Offseason Chatter

[bearbryant]

Mar 13, 2019 10:33:01 GMT -6 unionstation82 said:

Mar 13, 2019 10:06:04 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

Bregman changing his plate approach in the ALCS after being moved to leadoff was amateur hour and pissed me off to no end. That's the shit I'm concerned about

Are you saying the changing of his approach was due to some bad attitude?

Y'all are concerned about his attitude. Bregman thought if he batted 1st he'd get pitches to hit. It doesn't work that way

[unionstation82]

Mar 12, 2019 23:55:42 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

Mar 12, 2019 19:47:07 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

It is not that he thinks he should be paid more that bothers me.....it's his big mouth.  He seems to always do or say something to call attention to himself. He has a lot of maturing to do.

I saw a picture today of the team from last year when they visited the White House. Everyone was dressed in nice suits...except for Bregman, who was wearing a fecking checkered suit that looked like something Herb Tarlek would wear. He’s an idiot. 

I don’t mind him dressing like a douche as long as he doesn’t behave like one. I’m not a fan of his online antics, which began when he started cursing at some random fan on Twitter for suggesting that he be traded for a starting pitcher (maybe Sale). Then, there was his “Operation BTSOOTR” nonsense tweet before a series with the Rangers. He gets so cocky that he doesn’t care about providing opponents with bulletin board material. I also didn’t care for him spitting his dip during a postgame interview with Julia Morales.

These issues need to be addressed by Hinch or someone higher up in the organization before it gets way out of hand because they’re also to blame for allowing him to let his swagger run wild.

[unionstation82]

Mar 13, 2019 8:06:25 GMT -6 Saint said:

Tony Sipp signs with the Nationals. $1.25 million 1-year deal with a 2nd year option.

[unionstation82]

Mar 13, 2019 10:39:47 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

Mar 13, 2019 10:33:01 GMT -6 unionstation82 said:

Are you saying the changing of his approach was due to some bad attitude?

Y'all are concerned about his attitude. Bregman thought if he batted 1st he'd get pitches to hit. It doesn't work that way

You make it sound like he filled out the lineup card himself.

[Saint]

Altuve coming along well, supposedly. Hopefully he gets into a few more games before the season starts.

[Saint]

Disgruntled or not, I don't think Bregman is the kind of guy who will let it mess with his production. Like pretty much everybody else on the team, if he performs somewhere between how he did in 2017 and 2018, I'll be pretty pleased.

[bearbryant]

Mar 13, 2019 10:45:15 GMT -6 unionstation82 said:

Mar 13, 2019 10:39:47 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

Y'all are concerned about his attitude. Bregman thought if he batted 1st he'd get pitches to hit. It doesn't work that way

You make it sound like he filled out the lineup card himself.

Bregman thought if AJ moved him to 1st in the order, the Red Sox would pitch him in the strike zone

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

Mar 13, 2019 10:14:37 GMT -6 Saint said:

On the surface, $1.5 million for him seems like something we should/could have done, but, if we think these young guys are mostly ready, there wasn't really a spot for him. The odds of him out-producing Cionel Perez are slim.

That's the key, right there. You don't hire some scrub like Tony Sipp, regardless of the cost, because his performance doesn't warrant his taking an opportunity away from a guy in your pipeline.

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

I also don't buy into the "Oh, this Yugo sucks, but it only costs $3,000,000! Let's buy it!" method of team management.

[Saint]

Good to see Diaz having a good game against a tough pitcher.

[unionstation82]

Mar 13, 2019 11:09:10 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

Mar 13, 2019 10:14:37 GMT -6 Saint said:

On the surface, $1.5 million for him seems like something we should/could have done, but, if we think these young guys are mostly ready, there wasn't really a spot for him. The odds of him out-producing Cionel Perez are slim.

That's the key, right there. You don't hire some scrub like Tony Sipp, regardless of the cost, because his performance doesn't warrent his taking an opportunity away from a guy in your pipeline.

Your anger over Sipp led to a spelling error. Who hacked your account?

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

Mar 13, 2019 12:43:25 GMT -6 unionstation82 said:

Mar 13, 2019 11:09:10 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

That's the key, right there. You don't hire some scrub like Tony Sipp, regardless of the cost, because his performance doesn't warrant his taking an opportunity away from a guy in your pipeline.

Your anger over Sipp led to a spelling error. Who hacked your account?

[blcoach8]

Mar 13, 2019 10:41:03 GMT -6 unionstation82 said:

Mar 12, 2019 23:55:42 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

I saw a picture today of the team from last year when they visited the White House. Everyone was dressed in nice suits...except for Bregman, who was wearing a fecking checkered suit that looked like something Herb Tarlek would wear. He’s an idiot. 

