MLB 2019 thread

[Pakuni]

Astros acquire Greinke.
WC winner gets Verlander, Cole, Greinke. Fun.

[TallTitan34]

Astros acquire Greinke.
WC winner gets Verlander, Cole, Greinke. Fun.

Yeah, the Rays made a lot of moves for a possible one game playoff where if they win they get the Astros.  Rough path.

[TallTitan34]

Carl Edwards, Jr. to Padres.

[buckchuckler]

I am so jealous of the Astros front office.  They pulled off, what 3 trades, and 2 pretty big ones (with ARI and TOR) just before the deadline, all the while Rick Hahn sat on his butt watching Shark Week reruns. 

[JWags85]

Carl Edwards, Jr. to Padres.

Hope the change of scenery helps.  Think he's a pretty good pitcher, but he just lost it as of late.

Astros move on from Kuechel and essentially replace him with Greinke.  Lost McCullers to injury for the year, and replaced him with Miley.  Grienke, Verlander, Cole with Miley in the wings is a pretty brutal crew to face in the playoffs.

[MUBurrow]

Astros acquire Greinke.
WC winner gets Verlander, Cole, Greinke. Fun.

Strikes me as a very good deal for both sides. Stros have a devastating playoff rotation and certainly have to be the favorites now. Meanwhile the D-Backs got some very good prospects back (#3, #4, #5 and #22 in the Stros very good system) and given Greinke's age and contract, probably sold him at the peak of his value.

[Pakuni]

I am so jealous of the Astros front office.  They pulled off, what 3 trades, and 2 pretty big ones (with ARI and TOR) just before the deadline, all the while Rick Hahn sat on his butt watching Shark Week reruns.

Well, he did manage to squeeze more than a bucket of sunflower seeds in return for Nate Jones, so it's not all bad.
I'm OK with the Sox not making moves. The only assets that might fetch a decent return (Abreu, Colome) fill needs in 2020 and can be brought back at a reasonable price.

[Pakuni]

Strikes me as a very good deal for both sides. Stros have a devastating playoff rotation and certainly have to be the favorites now. Meanwhile the D-Backs got some very good prospects back (#3, #4, #5 and #22 in the Stros very good system) and given Greinke's age and contract, probably sold him at the peak of his value.

I was a bit underwhelmed by the DBacks' return. The only top 100 overall prospect is Beer (ranked #100) and he may not have a major league fielding tool ... which is problematic in the National League.
Bukauskas has struggled in AA and projects as a reliever at this point. Martin just had TJ.

[buckchuckler]

Well, he did manage to squeeze more than a bucket of sunflower seeds in return for Nate Jones, so it's not all bad.
I'm OK with the Sox not making moves. The only assets that might fetch a decent return (Abreu, Colome) fill needs in 2020 and can be brought back at a reasonable price.

Eh, they also traded international slot money that they could have used to bring in better prospects than they acquired in this trade.  How they managed this year's international signing period, with essentially two years of focus to dedicate to it, was atrocious.  A complete indictment on the competence of this front office at best, at worst an unwillingness to invest in what is likely the most important blood line for a franchise. 

Though you're right, they didn't have much to trade, not sure why Colome wasn't moved.  I would have gladly moved Fry and Leury as well, for the right deal obviously, no reason to give either away.  Castillo and Jay should have been given away as they serve no purpose with this franchise either.  They are better off giving the reps to Zavala, Collins or Yermin. 

The fact that they had nothing worthwhile to trade, is another strike against the front office.  They haven't been able to identify guys that would have any value at the trade deadline any further than getting guys from the back end of the Brewers top 30 in the last 2 seasons, and literally nothing this year. 

[buckchuckler]

Oh, and a 22 year old in the DSL is about sunflower seed value anyways.

