MLB 2021 Season Thread

[JPhillips]

Really shocked that the Mets aren't going to get a contract done with Kumar Rocker for the slot value.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Really shocked that the Mets aren't going to get a contract done with Kumar Rocker for the slot value.

They had an agreement for $1.3 mil over slot and the Mets pulled the offer after his MRI.

[JPhillips]

I don't know what they found on the MRI, but even losing a year plus with Huner Greene's elbow, I'm quite happy the Reds picked him second overall. I don't understand why the medicals aren't done prior to the draft. Rocker going back to Vandy and the Mets losing this year's pick isn't good for anybody.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

I don't know what they found on the MRI, but even losing a year plus with Huner Greene's elbow, I'm quite happy the Reds picked him second overall. I don't understand why the medicals aren't done prior to the draft. Rocker going back to Vandy and the Mets losing this year's pick isn't good for anybody.

Medicals are now part of the pre draft process. Rocker chose not to participate so they're are under no obligation to make him an offer per MLB rules. Players that participate in the pre-draft medicals are selected must be offered at least 40% of slot value IIRC.

The Mets drafted JT Ginn last year as he was rehabbing Tommy John so this MRI must have been bad. Regardless, they get the 11th pick next year in a much better draft.

[Atocep]

Blake Snell, John Means, and JT Brubaker all had swing and miss rates in the 22-24% range on their 4 seam early this season. Since the Spider Tack crackdown all 3 are under 10% swing and miss on their 4 seam.

[tarcone]

My nephew was chosen in the field of dreams ticket lottery. He has 4 tickets to go to the Yankees/White Sox game in Dyersville, IA.

This is really awesome.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by tarcone

My nephew was chosen in the field of dreams ticket lottery. He has 4 tickets to go to the Yankees/White Sox game in Dyersville, IA.

This is really awesome.

Man, that is super cool! Completely envious of him LOL, hope he enjoys!

[sterlingice]

That's amazing. Would love to go to that game... though not this year

SI

[PilotMan]

A buddy of mine paid $1500 to buy one ticket to go. He's a die hard Yankees fan and lives in Iowa.

[NobodyHere]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

A buddy of mine paid $1500 to buy one ticket to go. He's a die hard Yankees fan and lives in Iowa.

So tarcone's nephew could in theory get $6000 for his tickets if that is the going rate?

[rjolley]

Originally Posted by NobodyHere

So tarcone's nephew could in theory get $6000 for his tickets if that is the going rate?

To paraphrase Randolph and Mortimer Duke: "Get in there and sell! SELL! SELL!"

[tarcone]

He told me he could get 2k a ticket.

[sterlingice]

Looks like Stubhub has them around $1K a pop

https://www.stubhub.com/chicago-whit...ent/104774189/

SI

[molson]

The Rockies having to retire their "Dinger" mascot after a fan yelling his name triggered a massive hostile response from people who misheard him is basically a Curb your Enthusiasm episode.

[tarcone]

Nephew selling his tickets for $1000. He started them out at 3500 and lowered the price each day.

The Dinger thing is ridiculous.

Cardinals need help and Flaherty is coming back.

[Ghost Econ]

Mets working over time to Mets this season.

Also, amazing how fast they turned on Javy Baez

[Lathum]

I could watch this slide 1 billion times

The absolute sauciest slide I have ever seen. pic.twitter.com/k0ZnQmXYqR

— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) August 11, 2021

[Atocep]

Alek Manoah is filthy. He gets some of the ugliest swings you'll see.

[Ksyrup]

Went to the Indians/A's game on Tuesday night to cap our vacation. Very impressive stadium. Had a lot of fun.

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Atocep

Alek Manoah is filthy. He gets some of the ugliest swings you'll see.

He is the guy you highlight when you talk about a ball exploding out of the hand. 94-95 is fast regardless, but his pitches just get on the batter so quick and his two seamer just locks guys up.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Went to the Indians/A's game on Tuesday night to cap our vacation. Very impressive stadium. Had a lot of fun.

I am assuming you were in Cleveland, not Oakland?

