MLB Offseason - The Hotstove League

[Scout101]

can't see how he could suspend him. Didn't suspend others for similar problems. It wasn't even against MLB rules until after 2003, so ARod didn't even break the MLB rule.

Yes, it was illegal, and thus a crime, but others with legal problems have been allowed to play, so he can't use that as an excuse to ban him, either...

The HR record bit I agree with

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Man, I hope the Marlins get their new ballpark. Even if you're not a Marlins fan, I think we should all just cross our fingers and hope that the city and county officials down in Miami vote to let them build one. We'll know by this time tomorrow, I guess.

I mean, come on, Dolphin Stadium? You call that a good place to play baseball?

 

[Timby]

I think we should all just cross our fingers and hope that the city and county officials down in Miami vote to let them build one.

In a day and age when the global economy is falling like the Roman Empire, I think it's ridiculous to say that we should "cross our fingers" that the City of Miami should decide to spend $361 million of public money on a baseball stadium -- a stadium for a team that no one cares about and draws crowds comparable to Winger reunion concerts. It's only slightly less ridiculous than the Yankees extorting $220 million from the City of New York (which is already more than a billion dollars in the hole) for their new stadium.

One of the lasting hallmarks of Bud Selig's era as commissioner has been his push to have owners hold cities hostage for new stadiums, and it sickens me. Even more galling has been the virtual blacklisting of Peter Magowan after he told Selig to go fuck himself and got the Giants' park privately financed.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

In a day and age when the global economy is falling like the Roman Empire, I think it's ridiculous to say that we should "cross our fingers" that the City of Miami should decide to spend $361 million of public money on a baseball stadium -- a stadium for a team that no one cares about and draws crowds comparable to Winger reunion concerts. It's only slightly less ridiculous than the Yankees extorting $220 million from the City of New York (which is already more than a billion dollars in the hole) for their new stadium.

You don't think that a new Marlins ballpark will actually help the economy in Miami?

At this stage, I confess that I find it difficult - not impossible, just difficult - to care *how* the Marlins get their new ballpark built, as long as they can get the hell out of Dolphin Stadium (which is quite obviously unsuitable for baseball). They can always relocate, if they can't get the new park built down there.

 

[Pegaritaville]

Man, I hope the Marlins get their new ballpark. Even if you're not a Marlins fan, I think we should all just cross our fingers and hope that the city and county officials down in Miami vote to let them build one. We'll know by this time tomorrow, I guess.

I mean, come on, Dolphin Stadium? You call that a good place to play baseball?

If the Twins could suffer through all of those years at the Metrodome, the Marlins can certainly make do with with what they're stuck with. I hope the Marlins do get a new stadium, but with cities struggling financially just to maintain the status quo, it's a tought sell. Building a new ballpark may make sense in the long run, but right now, it's almost political suicide to back that kind of project: The fear of being labled as a supporter of "billionaire welfare" is too great.

 

[scottydog]

Being from Pittsburgh, this is the time of year for me to go from crying tears of joy for my Steelers, to crying tears of utter despair for the Pirates. (Notice I didn't say my Pirates ) The transition from rooting for one of the best sports franchises (Steelers) to the absolute WORST sports franchise (Pirates) is painful for me.

Unless the entire roster has been replaced during the off-season, the Pirates are doomed to suffer their pro-sports-record 17th consecutive losing season. Please keep all rope and razor blades away from me.

 

[Scout101]

Eh, I'd hold onto Nate McLouth, anyway. Replacing the rest is fine.

Unless you wanna trade him to the Sox? In exchange, you could hold one of our World Series trophies for a little while?

 

[SmoothieX]

In a day and age when the global economy is falling like the Roman Empire, I think it's ridiculous to say that we should "cross our fingers" that the City of Miami should decide to spend $361 million of public money on a baseball stadium -- a stadium for a team that no one cares about and draws crowds comparable to Winger reunion concerts. It's only slightly less ridiculous than the Yankees extorting $220 million from the City of New York (which is already more than a billion dollars in the hole) for their new stadium.

This whole economic thing seems wildly overhyped for one thing. I know its a little rocky, but the 24 hour news channels need something to shout about. Also, building a new stadium will create a large number of jobs. And if you can attract people to come watch a game there instead of a football stadium where they cordon off the upper deck, you will generate revenue.

