Two-Gun Pete

Greg, as others have said, you've reported your voting history otherwise in other places. But that isn't really pertinent here. If you squander your finite time on earth watching a propaganda network that has gotten people killed, Trump is your hero. You have already re-broadcast that man's racism here, and GOD KNOWS what you've said to others in your off-ST life. At the same time, your on air hero, Tucker Carlson is also a rich, spoiled man who, like trump, inherited millions from the Swanson family fortune. Regardless, fux "news" IS. NOT. NEWS. They put on more opinion and commentary on their airwaves than they put on actual "news." And, when they do make an attempt to put on news, they also temper it with yet more "commentary," which is really only propaganda for one man. Long story short, you are becoming dumber and wasting your life the more you watch that propaganda network. Turn off the TV, and pick up a book. Get some exercise, and look for the good in others, rather than watching a network and a president that magnifies the difference between "us" and "them," whether its those "rapist mexicans," or "the chinese," or WHOMEVER you're supposed to hate. It takes 21 days to form a new habit. Turn off fux "news" for 21 days, and you will become a better man.

This is true. Yet, fux "news" is allowed to continue their name as "news," even though the majority of their programming is not NEWS, but rather, are opinion pieces and commentary. IOW, their name in of itself is false advertising. In turn, low information types assume that ANYTHING that is said on their airwaves is "news," and therefore, true. Don't get me wrong, its profitable programming. But this is a network that actively makes you stupider the more you watch it. And, the more people watch it, the more polarized we as a society become. To a lesser degree, this is true for other networks, but they actually broadcast more actual news than fux does. As it pertains to COVID, they've magnified and broadcast opinions of this president about the disease that simply haven't been true. They've served as misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda to aggrandize this president. In doing so, they've helped to get people killed, and to stop up our economy.

Nah, it was a self-own on the part of your hero. A competent leader would have made he response to COVID-19 a priority. From testing, to PPE, to public guidance, to setting an example for the people he leads. Oh, and in THIS case, where the economy has suffered a demand shock, to support people who need help in the form of stimulus. But no, I'm certain that your favorite "news network" has convinced you that nominating a SC justice is more Christian than helping the poor and the small business owner. (And more crucial than supporting other folks in need.)

I actually don't believe that Keuchel will decline as many here assume. Remember, last season, he was signed late in FA, and only ended up with 112 or so IP. This year, due to COVID, he only had 60 or so IP. IOW, although he's a soon to be 33 year old SP, he's also only had the equivalent of 1 season's worth of wear & tear between 2019 & 2020. So, I'm more confident that he'll be able to sustain his performance for longer. He's 33, but his arm might only be 31.

As I look at the rotation, I think this is a scenario where there is a need for quantity moreso than having a single TOR SP. Don't get me wrong, if a TOR SP is available, and the FO is able to land him, Ill be pleased. However, there are 3 gaping holes in the rotation, and Cease/Lopez/Kopech all appear to be allergic to throwing strikes. For this reason, I think there is a need for 2 SPs, not just 1 TOR SP. Insofar as the RFer, everyone focuses on having a LH bat. But, i don't think this is necessary, so much as having a bat that is effective vs. RHP. So, even if the next RFer is a RH bat, I'd be OK with that, provided that whoever it is has a good track record vs righties.

(Checks Greg's post) Yep, no mention of the "Chinese Government," just "The Chinese." (Checks Greg's stooopud "news nerwork") Yep, no mention of the "Chinese Governmen5," just "The Chinese." I guess pass out the dog whistles, and parse your words, cuz ya gotta blame someone who ain't 'Murican, right Greg? Seriously, turn that moronic shyte off your fvkcing TV, and pick up a book. (EDIT, AND THIS IS REALLY FVKKING IMPORTANT: And not one of those stoopud fvkcing books thats advertised on your stoopud fvkcing "news network.")

Two things on this: 1. He had previously claimed that he got tested daily. But this HAD TO be bullshyte, because he had symptoms one day, before getting a positive result the next day. Knowing his (snicker) "character," I'd bet that he doesn't get tested daily, because he gives zero fvkcs about others. (Or, that he's a complete wuss who can't handle having a q-tip shoved up his nose.) 2. Given #1, and the timeframe, and his self-centered "character," I believe that your statement might be correct. He went on another public event, knowing that he and others might infect attendees. Like or hate the man's political stances, this is where character, and regard for the truth, and respect for science, and care for others, and self-sacrifice matters in leadership. I hope he recovers, but all of this really didn't have to happen, IMO.

