Around Baseball 2020

[Olerud363]

As a Blue Jays fan, I am jealous as f*** of Padres and Tatis.

 

That's the main reason for occasional Vlad Guerrero biggest failure ever thread. It's fun to have a guy who is the greatest ever from day 1...

 

It's like Delgado when Manny Ramirez and Frank Thomas and A-Rod were going insane in the mid 90s. Delgado would have his day, but wasn't a clear legend from age 21... Kind of fun when there's no doubt and not really a need for "Is such and such the next Jesus Montero?" thread.

[dineke]

As a Blue Jays fan, I am jealous as f*** of Padres and Tatis.

 

I mean we've got a pretty nice core already and haven't been rebuilding as long as the padres. And AJ Preller will probably f*** it up anyways.

[Stangstag]

I mean we've got a pretty nice core already and haven't been rebuilding as long as the padres. And AJ Preller will probably f*** it up anyways.

 

Ozuna 7 year 200 million dollar contract and he immediately falls off a cliff

[Stangstag]

Now that the season is over, anyone surprised that Puig didn’t play/get signed?

 

Its kinda shocking IMO, he seems like a much better option than several major league outfielders that have everyday jobs.

[Krylian]

Now that the season is over, anyone surprised that Puig didn’t play/get signed?

 

Its kinda shocking IMO, he seems like a much better option than several major league outfielders that have everyday jobs.

 

Not really. As much talent as he has, clearly no one wants to deal with the fact that he's a headcase.

[glory]

I really hope Money Hungry Manfred moves on from ESPN when that deal is up. The playoffs this year have been a joke. Relic announcers who sound like they haven't watched baseball in a decade, unenthusiastic calls for big home runs (see Tatis' HR's last night), stupid gimmicks in between games to distract from the actual baseball on the field, etc. Then, I looked at ESPN's YouTube page, and not a single baseball highlight in there FROM THE GAMES THEY BROADCASTED. Could have easily put the Tatis bat flip on their channel since I'm assuming MLB would be OK with that given it aired on their network, but nothing except LeBron and the NBA. I'm sure ESPN will offer the most money, but there has to be another network, either on cable or network (CBS? NBC?) that could do more to promote the sport and not see a major difference in total viewers.

[dineke]

I really hope Money Hungry Manfred moves on from ESPN when that deal is up. The playoffs this year have been a joke. Relic announcers who sound like they haven't watched baseball in a decade, unenthusiastic calls for big home runs (see Tatis' HR's last night), stupid gimmicks in between games to distract from the actual baseball on the field, etc. Then, I looked at ESPN's YouTube page, and not a single baseball highlight in there FROM THE GAMES THEY BROADCASTED. Could have easily put the Tatis bat flip on their channel since I'm assuming MLB would be OK with that given it aired on their network, but nothing except LeBron and the NBA. I'm sure ESPN will offer the most money, but there has to be another network, either on cable or network (CBS? NBC?) that could do more to promote the sport and not see a major difference in total viewers.

 

Cbs doesn't have a cable sports channel so the only other option that MLB is not on yet is nbc and how we'll have that worked out for the nhl? I don't think nhl is anymore popular in america. ESPN is still many times more popular than the NBC sports Network even if they're treated as second class citizens on ESPN.

[G-Snarls]

After yesterday's game Lindor is asked if the Indians can afford to keep him. His answer: "of course"

[Jimcanuck]

After yesterday's game Lindor is asked if the Indians can afford to keep him. His answer: "of course"

 

What a dumb question.

[glory]

Cbs doesn't have a cable sports channel so the only other option that MLB is not on yet is nbc and how we'll have that worked out for the nhl? I don't think nhl is anymore popular in america. ESPN is still many times more popular than the NBC sports Network even if they're treated as second class citizens on ESPN.

 

Yeah the NHL might as well not exist in mainstream America, so NBC hasn't helped them at all. I know CBS used to broadcast MLB many years ago (when the Jays were in the World Series), and they currently air the NFL, but don't know enough about the network to know whether that's even an option. I can't think of any cable networks off the top of my head since Fox and Turner are the big ones aside from ESPN/ABC.

 

MLB does a poor job with marketing their sport, so they deserve blame, but man, watching that ESPN block, that network doesn't give a damn about baseball. They barely promoted it on the day they were airing 7 games, and very little effort was given when actually airing the games. The NHL has somewhat proven that not having ESPN's good side may not be beneficial to your league, so maybe MLB just needs to accept it and take the money, but not sure being on a network that either ignores you during the season or has announcers who spend all game telling you how great the game used to be is going to help the sport long term. Put Jeff Passan on baseball related shows as much as possible, that would be a start.

[Dick_Pole]

I know CBS used to broadcast MLB many years ago (when the Jays were in the World Series)

 

CBS needs to start broadcasting baseball again just for this:

 

[Dick_Pole]

As a Blue Jays fan, I am jealous as f*** of Padres and Tatis.