[Pakuni]

Eh, they also traded international slot money that they could have used to bring in better prospects than they acquired in this trade.  How they managed this year's international signing period, with essentially two years of focus to dedicate to it, was atrocious.  A complete indictment on the competence of this front office at best, at worst an unwillingness to invest in what is likely the most important blood line for a franchise. 

The front office that paid the second largest-ever international bonus (and corresponding penalty for a total of $52 million) for a player is unwilling to invest in the international market?
That doesn't seem like a fair assessment.
And it's probably a stretch to suggest they could have brought in better prospects for $1 million in international bonus pool money.

[buckchuckler]

The front office that paid the second largest-ever international bonus (and corresponding penalty for a total of $52 million) for a player is unwilling to invest in the international market?
That doesn't seem like a fair assessment.
And it's probably a stretch to suggest they could have brought in better prospects for $1 million in international bonus pool money.

Ok.  Robert.  Yes.  So they invested in the international market once?  Maybe you could say Adolfo too, so twice.  Robert was certainly a special case though.  And because of Robert, while they were on the sidelines for 2 years, what were they doing?  Obviously not scouting and building relationships with top prospects.  Where are the other impact signings from the international market in the last 20 years?  Since Magglio and Carlos Lee, they haven't really hit on anyone.  (OK Abreu too, but again, kind of a special case since he was much more of a known commodity than a typical international signing.)

Seems like the Sox probably traded 1.4, which is about what they reportedly had left over, this year, 11 of the guys on the top 30 signed for less than 1.4.  Not to mention there are always good players that sign for far less than that.  For example, Fernando Tatis Jr., he signed for 500K. 

The Sox had the same pool as the Yankees, and the Sox signed 6 guys.  The Yankees signed 14, including the number 1 guy.  Out of the same pool money, which team do you think will get more players, and more impact players?  Gee, I wonder.  They had the same pool as the Cubs, and the Cubs got 2 of the top 10.  The Sox, you got it, 0.  They had the same pool as the Rangers, who signed number 3 and 16.  The Rangers needed more pool money to get the signings done, which is why their front office took on a bad contract (Jones) to acquire more pool money to be able to sign a better prospect. 

The Sox traded a useful asset to clear bad money --- a little of it-- from their books instead of adding something to the future of their franchise.  The Rangers took on an undesirable asset to add a risky, but strong asset to the future of their organization. 

[HouWarrior]

I was a bit underwhelmed by the DBacks' return. The only top 100 overall prospect is Beer (ranked #100) and he may not have a major league fielding tool ... which is problematic in the National League.
Bukauskas has struggled in AA and projects as a reliever at this point. Martin just had TJ.

The Dbacks will pay the Astros $24 million against the $53 million due him next two years.
Rankings looked strong but this really cleared out 4 kids who were not getting up for at least the next two years. Especially Agree on the pitchers . Martin was local kid had nice 1st start then lost confidence sent back down blew the arm and is recovering from Tommy John. Buka will be nice middle reliever maybe in 3 years. Roja is at best a utility in a few years .Beer needs new path to bigs with someone else

What I see ironic here is we traded for a 35 yr old highly skilled curveballer who we'll pay $30 million over next two years....Sound familiar Astros fans?

Yep we could have signed our own Charlie Morton, age 35, who signed at $30 mill for two years with the Rays. Their numbers are comparable.

Sometimes ..."you dont know what you got till its gone".

To me this why Stros must bite bullet and re-sign Cole in 2019 FA It may cost more to replace him than to simply pay the FA $....especially as Cole has lots of good years ahead. Go OLU

[JWags85]

Trevor Bauer still in full on enigma mode. Showed up at Progressive Field to just watch the game as a fan.

