2014 MLB Thread

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by lungs

My god, Mike Fiers just ended Giancarlo Stanton's season by beaning him right in the face. You could see the teeth flying out of his mouth.

That was brutal to see. Hope is ok, what a great player he is.

[claphamsa]

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is suspended 25 games by MLB - ESPN

cheater!

[ISiddiqui]

Amphetamines only get you 25 games? There seems to be evidence that it is just as bad as steroids as a performance enhancer (and look at what has happened to offensive numbers since amphetamines were banned; its a greater impact than banning steroids) - it should be treated similarly.

[claphamsa]

wasnt helping him very much this year....

[sterlingice]

I'm not even going to look at the Stanton replay. All the descriptions sound awful- I don't need to see it

SI

[gstelmack]

Good for Davis for just accepting responsibility and his suspension. Sure, he threw in an excuse or two, but he didn't rage on or anything which was nice for a change.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

I'm not even going to look at the Stanton replay. All the descriptions sound awful- I don't need to see it

SI

Same here. I steered clear of that.

[JonInMiddleGA]

If the Braves think 18th in attendance (23rd in % capacity) is bad, wait til next year if they don't fire Wren & Fredi.

Clueless at the top, apparently gutless on the field. Swept by a team nearly 40 games under .500 when the weekend started, monumentally disgusting.

[ISiddiqui]

They will have to fire them, won't they?

At the rate they are going they are going to open Traffic Jam Field up in Cobb with a subpar team and aren't going to get nearly the attendance they expect.

[CraigSca]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

They will have to fire them, won't they?

At the rate they are going they are going to open Traffic Jam Field up in Cobb with a subpar team and aren't going to get nearly the attendance they expect.

I guess the only solution is to start planning the replacement for the new stadium.

[Logan]

Jacob deGrom tied the MLB record by striking out the first 8 batters faced tonight.

Then he promptly gave up a hit to the pitcher haha.

[Lathum]

Jacob DeGrom of the Mets just tied a modern MLB record for striking out the first 8 batters of the game against the Marlins. Kids been electric.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

They will have to fire them, won't they?

I'd like to think so but, honestly, I'm not sure how much anyone in charge actually cares.

Wren's track record with contracts alone should be enough. Even if the team had won the division, the enormous expense tied to utter flops would show them doing things in spite of him instead of because of him.

Fredi? Sigh. I actually preferred him over the other leading candidate at the time (Pendleton) because I have zero confidence in TP being anywhere near a major league caliber manager. That said, Fredi seems to have zero clue how to handle a lineup and I'm not sure how much anyone in the clubhouse listens to him about anything (or how much he says/does for that matter)

A complete turnover is probably the best move but whether ownership cares enough (or understands enough?) to do that is not a sure thing IMO.

[miked]

But if he keeps batting the 223rd worst batter leadoff he just has to come around, right?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by miked

But if he keeps batting the 223rd worst batter leadoff he just has to come around, right?

That seems to be the theory.

[Atocep]

I think DeGrom is forcing his way into the Mets long term plans.

They still have Thor and Matz who haven't reached the majors yet to go along with Harvey, Wheeler, Montero, Niese, and DeGrom. Quite stockpile of pitching and doesn't even get to guys like Michael Fulmer (coming off of surgery) and Marcos Molina (destroying SS A ball).

The Wilpons going broke is the best thing that could have happened to the Mets short of them selling. They've been forced to be patient with Alderson because he'd probably be gone already if they had any money.

[CraigSca]

I'd like to personally thank Mark Teixeira for abandoning his roots and signing with the Yankees. I know he got his title, but watching him deteriorate the past couple years (with two more on the horizon) has been more than satisfying.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Atocep

I think DeGrom is forcing his way into the Mets long term plans.

They still have Thor and Matz who haven't reached the majors yet to go along with Harvey, Wheeler, Montero, Niese, and DeGrom. Quite stockpile of pitching and doesn't even get to guys like Michael Fulmer (coming off of surgery) and Marcos Molina (destroying SS A ball).