 

As a Blue Jays fan I'm glad I didn't have to endure 50 years of suck except Tony Gwynn to get to this point of having another franchise player. Good on the Padres and as long as he stays there and doesn't find his way into a Yankees uniform I'm happy.

[Boxcar]

As a Blue Jays fan I'm glad I didn't have to endure 50 years of suck except Tony Gwynn to get to this point of having another franchise player. Good on the Padres and as long as he stays there and doesn't find his way into a Yankees uniform I'm happy.

 

He was an international signee. The long duration of futility was not a requisite.

[connorp]

Not really about baseball solely but was just reading an article on sports cards sold this year:

 

 

This year alone, Goldin Auctions has seen seven cards go for more than $500,000 -- one of which set the all-time record -- and all but one was from the 21st century.

CARD PRICE DATE

2009 Mike Trout $3.84 million* Aug. 22

2013-14 Giannis Antetokounmpo $1.86 million Sept. 21

2003-04 LeBron James $1.8 million July 18

2003-04 LeBron James $1.08 million Aug. 22

2009 Mike Trout $922,500 May 16

1968 Nolan Ryan $600,000 Aug. 22

2003-04 LeBron James $540,000 Aug. 22

*most expensive card ever sold

 

Imagine having 3.8 mil to drop on a f***ing Mike Trout piece of cardboard

[Spanky__99]

Avila says Tigers aren't ruling out Hinch, Cora for manager

 

Oct 2, 2020 , By NOAH TRISTER

 

DETROIT (AP) Tigers general manager Al Avila said Friday that Detroit is not ruling out the possibility of hiring A.J. Hinch or Alex Cora for its manager vacancy.

 

Hinch and Cora were suspended through the 2020 postseason for their roles in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal. The Astros fired Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow on Jan. 13 and Cora lost his job managing the Boston Red Sox the following day.. Cora spent the 2017 season as bench coach on Hinch's staff with Houston.

 

The Tigers are in the market for a replacement for manager Ron Gardenhire, who retired on Sept. 19 with a little more than a week left in the season. Avila was asked about Hinch and Cora, and while Detroit's search appears to be in a very early stage, the GM at least seemed open to the possibility of hiring one of the suspended managers.

 

"Really, I can't say that I've eliminated anybody," Avila said. "The cheating scandal is not a good thing, obviously. They're serving their suspensions, and once their suspensions are over, then they'll be free to pursue their careers. So we have not eliminated anybody from our list at this point."

 

Avila said interviews will be conducted by video, but he could meet face to face once the list of candidates is down to a small number.

 

"We could finish this sometime in October. It might go into November," he said. "Really, we're not in a rush. We're kind of taking our time with it."

 

The Tigers went 23-35 in the shortened season, finishing in the AL Central cellar for the third time in four years. They did bring up two of their most highly touted pitching prospects in Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, so that duo got some experience in the big leagues.

 

Avila said it is important that the next manager be able to help with talent evaluation, since there are important decisions to make throughout the roster. He sounds open to a variety of experience levels for managerial candidates.

 

"I guess one thing you could eliminate is a guy that maybe played and has absolutely no coaching experience, no managerial experience, and goes from being a player directly to a major league manager," he said. "I probably wouldn't go that way, but everything else I would say is in play."

[Spanky__99]

That trade by Preller to get FTJ was a pillaging, lol @ the Chisox... it only cost them an old s***** Shields. Yikes!

[Grant77]

RIP Bob Gibson. One of the all time best pitchers, 81 innings in 9 postseason starts. You have to wonder if baseball will ever allow a player to achieve such greatness again.

[G-Snarls]

RIP Bob Gibson. One of the all time best pitchers, 81 innings in 9 postseason starts. You have to wonder if baseball will ever allow a player to achieve such greatness again.

 

Damn

 

He will be missed

 

A true legend

[G-Snarls]

That trade by Preller to get FTJ was a pillaging, lol @ the Chisox... it only cost them an old s***** Shields. Yikes!

 

Yeah. They even won by elimination of the Shields contract...

[Spanky__99]

I thought Osuna had the surgery? Guess he's going to try the Tanaka route that rarely ever works...

 

It’s been nearly two months since Tommy John surgery was initially recommended for Astros closer Roberto Osuna. A couple weeks later, however, Houston skipper Dusty Baker revealed that Osuna was opting for a rest-and-rehab route. Osuna elaborated on the decision to FOX 26’s Mark Berman, revealing that a second opinion offered him a different conclusion: a forearm strain that could benefit from four weeks or so of rest. Osuna shut down from throwing for the recommended four weeks and resumed throwing three weeks ago. He’s optimistic that he’ll be able to avoid surgery based on the way his arm feels and his most recent input from doctors.

