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Grant87

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Jan 3, 2015
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The Phillies have the money, and it's been reported, they are looking to spend it. I believe their owner said they're willing to offer "stupid money." It's been their belief all along that they would end up with either Harper or Machado. Based on the reports I've read, I don't see another team willing to offer as much as the Phillies can.

I'm definitely not a fan of the 10-year deals, either. That being said, most of these players will also have opt-out clauses. If the player does well, it's a safe bet he'd opt out and take another shot at free agency, hoping to cash in even more. However, the track record on these 10-year deals is terrible. The financial burden in the back half of the deal almost always outweighs the production in the front half of the deal. The only deals I can think of that are actually working out are Joey Votto and Max Scherzer.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
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Cambridge, Ohio
The Phillies have the money, and it's been reported, they are looking to spend it. I believe their owner said they're willing to offer "stupid money." It's been their belief all along that they would end up with either Harper or Machado. Based on the reports I've read, I don't see another team willing to offer as much as the Phillies can.

I'm definitely not a fan of the 10-year deals, either. That being said, most of these players will also have opt-out clauses. If the player does well, it's a safe bet he'd opt out and take another shot at free agency, hoping to cash in even more. However, the track record on these 10-year deals is terrible. The financial burden in the back half of the deal almost always outweighs the production in the front half of the deal. The only deals I can think of that are actually working out are Joey Votto and Max Scherzer.
....yep, and as a Red's fan-I cringed when they gave Joey that deal, but he seems committed to making it worth the investment......then on the flip side, was the horrendous Homer Bailey contract-that thank the lawd we finally dumped.....
 
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Grant87

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2015
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....yep, and as a Red's fan-I cringed when they gave Joey that deal, but he seems committed to making it worth the investment......then on the flip side, was the horrendous Homer Bailey contract-that thank the lawd we finally dumped.....
What did you think of the Reds offseason moves? I can appreciate them trying to be better this season, but I still don't see them overtaking any of the top 3 teams in the NL Central. I thought the Gray trade (and subsequent contract extension) was a fairly solid, buy low move. I didn't really understand trading prospects for Kemp and Puig, though. More butts in the seats this year, I guess.
 
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GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
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Cambridge, Ohio
What did you think of the Reds offseason moves? I can appreciate them trying to be better this season, but I still don't see them overtaking any of the top 3 teams in the NL Central. I thought the Gray trade (and subsequent contract extension) was a fairly solid, buy low move. I didn't really understand trading prospects for Kemp and Puig, though. More butts in the seats this year, I guess.
....I applaud them for the moves, and while I don’t think it will make them contenders, they should be more respectable rather than mediocre....
 
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DiO'Bolic

Not completely obtuse
Nov 14, 2013
22,864
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Poconos, PA
Look, I am not much of a baseball fan but my friends and three of the men I most admire love the game. But, I have to moderate. So if I am lost when I do, please cut me some slack.

That being said.... Edgar Martinez!! :D
giphy.webp


:)
 
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DiO'Bolic

Not completely obtuse
Nov 14, 2013
22,864
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Poconos, PA
I’ll probably only watch a handful of games this season and then the playoffs. Although I still follow baseball it is not like when I was young. In the good old days baseball was about getting on base and getting home, and speed and toughness were paramount. Striking out was the biggest sin one could commit. Baseball today is all about power. The team that can hit the ball the hardest and farthest wins the most games. That makes baseball boring for me.
 

swiftdog2.0

I tell you one and one makes three...
Mar 16, 2010
7,095
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Macroverse
I’ll probably only watch a handful of games this season and then the playoffs. Although I still follow baseball it is not like when I was young. In the good old days baseball was about getting on base and getting home, and speed and toughness were paramount. Striking out was the biggest sin one could commit. Baseball today is all about power. The team that can hit the ball the hardest and farthest wins the most games. That makes baseball boring for me.

Good pitching still beats launch angle. Look at the Yankees. Yeah, they can bash. But bashers can be pitched to. You aren't going to win a championship with all launch angle hitters and sub-standard pitching.
 
