MLB Thread

[DoctorAtomic]

A bye is going to kill those teams. Baseball is very much a day to day momentum sport.

[Lantern7]

19 minutes ago, DoctorAtomic said:

A bye is going to kill those teams. Baseball is very much a day to day momentum sport.

One, first round is best-of-three. Two (IIRC), the higher seeds would host all 2-3 games. So that could be knocked out inside of a working week.

[ebk57]

8 hours ago, Lantern7 said:

Any thoughts on the proposed expanded playoffs?

No. No. N.O. No, no, no.

[Perfect Xero]

Can't wait to see the network reaction when a .500 record mid-market team with a 2 deep rotation and a backup shortstop on a hot streak sneaks into the playoffs and take out the Dodgers or Yankees in the first round 3 game series.

[Mittengirl]

God, no.  The last thing baseball needs is a longer season.  Can you imagine what would happen if there were play-in games required before the playoffs?  They might be lucky to get the WS finished by Thanksgiving.  
 

This season (2020) the Tigers home opener is on March 30.  I don’t see how they can possibly start the season any earlier and going later in the year gets sketchy as well, weather-wise.
 

I hate the idea of a warm-weather/domed neutral field World Series; aside from a lack of neutral facilities large enough for the World Series, that would really screw over a team’s hometown fan base.  Of course, baseball doesn’t seem all that worried about growing a fan base, so maybe that wouldn’t concern TPTB.

Edited February 12, 2020 by Mittengirl

[xaxat]

9 hours ago, Perfect Xero said:

Can't wait to see the network reaction when a .500 record mid-market team with a 2 deep rotation and a backup shortstop on a hot streak sneaks into the playoffs and take out the Dodgers or Yankees in the first round 3 game series.

In addition, under this system, the Dodgers or Yankees would have picked to play them.

Nice job by Manfred of distracting fans from, umm, other stuff.

[JTMacc99]

I don't like it either. 

Baseball is a sport where the best teams lose 1/3 of their games and the worst teams win 1/3 of their games. Over the very long season, we figure out who the best teams are, as they earn it. 

Just tossing in a few extra teams, teams that don't deserve it, into the short series tournament invalidates what we get from having such a long season.

 

[DXD526]

I've grown fond of the wild card, as a team still has to have a really good record to earn it. But one of the things I've always liked about baseball is that only the very best advance to the postseason, unlike the NHL, where a team can play .500 hockey during the regular season and still get a playoff berth. The MLB schedule is also already demanding enough, I can't see the players wanting it to be longer. A bad idea all-around.

[DoctorAtomic]

I don't think if you can't win your division after 162 games then why should you get to keep playing. This all started with SF losing the division to Atlanta by 1 game with 104 wins. Well, beat them that one out of 19 times then.

Or just eliminate divisions and take the top 4.

 

[JTMacc99]

1 hour ago, DoctorAtomic said:

I don't think if you can't win your division after 162 games then why should you get to keep playing. This all started with SF losing the division to Atlanta by 1 game with 104 wins. Well, beat them that one out of 19 times then.

Or just eliminate divisions and take the top 4.

 

And that was an expansion year, and both of those two teams beat the living snot out of the Rockies all year long to pad those records. The Braves went 13-0 and the Giants were 10-3 versus the Rockies. It was definitely an exciting pennant race, but the idea that a 103 win team should never miss the playoffs was (in my opinion) not a valid argument based on that season alone.

Having said all THAT, I'm okay with the way the playoffs work now. The one game sudden-death alternative to not winning your division is a very baseball thing to do. 

[Sew Sumi]

There are some interesting rule changes on the table, including a 3 batter minimum rule for pitchers (except to end an inning). 

[cleo]

I really dislike that rule, and I also dislike the limit to the expanded rosters but I could live with it simply because I enjoy seeing all the players. But the pitcher thing is awful imo. Like I said, I think Manfred hates baseball. I get what he's trying to do with the pitcher rule but I don't think it will accomplish what he wants and imo it will make the game more boring.

I also read some articles that expressed surprise the players agreed to it, because over time it will result in pitchers- the 'lefty specialist' type roles being eliminated. 

[xaxat]

Manfred may have thought his "report" would end the controversy about the Astros, but people keep talking and details keep coming out.

The world just learned of the Astros’ cheating. Inside baseball, it was an open secret.

[cleo]

Lol Astros. This is almost a direct quote from Crane...'we're sorry.....but we won the world series and we'll leave it at that.'

Re the stories continually bubbling up: I fully expect by season's end the buzzers will be confirmed.

[xaxat]

You've got to think that Manfred wanted at least some contrition from Crane. But nope. He's like "We won. And I would gladly sacrifice my GM and manager again if it meant another ring because that cheating we did didn't actually help us."

[mojoween]

Jim Crane doesn’t look at all like what I thought he did when I was listening this morning.  Also his “I said that I didn’t say that” is going to crack me up from now until the end of time.

