Will the Tigers trade Skubal?
Will the Brewers trade Peralta?
Will the Twins try?
Will the Cubs overcome an opponent waving an "L" flag after beating them in a playoff series?
Will the Cardinals be selling?
Will White Sox fans continue to be lectured about how they should enjoy their team?
Will Brewers fans complain about other teams spending while their team only spends 40% of their revenue?
Quote from: Uncle Rico on November 03, 2025, 08:43:22 AMWill the Cubs overcome an opponent waving an "L" flag after beating them in a playoff series?
Nope. I personally fear this has become the new Billy Goat. I'm afraid my 3 year old son will never see another Cubs playoff series win
Quote from: Uncle Rico on November 03, 2025, 08:43:22 AMWill the Tigers trade Skubal?
Will the Brewers trade Peralta?
Will the Twins try?
Will the Cubs overcome an opponent waving an "L" flag after beating them in a playoff series?
Will the Cardinals be selling?
Will White Sox fans continue to be lectured about how they should enjoy their team?
All these questions pale until the big one is answered.
What are Yadi's plans?
Quote from: TallTitan34 on November 03, 2025, 09:07:08 AMWill Brewers fans complain about other teams spending while their team only spends 40% of their revenue?
No. We're terrified of the "L" flag curse
What does it even matter? The Dodgers are guaranteed victories in the next 20 World Series.
I mean, just look at the way they dominated the Blue Jays, sweeping the series and winning every game by at least 5 runs.
I think the Tigers will shop Skubal. I think their asking price will be proportionate to Skubal's salary expectations. If somebody meets their price, he gone.
I think Detroit will probably be shopping for a right handed hitting CF, an established starting pitcher, and a high level prospect starting pitcher. Those three things combined will get you a Skubal.
The White Sox, having moved from historical to just a simply bad club, don't deserve any hot stove chatter. They were more interesting when history was in play. They are in the DePaul category of interest.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on November 03, 2025, 11:47:50 AMThe White Sox, having moved from historical to just a simply bad club, don't deserve any hot stove chatter. They were more interesting when history was in play. They are in the DePaul category of interest.
What a surprising take
Quote from: WhiteTrash on November 03, 2025, 11:47:50 AMThe White Sox, having moved from historical to just a simply bad club, don't deserve any hot stove chatter. They were more interesting when history was in play. They are in the DePaul category of interest.
I found myself taking a look at some of the encouraging rookie stats and what they might be doing with the plethora of young good hitting catcher talent they've acquired this morning.
About 30 mins after that my iron rod was sufficiently heated over an open flame to shove up my dick hole because I had the audacity to care.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on November 03, 2025, 11:54:58 AMWhat a surprising take
Fans of a club coming off a third strait 100+ lose season would be disinterested. But JR is excited ...... for another $75M payroll next year.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on November 03, 2025, 12:17:32 PMFans of a club coming off a third strait 100+ lose season would be disinterested. But JR is excited ...... for another $75M payroll next year.
I'm willing to bet there will be White Sox chatter here
Quote from: Uncle Rico on November 03, 2025, 12:20:43 PMI'm willing to bet there will be White Sox chatter here
54 MLB rookies had WARs of 1.2 or above last year. Nine of them played for the White Sox. Even with all those graduations to the majors, White Sox still have five players on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects, which I believe is topped only by the Dodgers and Mariners.
#futureisbright
Quote from: Pakuni on November 03, 2025, 01:15:16 PM54 MLB rookies had WARs of 1.2 or above last year. Nine of them played for the White Sox. Even with all those graduations to the majors, White Sox still have five players on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects, which I believe is topped only by the Dodgers and Mariners.
#futureisbright
Just my opinion, but I think it is asking a lot of the CWS fans to get excited (except for the impending change in ownership).
Quote from: TallTitan34 on November 03, 2025, 09:07:08 AMWill Brewers fans complain about other teams spending while their team only spends 40% of their revenue?
