(08-17-2021 01:07 PM)Wedge Wrote: That scenario shows that the wild card format favors the dwindling number of purists over the far larger number of casual fans.
Purists, who don't think wild cards should exist, are happy that as long as wild cards do exist, they are stuck in a one-game-and-out playoff.
Casual fans would rather see those teams in an entire playoff series, as in 2020.
I imagine the new CBA will include expanded playoffs.
OMG I hope not. There are too many teams in already, but I agree with Wedge that at least the wild card is a one and done win or go home, so it's high risk-small reward, which I prefer over one wild card vs a division winner in a series we used to have.
The money issue is that TV pays far more for playoff games because the audience sizes are far larger. The gap between regular season and playoff TV audiences is even larger for MLB than for the NBA and NHL, because MLB has twice as many regular season games and, unlike the other two, plays most of its regular season in the months where TV viewing is lowest.
That means MLB is leaving a lot of money on the table by keeping a tight lid on the number of playoff games. There's a lot of TV money to be made by having a lot more MLB playoff games. Can they resist that money? We'll find out when or if there's a new CBA this winter.
The owners want it for sure- but what will it cost them with the players to get it?
This came out several days ago and while I wish your statement was true I have doubts. The guy isn't even close to being convicted of anything and I dunno if MLB is willing to take on the MLBPA over what may end up as a civil matter. If I had to guess, it'll end up as a lengthy suspension.
What really chaps me about this are the Dodgers statements that they thoroughly vetted Bauer before signing him. Really? Couldn't find a protective order from 2020? Ridiculous.
If this is where CBA negotiations are, then we're headed for a lockout.
Manfred is proposing a salary floor... but the catch is that club spending would be further restricted by lowering the luxury tax threshold by 14 percent and the penalty for exceeding the threshold would be increased.
Quote:Major League Baseball proposed lowering the initial luxury-tax threshold and adding a salary floor in its first economic proposal to the Players Association for the next collective bargaining agreement, sources tell The Athletic.
The league and union met Monday in Denver, sources said, their first in-person meeting of these negotiations. MLB's proposal included a four-tier luxury-tax system, adding a new tier to the bottom of the current three-tier structure. The new initial tier would be $180 million, and tax rates would begin at 25 percent. The current system has the initial tier at $210 million with tax rates starting at 20 percent.
The proposed salary floor, which does not exist in the current CBA, would be set at $100 million.
This came out several days ago and while I wish your statement was true I have doubts. The guy isn't even close to being convicted of anything and I dunno if MLB is willing to take on the MLBPA over what may end up as a civil matter. If I had to guess, it'll end up as a lengthy suspension.
What really chaps me about this are the Dodgers statements that they thoroughly vetted Bauer before signing him. Really? Couldn't find a protective order from 2020? Ridiculous.
Two things - apparently choking is illegal in California regardless of consent, and second, based on the timelines of the new complaint, the age of the woman at the time could be an issue.
(08-18-2021 04:43 PM)Wedge Wrote: If this is where CBA negotiations are, then we're headed for a lockout.
Manfred is proposing a salary floor... but the catch is that club spending would be further restricted by lowering the luxury tax threshold by 14 percent and the penalty for exceeding the threshold would be increased.
Quote:Major League Baseball proposed lowering the initial luxury-tax threshold and adding a salary floor in its first economic proposal to the Players Association for the next collective bargaining agreement, sources tell The Athletic.
The league and union met Monday in Denver, sources said, their first in-person meeting of these negotiations. MLB's proposal included a four-tier luxury-tax system, adding a new tier to the bottom of the current three-tier structure. The new initial tier would be $180 million, and tax rates would begin at 25 percent. The current system has the initial tier at $210 million with tax rates starting at 20 percent.
The proposed salary floor, which does not exist in the current CBA, would be set at $100 million.
A needed step. If the majority of the players recognize this will help MOST players, but hurt the stars, it will pass. If the lower-level players get bullied into only looking out for the stars' interest, lockout city.
(08-18-2021 04:43 PM)Wedge Wrote: If this is where CBA negotiations are, then we're headed for a lockout.
Manfred is proposing a salary floor... but the catch is that club spending would be further restricted by lowering the luxury tax threshold by 14 percent and the penalty for exceeding the threshold would be increased.