Greg, I get that your preferred "news network" routinely transmits this form of racism in the bolded above. But it is impossibly fvkcing racist to blame a people for a virus; continuing this sort of shit-talk is as ignorant as some Muslims in the ME blaming others who eat pork for the swine flu. So two reccos for you: 1. Turn off the fvkcing "news network" you take in all fvkcing day long, & pick up a book. 2. Stop transmitting racism, because no race of people "created this virus." NATURE created this virus, and NATURE gives ZERO FVKCS about anyone's race/national origin. Insofar as people "wanting Trump to die," I haven't seen that. (Apart from your preferred "news network" transmitting propaganda.) I've only seen people calling this wonderful Kharma/comeuppance for his ignorant response to this pandemic. Lastly, now might be a good time for you to go get a haircut before a re-lockdown, so we don't have to read your whining and b****ing all winter long.

Ok. Is that worth trading for, AND paying $5mm this season, especially since he needs a platoon partner? Also, look at the defensive stats, particularly, range factors and DRS. Good teams catch the ball in the OF. Were his defensive numbers worth trading for? And then look at this team. You've already got a number of current and future DH types in the roster. Did this club need another (supposedly) hit-first corner OFer? In sum, I don't believe that Mazara was a fit, nor was he worth the acquisition or payroll costs. Particularly given that there were other, better options that were available for just payroll, and similar payroll numbers. YMMV.

its possible to be happy with the team, while at the same time, irritated at an acquisition and those responsible for it. Just like one can have a hatred for Abreu, while being happy with the team's outcomes.

It means that KW is now the only team president among major North American sports who has not successfully graduated from college. Even an Associates Degree from a junior college. It means that he fails to pack the intellectual and educational gear that is necessary for his role, IMO.

Nah, thats a fair point. I suppose that my view was/is that a trade for a corner OFer who came from the AL equivalent of Coors Field, and who needs a platoon partner, a defensive sub, and a pinch runner was SO fvkcing stoooopud that it could have only been authorized by a guy who doesnt understand numbers. So, I assumed it was noted HS graduate KW who did so. But to your point, Rick Hahn has done just as many moronic deals over his tenure. Let's split the difference, and just fvkcing fire all those assholes, because theyre all just too stoooopud. Fair enough?

They ABSOLUTELY could have known that Mazara had a probable downturn in performance in coming here from Texas. Park Factors Globe Life was the 2nd most hitter friendly park in MLB, after only Coors Field. In fact, Globe Life's park factor was closer to Coors Field than it was to most of the rest of the AL parks. Think about that for a second. (I'm guessing KW didn't bother to do so.) With that in mind, his performances should have been viewed with a similar suspicion as any Colorado Rockies FA. They also knew that he needed a platoon partner, and that he can't move his feet; the latter makes him a shitty fielder with little range, and a liability on the basepaths. Still, they saw all of that, and decided, "yeah, we'll TRADE a piece to get the right to overpay him for a year or two!" But again, this front office is lead by someone with only a high school diploma.

And your mother must be proud.

I actually feel sorry for the kid. The bears stupidly squandering resources to move up, AND to overdraft him so horrifically would be like asking me to go toe to toe with Jon Jones. I mean, the kid never had a fvkcing prayer of amounting to anything. He so clearly lacks the physical and mental ability to play at this level. And for any mouthbreathing moron to have so moronically overdrafted him so high is just fvkcing disgusting. Drafting Trubisky in the first place was like giving an 8 year old a cape, and asking him to compete in a fvkcing bullfight, when he was never ever a 1st round talent, even if you were drunk and high when making the pick. I used to boo the player when I was a younger man. Now that I have a few more years' experience, I boo the mouthbreathing morons that put him in the position to fail in the first place. Ryan Pace should resign, if he had any class or character about him.

Holy shit, you've started more threads in your short tenure here than 99% of the posters do here.

I was wrong about a couple of the acquisitions. I thought that Cishek was going to be the arm we needed in the BP. I also "didn't hate" the Mazara trade, but I should have. He's a supposed hit-first corner OFer who cant really hit; a guy who needs a platoon partner; a guy who needs a defensive sub, and a baserunning sub. Other than that, he was ok. But then, Hahn squandered a prospect to get him, on top of all of that. So yes, I was wrong. I should have HATED that move. I certainly do now.

I could see your point. I agree that there are only 2 legit starters, an untested rookie in Dunning, and then a metric fuckton of walks and HRs from Lopez/Cease. Over 162, this team, with this rotation, and THAT manager could be a one that starts off HOT, but then wilters as the BP gets ground down by overusage. Oh, and Lopez/Cease walking the yard every 5th day. And Rodon and Gonzalez doing their gascan bit as well.

