MLB 2017: The Yankees are dead, Yankees burn in hell

[Scout101]

Tough spot. He was a successful fat player, until he wasn't. Then he was just fat, and it hindered his ability to have his skills age with some grace. He lost some weight, but skills had diminished in the interim and now he's just taking up space (physically, on the roster, at the buffet line, etc)

Would be nice to have some sort of recourse in MLB though when the player signs a big contract and then just completely quits trying. NFL is too far the other way, but gotta be some middle ground there that incentivizes the player to give a shit. Apparently for Sandoval, 'pride' wasn't enough.

 

[Timby]

The MLBPA may be the equivalent of a paper tiger at this point, but you will never, ever see them roll over and give up guaranteed contracts. (Nor should they.)

 

[Scout101]

I don't disagree, just as the years and money on the contracts has gotten nuts recently (Stanton's 300M+, every pitcher that's not a turd gets 30M now for 6- 7 years, etc.) it's annoying that there's nothing on the other end encouraging them to try and live up to it. More money in the game, should go to the 'product' on the field, yes, but it's a bit of a trend to GET the money and then not do anything to even try to EARN any of it.

Guess the reaction will be to not give out so many big contracts, or have more outs in them, or something, so we'll see where it goes. First step seems to be to offer a big deal, but toss in a player out a couple year in so they think it's their idea and leave. Can't wait for Price to take that escape clause! Needs to pitch from a safe space.

 

[Skywalker]

Meh, the bazillionaire team owners can afford it.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

The problem always is, some team will give a guy a huge contract (or trade for the same). And if it bites them in the ass, it's really on the team.

Sandoval getting a huge contract was a mystery, as opposed to, say, a Bryce Harper.


I used to want the Cubs to go after Sonny Gray. They were "connected" to him several times in the past few years. But he's been on the DL once or twice, no? Is he even worth one top prospect anymore?

I know, like I said above, some team will give up something good for him, because they think they're smarter than every other team and can make it work.

 

[Timby]

I don't disagree, just as the years and money on the contracts has gotten nuts recently (Stanton's 300M+, every pitcher that's not a turd gets 30M now for 6- 7 years, etc.) it's annoying that there's nothing on the other end encouraging them to try and live up to it. More money in the game, should go to the 'product' on the field, yes, but it's a bit of a trend to GET the money and then not do anything to even try to EARN any of it.

I don't recall you complaining about contract values when the Angels and Yankees were trying to get out of the Hamilton and Rodriguez, contracts. In fact, I seem to recall you saying that since the teams handed them out, they should be stuck with them and they don't receive "get out of jail free" cards.

The problem always is, some team will give a guy a huge contract (or trade for the same). And if it bites them in the ass, it's really on the team.

Sandoval getting a huge contract was a mystery, as opposed to, say, a Bryce Harper.

Sandoval's deal was pretty clearly because the Red Sox hoped he'd fill the David Ortiz role of "fat guy who hits dingers," but they completely forgot that he's not a power hitter and had already been in decline in his final two years in San Francisco.

I used to want the Cubs to go after Sonny Gray. They were "connected" to him several times in the past few years. But he's been on the DL once or twice, no? Is he even worth one top prospect anymore?

Gray is probably the best starter who would be available in a trade now that Quintana's gone, and I have to imagine that he'll command a pretty decent haul, because the Cubs set the market by coughing up four prospects, including two top ones, for Quintana. I imagine that when Theo called about Gray, Beane's response was basically, "I want what you gave the White Sox, so give me Candelario and your best three pitchers in high-A."

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

^ You wouldn't put Archer above Gray, assuming Archer is "available"?

I think the Red Sox & Nats set the market where trades with the White Sox are concerned, then the Cubs continued the trend.

 

[Timby]

Archer and Gray have roughly similar profiles; the big standout with Archer is that he gets more strikeouts, which in turn has cranked his FIP down by quite a bit. So I suppose he might be a more attractive target, but God only knows what TB's front office is going to want.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Yeah, probably more likely the Cubs can trick the A's into giving Gray up for less by showing them some shiny objects.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I only noticed because of Fantasy baseball, but two pitchers in just a few days have elected to have Tommy John surgery, Joe Ross and Nate Karns.

Edit: I seem to have crossed my wires. Karns is having season-ending surgery, but it's not Tommy John, while it's Michael Pineda who is considering Tommy John but hasn't decided yet.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Today's line for Quintana vs the Orioles: 7IP, 3H, 12K. That is all.

A sweep of the Orioles, a possible intangible effect of a big trade. Or the Cubs really like playing at Camden.

 

[Timby]

I was going to say, it certainly seemed to un-fuck the bats of Heyward, Contreras and Russell...

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

The potential problem I still see is, they hit 10 home runs in the series (not a problem in itself, but....).

Game 2 definitely had some runs being scored in other ways, but they need to stop feasting on the homer and then starving without it.

 

[Timby]

That's just been a season-long problem with the team and I really, genuinely think Mallee needs to go. Call Bill Mueller up and offer him a zillion dollars to come back.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Legendary broadcaster Bob Wolff has died. Link

 

[tomalak301]

I'm getting more and more excited about a dodger/Astro World Series every day. I'm supposed to hate the Dodgers but they are stacked and the Astros are just so fun to watch.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I don't wanna jinx the Cubbies, but Holy Cow!

 

[Timby]

I'm getting more and more excited about a dodger/Astro World Series every day. I'm supposed to hate the Dodgers but they are stacked and the Astros are just so fun to watch.

The Dodgers are supposedly first in line on Britton if the Orioles decide to start selling, which would basically make their bullpen unbeatable, particularly in a short series.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Judge just hit a HR that almost went completely out of Safeco Field. I think it landed in the top row of the upper deck.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Kershaw leaves after 2 innings with back tightness & Strasburg leaves after 2 innings with an unidentified possible injury.