Around Baseball 2018

[Boxcar]

Expanded rosters? And no, only s*** teams with no money will use openers. We need a larger sample. Also Boxbike is always an *******, open your eyes, son.

 

I'm not always an *******. But if I was, it's better than always being inebriated.

[Spanky__99]

Merry Christmas ya filthy animal

 

And to you, friendo.

[Spanky__99]

I'm not always an *******. But if I was, it's better than always being inebriated.

 

Yes, you are, that's not possible.

[TheHurl]

I do think using more pitchers is bad for baseball, but the direction it is heading in and probably is too late to stop. I think the fact that a team is using one at the start of the game is just semantics and odd to argue over. Tradition and fantasy are actually two of the biggest arguments against it (not making fun of Boxy here, this was a legit concern against it on other sites and by an old GM on MLB radio). What surprises me is that it this appears to be effective, and there are many here that never say a peep when a pitcher is pulled before the 3rd time through, that are opposing the opener. So it surprises me that many forward thinking people here that are against it.

 

 

Is it bad for baseball? Absolutely, it brings in zero fans. It confuses casuals, it pisses off traditionalists and likely lengthens the game. But it's innovative and people here should respect the f*** out of it.

[L54]

It’s f***ing lame to use an opener or 7 BP guys during a game. Change my mind

[Laika]

A’s close on Fiers.

 

Man, the pile of SP s*** is getting smaller and smaller. It will be interesting to see who Toronto signs and then sells to the fans as some kind of stabilizing veteran acquisition. I’m guessing it’s Marco coming back at this point + some leftover turds who settle for minor league deals, like Edwin Jackson or whatever

[BTS]

I’m really over watching Estrada pitch. Give me a couple of the other shitbags please.

[Angrioter]

Tatis Jr against Fernando Rodney

 

Estrellas Orientales (@estrellasbc) • Instagram video

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

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3,725 likes, 144 comments - estrellasbc on December 22, 2018: "Vamos a revivir el momento en que Fernando Tatis Jr. la desapareció del Estadio Quisqueya en el partido de anoche mientras jugábamos en la décimo primera entrada. ¡Qué palo señores! 🤭 #JuntosPodemos 🌟".

[Angrioter]

Teoscar Walkoff dinger

 

Toros del Este (@torosdeleste) • Instagram video

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4,348 likes, 261 comments - torosdeleste on December 21, 2018: "#ToroWalkoff de Teoscar Hernandez @elchino242".

 

BTW he looks like s*** at CF

[Daniel Labude]

I do think using more pitchers is bad for baseball, but the direction it is heading in and probably is too late to stop. I think the fact that a team is using one at the start of the game is just semantics and odd to argue over. Tradition and fantasy are actually two of the biggest arguments against it (not making fun of Boxy here, this was a legit concern against it on other sites and by an old GM on MLB radio). What surprises me is that it this appears to be effective, and there are many here that never say a peep when a pitcher is pulled before the 3rd time through, that are opposing the opener. So it surprises me that many forward thinking people here that are against it.

 

 

Is it bad for baseball? Absolutely, it brings in zero fans. It confuses casuals, it pisses off traditionalists and likely lengthens the game. But it's innovative and people here should respect the f*** out of it.

 

I think if used selectively like 1 time a week it wouldnt cause a problem with fans and can be chosen to fit a match up or with a SP that is really bad 3rd time through or vs a great hitting team

[Carlos Danger]

Teoscar Walkoff dinger

 

Toros del Este (@torosdeleste) • Instagram video

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

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4,348 likes, 261 comments - torosdeleste on December 21, 2018: "#ToroWalkoff de Teoscar Hernandez @elchino242".

 

BTW he looks like s*** at CF

 

Always kind of wondered if those winter leagues keep ML guys sharp and are a plus, or if they burn some guys out when coupled with ST, 162 games possibly plus.

 

Definitely a fun atmosphere to watch y play baseball. Thanks for sharing.

[TheHurl]

Teoscar Walkoff dinger

 

Toros del Este (@torosdeleste) • Instagram video

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

---

4,348 likes, 261 comments - torosdeleste on December 21, 2018: "#ToroWalkoff de Teoscar Hernandez @elchino242".

 

BTW he looks like s*** at CF

 

That is what I want Boxy to sound like when pronouncing latin names.

[Carlos Danger]

Appears there will not be a reunion between the Jays and Kendall Graveman... Looks like he is signing with the Cubs..

[glory]

Graveman to the Cubs and Fiers close to re-signing with A’s.

 

Jays are either going to shock us with Yusei or have a straight up young rotation plus whatever reclamation projects they can find. The latter seems more likely.

[Terminator]

Graveman to the Cubs and Fiers close to re-signing with A’s.

 

Jays are either going to shock us with Yusei or have a straight up young rotation plus whatever reclamation projects they can find. The latter seems more likely.

 

Yep, I've been thinking this for a while now. I'm cool with it. I just hope we trade some vets.

 

Rockies paid a lot for Murphy too bad we couldn't have worked something out with them for Smoak.

[Brownie19]

It’s f***ing lame to use an opener or 7 BP guys during a game. Change my mind

 

4th or 5th starter pitches 5, maybe 6 innings.

4 relievers pitch the remainder of the game.

 

v.

 

Opener pitches the 1st

4th or 5th starter pitches innings 2 through 6 or 7

3 relievers pitch the remainder of the game.

