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Author Topic: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20  (Read 280231 times)

MU82

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #550 on: January 22, 2020, 01:11:08 PM »
82?

Sadly, last year was my final vote. Once writers haven't actively covered baseball for 10 years, even if we are lifetime BBWAA cardholders, that person no longer receives a ballot. Kind of a subtle ageism, but I get it -- they want people who really closely follow the game to vote, and although I do, some oldsters probably don't.

I was never for denying a guy just because he was a first-ballot candidate. Either you're a HoFer or not, and I voted for many, many first-ballot guys over the years. For the record, I would have voted for Jeter, I did vote for Rivera (obviously), and I never voted for Larry Walker.

Only a couple of times in my 23 years as a HoF voter did I choose a guy after having not done so earlier, and on both occasions some of the advanced-stat people that I respect made such compelling arguments that I felt I had overlooked significant data. Those players were Tim Raines and Edgar Martinez. It's hard for me to fathom that hundreds upon hundreds of voters who didn't choose Walker for years and years suddenly decided that he had gotten better or something. But I congratulate him; he certainly was a fine ballplayer.
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CTWarrior

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #551 on: January 22, 2020, 01:54:05 PM »
Sadly, last year was my final vote. Once writers haven't actively covered baseball for 10 years, even if we are lifetime BBWAA cardholders, that person no longer receives a ballot. Kind of a subtle ageism, but I get it -- they want people who really closely follow the game to vote, and although I do, some oldsters probably don't.

I was never for denying a guy just because he was a first-ballot candidate. Either you're a HoFer or not, and I voted for many, many first-ballot guys over the years. For the record, I would have voted for Jeter, I did vote for Rivera (obviously), and I never voted for Larry Walker.

Only a couple of times in my 23 years as a HoF voter did I choose a guy after having not done so earlier, and on both occasions some of the advanced-stat people that I respect made such compelling arguments that I felt I had overlooked significant data. Those players were Tim Raines and Edgar Martinez. It's hard for me to fathom that hundreds upon hundreds of voters who didn't choose Walker for years and years suddenly decided that he had gotten better or something. But I congratulate him; he certainly was a fine ballplayer.

MU82, I am quite envious that you were able to vote for the HOF for so many years.  Were there any guys you championed (or at least were adamant about that they belonged) that didn't make it?  How about the reverse, guys you thought had no business being elected by the writers but who were?  I'm not talking about the Veteran's committees, who are all over the place with their inductions.
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DegenerateDish

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #552 on: January 22, 2020, 06:00:01 PM »
Completely off the subject, and I'm not doing this to name drop or impress or anything remotely close to that. My family has been involved with Michael Kopech and his charitable efforts, and we hung out with Michael and his wife Vanessa Morgan (she's an actress on Riverdale). Kopech grew his hair out for months, and today my son helped cut his hair in an effort to raise awareness for pediatric cancer and Ronald McDonald House.

Anyway, what was interesting in talking to Michael and Vanessa was their "normal" life stresses, and not knowing if Michael is going to be on the big league roster to start the year. Trying to figure that out and balance where to live, how to get their 5 dogs to Chicago, finding a place that is dog friendly to live, affording houses in both Phoenix where they live now and buying a place in Chicago. I realize he's a professional athlete and she's an actress, but it was really interesting how genuinely anxious and a level of stress in how they talked about it and trying to become a stable family. I realize they have all kinds of levels of access and luxury that most of us will never know, I think sometimes I forget these guys are normal human beings who have lives.

This may have been a totally pointless post, but Kopech is a legit genuine dude.

Pakuni

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #553 on: January 22, 2020, 06:03:21 PM »
Completely off the subject, and I'm not doing this to name drop or impress or anything remotely close to that. My family has been involved with Michael Kopech and his charitable efforts, and we hung out with Michael and his wife Vanessa Morgan (she's an actress on Riverdale). Kopech grew his hair out for months, and today my son helped cut his hair in an effort to raise awareness for pediatric cancer and Ronald McDonald House.

Anyway, what was interesting in talking to Michael and Vanessa was their "normal" life stresses, and not knowing if Michael is going to be on the big league roster to start the year. Trying to figure that out and balance where to live, how to get their 5 dogs to Chicago, finding a place that is dog friendly to live, affording houses in both Phoenix where they live now and buying a place in Chicago. I realize he's a professional athlete and she's an actress, but it was really interesting how genuinely anxious and a level of stress in how they talked about it and trying to become a stable family. I realize they have all kinds of levels of access and luxury that most of us will never know, I think sometimes I forget these guys are normal human beings who have lives.

This may have been a totally pointless post, but Kopech is a legit genuine dude.
Very cool.