The Wilpons going broke is the best thing that could have happened to the Mets short of them selling. They've been forced to be patient with Alderson because he'd probably be gone already if they had any money.

I'll link to the relevant story in case people aren't sure why you are discussing DeGrom (aside from his generally awesome season):

Jacob deGrom of New York Mets strikes out first 8 batters faced, sets modern-day mark - ESPN New York

DeGrom struck out the first eight Miami Marlins batters he faced on Monday night, tying the modern-day major league record to open a game.

Anyways, yeah, a young rotation led by Harvey, Wheeler, DeGrom could be fun to watch next year. Though we Mets fans have been burned by promising young rotations in the past.

I do agree with the Alderson stuff. Great thing that they are forced to be patient and are building quite a good farm system (don't forget Syndergaard). And with d'Arnaud turning things around big time, and Duda, Murphy, and Lagares having great years, things are promising (now to turn around David Wright ).

[Lathum]

Something interesting brewing at Wrigley...

[Danny]

Although I'm normally not in favor of pitcher MVP, its got to be Kershaw this year

[Danny]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Amphetamines only get you 25 games? There seems to be evidence that it is just as bad as steroids as a performance enhancer (and look at what has happened to offensive numbers since amphetamines were banned; its a greater impact than banning steroids) - it should be treated similarly.

I'd bet they actually have more of an impact. Negating the grind of 162 games with energy and focus boosting drugs I'm sure makes a huge difference

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Danny

Although I'm normally not in favor of pitcher MVP, its got to be Kershaw this year

I can't believe Josh Harrison is going to get a sizeable amount of MVP votes.

[Thomkal]

As a Cardinals fan, is there nothing worse than finding out that your local minor league team, the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, are becoming an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs?

:::vomit:::

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Danny

Although I'm normally not in favor of pitcher MVP, its got to be Kershaw this year

Yep. If any year called out for it... though with the Pirates surging, you know McCutchen is going to get some votes.

Originally Posted by Danny

I'd bet they actually have more of an impact. Negating the grind of 162 games with energy and focus boosting drugs I'm sure makes a huge difference

Agreed.

[claphamsa]

to celebrate clinching the division title, the Nats are sending out our AAA opening day lineup....glad im not going today!

[Buccaneer]

I wonder if Jeter will show up at the World Series thus causing MLB to dedicate the whole series to him and to lavish him with gifts? Glad it was the Yankees that decided to throw away their season to make it about one player.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I wonder if Jeter will show up at the World Series thus causing MLB to dedicate the whole series to him and to lavish him with gifts? Glad it was the Yankees that decided to throw away their season to make it about one player.

Read an article about a week ago about how Jeter hasn't embarrassed himself at the plate this year the way past Yankee greats such as Mantle, Ruth, and Dimaggio did in their final years. So I looked at their last years in the majors.

Mantle: .237/.385/.398 143 OPS+
Ruth: .181/.359/.431 119 OPS+
DiMaggio: .263/.365/.422 116 OPS+

Jeter: .249/.298/.297 70 OPS+

Jeter is a no-doubt Hall of Famer, but people seem to want him to be so much more than what he really is. The reality is Jeter is a player that's a bit better than Craig Biggio was.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Big win tonight for the Royals and a loss by the Tigers. Biggest series that KC has seen in a LONG time at the K this weekend (all three games on national TV). Royals need to take two out of three this weekend, which at worst would mean a tie for first (going assumption that suspended game is a loss for Royals). Royals also have the tougher schedule in the last seven games.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Hoo boy

Ron Washington: Sexual assault allegation led to Washington's resignation - Lone Star Ball

Former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington asks for forgiveness after he was 'not true to my wife' - ESPN Dallas

Former Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said Thursday that he resigned earlier this month because he was "not true to my wife."

