MLB Hot Stove 2019-20

[buckchuckler]

https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Steamed-La-Russa-rips-Rickey-3133858.php

Again, this was 25 years ago, but let's not pretend like Rickey and Tony always got along.

Rickey wanted "mental health days" during his third, and final, stint with the A's.  "The most accurate way to describe it is, he's "mentally unavailable,' though he's physically fine," said La Russa.

"I believe he's got special talents, he's done some great things in baseball . . . but he's not a great player.

"To be a great player in a team game, you've got to be as interested in the team as you are in yourself . . . and that piece is missing with Rickey."

"He's got a couple of years left, maybe be can change it. But right now, he's not a great player."

"The longer I get into the day, the angrier I get," he said. "Here's Cal (Ripken) playing 2,125 and we've got "unavailable.' "

"I'm trying to separate Rickey from the other 24 guys . . . He's putting himself in a position where he's embarrassing himself and his team and he's put me in a position where I'm going to have to embarrass him.

Don't need to get along to have a working relationship.

[CreightonWarrior]

End of an era for the Brewers and Braun if NL doesn't get DH next year.

[4everwarriors]

Adios mf'er, hey?

[The Sultan]

Adios mf'er, hey?

Eh.  Yeah there was the PEDs incident, but he's arguably the third best player in franchise history including its HR leader.  By and large a good player and teammate.  Not going to let that incident overshadow everything else he accomplished.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Does the Crew retire Braun's number or do the PEDs keep that from happening?

[The Sultan]

Does the Crew retire Braun's number or do the PEDs keep that from happening?

They will retire his number IMO.

[shoothoops]

Kolten Wong became the first second baseman to win 3 consecutive fielding bible awards.

If any team is seeking an elite defender, good on base table setter with some pop, he is a free agent.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

They will retire his number IMO.

I'll tune in.  I love Ryan Braun press conferences.

[MUBurrow]

Rays declined a $15MM option on Charlie Morton. He had really been considering retirement before joining the Rays, so I wonder if this is related.  Signs say they are interested in bringing him back, but based on prior years $15M would seem to be roughly market value, and maybe a bit of a bargain - he's been really good.  Maybe with covid and work stoppage uncertainty, the Rays just can't make that kind of outlay to anyone.

[tower912]

Detroit signs AJ Hinch to be their next manager.     I admit to a certain ambivalence.    However, for now, I think I come down on the side of 'he had paid for his mistakes and it is now time to move on.'     

[PGsHeroes32]

I can't wrap my head around this. Their friggin marketing slogan is "Change the game". The face of their franchise is Tim Anderson for crying out loud.

They have a young and exciting team. They have to fight for relevance in their own market and nationally. Hahn took years to put a plan in place to put a team together that is now on the brink. They just blow that all up today.

Hahn's press conference in announcing the dismissal of Ricky...everything said there goes against what they did today.

LaRussa is 76 years old, he's been away from the day to day portion of the game for over a decade, where the game has changed significantly. Covid is still going on, I mean the guy is going to be travelling and exposed. If nothing else, that's insane.

They didn't interview anyone else. No. One. Else.

This absolutely sucks. I don't know how to process this as a fan at all. This is like saving up for some fancy 30 year old Corvette, finally getting a chance to buy it, and then deciding not to insure it and buying tires from 30 years ago that worked on the car back then.

I don't know guys. Someone talk me off the ledge.

I think the biggest thing is the guy can flat out manage a baseball game. Sure, hes been gone a while but he knows how to win games.

I get the concerns that he may be out dated and not a great "clubhouse" manager for a young team like the Sox with players like Anderson. But id be willing to give it a shot.

Personally I'd rather have a great game manager than a guy thats great in the clubhouse like a Rocco Baldelli. Rocco can create an environment that keeps a talented roster focused for 162 games and into the playoffs but the buffoon can't do a single thing in game which in the long run results in big game L's

[PGsHeroes32]

Detroit signs AJ Hinch to be their next manager.     I admit to a certain ambivalence.    However, for now, I think I come down on the side of 'he had paid for his mistakes and it is now time to move on.'   

Yeah if the players are going to still go unpunished. I'm fine with Hinch coming back after 1 year.

Suspend dirtbag Correa and please us all

[4everwarriors]

Eh.  Yeah there was the PEDs incident, but he's arguably the third best player in franchise history including its HR leader.  By and large a good player and teammate.  Not going to let that incident overshadow everything else he accomplished.

Throwing the $8/hr. courier driver under the bus was enough for me to kiss the ass hole good-bye. What an arrogant jerk, aina?

[The Sultan]

Throwing the $8/hr. courier driver under the bus was enough for me to kiss the ass hole good-bye. What an arrogant jerk, aina?

Sports guys are that way. Gave a lot of fun moments though. Can't just judge a guy based on one incident.

[Lennys Tap]

Detroit signs AJ Hinch to be their next manager.     I admit to a certain ambivalence.    However, for now, I think I come down on the side of 'he had paid for his mistakes and it is now time to move on.'   

Tower

You're ambivalent about AJ Hinch. If the Sox had signed him I'd be ecstatic. Alex Cora, same. Actually, I would have much preferred ex Tiger manager Ron Gardenhire to Tony LaRussa. He'll, I'd rather have Ricky back than turn this young, talented team over to TL.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Tower

You're ambivalent about AJ Hinch. If the Sox had signed him I'd be ecstatic. Alex Cora, same. Actually, I would have much preferred ex Tiger manager Ron Gardenhire to Tony LaRussa. He'll, I'd rather have Ricky back than turn this young, talented team over to TL.

Bringing the metal garbage cans to Detroit?

[Lennys Tap]

Bringing the metal garbage cans to Detroit?

Meh. He didn't start it, he didn't even like it. He's paid his debt to society.

[tower912]

That is where I am, Lenny.   And he has been in this spot before.   A young team that needs to learn how to win.

[Pakuni]

Meh. He didn't start it, he didn't even like it. He's paid his debt to society.

He disliked it so much he allowed it to span two seasons. If only he were in a position of authority so that he could have done something to stop it. You know, since he disliked it.

[tower912]

White Sox hiring Bill Veeck as an assistant to the GM.

[MUfan12]

Brew Crew axed their social media department as a cost-cutting move.

Mark's gonna be running some Rachel Phelps sh*t with the spring training roster.

[WI inferiority Complexes]

Brew Crew axed their social media department

I'm nobody's financial advisor, but that seems like a strange place to try to save money.

[Uncle Rico]

Methinks baseball is going to have an off-season of a lot of cost cutting and free agents dangling in the wind

[Jockey]

Methinks baseball is going to have an off-season of a lot of cost cutting and free agents dangling in the wind

Yes. A lot of One year FA deals.

[Dr. Blackheart]

White Sox hiring Bill Veeck as an assistant to the GM.

How was this missed?