 

Even with a deep postseason run for Houston, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where he builds up to the point of being able to pitch in 2020. And given that he’s eligible for a raise on this year’s $10MM salary in arbitration before becoming a free agent next winter, he doesn’t appear to be a lock to be tendered a contract. Even if he were to simply repeat this year’s salary, that’d be a rather sizable gamble to take on a reliever who is just months removed from a Tommy John recommendation.

[Dick_Pole]

So this is what Hurl and BTS tried to save us all from by robbing us of the best off-topic threads. Good job guys. You're like the Montoyo of running the internet.

[Boxcar]

So this is what Hurl and BTS tried to save us all from by robbing us of the best off-topic threads. Good job guys. You're like the Montoyo of running the internet.

 

Awww, they deleted it? That sucks. I enjoyed the exchange.

 

Also, I better not get accused of anything because I did not start anything.

[Brownie19]

I was just looking at the Oakland A's. How the f*** did they win a series? Olsen & Semien were awful this year. Chapman's done. Jake Lamb is hitting 3rd and Bassit is their Game 1 starter?

[Orgfiller]

I was just looking at the Oakland A's. How the f*** did they win a series? Olsen & Semien were awful this year. Chapman's done. Jake Lamb is hitting 3rd and Bassit is their Game 1 starter?

 

Semien was by no means awful, his offensive output regressed somewhat to career numbers along with some short season small sample size mixed in, but he's still an elite defender so his contributions go beyond his offense. They also...have other players lol? Canha, Sean Murphy and Laureano are good. Grossman hits well and doesn't embarrass himself too much in the field, they acquired La Stella who has been good, Lamb has also rediscovered his power. They have an excellent bullpen headlined by the current best reliever in baseball, and three decent or better starters in Luzardo, Manaea and Bassit. It's not like they fluked their way past the White Sox, they were deservedly one of the best teams in baseball and still a contender even with Chapman out.

 

It's not just the Rays who get a lot out of their players. Remember the A's are the original Moneyball team and are consistently one of the better performing teams in the league despite limited resources.

[glory]

The A's are still a good team, obviously not as good without Chapman, but still a team capable of winning a short series against an inferior opponent. The White Sox (like everyone else in the Central) benefitted from a regional schedule, even though I like them a lot long term. I was rooting for the Sox, but not surprised the A's won. They can probably take the series from the Astros too with their injuries, but would be surprised if they can beat NYY/TAM beyond that.

[Laika]

I was just looking at the Oakland A's. How the f*** did they win a series? Olsen & Semien were awful this year. Chapman's done. Jake Lamb is hitting 3rd and Bassit is their Game 1 starter?

 

Well, most of the WC series were close to coin flips but the A's always run pretty deep teams without big holes. They can't afford to have many non-contributors.

 

Total WAR of all negative fWAR players on Oakland: -1.9

Toronto: -3.5

White Sox: -3.2

Astros: -3.4

Indians: -2.2

Rays: -2.1

Twins: -1.1

Yankees: -2.5

Red Sox: -6.9

[Spanky__99]

Holy crap...

 

Scottsdale police seeking answers in fatal shooting-suicide

Oct 5, 2020

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) Authorities are trying to determine who drove former Major League Baseball pitcher Charles Haeger from the Flagstaff area to the Grand Canyon, where he committed suicide a day after allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend.

 

Scottsdale police said Haeger abandoned his van between 8:00 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday on Interstate 17 in northern Arizona and solicited a ride to the Grand Canyon.

 

They said Haeger was last known to have made a purchase at the El Tovar Hotel near the Grand Canyon's South Rim just after 2 p.m. Saturday.

 

His body was discovered about two hours later on a trail along the South Rim.

 

Sgt. Brian Reynolds, a spokesman for Scottsdale police, said Monday that the department "is seeking the public's assistance in determining how Haeger got from Mile Marker 303 on I-17 to the Grand Canyon."

 

Scottsdale police were seeking the 37-year-old Haeger on suspicion of murder and aggravated assault in Friday's fatal shooting of 34-year-old Danielle Breed, who owned a bar in Scottsdale.

 

Police said Breed's roommate reported hearing gunshots and seeing Haeger exit her bedroom with a handgun.

 

Haeger's unoccupied vehicle was found Saturday near Flagstaff, which is 118 miles (190 kilometers) north of Scottsdale.

 

Haeger, a knuckleball pitcher, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2001. He pitched 83 innings in the majors from 2006-10 for the White Sox, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers and had a career 2-7 record and 6.40 earned run average.

 

He was a minor league pitching coordinator for the Tampa Bay Rays organization from 2016-18 and was named pitching coach for the Chicago Cubs' Double-A team in Tennessee for 2020, but the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Edited October 5, 2020 by Spanky99

[Spanky__99]

Rhys Hoskins had TJS, yikes.

[Laika]

Rhys Hoskins had TJS, yikes.

 

weird. you don't see much first base TJS.

[The Cats Ass]

weird. you don't see much first base TJS.

 

And on his non-throwing arm.