 

What is the difference? besides the second configuration gives the 4th or 5th starter - and the team in general a better chance to succeed.

[Spanky__99]

Domingo Santana was traded yesterday for Ben Gamel, I like that for the Mariners.

[Spanky__99]

Explain.

 

How? I have a hard time seeing how a parade of relievers is more appealing to casuals than the classic pitching matchup.

 

I'm saying neither would happen, you can't do BP games all season. The opener is just a tool to have your s***** starters skip the meat of the order once, not that big a deal, imo. Yeah, I was pretty buzzed and apologize.

[Spanky__99]

I do think using more pitchers is bad for baseball, but the direction it is heading in and probably is too late to stop. I think the fact that a team is using one at the start of the game is just semantics and odd to argue over. Tradition and fantasy are actually two of the biggest arguments against it (not making fun of Boxy here, this was a legit concern against it on other sites and by an old GM on MLB radio). What surprises me is that it this appears to be effective, and there are many here that never say a peep when a pitcher is pulled before the 3rd time through, that are opposing the opener. So it surprises me that many forward thinking people here that are against it.

 

 

Is it bad for baseball? Absolutely, it brings in zero fans. It confuses casuals, it pisses off traditionalists and likely lengthens the game. But it's innovative and people here should respect the f*** out of it.

 

Bingo! As for fantasy, you'll still know who's pitching on the opener days. Also, why is Boxy thanking this post, he called Org and I out on this train of thought? I guess it's the last paragraph, I guess.

[Spanky__99]

Maybe it is the eggnog.. It can be a lot more potent than the cheap Newfy beer he is probably used to😉

 

Welp... I've been told by Secret Agent Man!

[Abomination]

Bingo! As for fantasy, you'll still know who's pitching on the opener days.

 

That wasn't always true last year. I got caught a number of times by surprise.

[Spanky__99]

A’s close on Fiers.

 

Man, the pile of SP s*** is getting smaller and smaller. It will be interesting to see who Toronto signs and then sells to the fans as some kind of stabilizing veteran acquisition. I’m guessing it’s Marco coming back at this point + some leftover turds who settle for minor league deals, like Edwin Jackson or whatever

 

Sounds that way, bro.

 

The Toronto Blue Jays have yet to sign a free agent or trade for a player with big-league experience this off-season, preferring to lay the groundwork behind the scenes while other teams set the market.

 

According to team president and CEO Mark Shapiro, the moves are coming, but they might require even further patience. As a rebuilding team that’s still multiple pieces away from contending, the Blue Jays are disinclined to rush trades or free agent signings.

 

“There will still be activity for certain before we’re done,” Shapiro said in a conference room at Rogers Centre Wednesday. “But we can sit back and go ‘if we value our players more than other teams value our players as teammates, as competitors, as athletes and as a talent,’ then we don’t need to make any more trades.”

 

At some point before opening day, the Blue Jays must reinforce their bullpen and starting rotation. Yet they hope to remain patient and flexible the way they did last winter instead of pushing to complete a deal while asking prices are uncomfortably high.

 

“We’re not going to pace the market,” Shapiro said. “That’s just not where we are because there’s not that sense of urgency at one position that we feel like is so important for us to improve for next season’s ballclub.”

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-prefer-not-pace-market-off-season/

[Spanky__99]

That wasn't always true last year. I got caught a number of times by surprise.

 

True, happened to me a few times in a Roto League streaming. Point still remains.

[Boxcar]

Bingo! As for fantasy, you'll still know who's pitching on the opener days.

 

True, happened to me a few times in a Roto League streaming. Point still remains.

 

[ColdPint]

Sounds that way, bro.

 

 

 

https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-prefer-not-pace-market-off-season/

 

Yes, I know it’s not even January yet but as assembled we know that pitching staff is going to be our Achilles heel this year.

 

Feels like Shatkins is punting this season and I really don’t think it was necessary. There have been opportunities to pick up pieces that would not have been in contradiction with the long term plans. A couple arms and a couple of breaks and we could surprise some teams.

 

As it looks now Vlad is coming in, with Bo and Cavan shortly behind, onto a team that will struggle heavily against the heavyweights. They will lose, sometimes bigly, and that’s likely not something they’ve ever encountered.

Edited December 23, 2018 by ColdPint

[Dick_Pole]

I'm saying neither would happen, you can't do BP games all season. The opener is just a tool to have your s***** starters skip the meat of the order once, not that big a deal, imo. Yeah, I was pretty buzzed and apologize.

 

You sure as hell can if you don't mind rotating a bunch of pitchers through the minors that you know won't be picked up by other teams.

[Spanky__99]

You sure as hell can if you don't mind rotating a bunch of pitchers through the minors that you know won't be picked up by other teams.

 

They'd be terrible pitchers, what's the point in that?

[BTS]

They'd be terrible pitchers, what's the point in that?

 

Not if they have options.

[Spanky__99]

Not if they have options.

 

I thought of that, and it still wouldn't be viable, you fellas are reaching.

[TheHurl]

From friends that attended the Vegas meetings. AA has bought in 100% on advanced analytics and has the biggest budget of any team set aside to bring in the best people. He took the Harvard Analytics course himself while working with the Dodgers. He obviously is getting over his fear of people smarter than him by making himself smarter.