2014 MLB Thread

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

I think Scherzer is facing two issues. One is, as you say, performance. If he puts up numbers similar to 2013, he then moves into issue #2: the qualifying offer.

Now, if he's 2013 Scherzer redux, there's probably a team going to be willing to sign him for the money he's looking for, especially if it's a team with a protected first.

If he's not, he's not only going to be hampered by the QO, but he's going to be looking at half the money as his ceiling.

Huh? Scherzer's not going to be hampered by the QO. He's not Ervin Santana redux. He is much better than that. He will eclipse the QO offer by a significant amount.

[molson]

Originally Posted by BillJasper

I have no doubts that A-Rod is a major douche, but I read another article that said that wrangling over legal bills was common when dealing with this type of money. Think it was on Hardball Talk?

Ya, I'm sure billing disputes are common. But I think there's a difference between a billing dispute, where there's some asserted legal ground not to pay, and just refusing to pay bills. And to be fair, the author probably didn't dig too deep into that distinction, and what's the situation here.

[stevew]

Travis Ishikawa, your pirates opening day 1b. Shoot me now.

[JonInMiddleGA]

While he's a bit below the elite level reliever, I mention this story simply to say that, at some point, I start having a tough time wondering if there's something larger at play with the Atlanta pitching staff. Whether it's conditioning methods, something their preparation regimen, something in the technique area ... it's getting kinda ridiculous.

Braves’ Gearrin leaves game with elbow injury | www.ajc.com

[DaddyTorgo]

Derek Lowe bitching about QuesTec is hilarious.

"I remember standing out there asking the catcher where the pitch was. The catcher would ask the umpire and the ump would say 'that's a strike but i can't call it a strike because of the box.'"

Methinks he doesn't understand the meaning of the word strike. Idiot.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by stevew

Travis Ishikawa, your pirates opening day 1b. Shoot me now.

Hey, Ishikawadavida isn't half bad.

...

Ok, he's mostly bad.

...

He's exceptional defensively, at least.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Excited that the season starts in less than a week. Ready for baseball and warmer weather.

[Chief Rum]

Going to game number two for the Angels next week. The giveaway that night? Mike Trout Bobbleheads! Sweet!

[SackAttack]

Yeah, but Cabrera's still going to win "Bobblehead of the Year" because of reasons.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Steal for the Pirates

Pirates, Starling Marte agree to six-year contract extension

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Yeah, but Cabrera's still going to win "Bobblehead of the Year" because of reasons.

No way! Trout's BWAR (Bobblehead WAR) is historically high!

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

No way! Trout's BWAR (Bobblehead WAR) is historically high!

Yeah, but Cabrera made the transition from poster to bobblehead seamlessly.

[cartman]

The Rangers have upped their concessions game. Enter the "Choomongous". Another version of the 2 foot hot dog, this one topped with Asian spiced beef, spicy slaw, and Sriracha. On days when Yu Darvish pitches, they'll put the Yu Dog on the menu, a hot dog wrapped in a wonton wrapper and deep fried, topped with beef teriyaki, wasabi mayo and seaweed salad.

Introducing the Choomongous Hot Dog, the Rangers' Latest Player-Inspired Ballpark Food

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Yeah, but Cabrera's still going to win "Bobblehead of the Year" because of reasons.

SI

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Steal for the Pirates

Pirates, Starling Marte agree to six-year contract extension

Dude looks like he could play safety if the steelers get a bit thin. I'm excited.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by cartman

The Rangers have upped their concessions game. Enter the "Choomongous". Another version of the 2 foot hot dog, this one topped with Asian spiced beef, spicy slaw, and Sriracha. On days when Yu Darvish pitches, they'll put the Yu Dog on the menu, a hot dog wrapped in a wonton wrapper and deep fried, topped with beef teriyaki, wasabi mayo and seaweed salad.

