Around Baseball 2018

[Brownie19]

I'm surprised more players don't represent themselves in post-arb years. If you know your objective worth, and you know what kind of teams you want to sign with, why would you give an agent 10% of your contract? All agents really do is try to get the absolute max term and dollars, they could care less about the competitive situation of the team. It's all about their own commission. In a situation like Robertson's, the difference between what he'll negotiate for himself and what the absolute top dollar value might be is probably less than the agent's commission anyway. Good for him.

 

Probably the same reason people still use a real estate agent...

[Abomination]

I'm surprised more players don't represent themselves in post-arb years. If you know your objective worth, and you know what kind of teams you want to sign with, why would you give an agent 10% of your contract? All agents really do is try to get the absolute max term and dollars, they could care less about the competitive situation of the team. It's all about their own commission. In a situation like Robertson's, the difference between what he'll negotiate for himself and what the absolute top dollar value might be is probably less than the agent's commission anyway. Good for him.

 

I think the agents handle a lot of the marketing stuff too, which might end up adding more to a player's salary than the commission. That's probably less so with a reliever than a position player or SP though.

[Bobthe4th]

I think the agents handle a lot of the marketing stuff too, which might end up adding more to a player's salary than the commission. That's probably less so with a reliever than a position player or SP though.

 

Yeah agents do much more than simply negotiate your next contract. They are basically a buffer between the player and any non team organised merchandising, advertising, sponsorship, legal, press etc and in many cases will give financial investments / management advice. Contract negotiations are just the most high profile part of an agent's role.

[Brownie19]

"Reports" says Yanks are luke warm on Machado after all the **** moves he made during the playoffs.

[Abomination]

"Reports" says Yanks are luke warm on Machado after all the **** moves he made during the playoffs.

 

Excellent!

[King]

Trevor Bauer is 100% right in his Pinetar Quest 2018. He's making a big deal about this and I hope MLB takes his claims seriously.

 

They need to either regulate a product to use to enhance grip (which wouldn't matter at all if everyone used the same substance), or enforce the current rules they have now. "We are aware some pitchers are using it but we aren't going to enforce it" is the stupidest f***ing mindset.

[Pendleton]

Trevor Bauer is 100% right in his Pinetar Quest 2018. He's making a big deal about this and I hope MLB takes his claims seriously.

 

They need to either regulate a product to use to enhance grip (which wouldn't matter at all if everyone used the same substance), or enforce the current rules they have now. "We are aware some pitchers are using it but we aren't going to enforce it" is the stupidest f***ing mindset.

 

Is it absurd to suggest we may see an on field official checking the hands of pitchers before each/game like we do in combat sports?

[King]

Is it absurd to suggest we may see an on field official checking the hands of pitchers before each/game like we do in combat sports?

That wouldn't work because you would just have pitchers loading up with pinetar in between innings. You couldn't check pitchers each inning because that would be way too much. You could have someone in the bullpens checking pitchers before they enter the game but you could just load up the first basemens glove with pinetar and have him doctor the ball on a pickoff.

 

I think the best course of action is to regulate a substance that everyone can use. People act like pitchers who use substances to help grip the ball are shooting up heroin in between innings. It's only a big deal if not everyone is allowed/using it, which is the way it is now.

[Pendleton]

That wouldn't work because you would just have pitchers loading up with pinetar in between innings. You couldn't check pitchers each inning because that would be way too much. You could have someone in the bullpens checking pitchers before they enter the game but you could just load up the first basemens glove with pinetar and have him doctor the ball on a pickoff.

 

I think the best course of action is to regulate a substance that everyone can use. People act like pitchers who use substances to help grip the ball are shooting up heroin in between innings. It's only a big deal if not everyone is allowed/using it, which is the way it is now.

 

Yeah you're right that it would need to happen at the start of each inning and/or appearance in order to be effective. Probably a bit too tedious, but I was picturing someone bolting out bat boy style to do a quick 15 second inspection and running back.

