Bobthe4th

With the exchange rate US and Canadian stuff is similar in price at the moment, but I know what you mean.

Have any of you guys been to the new MLB store in Covent Garden? I'm often in London for work so plan to head over there to check it out soon.

Bodeans BBQ near the Tower of London will have it on, they show American sports all the time. They also have a game day menu where you get a selection from the menu for £15, as well as a bar area.

Look at all the guys on the same row as the guy who's accused, they're all looking at him, at least one appears to be saying "WTF man". Everyone else is either looking away (in disgust?) or also looking at him. Of course this isn't conclusive - maybe he was with the thrower who left him behind?

In the Toronto Sun article he says he's been advised by his lawyer not to make a statement. "I'd love to tell you my story....but I can't say anything" I'm no legal expert but this suggests to me he did it, but if he doesn't own up and they don't have better video he could get off. But he can't risk denying until he sees the footage the police have. Otherwise why not say it wasn't me?

This is the important bit, and I'd be happy for us to overpay (i.e. >20m for 4 years), because I don't believe spending that money prevents us doing something else with it: Payroll should not be restricted to less than $140-150m and could possibly be a lot higher; If we want to extend Donaldson's contract next year it should be affordable with a bit of flexibility even with Eddie signed; Free agency is weak this year, if both Eddie and Jose left we would struggle to get adequate replacements; A trade for a decent replacement for either would be very difficult without either losing much needed prospects or weakening an already depleted starting group, or taking on an even worse contract (Votto for example); If the worst case scenario happens and we suck next year (which I don't believe will be the case) Tulo and Martin should be movable to contenders with money to burn as both are considered good players and born winners; The alternative is likely to be a combination of a bargain basement free agent or two, a prospect, a flyer on a waiver claim, and/or Smoak, all of which increases the chance of us taking a step back. If someone completely blows our offer out of the water, don't go crazy, but this is definitely a situation where our only priority should not be getting perceived value for the contract.

Indefensible decision to not use your best reliever, but overall body of work has been successful.

I think if they decide to blow up the team and try to change their home run or bust philosophy then he might be let go. Otherwise no chance, he's likely a top 3 candidate for AL manager of the year (votes will already have been cast and only relate to regular season).

Yeah exactly. Think it's been posted before but seems like the players hate it too:

If you're at a game and the wave starts it's the worst - people are watching the crowd to make sure they put their hands in the air, instead of watching the game. It's not just people putting their hands up either, the cheering is also distracting. Must put off the players too.

The GDT's in last season's playoffs were basically unreadable. Not just trolls but also the negativity and anger for virtually all the games.

Not necessarily, just because you don't put the same emphasis on one player's performance doesn't mean you completely discount them. I'm also sure that if Trout had won the triple crown and hit 60 homers a lot of the people who prefer players on contending teams would have been convinced to vote for him. Again, it's not a voting strategy I agree with, but I understand why someone could think that way.

If I had a vote, it would go to Trout. However, I can't see him winning so I think Betts will get it. There's an argument to be made that the most "valuable" player should always be on a contending team, I don't agree with that argument, but that doesn't mean that anyone who believes that is necessarily wrong.

This. "Valuable" could suggest playing on a non contending team rules you out. Note that the Cy Young award has no such bias, it's simply seen as the pitcher of the year award.

Ken Rosenthal said that he'd vote for Trout for MVP - he's got votes in 2 categories this year but isn't allowed to reveal which 2 yet.

This. Between Stroman and Liriano we're going to need at least six innings, don't want a bullpen battle to develop as the O's have the advantage there.

I originally voted for Happ, now leaning towards Liriano on a very short leash. Stroman to come in as long relief if Liriano gets into trouble. Of course you could easily flip the 2 instead and start with Stroman.

Who do you think wins each award? AL MVP: Mookie Betts Cy Young: Justin Verlander ROY: Michael Fulmer Manager: Buck Showalter Comeback: Hanley Ramirez Hank Aaron: Mike Trout Reliever: Zach Britton NL MVP: Kris Bryant Cy Young: Max Scherzer ROY: Corey Seager Manager: Dusty Baker Comeback: Jose Fernandez Hank Aaron: Nolan Arenado Reliever: Kenley Jansen While some of these are locks (Seager, Britton etc) others are wide open. I've not listed silver sluggers or gold gloves but I do think Kevin Pillar will win a GG this year.

It's still raining in Boston.... Guess they'll still play as it's no worse than yesterday.

A disappointing loss but it's not over yet, get them tomorrow.

Tepera?

Adoption

Need an insurance run please

Great inning. Biagini rivals Sanchez as best performance vs expectation this season.

Still raining the same as all game, not particularly heavy though.