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2019 MLB Thread

Discussion in 'Other Sports Forum' started by Unlucky 13, Nov 2, 2018.

  1. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Sorry to read Buckner passed so young. Dimentia is a *****. But I’m sure Mookie Wilson still sends him holiday cards every year.
     
  2. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Its funny with Buckner, he was a good player for the Cubs for six years, but then they traded him in early 1984 to Boston, and later that season got closer to the World Series than they had been in over 40 years without him with the help of Dennis Eckersley, whom the Red Sox sent back to Chicago.

    Then he of course is a member of the Boston team that nearly wins the Series two years later. He was a blink away from being part of breaking both curses within a three year span.
     
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  3. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    The Cubs are apparently going hard after Craig Kimbrel, now that there won't be any draft pick loss consequences. The money is now available due to the fact that Ben Zobrist seems to be retiring due to personal issues relating to his divorce.

    The pen has been a real rough spot at times this year. Closer Brandon Morrow hasn't played since last July after suffering a setback in his recovery, and setup man Pedro Strop has only pitched 11.2 innings this season as well. But Strop just came back off the DL, and if they can pair him with Kimbrel on the back end, it would be a huge boost. And then if Morrow can eventually come back this season too, they should be awesome for the stretch run and the playoffs.
     
  4. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    Cubs get Kimbrel, Braves get Keuchel. Not the way I would have picked it. I didn't think the Braves were going to be seriously in on either of those guys. I'm happy they were and hope now they're going to do what they can to bring in Mad Bum and Will Smith from the Giants next month. We still have an embarrassment of riches in the farm system, so I feel like they can get them depending on what the Giants ask and what they're willing to part ways with. I'd package Camargo with a mix of prospects and hope they bite, he's pretty blocked out of the lineup right now and is getting nowhere as a bench player.
     
  5. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Given the issues that the Phillies have had, I think that really going for it this year is a great idea for Atlanta, too. Do what you need to do. Has Carmago been injured? He was really good a year ago, but his stats have fallen off a cliff this season.

    The Cubs don't really have prospects to trade away, having used those chips the last few years already. So signing Kimbrel as a FA was a real necessity if they were going to make a big move. Anything else the rest of the way will likely me very modest for them, unless a team falls out of contention and is basically giving an older guy away at the deadline.

    They have a desperate need for an offensive catalyst at the top of the order who can regularly get on base to set the table, but that's not likely to happen until the offseason, when they likely look to move Kyle Schwarber and Addison Russell.
     
  6. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    Camargo hasn't been injured, he seems to just be having a bit of trouble adjusting to not playing every day. As of late he's looked a little better in his appearances. I don't know if playing everyday is anywhere in his immediate future, given Riley's emergence. No way Donaldson is brought back after this season, but Riley is the future at 3B. If I was GM I would include Camargo as part of a deal for a starter or closer. Our bench wouldn't suffer that much with Joyce playing well and Culberson being ridiculously clutch in his late inning appearances. Camargo is still young and should have good value so a trade wouldn't surprise me.

    Getting at least a proven closer and maybe another quality starter would give the Braves the ammo they need to stay on top of the East IMO. Hopefully they can pull off a good deal next month.
     
  7. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    There is no question that the ball is juiced this season, which had lead to the whole game feeling different. But its still good when your team can set a cool record. First NL team ever with five players to hit 15+ HRs before July 1st. The Braves have a shot at joining them before the Calendar turns, if either Albies or Riley gets hot.

    When David Bote hits his next one, they'll have seven guys with 10+. They're on pace to tie last season's Dodgers for the record for most players with 20+ in a season. Only eight NL teams have ever had six guys hit 20, but six of those have come int the last three years (including the 2017 Cubs).

    The Cubs are also still on pace to become the first ever team with five 30+ HR guys in a single season, but there are several teams in the AL who are threatening as well.

    The Cubs, Brewers and Dodgers are all currently on pace to set the NL record for most team HRs in a single season.
     
  8. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    We just got to five with 15+ homers last night, so didn't quite make it in June. Riley's stayed mostly hot but he knows he needs to strikeout less and walk more. Donaldson has gotten his power back in the past couple of weeks and that's been pretty big.