Then gave a fairly profound and self aware answer in an impromptu press conference after

https://twitter.com/davidkinderii/status/1156740526735015936?s=21

Indians have their prize in the trade getting in melee’s and defending his teammates after being traded. And the Reds have theirs clearly not in a hurry to leave Cleveland and get after it in Cincy. Odd all around

[DegenerateDish]

Ok.  Robert.  Yes.  So they invested in the international market once?  Maybe you could say Adolfo too, so twice.  Robert was certainly a special case though.  And because of Robert, while they were on the sidelines for 2 years, what were they doing?  Obviously not scouting and building relationships with top prospects.  Where are the other impact signings from the international market in the last 20 years?  Since Magglio and Carlos Lee, they haven't really hit on anyone.  (OK Abreu too, but again, kind of a special case since he was much more of a known commodity than a typical international signing.)

Seems like the Sox probably traded 1.4, which is about what they reportedly had left over, this year, 11 of the guys on the top 30 signed for less than 1.4.  Not to mention there are always good players that sign for far less than that.  For example, Fernando Tatis Jr., he signed for 500K. 

The Sox had the same pool as the Yankees, and the Sox signed 6 guys.  The Yankees signed 14, including the number 1 guy.  Out of the same pool money, which team do you think will get more players, and more impact players?  Gee, I wonder.  They had the same pool as the Cubs, and the Cubs got 2 of the top 10.  The Sox, you got it, 0.  They had the same pool as the Rangers, who signed number 3 and 16.  The Rangers needed more pool money to get the signings done, which is why their front office took on a bad contract (Jones) to acquire more pool money to be able to sign a better prospect. 

The Sox traded a useful asset to clear bad money --- a little of it-- from their books instead of adding something to the future of their franchise.  The Rangers took on an undesirable asset to add a risky, but strong asset to the future of their organization.

All of this. It will gather no attention, but underneath the surface, the Nate Jones trade reeks on numerous levels. Also, there are good players still to be declared as free agents forthcoming. This trade was all about immediate salary dump and future salary savings.

[TallTitan34]

https://twitter.com/SNYtv/status/1157009581551378433?s=20

But I was told the nets would keep awesome catches in the stands from happening?

[rocket surgeon]

Well Cubs manager Joe Maddon went after Clint Hurdle a few weeks ago.

This time it’s Reds manager David Bell.

https://twitter.com/sinow/status/1156392561474527238?s=21

Also that’s former Marquette opponent Amir Garrett on the mound landing a few haymakers.

i can't believe garrett only got 8 games...i would have doubled it at least

[#UnleashSean]

https://twitter.com/SNYtv/status/1157009581551378433?s=20

But I was told the nets would keep awesome catches in the stands from happening?

But where's the danger of him crashing into those seats? Clearly not the same thing, duh!

[buckchuckler]

All of this. It will gather no attention, but underneath the surface, the Nate Jones trade reeks on numerous levels. Also, there are good players still to be declared as free agents forthcoming. This trade was all about immediate salary dump and future salary savings.

http://www.chicagonow.com/future-sox/2019/07/white-sox-prioritize-savings-in-strange-deadline-trade/

[withoutbias]

http://www.leeelia.com/elia_tirade.html

chicago’s own manager sums up cubs fans perfectly.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

http://www.leeelia.com/elia_tirade.html

chicago’s own manager sums up cubs fans perfectly.

OMG!!! Crazy!!! Where did you get that?

[withoutbias]

OMG!!! Crazy!!! Where did you get that?

from leeelia.com

[#UnleashSean]

http://www.leeelia.com/elia_tirade.html

chicago’s own manager sums up cubs fans perfectly.

They then finished 20 games below 500. Really showed them up.

[WarriorDad]

https://twitter.com/SNYtv/status/1157009581551378433?s=20

But I was told the nets would keep awesome catches in the stands from happening?

Great catch.  The nets, however, will prevent catches a row or two into foul territory, but will give Bartmans cover from screwing up again.   

[WarriorDad]

OMG!!! Crazy!!! Where did you get that?

This was quite the story back then.  Elia was a joke, hothead, and mentally not strong in my opinion.  Not managerial material.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/05/30/Chicago-Cubs-manager-Lee-Elia-nearly-fired-a-month/8213423115200/