Will the Cubs win a division or playoff series over the team that spends 40% of their revenue, a much smaller revenue than the Cubs have.
Oh wait, the Cubs only spend 36% of their revenue. Yet their payroll is over 50% higher than the Brewers. Huh. It's almost like there isn't an even playing field in baseball.
Quote from: WhiteTrash on November 03, 2025, 11:47:50 AMThe White Sox, having moved from historical to just a simply bad club, don't deserve any hot stove chatter. They were more interesting when history was in play. They are in the DePaul category of interest.
Maybe they can improve a little more next year and move up to Georgetown level.
Quote from: wadesworld on November 03, 2025, 02:30:12 PMWill the Cubs win a division or playoff series over the team that spends 40% of their revenue, a much smaller revenue than the Cubs have.
Oh wait, the Cubs only spend 36% of their revenue. Yet their payroll is over 50% higher than the Brewers. Huh. It's almost like there isn't an even playing field in baseball.
So you brag how you routinely beat the Cubs who have a higher payroll but also complain its unfair teams have higher revenue/payroll.
Again, I have no problem contracting the Brewers to level the playing field.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on November 03, 2025, 02:35:21 PMSo you brag how you routinely beat the Cubs who have a higher payroll but also complain its unfair teams have higher revenue/payroll.
Again, I have no problem contracting the Brewers to level the playing field.
Yes, it's absurd that there's no revenue sharing or salary cap in baseball. I wonder why every other major professional sport has at least one of those things...
Quote from: wadesworld on November 03, 2025, 02:36:49 PMI wonder why every other major professional sport has at least one of those things...
Because MLB has the strongest players union?
Quote from: WhiteTrash on November 03, 2025, 02:04:42 PMJust my opinion, but I think it is asking a lot of the CWS fans to get excited (except for the impending change in ownership).
As a fan, you're free to get excited about whatever you want to get excited about. Or not.
Your level of optimism/pessimism is entirely up to you.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on November 03, 2025, 02:37:52 PMBecause MLB has the strongest players union?
Lords of the Realm covers the history of the labor movement in baseball and ownership burying their heads in the sand that lead to the strength of the union. It's easily a top 5 must-read for baseball fans and lays out why baseball is where it is.
It's a great corollary for the NCAA and it's burying its head in the sand for decades. The similarities are striking.
Quote from: wadesworld on November 03, 2025, 02:36:49 PMYes, it's absurd that there's no revenue sharing or salary cap in baseball. I wonder why every other major professional sport has at least one of those things...
There's definitely revenue sharing in baseball.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on November 03, 2025, 02:40:58 PMLords of the Realm covers the history of the labor movement in baseball and ownership burying their heads in the sand that lead to the strength of the union. It's easily a top 5 must-read for baseball fans and lays out why baseball is where it is.
It's a great corollary for the NCAA and it's burying its head in the sand for decades. The similarities are striking.
Interesting. I'll give that a look.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on November 03, 2025, 02:44:52 PMInteresting. I'll give that a look.
It's hands down the best book about labor and ownership in sports. Thorough and heartbreaking if you're a baseball fan.
Quote from: Uncle Rico on November 03, 2025, 02:40:58 PMLords of the Realm covers the history of the labor movement in baseball and ownership burying their heads in the sand that lead to the strength of the union. It's easily a top 5 must-read for baseball fans and lays out why baseball is where it is.
It's a great corollary for the NCAA and it's burying its head in the sand for decades. The similarities are striking.
Then you would love "The Game". It's about Baseball's power brokers - centering on Selig, Steinbrenner, and Don Fehr.
Quote from: Jockey on November 03, 2025, 03:55:01 PMThen you would love "The Game". It's about Baseball's power brokers - centering on Selig, Steinbrenner, and Don Fehr.