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DiO'Bolic

Not completely obtuse
Nov 14, 2013
22,864
129,998
Poconos, PA
Good pitching still beats launch angle. Look at the Yankees. Yeah, they can bash. But bashers can be pitched to. You aren't going to win a championship with all launch angle hitters and sub-standard pitching.
Don’t get me started on pitching. Was never a fan of the DH. I remember when pitchers could also hit. And pitchers were workhorses. Bringing in a guy to pitch to one, and only one, player? WTF is up with that?
 

fljoe0

Cantre Member
Apr 5, 2008
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Don’t get me started on pitching. Was never a fan of the DH. I remember when pitchers could also hit. And pitchers were workhorses. Bringing in a guy to pitch to one, and only one, player? WTF is up with that?

I've often wondered what the California Angels version of Nolan Ryan's pitch counts were. He would throw a 10 inning two hitter, strike out 15 and walk 10. (and probably hit a couple of guys too) (and he would lose 1-0 :))

Nolan Ryan lost so many low scoring 1 run games with the Angels, he probably should have 50 or 60 wins added to his total to make up for playing for such a crappy team.
 

swiftdog2.0

I tell you one and one makes three...
Mar 16, 2010
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Don’t get me started on pitching. Was never a fan of the DH. I remember when pitchers could also hit. And pitchers were workhorses. Bringing in a guy to pitch to one, and only one, player? WTF is up with that?

Universal DH makes sense. Prolongs pitchers careers. Also makes for deeper lineups. It would help the NL teams in the WS. No more sure outs with the #8 and #9 hitters. If I have a guy that can throw 100+mph why increase his injury risk by having him hit?
 
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fljoe0

Cantre Member
Apr 5, 2008
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I'm a National League guy but I want the rule the same in both leagues. I've never been a fan of the DH but at this point, I think the NL should put it in.

Make it fun and let the opposing manager pick the DH from the non-starters that day. :)
 
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swiftdog2.0

I tell you one and one makes three...
Mar 16, 2010
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Red Sox: T he MLB Panic Meter is now at DEFCON 2

Well, panic should not set in until mid-May. If the team is still under .500 within the next two weeks we can talk about panic.

However, I will say the plan to take it easy on the starters in spring training and limit Chris Sale's velocity has backfired horribly. Sox starters were about 3 weeks behind other team's starters to begin the season. That is the main reason they are in hole they are in. I'm OK if they don't recover, it gives me a large portion of my summer back!

In the meantime, I will watch the Bruins and Celtics playoff runs. B's are the best team left in the playoffs and the Celtics are peaking at the right time. Should be another fun spring here in Title Town.

P.S.- It's not bragging if it's true ;)
 

thekidd12

Baseball is a good thing.Always was,always will be
Apr 8, 2016
1,791
11,136
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NC
Universal DH makes sense. Prolongs pitchers careers. Also makes for deeper lineups. It would help the NL teams in the WS. No more sure outs with the #8 and #9 hitters. If I have a guy that can throw 100+mph why increase his injury risk by having him hit?
Not sure NL teams really need it in WS. In the last 20 years American League has won 11/National League 9...

Also I love watching Bumgarner hit but he is from my neck of the woods...

Again I am old school like DiO'Bolic pitchers should hit and batters should have to play in the field...

Just less managing in late game situations when it comes to subs...

And if Sox don't find a bullpen they are in for a long year...

Kimbrell anyone???
 

thekidd12

Baseball is a good thing.Always was,always will be
Apr 8, 2016
1,791
11,136
60
NC
Well, panic should not set in until mid-May. If the team is still under .500 within the next two weeks we can talk about panic.

However, I will say the plan to take it easy on the starters in spring training and limit Chris Sale's velocity has backfired horribly. Sox starters were about 3 weeks behind other team's starters to begin the season. That is the main reason they are in hole they are in. I'm OK if they don't recover, it gives me a large portion of my summer back!

In the meantime, I will watch the Bruins and Celtics playoff runs. B's are the best team left in the playoffs and the Celtics are peaking at the right time. Should be another fun spring here in Title Town.

P.S.- It's not bragging if it's true ;)
I'm not picking on you swiftdog2.0 and I don't know jack about hockey but...

Apparently there is a team that played tonight where the daytime temps were in mid 80s that is up 3-0 on the Islanders...:)

And Giannis was a handful in that second game. That's going to be a fun series I think. Good luck to your teams.
 
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