2019 MLB Thread

[caribbeanhen]

Seems to be going all Nats....


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Bryce going to get a condolence ring?

Soto’s AB vs Cole last night was the series

[ngineer]

Things got a little 'tight' in the infield last night. I went to bed at 8-2, but did they ever give the Houston 3B an error?

[ngineer]

Ironic that my 20,000th post is about baseball--but the Phillies have hired Joe Girardi to a three year contract with a club option for 2023. He is the 55th manager of the Phillies...professional sports oldest continuous franchise. Now, the need to get some pitchers.xthumbsupx

[PaladinFan]

Ironic that my 20,000th post is about baseball--but the Phillies have hired Joe Girardi to a three year contract with a club option for 2023. He is the 55th manager of the Phillies...professional sports oldest continuous franchise. Now, the need to get some pitchers.xthumbsupx

The Phillies are baseball's oldest franchise operating in a single city under a single name.

The Braves are baseball's oldest continuously operating franchise, which started in 1876 in Boston.

[ngineer]

The Phillies are baseball's oldest franchise operating in a single city under a single name.

The Braves are baseball's oldest continuously operating franchise, which started in 1876 in Boston.

I knew it was the oldest something. At my age, that's enough! xdrunkyx

[PaladinFan]

I knew it was the oldest something. At my age, that's enough! xdrunkyx

To be honest, I was surprised to find out that the name "Phillies" has been around since 1890. The franchise was one of the first NL teams, but operated as the Quakers in the few years before that.

I was wrong on Braves, too. 1871. It gets a little confusing because they started as the Boston Red Stockings, and continued to operated in Boston as the Braves starting in 1912. The franchise is not to be confused with the Boston Red Sox, which organized in 1901 in the American League. They moved to Milwaukee in 1953 and then Atlanta in 1966.

The Chicago Cubs were organized in 1871 too, but took two seasons off after the Great Chicago Fire. So, not "continuously operating," though they probably best both the Braves and Phillies for longest run under one name in one city.

The Philadelphia Athletics also started up in 1901 and, of course, moved to Kansas City and then Oakland. Different team.

[Laker]

Watching the World Series. Nats batter called out for running inside the line in the top of the 7th. Nats are protesting the game. They then hit a two run homer and are now up 5-2. Martinez got tossed.

They need to put an orange base outside the line like they have in softball to avoid that controversy and collisions.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIGBvxkXkAAnqtB?format=jpg&name=900x900

[PaladinFan]

Of note, the umprire making the call is Sam Holbrook.

Holbrook is still public enemy number 1 in Atlanta after he made the call from left field on a 270 foot infield fly a number of years ago in the Braves/Cardinals series. He has a penchant for making hyper technical rule calls in the biggest moments of the biggest games.

[cx500d]

Worst call ever. Throw to 1st base was bad which brought the glove into the running path. You don’t make a bizarre potential game changing call like that in a World Series. Luckily I think it pissed the Nats off and they responded.


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[JayJ79]

Of note, the umprire making the call is Sam Holbrook.

Holbrook is still public enemy number 1 in Atlanta after he made the call from left field on a 270 foot infield fly a number of years ago in the Braves/Cardinals series. He has a penchant for making hyper technical rule calls in the biggest moments of the biggest games.
225 feet. And the Cardinal shortstop (who is an infielder) was in position to make that catch with ordinary effort. It was a valid infield fly situation.

[JayJ79]

So all 6 games thus far in this year's World Series have been won by the visiting team.
The last 2 games of last year's World Series were won by the visiting team (Boston winning games 4 and 5 in Dodger Stadium)

That makes 8 World Series games in a row won by the road team.

[ngineer]

Worst call ever. Throw to 1st base was bad which brought the glove into the running path. You don’t make a bizarre potential game changing call like that in a World Series. Luckily I think it pissed the Nats off and they responded.


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Yes, when the all arrived, the runner was on the line side of the bag. He has a 'right' to the bag regardless where he was 50 feet earlier. He did nothing to interfere with the catch and that is the critical element.

[Laker]

Talk about a fall from grace. He has had problems for years- this is really low.