Introducing the Choomongous Hot Dog, the Rangers' Latest Player-Inspired Ballpark Food

Say what you want about the on-field product, but the White Sox also continue to bring it in the concessions game - Bacon-on-a-stick, new beer on US Cellular Field menu in 2014 - redeyechicago.com

Bacon on a stick? That bacon mac and cheese burger? I like the classic feel of eating meat from a cart on Landsdowne or getting a hot dog in Fenway, but I can't say I'd be mad if the Red Sox stepped up their variety and quality of food choices.

[TroyF]

I will be heading to opening night in San Diego. (The Sunday night north american opener I guess you'd call it)

Should be a fun game, even if I'm not a huge fan of either team. I'll cheer for the Padres, just because.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Hey, Ishikawadavida isn't half bad.

...

Ok, he's mostly bad.

...

He's exceptional defensively, at least.

Yeah, he's 100% bad.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Unless he's backslid, he really is a great defensive 1B. Unfortunately, that's about the last thing you're looking for at the 1B position, especially as your starter.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by TroyF

I will be heading to opening night in San Diego. (The Sunday night north american opener I guess you'd call it)

Should be a fun game, even if I'm not a huge fan of either team. I'll cheer for the Padres, just because.

I've just gone with calling it Opening Day*

SI

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by cartman

The Rangers have upped their concessions game. Enter the "Choomongous". Another version of the 2 foot hot dog, this one topped with Asian spiced beef, spicy slaw, and Sriracha. On days when Yu Darvish pitches, they'll put the Yu Dog on the menu, a hot dog wrapped in a wonton wrapper and deep fried, topped with beef teriyaki, wasabi mayo and seaweed salad.

Introducing the Choomongous Hot Dog, the Rangers' Latest Player-Inspired Ballpark Food

My wife and I want to go back this year and take a stab at the Bratbino

SI

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Say what you want about the on-field product, but the White Sox also continue to bring it in the concessions game - Bacon-on-a-stick, new beer on US Cellular Field menu in 2014 - redeyechicago.com

Bacon on a stick? That bacon mac and cheese burger? I like the classic feel of eating meat from a cart on Landsdowne or getting a hot dog in Fenway, but I can't say I'd be mad if the Red Sox stepped up their variety and quality of food choices.

And then there's this:

Chicago White Sox offer 3-pound sundae in helmet - ESPN Chicago

SI

[MizzouRah]

Ballpark Village is going to be awesome to check out this year.

Busch Stadium Ballpark Village Information | cardinals.com: Ballpark

[Butter]

Speaking of...

New St. Louis Ballpark Village Has A Ridiculous Dress Code

[Blackadar]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

Speaking of...

New St. Louis Ballpark Village Has A Ridiculous Dress Code

But white hoods and sheets are permitted!

[Lathum]

The following is not permitted under our dress code after 9pm: sleeveless shirts on men, profanity on clothing, exposed undergarments on men, sweat pants, full sweat suits, excessively long shirts (when standing upright with arms at your side, the bottom of your shirt can not extend below the tip of your fingers), jerseys (sleeved jerseys are permitted in conjunction with a cardinals game or any other major St. Louis sporting event), athletic shorts and excessively sagging pants or shorts bandanas.

Meh.

I have been to/ seen many places with similar rules. I have no problem with it. They want to attract a clientele that dresses and looks a certain way its their prerogative to do so. I've seen just as many whites wear similar attire. Nothing wrong with wanting your establishment portrayed as a "classy" spot where people dress accordingly.

[Blackadar]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Meh.

I have been to/ seen many places with similar rules. I have no problem with it. They want to attract a clientele that dresses and looks a certain way its their prerogative to do so. I've seen just as many whites wear similar attire. Nothing wrong with wanting your establishment portrayed as a "classy" spot where people dress accordingly.

I was the 2nd half of that article that prompted my response.

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Originally Posted by Blackadar

I was the 2nd half of that article that prompted my response.

Developer of St. Louis' Ballpark Village also sued for being racist in Kentucky:

[Easy Mac]

So if you're already there and stay past 9, will they kick you out if you're inappropriately dressed?

Also, what are shorts bandanas?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

So if you're already there and stay past 9, will they kick you out if you're inappropriately dressed?

Also, what are shorts bandanas?