Quote:Major League Baseball proposed lowering the initial luxury-tax threshold and adding a salary floor in its first economic proposal to the Players Association for the next collective bargaining agreement, sources tell The Athletic.
The league and union met Monday in Denver, sources said, their first in-person meeting of these negotiations. MLB's proposal included a four-tier luxury-tax system, adding a new tier to the bottom of the current three-tier structure. The new initial tier would be $180 million, and tax rates would begin at 25 percent. The current system has the initial tier at $210 million with tax rates starting at 20 percent.
The proposed salary floor, which does not exist in the current CBA, would be set at $100 million.
A needed step. If the majority of the players recognize this will help MOST players, but hurt the stars, it will pass. If the lower-level players get bullied into only looking out for the stars' interest, lockout city.
There are only 7 teams currently more than $15 million below Manfred's proposed floor, so the number of players who would benefit directly from a $100 million floor is not that large. Unless the players' union staff is bad at negotiation (always a possibility), they should only accept the concept if the floor forces at least half the teams to spend more on "rank and file" MLB players. The median salary for an MLB player this year is about $1.5 million. A floor that helps the average player should be high enough to raise the median to $3 million.
What would really help players is making them eligible for free agency earlier. Something like restricted free agency after their 4th MLB season and unrestricted free agency after their 5th.
Even if there is a floor, the penalty for being under the floor can't be a fine, or teams will just pay the fine. The penalty has to be what it is in the NBA -- if a team payroll is under the salary floor, then the difference between the floor and the team payroll is distributed pro rata to the players on the active roster.
(08-18-2021 04:43 PM)Wedge Wrote: If this is where CBA negotiations are, then we're headed for a lockout.
Manfred is proposing a salary floor... but the catch is that club spending would be further restricted by lowering the luxury tax threshold by 14 percent and the penalty for exceeding the threshold would be increased.
Quote:Major League Baseball proposed lowering the initial luxury-tax threshold and adding a salary floor in its first economic proposal to the Players Association for the next collective bargaining agreement, sources tell The Athletic.
The league and union met Monday in Denver, sources said, their first in-person meeting of these negotiations. MLB's proposal included a four-tier luxury-tax system, adding a new tier to the bottom of the current three-tier structure. The new initial tier would be $180 million, and tax rates would begin at 25 percent. The current system has the initial tier at $210 million with tax rates starting at 20 percent.
The proposed salary floor, which does not exist in the current CBA, would be set at $100 million.
A needed step. If the majority of the players recognize this will help MOST players, but hurt the stars, it will pass. If the lower-level players get bullied into only looking out for the stars' interest, lockout city.
There are only 7 teams currently more than $15 million below Manfred's proposed floor, so the number of players who would benefit directly from a $100 million floor is not that large. Unless the players' union staff is bad at negotiation (always a possibility), they should only accept the concept if the floor forces at least half the teams to spend more on "rank and file" MLB players. The median salary for an MLB player this year is about $1.5 million. A floor that helps the average player should be high enough to raise the median to $3 million.
What would really help players is making them eligible for free agency earlier. Something like restricted free agency after their 4th MLB season and unrestricted free agency after their 5th.
Even if there is a floor, the penalty for being under the floor can't be a fine, or teams will just pay the fine. The penalty has to be what it is in the NBA -- if a team payroll is under the salary floor, then the difference between the floor and the team payroll is distributed pro rata to the players on the active roster.
Opening offer - it really needs to be $110 M or so.
Will Smith stinks...Braves entered 9th inning against Florida with an 11-3 lead. Marlins scored 6 runs, including 2 off Smith, who came in and all he had to d was get one out with bases empty. proceeded to walk another Marlin and then gave up the dinger for Marlins 9th run, then allowed 2 more runners to get on before finally getting the one out to let the Braves barely win in a game that was a laugher all the way until the 9th. We may win the Division, or even sneak into the Wild Card game ahead of a West Coast team, but our severe lack of bullpen closer and stability will be our undoing these playoffs. And Philly's not out of it yet, so nothing guaranteed.
MIAMI -- Freddie Freeman became the second Atlanta Braves player to hit for the cycle twice by accomplishing the feat Wednesday night against the Miami Marlins.
The reigning National League MVP doubled in the first, tripled in the fourth, singled in the fifth and hit his 27th homer, a two-run blast, in the sixth.