 

Likely far fetched, but I just want them to come up with something that ensures equal ground.

[Laika]

MLB should definitely just have one legal in-house spray product that helps grip a little bit (but not too much), which they plop behind the mound with the rosin bag.

 

IIRC rosin was an illegal substance from like, 1900 to 1935 or whatever.

[Brownie19]

Is it absurd to suggest we may see an on field official checking the hands of pitchers before each/game like we do in combat sports?

 

how are the robot umpires going to do this??? Has AI come that far?

[Abomination]

They could just simply allow you to use any substance to increase your grip, as long as it didn't leave something disgusting on the ball (or something dangerous that could hurt a fan who gets a foul ball).

[Pendleton]

how are the robot umpires going to do this??? Has AI come that far?

 

Drones

[Boxcar]

MLB should definitely just have one legal in-house spray product that helps grip a little bit (but not too much), which they plop behind the mound with the rosin bag.

 

IIRC rosin was an illegal substance from like, 1900 to 1935 or whatever.

 

That kind of makes the problem of "unexciting" baseball (fewer balls in play) even worse, though.

 

I'm not certain why it's imperative that pitchers are given another legal grip aid.

[Abomination]

That kind of makes the problem of "unexciting" baseball (fewer balls in play) even worse, though.

 

I'm not certain why it's imperative that pitchers are given another legal grip aid.

 

Well, part of the argument is that with pitchers throwing harder and the balls supposedly slicker, you want to reduce the number of hit batters. You want to have more balls put in play, revert the changes to the ball so everyone isn't hitting everything out of the park anymore. That will force people to move once again to more of a strikeout is bad approach (at least with non-elite players).

[King]

That kind of makes the problem of "unexciting" baseball (fewer balls in play) even worse, though.

 

I'm not certain why it's imperative that pitchers are given another legal grip aid.

It's because most, but not all (which is the problem) pitchers are already using different types of substances to doctor the ball, all which provide different levels of RPM boost. Bauer did research on that.

 

The ideal situation is that they create something as NJH said, that doesn't provide too much of a boost and can be used by everyone.

[Abomination]

It's because most, but not all (which is the problem) pitchers are already using different types of substances to doctor the ball, all which provide different levels of RPM boost. Bauer did research on that.

 

The ideal situation is that they create something as NJH said, that doesn't provide too much of a boost and can be used by everyone.

 

The problem is, if you create a legal substance that's not the best available, people will use other ones covertly and it would be pretty much impossible to prove. You'd have to scrape some off their fingers and send it to a lab or something.

[King]

The problem is, if you create a legal substance that's not the best available, people will use other ones covertly and it would be pretty much impossible to prove. You'd have to scrape some off their fingers and send it to a lab or something.

then maybe it's just easier to start enforcing the bans and have the umpires look for it closer. It's blatantly obvious in the postseason as some pitchers aren't even trying to hide it.

[Abomination]

then maybe it's just easier to start enforcing the bans and have the umpires look for it closer. It's blatantly obvious in the postseason as some pitchers aren't even trying to hide it.

 

I feel like you either have to do what is currently done, allowing nothing, or you have to allow everything that doesn't leave substance behind on the ball. My personal feeling is that it's easier just to allow it, which puts everyone on an even footing.

 

One other thing I noticed in the playoffs, I don't really recall seeing bats breaking.

[Spanky__99]

So far the players that have had their options picked up or signed a contract... the players that elected free agency is extremely long.

 

Smoak, Justin 1B TOR TOR OCT 30, 2018 Club exercised contract option

 

Carrasco, Carlos SP CLE CLE Oct 30, 2018 Club exercised contract option

 

Sale, Chris SP BOS BOS Oct 30, 2018 Club exercised contract option

 

Wainwright, Adam SP STL STL Oct 30, 2018 One-year contract

 

Bumgarner, Madison SP SF SF Oct 29, 2018 Club exercised contract option

 

Goldschmidt, Paul 1B ARI ARI Oct 29, 2018 Club exercised contract option

 

Jones, Nate RP CWS CWS Oct 29, 2018 Club exercised contract option

 

Escobar, Eduardo 3B ARI ARI Oct 22, 2018 Three-year contract

[Jimcanuck]

Yes allow everything except altering the ball itself.