    I personally don't like the juiced ball. Isn't it just going to put an asterick next to HR stats from here on out? IMO more balls in play is the key to a better game, they don't necessarily have to all be over the wall.... I'm waiting to see MLB start to trend back towards workhorse pitchers who can pitch efficiently, induce weak contact, and go deeper into ball games. The bullpen epidemic could force GMs' hands in this respect. MLB hitters are getting younger and those mid to upper 90s fastballs aren't playing quite as well as they once did.
     
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  9. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Mets are looking at Joe Girardi as a potential replacement for Mickey Callaway. Can’t happen soon enough. Now they need to find Mariano Rivera, Billy Wagner, and Trevor Hoffman for the bullpen....
     

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  10. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Hey wait a minute, he's going to be the Cubs manager when we let Maddon go! Keep your hands off!
     
  11. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Screw that...every time he announces a met game (which is rare) hes practically asking for the job! We need him more at this point. Yall have theo running things...we have a bunch of ****ing idiots
     
  12. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    That's going to be a pretty good upgrade. Mets need better personnel moves too. That Cano contract is looking really bad. They have some building blocks though. Outside of Alonso and DeGrom, McNeil looks really good. I know this probably isn't what any team in NYC wants to happen, but a partial rebuild is probably in order for them.
     
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  13. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    It may not be what we want but its what we needed. I thought diaz would at least help that bullpen and that trade looks really bad if Kelenic becomes the mookie betts like player i think hes going to be. And Justin Dunn would have slotted in real nice for Wheeler if they let Wheeler walk...
     
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  14. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    It took until July 17th in his second year with the team, but Yu Darvish finally won a game at Wrigley. :whistling: He was previously 0-6 with a 5.72 ERA in 14 appearances.
     
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  15. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Trades finally starting to roll in with Stroman going to ... the Mets?

    Honestly feels like they got a steal unless this turns into an outlier for Stroman. At this point, wonder if they sell anything, or try to roll into next year with DeGrom, Thor, Stro and maybe resign Wheeler. New manager, maybe another key fielder added.

    Really though, hard to believe nobody else was willing to pony up.
     
  16. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    The Cubs were talking about him too, but they just learned they'll get Ben Zobrist bsvm in a few weeks for the stretch run. They don't have many prospects to give up anyways, so this makes more sense.
     
  17. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    Yeah. I think that's a great trade for the Mets though I don't know the prospects. I thought they might be sellers but I guess they still think they're in it
     
  18. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    The feeling seems to be that the Mets know that they're out of it this year, but that they feel like they've majorly underachieved, and that Stroman will help set them up to challenge for the division in 2020. I read that he's also from NYC, and that the Mets think that gives them a leg up on resigning him long term.
     
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  19. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    I guess they're going to buy more if the plan is to contend for the East next year. They're not a SP away from contending. This move was puzzling, but they got a good price so there's that at least. They need to add more talent and also build some depth. You can't evaluate their roster in a vacuum. They're trying to pass three other teams that also have a lot of talent, and in some cases a vastly superior crop of prospects in their system. I think a lot of this comes down to the fact that you can't rebuild when you're in the NYC market.
     
  20. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Where as i hated the Diaz/Cano deal because of the prospects i like this because of the prospects. Kay was a at one point in the top 100 but recently fell out as hes struggling in AAA. Hes a low grade #3/decent 4 at best. Simeon Woods Richardson was a top 50 pick in 2018 but a ways away. Hes got a strong k rate in A Ball but hes at least 2 years away and has to clean up his peripherals in a big way. I think he ends up a reliever or a back end starter at best.

    I was puzzled by the deal but if its to flip stroman or use him to replace Wheeler or Thor next year, its not the worst idea.
    That last line is BS. The Yankees just did it a few years ago when Judge, Severino, Sanchez, Betances, Andujar, Torres etc came through their system or were traded for in a short span of time. The Wilpons, because Fred is old, dont want a rebuild which is why Van Wagenen was chosen in the first place. Unfortunately the Wilpons have always been very shortsighted that way.

    The move was puzzling though. Stroman and Matz were opponents in high school. Stromans father wanted him to go to the NYY while you can find pictures of Stroman in mets gear (he was at Johans no hitter). Incidentally, Kay who was dealt to Toronto in the deal, was also from Long Island like Matz and Stroman.
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2019
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  21. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    The interesting part about the deadline is im just wondering how Brodie can screw this up more. If he moves Diaz hes going to be selling low. But hes floating him. If he moves Thor, he better get 2 stud prospects, but Houston doesnt want to move Tucker supposedly, NYY doesnt want to move Deivi Garcia, the pads dont want to move their top 3 prospects (Tatis, Gore, Urias)...basically everyone wants Thor but no one wants to give anything.

