MLB 2018 Season

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Woah, Cardinal President John Mozeliak going hard on Dexter Fowler:

"It's been a frustrating year for everybody involved. Here's a guy who wants to go out and play well. I think he would tell you it's hard to do that when you're not playing on a consistent basis. But I've also had a lot of people come up to me and question his effort and his energy level. You know, those are things that I can't defend. What I can defend is trying to create opportunities for him, but not if it's at the expense of someone who's out there hustling and playing hard. And really I think everyone just needs to take a hard look in the mirror, and decide what they want that next chapter to look like. And in Dexter's case, maybe taking a brief time out, trying to reassess himself, and then give him a chance for a strong second half is probably what's best for everybody. I'm hopeful to touch base with him in the near future and decide what makes the most sense, but clearly he's not playing at the level we had hoped."

Pretty questionable decision on Mozeliak's part. Critiquing performance is one thing but when you're calling out effort you're questioning the player's character.

[TallTitan34]

I feel like they have to DFA him at this point.  I'm not sure how you can say that about a player and keep him.  When is the last time a baseball exec publicly called their player lazy?

Hope he goes anywhere other than the Brewers 

[MerrittsMustache]

Pretty questionable decision on Mozeliak's part. Critiquing performance is one thing but when you're calling out effort you're questioning the player's character.

Not to mention, he made those comments right after Fowler was placed on the paternity list. Odd time to kick a guy.

That said, Fowler has been a good player for quite a while yet Houston traded him to the Cubs for a couple nothings and even after being a catalyst for a 97-win team in 2015, he struggled to find a long-term deal in free agency and came back on a 1-year deal. Perhaps there were concerns around his work ethic and the fear that complacency would set in with a long-term deal.

[TallTitan34]

Not to mention, he made those comments right after Fowler was placed on the paternity list. Odd time to kick a guy.

That said, Fowler has been a good player for quite a while yet Houston traded him to the Cubs for a couple nothings and even after being a catalyst for a 97-win team in 2015, he struggled to find a long-term deal in free agency and came back on a 1-year deal. Perhaps there were concerns around his work ethic and the fear that complacency would set in with a long-term deal.

I always thought the Astros traded his expiring contract for prospect Dan Straily.  Luis Valbuena went along as well but he was just a guy.

[TallTitan34]

Also Dexter is about to turn 33: the age where most players start to drop off.   Granted, it usually doesn't happen this quickly.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

Not to mention, he made those comments right after Fowler was placed on the paternity list. Odd time to kick a guy.

That said, Fowler has been a good player for quite a while yet Houston traded him to the Cubs for a couple nothings and even after being a catalyst for a 97-win team in 2015, he struggled to find a long-term deal in free agency and came back on a 1-year deal. Perhaps there were concerns around his work ethic and the fear that complacency would set in with a long-term deal.

I think his difficulty in finding a long-term deal was just a function of the market. He also had a qualifying offer attached which further hindered his market. I don't recall there ever being questions regarding his work ethic.

I feel like they have to DFA him at this point.  I'm not sure how you can say that about a player and keep him.  When is the last time a baseball exec publicly called their player lazy?

Hope he goes anywhere other than the Brewers 

I don't see a DFA - I have a hard time believing the Cardinals will eat the $56 million or so left on his deal. And calling him lazy certainly doesn't enhance his value.

[MerrittsMustache]

I think his difficulty in finding a long-term deal was just a function of the market. He also had a qualifying offer attached which further hindered his market. I don't recall there ever being questions regarding his work ethic.

I forgot about the Qualifying Offer. That would make sense. That same offseason, Hayward got 8/$184, Upton got 6/$132, Cespedes got 3/$75, Gordon got 4/$72, Span got 3/$31. Even Chris Young got a multi-year deal. Outfielders were getting money so that QO scaring teams away would make sense. 