 

Maybe some pitchers won't throw as hard then, and less injury

[Spanky__99]

I'll post it anyway, deleted all the 60 day guys activated. Deadline is tomorrow at 5 PM... should be a handful or so of QO's offered.

 

10/30/18

 

RHP Joakim Soria elected free agency.

 

LF Gerardo Parra elected free agency.

 

Baltimore Orioles selected the contract of RHP Branden Kline from Bowie Baysox.

 

RF Brandon Guyer elected free agency.

 

3B Mike Moustakas elected free agency.

 

10/29/18

 

C Matt Wieters elected free agency.

 

1B Mark Reynolds elected free agency.

 

RHP Greg Holland elected free agency.

 

RHP Jeremy Hellickson elected free agency.

 

RHP Kelvin Herrera elected free agency.

 

RF Bryce Harper elected free agency.

 

RHP Joaquin Benoit elected free agency.

 

LHP Tim Collins elected free agency.

 

RHP Adam Wainwright elected free agency.

 

1B Matt Adams elected free agency.

 

RHP Tyson Ross elected free agency.

 

RHP Bud Norris elected free agency.

 

LF Hunter Pence elected free agency.

 

C Nick Hundley elected free agency.

 

LHP Derek Holland elected free agency.

 

CF Gregor Blanco elected free agency.

 

SS Freddy Galvis elected free agency.

 

C A.J. Ellis elected free agency.

 

3B Jung Ho Kang elected free agency.

 

SS Jordy Mercer elected free agency.

 

C Wilson Ramos elected free agency.

 

2B Asdrubal Cabrera elected free agency.

 

RF Jose Bautista elected free agency.

 

LHP Aaron Loup elected free agency.

 

RHP AJ Ramos elected free agency.

 

3B Jose Reyes elected free agency.

 

C Devin Mesoraco elected free agency.

 

C Jose Lobaton elected free agency.

 

CF Austin Jackson elected free agency.

 

LHP Jerry Blevins elected free agency.

 

LHP Gio Gonzalez elected free agency.

 

LF Curtis Granderson elected free agency.

 

LHP Wade Miley elected free agency.

 

LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu elected free agency.

 

RHP Daniel Hudson elected free agency.

 

RHP Ryan Madson elected free agency.

 

SS Manny Machado elected free agency.

 

C Yasmani Grandal elected free agency.

 

2B Brian Dozier elected free agency.

 

RHP John Axford elected free agency.

 

RHP Adam Ottavino elected free agency.

 

2B DJ LeMahieu elected free agency.

 

C Drew Butera elected free agency.

 

RF Carlos Gonzalez elected free agency.

 

LF Matt Holliday elected free agency.

 

RHP Matt Harvey elected free agency.

 

LHP Justin Wilson elected free agency.

 

C Bobby Wilson elected free agency.

 

2B Daniel Murphy elected free agency.

 

LHP Jaime Garcia elected free agency.

 

LHP Jorge De La Rosa elected free agency.

 

RHP Jesse Chavez elected free agency.

 

C Kurt Suzuki elected free agency.

 

RHP Anibal Sanchez elected free agency.

 

C Rene Rivera elected free agency.

 

RHP Peter Moylan elected free agency.

 

RHP Brandon McCarthy elected free agency.

 

RF Nick Markakis elected free agency.

 

3B Ryan Flaherty elected free agency.

 

1B Lucas Duda elected free agency.

 

RHP Brad Brach elected free agency.

 

C Chris Stewart elected free agency.

