Around Baseball 2024

[Orgfiller]

So I guess Hunter Brown just isn't very good?

 

Hard hit ball merchant. Also for someone with his strikeout numbers, he doesn't actually get many whiffs or chases at all. So it's good velo but must have terrible shape on his pitches and gets by on sequencing.

[Laika]

Hard hit ball merchant. Also for someone with his strikeout numbers, he doesn't actually get many whiffs or chases at all. So it's good velo but must have terrible shape on his pitches and gets by on sequencing.

 

stuff is nowhere near prospect grades

 

i think his prospect grades said 60 FB 60 SL 70 CB

 

well, by stuff+ it looks more like 50 FB and 55 breaking balls

 

he added a CUTTER this year that gets a good grade but his FB is grading out worse, I wonder if the action and the way the cutter is thrown has f***ed up his fastball movement and maybe even his slider which graded worse in his first couple turns

 

he is also throwing a SPLITTER. Two new pitches. Pitch mix not working. He is probably confused as f***.

 

sigh another Jose Urquidy

[Stangstag]

Apparently the interpreter stole $16M and is in guilty plea negotiations

 

Yup, seems like Ohtani actually was the victim here.

 

This is pulled from the official investigation documents:

 

Between November 2021 and January 2024, more than $16,000,000 was transferred via wire from a checking account belonging to Victim A, a professional baseball player, with an account number ending x5848 (the “x5848 Account”), held at a domestic financial institution (“Bank A”).1 These funds were transferred to bank accounts of associates of an operator of an illegal sports book (“BOOKMAKER 1”)

 

Recorded phone calls produced by Bank A related to the x5848 Account show MIZUHARA falsely identifying himself as Victim A, and attempting to trick and deceive Bank A employees into authorizing wire transfers from the x5848 Account to associates of BOOKMAKER 1.

 

Bank A records show that MIZUHARA accessed the x5848 Account pretending to be Victim A and transferred funds to associates of BOOKMAKER 1. In particular, on June 20, 2023, MIZUHARA accessed the x5848 Account from the Central District of California pretending to be Victim A and wire transferred $500,000 to an associate of BOOKMAKER 1.

 

Finally, on March 20, 2024, MIZUHARA sent BOOKMAKER 1 an encrypted text message admitting that he (MIZUHARA) had stolen funds from Victim A.

 

Pretty wild.

[Laika]

Yup, seems like Ohtani actually was the victim here.

 

This is pulled from the official investigation documents:

 

Between November 2021 and January 2024, more than $16,000,000 was transferred via wire from a checking account belonging to Victim A, a professional baseball player, with an account number ending x5848 (the “x5848 Account”), held at a domestic financial institution (“Bank A”).1 These funds were transferred to bank accounts of associates of an operator of an illegal sports book (“BOOKMAKER 1”)

 

Recorded phone calls produced by Bank A related to the x5848 Account show MIZUHARA falsely identifying himself as Victim A, and attempting to trick and deceive Bank A employees into authorizing wire transfers from the x5848 Account to associates of BOOKMAKER 1.

 

Bank A records show that MIZUHARA accessed the x5848 Account pretending to be Victim A and transferred funds to associates of BOOKMAKER 1. In particular, on June 20, 2023, MIZUHARA accessed the x5848 Account from the Central District of California pretending to be Victim A and wire transferred $500,000 to an associate of BOOKMAKER 1.

 

Finally, on March 20, 2024, MIZUHARA sent BOOKMAKER 1 an encrypted text message admitting that he (MIZUHARA) had stolen funds from Victim A.

 

Welp. Open and shut case.

[Brownie19]

So I guess Hunter Brown just isn't very good?

 

Let's remember this one when fans claim Atkins is a massive failure because Pearson and Manoah weren't developed properly.

[Stangstag]

Welp. Open and shut case.

 

Yeah glad we actually have official news/docs and closure now. Hope this doesn't hang over his head needlessly

[jaysblue]

Let's remember this one when fans claim Atkins is a massive failure because Pearson and Manoah weren't developed properly.

 

Lmao how much does Ross Atkins pay you to come on this board?

[Abomination]

Yup, seems like Ohtani actually was the victim here.

 

This is pulled from the official investigation documents:

 

Between November 2021 and January 2024, more than $16,000,000 was transferred via wire from a checking account belonging to Victim A, a professional baseball player, with an account number ending x5848 (the “x5848 Account”), held at a domestic financial institution (“Bank A”).1 These funds were transferred to bank accounts of associates of an operator of an illegal sports book (“BOOKMAKER 1”)

 

Recorded phone calls produced by Bank A related to the x5848 Account show MIZUHARA falsely identifying himself as Victim A, and attempting to trick and deceive Bank A employees into authorizing wire transfers from the x5848 Account to associates of BOOKMAKER 1.