Read it. Not as big a fan of this as Lords of the Realm but it covers the ground post LOTR very well. Little too much Steinbrenner genuflecting but the history from '94 on behind the scenes is dominated by him in many ways, it fits
Quote from: Uncle Rico on November 03, 2025, 04:00:57 PMRead it. Not as big a fan of this as Lords of the Realm but it covers the ground post LOTR very well. Little too much Steinbrenner genuflecting but the history from '94 on behind the scenes is dominated by him in many ways, it fits
I'll check out LOTR.
Tolkien did a heckuva job.
Woody opts out of his deal and is a FA. Wonder if the Dodgers give him more than the $20MM option to come out of the pen for them.
Quote from: tower912 on November 03, 2025, 04:32:38 PMTolkien did a heckuva job.
Hobbits absolutely love baseball.
Quote from: wadesworld on November 03, 2025, 04:54:35 PMWoody opts out of his deal and is a FA. Wonder if the Dodgers give him more than the $20MM option to come out of the pen for them.
He's the only Brewer that can hit postseason Dodger pitching.
Quote from: wadesworld on November 03, 2025, 04:54:35 PMWoody opts out of his deal and is a FA. Wonder if the Dodgers give him more than the $20MM option to come out of the pen for them.
His option had a $10M buyout, so he only needs $10.1M to come out ahead.
Quote from: ChuckyChip on November 04, 2025, 06:46:26 AMHis option had a $10M buyout, so he only needs $10.1M to come out ahead.
Right. Seems like a no-brainer move for him.
Game 7 was the most watched MLB game in 8 years.
https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/breaking-news/article/world-series-2025-dodgers-blue-jays-game-7-is-reportedly-most-watched-baseball-game-since-2017-201641417.html?
Quote from: MU82 on November 04, 2025, 08:09:38 AMGame 7 was the most watched MLB game in 8 years.
https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/breaking-news/article/world-series-2025-dodgers-blue-jays-game-7-is-reportedly-most-watched-baseball-game-since-2017-201641417.html?
But the Dodgers are bad for baseball.
They are making money with their model. Spending money to make money.
Quote from: Pakuni on November 04, 2025, 08:36:33 AMBut the Dodgers are bad for baseball.
Yeah, I think its pretty obvious that dynasties are actually good for sports. Like it or not, people tune into the Dodgers. They tuned in to the Yankees during their run. They tuned in to the Bulls. They tune in to the Chiefs.
It's cool when the field is leveled so other fanbases can get involved, but as far as a large national audience, the dynasty is what draws in the casuals.
Quote from: Pakuni on November 04, 2025, 08:36:33 AMBut the Dodgers are bad for baseball.
How much did the Dodgers pay you for this snark?
Quote from: The Sultan on November 04, 2025, 08:43:49 AMYeah, I think its pretty obvious that dynasties are actually good for sports. Like it or not, people tune into the Dodgers. They tuned in to the Yankees during their run. They tuned in to the Bulls. They tune in to the Chiefs.
It's cool when the field is leveled so other fanbases can get involved, but as far as a large national audience, the dynasty is what draws in the casuals.
That's why I want them to win 4-5 in a row
Quote from: MU82 on November 04, 2025, 08:51:14 AMHow much did the Dodgers pay you for this snark?
$5 today, but I'll get $10 million a year starting in 2035.
For comparison sake ... The NBA Finals, despite a strong showing for Game 7, averaged just 10.3 million viewers this year.
It helps that the entire state of Canada was watching their Jays.
Quote from: Pakuni on November 04, 2025, 08:36:33 AMBut the Dodgers are bad for baseball.
Said nobody.
No salary cap is absurd.
Quote from: wadesworld on November 04, 2025, 11:17:29 AMSaid nobody.
A fan poll published in The Athletic last month:
Are the Dodgers, as the modern-day villain, good or bad for baseball?