 

CF A.J. Pollock elected free agency.

 

C Jeff Mathis elected free agency.

 

RF Jon Jay elected free agency.

 

LHP Jake Diekman elected free agency.

 

3B Daniel Descalso elected free agency.

 

LHP Patrick Corbin elected free agency.

 

RHP Clay Buchholz elected free agency.

 

RHP Randall Delgado elected free agency.

 

RHP Tyler Clippard elected free agency.

 

RHP Marco Estrada elected free agency.

 

RHP Yovani Gallardo elected free agency.

 

RHP Bartolo Colon elected free agency.

 

3B Adrian Beltre elected free agency.

 

RHP Tony Barnette elected free agency.

 

RHP Sergio Romo elected free agency.

 

RF Carlos Gomez elected free agency.

 

RHP Adam Warren elected free agency.

 

SS Andrew Romine elected free agency.

 

RHP David Phelps elected free agency.

 

LF Cameron Maybin elected free agency.

 

LHP Zach Duke elected free agency.

 

DH Nelson Cruz elected free agency.

 

2B Gordon Beckham elected free agency.

 

2B Jed Lowrie elected free agency.

 

C Jonathan Lucroy elected free agency.

 

LF Matt Joyce elected free agency.

 

RHP Shawn Kelley elected free agency.

 

RHP Edwin Jackson elected free agency.

 

RHP Jeurys Familia elected free agency.

 

RHP Trevor Cahill elected free agency.

 

LHP Brett Anderson elected free agency.

 

1B Neil Walker elected free agency.

 

RHP David Robertson elected free agency.

 

LHP CC Sabathia elected free agency.

 

RF Andrew McCutchen elected free agency.

 

RHP Lance Lynn elected free agency.

 

LHP J.A. Happ elected free agency.

 

SS Adeiny Hechavarria elected free agency.

 

LHP Zach Britton elected free agency.

 

1B Joe Mauer elected free agency.

 

C Chris Gimenez elected free agency.

 

2B Logan Forsythe elected free agency.

 

RHP Matt Belisle elected free agency.

 

RHP Junichi Tazawa elected free agency.

 

RF Chris Young elected free agency.

 

CF Eric Young Jr. elected free agency.

 

RHP Blake Wood elected free agency.

 

RHP Garrett Richards elected free agency.

 

RHP Jim Johnson elected free agency.

 

SS Alcides Escobar elected free agency.

 

C Evan Gattis elected free agency.

 

LF Marwin Gonzalez elected free agency.

 

LHP Dallas Keuchel elected free agency.

 

C Martin Maldonado elected free agency.

 

RHP Charlie Morton elected free agency.

 

LHP Tony Sipp elected free agency.

 

C Jarrod Saltalamacchia elected free agency.

 

DH Victor Martinez elected free agency.

 

SS Jose Iglesias elected free agency.

 

LHP Francisco Liriano elected free agency.

 

LHP Hector Santiago elected free agency.

 

RHP Miguel Gonzalez elected free agency.

 

RHP Jeanmar Gomez elected free agency.

 

2B Adam Rosales elected free agency.

 

RHP Josh Tomlin elected free agency.

 

LHP Oliver Perez elected free agency.

 

LHP Andrew Miller elected free agency.

 

3B Josh Donaldson elected free agency.

 

CF Rajai Davis elected free agency.

 

RF Melky Cabrera elected free agency.

 

RF Lonnie Chisenhall elected free agency.

 

LF Michael Brantley elected free agency.

 

RHP Cody Allen elected free agency.

 

2B Brandon Phillips elected free agency.

 

LHP Drew Pomeranz elected free agency.

 

1B Steve Pearce elected free agency.

 

RHP Craig Kimbrel elected free agency.

 

2B Ian Kinsler elected free agency.

 

RHP Joe Kelly elected free agency.

 

RHP Nathan Eovaldi elected free agency.

 

RF Colby Rasmus elected free agency.