    The mets best play is to ink wheeler to an extension pulling him off the market, and thereby creating a supply/demand issue for high end starters. Basically you can give prospects for a rental like Minor or you can give better prospects for a pitcher with 2 more years of team control after this year, multiple all star appearances, and a couple of strong postseasons to his credit and still 26.

    Your move Brodie. #DontMessItUp
     
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  22. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Minor isn't a rental, he's signed for at least 1 more year.

    That said, I think the Stroman trade may actually set the pitcher trade bar fairly low. Didn't even have to give up a top 100 guy to get a top of the line pitcher? Stro has struggled in other seasons, and pitchers are notoriously volatile, but sometimes they really do turn a corner. This year with all the talk, it was hard to see him going for such a small price but they pulled it off. No way other teams are lining up to trade to 20-50 guys now unless they get really desperate.

    The Dodgers are the one team I could see maybe giving up a top guy for a top guy. Gavin Lux for Felipe Vasquez makes sense and would have shades of the Torres for Chapman deal that helped propel the Cubs to a championship. The Dodgers just can't afford to tread water and come up short.
     
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  23. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

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    Astros just got Greinke.
     
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  24. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Glad to have him out of the NL!
     
  25. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    The Cubs traded for RF/3B Nick Castellanos of the Tigers. He gives them a big upgrade as a right handed bat for the rest of this season, but he is a free agent after the year, so it might just be a rental.

    The deeper, interesting side story is that the Cubs have been in on Castellanos since the 2010 draft, when he was linked to them. Then after Theo took over in the Autumn of 2011, he proceeded to be one of the main prospects that was talked about with starting the rebuild for several years, including after he made it to the bigs. So as a Cubs fan, its like we finally got our man after almost a decade, lol.

    I suspect that his playing time will mostly bench Albert Almora to being a defensive replacement, and Kyle Schwarber won't face lefties anymore. Jason Heyward will likely move into CF against lefties, with Castellanos and Kris Bryant at the corners and David Bote at 3B.
     
  26. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    Anthopolous and the Braves did some work today, shoring up the bullpen and not giving up any top prospects in the process. Allard was I believe the highest rated prospect we gave up.

    The Blue Jays and Mets definitely screwed up the starter market.
     
  27. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Sounds about right. He will definitely give them some pop, especially against lefties. It gives Maddon options, which he can't get enough of. If Zobrist comes back and plays to his average they can still make some big noise. That bullpen though ...

    Of all the teams though, wtf are the Yankees doing? Sitting on their *** after their staff got thrown in the dumpster by the Twins and Reds and then see their biggest threat pull off a trade for a legit ace and two high level bullpen arms?
     
  28. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    The Cubs have pop in spades. They're also excellent at taking walks. But their #3 NL mark in OPS masks the fact that they suck at just about everything else. Without the homers, all they do is hit into a bunch of double plays and strike out, unfortunately. I wouldn't trade their big 5 of Baez, Bryant, Rizzo, Contrares and Heyward for any in MLB. But the rest of the team offers nothing beyond homers, and even those five can't get singles and doubles with men on base. Hopefully, Nick adds something new that they've been lacking and can be a sparkplug. I'm betting that the rest of the position roster beyond those big five looks drastically different next April than it has most of this season. Barring the magic happening and the team getting on a really hot streak, this season doesn't seem like its going to be special.
     
  29. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Almora has been godawful at the plate, it's a huge shame that he can't put up better numbers and hasn't really developed. Russell's regression/abuse issues and Zobrist's regression/different off field issues have been killer as well, turning 2b into an offensive black hole. Otherwise, yeah they really have struggled with just grinding out runs at times, their starters have been hugely inconsistent and their bullpen has been a dumpster fire.

    That core you mention has the potential - especially if a few of the pitchers get hot - to propel them into the playoffs, and neither the Brewers nor Cards got any significant help, so they SHOULD carry the division ... but we will see. I don't know what they can do about remaking the team though, unless they really are gonna pull the trigger on an offseason Bryant trade.
     
