Around Baseball 2017

[Muck Bartinez]

More than any other sport, one NBA superstar can really carry a team

 

Baseball is just not like that

 

Case in point: Los Angeles Angels.

[G-Snarls]

Case in point: Los Angeles Angels.

 

Exactly

 

Trout can't carry his team

 

Lebron James and Tom Brady can

[burlingtonbandit]

The Expected value in getting the first pick is likely a lot lower than the amount of $ the Blue Jays will lose by being that bad. There's a very big incentive for the Blue Jays to continue to stay relevant.

[THANOS]

More than any other sport, one NBA superstar can really carry a team

 

Baseball is just not like that

 

Case in point, Mike Trout.

 

Trout = LeBron James in talent.

[Dick_Pole]

Doesn't that prove how valuable an NBA draft pick can be? Spurs get lucky, land one of the best players of all-time and are able to build around him for the next 15 years, winning multiple championships because he's so good. The Spurs, much like the Jays in the late 80's/early 90's were aided by being ahead of the curve and able to tap into an international market before everyone else caught on. I'll also admit they have excellent scouts and a phenomenal system; however, I strongly doubt they are anywhere near as successful with that approach if Tim f***ing Duncan doesn't fall into their laps.

 

I know I was stepping on my toes using this example. But my point was that 20 years later they are still going strong after Duncan is retired and without a top pick in recent memory. The Spurs may have drafted him, but the coaches also successfully created an offense around him and the FO created an environment which he wanted to stay in for nearly two decades. No Vince Carter traded for scrubs type of deals.

 

The Cavs have been winners with LeBron James and absolute horseshit without him. They got extensively lucky to have the first round pick at the right time and that this star player happened to be born a few miles down the road so he eventually returned. There is a pretty clear difference between the Cavs and the Spurs. Now maybe to some people this wouldn't make a difference. A championship team is a championship team. To me, it does make a difference.

 

Tanking is a cheap and lazy way to run a sports team in any league. If someone gives me a choice that the Jays finish 71-91 or 81-81 this year, I will say 81-81 hands down.

 

To someone who says to me "yeah but if they tank at 71-91, the front office will be finally able to re-build/re-tool"

 

My answer to this is: "Shapiro should be smart enough to make the right call for the team whether it is 43-43 or 38-48 come the all-star break".

 

My enjoyment as a fan comes from watching my team win as many baseball games as possible, regardless of the situation it is in. If the team loses games, I'm not going to do mental gymnastics where the team "banks" wins in the future because the higher draft pick may result in a slightly better player on the roster in 2020. The front office should be competent enough to field a talented team with that many years to draft and develop players and a team salary that will be in the top half of the league.

[Brownie19]

I know I was stepping on my toes using this example. But my point was that 20 years later they are still going strong after Duncan is retired and without a top pick in recent memory. The Spurs may have drafted him, but the coaches also successfully created an offense around him and the FO created an environment which he wanted to stay in for nearly two decades. No Vince Carter traded for scrubs type of deals.

 

The Cavs have been winners with LeBron James and absolute horseshit without him. They got extensively lucky to have the first round pick at the right time and that this star player happened to be born a few miles down the road so he eventually returned. There is a pretty clear difference between the Cavs and the Spurs. Now maybe to some people this wouldn't make a difference. A championship team is a championship team. To me, it does make a difference.

 

Tanking is a cheap and lazy way to run a sports team in any league. If someone gives me a choice that the Jays finish 71-91 or 81-81 this year, I will say 81-81 hands down.

 

To someone who says to me "yeah but if they tank at 71-91, the front office will be finally able to re-build/re-tool"

 

My answer to this is: "Shapiro should be smart enough to make the right call for the team whether it is 43-43 or 38-48 come the all-star break".

 

My enjoyment as a fan comes from watching my team win as many baseball games as possible, regardless of the situation it is in. If the team loses games, I'm not going to do mental gymnastics where the team "banks" wins in the future because the higher draft pick may result in a slightly better player on the roster in 2020. The front office should be competent enough to field a talented team with that many years to draft and develop players and a team salary that will be in the top half of the league.

 

You must have some incredible mental strength to truly care whether the Jays win 81 games or 71 games. I've already written this season off personally. I'll watch games when I have a chance (mostly b/c my son will want to watch) because I enjoy baseball, but at this point, I don't really care if they win or lose.

[G-Snarls]

Brad Ausmus finally conceding he might need to rethink using KRod as his closer

[MunenoriKawasakiMVP]

I'll always watch the Jays with interest regardless of the results. Yes, losing sucks but real fans stay through the tough times so it feels even better when they start having a stud team.

[Gary]

Former Philllies slugger Ryan Howard released by Braves

[MunenoriKawasakiMVP]

Toronto Blue Jays on their way to greatness: They've tied the Padres (12-20) in the standings and now stand tied for 27th in the major league. Next target on the way to #1 are the Atlanta Braves, who have a ,379 winning percentage on the season.

[AdamLindsMom]

Joey Votto is good at baseball. That is all. Carry on.

