Real MLB Thread

[Jockey]

The best hitters dont have an uppercut swing.  They just get on plane much sooner.  It's the ted Williams style of swing.

You are right and wrong.

Yes, they get on the plane much sooner. But. the ball is moving downward on any pitch in the strike zone, so to get on the plane means a slight uppercut since optimum launch angle is around 27 degrees. A completely level swing gives a smaller area on the bat with which to make solid contact with the ball.

[The Sultan]

I'm not sure that's true anymore. This season featured an all-time record of homers hit, but TV ratings and attendance continued to fall.

I think they'd fall even further without the home run being so prominent. Length and pace of game, and regionalization of the broadcasting IMO are the biggest problems.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I think they'd fall even further without the home run being so prominent. Length and pace of game, and regionalization of the broadcasting IMO are the biggest problems.

Agreed, I find it impossible to dedicate 3-4 hours to a game when they are playing 6 games a week.  They really need to find a way to cut the games to 2.5 hours on average.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

LoCain finally wins the Gold Glove.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Mike Leake wins the Gold Glove for the AL, but finishes the season in the NL.
Zak Grienke wins the Gold Glove for the NL, but finishes the season in the AL.

Without looking it up, I'd assume there's no way that has happened before.

[MU82]

How do they play defense with gold gloves? I would think those gloves would have very poor flexibility.

[lawdog77]

How do they play defense with gold gloves? I would think those gloves would have very poor flexibility.

probable easier than with Golden Gloves.

[🏀]

How do they play defense with gold gloves? I would think those gloves would have very poor flexibility.

Gold is soft and malleable. Probably easier to break in than a new piece of leather from Dick's.

[GB Warrior]

Guess the Brewers are doing the "young pitchers will definitely take a step forward" thing again, huh?

[tower912]

Gold is soft and malleable. Probably easier to break in than a new piece of leather from Dick's.

Dick's sporting goods will steam the glove and make the leather soft and malleable.   For a price.

[Jockey]

Mike Leake wins the Gold Glove for the AL, but finishes the season in the NL.
Zak Grienke wins the Gold Glove for the NL, but finishes the season in the AL.

Without looking it up, I'd assume there's no way that has happened before.

And Peralta was so great , he won while playing 1/2 season.

[CreightonWarrior]

Brewers not picking up the $7.5 million option on Thames, who is a now a free agent. Going to be a busy off season.

[cheebs09]

Guess the Brewers are doing the "young pitchers will definitely take a step forward" thing again, huh?

I'm hoping this is to shed salary to be active in the FA and trade market. However, that may go to Grandal and Moose.

[MUBurrow]

I'm hoping this is to shed salary to be active in the FA and trade market. However, that may go to Grandal and Moose.

This is what it looks like to me. Neither Anderson or Thames is dramatically overpriced at $8.5 and $7.5, particulalry if you're planning for them to be, say, your #4 starter and 70% of your first base ABs.  I think Stearns is preparing to make some bigger plays.

My bet would be on Moose being a part of that, but I think Grandal walks.

[Jockey]

This is what it looks like to me. Neither Anderson or Thames is dramatically overpriced at $8.5 and $7.5, particulalry if you're planning for them to be, say, your #4 starter and 70% of your first base ABs.  I think Stearns is preparing to make some bigger plays.

My bet would be on Moose being a part of that, but I think Grandal walks.

Those were my thoughts as well.

Anderson had become a 4-5 inning starter. And .240 hitters with 25 HRs are almost a dime a dozen. I, too, expect Moose back on a 2or 3 year deal.

I expect they"ll also sign 2-3 pitchers.

[jsglow]

You guys think the sign Moose for 3rd and give Shaw a shot at 1st, maybe as part of a platoon?

[wadesworld]

You guys think the sign Moose for 3rd and give Shaw a shot at 1st, maybe as part of a platoon?

Hopefully Shaw doesn't need to play.  Ever.  But I'm hoping Braun moves to 1B full time and Grisham gets a shot in LF.  I'd love to see Grandal back and playing 1B against righties on days we want Braun sitting.

[MUBBau]

Brewers making room for Cole and Strasburg.

[MUBurrow]

A couple of interesting names getting qualifying offers. Jose Abreu, though its kind of been a foregone conclusion he works something out with CWS, so probably not too big of a surprise. Was suprised to see Will Smith get one. That will make him the third highest paid reliever by AAV next year.

[jsglow]

Hopefully Shaw doesn't need to play.  Ever.  But I'm hoping Braun moves to 1B full time and Grisham gets a shot in LF.  I'd love to see Grandal back and playing 1B against righties on days we want Braun sitting.

I like the plan.  Grish has some real potential I think and the Crew always needs some young, low cost guys.

[GB Warrior]

Hopefully Shaw doesn't need to play.  Ever.  But I'm hoping Braun moves to 1B full time and Grisham gets a shot in LF.  I'd love to see Grandal back and playing 1B against righties on days we want Braun sitting.

This. Who knows what Stearns has planned, but it's hard to foresee considering this offseason a success if we don't retain Yaz. Value above replacement for that position is too high.

I saw MLB trade rumors projected him to get 4/68M (from the Reds). I do that AAV in a heartbeat.

[Cheeks]

Happy for some of the Nats old vets like Zimmerman, Suzuki (local Cal State Fullerton player), Javvy...likely their only championship and got it just before Father Time ran out the clock on their playing career.

[MU82]

Wait a doggone second ...

I just realized we had a Gold Glove discussion earlier ... and Javy Baez didn't win? And then I looked at the list of finalists, and he wasn't even one of those?

The greatest tagger since the game of tag was invented by Taggar T. Taggart?

Really? How is that possible?

Yeah, he missed the last month, but he had 5 months filled with the taggiest tags ever! And is it really true that he has never won a GG?

I demand a recount, not just for this season but for his entire career! Heck, I can't believe he didn't win the 1979 Gold Glove in anticipation of all the tags he eventually would make!!

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Wait a doggone second ...

I just realized we had a Gold Glove discussion earlier ... and Javy Baez didn't win? And then I looked at the list of finalists, and he wasn't even one of those?

The greatest tagger since the game of tag was invented by Taggar T. Taggart?

Really? How is that possible?

Yeah, he missed the last month, but he had 5 months filled with the taggiest tags ever! And is it really true that he has never won a GG?

I demand a recount, not just for this season but for his entire career! Heck, I can't believe he didn't win the 1979 Gold Glove in anticipation of all the tags he eventually would make!!

There was a special ceremony in Chicago where Baez accepted his award with Adam Engel (I hope I spelled that correctly).

They played highlights of Adam's two catches against the Rays or whatever the hell everyone was excited about that one day.

[JWags85]

Wait a doggone second ...

I just realized we had a Gold Glove discussion earlier ... and Javy Baez didn't win? And then I looked at the list of finalists, and he wasn't even one of those?

The greatest tagger since the game of tag was invented by Taggar T. Taggart?

Really? How is that possible?

Yeah, he missed the last month, but he had 5 months filled with the taggiest tags ever! And is it really true that he has never won a GG?

I demand a recount, not just for this season but for his entire career! Heck, I can't believe he didn't win the 1979 Gold Glove in anticipation of all the tags he eventually would make!!

Mike, I'd like to believe you were better than weak trolls that were barely amusing the first time, but I guess I'm wrong.  Pander to low hanging fruit i suppose.

Chapman and Arenado win again at 3B.  Short of some absolutely transcendent young talent appearing or injury, hard to see anyone else winning GGs at 3rd over the next 4-5 years.