MiddleCoastBias

Knee jerk reaction, voted Semien. Dingers, baby. But this team also doesn't seem to have a playoff identity (and was one of the reasons I thought they brought Keuchel in), so I do agree Scherzer would be a better *playoff* acquisition. Fun thought experiment, good poll.

I'm pretty sure LaRussa finished this quote with something like "as I always have done, that's how I operate" the other day and Sullivan just took the juicy part and let others make it into a story. LaRussa said this after the game and the context sure sounded like he makes the judgment whether he has the team under his control or on his side or whatever, and that it's not a physical straw poll of the players. Sounds like posturing and that he'll be back next year unless someone in the clubhouse vocally stands up and says we don't want you here.

One year of a gamble on Rodon with a QO may be worth it, rather than a 3- or 4-year gamble he may be looking for with a longer contract. I'm for a QO but won't be upset if someone else signs him to a multi-year deal.

Pitchers and catchers report in 124 days. What we do between now and then is all that matters now.

First moves: Pick up Kimbrel's option; promptly trade him Decline Cesar's option QO to Rodon Sign Marcus Semien for 2B

Infield single, just like I told you all.

He's been hitting everything. He's going deep today. Like, "where will it land" deep.

Ok, so are we still waiting for those players to be forced to go to the clubhouse of every team and apologize for getting caught ACTIVELY CHEATING?

Exactly, that's all you need. MAYBE the last game before the All Star break. When it's unique, it's special. Any more than that and it gets played out and we don't care about the other games being played throughout the day.

Are you talking every day of the 162-game season has all of the day's games played at the same time? Terrible idea. That would kill the game. It would be so hard to watch baseball games of teams in other markets, meaning it would be harder for fans to be a fan of the game, learning about those other teams and players. Part of the fun of being a baseball fan is know that when your team isn't playing, someone else is. The excitement of today's slate, flipping back and forth and having live cut-ins of the other scores, would be lost if they did this every day. Broadcasts wouldn't care about the other scoring updates on a random game 77 of the season played on a Tuesday.

Lineup out and Abreu is pretty much the only regular not playing. Giving Vaughn the start at 1B. Pretty much a playoff lineup beside that. Stay hot, ride the heater into Houston!

The only downside to this setup is that it's the most exciting day in regular season baseball and we still have to contend with NFL Sunday. That exciting night in 2011 was a a Wednesday and Thursday where MLB knew it would be the only thing going. I'm sure they have a reason for dropping that weeknight finish ($$?) but it would be really cool if somehow baseball had this all to themselves.

I'm most excited that all of the games start at the same time today. We're going to need like a RedZone quad box to watch the final few innings.

Hahahahahaha what the fuck is this shit.

I think your last two questions get to the main point and kind of answer it between the lines. This is a good Stats vs. Team Value argument. With their offensive stats being a near wash (edge to TA for the steals you didn't include), their defense is getting closer (with an edge still to Moncada for how well he handles the hot corner), I think it comes down to has more value to the team outside of the stats. And for me, that's TA. Dude is a sparkplug capable of firing up the team and turning things around, getting everyone's energy up for a rally. He provides that extra intangible value (dare I say TWTW) that gives him the edge.

Figured I'd add this here instead of starting it's own thread, adding to the "Liam and his wife are good people". Always classy giving back to those that help make things happen. Love that he's here with us.

Think we'll see Abreu get a break after getting hit on the elbow, let any bruising or swelling settle down for a day.

Yankees really control their own destiny - finish the season with 3 at Boston and then 3 at Toronto. Their two series will really shake that wildcard picture

I just want to escape this series without losing any time due to illness. We're hit hard enough with the injury bug, don't need to add COVID IL to it.

Boston can't have many players even left on their roster after all of their COVID outbreaks. Beat this decimated team into oblivion and just stay healthy otherwise.

It's low-hanging fruit. Probably easy for the local guys in opposing markets to do some quick research without looking too far into it, have something to say on air Figure in a year or so when he really gets into the national stage, La Pantera will be known everywhere.

Oakland's broadcast calling Robert "LuBob". Somewhere, Ron or Hi8is or whoever it was is quivering in anger that that nickname has taken hold nationally.

Tepera nasty with that sword on Olson. Olson doesn't get fooled like that often, set him up well.

Curious to bury the lede failing to mention we have 3 of the top 10. Love Timmy and he deserves the top recognition, but the Lynn and Liam are giving the FCC censors job security is also highly entertaining.