​​​​​​​Former MLB MVP Josh Hamilton arrested for child abuse, police say
Hamilton, who was the 2010 American League MVP with the Texas Rangers, was accused of throwing a chair at his daughter and punching her in the back in late September, according to police. He was charged with injury to a child and booked Wednesday at the Tarrant County Jail. His bond was set at $35,000

[bonarae]

Talk about a fall from grace. He has had problems for years- this is really low.

​​​​​​​Former MLB MVP Josh Hamilton arrested for child abuse, police say
Hamilton, who was the 2010 American League MVP with the Texas Rangers, was accused of throwing a chair at his daughter and punching her in the back in late September, according to police. He was charged with injury to a child and booked Wednesday at the Tarrant County Jail. His bond was set at $35,000

Will he go to jail and be forgotten like Rae Carruth? xchinscratchx

[Laker]

First Rendon, now Kendrick hit homers.

Top of the 7th and the Nats are now up 3-2.

[cx500d]

xnodx

[Laker]

OK- now we need to have the Mariners in the Series so that all teams have had an appearance.

Mariners, Rockies, Brewers, Padres, Rays and Rangers need to win a Series yet.

[cx500d]

Way to go Nats! 1st team to win all games away....not good for us hometown fans, but i
l take it

[Laker]

Way to go Nats! 1st team to win all games away....not good for us hometown fans, but i
l take it

With that in mind- will the victory parade be held in Houston? Or will Bryce Harper drive a tank down Pennsylvania Avenue?

[cx500d]

With that in mind- will the victory parade be held in Houston? Or will Bryce Harper drive a tank down Pennsylvania Avenue?
I’m hoping we get a day off for the parade

[caribbeanhen]

With that in mind- will the victory parade be held in Houston? Or will Bryce Harper drive a tank down Pennsylvania Avenue?

Harper will get a box of crackerjack in the mail and maybe he will find a ring inside

dummy should of stayed on the team with all the pitching

[ngineer]

Way to go Nats! 1st team to win all games away....not good for us hometown fans, but i
l take it

Congratulations!.....And, YOU'RE WELCOME!! :D I had a feeling the Nats would find an opening at some point. Too many good hitters to be kept down all game. Strasburg also deserving of MVP, though Rendon was my personal choice (and hoping he's wearing red pinstripes come February!)

[caribbeanhen]

Soto was the MVP in my book, he turned that WS around in game 1

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Congrats Nats! I was definitely pulling for them! The Mutts are the only NL East team I would never pull for. Even against the Yankees.

The Phils open up at 16/1 to win the 2020 WS. Better odds than the Cardinals.....hmmm xcoffeex

[cx500d]

Congratulations!.....And, YOU'RE WELCOME!! :D I had a feeling the Nats would find an opening at some point. Too many good hitters to be kept down all game. Strasburg also deserving of MVP, though Rendon was my personal choice (and hoping he's wearing red pinstripes come February!)

I’m not a huge fan of pitchers winning mvp since they aren’t every day players. Would have preferred one of Eaton, Hendrick, Soto; rendon had a few clutch hits but statistically wasn’t as good (I thought)

[ngineer]

I’m not a huge fan of pitchers winning mvp since they aren’t every day players. Would have preferred one of Eaton, Hendrick, Soto; rendon had a few clutch hits but statistically wasn’t as good (I thought)

True about the stats, but it just seemed to me he was "Mr. Clutch" at some very big moments when needed.

[Gil Dobie]

Minnesota Twins Rocco Baldelli, AL Manager of the Year.

[Laker]

Minnesota Twins Rocco Baldelli, AL Manager of the Year.

Dave Lee on WCCO went over the list of Twins MOTY this morning. Pretty impressive.

[cx500d]

I found it interesting Dave Martinez was not in the hunt for NL MOTY ...came back from way under .500 to win the World Series title and beat both contenders in the playoffs...

[Gil Dobie]

Verlander and deGrom win Cy Young Awards.

[MR. CHICKEN]

.....KAPLER.......LANDS IN 'FRISCO.......BRAWK!

[ngineer]

I found it interesting Dave Martinez was not in the hunt for NL MOTY ...came back from way under .500 to win the World Series title and beat both contenders in the playoffs...

is the post season included in the voting, or just based upon regular season?

[ngineer]

.....KAPLER.......LANDS IN 'FRISCO.......BRAWK!