 

Bank A records show that MIZUHARA accessed the x5848 Account pretending to be Victim A and transferred funds to associates of BOOKMAKER 1. In particular, on June 20, 2023, MIZUHARA accessed the x5848 Account from the Central District of California pretending to be Victim A and wire transferred $500,000 to an associate of BOOKMAKER 1.

 

Finally, on March 20, 2024, MIZUHARA sent BOOKMAKER 1 an encrypted text message admitting that he (MIZUHARA) had stolen funds from Victim A.

 

Pretty wild.

 

Interesting. I still don't understand why Mizuhara had access to that much money though, or why whoever does Ohtani's books didn't notice it back in 2021 or 2022. That does seem pretty conclusive as to Ohtani being a true victim though.

[Spanky__99]

As I said from the start, a POS family friend stole the guys money. EOD

[G-Snarls]

Bobby Witt Jr., who might be a top 5 player in baseball already, just homered. 9-0.

 

Also

 

Rough start for the Astros

 

4-10 to start the season

[Spanky__99]

Kimbrel's velo is down noticeably sitting 91?

[BaseballIsLife]

Also

 

Rough start for the Astros

 

4-10 to start the season

 

Probably inevitable. Don’t think the Astros are a smart org anymore ever since hiring Dusty, Dana Brown and letting the dynamic duo leave for Baltimore.

[G-Snarls]

Probably inevitable. Don’t think the Astros are a smart org anymore ever since hiring Dusty, Dana Brown and letting the dynamic duo leave for Baltimore.

 

Trade 4 Bregman at the deadline if we're on the bubble and they're out

[Ray]

Baltimore’s lineup is absurdly good

 

1. Henderson

2. Rutschman

3. Santander

4. Mountcastle/O’Hearn platoon

5. Mullins

6. Westburg

7. Cowser

8. Hays

9. Holliday

 

And they still have Connor Norby, Coby Mayo, Heston Kjerstad, and Kyle Stowers absolutely raking in the minors as depth options.

[jaysblue]

Trade 4 Bregman at the deadline if we're on the bubble and they're out

 

You gotta hope the Jays make a bold move or two adding some big bats. It would be a shame to waste an opportunity again with how good this pitching staff is.

[L54]

Baltimore’s lineup is absurdly good

 

1. Henderson

2. Rutschman

3. Santander

4. Mountcastle/O’Hearn platoon

5. Mullins

6. Westburg

7. Cowser

8. Hays

9. Holliday

 

And they still have Connor Norby, Coby Mayo, Heston Kjerstad, and Kyle Stowers absolutely raking in the minors as depth options.

 

One of the most impressive ascensions I can recall

[Laika]

I don't even know what the Jays (and the rest of the AL East) can hope for at this point, to keep Baltimore from just winning the division every year from 2025 on.

 

Maybe that the new ownership group is kinda dumb and they f*** up some trades or signings? Mets style?

 

I dunno

 

2024, because they are still so young, there's probably still a chance for the other teams to win the division over them

[Brownie19]

I don't even know what the Jays (and the rest of the AL East) can hope for at this point, to keep Baltimore from just winning the division every year from 2025 on.

 

Maybe that the new ownership group is kinda dumb and they f*** up some trades or signings? Mets style?

 

I dunno

 

2024, because they are still so young, there's probably still a chance for the other teams to win the division over them

 

100% - if Baltimore is willing to spend a bit now, everyone in the AL might be f***ed.

[BTS]

I'm not as scared as you guys. Dodgers have won 10 of 11 NLW titles, but they've been vulnerable in the playoffs. And they have a perfect front office, unlimited cash, and a city players want to play in. Not clear that Baltimore has any of those things. And they definitely don't play in LA. If Toronto is consistently good, they'll have their chances.

[Brownie19]

I'm not as scared as you guys. Dodgers have won 10 of 11 NLW titles, but they've been vulnerable in the playoffs. And they have a perfect front office, unlimited cash, and a city players want to play in. Not clear that Baltimore has any of those things. And they definitely don't play in LA. If Toronto is consistently good, they'll have their chances.

 

It's almost like the playoffs are a crapshoot eh? Interesting.

[Laika]

I'm not as scared as you guys. Dodgers have won 10 of 11 NLW titles, but they've been vulnerable in the playoffs. And they have a perfect front office, unlimited cash, and a city players want to play in. Not clear that Baltimore has any of those things. And they definitely don't play in LA. If Toronto is consistently good, they'll have their chances.

 

Well, yes. Expanded playoffs does mean that Toronto's World Series winning chances are not diminished significantly if Baltimore becomes a dynasty.

 

But it does of course mean winning the division will be a longshot for the next 5 years. So any run has to start with those dogshit wild card matchups.