[wk680]

Ironically, on a night when Pillar makes one of his patented leaping catches to rob extra bases and runs, Kiermaier lets a grounder scoot under his glove for a 3 base error and a Little league HR to Lorenzo Cain.

http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/229091178/lorenzo-cain-scores-on-rare-error-against-rays/

[Orgfiller]

Since when does Austin Hedges have legit pop?

[G-Snarls]

Ironically, on a night when Pillar makes one of his patented leaping catches to rob extra bases and runs, Kiermaier lets a grounder scoot under his glove for a 3 base error and a Little league HR to Lorenzo Cain.

http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/229091178/lorenzo-cain-scores-on-rare-error-against-rays/

 

Gold glove voters should remember this day LOL

Edited May 9, 2017 by G-Snarls

[Bobthe4th]

Gold glove voters should remember this day LOL

 

In all seriousness, if Pillar is an all star (which seems quite likely) and KK isn't, that will probably have an effect on the voters.

[Laika]

Since when does Austin Hedges have legit pop?

 

Always had some raw but last year he had a .272 ISO in AAA.

[G-Snarls]

In all seriousness, if Pillar is an all star (which seems quite likely) and KK isn't, that will probably have an effect on the voters.

 

Absolutely

 

Also if he continues to hit like this

 

That shouldn't matter but we all know it does

 

And keirmeier is having an absolutely s*** year at the plate so far

[G-Snarls]

Keirmeier. 206/.296/.270 wRC+ 63

 

Pillar. 305/.355/.489 wRC+ 134

 

The difference is likely to narrow of course but still...

[Governator]

In all seriousness, if Pillar is an all star (which seems quite likely) and KK isn't, that will probably have an effect on the voters.

 

 

Don't fans only vote for 3 OF? Is Pillar even top 5? He's not even top 10 in WAR amongst AL OF.

[Jonn]

In all seriousness, if Pillar is an all star (which seems quite likely) and KK isn't, that will probably have an effect on the voters.

 

Its May 9th and even in the event he makes the All-Star team that should not change the fact that Kiermaier is the better defender. I love Pillar but Kiermaier is out of this world.

[Bobthe4th]

Its May 9th and even in the event he makes the All-Star team that should not change the fact that Kiermaier is the better defender. I love Pillar but Kiermaier is out of this world.

 

That's true, but as I'm sure you know, the Gold Glove doesn't necessarily go to the best defender. It often goes to the player with the best year, who is also good defensively.

[Bobthe4th]

Don't fans only vote for 3 OF? Is Pillar even top 5? He's not even top 10 in WAR amongst AL OF.

 

Pillar will be one of the leading candidates to be the Blue Jays' representative (every team has to have at least one) as a reserve - and reserves are picked by a combination of fans, coaches and players. If he failed to get in that way, and wasn't then picked by the manager, he'd probably be in the final roster vote.

[Governator]

Pillar will be one of the leading candidates to be the Blue Jays' representative (every team has to have at least one) as a reserve - and reserves are picked by a combination of fans, coaches and players. If he failed to get in that way, and wasn't then picked by the manager, he'd probably be in the final roster vote.

 

My guess is Estrada or Stro get manager pick as our lone rep. There's just big OF competition this year on the ballots with Judge, Benintendi added to the mix next to Trout & Betts. I imagine those guys will be sucking up all the votes. Can't really look past with Souza Jr. is doing either but their fanbase is so minuscule it probably won't matter.

[Bobthe4th]

My guess is Estrada or Stro get manager pick as our lone rep. There's just big OF competition this year on the ballots with Judge, Benintendi added to the mix next to Trout & Betts. I imagine those guys will be sucking up all the votes. Can't really look past with Souza Jr. is doing either but their fanbase is so minuscule it probably won't matter.

 

Throw in JD as a candidate too if he is back from injury soon.

 

I still think Pillar would be one of the final roster vote options if he fails to get in otherwise - Saunders made it in that way last year.

[King]

Cardinals are hosting a Ladies Night and having a jewlery giveaway which has triggered a lot of people on twitter.

[Laika]

Cardinals are hosting a Ladies Night and having a jewlery giveaway which has triggered a lot of people on twitter.

 

They should know better than to say that women like jewelry. It's 2017!

 

Let's ignore the fact that women do actually like jewelry.

[z3r0s]

They should know better than to say that women like jewelry. It's 2017!

 

Let's ignore the fact that women do actually like jewelry.

 

you pig... women only like jewelry b/c society has taught them they like it.

[Governator]

you pig... women only like jewelry b/c society has taught them they like it.

 

I would bet if they took a poll and asked women if they'd like a bobblehead or jewelry as a giveaway, the majority would definitely say jewelry.

[Dr. Dinger]

Yes, women love cheap giveaway costume jewelry.

[Laika]

I would bet if they took a poll and asked women if they'd like a bobblehead or jewelry as a giveaway, the majority would definitely say jewelry.

 

A replica world series ring though? I doubt it

 

At least they could give the bobblehead to their husband or son - who actually like baseball/sports.