I hope it passes as well. I wonder if they will move if they don't get it passed?

 

[scottydog]

Eh, I'd hold onto Nate McLouth, anyway. Replacing the rest is fine.

Unless you wanna trade him to the Sox? In exchange, you could hold one of our World Series trophies for a little while?

 

[Scout101]

so, you'll think about it?



Jason Bay says hi

 

[RevDMV]

Being from Pittsburgh, this is the time of year for me to go from crying tears of joy for my Steelers, to crying tears of utter despair for the Pirates. (Notice I didn't say my Pirates ) The transition from rooting for one of the best sports franchises (Steelers) to the absolute WORST sports franchise (Pirates) is painful for me.

Unless the entire roster has been replaced during the off-season, the Pirates are doomed to suffer their pro-sports-record 17th consecutive losing season. Please keep all rope and razor blades away from me.

Well, my kids t-ball team is the Pirates, you can route for us....

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I mean, come on, Dolphin Stadium? You call that a good place to play baseball?

If the Twins could suffer through all of those years at the Metrodome, the Marlins can certainly make do with with what they're stuck with.

Aaaaaaand....the Twins are getting the hell OUT of the Metrodome. Read.

I hope it passes as well. I wonder if they will move if they don't get it passed?

Fuckin' Florida bullshit politicians. Now the vote is delayed until March 12.

And the main sticking point didn't have so much to do with the economy, it was one little shit-eating weasel waiting till the last minute to blindside the team with a bunch of little conditions. Linky The little bastard was worried that Jeffrey Loria would sell the team if the new ballpark deal went through!

Oh well. The Marlins have been blindsided enough times over the years, another month is chump change compared to that.

I mean, it's not like getting a new ballpark is optional. As I said, Dolphin Stadium sucks for baseball - it was never meant for anything other than football. So that alone makes it obvious that a new ballpark is needed. Besides, the Marlins' lease there runs out after 2010 anyway. So they *have* to move. If the fracking bureaucrats won't let them build the new ballpark down in Miami, then the team should - and probably will - pack up and move.

 

[scottydog]

Being from Pittsburgh, this is the time of year for me to go from crying tears of joy for my Steelers, to crying tears of utter despair for the Pirates. (Notice I didn't say my Pirates ) The transition from rooting for one of the best sports franchises (Steelers) to the absolute WORST sports franchise (Pirates) is painful for me.

Unless the entire roster has been replaced during the off-season, the Pirates are doomed to suffer their pro-sports-record 17th consecutive losing season. Please keep all rope and razor blades away from me.

Well, my kids t-ball team is the Pirates, you can route for us....

Sad thing is your kids' t-ball team could probably beat the Pirates. Sigh.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

I think Ty Cobb could singlehandedly beat the pirates anmd that's pretty impressive because he's dead.

 

[Skywalker]

Eh, I'd hold onto Nate McLouth, anyway. Replacing the rest is fine.

Unless you wanna trade him to the Sox? In exchange, you could hold one of our World Series trophies for a little while?

No way, dude! I don't want them to jinx us.

Wow, that was very "Yankees fan" of me. I feel ill now.

 

[Timby]

I think Ty Cobb could singlehandedly beat the pirates anmd that's pretty impressive because he's dead.

A goddamn rice cooker could generate enough pressure to make the Pirates lose their shit.

 

[scottydog]

I think Ty Cobb could singlehandedly beat the pirates anmd that's pretty impressive because he's dead.

A goddamn rice cooker could generate enough pressure to make the Pirates lose their shit.

Didn't your mothers teach you not to hit people when they're already down??

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ I really could give a damn how bad the team plays, or what their record is. As long as they have a decent place to play, I'll be there. And PNC Park certainly qualifies. Damn sight better than Three Rivers, you gotta give them that.

 

[scottydog]

^I've been to PNC Park and it is indeed gorgeous. And you're right -- I can have fun at the ballpark no matter how badly my team is being beaten. Sometimes I do take wins and losses too seriously when it is, after all, just a silly game.

 

[SmoothieX]

So if the Marlins move, where would they go? DC already inherited the Expos. What are the other options? Portland, Vegas? OKC just got their first team, is that an option?