[Sorrow]

It's going to be interesting to see what Toronto does in the coming few seasons. I know people dislike Atkins but he's been one of the most successful GMs that's ever ran this franchise. Outside of the 1985-1993 front office he's probably been the second most successful GM we've had, making the playoffs three times in his tenure so far even if we haven't gone anywhere in the playoffs and continually building a successful team. I'd argue that at this time he's a better GM than Anthopolous was before Anthopolous left and went to the Dodgers for a bit and learned more.

 

There's going to be a lot of money coming off the books in the near future.

[Brownie19]

It's going to be interesting to see what Toronto does in the coming few seasons. I know people dislike Atkins but he's been one of the most successful GMs that's ever ran this franchise. Outside of the 1985-1993 front office he's probably been the second most successful GM we've had, making the playoffs three times in his tenure so far even if we haven't gone anywhere in the playoffs and continually building a successful team. I'd argue that at this time he's a better GM than Anthopolous was before Anthopolous left and went to the Dodgers for a bit and learned more.

 

There's going to be a lot of money coming off the books in the near future.

 

You may be lucky there is no downvote button on this message board...

[Laika]

I think it would be reasonable to say:

 

- AA is still the #2 GM in franchise history because he took the team further than Atkins ever has, and he woke up the franchise from it's deep 22 year slumber.

- AA circa 2015/16 was a worse all-things-considered GM than Atkins right now

- if AA had have stayed with Toronto as GM, he would be a better GM right now than Atkins is right now. Like, we can assume at this point that he would have been able to learn some things and rebuilt the team appropriately.

[Jimcanuck]

I think it would be reasonable to say:

 

- AA is still the #2 GM in franchise history because he took the team further than Atkins ever has, and he woke up the franchise from it's deep 22 year slumber.

- AA circa 2015/16 was a worse all-things-considered GM than Atkins right now

- if AA had have stayed with Toronto as GM, he would be a better GM right now than Atkins is right now. Like, we can assume at this point that he would have been able to learn some things and rebuilt the team appropriately.

 

And he would have signed Bo and Vlad to team friendly long term deals. For better or worse.

[mphenhef]

And he would have signed Bo and Vlad to team friendly long term deals. For better or worse.

 

I'm not sure those deals ever were possible as both of these guys have families with generational wealth already (Granted, Vlad's is split like 14 ways so maybe not as much there)

[Sorrow]

I think it would be reasonable to say:

 

- AA is still the #2 GM in franchise history because he took the team further than Atkins ever has, and he woke up the franchise from it's deep 22 year slumber.

- AA circa 2015/16 was a worse all-things-considered GM than Atkins right now

- if AA had have stayed with Toronto as GM, he would be a better GM right now than Atkins is right now. Like, we can assume at this point that he would have been able to learn some things and rebuilt the team appropriately.

 

I don't disagree with that but I do think that how AA built 2015-2016 was terribly short sighted and it really sours me to his legacy, instead of burning almost all of his prospect capital on the Marlins and Dickey trades in 2013 he likely could have built a team equally as competitive but sustained the winning for years longer by just waiting a season or two if he didn't for whatever reason decide that the 2012 team wasn't a 73-89 team but was a team that had a true talent of 80 something wins instead of legitimately being a true talent low 70s win team.

 

I personally feel that Atkins has been a better GM than AA was while AA was with Toronto, but AA is obviously a much better GM today than Atkins is.

[Brownie19]

I'm not sure those deals ever were possible as both of these guys have families with generational wealth already (Granted, Vlad's is split like 14 ways so maybe not as much there)

 

Agreed - not sure Bo and Vlad would be as willing as most of the players who've been extended by AA in Atlanta. For most of those players, their families were relying on them to provide and they couldn't afford to take the risk.

[mphenhef]

It's almost like the playoffs are a crapshoot eh? Interesting.

 

They are, but that also makes managing to not win a game in three years quite the feat.

[glory]

Atkins from 2020-23 was a better GM than 2010-15 AA, but current AA is better than Atkins. If AA stayed in Toronto and didn't have that time in LA, then it's hard to say what type of GM he would have been from 2016 onwards as the Jays transitioned out of the small window that he created and into the next one. Atkins from 2017-19 was kinda ass as a GM if you look at the totality of his moves during that span, but something clicked in 2020 and he became a lot better. It's an interesting "what if" though.

 

As far as what the Jays do over the next few years, it really depends on what type of internal development they get over the next two seasons (2024-25). Davis Schneider practically fell into their laps and they aren't playing him as much as they should so not sure what to think about how (or if) they'll be open to giving prominent roles to young players during a competitive window. If Barger is suddenly the 3B/RF, Orelvis at 2B, DS in LF/2B, Roden in LF/RF, and so on, then you could picture a scenario where the team can still be competitive if they use the saved money on expensive FAs again. That's what made them successful during the 2021-23 window. They'll have to recreate that but maybe with quantity over quality (meaning a bunch of 2-3 WAR young players rather than hoping for 5+ WAR performance out of Bo/Vlad and never getting it, at least from Vlad).