Yeah, hooked up with his old Dodger buddy. I believe we traded up!

[Gil Dobie]

Belanger and Trout are MVPs

[caribbeanhen]

Belanger and Trout are MVPs

Mark Belanger? ....haha... I probably spelled his name wrong as well

Kapler sends Wil Smith to the Braves

[JayJ79]

Kapler sends Wil Smith to the Braves
I remember when he got traded from the Phillies to the Dodgers.
oops, wrong Wil Smith

[PaladinFan]

Braves aren't usually the splashy free agent type, but they get the best reliever on the market in Smith. On paper, Smith gives Atlanta a formidable late inning corps.

There is draft pick compensation to the signing, which makes me wonder whether Donaldson is expected to go elsewhere (and thereby recouping a pick when he departs)

[Bisonator]

Odorizzi accepts the Twins QO so he'll be back. Now they need to add more!

[Gil Dobie]

Mark Belanger? ....haha... I probably spelled his name wrong as well

Kapler sends Wil Smith to the Braves

Aoto direct waz kreardd four granma nazi'z.

[ngineer]

Braves aren't usually the splashy free agent type, but they get the best reliever on the market in Smith. On paper, Smith gives Atlanta a formidable late inning corps.

There is draft pick compensation to the signing, which makes me wonder whether Donaldson is expected to go elsewhere (and thereby recouping a pick when he departs)

Rumors up here say Phillies interested in Donaldson at 3B

[PaladinFan]

Rumors up here say Phillies interested in Donaldson at 3B

Sounds like there's a big market for Donaldson. He's not Rendon, but will be cheaper.

[caribbeanhen]

Aoto direct waz kreardd four granma nazi'z.

not sure what you did there but I get it kinda, auto correct ... ha

what are the Phils going to do with Oddy?

[bonarae]

Cooperstown 2020 is going to be interesting... one of the 32 possible candidates is Jeter.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/baseball-hall-of-fame-ballot-2020-yankees-legend-derek-jeter-headlines-list-of-potential-inductees/

[PaladinFan]

Braves resign Chris Martin. Atlanta has dumped a ton of money into what looks on paper to be the best bullpen in the NL right now.

Pretty uncharacteristic for the Braves to go this heavy this quickly in free agency. Suggests maybe this is an "all in" type of season.

[bonarae]

Meanwhile...

Is Orlando going the Vegas route?

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-to-orlando-what-to-know-about-the-dreamers-and-their-unlikely-pitch-to-land-a-baseball-team/

Is Ellsbury ready to retire?

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-hot-stove-yankees-release-153-million-bust-jacoby-ellsbury-who-has-not-played-since-2017-alcs/

[ngineer]

not sure what you did there but I get it kinda, auto correct ... ha

what are the Phils going to do with Oddy?

He'll be cut loose.

[ngineer]

Phillies/Girardi have hired the hitting coach from the Nationals....reunites with Harper.

[caribbeanhen]

He'll be cut loose.

Well you will need a CF

trade rumors are Bryant and Heyward to the Phils for Jay Bruce and Segura and prospects (not the big chip prospects like Bohm)

this

[bonarae]

Astros' front office troubles may not be resolved in time for the Winter Meetings... but I think that when the dust settles, the team may be forced to clean house and start from scratch. Can Orlando be calling?

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/astros-sign-stealing-scandal-mlb-seeking-phone-records-promises-players-leniency-for-cooperating/

[ngineer]

Well you will need a CF

trade rumors are Bryant and Heyward to the Phils for Jay Bruce and Segura and prospects (not the big chip prospects like Bohm)

this

Not surprised. Segura is a hitting machine but he dogs it frequently and that don't set well in Philly...Kapler never called him out. I am sure Girardi saw it and said no more. I like Bryant. Phils need 3B in the worst way. Heward's a right fielder, unless he is can play left and 1B, too. Both guys bring some pop. I like Bruce, but injury prone. Good for a bench role.

[PaladinFan]

Braves sign C Travis D'Arnaud to a two year deal. D'Arnaud should be paired with Tyler Flowers to make a decent catching combo.

Surprisingly, the Braves are virtually the only team active right now in free agency.

[PaladinFan]

Astros' front office troubles may not be resolved in time for the Winter Meetings... but I think that when the dust settles, the team may be forced to clean house and start from scratch. Can Orlando be calling?

