So the Reds are reportedly very much in on Realmuto. Another trade for a soon to be FA (After the 2020 season for Realmuto). Maybe I'm crazy, but wouldn't you want to wait till you're a bit closer to being a real contender before you start making short term moves?

Cincinnati attendance was less than 50% of capacity in 2018. That's leaving a lot of money on the table...

On a related note, I read about Dodgers president Stan Kasten claiming the moves LA has made (or not made) in the offseason are completely fine and everybody is happy, BECAUSE season ticket sales are at an all time high. Huh? Season ticket holders are representative of the entire fanbase? And how much of season ticket sales are out of loyalty rather than support? More importantly, doesn't that feel a bit like he's taking advantage of that loyalty? Really unimpressed with his viewpoint...

(01-28-2019 07:14 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  Cincinnati attendance was less than 50% of capacity in 2018. That's leaving a lot of money on the table...

On a related note, I read about Dodgers president Stan Kasten claiming the moves LA has made (or not made) in the offseason are completely fine and everybody is happy, BECAUSE season ticket sales are at an all time high. Huh? Season ticket holders are representative of the entire fanbase? And how much of season ticket sales are out of loyalty rather than support? More importantly, doesn't that feel a bit like he's taking advantage of that loyalty? Really unimpressed with his viewpoint...

I grew up in Illinois a Cubs Fan. After I moved to Arizona (early 80's) I started to realize what a scam the Cubs were - just put a decent enough product to get the fans to Wrigley, but not enough to be competitive, while making the Tribune Company lots of money.

I did start following the Dodgers, as I got KTLA, and who doesn't like a game called by Vin Scully?

Of course that ended when the Diamondbacks franchise was announced :)

Bottom line, I get fed up with the Cubs doing just enough to put butts in the seat, but not enough to truly compete. That, and living in Arizona with a new team made the switch very easy.

(01-29-2019 11:44 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(01-28-2019 07:14 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  Cincinnati attendance was less than 50% of capacity in 2018. That's leaving a lot of money on the table...

On a related note, I read about Dodgers president Stan Kasten claiming the moves LA has made (or not made) in the offseason are completely fine and everybody is happy, BECAUSE season ticket sales are at an all time high. Huh? Season ticket holders are representative of the entire fanbase? And how much of season ticket sales are out of loyalty rather than support? More importantly, doesn't that feel a bit like he's taking advantage of that loyalty? Really unimpressed with his viewpoint...

I grew up in Illinois a Cubs Fan. After I moved to Arizona (early 80's) I started to realize what a scam the Cubs were - just put a decent enough product to get the fans to Wrigley, but not enough to be competitive, while making the Tribune Company lots of money.

I did start following the Dodgers, as I got KTLA, and who doesn't like a game called by Vin Scully?

Of course that ended when the Diamondbacks franchise was announced :)

Bottom line, I get fed up with the Cubs doing just enough to put butts in the seat, but not enough to truly compete. That, and living in Arizona with a new team made the switch very easy.

I get that. While I don't think Kasten or the organization are going that far (yet), it's the attitude that getting butts in seats = "good enough" that really chaps my hide. It's absolutely taking the fans for granted.

And I really miss Vin. He still does Mercedes Benz commercials on Dodgers broadcasts, so I've got that...

Dbacks sign Greg Holland - 1 year deal for $3.5 million, incentives could double that

(01-30-2019 11:52 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  Dbacks sign Greg Holland - 1 year deal for $3.5 million, incentives could double that

They sure could have used the Nats Greg Holland last August/September.

(01-30-2019 12:28 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(01-30-2019 11:52 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  Dbacks sign Greg Holland - 1 year deal for $3.5 million, incentives could double that

They sure could have used the Nats Greg Holland last August/September.

Don't remind me

hmmm, Swanson's wrist injured basically all of last season. Better year this season? Difference-maker if so?

Q&A: Braves’ Dansby Swanson discusses surgery, rehab

(02-04-2019 11:19 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  hmmm, Swanson's wrist injured basically all of last season. Better year this season? Difference-maker if so?

Q&A: Braves’ Dansby Swanson discusses surgery, rehab

ha. his ship's sailed

(02-05-2019 07:20 AM)Lush Wrote:  

(02-04-2019 11:19 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  hmmm, Swanson's wrist injured basically all of last season. Better year this season? Difference-maker if so?

Q&A: Braves’ Dansby Swanson discusses surgery, rehab

ha. his ship's sailed

You're writing off a 25 year old SS who hit 14 HR last year and showed marked improvement from 2017 to 2018? I could easily see him putting up something like 105 wRC+ this year. That would make him a 3+ WAR player.

(02-05-2019 02:27 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(02-05-2019 07:20 AM)Lush Wrote:  

(02-04-2019 11:19 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  hmmm, Swanson's wrist injured basically all of last season. Better year this season? Difference-maker if so?

Q&A: Braves’ Dansby Swanson discusses surgery, rehab

ha. his ship's sailed

You're writing off a 25 year old SS who hit 14 HR last year and showed marked improvement from 2017 to 2018? I could easily see him putting up something like 105 wRC+ this year. That would make him a 3+ WAR player.

how realistic is it for him to jump 25 wRC+ this year? He had a 80 last year. His marked improvement from 17 to 18 was 64 to 80.

also can he stay healthy?

MLB and MLBPA met to discuss proposed rule changes -- nothing definite, maybe nothing to be implemented for the 2019 season, maybe nothing more than an exchange of ideas, but among the ideas:

MLB is proposing a 3-batter minimum for pitchers, and not just for starting pitchers -- so that lefty reliever you bring in to get out one lefty hitter would have to pitch to at least 2 more hitters after that.