"My wife, we had breakfast this morning and we had two cappuccinos delivered -- and she chose the cappuccino and she handed it to me and said this is the one with a lot of hits in it. So I have to give this one up to my wife, Chelsea, because if it wasn't for the right cappuccino pick, I wouldn't be here talking to you guys," Freeman said.
It was the ninth cycle in franchise history, according to Elias Sports Bureau research. Herman Long had two cycles for the Braves, in 1896 and 1900.
Freeman first hit for the cycle against Cincinnati on June 15, 2016.
First Basemen With Multiple Career Cycles Since 1900
Freddie Freeman 2016, 2021
John Olerud 1997, 2001
Bob Watson 1977, 1979
Lou Gehrig 1934, 1937
George Sisler 1920, 1921
Freeman's blast against Marlins reliever Luis Madero in the sixth landed above the wall in center field. As Freeman rounded the bases and reached the dugout, Braves fans in the stands repeatedly chanted his name.
Asked what his mindset was in the sixth inning, Freeman said, "I was just trying to get a base hit to left field. I was just doing everything I could not to come out of my approach. It was working so well the first three at-bats. I knew it, everyone knew it that I needed just the home run there -- and to be able to do it on the fourth consecutive, that was pretty cool. Definitely a special night I'll always remember."
He was 9-for-13 during the three-game series in Miami. Freeman's cycle puts an exclamation point on his steady climb to his first .300 batting average of the season. On May 7, Freeman was hitting .195. He has hit an MLB-best .337 since then.
Freeman's triple in the fourth started a four-run rally. The NL East-leading Braves beat the Marlins 11-9.
Freeman is the third player with a cycle this season, joining Trea Turner and Jake Cronenworth.
I don't know how important it is that Jansen did not close last night's game but at the least it's continuing confirmation that Roberts knows what's up. And I gotta say... I'm ok if Treinen ends up closing more games:
(08-19-2021 09:16 AM)GoodOwl Wrote: Will Smith stinks...
Depends on your perspective.
You guys keep setting this up... it's not gonna get old for me.
Ever.
I agree with you on this one, bBrookes. You have the better player of the two, by far. It was an epic at bat last year, but I didn't think he'd fall off the edge like he has this year-and he was shaky last season as well. I wish we'd kept Melancon (re-signed him) and traded away this journeyman pitcher we have somehow defaulted to be our closer. I only see him getting worse as his contract continues, but thern, ya'll overcame your closer and still won WS, so it can be done, I guess.
(08-19-2021 05:45 PM)dbackjon Wrote: Good Owl - you're welcome
Dbacks have won 6 of 7, and no longer have the worst record in baseball.
Yes, thank you for that, and for Dansby as well.
Although our recent schedule has been very soft these past two weeks, I'm still kinda stunned we are now sitting 10 games over for the moment after never crossing .500 for most of the season. We have a few more against Baltimore, but odds are they win at least one of those if not two, and then it gets a heck of a lot harder for the Braves to maintain their small lead the rest of the way. I'm sure LA, SF and the rest will be looking to tear into our lineup and expose some weaknesses. We're about to find out why those teams are so far ahead of us.
I am also pleased we are finally just 1/2 game behind SD for the WC spot as that may end up being how we sneak into the playoffs again his year if we o end up in it. But with this bullpen, and especially our journeyman "closer" I don;t see how we'd do too much against this year's West elites. Still, it'd be nice to keep our little division streak going if it happens.
Kudos to Max Fried for pitching a great complete 9 inning game for a career first. And Braves decided to spend a little and signed D'arnaud to a two-year deal. Wish they'd get on it with Freeman.
(08-21-2021 12:25 AM)stever20 Wrote: Records since the trade deadline
Nats 6-13
Mets 6-15
lol. The Mets have totally cratered.
It happens almost every year. I thought without Wilpon, perhaps not. So far, no.
Braves won 8th in a row. Beating up on bad teams. But starting Monday: NYY, SF, LA. Oh, well--it was fun whule it lasted. Metz and Phils not completely out of it yet.
RE: MLB 2021 Thread ![[Image: i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0819%2Fr897620_1...format=jpg]](https://a2.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2021%2F0819%2Fr897620_1296x729_16%2D9.jpg&w=570&format=jpg)