic Miami should be a big draw. A large immigrant population that is baseball obsessed. Then again, it is also filled with retirees who can't exist in the Florida summer heat for three hours.
Quote from: CreightonWarrior on March 19, 2025, 07:50:41 AMWell there's enough data out there now to extrapolate out a 0-162 season for the cubs. kraig is a failure.
The CWS only get one year of celebrating their MLB record?
Such is the life of Sox fans. :(
Quote from: Hards Alumni on March 19, 2025, 08:29:10 AMBy all logic Miami should be a big draw. A large immigrant population that is baseball obsessed. Then again, it is also filled with retirees who can't exist in the Florida summer heat for three hours.
Good points. Again, I might be ignorant but the overall health of MLB does not appear great to this guy.
And I'm not saying MLB is dying (like football ;) ), I just think they need to address some issues in a time where it appears all sports leagues are killing it, except for MLB.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on March 19, 2025, 08:35:22 AMGood points. Again, I might be ignorant but the overall health of MLB does not appear great to this guy.
And I'm not saying MLB is dying (like football ;) ), I just think they need to address some issues in a time where it appears all sports leagues are killing it, except for MLB.
MLB attendance has been up for two straight seasons. TV ratings were really good for the WS last year. (Yankees v. Dodgers will do that.) So its hard to argue that things aren't going decent considering the downward trends. And demographically they are capturing a younger crowd as well.
But the problem is that there are just so many absolute loser franchises owned by guys who just want to print money and not compete.
Quote from: The Sultan on March 19, 2025, 08:39:42 AMMLB attendance has been up for two straight seasons. TV ratings were really good for the WS last year. (Yankees v. Dodgers will do that.) So its hard to argue that things aren't going decent considering the downward trends. And demographically they are capturing a younger crowd as well.
But the problem is that there are just so many absolute loser franchises owned by guys who just want to print money and not compete.
The franchise on the South Side of Chicago is the perfect example. They are suffering from 100% self inflicted wounds and not an MLB problem.
Maybe the MLB problem is needing to washout the bad owners. Maybe a hard floor/cap is needed? Maybe a pooled media rights deal? As a CWS fan, I appreciate that MLB precludes them from a top ten pick in the draft, but that doesn't seem to motivate JR to try harder.
Quote from: The Sultan on March 19, 2025, 08:39:42 AMMLB attendance has been up for two straight seasons. TV ratings were really good for the WS last year. (Yankees v. Dodgers will do that.)
While I hate nearly everything Manfred has done, the pitch clock has been great for the game.
Baseball has always had bad owners. Baseball has always had skinflint owners. Baseball has always had have's and have not's.
Baseball owners long ago killed any chance at labor peace and market parity.
History, it teaches us a lot.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on March 19, 2025, 10:56:01 AMBaseball has always had bad owners. Baseball has always had skinflint owners. Baseball has always had have's and have not's.
Baseball owners long ago killed any chance at labor peace and market parity.
History, it teaches us a lot.
This is true, but I do think that MLB's owners are bad in a far less interesting and more strangulating way than the NFL's or even NBA's bad owners. MLB's bad owners generally tend to be miserly, often quietly competent at making money and generally disregarding the fan experience. NFL owners on the other hand are like a clown car of cartoon villains that constantly lend to media coverage and interesting personality clashes with coaches and players. That combined with the salary cap means that the NFL owners' personalities don't generally directly affect the onfield product, while providing hilarious storylines. But MLB's owners generally just sort of quietly suffocate both the onfield competitive balance and media coverage in a way that doesn't have any off label benefits to the league's popularity.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on March 19, 2025, 10:56:01 AMBaseball has always had bad owners. Baseball has always had skinflint owners. Baseball has always had have's and have not's.
Baseball owners long ago killed any chance at labor peace and market parity.
And look where it has gotten them.
Quote from: The Sultan on March 19, 2025, 11:35:24 AMAnd look where it has gotten them.
125 years and still going.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on March 19, 2025, 12:23:32 PM125 years and still going.
Right. But we aren't talking about their survival here. We are talking about some of their current struggles.
Quote from: The Sultan on March 19, 2025, 12:25:03 PMRight. But we aren't talking about their survival here. We are talking about some of their current struggles.
There are some problems, always will be, but overall the game and league are in great shape.