Manfred also wants a pitch clock.

MLB proposes expansion of rosters to 26, but teams could only carry at most 12 pitchers.

The players' association's main proposal (which presumably they would want to get in exchange for agreeing to the owners' proposals) is adoption of the DH in all MLB games.

Article: http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25935...alter-game

(02-06-2019 03:12 AM)Wedge Wrote:  MLB and MLBPA met to discuss proposed rule changes -- nothing definite, maybe nothing to be implemented for the 2019 season, maybe nothing more than an exchange of ideas, but among the ideas:

MLB is proposing a 3-batter minimum for pitchers, and not just for starting pitchers -- so that lefty reliever you bring in to get out one lefty hitter would have to pitch to at least 2 more hitters after that.

Manfred also wants a pitch clock.

MLB proposes expansion of rosters to 26, but teams could only carry at most 12 pitchers.

The players' association's main proposal (which presumably they would want to get in exchange for agreeing to the owners' proposals) is adoption of the DH in all MLB games.

Article: http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25935...alter-game

Absolutely hate the 3 pitcher minimum. Just screws too much with strategy. Don’t like the DH either but it’s felt like that’s been inevitable for a while now. You didn’t mention the study to lower the mound. That’s the most interesting thing to me. Offense bumped up significantly when they lowered it in 68 but it was coupled with a smaller strike zone so I’m not sure a similar reduction would have as dramatic an effect. (Guess that’s why it’s proposed as a study.)

from Joel Sherman:
1/As @Ken_Rosenthal 1st reported MLB proposed a series of mainly on-field rule changes, last Fri union counter-proposed and included many issues that concern players off field. Tenor of conversations are more constructive, less combative. Owners meet this week and MLB is
2/expected to counter again next week. 1 key issue where there seems common ground is that pitchers must face at least 3 batters within an inning. The players agreed in their counterproposal, with recommendation to implement in the minors in 2019, majors 2020. Also some
3/general agreement about further limiting mound visits. MLB wants to go from 6 to 4 in '19, 4 to 3 in '20. PA countered 6-5 in '19 and then if avg time of game is longer in '19 than '18, MLB could go from 5 to 4 in '20.
4/Also stronger movement toward adding the DH in the NL. Here is something to keep in mind: 1 HUGE reason #Mets agreed to take on final 5 yrs of Cano's contract was their internal strong belief that the DH was coming to the NL. Also if there is a universal DH, the PA knows
5/that NL teams would more comfortably make long-term offers to players such as Harper/Machado since if their legs/fielding skills declined, at least there would be a place for their bats. Union countered with general acceptance of a 20-second pitch clock but with many
6/more strictures about how/when it would be in use. To make the game more fan friendly, union offer included much more miking of players, dugouts and even player-to-player mikes so they could be heard chatting during the game, Players proposed single trade deadline rather
7/than 7/31 non-waiver, 8-31 waiver as a way to better force teams to try to win early in the season (sign players) and not tank late. They are trying to counter tanking by offering that any club that losses 90 or more games for a 2d straight yr moves back 15 spots in the June
8/draft and losses $2M in international slot $; 3 yrs in a row drop 20 spots and lose $3M. Plus PA recommended that revenue sharing be tied in a greater way to W-L success/failure. As for service time manipulation, PA proposed that as a way to deter teams from keeping best
9/prospects down to impact arb/free agency that full yr of service be rewarded to any 1st-yr player who finsihes top 3 in ROY, MVP, CY, Rivera/Hoffman. Wins LCS or WS MVP. Lead league in WAR based.

what would be interesting is with 26 men rosters- great- but with pitchers not batting- the bench wouldn't be quite as important as ph chances would drop a lot.

would set up probably a lot more platoon chances I'd guess...

(02-06-2019 09:37 AM)stever20 Wrote:  what would be interesting is with 26 men rosters- great- but with pitchers not batting- the bench wouldn't be quite as important as ph chances would drop a lot.

would set up probably a lot more platoon chances I'd guess...

Gives a manager more options to do that mid-game, e.g., replace a RH hitting fielder with a LH hitting fielder when the opponent's LH starting pitcher is taken out of the game. Of course there's also more flexibility for late game defensive replacements when you don't have to save hitters to possibly pinch hit for a pitcher.

I like the three batter minimum in an inning. Hate when managers use 3-5 pitchers in an inning

(02-06-2019 12:37 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  I like the three batter minimum in an inning. Hate when managers use 3-5 pitchers in an inning

I don't enjoy all the pitching changes, but it's frustrating to me that we're going to end up with a rule to "fix" this problem instead of just allowing teams to figure it out by players working harder to hit L and R pitching and/or teams targeting hitters that won't have to platoon.

Didn't see anything about August call ups, so I guess the 26 man roster doesn't correspond to a smaller expansion.

(02-06-2019 12:54 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  

(02-06-2019 12:37 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  I like the three batter minimum in an inning. Hate when managers use 3-5 pitchers in an inning

I don't enjoy all the pitching changes, but it's frustrating to me that we're going to end up with a rule to "fix" this problem instead of just allowing teams to figure it out by players working harder to hit L and R pitching and/or teams targeting hitters that won't have to platoon.

Didn't see anything about August call ups, so I guess the 26 man roster doesn't correspond to a smaller expansion.

it does- MLB proposed 28 guys in September, which is great. Asinine how September baseball became.

oh, and the 15 day dl/farm stint still in play.....