Good for baseball - 28.4%
Bad for baseball - 55.2%
No opinion - 16.4%
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6744388/2025/10/24/mlb-world-series-dodgers-poll-blue-jays/
QuoteNo salary cap is absurd.
No salary floor is more absurd.
Quote from: Pakuni on November 04, 2025, 11:35:54 AMA fan poll published in The Athletic last week:
Are the Dodgers, as the modern-day villain, good or bad for baseball?
Good for baseball - 28.4%
Bad for baseball - 55.2%
No opinion - 16.4%
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6744388/2025/10/24/mlb-world-series-dodgers-poll-blue-jays/
No salary floor is more absurd.
Fair enough on the Athletic. I agree on the salary floor. That would obviously come if a cap was ever implemented.
https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2025/10/29/the-cubs-were-reportedly-unwilling-to-structure-a-shohei-ohtani-contract-the-same-way-the-dodgers-did/
Quote from: Pakuni on November 04, 2025, 11:35:54 AMA fan poll published in The Athletic last month:
Are the Dodgers, as the modern-day villain, good or bad for baseball?
Good for baseball - 28.4%
Bad for baseball - 55.2%
No opinion - 16.4%
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6744388/2025/10/24/mlb-world-series-dodgers-poll-blue-jays/
No salary floor is more absurd.
I don't think the Dodgers are "bad" for Baseball. Hell, the Jays should be the champs, not LA. If they were "bad for baseball," then they would have swept through every series and not needed a 9th inning HR off a gas can closer to save their season.
Quote from: TallTitan34 on November 03, 2025, 09:07:08 AMWill Brewers fans complain about other teams spending while their team only spends 40% of their revenue?
Curiously the most consistent complaint among my very wide circle of Brewers fan friends/family is that the Brewers don't spend enough, not that the Dodgers spend too much.
Quote from: jficke13 on November 04, 2025, 01:10:50 PMCuriously the most consistent complaint among my very wide circle of Brewers fan friends/family is that the Brewers don't spend enough, not that the Dodgers spend too much.
Yeah, I know some Pirates fans and they're not worried about the Yankees or Dodgers stealing Skenes, they're worried about ownership being too cheap to pay him and giving him away like Gerrit Cole.
Quote from: Pakuni on November 04, 2025, 01:17:37 PMYeah, I know some Pirates fans and they're not worried about the Yankees or Dodgers stealing Skenes, they're worried about ownership being too cheap to pay him and giving him away like Gerrit Cole.
And quite frankly, this whole amateur draft is silly too. Let the teams bid for the talent they want and let the chips fall where they may.
Quote from: jficke13 on November 04, 2025, 01:10:50 PMCuriously the most consistent complaint among my very wide circle of Brewers fan friends/family is that the Brewers don't spend enough, not that the Dodgers spend too much.
Meh. Most people I know just understand that when the Brewers have a high level arm, they aren't going to be able to pay that arm once they hit free agency, so the smart move is usually to trade the arm prior to that happening. That's the reality of baseball as it is. The Brewers can't afford to give a Corbin Burnes $210MM and then have his arm explode (exactly how it happened). The Dodgers (particularly), Yankees, Mets, etc. can afford the risk of that happening.
Quote from: jficke13 on November 04, 2025, 01:10:50 PMCuriously the most consistent complaint among my very wide circle of Brewers fan friends/family is that the Brewers don't spend enough, not that the Dodgers spend too much.
Spending stupidly is worst than not spending in many circumstances.
The Brewers matching the deal Adames got would have been bad money spent.
Avoiding risk completely is a problem.
Substitute Skubal and Tigers fans.
There ain't gonna be a salary cap.
MLB influencer Victor Conte has passed away.