[Vander Blue Man Group]

I forgot about the Qualifying Offer. That would make sense. That same offseason, Hayward got 8/$184, Upton got 6/$132, Cespedes got 3/$75, Gordon got 4/$72, Span got 3/$31. Even Chris Young got a multi-year deal. Outfielders were getting money so that QO scaring teams away would make sense.

Yep. I'm a big Dex fan but I always thought going to 5 years for an OF in his early 30s was questionable. Cain has obviously been really good for Milwaukee but I was also surprised he got 5 years considering those investments in CFs at that age can turn bad quickly.

I'm not saying that will happen with Cain and I understand the move but I'll be curious to see how that turns out.

[jsglow]

50.  First.   

[ChuckyChip]

50.  First.   

I assume this refers to the Brewers being first to 50 wins?  I suppose, if you're not counting the Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, and Mariners.

[#UnleashSean]

I assume this refers to the Brewers being first to 50 wins?  I suppose, if you're not counting the Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, and Mariners.

I believe it's him being the first to celebrate

[drewm88]

I assume this refers to the Brewers being first to 50 wins?  I suppose, if you're not counting the Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, and Mariners.

Or that the Cubs and Braves could do it in the same number of games.

[jsglow]

I assume this refers to the Brewers being first to 50 wins?  I suppose, if you're not counting the Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, and Mariners.

First in NL.

[jsglow]

Or that the Cubs and Braves could do it in the same number of games.

[#UnleashSean]

I was drunk when I said that Bobby. You could be 2nd 3rd or hell even 5th.

[jsglow]

I was drunk when I said that Bobby. You could be 2nd 3rd or hell even 5th.

[rocket surgeon]

Pretty questionable decision on Mozeliak's part. Critiquing performance is one thing but when you're calling out effort you're questioning the player's character.

in public...maybe.  sometimes questioning a players character is what is needed.  it could however, backfire.   even though mozeliak used a strawman to bolster his assertion, i have no doubt that he has been approached by many people asking-what's up with dexter?  on the other hand, dexter could use this as his personal bulletin board motivator-depends on what kind of character he has or not, eyn'a?  also, mr mozeliak is trying to defend his personal role/talent evaluation in bringing in a guy who is chitting the bed, another eyn'a, eyn'a?

[MUBurrow]

Who would have guessed that The Cardinal Way^TM - which is mostly just cheating and being haughty - would fall apart when not buttressed by winning?

[🏀]

Who would have guessed that The Cardinal Way^TM - which is mostly just cheating and being haughty - would fall apart when not buttressed by winning?

You forgot the racism.

[Jockey]

Who would have guessed that The Cardinal Way^TM - which is mostly just cheating and being haughty - would fall apart when not buttressed by winning?

Or when being presided over by Mike Matheny.

[Jockey]

Who woulda guessed that the biggest series of the year so far in the NL would be Atlanta vs. Milwaukee this weekend?

[4everwarriors]

Who woulda guessed that the biggest series of the year so far in the NL would be Atlanta vs. Milwaukee this weekend?

Furst thin' ewe and eye ever agreed on, hey?

[Jockey]

Furst thin' ewe and eye ever agreed on, hey?

Next thing you know, we'll be best buddies

[rocket surgeon]

Next thing you know, we'll be best buddies

next thing ya know, he's giving you a discount on a root canal err something-2 for the price of 1, ehyn'a?

[MUEng92]

A question about Javy Baez occurred to me yesterday and I thought what better place to go to get an objective opinion than a fan bulletin board with a connection to Milwaukee.

I had never thought about the concept of "the best slider ever".  It's just sliding.  I have seen highlights of guys avoiding tags before they don't seem to happen often. Javy's Matrix-like slides over the last couple years have me wondering who, if anyone, was a better slider than him?  To simultaneously coordinate the location of individual limbs to avoid the tag while hurling your body onto the ground at full speed.  To me it's a much more impressive feat than say a diving catch.