Record revenues last year:
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-reports-record-12-1-billion-in-revenues-for-2024-season/
Average franchise value up 4% last year, 1,137% since 1998:
https://www.forbes.com/lists/mlb-valuations/
Largest attendance in seven years:
https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-finishes-2024-season-with-highest-attendance-in-seven-years
Highest TV ratings for playoffs since 2017:
https://www.sportspro.com/news/mlb-2024-world-series-dodgers-yankees-tv-ratings-viewership-fox-november-2024/
Quote from: Pakuni on March 19, 2025, 12:58:06 PMThere are some problems, always will be, but overall the game and league are in great shape.
Record revenues last year:
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-reports-record-12-1-billion-in-revenues-for-2024-season/
Average franchise value up 4% last year, 1,137% since 1998:
https://www.forbes.com/lists/mlb-valuations/
Largest attendance in seven years:
https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-finishes-2024-season-with-highest-attendance-in-seven-years
Highest TV ratings for playoffs since 2017:
https://www.sportspro.com/news/mlb-2024-world-series-dodgers-yankees-tv-ratings-viewership-fox-november-2024/
Which I acknowledged all above. As well as what I defined as their "current struggles."
Quote from: Hards Alumni on March 19, 2025, 08:29:10 AMBy all logic Miami should be a big draw. A large immigrant population that is baseball obsessed. Then again, it is also filled with retirees who can't exist in the Florida summer heat for three hours.
Can't help yourself. You must be really insecure.
Quote from: Pakuni on March 19, 2025, 12:58:06 PMThere are some problems, always will be, but overall the game and league are in great shape.
Record revenues last year:
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-reports-record-12-1-billion-in-revenues-for-2024-season/
Average franchise value up 4% last year, 1,137% since 1998:
https://www.forbes.com/lists/mlb-valuations/
Largest attendance in seven years:
https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-finishes-2024-season-with-highest-attendance-in-seven-years
Highest TV ratings for playoffs since 2017:
https://www.sportspro.com/news/mlb-2024-world-series-dodgers-yankees-tv-ratings-viewership-fox-november-2024/
Ok but some owners can't even afford sand
Quote from: Jockey on March 19, 2025, 03:33:57 PMCan't help yourself. You must be really insecure.
????
The Skenes rookie card ended up selling for $1.11 million at auction.
The 11-year-old boy who had the card will get $925K from the sale.
Why did the Brewers release Margot? Will be anything more than a place holding body in the Detroit outfield?
After a minute of research, I guess I should be asking Twin fans. I don't remember him.
Quote from: tower912 on March 23, 2025, 05:54:50 PMWhy did the Brewers release Margot? Will be anything more than a place holding body in the Detroit outfield?
After a minute of research, I guess I should be asking Twin fans. I don't remember him.
Margot is fine right handed OF depth, but was redundant with Blake Perkins for the Crew. Perkins is a better and more flexible defender and is still pre-arb. I think Margot's bat is a little better, but there just wasn't a place for Margot on the active roster.
Crazy baseball fact I saw today... the Giants will be starting a different left fielder on Opening Day for the 19th straight season.
It was Dick's Sporting Goods that bought the Skenes card. From The Athletic:
"Dick's is passionate about bringing fans closer to the game," said Ed Stack, executive chairman of Dick's Sporting Goods in a statement announcing the purchase. "Acquiring the Paul Skenes MLB Debut Patch card enables us to celebrate his incredible talent while giving our athletes a unique opportunity to experience a piece of baseball history up close. We're thrilled to bring this special card home and display it in our Pittsburgh House of Sport store where it can inspire the next generation of athletes and collectors."
The company is using the card to draw attention to a new "trading cards and memorabilia experience" that will be in certain stores nationwide starting this spring. And while $1.11 million is a lot of money for a trading card, for a marketing campaign that attracts national media coverage, social media chatter and a reason to enter a brick and mortar store in the year 2025, it's a bargain.
Quote from: Hards Alumni on March 19, 2025, 08:29:10 AMBy all logic Miami should be a big draw. A large immigrant population that is baseball obsessed. Then again, it is also filled with retirees who can't exist in the Florida summer heat for three hours.
Excuse me????
First off, Miami's loanDepot Park has a retractable dome. That solves the heat problem. It's actually a nice ballpark, especially with the roof open and its location right off Interstate 95 on the edge of Little Havana is convenient to much of the metro area.
I'm going to Opening Day tomorrow (vs. Pittsburgh) because it's opening day. I usually go a couple of times before we bug out for Chicago in the mid-summer. The stadium is 140 miles, or about two hours, from my house and the drive on the Turnpike isn't bad.
