Brownie19

Interesting - and some good points. The issue for me is that instead of working to "even the playing field" - a lot of unions (that are in the public eye) push well beyond a reasonable level. Ontario is broke - the most in debt province/state in North America, yet the teachers continue to push and threaten for higher wages/benefits. They are some of the highest paid educators in North America. Now instead of cutting them back (which we know would create chaos and strikes), we're forced to change the educational system to try and create efficiencies and save money. Larger classes, less funding, etc. - which of course the teachers are now all up in arms about. From someone who's admittedly overly educated on the situation, it certainly appears we're in this position because the union pushed wages/benefits so far past a "level playing field". They've created this issue. Don't believe it - go look at the lineup of substitutes waiting patiently to jump on the gravy train. Unions aren't paid to make it fair to the employee and the employer - they are paid to suck every ounce of benefit out of it for their respective party. I guess that's why each side comes to the table - but the fighting over what's fair just seems so unproductive.

well they framed it as it's in their defined scope of work and the union won't let you change that. But yes - municipal politics makes me sick....but isn't that a reflection of an entire network made up of union employees who have no incentive to make things better? It certainly comes off that their priority is to avoid a catastrophe that would get them fired instead of making improvements. Also - I just realised how sexist my original post came off "meter maid" and "she handles money" - what an insensitive dick I am.

Interesting story. I'm working with a Town to redevelop their Main Street. Currently, parking is paid using the old school meters that you have to pop coins into. Of course under the new design we explored pay and display meters that accept credit cards and ones that can even be refilled using an app. We present this to the Town and the comment comes back that we may not be able to do that because the meter maid's job indicates that she handles money some f***ing nonsense about how we can't change that or the union may consider it unfit. I fully expect there's a way around this - and this is obviously just a one-off, insane example - but the notion that this was an issue in the first place is embarrassing.

Wilner's on the radio team full time now (but isn't doing the Jays Talk). I think Wilner calls a great game. He's the complete opposite of Buck. He uses facts and Buck makes s*** up. I'm disappointed in those who think Buck is acceptable. You're better than that.

I must not understand them and would love to learn more. I'm sure there are lots that work really well, but all I ever see is a system without any incentive to improve or be better at your job, which ultimately creates a group of people who do the bare minimum - while protecting the absolute dog f***ers and/or incompetent ones (like Ron Kulpa). We all know those jobs where people say "if you get in there - you're set for life!". Those are the jobs with thousands of people who are trained and waiting - just waiting for their opportunity to get in because the compensation/benefits v. the effort required are so far past what is reasonable. Those situations are created by unions for jobs funded by the public. I'm sure I only see the bad side of unions and miss half the story. I'm definitely jaded by particular ones.

Who the F supports unions?

Gruber - this is an excellent contribution to the board. Thanks.

Agreed. I think the team is evaluating the following positions and looking for cream to rise to the top: 2nd - Gurriel, Drury, Biggio (or have they move on from him at the pivot?)...need 1 DH - Teo, Tellez...need 1 OF - Teo, McKinney, Alford, Biggio...need 1, preferably 2 SP - Thornton, SRF, Merryweather, Pannone, Borucki....need 2 If they can get that, insert Vlad at 1st, Bo at SS, with Jansen at C and Grichuk in CF they'll be in good shape offensively. Maybe you can add a 3rd baseman (like Moose) if Vlad eats his way to 1st on the cheap via free agency and things are looking up. 2019 is like this massive audition for a lot of players.

The minor league guys are still in spring training...so it's not like he's missing out

I tend to agree, although it's too bad for Urena, who's had a nice start.

Did this happen? or is this what you think is going to happen?

I asked this before...but hasn't Tellez made significant improvements to his swing path? I mean he 'looks' like a hitter...although it's hard to 'see' bat speed.

BOMB cf

His floor is an excellent 4th OFer. This is OK - I'll trust them.

Man is Hudson's glove arm ever glossy...

We do that that guy named Vlad. Remove the rose coloured glasses and you'll see our future 1st baseman...

Isn't Pillar's girl from Cal and didn't they just have their first child together?

I mean I think we can pluck Brandon Guyer and/or Austin Jackson off the FA list right now for next to nothing. They can probably provide 90% of what Pillar would.

I'm going to miss Pillar. He was someone who was easy to root for. His all out, sacrifice the body for the team approach, combined with his willingness to give back to the fans (my kids have multiple balls/hats signed by him - I never saw him turn a kid away) endeared him to the fan base. For someone who profiled as a good 4th OFer, he provided excellent value, production and excitement for the team over the past 4 years. I both understand and dislike this move for many of the reasons pointed out above, but I can't help think there are many factors that we aren't privy to and will concede to the experts. I'm excited to see Alford and possibly Biggio get a shot in our OF this year - let's see what we've got. I wish Kevin nothing but the best moving forward. The hate for him on this board is bizarre and unwarranted.

Oh I'm not going to argue with you there. You just commented on how he swings at everything...I agree and acknowledge that too - but wasn't sure what that mean for his long term projections. Turns out that lots of different types of hitters (some good, some bad, some with high OBP's, some with low OBP's) have high swing %'s.

Hunter Greene needs TJ surgery. Never pitch.

Of interest, his career swing % is about 53%. I thought that seemed high, but wasn't sure so I went to Fangraphs to look. I assumed all the hitters with the highest swing % would be these free swingers who walk <5% of the time and K at a 25%+ rate (like Javier Baez). Baez was #2 last year at 58%, but I was surprised at the type of hitter that showed up... Dickerson was #1 at 59% Freddie Freeman was #6 at 55.6% Castellanos was #7 Piscotty #15 at 53% Scooter Gennett #17 Moustakas #20 at 52% Didi at #23 JD Martinez #28 T.Storey #30 at 50% Lots of great hitters in the list (mixed in with the likes of Kevin Pillar and other useless hitters).

yeah but Pillar is horrendous vs. pitchers in general. All of them.

OK - it's getting hard not to agree with tercet re: LGJ He has no clue.

DWJ can hit at the major league level. Buck told me.