MLB Off-Topic

[SPTO]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Price fixing during this offseason?

Fascinating little article over at Baseball Prospectus.

[CMH]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Price fixing during this offseason?

Fascinating little article over at Baseball Prospectus.

I think this is more evidence of executives being of the same think tank. It's likely not one calling the other to discuss collusion. Too much is at stake to assume an organization will conpire with you instead of sign a player that can beat you.

But execs are being hired from the same pond and it's too dumb to ignore that they have similar thoughts on long term contracts and youth vs veterans.

This isn't collusion. This is parity at the executive level.

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[Qdiddy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I think this is more evidence of executives being of the same think tank. It's likely not one calling the other to discuss collusion. Too much is at stake to assume an organization will conpire with you instead of sign a player that can beat you.

But execs are being hired from the same pond and it's too dumb to ignore that they have similar thoughts on long term contracts and youth vs veterans.

This isn't collusion. This is parity at the executive level.

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I think your spot on, sports of all types are copycat leagues when success is seen. They see teams getting better, faster and cheaper and now all teams are starting to trend that way. Coupled with next years possible historic FA class in available franchise changing talent makes for a slow year this year if not in a tight price range. I’m not giving a high *** salary to JD Martinez when I can bid next year on much younger more proven talent.


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[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I wouldn't be surprised if there were some communications bordering on collusion. I'm not sure it's entirely avoidable.

I agree that the motivating factor in the current free agent market is mostly groupthink. You have a bunch of Ivy Leaguers of a similar age and background with smart analytics departments and the analytics are telling them all mostly similar things to base decisions on--as analytics often do. Essentially, buy low and buy young. Cut costs. Minimize risks. The main differences, I'd imagine, aren't of a broad philosophical nature, but are more in the margins (how things are precisely weighted, organization with mousetrap version 1.2 vs organization with mousetrap version 1.1, specific dictates from ownership, position relative to contention window, innate creativity).

However, I also view the group of 30 GMs as a pretty exclusive fraternity. Naturally, they are mostly probably on familiar/good/cordial terms (or reluctantly cordial at least if some of them actually dislike each other) as a result of having a relatively small universe of counterparts to interact with. It behooves them to communicate more rather than less to develop rapport from which to base future transactions. I'm not saying Jed Hoyer is calling Matt Klentak up and asking him to compare trade offers for Christian Yelich, but I wouldn't be surprised if some stuff slips (contract terms etc) occasionally in passing.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I’m not giving a high *** salary to JD Martinez when I can bid next year on much younger more proven talent.


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Younger, OK maybe, but JD Martinez has been reallllllllllly ****ing good since 2014.

[SPTO]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Rules changes DEFINITELY coming in 2018 even without MLBPA approval

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred could implement rule changes for the 2018 season to increase pace of play without the approval of the players’ association, according to reports from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

Changes would include the creation of a 20-second pitch clock and placing a restriction on mound visits by catchers.

“My preferred path is a negotiated agreement with the players,” Manfred told Crasnick during the November’s owners meetings in Florida. “But if we can’t get an agreement, we are going to have rule changes in 2018, one way or the other.”

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I don't get the stance. You're either negotiating in good faith with MLBPA and care what they have to say. Or you have already made up your mind about rule changes and are unilaterally ramming changes through. Manfred thinks he's doing both apparently.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Rules changes DEFINITELY coming in 2018 even without MLBPA approval

Despite what others feel, I actually like the changes Manfred has made for the most part. Instant replay needs fixing, but that's an issue in all sports because nobody wants to do the whole "eye test" replay where if umps can't make decision after using TV angles for a few seconds, the original decision stands.

As for the 2018 changes, I like both and surprised so close to ST we haven't gotten full details yet on these potential changes.

Though I find the comments there to be weird. Basically sounds like "we can either talk about it and implement it, or it gets implemented regardless."

[Trapper700]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Rules changes DEFINITELY coming in 2018 even without MLBPA approval

It’s pretty crazy that the MLBPA signed on to a CBA that grants the commissioner the authority to implement unilateral rules changes without the consent of the player's union. Tony Clark is a f’ing disgrace.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Rules changes DEFINITELY coming in 2018 even without MLBPA approval

*barf*

I don't wanna see a ****ing clock on a baseball broadcast.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I will never understand the wanting to speed up the game


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[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Should this actually happen, they should just be silent fines and actually be handed out, but should not be visible for any reason to any player in terms of changing an outcome in the game (including ejecting players, cough cough). This should also not take effect from the 7th inning, onward.

What they really need to look at is the time between batters. From the time a play ends (say a ball is caught), I'm able to hit my 30-second advance button and still not miss the release of the next pitch, almost ever. It should not take that long between batters. At least, that would speed up pace of play for sure.

Then again, I don't want my sport changed, especially with the amount of time. I just don't see how batters take 30 seconds of time from the on-deck circle to getting their first pitch is all.

I do like the mound visit restrictions, though.

[ShowTyme15]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I will never understand the wanting to speed up the game


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Millennials man, millennials.

[dubcity]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Rules changes DEFINITELY coming in 2018 even without MLBPA approval

Love it. If everyone just makes an honest attempt to not stare off into space, fiddle with their gloves like Garciaparra on crack, have 10 second long conversations with the rosin bag, etc, we won't hear about any violations.

[dubcity]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Millennials man, millennials.

Millenials are barely watching TV. This is more to ensure that 40 year olds stick with baseball into their 60s. The average age right now is like 57.