If it is like any of the other spots I have been yes, they would.

[korme]

What's wrong with a tank top in the dead of summer?

[Logan]

Originally Posted by korme

What's wrong with a tank top in the dead of summer?

A lot of people don't wear deodorant. At least put some fabric in between your stench and the public.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by korme

What's wrong with a tank top in the dead of summer?

because there is nothing classy about a tank top.

[Scoobz0202]

Seeing on Twitter that Miguel Cabrera and the Tigers have agreed to an extension. Not sure on the specifics but I'm seeing 30 mil AAV and 6 or so additional years

[Scoobz0202]

Dola

Seeing 8/248 being thrown around added onto the 2 remaining

Trout is going to get a billion dollars



E; changed my numbers, but still fuck twitter I'll wait until it's official

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

Dola

Seeing 8/248 being thrown around added onto the 2 remaining

Yup. Plus 2 vesting years @ 30 million apiece. For a 31 year old with weight issues.

[stevew]

That extension insures nobody will ever choose the tigers in ootp ever again.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Yup. Plus 2 vesting years @ 30 million apiece. For a 31 year old with weight issues.

Jeezus. That is going to hamstring them all the way until they trade him to the Yankees for pennies on the dollar to get financial relief.

[SirFozzie]

8 for 292.. With two vesting options that would make it 10 for 350

[Scoobz0202]

Why not wait to sign the extension after seeing what he does the next two years?

[BishopMVP]

Buster Olney ‏@buster_ESPN 1h
Miguel Cabrera is highly respected/appreciated, but officials with other teams are appalled by Detroit decision to give him that many years.

Buster Olney ‏@buster_ESPN 1h
Haven't heard as much disgust over a contract from rival execs since the Jayson Werth contract. Industry is in shock over the Cabrera deal.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

Why not wait to sign the extension after seeing what he does the next two years?

Because there's a good chance that he'll probably make even more money? The price of a brick is going up, in 5 years 30million won't be as big of a number.

[JPhillips]

Imagine you're Mike Trout. The Angels offer a twenty year deal. What is the lowest total salary you'd accept?

600 million?

[stevew]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Imagine you're Mike Trout. The Angels offer a twenty year deal. What is the lowest total salary you'd accept?

600 million?

One Billion dollarz.

[Bobble]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Imagine you're Mike Trout. The Angels offer a twenty year deal. What is the lowest total salary you'd accept?

One MILLION dollars!

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by stevew

Because there's a good chance that he'll probably make even more money? The price of a brick is going up, in 5 years 30million won't be as big of a number.

Yea, but then he will be 33 years old. He adds nothing to the base paths, no real defensive value, and his major (major is an understatement) positive (his bat) could start declining. Now with his career numbers he could easily maintain the next two years, but his 30's won't be like his 20's. I mean, even at 80% he will be worth it. But damn, 10 more years for a guy about to turn 31..

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

Yea, but then he will be 33 years old. He adds nothing to the base paths, no real defensive value, and his major (major is an understatement) positive (his bat) could start declining. Now with his career numbers he could easily maintain the next two years, but his 30's won't be like his 20's. I mean, even at 80% he will be worth it. But damn, 10 more years for a guy about to turn 31..

It's an "A-Rod" style deal. And we see how well that one has worked out.

[bronconick]

Hard to say his contract is obscene compared to the average deals being handed out.

[nilodor]

It's crazy to think that it's been 10 years since I gave up paying attention to baseball. After all the steroid stuff, I was still in, then they murdered the Expos and that was it. It's crazy to think about, I played baseball for almost 16 years, it was by far my favourite sport and now I pay less attention to it then sports like volleyball. I wonder if it's like that for people in Seattle with basketball?

[stevew]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Imagine you're Mike Trout. The Angels offer a twenty year deal. What is the lowest total salary you'd accept?

600 million?

Okay, seriously though I think the Angels should offer him like 15 years and 450-500million right now and see if he takes it.

The MLB is printing money right now and the ability to bring up a guy and only pay him 1.5million total for his first 3 years makes these larger contracts easily offset.