Marly Rivera should get to do all interviews of everyone ever.

[Sew Sumi]

Do the Astros want some cheese with their whine? 

[catlover79]

19 hours ago, xaxat said:

You've got to think that Manfred wanted at least some contrition from Crane. But nope. He's like "We won. And I would gladly sacrifice my GM and manager again if it meant another ring because that cheating we did didn't actually help us."

I heard bits and pieces of his press conference. What a PR disaster. He and the players are all talking about "moving on and looking forward", but the other teams are not going to forget this - and especially on the road when you factor in the other team's fans. It will be interesting when the Indians play the Astros in June, especially considering how vocal Mike Clevinger has been. In short, this will be a very ugly season for the Astros.

Regarding the potential changes for the postseason - in short, I hate the entire idea. I never thought I'd miss having Bud Selig at the helm. 

[Lantern7]

Question for @kariyaki . . . how have you dealt with your team going from cellar dwellers to contenders to possibly the most hated franchise in MLB? I’m not making fun . . . I’m thinking the Astros did all that in a shorter amount of time than the Patriots.

What tweaks would you guys want in order to make the game better? That can interpreted as “make MLB even more money than they need.”

[emma675]

I'm really interested to see how the Astros' season plays out, some other ball parks have brutal fans who are going to be pissed the entire season. 

[Lantern7]

5 minutes ago, emma675 said:

I'm really interested to see how the Astros' season plays out, some other ball parks have brutal fans who are going to be pissed the entire season. 

What division are they in? I think the Mets face the AL West this year. I bet a lot of fans still think Mike Scott’s split-fingered fastball — the one weapon guaranteed to beat the Mets in 1986 — was a glorified scuffed ball.

[catlover79]

33 minutes ago, Lantern7 said:

What division are they in? I think the Mets face the AL West this year. I bet a lot of fans still think Mike Scott’s split-fingered fastball — the one weapon guaranteed to beat the Mets in 1986 — was a glorified scuffed ball.

The Astros are indeed in the AL West.

42 minutes ago, emma675 said:

I'm really interested to see how the Astros' season plays out, some other ball parks have brutal fans who are going to be pissed the entire season. 

Just think...they don't even play the Yankees in NY until September 23rd!!!!

[Sew Sumi]

Can't wait for them to come to Oakland. Mike Fiers broke this wide open. He deserves a standing O. The Astros won't be treated well.

[xaxat]

4 hours ago, catlover79 said:

Just think...they don't even play the Yankees in NY until September 23rd!!!!

That's the next to the last series for both of them. Imagine what the atmosphere will be like if there are playoff implications.

(I checked Stubhub. You can still get tickets for less than twenty bucks. I am seriously tempted to make the trip.)

(ETA, Just saw Bellinger's comments 🔥🔥🔥. Looks like Manfred's gamble that other players would keep quite and protect the shield is failing miserably.)

Edited February 14, 2020 by xaxat

[mojoween]

The funniest part of what Cody said to me is when a microphone gets in front of Aaron Judge...and he gives the most Derek Jeter-esque answer in history.

[xaxat]

 

[Ms Blue Jay]

On 1/31/2020 at 11:25 AM, xaxat said:

Curtis Granderson announced his retirement.

I wonder how many TV networks have already offered him a job.

I absolutely love this man, but that seems to be unanimous.  He was on the Jays for such a short time, and boy I loved him.  Then again, I already loved him before he joined us.

This clever reply is at 3000 likes and counting.

 

Edited February 15, 2020 by Ms Blue Jay

[mojoween]

I feel so badly for Dusty.  He’s coming in at the eleventh hour to an untenable situation he can do nothing about.

[cleo]

Whatever excuse Altuve cooks up with his shirt- I just don't buy it. 

[mojoween]

9 minutes ago, cleo said:

Whatever excuse Altuve cooks up with his shirt- I just don't buy it. 

I mean, when Carlos Correa is trying to defend you with a terrible tattoo story, you need to re-examine your choices.

[xaxat]

Despite Manfred's best hopes, the players will not let this scandal go away.

Cubs' Kris Bryant Calls Astros 'A Disgrace'

Quote

Watching their apology, there’s no sincerity," Kris Bryant says.

 

[mojoween]

I mean.  Can you even imagine if an Astro gets plunked, and the PITCHER is disciplined?  When no Astro had any repercussions to documented cheating?

There will be a riot.

[Was-MArsenault]

Tony Fernandez has passed.

https://www.lonestarball.com/2020/2/15/21139556/tony-fernandez-died-major-league-baseball-shortstop

Edited February 16, 2020 by MikaelaArsenault
Spelling

[JTMacc99]

Oh wow. He was young! He was also a key member of my Fantasy baseball teams. 

[catlover79]

He was only an Indian for a year, but he provided one of the most exciting moments in franchise history. RIP Tony Fernandez, and God rest you. ❤⚾

 

[Ms Blue Jay]

So damn sad.