JWags85

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #554 on: January 22, 2020, 06:52:18 PM »
Completely off the subject, and I'm not doing this to name drop or impress or anything remotely close to that. My family has been involved with Michael Kopech and his charitable efforts, and we hung out with Michael and his wife Vanessa Morgan (she's an actress on Riverdale). Kopech grew his hair out for months, and today my son helped cut his hair in an effort to raise awareness for pediatric cancer and Ronald McDonald House.

Anyway, what was interesting in talking to Michael and Vanessa was their "normal" life stresses, and not knowing if Michael is going to be on the big league roster to start the year. Trying to figure that out and balance where to live, how to get their 5 dogs to Chicago, finding a place that is dog friendly to live, affording houses in both Phoenix where they live now and buying a place in Chicago. I realize he's a professional athlete and she's an actress, but it was really interesting how genuinely anxious and a level of stress in how they talked about it and trying to become a stable family. I realize they have all kinds of levels of access and luxury that most of us will never know, I think sometimes I forget these guys are normal human beings who have lives.

This may have been a totally pointless post, but Kopech is a legit genuine dude.

Thats awesome.  Glad to hear he's a solid dude. Glad he got free of the Real Housewives-realm drama when he was still basically a kid and into something legit.

Also, so true about balancing and "affording" life.  I have no clue to her earning status, but I can think of two similar stories, especially at that age.  He had a nice bonus, but he's still on the pre-arb pay scale, he's not filthy rich yet, when you're talking all the random fees and expenses, not to mention 2 residences.

In my first few years out of college, I was good friends with a guy whose best friend from childhood played in the NFL.  But we're talking a 5th round pick, primarily special teams player in his 2nd year.  He was in town in the offseason, we went out one night, tried to get into a club in Chicago, it was crazy crowded, one of their other friends was trying to play the "he's an athlete card" and basically they said "fine, but its a table with a $3K minimum" I believe.  Friend is like "perfect, (player) you got it, yea?"  And he was legitimately taken aback and replied "no dude, I can't afford that".  He was probably making around $400K, minus taxes, agent fees, assorted other stuff.  A great living?  Absolutely, but not the kind of money to blow $3500 all-in at a bar for no real reason.

Same way, one of my buddies from college moved to Cleveland to be an accountant right after gradution.  He and a friend moved into a nice, but not crazy, 2 BR.  The previous renter?  A Cleveland Cavalier.  He actually got to know the player cause he moved into a different unit in the building and they became friendly.  At first he was like "this is nuts", but it was similar.  Young guy, league minimum salary, and he only lived in Cleveland as he kept another place where he grew up and went to school that he lived in during off seasons and breaks.  So looking at it that way, it also made total sense.

Nobody is crying poverty for these guys, but "low level" pro athletes, especially baseball guys before they get their first real contract, aren't all Bentley cruising without a financial care in the world.  Even more so if they are smart with their money realizing that earning potential may be finite and short.

Cheeks

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #555 on: January 22, 2020, 08:54:28 PM »
Completely off the subject, and I'm not doing this to name drop or impress or anything remotely close to that. My family has been involved with Michael Kopech and his charitable efforts, and we hung out with Michael and his wife Vanessa Morgan (she's an actress on Riverdale). Kopech grew his hair out for months, and today my son helped cut his hair in an effort to raise awareness for pediatric cancer and Ronald McDonald House.

Anyway, what was interesting in talking to Michael and Vanessa was their "normal" life stresses, and not knowing if Michael is going to be on the big league roster to start the year. Trying to figure that out and balance where to live, how to get their 5 dogs to Chicago, finding a place that is dog friendly to live, affording houses in both Phoenix where they live now and buying a place in Chicago. I realize he's a professional athlete and she's an actress, but it was really interesting how genuinely anxious and a level of stress in how they talked about it and trying to become a stable family. I realize they have all kinds of levels of access and luxury that most of us will never know, I think sometimes I forget these guys are normal human beings who have lives.

This may have been a totally pointless post, but Kopech is a legit genuine dude.

Great stuff.
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MU82

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #556 on: January 22, 2020, 10:02:51 PM »
MU82, I am quite envious that you were able to vote for the HOF for so many years.  Were there any guys you championed (or at least were adamant about that they belonged) that didn't make it?  How about the reverse, guys you thought had no business being elected by the writers but who were?  I'm not talking about the Veteran's committees, who are all over the place with their inductions.

The guy I probably championed the most did make it: Jim Thome. Truly one of the best people I ever covered in any sport, as well as a great hitter. Of guys who didn't make it, I pushed for Jim Edmonds and was disappointed (but not really surprised) that he didn't even get enough votes to stay on the ballot.