I don’t mind him dressing like a douche as long as he doesn’t behave like one. I’m not a fan of his online antics, which began when he started cursing at some random fan on Twitter for suggesting that he be traded for a starting pitcher (maybe Sale). Then, there was his “Operation BTSOOTR” nonsense tweet before a series with the Rangers. He gets so cocky that he doesn’t care about providing opponents with bulletin board material. I also didn’t care for him spitting his dip during a postgame interview with Julia Morales.

These issues need to be addressed by Hinch or someone higher up in the organization before it gets way out of hand because they’re also to blame for allowing him to let his swagger run wild.

He craves attention and always wants to be noticed.  Good plyer but, acts like a punk.

[blcoach8]

Mar 13, 2019 10:57:51 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

Mar 13, 2019 10:45:15 GMT -6 unionstation82 said:

You make it sound like he filled out the lineup card himself.

Bregman thought if AJ moved him to 1st in the order, the Red Sox would pitch him in the strike zone

His job is not to make out the lineup, but, bat where he is told.  Again, he needs to keep his damn mouth shut.

[bearbryant]

Mar 13, 2019 13:53:22 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

Mar 13, 2019 10:57:51 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

Bregman thought if AJ moved him to 1st in the order, the Red Sox would pitch him in the strike zone

His job is not to make out the lineup, but, bat where he is told.  Again, he needs to keep his damn mouth shut.

Like I said, Bregman was moved to leadoff so the lineup could take advantage of his plate patience. He shouldn't have changed his plate approach. I don't know why y'all keep saying he told everyone
where to bat. The manager did that

[olpapa]

Mar 13, 2019 17:02:17 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

Mar 13, 2019 13:53:22 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

His job is not to make out the lineup, but, bat where he is told.  Again, he needs to keep his damn mouth shut.

Like I said, Bregman was moved to leadoff so the lineup could take advantage of his plate patience. He shouldn't have changed his plate approach. I don't know why y'all keep saying he told everyone
where to bat. The manager did that

Was it Bregman or was it Hinch who told everyone where to bat? That is the question. This sounds like a job for a insider. Maybe Nathan will check with his sources and get this all cleared up.

[thomasj13]

Mar 13, 2019 18:29:06 GMT -6 olpapa said:

Mar 13, 2019 17:02:17 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

Like I said, Bregman was moved to leadoff so the lineup could take advantage of his plate patience. He shouldn't have changed his plate approach. I don't know why y'all keep saying he told everyone
where to bat. The manager did that

Was it Bregman or was it Hinch who told everyone where to bat? That is the question. This sounds like a job for a insider. Maybe Nathan will check with his sources and get this all cleared up.

Put out the Nat Signal!

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

MLB, MLBPA Agree To Single Trade Deadline, Changes To Roster Size

By Steve Adams | March 13, 2019 at 10:53pm CDT



Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have reached an agreement on a series of changes regarding roster construction, per both Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required) and Jeff Passan of ESPN. While it seems that this wave of agreed-upon changes will not technically impact actual in-game rules, the two sides have agreed to make July 31 a hard deadline for the completion of trades, thus doing away with the convoluted August waiver system. That change will go into effect for the 2019 season, and beginning in 2020, the standard roster size will expand from 25 to 26 (with a 13-pitcher maximum). September rosters, meanwhile, will shrink from 40 to 28 (with a 14-pitcher maximum).



As Passan details, the All-Star Game selection process will also be getting a facelift in 2019. Fans will still be permitted to cast votes online, but the top three players at each position will then be included in a newly implemented All-Star “Election Day” which figures to provide new avenues to marketing the game’s top talent both in mainstream media and via social media.



The precise manner in which the singular trade deadline will impact action on the summer trade market won’t be known for certain until we have multiple seasons of data, but from a distance it figures to heighten July trade activity. Contending clubs, one would imagine, will be forced to be more aggressive when seeking to acquire talent, while borderline teams who would previously have waited until mid- or late-August to sell off assets in a series of waiver claims will now be forced to make a decision much sooner. The idea is divisive among the GMs to whom Rosenthal spoke, but it seems that the Union’s hope is that pushing up the final date for in-season improvements will also prompt expected contenders to be a bit more aggressive in the offseason.



The broadest, most far-reaching development comes from Passan. As part of the recent agreement, both the league and the Union have already agreed to “imminently” begin discussing the labor issues that have been thrust to the forefront of the industry despite the fact that the current collective bargaining agreement doesn’t expire until 2021. Among the topics to be discussed will be the state of free agency, service time manipulation and the luxury tax.