  30. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Well, they should have a good bit of payroll becoming available this offseason, so cold hard cash and free agents is one way they'll be able to build. I also expect that they'll try to trade Schwarber to an AL team, and the return for that could be pitching, prospects, or even a big contract on a pretty good player that the other club wants to move, but the Cubs can afford. They really need to get guys at 2B and CF who can regularly get on base via the base hit with singles and doubles, who regularly put the ball in play, and who aren't taken away by the shift. (shifting has KILLED Rizzo and Schwarber this year). Depending on how things go, Castellanos himself might be an option to extend, and then play LF.

    I didn't want Addison Russell back this year. Mostly for his DV troubles, but also his knack for playing below his ceiling most of the time. And yeah, Almora (Theo's first pick with the Cubs at #6 in 2012) was supposed to be Derrek Jeter Light in CF. Hasn't worked out that way.
     
  31. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    No one offered the Jays anything worthwhile besides the Mets. And all the Mets got were a bunch of lowball offers for Wheeler and Noah. So the only ones who screwed up the starter market was the mindset of some GM’s just being cheap with their willingness to give up anything worthwhile. You can say what you want about Wheeler being a free agent but the ability to tender him guarantees them a top 2 round pick. So basically what you’re giving up has to be at least worth that.
     
  32. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    He’s a butcher on defense but he can hit.
     
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  33. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Schwarber won't fetch much more than they gave up for Castellanos frankly - he has never realized his peak either. Salary wise, they are losing Hamels, Zobrist and a few relievers. It's not a ton of relief, and they will need to replace Hamels. A lot will be decided if the Rickets are open to spending a few extra bucks or not. Ian Happ has a shot to put himself back in the conversation (either as a valuable player or valuable trade chip), but he hasn't been promising. Guess we will see.
     
  34. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    Really happy the Yankees didn't give away the farm for a pitcher. We certainly could have used one but everyone was asking for the world for these guys thinking we were desperate enough to do it. Sometimes the best trade is no trade
     
  35. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Reports were the DBacks wanted Frazier plus a 3 prospect package headlined by Clarke Schmidt. From what I can see, he's generally considered about the #5 ranked in the Yankee's system. Essentially, the Grienke package with lower ranked guys. Hard to think they couldn't have ponied up a better offer than what the Mets gave for Stroman. And clearly, Bauer was available as well and would have been a good fit. From a different standpoint, they could have added some more high leverage bullpen guys and potentially limited some of their starter's innings. Just standing completely pat while watching a few competitors improve quite a bit is tough to swallow. At least the Red Sox didn't do **** either.

    I dunno, while it's tough to lose prospects, if they get bounced early in the playoffs because of **** pitching, that's a really bad decision.

    You'll have to hope Voit's injury isn't as severe as it seems and that he comes back for the playoffs. While EE and DJ give some insurance there, it's a big loss. Someone like Castellanos would have potentially made sense.
     
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  36. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    Sorry, but they pulled the trigger on the deal days before the deadline. If you have half a brain you at least wait until the last day to see if any buyers up their offer. They accepted peanuts from the Mets for Stroman and set the bar low days before the deadline. Terrible job by the Blue Jays GM. The Mets got a great deal for Stroman, but at the same time, why would anybody offer anything worth a crap for Wheeler or Thor after seeing how cheap Stroman was?
     
  37. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    After today, the Cubs now have 20 more wins at home than they do on the road. In fact, their road record is comparable with some of the worst teams in baseball, like Baltimore and Miami. At this point, they would need to go 20-7 on the road the rest of the way to end up .500 away from home. And yet, they're 3 games up on the division, so they better just keep winning games at Wrigley!

    They play their next ten on the road though, so if things don't change soon, they could find themselves looking up at the Cards and Brewers by the middle of the month....
     
  38. Boik14

    Boik14 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Big 6 games for the Mets vs Washington then Philly. Didn’t think I’d be saying that 2-3 weeks ago. Keep on raking Polar Bear (Alonso) and the Flying Squirrel (McNeil) and pitching (best SP WAR since adding Stroman)
     
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  39. muscle979

    muscle979 Season Ticket Holder

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    They're legitimately in the wild card conversation now. A pretty impressive run actually, considering where they were before. Trading for Stroman doesn't look as bizarre anymore.

    I will say that Atlanta should send a thank you card for Hechevarria, the right player at the right time for us, with Swanson still out at SS.
     
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