Campaigning against guys wasn't really my style, but I do remember saying Baines probably wasn't a HoFer; he ended up gettingg put in thanks to Veterans Committee lobbying by Reinsdorf.

“It’s not how white men fight.” - Tucker Carlson

DegenerateDish

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #557 on: January 22, 2020, 10:46:06 PM »
Thats awesome.  Glad to hear he's a solid dude. Glad he got free of the Real Housewives-realm drama when he was still basically a kid and into something legit.

Also, so true about balancing and "affording" life.  I have no clue to her earning status, but I can think of two similar stories, especially at that age.  He had a nice bonus, but he's still on the pre-arb pay scale, he's not filthy rich yet, when you're talking all the random fees and expenses, not to mention 2 residences.

In my first few years out of college, I was good friends with a guy whose best friend from childhood played in the NFL.  But we're talking a 5th round pick, primarily special teams player in his 2nd year.  He was in town in the offseason, we went out one night, tried to get into a club in Chicago, it was crazy crowded, one of their other friends was trying to play the "he's an athlete card" and basically they said "fine, but its a table with a $3K minimum" I believe.  Friend is like "perfect, (player) you got it, yea?"  And he was legitimately taken aback and replied "no dude, I can't afford that".  He was probably making around $400K, minus taxes, agent fees, assorted other stuff.  A great living?  Absolutely, but not the kind of money to blow $3500 all-in at a bar for no real reason.

Same way, one of my buddies from college moved to Cleveland to be an accountant right after gradution.  He and a friend moved into a nice, but not crazy, 2 BR.  The previous renter?  A Cleveland Cavalier.  He actually got to know the player cause he moved into a different unit in the building and they became friendly.  At first he was like "this is nuts", but it was similar.  Young guy, league minimum salary, and he only lived in Cleveland as he kept another place where he grew up and went to school that he lived in during off seasons and breaks.  So looking at it that way, it also made total sense.

Nobody is crying poverty for these guys, but "low level" pro athletes, especially baseball guys before they get their first real contract, aren't all Bentley cruising without a financial care in the world.  Even more so if they are smart with their money realizing that earning potential may be finite and short.

We met Kopech two years ago when he was dating Biermann (my wife is a huge fan, and I got Brielle to personalize a Sox hat with her autograph and “don’t be tardy” inscription). Kopech is a totally different guy now, his self awareness is really impressive for someone his age.

To your point about lower earning athletes, when I worked for the Bears in the early 2000’s, my job at their 2002 fan convention was to escort players from the players suite area, to their autograph area. The suite had ice cold beer bottles that one could just grab out of an open cooler. I saw Paul Edinger walking around with a backpack on, and a few minutes later, noticed he was putting beer after beer after beer into his backpack. These were glass bottles (probably MGD if I recall), so there was a definite clank. He ended up walking out with probably 7-10 beers.

I always remembered thinking “why would a pro athlete need to do that?”, and realized it’s free beer and seemed easy for anyone to do.

Also, hopefully someone finds this funny...whatever you picture Bruce Levine to be like in real life, I can assure you that’s exactly how he is.

MU82

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #558 on: January 23, 2020, 07:05:17 AM »
Dish:

Great stuff on Kopech. I heard he was a very nice person.

And exactly right on Bruce Levine.
“It’s not how white men fight.” - Tucker Carlson

MUBurrow

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #559 on: January 23, 2020, 09:52:23 AM »
To your point about lower earning athletes, when I worked for the Bears in the early 2000’s, my job at their 2002 fan convention was to escort players from the players suite area, to their autograph area. The suite had ice cold beer bottles that one could just grab out of an open cooler. I saw Paul Edinger walking around with a backpack on, and a few minutes later, noticed he was putting beer after beer after beer into his backpack. These were glass bottles (probably MGD if I recall), so there was a definite clank. He ended up walking out with probably 7-10 beers.

This is a great story - Paul Edinger takes up more space than he should in the "remember useless junk but not meaningful things" part of my brain because of how he approached the ball.  If I've been drinking and am pretending to kick something, I'm probably running up to it like Paul Edinger, so this all meshes well.

buckchuckler

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #560 on: January 26, 2020, 10:50:18 PM »
Hahahaha.  Verlander.  Apparently he thinks the Astros are "technologically and analytically advanced"


https://www.yahoo.com/sports/justin-verlander-laughed-saying-astros-122334554.html

FruitStandJim

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #561 on: January 27, 2020, 06:47:54 AM »
Completely off the subject, and I'm not doing this to name drop or impress or anything remotely close to that. My family has been involved with Michael Kopech and his charitable efforts, and we hung out with Michael and his wife Vanessa Morgan (she's an actress on Riverdale). Kopech grew his hair out for months, and today my son helped cut his hair in an effort to raise awareness for pediatric cancer and Ronald McDonald House.

