I think it's pretty sad that it's been out now for about a day- and still nothing from fangraphs on it.... man, that site has gone WAY downhill since Dave Cameron left....

(02-05-2019 03:30 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(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?

players this young, coming off wrist injuries can surprise you. I can easily see 90-100, which would still make him a good player.

(02-06-2019 01:05 PM)stever20 Wrote:  I think it's pretty sad that it's been out now for about a day- and still nothing from fangraphs on it.... man, that site has gone WAY downhill since Dave Cameron left....

You think so? I haven't really noticed a difference.

(02-06-2019 01:42 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(02-06-2019 01:05 PM)stever20 Wrote:  I think it's pretty sad that it's been out now for about a day- and still nothing from fangraphs on it.... man, that site has gone WAY downhill since Dave Cameron left....

You think so? I haven't really noticed a difference.

yeah I do think so... I mean small things like no live chats during the 3 weekend World Series games, but then also things like this where it is a huge story- and nothing...

Quote:"Union countered with general acceptance of a 20-second pitch clock but with many more strictures about how/when it would be in use."

What is the penalty if the pitch clock expires before a pitch is thrown? Obvious answer is that the penalty would be adding a ball to that batter's ball-strike count, but I could also see progressive penalties, eg the first time a pitcher lets the clock run out results in a ball, the second violation is two balls, every violation thereafter is that the batter gets a walk.

What are the possible restrictions on a pitch clock? Only use it when bases are empty? Don't use it after the 8th inning? Anything else?

Wonder if a pending NL DH changes the calculus for a bunch of NL teams in the Harper/Machado derbies?

I honestly don't have a problem with any of the new proposals.

Some of the traditionalists won't like it and some tweaks are not my favorite, but I think these changes will produce a more competitive game and that's a net positive.

(02-06-2019 02:07 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  Wonder if a pending NL DH changes the calculus for a bunch of NL teams in the Harper/Machado derbies?

Yes.

That's why the Union wants it - doubles the teams willing to commit to a long term deal with a slugger.


Mets seemed to have factored it into their Cano deal.

(02-06-2019 03:46 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(02-06-2019 02:07 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  Wonder if a pending NL DH changes the calculus for a bunch of NL teams in the Harper/Machado derbies?

Yes.

That's why the Union wants it - doubles the teams willing to commit to a long term deal with a slugger.


Mets seemed to have factored it into their Cano deal.

Alonso would also be a perfect fit for the DH.

I love all these proposed changes. The 3 batter minimum will limit pitching changes and another layer of proactive team building, and the lack of rules regarding the shift is most welcome.

(02-06-2019 03:46 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(02-06-2019 02:07 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  Wonder if a pending NL DH changes the calculus for a bunch of NL teams in the Harper/Machado derbies?

Yes.

That's why the Union wants it - doubles the teams willing to commit to a long term deal with a slugger.


Mets seemed to have factored it into their Cano deal.

I saw that mention about Cano but I'm a little dubious re Harper/Machado. Not that many teams have been chasing them, and it sounds like there are very few in the running now.

(02-06-2019 04:17 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(02-06-2019 03:46 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(02-06-2019 02:07 PM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  Wonder if a pending NL DH changes the calculus for a bunch of NL teams in the Harper/Machado derbies?

Yes.

That's why the Union wants it - doubles the teams willing to commit to a long term deal with a slugger.


Mets seemed to have factored it into their Cano deal.

Alonso would also be a perfect fit for the DH.

I love all these proposed changes. The 3 batter minimum will limit pitching changes and another layer of proactive team building, and the lack of rules regarding the shift is most welcome.

Agree re shift!

(02-05-2019 03:30 PM)stever20 Wrote:  

(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?

At least he wasn't coronated on SI's cover a la Frenchy "The Natural". I didn't know his wrist was that messed up last year, but it points to how often players and team mgt kinda work together to keep it on the down low until after the season. I'm not sure he was worth No 1 overall, but methinks he's far from done.

(02-06-2019 09:25 AM)Brookes Owl Wrote:  

(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.)

Agree with Brookes here: don't like the 3-batter min because it takes too much freedom of choice in strategy away. I get where they're coming from with this idea, but it would not be good for the game.

Hate the DH; No need for it in the NL ever. AL should get rid of DH as a compromise (ha! I know why they would never: the moneee's too gud.) Plus, I really don';t mind the ongoing "debate" about it as good for the game, anyway. Keep it the way it is.

Don't mind the pitch clock, but expand it a bit for playoff/last month games.

They should raise the mound back up, if anything.

If expansion of rosters, let teams decide whether more pitchers or not.

(02-06-2019 10:55 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Hate the DH; No need for it in the NL ever. AL should get rid of DH as a compromise (ha! I know why they would never: the moneee's too gud.) Plus, I really don';t mind the ongoing "debate" about it as good for the game, anyway. Keep it the way it is.

I think having different rules within MLB is silly. I agree with this column.

(02-07-2019 02:06 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(02-06-2019 10:55 PM)GoodOwl Wrote:  Hate the DH; No need for it in the NL ever. AL should get rid of DH as a compromise (ha! I know why they would never: the moneee's too gud.) Plus, I really don';t mind the ongoing "debate" about it as good for the game, anyway. Keep it the way it is.

I think having different rules within MLB is silly. I agree with this column.

I 100% agree.

I'm a lifelong NL fan and I favor the DH in the NL simply because I would be shocked if anyone in the AL was willing to give it up. Meanwhile, the lack of a DH on NL rosters is a distinct disadvantage in interleague play. Doesn't matter what ballpark you're playing in, either the NL team doesn't have a veteran hitter available when they play in AL settings OR the AL team can bring a veteran hitter off the bench in clutch situations when in NL settings.

I'm ok with whatever universal rule they come up with, but in all likelihood it would have to be the implementation of the DH. I've always liked the strategy of subbing for pitchers, double switches and all that. With that said and as the article stated, the DH is a standard in the game now. The cat is out of the bag and they need to let it go.

just saw some real baseball news as Realmuto has been dealt to the Phillies.....

NL East getting tougher and tougher....

(02-07-2019 02:39 PM)stever20 Wrote:  just saw some real baseball news as Realmuto has been dealt to the Phillies.....

NL East getting tougher and tougher....

https://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2019/2...erek-jeter

According to Jeff Passan, the Marlins have completed a deal that would send JT Realmuto to the Phillies for Sixto Sanchez, Jorge Alfaro, Will Stewart, and an international bonus slot.

and some sad news as MLB great Frank Robinson has passed away at 83....

Nats 1st Manager when they moved to DC 14 years ago...

(02-07-2019 02:44 PM)stever20 Wrote:  and some sad news as MLB great Frank Robinson has passed away at 83....

Nats 1st Manager when they moved to DC 14 years ago...

RIP

(02-07-2019 02:44 PM)stever20 Wrote:  and some sad news as MLB great Frank Robinson has passed away at 83....

Nats 1st Manager when they moved to DC 14 years ago...

One of the all time greats.