Around Baseball 2023

[connorp]

Never thought Mookie would come close to 40 but damn. What a season.

 

Someone teach Vlad how to pull the ball in the air

 

In theory, if you have 70/80 grade raw power, you can just go with the pitch. Vlad should be capable of putting it out to right easy enough. Strange (sad for Jay fans) case

[Brownie19]

This waiver dump by the Angels reminds me of the NBA where teams release their vets and sign with the contenders. I always thought that was BS, as the "top/fav" teams can sign these quality vet player right before the playoffs. At least in MLB, teams with lower winning %'s get first chance to select these guys from waivers (they don't become FA's like they do in the NBA). I wonder if MLB will look to modify the rules based on this.

[John_Havok]

This waiver dump by the Angels reminds me of the NBA where teams release their vets and sign with the contenders. I always thought that was BS, as the "top/fav" teams can sign these quality vet player right before the playoffs. At least in MLB, teams with lower winning %'s get first chance to select these guys from waivers (they don't become FA's like they do in the NBA). I wonder if MLB will look to modify the rules based on this.

 

Sure lower win percentage teams can grab them but most of those teams aren't all that eager to take on additional money either.

[connorp]

Yeah there is something stinky about it

 

I think it’s safe to say that spite would probably weigh heavier in the formula than cost savings does in this case

[Brownie19]

I think it’s safe to say that spite would probably weigh heavier in the formula than cost savings does in this case

 

??? They will end up under a luxury tax threshold if all those players are picked up. It's clearly about sheading salary.

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/free-lucas-giolito-and-reynaldo-lopez-and-matt-moore-and/

[connorp]

??? They will end up under a luxury tax threshold if all those players are picked up. It's clearly about sheading salary.

 

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/free-lucas-giolito-and-reynaldo-lopez-and-matt-moore-and/

 

It’s not J. Loria or the Angelos family. Doesn’t fit how the operation has been run in the past. It seems like a bush league move and again, out of character

[Brownie19]

It’s not J. Loria or the Angelos family. Doesn’t fit how the operation has been run in the past. It seems like a bush league move and again, out of character

 

ducking under the CBT threshold makes a lot of sense as it resets the applicable penalties (if you're over for multiple years in a row, the penalty increases each year). It is out of character for them to make smart baseball decisions though, but it seems doubtful this is all a huge coincidence that they are doing it out of spite, but it also just happens to get them under the CBT threshold.

[Krylian]

Waiving guys to save a few bucks looks like the new meta. And I hate it

 

It's beta

[glory]

Kyle Gibson today against the White Sox: 4.1 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 3 HR

 

His numbers when not facing the Jays have to be ugly as s***.

[metafour]

Kyle Gibson today against the White Sox: 4.1 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 3 HR

 

His numbers when not facing the Jays have to be ugly as s***.

 

The Orioles are just a next-level organization. INCREDIBLE signing.

[Terminator]

Kyle Gibson today against the White Sox: 4.1 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 3 HR

 

His numbers when not facing the Jays have to be ugly as s***.

 

2.14 ERA in 21 innings against the Jays. 5.15 overall.

 

So he's got to be close to a 6 ERA against everyone but us lol

[thatoneguy]

Mookie has a very strong case to become only the second player in MLB history to win MVP in both leagues (Frank Robinson). Having his best offensive season since 2018.

[Brownie19]

Mookie has a very strong case to become only the second player in MLB history to win MVP in both leagues (Frank Robinson). Having his best offensive season since 2018.

 

That MVP voting is going to be tight as f***.

 

Acuna

Olson

Betts

Freeman

[thatoneguy]

Mookie is leading the NL in OPS (1.020), fWAR (7.5), and wRC+ (174). The stolen base/batting average factor for Acuna, batting average for Freeman, and home run factor for Olson will probably factor in, but Betts should be the front runner right now.

 

Also, he's looking to hit 40 homers from the leadoff spot, which as never been done in MLB history.

[Brownie19]

Mookie is leading the NL in OPS (1.020), fWAR (7.5), and wRC+ (174). The stolen base/batting average factor for Acuna, batting average for Freeman, and home run factor for Olson will probably factor in, but Betts should be the front runner right now.

 

Also, he's looking to hit 40 homers from the leadoff spot, which as never been done in MLB history.

 

I agree. You also have to factor in that Betts has filled in at SS and 2nd base when needed this year, in addition to RF. Acuna may have lots of SBs, but that needs to be offset by his horrendous defense in RF.

[Stangstag]

Mookie has a very strong case to become only the second player in MLB history to win MVP in both leagues (Frank Robinson). Having his best offensive season since 2018.

 

And Ohtani will be the 3rd next year (or 2025 if he can’t pitch)

[Stangstag]

Teo on absolute fire. Gonna drag the Mariners to the postseason

[BigCecil]

Teo on absolute fire. Gonna drag the Mariners to the postseason

 

Smoking hot. Slugging .823 last 15 and .605 the last 30 gms

[G-Snarls]

Mookie has a very strong case to become only the second player in MLB history to win MVP in both leagues (Frank Robinson). Having his best offensive season since 2018.

 

s***... I thought he had already done that but no

 

Was 2nd in MVP 2020

[G-Snarls]

Teo on absolute fire. Gonna drag the Mariners to the postseason

 

He and Julio just raking

 

Bah

[BTS]

[Nursehoneybadger]

would be great to gain a game on the mets today, just pulled out a Christmas miracle after blowing a 3 run lead.

[L54]

 

Guy is a f***ing predator at this point no matter what Jim and Connor say

[hanton]

Mets just got out of a 0 out bases loaded jam, still tied in extras, line out followed by a dp

[Masterbather]

The Amazing Mets!

[harvey16]

Aroldis Chapman is complete Trash now haha! The Rangers give me hope for the Jays. So it's not only the Jays that find epic ways to lose

[hanton]

LOL Chapman hits Stewart to force a run in and lose it for the Rangers

[WryNGinger]

HBP wins the game. Beautiful.

[glory]

The Mets did the Jays a favor there. Nine more games until the TEX/TOR 4 game series in Toronto. With COL/OAK/KCR next, the Jays better go 7-2 at the minimum before that Rangers series.

[Nursehoneybadger]

the playoffs shouldn't be too difficult to get a spot in