[Ksyrup]

Yes, Cleveland. We stopped there on the last night of vacation to meet up with my daughter's boyfriend and his mother who got us great seats 3 rows behind the visitor dugout. Although it was uncomfortably hot/muggy, we had a great time.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Went to the Indians/A's game on Tuesday night to cap our vacation. Very impressive stadium. Had a lot of fun.

Great ballpark and underrated downtown. I used to work for Progressive and whenever I was in town I would go catch a game.

[Ksyrup]

We stayed at Hotel Indigo one block from LF for free (thanks to my accumulated pandemic points - we stayed at 5 different hotels on the way to and back from our main resort in NH and the only out of pocket expense was $35 for valet parking in downtown Cleveland). It was amazing to leave the game at 11pm and be in the hotel room 10 minutes later.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

I am assuming you were in Cleveland, not Oakland?

As a native Bay Area resident, the thought of someone being impressed by the coliseum is hilarious.

[molson]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

As a native Bay Area resident, the thought of someone being impressed by the coliseum is hilarious.

I don't know, my friend and I still talk about the Chubby Freeze burger joint down the the street that we found during the 2003 playoffs there. Which I'm pleased to see is still there.

[tarcone]

If you dont think this field of dreams game is one of the best things to happen to baseball since MCGwire/Sosa, you are not a fan The entrance alone sealed this for me as one of the greatest events in baseball history.

[tarcone]

What a start and an even better finish.
WOW JUST WOW

[BYU 14]

Stings my Yankees lost, but you could not ask for a better game in that setting, magical!!

[sterlingice]

That was a fun game

SI

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

As a native Bay Area resident, the thought of someone being impressed by the coliseum is hilarious.

I still have Oakland and Tampa on my bucket list as they are clearly 29 and 30 on the list of stadiums to visit

SI

[Atocep]

Bauer has some issues. I think it's safe to say his career with the Dodgers is over and it may be a long time before he pitches again.

Trevor Bauer given protective order by Ohio woman in 2020; Dodgers pitcher denies report's allegations

According to sealed court records and other documentation obtained by the Post, the woman says Bauer punched and choked her without her consent while they were having sex. He also allegedly sent her a text message from a phone number known to be registered to Bauer saying he doesn't "feel like spending time in jail for killing someone."

"And that's what would happen if I saw you again," Bauer wrote, according to the Post, prompting the woman to seek the protective order in June 2020.

[BYU 14]

He released a string of texts from that woman that present her as a loony star fucker, but of course there is none of the stuff the post says they have included. And given his history it is not out of character for him to speak in a disparaging/threatening manner to a woman.

Regardless of where the truth falls, Bauer is a sick fuck with a really twisted mind when it comes to sex, makes some very poor decisions in his personal life and needs help. Dodgers need to cut bait, not the public image I would want my players projecting.

[Ghost Econ]

So if I follow the judges' reasoning, it's OK to punch and anally penetrate a woman while she's unconscious as long as she doesn't specifically tell you not to in advance.

Woman loses court bid for long-term restraining order against Trevor Bauer - The Athletic

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Ghost Econ

So if I follow the judges' reasoning, it's OK to punch and anally penetrate a woman while she's unconscious as long as she doesn't specifically tell you not to in advance.

Woman loses court bid for long-term restraining order against Trevor Bauer - The Athletic

Do we have any lawyers here? Saw some online saying it's a weird ruling. Not denying the restraining order, just the additional comments by the judge. Isn't the hearing just to determine if Bauer is a threat to the person asking for the restraining order?

[MrBug708]

Regardless of what one thinks of this case, the accuser has left a robust trail of written communications before, during, and after that are devastating to her credibility.

Not gonna post them here but damn. Prosecutor’s nightmare.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Regardless of what one thinks of this case, the accuser has left a robust trail of written communications before, during, and after that are devastating to her credibility.

I've been surprised by how shocked some people are at the existence of this sort of thing in a consensual context.

A lot of reactions lead me to believe that either I had a more ... adventurous .... youth than a lot of people OR there's a lot of really sheltered people out there.

I long ago stopped being surprised, much less amazed, by what people are interested in.

[sterlingice]

MLB and Fanatics strike trading card license agreement, ending a 70-year run with Topps, per report - CBSSports.com

Topps about to lose their baseball card license in 2025

Exclusivity licenses for trading cards (and video games) are awful

SI

[cuervo72]

Shit, I can hardly believe a card from the 50s is 70 years old.

