2026 MLB Thread

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

And just because I enjoy pointing out issues with stats like this...
The NHL didn't have a cap until the 2005-06 season, so what happened over the 12 years prior (there was no 2004-05 season) probably isn't relevant to this discussion.

But see that doesn't count because I didn't know that 

[MU82]

My confidence would've won you a lot of money last year.  It will again this year.  I don't really air my betting on MUScoop (or to anyone, especially my wife).  Feel free to take my guarantee to the bank.  Again, would've paid you handsomely last year if you put 6 figures on the Dodgers to win the WS.

Wait ... you're offering a "guarantee"? Well, that's different!!

I will bet $100K on the Dodgers because you will have signed paperwork stating that you will personally refund the entire $100K to me if the .0000000000001% possibility happens and they don't win the World Series.

Thanks so much for that guarantee, wades!

[tower912]

Season in a microcosm for the Detroit bullpen, blowing a 7-1 lead.   I now anticipate sell mode.

[Pakuni]

But I'll go back to my thesis. Having a higher payroll is unquestionably an advantage that only some teams have access to.  Having a well thought out salary cap/floor system helps mitigate that advantage, making the game more fair. I think that's a good thing. I understand why others don't.

I think everyone here agrees, at least in general terms, that it would be better if the payroll disparity between clubs were smaller, if not eliminated.
The disagreement seems to be about 1) how much that disparity really affects competitiveness and/or harms the product and 2) how best to fix it.

[GB Warrior]

One difference between leagues. MLB is played over 162 games and turns into a significantly different game in the playoffs which is small sample size theater whose games differ from their regular season counterparts more than any sport. Rosters, rotations etc etc are all hilt to accentuate your stars. NBA is close in this respect in terms of how rotations tighten and minutes escalate.

I think it's important to look at process over results, since we have the Mets for an example why spending doesn't matter. The Dodgers acquired Blake Snell, a high end talent with severe injury history. Bad process perhaps, but a good outcome! They acquired Tucker by paying 3x in cash and tax than he was projected. Bad process, and thus far bad outcomes. The Mets are a series of bad outcomes!

But what is important is the constraints that some markets have and what 'process' is available to them. The Brewers could never acquire a Snell at that price for the risk that that process did not cash in. The Brewers and half the other teams could not pay what the Dodgers are paying for Tucker. And while Tucker, and the entire Mets franchise is an example of why money doesn't guarantee result... what the Dodgers get out of this is the ability to now trade — practically risk free — from their prospect depth because they can replenish via spending. Nothing stopping the Brewers from doing it, and they should, but their bites at the apple are fundamentally smaller. If they don't win - and odds still aren't on their side — they will have set themselves back in ways the Dodgers making the same trade would not.

The Brewers can absolutely beat the Dodgers if they acquire the stars to win the right side of small sample size variances. They are not and will not ever be favorites against this permutation of LA. If they were to win, it'd be the greatest upset in the sport since KC won in 15, but beyond that the biggest at least this century. So while there is a chance, there are a series of structural disadvantages that don't prohibit outlier success of small markets, but certainly inhibit it   

[MuggsyB]

PCA just made a complete ass out of himself for the Cubs after he hit a 2 run shot in the 10th.  Cards get 3 in the bottom half, Cubs lose. 

[GB Warrior]

PCA just made a complete ass out of himself for the Cubs after he hit a 2 run shot in the 10th.  Cards get 3 in the bottom half, Cubs lose. 

Hating on PCA is one of my favorite things but he had every reason to expect that he just won the game. Cubs bullpen running a charity out there.

[TallTitan34]

Brewers are doing just fine.  No addition they could reasonably make was making them better than the Dodgers.  They made it as far as they could.  Same story this year.

Miz and Skubal starting four games of a seven game series is a legit threat to the Dodgers. 

[TallTitan34]

Hating on PCA is one of my favorite things but he had every reason to expect that he just won the game. Cubs bullpen running a charity out there.

Yeah, the Cubs have been patching the bullpen together from the DFA scrap heap for the past several months.  It sounds like Cabrera, Brown, Palencia, Milner, and possibly even Steele should be returning in August along with some trade deadline acquisitions which should hopefully shore things up.

[MuggsyB]

Are people really confident about the Brewers bullpen?  If they can't get Skubal they should try to get Miller. 

[TallTitan34]

Are people really confident about the Brewers bullpen?  If they can't get Skubal they should try to get Miller. 

As a Cubs fan watching from afar, I think your bullpen is good but not great, however, it hasn't prevented you from winning games at a high clip.  I don't think there are many great bullpens out there.

[Uncle Rico]

Are people really confident about the Brewers bullpen?  If they can't get Skubal they should try to get Miller. 

As long as they don't eat lettuce from companies that write big checks to the BOTUS, they'll be fine.

[MuggsyB]

As a Cubs fan watching from afar, I think your bullpen is good but not great, however, it hasn't prevented you from winning games at a high clip.  I don't think there are many great bullpens out there.


[/quote

I grew up in Evanston but I root more for the Brewers.  Especially since the Cubs got one.

[The Sultan]

The Brewers problems in last year's NLCS was all about hitting. Yeah, maybe a little help in the bullpen would have been nice. But you can't have an OPS of .384 and win a playoff series.

Unfortunately I think that will also be their fate again this year regardless if they obtain someone like Skubal.

[wadesworld]

The Brewers problems in last year's NLCS was all about hitting. Yeah, maybe a little help in the bullpen would have been nice. But you can't have an OPS of .384 and win a playoff series.

Unfortunately I think that will also be their fate again this year regardless if they obtain someone like Skubal.

Yup.

They need to get a starter (not necessarily Skubal) plus about 3 hitters that are better than anybody on the roster not named Turang to beat the Dodgers.  Not happening.

[The Sultan]

I doubt they even get to the Dodgers if they are the #2 seed. They won't beat the Braves.

[Hards Alumni]

I doubt they even get to the Dodgers if they are the #2 seed. They won't beat the Braves.

People are already referring to them as the Milwaukee Cowards.

Season is over, shut it down.

[GB Warrior]

Are people really confident about the Brewers bullpen?  If they can't get Skubal they should try to get Miller. 

No but Miller is going nowhere. They'll make a move or two for the bullpen but one of the best things for it would be getting a starter to push guys back.

[BM1090]

Miz and Skubal starting four games of a seven game series is a legit threat to the Dodgers. 

Yep and I trust Henderson, Harrison, and Drohan to battle in playoff games and at least give the team a chance.

Doubt they get Skubal but it would absolutely give them a chance.

[BM1090]

I doubt they even get to the Dodgers if they are the #2 seed. They won't beat the Braves.

Braves are really good, but their rotation leaves a lot to be desired after Sale, especially with Strider done for the year. Toss up series against the Braves or Phillies. Big underdog against the Dodgers.

I'd feel confident in the Brewers against anyone else.

[Pakuni]

Braves are really good, but their rotation leaves a lot to be desired after Sale, especially with Strider done for the year. Toss up series against the Braves or Phillies. Big underdog against the Dodgers.

I'd feel confident in the Brewers against anyone else.

Can't believe you guys are completely ignoring the PCA factor.

[Shaka Shart]

Are people really confident about the Brewers bullpen?  If they can't get Skubal they should try to get Miller. 

Mark is only interested in Sandy Koufax

[Uncle Rico]

Harrison Bader might be an idiot

[The Sultan]

Harrison Bader might be an idiot

Best part is he did the same thing in college.

https://www.gainesville.com/story/sports/college/baseball/2014/02/04/uf-baseball-suspends-outfielder-bader/31111769007/

[MuggsyB]

Nm