 

CF Adam Jones elected free agency.

 

Milwaukee Brewers selected the contract of CF Tyrone Taylor from San Antonio Missions.

 

RHP James Shields elected free agency.

Edited October 31, 2018 by Spanky99

[Orgfiller]

That's impossible to read Spank, lol.

[Abomination]

That's impossible to read Spank, lol.

 

In this case, blame the source:

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/transactions/?tcid=mm_mlb_news#month=10&year=2018

[Spanky__99]

That's impossible to read Spank, lol.

 

lol... that's why I said I'll just post it anyway!

 

There, I made it better, just for you, bro.

[Ray]

In this case, blame the source:

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/transactions/?tcid=mm_mlb_news#month=10&year=2018

 

Cleaned up by position:

 

Catcher:

 

C Matt Wieters elected free agency.

C Nick Hundley elected free agency.

C A.J. Ellis elected free agency.

C Wilson Ramos elected free agency.

C Devin Mesoraco elected free agency.

C Jose Lobaton elected free agency.

C Yasmani Grandal elected free agency.

C Drew Butera elected free agency.

C Bobby Wilson elected free agency.

C Kurt Suzuki elected free agency.

C Rene Rivera elected free agency.

C Chris Stewart elected free agency.

C Jeff Mathis elected free agency.

C Jonathan Lucroy elected free agency.

C Chris Gimenez elected free agency.

C Evan Gattis elected free agency.

C Martin Maldonado elected free agency.

C Jarrod Saltalamacchia elected free agency.

 

1B:

 

1B Mark Reynolds elected free agency.

1B Matt Adams elected free agency.

1B Lucas Duda elected free agency.

1B Neil Walker elected free agency.

1B Joe Mauer elected free agency.

1B Steve Pearce elected free agency.

 

2B:

 

2B Asdrubal Cabrera elected free agency.

2B Brian Dozier elected free agency.

2B DJ LeMahieu elected free agency.

2B Daniel Murphy elected free agency.

2B Gordon Beckham elected free agency.

2B Jed Lowrie elected free agency.

2B Logan Forsythe elected free agency.

2B Adam Rosales elected free agency.

2B Brandon Phillips elected free agency.

2B Ian Kinsler elected free agency.

 

SS:

 

SS Freddy Galvis elected free agency.

SS Jordy Mercer elected free agency.

SS Manny Machado elected free agency.

SS Andrew Romine elected free agency.

SS Adeiny Hechavarria elected free agency.

SS Alcides Escobar elected free agency.

SS Jose Iglesias elected free agency.

 

3B:

 

3B Mike Moustakas elected free agency.

3B Jung Ho Kang elected free agency.

3B Jose Reyes elected free agency.

3B Ryan Flaherty elected free agency.

3B Daniel Descalso elected free agency.

3B Adrian Beltre elected free agency.

3B Josh Donaldson elected free agency.

 

LF:

 

LF Gerardo Parra elected free agency.

LF Hunter Pence elected free agency.

LF Curtis Granderson elected free agency.

LF Matt Holliday elected free agency.

LF Cameron Maybin elected free agency.

LF Matt Joyce elected free agency.

LF Marwin Gonzalez elected free agency.

LF Michael Brantley elected free agency.

 

CF:

 

CF Gregor Blanco elected free agency.

CF Austin Jackson elected free agency.

CF A.J. Pollock elected free agency.

CF Eric Young Jr. elected free agency.

CF Rajai Davis elected free agency.

CF Adam Jones elected free agency.

 

RF:

 

RF Brandon Guyer elected free agency.

RF Bryce Harper elected free agency.

RF Jose Bautista elected free agency.

RF Carlos Gonzalez elected free agency.

RF Nick Markakis elected free agency.

RF Jon Jay elected free agency.

RF Carlos Gomez elected free agency.

RF Andrew McCutchen elected free agency.

RF Chris Young elected free agency.

