Okay, let's take it to the next logical step. Let's say they embedded a little speaker in the helmet, and the TV crew relayed exactly what pitch was coming to the batter? I mean, that's a step further, but it's the same line of thinking. As I said, the player at 2nd relaying the pitch to the batter is one thing, but using other people not on the field to do it is quite another.
There should absolutely be a fairly significant penalty for this. I don't care if the player at 2nd relays signs to the hitter, that's fair game imo. But using non-players to relay it is way too far, especially when you start talking about the replay operators or TV networks.
I wouldn't be surprised to see both start in AA, given how well they've handled things so far. Teams would normally let them get 30 or 40 games at the same level the next year likely before moving them up, but I'm not sure it'll happen in this case.
The only thing I really don't like is when they rail on advanced stats, while clearly not understanding them. Otherwise, I'd take them any day over some of the announcers on other teams. Some of them will talk about other stuff for entire innings while completely ignoring the game.
Reilly Smith, Ryan Strome, Vatanen, Holden, Brown or Pageau, Bozak, Budaj are available from me. Will consider others. Would like to add some goals, as I'm a little lacking (but overloaded with assists). Would also like to add a legit #1 goalie.
I wouldn't be opposed to us picking up Verlander, as long as it's a salary dump and we don't have to include a good prospect too. He's expensive, but he eats innings and is still pretty good (just not elite anymore). It is worth noting that his fastball velocity has actually ticked up this year too, the highest it's been since 2011. He'd look really good alongside Stro and Sanchez in the rotation next year.