Around Baseball 2020

[Laika]

Yeah and Trump really won the election. Conspiracy theories! With randomized testing, players don't know when they will be tested and when this is the case it's extremely difficult to beat. The covid season probably made PED testing a lot more lax. Robbie just rolled the dice and lost. Good players get tested way more frequently. Robbie wasn't that good anymore. Maybe he thought he wouldn't get tested.

 

It's not at conspiracy theory level.

 

1. we know PED use was rampant in the league historically

2. we know players in MLB and MiLB get suspended all the time, even now with steady testing (this proves broad use/access on at least some level)

3. we know there are ways to use PEDs and significantly reduce the chance of getting caught (if there was not then no MLB players would ever get popped because they wouldn't even try). PED use and testing is like hackers vs. antivirus software - one side is always behind the curve and responsive by definition.

4. we know that there are massive economic incentives to cheat. essentially, the amount of money on the line makes it inevitable.

 

I don't know if I would go so far as to say that the "vast majority" of the league is using but I wouldn't be shocked if it were true, depending on the definition of PED. I think it's a significant percentage either way.

[saskjayfan]

It's not at conspiracy theory level.

 

1. we know PED use was rampant in the league historically

2. we know players in MLB and MiLB get suspended all the time, even now with steady testing (this proves broad use/access on at least some level)

3. we know there are ways to use PEDs and significantly reduce the chance of getting caught (if there was not then no MLB players would ever get popped because they wouldn't even try). PED use and testing is like hackers vs. antivirus software - one side is always behind the curve and responsive by definition.

4. we know that there are massive economic incentives to cheat. essentially, the amount of money on the line makes it inevitable.

 

I don't know if I would go so far as to say that the "vast majority" of the league is using but I wouldn't be shocked if it were true, depending on the definition of PED. I think it's a significant percentage either way.

 

I'm not suggesting there isn't PED use or people willing to risk cheating. Robbie Cano is one of the highest earning MLB players over the past 7 years. He has the financial resources to find the best way to cheat. He's connected enough that, if there are guys cheating and getting away with it, he'd find out how they are doing it. He's been caught twice now. If Robbie Cano can't beat the system, how could any player attempt to cheat and believe there wasn't a chance he would get caught.

 

If PED's turn you from a guy who's not into the major leagues to a guy who finds a major league field, but is not an impact player you are more likely to be able to use PEDs and not get caught. Star players get tested far more frequently than 4th outfielders. Jose got test something like 19 times in a season when he was hitting 40+ bombs.

 

In the steroid era as much as 50% of the league potentially used steroids. They took substances that were truly effective because there was no testing. Today even for the guys who do cheat, they can't use the substances that were used in the mid 90s that really gave players a boost because they are easily detectible and stay in your system a long time.

 

I would guess the number of players using is less than 5%. The penalties are stiff and if Robbie gets caught anyone can. The risks are too great. I feel bad for Nelson Cruz. There are people that think it's impossible for him to be doing what he's doing, so he must be cheating. The reality if you looked into it he's likely been tested a ridiculous amount. The more likely answer on Cruz is he's just a really good baseball hitter.

[Spanky__99]

[connorp]

One key thing Laila missed on his list was the fact that cheaters like in Nelson Cruz’s case, passed many many drug tests but were outed another way. This has been going on since Bonds’ time. Some things have gotten stricter from the testing infancy like HGH and some increased testing amounts I believe but at the core it’s always been a randomized piss test and cheaters have demonstrated an ability to beat it.

 

So just because there’s an occasional pop it doesn’t make the above go away. It’s possible some athletes just get a bit careless or complacent

 

As I said before though, I can respect the fact Cano wasn’t even trying to benefit financially. He wouldn’t be playing for a contract for a few years. It’s possible after his 37yp season where it looked like he was going to slip into total irrelevancy that he didn’t want to be “that guy”. The piece of trash player every fan hates since they suck and take up precious payroll. You know how much we’d all hate 37yo Cano if he was on our books? I’m pretty sure there’s a few people here that wouldn’t mind in Randall G got offed somehow and we got out of his deal

[connorp]

Also I like Nelson Cruz, my favorite player even prob but he doesn’t get a raw deal. He got popped at one point and there is no second chances with anyone’s else’s legacy in that regard. In baseball anyway

[Jimcanuck]

If PED use = /= HOF, does trash can banging or being wired up = / = HOF?

[connorp]

Of course I’m sensationalizing a bit up there about RG, we had our own version of a worthless Cano in Tulo

[connorp]

If PED use = /= HOF, does trash can banging or being wired up = / = HOF?

 

It’s actually a legit question. I think it’ll have an effect. Maybe not “keep Bonds/Clemens out of the HOF” effect but it’ll cost votes IMO for sure

[Brownie19]

I thought it was the worst kept secret in baseball that Cano's always been on PED's? I won't lie though - Ang might be my source for this information. I'm not even sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

[connorp]

I thought it was the worst kept secret in baseball that Cano's always been on PED's? I won't lie though - Ang might be my source for this information. I'm not even sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

 

Getting into more conspiracy theories but I’ve heard and wouldn’t be surprised that all those DR kids are taking crap from like 14. Obviously not all but when you talk about financial incentive, the stakes are huge for all involved (the kids and people trying to profit off them)

[BTS]

Steve Cohen is awesome. Just clowning on Morosi.

 

[glory]

Cohen dumping on Morosi for blatantly making up news/rumors for clicks (which he has done forever) is amazing.

[RobinThicc]

Lol thats gotta hurt.

