MiddleCoastBias

It's Schrodinger's tweet: does the original "deleted" tweet even exist?

..... AND to then expose a hole that requires spending a bunch of money on DJ to fill it. Doesn't add up to me - that money will be spent on a position of need. Counterargument would be that Madrigal is traded to fill that position of need (say, TOR starter), but again he doesn't have the trade value to bring in that haul. I don't see this happening.

Oh come on, get out of here with your thinly-veiled steroid accusations

In this morning's interview on MLBN, he mentioned how strong our lineup is "at shortstop, first base, and the outfield", but didn't use anyone's name throughout. I thought it was curious at the time but didn't put too much into it.

It was good overall, I actually came away a bit more positive on him (and I'm firmly in the "pissed at this hire" camp). They asked him all the usual stuff ie how he will handle bat flips etc. He mentioned Ricky and Dave Henderson in Oakland, Edmonds' flair in STL. He said he learned early on that you need to be careful that you don't manage the competiveness out of a player like that, can't make them be someone that they aren't. He got fluffy with his "if they're sincere about it", but his point was that he's for the personalities if he knows they're trying to help the team. Basically the me-first showboats are bad, team-first energy is good. That attitude seems to line up with our energy guys.

TLR on MLBN's Hot Stove right now discussing coaching staff. He mentioned how it's Kenny and Rick's ship as they're the ones that got the team where it is now, and mentioned a big part going forward is continuity of that staff because of the success we've had. Said there will be guys from the staff over the last few years that will still be here.

Jesus, can you imagine if he's already taking names of who is acting in what he sees as his "Cardinal/Sox way" and already picking favorites/dog-house guys? /Overreaction over

I can't believe this is how we end our rebuild. It's like waiting years through puberty, finally getting in bed with some girl.... and then promptly punching yourself in the dick.

Remember when that was the next market opportunity to hire all of these analytics guys other clubs recently let go to save money? Can't imagine they're jumping over each other to come here now.

I was one to cancel my MLB.tv subscription after the Machado debacle. Turns out there are plenty of free ways to online without giving them tacit approval, and I'm much happier for it.

I can't WAIT to hear which retread 60-year old white dudes are going to be on this guy's staff. What a clown show, jfc.

Especially NL teams - they'll wait to see if the DH is here to stay or not, huge impact on guys like Ozuna to the Braves.

Almost definitely, no reason for a FA not associated with a team to comment on that team rumored to hire a manager. I clarified it's probably a Photoshop in an edit.

?

I've been holding out hope the "JR asked La Russa to put his name other there to make hiring Hinch seem more palatable" smokescreen is true, but the longer this goes on the more concerned I am. TLR is getting absolutely roasted online, having old demons like drunk driving brought up, called out for being a racist, etc., and all around having his name dragged through the mud. If this was a ruse, one or both of JR/TLR would've seen it's done it's job by now and politely said he's graciously turned it down or whatever. Doing a favor for a friend is one thing. Continuing to get excoriated just to give a little cover seems increasingly unlikely at this point.

Sounds like the MLB made a mistake with GG nods for 2B, and Nicky Lopez was supposed to be nominated. Now there are 4 nominees for that category when every other category has 3. Methinks someone shouldn't have been named, and Mendick (ending the year as 3rd on the depth chart) was probably the beneficiary of that mistake. https://twitter.com/FlannyMLB/status/1319365251528347648?s=20

But that also begs the question that if we didn't let anyone go, how are those people the team was 'loyal' to going to feel when they hire more people to do their jobs? If other teams are in a position to slash their FO staff sizes, seems odd that we could add people without removing others. I'm in favor of bringing in the top talent evaluators, just a tough sell for the talent evaluators that have gotten us here.

Springer, Stroman, and Quintana on a prove-it deal are my hopes for the off-season. Pair those moves with a 7th inning reliever and bump the other guys up an inning. Hire Hinch. Jirschele as bench. Zaleski as pitching coach. Get rid of Boston in light of his history. I'd be very happy with this off-season.

I really like this idea of offering contracts with (multiple?) opt outs. Gives the players guaranteed cash and incentive to possibly play for a bigger payday when the economy improves. And if he plays his way out of our budget and opts out, it's bought us time if someone like Colas is signed and has time to develop. Love this play for Springer. Sign me up.

For one year of Lance Lynn?? K. The Rangers wanted a haul for Mike Minor last year and weren't satisfied with offers, ended up settling for two PTBNLs and some cash for him at this year's trade deadline. They wanted a haul for Lynn this year, didn't get it either. Some team might be stupid enough to meet their ridiculous trade standard, but it shouldn't be what you're suggesting. One year. Of Lance Lynn. And you want to trade the farm. Thank god they didn't answer your letter.

I thought I heard a Chuck podcast interview with Paulie earlier this spring where PK was talking about how much he was loving life spending time with his family and coaching youth baseball in Arizona. I got the sense he wasn't in any sort of rush to go back on the road away from his family.

If this actually happens, get ready for a steady diet of day games as old man La Russa probably can't legally drive home after dark.

Cubs are going to be in a weird flux this off-season into next year. All of their FAs are up in '21 so they could look to make a final push with this team. But Theo also said something to the effect of "we've tried with this team, can't keep sending the same guys out there to the same effect, big moves could be made" (paraphrasing, believe it was from a DVS article). On top of that, Theo is already talking exit strategy and might abandon ship early. Maybe the Phillies see each opportunity to poach him. All in all, being a cubs fan this year might suck, beyond the normal reasons.

Scott Carroll's Hats. Do it.