(Also, does this mean we get the fantastic Topps airbrushing back???)

[Atocep]

I think I'd give damn near anything to see what the game of professional baseball looked like around the year 1900. I see the cards and the team photos and such and it's kind of difficult to imagine these guys playing baseball.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Atocep

I absolutely despise replay being used to see if a runner came a millimeter off the bag for less than a tenth of a second.

Just bumping my own post because this needs to get fixed.

[sterlingice]

Agreed. Then again, I also think that replay reviews should take 30s or 60s max (pick one) and if it can't be overturned in that time, then the call on the field stands

SI

[JPhillips]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Agreed. Then again, I also think that replay reviews should take 30s or 60s max (pick one) and if it can't be overturned in that time, then the call on the field stands

SI

The problem is that we're not mature enough to accept that. You can set any time limit you want, but people will be outraged if replay gets it wrong, so leagues would rather put up with complaining about time as that has far less impact on the result of the contest.

[Atocep]

Today it took 2-3 minutes to determine that Brandon Nimmo's hand briefly came off the bag while sliding into 2nd head first even though his entire body was over the bag.

Either coming off the bag is non-reviewable and has to be called on the field or they need to create a safe zone over the bag once a runner has reach safely. I'd prefer it be non-reviewable.

It's awful to see when your team is called out on plays like this and it feels cheap when your team does it to another.

[Lathum]

I remember last time it happened Ron Darling correctly said that has been called safe for 100 years of baseball.

I agree it's ridiculous.

[Ksyrup]

Replay was never intended to change the way the game is played. Now it's not necessary for a throw to beat the runner and apply the tag, you can just hold the tag on him, even if he's clearly safe, and hope he fractionally comes off the base, ask for a review, and bingo, you've got an out.

The only way that scenario used to be an out was when a guy clearly overslid a base and everyone in the park, including the runner, knew it.

[GrantDawg]

What make absolutely no sense is how many times they refused to overturn calls that the umps clearly miss on the field, but they going to overturn that? I feel like they are purposely screwing up replays to get rid of it.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

What make absolutely no sense is how many times they refused to overturn calls that the umps clearly miss on the field, but they going to overturn that? I feel like they are purposely screwing up replays to get rid of it.

That is what is most frustrating to me. I'm a guy that will sit and watch an entire baseball game, because I love the sport and individual matchups (even my horrendous to watch Pirates). Baseball is so slow moving and having a 3-minute review where it is either starkly clear after one or two views or it breaks the rhythm of the game and they still seem to get it wrong 50% of the time, is a real buzzkill. I don't know if the Pirates' broadcast guys, who I generally like, are just bad with reviews but it seems like they are wrong at least half the time when they forecast overturning or enforcing the call. If things are that close, do we really need it?

[JeeberD]

The Astros signed Marwin Gonzalez to a minor league deal!

Strange signing...I guess he provides some defensive flexability, and it's pretty risk-free since it's a minor league deal, but not only is his bat now a huge liability...he's also the Astro who arguable benefited the most from the trash can scheme. 2017 was his best year, by far, and he bolted after the news hit in 2019. He hasn't hit the same, since. I wouldn't think the Astros would want to bring back more reason to hate them, but I guess the boo birds are going to boo if he's there or not.

[Sweed]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

Replay was never intended to change the way the game is played. Now it's not necessary for a throw to beat the runner and apply the tag, you can just hold the tag on him, even if he's clearly safe, and hope he fractionally comes off the base, ask for a review, and bingo, you've got an out.

The only way that scenario used to be an out was when a guy clearly overslid a base and everyone in the park, including the runner, knew it.

Spot on. This issue was the first thing I, and of course many others, jumped on when replay was invoked. I thought without this play having a "grace" area we would see more injuries. Guys running at MLB speed and having to hold contact with the bag does not make for a safe environment. Used to be you could let the foot hit the bag, lift it slightly, and let the back curled leg come and you were fine. Same with the popup slides that can have that first foot momentarily lose contact.

It may take a star, like a Tatis (but he's such a Gumby probably not him), getting a severe injury and some owners demanding a change to protect their investment.