The MLBPA, player representatives and players themselves have become increasingly frustrated with the current state of free agency, lamenting the stagnant market (particularly for second- and third-tier free agents). While many are quick to point out that in some instances, players have harmed their own markets by aiming too high early in the offseason (e.g. Dallas Keuchel, Craig Kimbrel), one of the greater issues on the player side has been the slow disappearance of the so-called “middle class” of free agency. Players such as Adam Jones (via USA Today’s Bob Nightengale), Matt Wieters (via MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch) and Brad Brach (via The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney) are among the many who’ve been open about frustrating forays into the open market. Veterans Justin Verlander, Marcus Stroman and numerous others have been active on social media in calling out the glacial pace of free agency.



While commissioner Rob Manfred has staunchly dismissed suggestions that a significant portion of the league is no longer attempting to win, players and Union officials have decried widespread tanking/rebuilding efforts that have created decreasing levels of parity and discouraged teams from venturing into free agency amid record MLB revenues.



It’s an exorbitantly layered conversation and one to which there’s no clear and easy fix, so it’s promising that the two sides have agreed to at least begin even preliminary discussions that could lead to a system which all parties find more palatable. Certainly, there won’t be any resolution on those issues anytime in the near future, but the early efforts to maintain labor peace will assuredly be among the more fascinating storylines to follow in the months and possibly years to come.

[thomasj13]

Mar 13, 2019 23:41:11 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

MLB, MLBPA Agree To Single Trade Deadline, Changes To Roster Size

By Steve Adams | March 13, 2019 at 10:53pm CDT



Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have reached an agreement on a series of changes regarding roster construction, per both Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required) and Jeff Passan of ESPN. While it seems that this wave of agreed-upon changes will not technically impact actual in-game rules, the two sides have agreed to make July 31 a hard deadline for the completion of trades, thus doing away with the convoluted August waiver system. That change will go into effect for the 2019 season, and beginning in 2020, the standard roster size will expand from 25 to 26 (with a 13-pitcher maximum). September rosters, meanwhile, will shrink from 40 to 28 (with a 14-pitcher maximum).



As Passan details, the All-Star Game selection process will also be getting a facelift in 2019. Fans will still be permitted to cast votes online, but the top three players at each position will then be included in a newly implemented All-Star “Election Day” which figures to provide new avenues to marketing the game’s top talent both in mainstream media and via social media.



The precise manner in which the singular trade deadline will impact action on the summer trade market won’t be known for certain until we have multiple seasons of data, but from a distance it figures to heighten July trade activity. Contending clubs, one would imagine, will be forced to be more aggressive when seeking to acquire talent, while borderline teams who would previously have waited until mid- or late-August to sell off assets in a series of waiver claims will now be forced to make a decision much sooner. The idea is divisive among the GMs to whom Rosenthal spoke, but it seems that the Union’s hope is that pushing up the final date for in-season improvements will also prompt expected contenders to be a bit more aggressive in the offseason.



The broadest, most far-reaching development comes from Passan. As part of the recent agreement, both the league and the Union have already agreed to “imminently” begin discussing the labor issues that have been thrust to the forefront of the industry despite the fact that the current collective bargaining agreement doesn’t expire until 2021. Among the topics to be discussed will be the state of free agency, service time manipulation and the luxury tax.



The MLBPA, player representatives and players themselves have become increasingly frustrated with the current state of free agency, lamenting the stagnant market (particularly for second- and third-tier free agents). While many are quick to point out that in some instances, players have harmed their own markets by aiming too high early in the offseason (e.g. Dallas Keuchel, Craig Kimbrel), one of the greater issues on the player side has been the slow disappearance of the so-called “middle class” of free agency. Players such as Adam Jones (via USA Today’s Bob Nightengale), Matt Wieters (via MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch) and Brad Brach (via The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney) are among the many who’ve been open about frustrating forays into the open market. Veterans Justin Verlander, Marcus Stroman and numerous others have been active on social media in calling out the glacial pace of free agency.



While commissioner Rob Manfred has staunchly dismissed suggestions that a significant portion of the league is no longer attempting to win, players and Union officials have decried widespread tanking/rebuilding efforts that have created decreasing levels of parity and discouraged teams from venturing into free agency amid record MLB revenues.



It’s an exorbitantly layered conversation and one to which there’s no clear and easy fix, so it’s promising that the two sides have agreed to at least begin even preliminary discussions that could lead to a system which all parties find more palatable. Certainly, there won’t be any resolution on those issues anytime in the near future, but the early efforts to maintain labor peace will assuredly be among the more fascinating storylines to follow in the months and possibly years to come.