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/astros-sign-stealing-scandal-mlb-seeking-phone-records-promises-players-leniency-for-cooperating/

Manfred has a track record of making example of teams thought to be cheating. MLB hammered the Braves (and banned the GM for life) for foul play in the international market, and none of what the Braves were doing had any direct impact on the outcome of baseball games. I'm not sure what the investigation will reveal, but if the treatment of the Braves is any precedent, the Astros better buckle up.

Sign stealing is part of baseball, however even the lowest levels of baseball have rules against the use of technology in doing so.

[ngineer]

Manfred has a track record of making example of teams thought to be cheating. MLB hammered the Braves (and banned the GM for life) for foul play in the international market, and none of what the Braves were doing had any direct impact on the outcome of baseball games. I'm not sure what the investigation will reveal, but if the treatment of the Braves is any precedent, the Astros better buckle up.

Sign stealing is part of baseball, however even the lowest levels of baseball have rules against the use of technology in doing so.

There is an excellent book called "The Baseball Codes", all about the 'unwritten rules' of the game. Excellent read, and a very deep chapter on the 'art' of sign stealing. I agree, there is something almost admirable about being able to study the opposition and figure out what they are planning; but, using technology to do it is a different animal.

[bonarae]

Addison Russell finally cut loose by the Cubbies. Will Asia be his next stop? xchinscratchx

[ngineer]

Phillies add Wheeler to their rotation. I like the move. Wheeler has been a pretty steady performer, when healthy (always the caveat). With question marks about Arrieta's health and whether Eflin can make the "next step", they need another starter who can be relied upon. They have a future star coming up from Reading, but I am sure he will start the spring in the Lehigh Valley with the Iron Pigs.

[bonarae]

Only two were voted into Cooperstown among the batch: Marvin Miller and Ted Simmons.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/baseball-hall-of-fame-union-leader-marvin-miller-eight-time-all-star-ted-simmons-voted-into-cooperstown/

[ngineer]

Didi Gregorius signs with the Phils for 1 year for $14M. IMO I'm thinking Segura will be used for trade for pitching. While he can play 2B, I see Kingery going over there. Still need a 3B. I think Kingery can play the 'hot corner' but his arm could be stronger, I think. He came up tagged as a second baseman.

[ngineer]

Only two were voted into Cooperstown among the batch: Marvin Miller and Ted Simmons.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/baseball-hall-of-fame-union-leader-marvin-miller-eight-time-all-star-ted-simmons-voted-into-cooperstown/

Of the modern era candidates I see only two getting in this coming year. Obviously, Jeter, but I think Abreu makes it as well. His stats are Hall worthy. A few others may make it in a year or two, but I don't see it this year with Schilling, who will get close.

[bonarae]

Can Rendon become this year's Harper? Big contract but not necessarily a foundation piece for his new team to even get to the WCG.

[bonarae]

Oh no. Can the independent leagues take advantage? xchinscratchx

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-threatens-to-abandon-minor-leagues-as-talks-about-eliminating-teams-grow-contentious/

[ngineer]

Can Rendon become this year's Harper? Big contract but not necessarily a foundation piece for his new team to even get to the WCG.

Rumors say the Phils are still trying to take a run at Rendon. Obviously, it would take them into the luxury tax, but Middleton has said he will do so if it will get them beyond 'wild card status'. Considering the additional help needed with the rotation, I'd be shocked.

[PaladinFan]

Rumors say the Phils are still trying to take a run at Rendon. Obviously, it would take them into the luxury tax, but Middleton has said he will do so if it will get them beyond 'wild card status'. Considering the additional help needed with the rotation, I'd be shocked.

Rendon to Angels.

Josh Donaldson is best 3B on the free agent market. He's expressed a desire to return to Atlanta, but there's an open question of how many years and dollars the Braves go to an infielder in his mid-30s.

Two other interesting storylines involve Kris Bryant and Nolan Arenado. Both appear available, and the Braves are one of the most likely teams that have the prospect depth to deal for them. It should be noted that in the last several years, Atlanta still hasn't traded any of their top prospects.

[ngineer]

Baumgartner signed a 5 year deal with Arizona today. Surprised they went 5 years with his age.