[G-Snarls]

I thought it was the worst kept secret in baseball that Cano's always been on PED's? I won't lie though - Ang might be my source for this information. I'm not even sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

 

He and Ortiz was always my impression. But Ortiz never failed a test of course...

[max silver]

He and Ortiz was always my impression. But Ortiz never failed a test of course...

 

If I recall correctly Ortiz was one of the players listed in the Mitchell Report all those years ago.

[wilko]

I'm not suggesting there isn't PED use or people willing to risk cheating. Robbie Cano is one of the highest earning MLB players over the past 7 years. He has the financial resources to find the best way to cheat. He's connected enough that, if there are guys cheating and getting away with it, he'd find out how they are doing it. He's been caught twice now. If Robbie Cano can't beat the system, how could any player attempt to cheat and believe there wasn't a chance he would get caught.

 

If PED's turn you from a guy who's not into the major leagues to a guy who finds a major league field, but is not an impact player you are more likely to be able to use PEDs and not get caught. Star players get tested far more frequently than 4th outfielders. Jose got test something like 19 times in a season when he was hitting 40+ bombs.

 

In the steroid era as much as 50% of the league potentially used steroids. They took substances that were truly effective because there was no testing. Today even for the guys who do cheat, they can't use the substances that were used in the mid 90s that really gave players a boost because they are easily detectible and stay in your system a long time.

 

I would guess the number of players using is less than 5%. The penalties are stiff and if Robbie gets caught anyone can. The risks are too great. I feel bad for Nelson Cruz. There are people that think it's impossible for him to be doing what he's doing, so he must be cheating. The reality if you looked into it he's likely been tested a ridiculous amount. The more likely answer on Cruz is he's just a really good baseball hitter.

 

 

Cano could also be dumb. Maybe his source f***ed him? Who knows.

[DigitalRock]

Cano f***ed his reputation, oh well he still rich

[Spanky__99]

Steve Cohen is awesome. Just clowning on Morosi.

 

 

lol

[metafour]

I'm not suggesting there isn't PED use or people willing to risk cheating. Robbie Cano is one of the highest earning MLB players over the past 7 years. He has the financial resources to find the best way to cheat. He's connected enough that, if there are guys cheating and getting away with it, he'd find out how they are doing it. He's been caught twice now. If Robbie Cano can't beat the system, how could any player attempt to cheat and believe there wasn't a chance he would get caught.

 

If PED's turn you from a guy who's not into the major leagues to a guy who finds a major league field, but is not an impact player you are more likely to be able to use PEDs and not get caught. Star players get tested far more frequently than 4th outfielders. Jose got test something like 19 times in a season when he was hitting 40+ bombs.

 

In the steroid era as much as 50% of the league potentially used steroids. They took substances that were truly effective because there was no testing. Today even for the guys who do cheat, they can't use the substances that were used in the mid 90s that really gave players a boost because they are easily detectible and stay in your system a long time.

 

I would guess the number of players using is less than 5%. The penalties are stiff and if Robbie gets caught anyone can. The risks are too great. I feel bad for Nelson Cruz. There are people that think it's impossible for him to be doing what he's doing, so he must be cheating. The reality if you looked into it he's likely been tested a ridiculous amount. The more likely answer on Cruz is he's just a really good baseball hitter.

 

Cano got popped for Stanozolol which is one of the most easily detectable and known steroids in sports. It seems like he's just a complete idiot, or he was taking something that was marketed as something more 'designer' and it turned out to be Stanozolol instead (ie: his dealer/doctor f***ed him). The vast majority of guys who are doping in sports and getting away with it in this age are all on designer steroids that are altered at a miniscule level to pass detection - remember that testing will ALWAYS lag behind what is actually available on the market. It always kills me when these guys with a hundred million dollars in the bank pop positive for something from the 1970's or earlier that your average bro from the gym is on LMAO.

[glory]

[Spanky__99]

lol...

 

[Spanky__99]

 

#1 Search on fangraphs... Sam McWho? lol

[Spanky__99]

Chapman had his suspension cut to 2 games, I loved when Brosseau bust out that Karma on Chapman...

 

Aroldis Chapman will now serve a two-game suspension to start the 2021 season, relays Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link). The Yankees reliever was originally suspended three games for (intentionally, in MLB’s determination) throwing a pitch near the head of Rays infielder Mike Brosseau. Chapman managed to shave a game off on appeal. Brosseau, of course, went on to hit a series-winning home run off Chapman a month later during Tampa Bay’s run to the American League pennant.

[G-Snarls]

Cubs give Jed Hoyer a 5 year contract extension

 

Curious how he does rebuilding

[connorp]

Cubs give Jed Hoyer a 5 year contract extension

 

Curious how he does rebuilding

 

That has to be a load off his mind. Now he can make a mistake trading Bryant or others and not go down in flames quickly if it doesn’t work out

[RobinThicc]

 

"Sandy Alderson says the Mets will not be hiring a president of baseball operations and will focus on the general manager job. "I will probably be more involved on the baseball operations side than originally anticipated," Alderson said. @martinonyc reported as much earlier today."

 

Aka, we're gonna wait for Theo.

[G-Snarls]

Hearing that Wander Franco is lighting it up offensively and defensively in the DWL

 

MLB debut in 2021?

[BTS]

Hearing that Wander Franco is lighting it up offensively and defensively in the DWL

 

MLB debut in 2021?

 

I'm guessing he'll be up after super 2, as long as he's destroying AA. If there is a AA.

[glory]

[Jays24]

 

I would ask Tampa what they would want in return for Snell. Then id hang up and make sure we never trade those players lol.