Anyway, what was interesting in talking to Michael and Vanessa was their "normal" life stresses, and not knowing if Michael is going to be on the big league roster to start the year. Trying to figure that out and balance where to live, how to get their 5 dogs to Chicago, finding a place that is dog friendly to live, affording houses in both Phoenix where they live now and buying a place in Chicago. I realize he's a professional athlete and she's an actress, but it was really interesting how genuinely anxious and a level of stress in how they talked about it and trying to become a stable family. I realize they have all kinds of levels of access and luxury that most of us will never know, I think sometimes I forget these guys are normal human beings who have lives.

This may have been a totally pointless post, but Kopech is a legit genuine dude.

As a White Sox fan (I do like the Brewers too) this was cool to read, thanks. Kopech definitely seems like a real chill/cool guy. Can't wait for him to be on the big league roster this year and to see how he bounces back.

buckchuckler

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #562 on: January 27, 2020, 08:30:33 AM »
Castellanos signs with Cincinnati.  That OF defense may be ugly, but they've added a lot of lunch to that lineup this offseason.

WI inferiority Complexes

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #563 on: January 27, 2020, 09:27:48 AM »
Castellanos signs with Cincinnati.  That OF defense may be ugly, but they've added a lot of lunch to that lineup this offseason.
I think it it's a four-team toss up in the NL Central, (everyone other than PIT).

Jockey

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #564 on: January 27, 2020, 10:42:58 AM »
Castellanos signs with Cincinnati.  That OF defense may be ugly, but they've added a lot of lunch to that lineup this offseason.

They're gonna be a hungry team this year.

MUBurrow

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #565 on: January 27, 2020, 11:19:03 AM »
A little surprised Cin went four years for Castellanos, that's a long contract for him with an NL team.  I'd see if Jesse Winker could be had now with that outfield getting crowded, he had a rough year last year but has good skills and should be cheaper to acquire than Nick Senzel, who the team is also reportedly shopping now.  Maybe I'll eat these words, but signing Castellanos and then trading Senzel doesn't seem a great strategy.

buckchuckler

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #566 on: January 27, 2020, 01:42:47 PM »
A little surprised Cin went four years for Castellanos, that's a long contract for him with an NL team.  I'd see if Jesse Winker could be had now with that outfield getting crowded, he had a rough year last year but has good skills and should be cheaper to acquire than Nick Senzel, who the team is also reportedly shopping now.  Maybe I'll eat these words, but signing Castellanos and then trading Senzel doesn't seem a great strategy.

If it results in Castellanos and Lindor in Cincinnati, it would be difficult to argue. 

Castellanos also reportedly received multiple opt outs.  To me, this is Scott Boras magic.  It seems like there were very few if any, realistic suitors for Castellanos, and his closest comparison received a 1 year deal. 

Pakuni

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #567 on: January 27, 2020, 01:58:59 PM »
D-Backs pick up Starling Marte from the Pirates for a couple of top 10 prospects.

tower912

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #568 on: January 27, 2020, 03:02:48 PM »
In the launch pad that is Cincinnati, he may hit 30 homers this year.    And with the tiny outfield, his defensive range won't be an issue.    Still have a bobblehead of his when he played single A ball.
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Jockey

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #569 on: January 27, 2020, 04:14:00 PM »
In the launch pad that is Cincinnati, he may hit 30 homers this year.    And with the tiny outfield, his defensive range won't be an issue.    Still have a bobblehead of his when he played single A ball.

If you had one in a Mud Hens uni, then I'd be impressed.

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Pakuni

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #571 on: January 28, 2020, 11:01:02 AM »
Looks like the Astros are hiring Dusty Baker.

The Sultan of Semantics

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #572 on: January 28, 2020, 11:05:02 AM »
Looks like the Astros are hiring Dusty Baker.


Could you hire a guy who is more anti-Astros than Dusty?  It's almost comical.

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MUBurrow

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #573 on: January 28, 2020, 11:10:24 AM »

Could you hire a guy who is more anti-Astros than Dusty?  It's almost comical.

When they were conducting interviews, I mentioned to a buddy that the Astros hiring Dusty after how they've been operating almost looks like self-imposed sanctions.  Verlander is going to pitch 300 innings this year.

MDMU04

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Re: MLB Hot Stove 2019-20
« Reply #574 on: January 28, 2020, 11:12:34 AM »
Looks like the Astros are hiring Dusty Baker.

I cannot confirm or deny that this is part of the MLB punishment...
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