RF Melky Cabrera elected free agency.

RF Lonnie Chisenhall elected free agency.

RF Colby Rasmus elected free agency.

 

LHP:

 

LHP Tim Collins elected free agency.

LHP Derek Holland elected free agency.

LHP Aaron Loup elected free agency.

LHP Jerry Blevins elected free agency.

LHP Gio Gonzalez elected free agency.

LHP Wade Miley elected free agency.

LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu elected free agency.

LHP Justin Wilson elected free agency.

LHP Jaime Garcia elected free agency.

LHP Jorge De La Rosa elected free agency.

LHP Jake Diekman elected free agency.

LHP Patrick Corbin elected free agency.

LHP Zach Duke elected free agency.

LHP Brett Anderson elected free agency.

LHP CC Sabathia elected free agency.

LHP J.A. Happ elected free agency.

LHP Zach Britton elected free agency.

LHP Dallas Keuchel elected free agency.

LHP Tony Sipp elected free agency.

LHP Francisco Liriano elected free agency.

LHP Hector Santiago elected free agency.

LHP Oliver Perez elected free agency.

LHP Andrew Miller elected free agency.

LHP Drew Pomeranz elected free agency.

 

RHP:

 

RHP Joakim Soria elected free agency.

RHP Greg Holland elected free agency.

RHP Jeremy Hellickson elected free agency.

RHP Kelvin Herrera elected free agency.

RHP Joaquin Benoit elected free agency.

RHP Adam Wainwright elected free agency.

RHP Tyson Ross elected free agency.

RHP Bud Norris elected free agency.

RHP AJ Ramos elected free agency.

RHP Daniel Hudson elected free agency.

RHP Ryan Madson elected free agency.

RHP John Axford elected free agency.

RHP Adam Ottavino elected free agency.

RHP Matt Harvey elected free agency.

RHP Jesse Chavez elected free agency.

RHP Anibal Sanchez elected free agency.

RHP Peter Moylan elected free agency.

RHP Brandon McCarthy elected free agency.

RHP Brad Brach elected free agency.

RHP Clay Buchholz elected free agency.

RHP Randall Delgado elected free agency.

RHP Tyler Clippard elected free agency.

RHP Marco Estrada elected free agency.

RHP Yovani Gallardo elected free agency.

RHP Bartolo Colon elected free agency.

RHP Tony Barnette elected free agency.

RHP Sergio Romo elected free agency.

RHP Adam Warren elected free agency.

RHP David Phelps elected free agency.

RHP Shawn Kelley elected free agency.

RHP Edwin Jackson elected free agency.

RHP Jeurys Familia elected free agency.

RHP Trevor Cahill elected free agency.

RHP David Robertson elected free agency.

RHP Lance Lynn elected free agency.

RHP Matt Belisle elected free agency.

RHP Junichi Tazawa elected free agency.

RHP Blake Wood elected free agency.

RHP Garrett Richards elected free agency.

RHP Jim Johnson elected free agency.

RHP Charlie Morton elected free agency.

RHP Miguel Gonzalez elected free agency.

RHP Jeanmar Gomez elected free agency.

RHP Josh Tomlin elected free agency.

RHP Cody Allen elected free agency.

RHP Craig Kimbrel elected free agency.

RHP Joe Kelly elected free agency.

RHP Nathan Eovaldi elected free agency.

RHP James Shields elected free agency.

[Spanky__99]

Cool... thanks Ray. I can update that until MLBTR and MLB do when FA starts.

[Jimcanuck]

Cool... thanks Ray. I can update that until MLBTR and MLB do when FA starts.

 

Better if Ray does it, clearly.

[Spanky__99]

Better if Ray does it, clearly.

 

Thanks there, Jim, ya stunned f***ing knob jockey!

[Spanky__99]

Top 25 FA's according to Duquette...

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/ranking-top-2018-19-free-agents/c-294514102?tid=282421090