(https://www.reuters.com/resizer/v2/IISD5ZCWYJJ7LN2CFZDI7OI3IU.jpg?auth=64d9a6f6b5a8ff4fa26287486e3c0122f0029a49ffd255f4fed66743c26f16fb&width=5760&quality=80)
Quote from: Uncle Rico on November 03, 2025, 02:40:58 PMLords of the Realm covers the history of the labor movement in baseball and ownership burying their heads in the sand that lead to the strength of the union. It's easily a top 5 must-read for baseball fans and lays out why baseball is where it is.
It's a great corollary for the NCAA and it's burying its head in the sand for decades. The similarities are striking.
One of the best baseball books I ever read. I strongly second Rico's recommendation.
Quote from: wadesworld on November 04, 2025, 01:43:24 PMMeh. Most people I know just understand that when the Brewers have a high level arm, they aren't going to be able to pay that arm once they hit free agency, so the smart move is usually to trade the arm prior to that happening. That's the reality of baseball as it is. The Brewers can't afford to give a Corbin Burnes $210MM and then have his arm explode (exactly how it happened). The Dodgers (particularly), Yankees, Mets, etc. can afford the risk of that happening.
This, more than anything else, is the problem. There are maybe 5-6 teams that could afford the risk that the Snell contract presented. It's the risks you can't afford to take.
This WS was extremely good baseball. And it should be, there were more than a half dozen MVP/Cy Young caliber players playing. The fact that stars demand eyeballs and also produce aesthetically pleasing baseball isn't a hot take. It's the competitive balance to get there that is the problem. Other teams can have a seat at the table but there are a lot of breaks that have to go their way for that to happen. Next to no margin for error. And none of that was in play here - TOR is 5th in payroll. I think the gap between will get closed in the next CBA - there won't be a cap but I bet the tax calc will be different and disallow deferred money to the extent the dodgers have used it.
For what it's worth, I think viewership is slightly inflated by having an entire country rally around its only team.
Quote from: GB Warrior on November 04, 2025, 07:07:47 PMThis, more than anything else, is the problem. There are maybe 5-6 teams that could afford the risk that the Snell contract presented. It's the risks you can't afford to take.
This WS was extremely good baseball. And it should be, there were more than a half dozen MVP/Cy Young caliber players playing. The fact that stars demand eyeballs and also produce aesthetically pleasing baseball isn't a hot take. It's the competitive balance to get there that is the problem. Other teams can have a seat at the table but there are a lot of breaks that have to go their way for that to happen. Next to no margin for error. And none of that was in play here - TOR is 5th in payroll. I think the gap between will get closed in the next CBA - there won't be a cap but I bet the tax calc will be different and disallow deferred money to the extent the dodgers have used it.
For what it's worth, I think viewership is slightly inflated by having an entire country rally around its only team.
The figures were just from the Fox broadcast.
From the story:
And those numbers don't include Canadian viewership on Sportsnet. Per Front Office Sports, 10.9 million Canadian viewers on average watched Saturday's game. That's roughly 1/4 of Canada's population of 41-plus million people.
Flaherty exercises his option to remain a Tiger.
Quote from: Pakuni on November 04, 2025, 08:03:44 PMThe figures were just from the Fox broadcast.
From the story:
And those numbers don't include Canadian viewership on Sportsnet. Per Front Office Sports, 10.9 million Canadian viewers on average watched Saturday's game. That's roughly 1/4 of Canada's population of 41-plus million people.
I didn't see that or this because they undermine the aside in my argument.
Bieber opts in at $16 million. Really surprising - he had a $4 million buyout. If he had opted out, I would have thought the Blue Jays would have gladly given him $15+ AAV on a new deal if he wanted to stay there.
Quote from: 18thandWells on November 04, 2025, 04:43:45 PMMLB influencer Victor Conte has passed away.
(https://www.reuters.com/resizer/v2/IISD5ZCWYJJ7LN2CFZDI7OI3IU.jpg?auth=64d9a6f6b5a8ff4fa26287486e3c0122f0029a49ffd255f4fed66743c26f16fb&width=5760&quality=80)
Well respected by the pusher community.