[JPhillips]

Holy hell. The Reds offensive line since the All-Star break:

.221/.279/.327

Even worse than the Padres. It's like a whole fucking team of Corey Pattersons.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Holy hell. The Reds offensive line since the All-Star break: .221/.279/.327

Even worse than the Padres. It's like a whole fucking team of Corey Pattersons.

Holy hell indeed ... that's even worse than the Braves since the break
(.237/.304/.343).

And to my surprise even the Mets have a worse OPS than Atlanta since AS ... but have scored 19 more runs (about 0.33 / game more)

[Buccaneer]

Hey, at least the Pads are above .500 since the break.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

This makes me nervous.........

Royals Postseason Tickets | royals.com: Tickets

[cartman]

Somehow the Rangers have swept two consecutive series. If they can avoid going 2-8 over the final 10, they won't lose 100 games.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

It's like a whole fucking team of Corey Pattersons.

A whole team of leadoff hitters?

[JPhillips]

Shitty leadoff hitters that can't get on base and have no power.

But they all are full of veteran savvy.

[claphamsa]

Kershaw getting lit up!

[bhlloy]

So is the Oakland collapse a cautionary tale about messing with the chemistry of a successful team to try and push it over the top? Or just one of those things that happens? Pretty stunning drop off from by far the best team in baseball to having to scratch just to make a wildcard

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

So is the Oakland collapse a cautionary tale about messing with the chemistry of a successful team to try and push it over the top? Or just one of those things that happens? Pretty stunning drop off from by far the best team in baseball to having to scratch just to make a wildcard

The Giants did it first.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

The Giants did it first.

It worked out well for them in 2010. Their World Series roster was a lot different than their July 31st roster.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Yeah, but the pitching staff was very good in both 2010 and 2012. I'm not as confident this year, though Peavey's been fantastic and Petit is pretty great at AT&T. No Lincecum, no Cain...essentially Bumgarner's the only one who you can be confident in right now and that's no way to win in the postseason.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Oh, Joe Nathan... You so rarely make it easy, if you make it at all.

[rowech]

I'm not sure I've ever seen a fantasy baseball season championship come down to this. I'm in a 5-5 tie and if it ends in a tie, I win the league. I have a two RBI lead and a .05 lead in WHIP. I trail in saves by one and in strikeouts by three. Both teams have no starting pitchers tomorrow and each have four relievers, with each team having three closers. Do I sit my relievers to keep my WHIP lead (he would need 4 innings with no runners to swipe it) and put the entire league title up for grabs on RBI? Or, do I put my relievers out there to possibly steal saves and K's, knowing I would need some breaks and could lose the league if my WHIP goes up too much regardless of what happens with RBI?

Absolutey have come to hate fantasy sports through the years. Daily fantasy leagues look better and better.

[Bobble]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Oh, Joe Nathan... You so rarely make it easy, if you make it at all.

Amen. How does he still have that job?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Thank God the Royals at least got one game out of the weekend. Just hope that Salvador's snafu yesterday doesn't end up costing us a division title or even a playoff spot.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Braves officially eliminated from playoff possibiities.

Anything short of firing Wren & Gonzalez tonight is a bad sign.

(Local beat writer seems to suggest over the weekend that both may be retained, with possibly increased roles for either John Scheurholz or John Hart forthcoming, as well as roster shakeup to get more "veteran leadership")

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

(Local beat writer seems to suggest over the weekend that both may be retained, with possibly increased roles for either John Scheurholz or John Hart forthcoming, as well as roster shakeup to get more "veteran leadership")

LOL!

As a Mets fan, I hope to God that this is true

[JonInMiddleGA]

Atlanta Braves
9 mins ·

The Braves have dismissed general manager Frank Wren. John Hart has been named as the interim GM.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

Atlanta Braves
9 mins ·

The Braves have dismissed general manager Frank Wren. John Hart has been named as the interim GM.

Lots of chatter here on sports radio this morning that they are targeting Dayton Moore as a replacement.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

dola

Yea, KC!

Furiously Double-Fisting Royals Fan Is A Damned National Hero