The problem is ownership. Miami has more World Championships in the last 100 years than the Chicago Cubs (don't you just love that, Cubs fans). But everytime the Marlins get good, Ownership goes cheap and the team ends up with protracted stays in the Cubland portion of the standings. If Miami had a Cuban superstar along the lines of Musial, Banks, Aaron, Mays, Mantle etc., it would be a beisbol mecca.
Miami's ultimate problem is that there's too many alternatives to baseball for the community to support a bad or marginally mediocre team. Keep a Dominican or Puerto Rican superstar here that the folks around Miami can relate to and, my gosh, I can only imagine what would happen. Los Angeles -- look out!!!!
Huh ... I didn't know that Musial, Banks, Aaron, Mays and Mantle were Cuban!
Quote from: MU82 on March 26, 2025, 02:24:47 PMHuh ... I didn't know that Musial, Banks, Aaron, Mays and Mantle were Cuban!
Ya learn something new every day!!!😄
My point is that the Marlins need a face of the franchise. If he's. Cuban or Rican, all the better l!
For the first time in 15 years, I live in a city with an MLB team. But the Mariners' season opener tomorrow isn't available on local TV.
I guess I'll see the highlights later or the next day. Whatevs.
Quote from: MU82 on March 26, 2025, 07:59:50 PMFor the first time in 15 years, I live in a city with an MLB team. But the Mariners' season opener tomorrow isn't available on local TV.
I guess I'll see the highlights later or the next day. Whatevs.
Go to the game! The park is nice and fans friendly. It's a great time. I've done. Lot of work in Seattle over the years and found Mariners games relaxing and fun!
Quote from: dgies9156 on March 26, 2025, 10:39:27 PMGo to the game! The park is nice and fans friendly. It's a great time. I've done. Lot of work in Seattle over the years and found Mariners games relaxing and fun!
I've been to Mariners games. Agree it's a nice place to watch a ballgame. I can't go tomorrow. But thanks.
Quote from: MU82 on March 26, 2025, 07:59:50 PMFor the first time in 15 years, I live in a city with an MLB team. But the Mariners' season opener tomorrow isn't available on local TV.
I guess I'll see the highlights later or the next day. Whatevs.
I never understood why the prevailing thought is to black out local games to encourage fans to come to the game. I'd think quite a few people can't afford to go to games more than once or a handful of times per year, so you're just going to lose them as fans. Especially when your team isn't awesome.
I think it used to work decades ago since there was less entertainment available overall, but the model of blacking out local games to drive attendance feels very last century.
Happy opening day to all! I wish victory for all of your teams except the Yankees (ok and the Cardinals)
At the end of today, the Cubs will still have the most losses in baseball.
Let's go Yankees!
I'll put it out there before the season. The Sox will improve to 44-118.
There is no logical argument to say this should happen as they has much less talent than last year, but I'll be the delusional fan.
The Tigers are following the lead of the Lions and starting the season with a pretty good outfield on the injured list. Meadows, Vierling, Perez. The pitching staff is stacked for now.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on March 27, 2025, 09:26:30 AMI'll put it out there before the season. The Sox will improve to 44-118.
There is no logical argument to say this should happen as they has much less talent than last year, but I'll be the delusional fan.
The O/U is at 53.5 lol
Quote from: WhiteTrash on March 27, 2025, 09:26:30 AMI'll put it out there before the season. The Sox will improve to 44-118.
There is no logical argument to say this should happen as they has much less talent than last year, but I'll be the delusional fan.
Random variance can be fun
Quote from: GB Warrior on March 27, 2025, 08:34:34 AMHappy opening day to all! I wish victory for all of your teams except the Yankees (ok and the Cardinals)
At the end of today, the Cubs will still have the most losses in baseball.
The best to all MLB fans today in this Year of the Cardinal!
(Even I laugh at that one. It's one the ing to be optimistic for your team. It's another thing to be insane. The Cardinals have more holes than the socks my son wore when he was 9!)
Quote from: Hards Alumni on March 27, 2025, 09:31:32 AMThe O/U is at 53.5 lol
LOL is right. It opened at 49, but 53.5 is the new record low O/U.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on March 27, 2025, 09:26:30 AMI'll put it out there before the season. The Sox will improve to 44-118.
There is no logical argument to say this should happen as they has much less talent than last year, but I'll be the delusional fan.
The team is even worse than last year, but they should win 45-50 games by accident.
Quote from: dgies9156 on March 26, 2025, 06:02:23 PMYa learn something new every day!!!😄
My point is that the Marlins need a face of the franchise. If he's. Cuban or Rican, all the better l!
They've had plenty of guys who could have been franchise faces. The organization got rid of all of them.