[shoregirl]

This is the last Sunday until the end of October the with no baseball.

I get the desire for players to police the Astros and enact some sort of punishment for these players but the Manfred is going to punish anyone who intentionally throws at them. If I'm a pitcher im not going to get suspended for longer than any of the Astros.

 

[catlover79]

On 2/14/2020 at 4:45 PM, xaxat said:

(I checked Stubhub. You can still get tickets for less than twenty bucks. I am seriously tempted to make the trip.)

You should do it!! I would if I had the dough.

[cleo]

Personally I think the stigma they will carry for a long time, as well as the comments from their peers, is enough and a more difficult response for them to manage than getting hit with a ball.

On the other hand, would not judge it.

[Court]

The Astros players not getting punished is on Manfred. MLB gave them immunity in exchange for their testimony. I'm somewhat surprised that no other team has been caught doing this. They all steal signs just not to the extent the Astros did with technology.

[shoregirl]

1 hour ago, Court said:

The Astros players not getting punished is on Manfred. MLB gave them immunity in exchange for their testimony. 

I get that. I guess I would like to see a little more humility and sincerity from them. I thought Correa sounded sincere on Friday but as soon as some of the bigger names started calling them out he got defensive. I'm not really ok with them not receiving any punishment not even a fine , I know why they didn't,  and it doesn't seem like other players are ok with it and seem pissed about and the Astros are just going to have to deal with it. The All-star game should be interesting this year.

 I actually think it would be hard to suspend the 2017 players anyway. For example Marwin Gonzalez played on the 2017 team but now play for the Twins if he got suspended isn't that punishing the Twins for something they had no part in? I think they should have banned the Astros from post season play for 2 years. It punishes both the organization as a whole as well as keeping the player from receiving any post season bonuses.

Edited February 17, 2020 by shoregirl

[catlover79]

The Asterisks, ahem, Astros just keep looking better:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.tmz.com/2020/02/17/houston-astros-top-prospect-suspended-162-games-alleged-ped-use/

[nittany cougar]

On 2/16/2020 at 11:57 PM, shoregirl said:

I get that. I guess I would like to see a little more humility and sincerity from them. I thought Correa sounded sincere on Friday but as soon as some of the bigger names started calling them out he got defensive. I'm not really ok with them not receiving any punishment not even a fine , I know why they didn't,  and it doesn't seem like other players are ok with it and seem pissed about and the Astros are just going to have to deal with it. The All-star game should be interesting this year.

 I actually think it would be hard to suspend the 2017 players anyway. For example Marwin Gonzalez played on the 2017 team but now play for the Twins if he got suspended isn't that punishing the Twins for something they had no part in? I think they should have banned the Astros from post season play for 2 years. It punishes both the organization as a whole as well as keeping the player from receiving any post season bonuses.

I think this is spot on.  In addition to Marwen Gonzales, other members of the 2017 squad include Dallas Keuchel of the White Sox and Charlie Morton of Tampa Bay.  The White Sox, Twins, and Rays would not be happy to have these players off their rosters.

Edited February 18, 2020 by nittanycougar
Dallas Keuchel's team affiliation

[mojoween]

Carlos Beltran lost his job with the Mets after cheating with the Astros.  The Mets didn’t have anything to do with it.

Edited February 19, 2020 by mojoween

[cleo]

Well cue the lawsuits. Their own fans are suing them.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-02-18/houston-astros-lawsuit-fan-adam-wallach-season-tickets-mike-bolsinger 

And apparently someone at their spring training facility was banging a garbage can or something while they were practicing. 

I guess I'm a softy bc I'm starting to feel a little sorry for them. I hope they have good support systems, I can't imagine the emotional toll of months of this. 

But at the same time they do nothing to help themselves.

[twoods]

Nope, not feeling sorry for them. They have a championship because of cheating, something that most in the MLB don’t have and have been striving for their whole lives. It’s nice to know that you’re still a winner despite cheating and get zero repercussions for it other than some boos and pitchers threatening to throw at you. You should have thought about the consequences before you blatantly cheated.

[NUguy514]

2 hours ago, cleo said:

I guess I'm a softy bc I'm starting to feel a little sorry for them. I hope they have good support systems, I can't imagine the emotional toll of months of this.

Yeah, no, fuck them.  Fuck them all.  Any and all misery unleashed onto them is entirely deserved.

[cleo]

That's why I said they do nothing to help themselves. There's a reason the anger is so strong, they've earned it and they contonue to earn it with their responses, which have been almost uniformly terrible.

[Lantern7]

18 hours ago, catlover79 said:

The Asterisks, ahem, Astros just keep looking better:

Is that their official derogatory nickname? It fits.

[Sew Sumi]

Y'all might want to read up on the Aubrey Huff story. The Giants have banned him from their 10 year World Series anniversary festivities due to some really inflammatory tweets (now deleted). One was about kidnapping Iranian women and have them feed him grapes and have sex. Say what dude?