The so-called middle class players were either average or has been players that for far too long benefited too greatly in FA, when other teams overpaid for them in both salary and years
Finally it looks like MLB teams have wised up, either the middle class player signs a reasonable contract, in both in money and years, or teams will look more from within. Only the really elite players should make elite money.
And cry me a river if a middle class player thinks 7 digit annual salaries, instead of 8, is poverty level. No fan or TV revenue is paying good money for the 2019 Adam Jones, Matt Wieters of the world to play ball.
If they want to even playing field for middle class players then have players in the minors and rookie+arbitration players get paid more....then teams might decide is it better to sign or re-sign the average player or time to promote from within.

[Deleted]

Elimination of the September 1st 40 day roster?

Sad.  One of the few joys of the game for the fans of the dozen or so teams who are pretty much out of it by September 1st?

The abiity to see how their prospects fare at the MLB level.  Now only two players have the chance, unless you stupidly shuttle them like a subway.

I am so damned tired of MLB making stupid mistakes.

[marshall]

Mar 14, 2019 6:25:26 GMT -6 @txheat10k said:

Elimination of the September 1st 40 day roster?

Sad.  One of the few joys of the game for the fans of the dozen or so teams who are pretty much out of it by September 1st?

The abiity to see how their prospects fare at the MLB level.  Now only two players have the chance, unless you stupidly shuttle them like a subway.

I am so damned tired of MLB making stupid mistakes.

I agree that this might be one of the worst suggestions. If they're going to get away from Baseball (ah hem DH), they might as well go all the way and have a team of Pitchers, a team of Hitters and a team of defenders with free substitution thoughout the game. Expand the rosters to 45 players and eliminate any need for roster expansion in September.

[Deleted]

Eerily quiet here today. Not a good sign,

[thomasj13]

Mar 14, 2019 9:47:48 GMT -6 @txheat10k said:

Eerily quiet here today. Not a good sign,

The Ides of March Eve....Plus, it is Spring Break....

[bearbryant]

Mar 13, 2019 18:29:06 GMT -6 olpapa said:

Mar 13, 2019 17:02:17 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

Like I said, Bregman was moved to leadoff so the lineup could take advantage of his plate patience. He shouldn't have changed his plate approach. I don't know why y'all keep saying he told everyone
where to bat. The manager did that

Was it Bregman or was it Hinch who told everyone where to bat? That is the question. This sounds like a job for a insider. Maybe Nathan will check with his sources and get this all cleared up.

If Bregman dictated the ALCS lineup, leave the possibility he did the same in the All-Star game?

[olpapa]

Mar 14, 2019 10:25:10 GMT -6 bearbryant said:

Mar 13, 2019 18:29:06 GMT -6 olpapa said:

Was it Bregman or was it Hinch who told everyone where to bat? That is the question. This sounds like a job for a insider. Maybe Nathan will check with his sources and get this all cleared up.

If Bregman dictated the ALCS lineup, leave the possibility he did the same in the All-Star game?

Holy Cow! This could be a scandal that explodes like the Me Too movement! What should we label it? Bragmangate?

[blcoach8]

After Verlander and Cole, our starting rotation looks pretty shaky........McHugh, Miley, and ??. The more of these spring training games I see, the more I'm convinced we are a starter short. Luhnow didn't get the job done.

[bearbryant]

Luhnow offered Keuchel a deal according to the news reports. If he doesn't take it, there's not much we can do

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

Mar 14, 2019 12:46:17 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

After Verlander and Cole, our starting rotation looks pretty shaky........McHugh, Miley, and ??. The more of these spring training games I see, the more I'm convinced we are a starter short. Luhnow didn't get the job done.

McPoo isn't the hero we need. Miley hasn't done terribly, but he's no Verlander. Peacock has done well.

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

Great White Shark just tied the game on a BOMB.

[bearbryant]

Mar 12, 2019 23:55:42 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

Mar 12, 2019 19:47:07 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

It is not that he thinks he should be paid more that bothers me.....it's his big mouth.  He seems to always do or say something to call attention to himself. He has a lot of maturing to do.

I saw a picture today of the team from last year when they visited the White House. Everyone was dressed in nice suits...except for Bregman, who was wearing a fecking checkered suit that looked like something Herb Tarlek would wear. He’s an idiot. 

WKRP was an interesting show in that none of the cast did much after it was cancelled, save Loni Anderson and Howard Hessman in some peripheral roles. Tim Reid did become a director and producer
in his own right though