On #1, I agree completely. This should be a top priority, IMO. On #2, I also agree. Trading for a RF upgrade would be a foolish waste of resources, IMO. This system is talented, but shallow. Rankings. Once you get past the first few names, there really isn't a lot of value that can be traded without harming the org in the future. Especially, since 5 of the Top 10 are "already here" [Robert/Madrigal/Crochet/Dunning/Stiever], and another 2 are likely to be in the 25 man roster at some point next season [Kopech/Vaughn]. If you trade for a RF upgrade, we could be looking at a system where Micker Adolfo is the #1 "prospect," or worse. In other words, there would be little capital left for future trades, or for depth. Fortunately, I believe that salaries will be depressed this offseason in FA, as many clubs will have endured financial losses this [and possibly next] season. I'd rather go the FA route to fill most holes, rather than losing depth and capital for future moves. In general, I think this team needs SP depth, since Lopez, Cease, Rodon, and Kopech all have questionable abilities to regularly and reliably locate their fastballs. Sadly, if we get 1 reliable MLB SP out of this group, we should be lucky. To me, that means that Bauer ALONE won't fully fill the need for ~500+ IP in 2021 that the #s 3/4/5 SPs need to give a competitive team. I'd be OK with Quintana + another SP signed in FA. After the SP question, for the RF role, I'd prefer a Joc + Colas/Cespedes or Puig + Colas/Cespedes solution for the RF position. In other words, a stopgap + a longer term solution.

Yeah, I think you're right. I think he extra sucks at baseball, and should be DFA'ed after the season.

Yeah, I put RR's [mis] management of Moncada's playing time under RR being a poor strategic manager. [Going back to when this thread was started] If one of your more important players wasn't feeling right, AND there was an odd day off here and there, AND the opponents over the preceding ~10 days [shittsburgh and KC] were some of the weaker ones on the schedule, why NOT sit Moncada then? Looking forward, there are 2 KC games and 2 shittsburg games and 2 off days on the schedule. THEN, a grind that includes tougher competition and no more scheduled days off until the end of the regular season. A decent manager could/would find a day or off, so that Yoan can give it it his best for the stretch run & playoffs. But, I have little optimism that RR will have enough foresight to take care of his players in this way. He simply isn't smart enough.

DUH! Because it would give RH a reason to re-sign McCann! Ya stoopid!! [j/k]

Given that the farm system is/was in decline and top-heavy due to MLB graduations, I did not like the idea of trading for Mazara, or giving away Basabe. [And I liked Delmonico/his story before he was found out to be AAAA quality.] Given what are/will be some of the other needs that we can ALREADY forecast [bullpen depth, a closer, a SP or two, etc...], I'd rather not trade increasingly-scarce resources for an opportunity to pay a guy who may or may not work out as a RFer. Given that this upcoming offseason may feature suppressed FA valuation, I'd rather just pay money to find an everyday RFer. [i.e. "Be greedy when others are fearful; be fearful when others are greedy..."] My preference would be to sign a pillow contract to someone whose likely to give us a cromulent glove and ~1-2 fWAR, AND sign one of the Cubanos [Colas or Cespedes] as a 2nd tier solution. Then, reserve whatever remaining MiLB depth to find the future closer, and/or to find that last piece at a trade deadline someday in the near future.

Engel's 2020 splits So, as eminently predictable, Engel hasn't "figured it out." July wRC+: 234!!! August wRC+: an Engelesque 69. He simply won't become a 3+ fWAR player. He isn't a solution as part of a RF platoon. He simply is what he is: a glove-first AAAA type who can be a defensive sub, an occasional pinch runner, and a Sunday Lineup CFer for the MLB minimum. That is, IF this manager can use him appropriately, and not overuse/overexpose him.

GOD, no. Let's set aside that Mazara's supposedly an offense-first player that needs a platoon partner. The bigger issues are: 1. He cannot move his feet, which means his range in the OF is approximately the size of a phone booth; if he ever gets on base, the basepaths are constipated by a station-to-station slug. 2. This team already has a DH in LF; having 2 shitty OFers makes this fragile pitching staff's job harder. 3. His absolute ceiling in terms of fWAR is probably no higher than 1.0, which is pretty close to being replacement-level. [Because of his crippling handedness deficit and his inability to move his feet.] 4. As you mentioned, his Arb number is likely $6MM or higher. 5. Given what may likely be a depressed FA market this offseason, getting a cromulent 1.0 - 2.0 fWAR RFer will likely cost less than what Mazara will make in Arb. 6. This team likely will be in the heart of the competitive window. Waiting for a replacement level DH to figure out how to field, hit, and run is a complete waste of time, money, and resources. 7. [EDIT] Mazara has had some 2,200 PA at the MLB level. There just is no "figuring it out" after that many years and that many PA. He simply is what he is, PERIOD. In sum, what SHOULD happen is that Mazara is cut loose, because he sucks out loud at baseball. What PROBABLY will happen is that he will be retained, because of KW's and RH's fee-fees/egos, and JR's thrift.