MLB 2025 Season

tempo_n_groove

HesCalledDyer said:

When Adrian Beltre made his MLB debut, Google didn’t exist and Juan Soto was not born. (They’d enter the world 3 & 4 months later, respectively.)

I have Beltre's rookies still.  His cards were of the last of the cards that were just "rookie cards" and not numbered/auto/refractor that is typical now.

Soto spent what, a year in the minors before coming up?

I am noticing a trend with players and coming up fast with a few teams.

HesCalledDyer

I personally think denying someone the HOF because of steroid use is one of the dumbest, most holier-than-thou excuses to not vote for them I've ever heard.  We were all absolutely thrilled about what those guys were doing in the 90s & early 00's.  Now we're on some moral high horse when it comes to career awards & recognition? Why?  When almost the entire league was doing it, why punish the ones who had more success?  It's just like black-balling Lance Armstrong from cycling.  When one cheater beats the other cheaters, he's still better than the athletes in defeat.  Bonds Hall, McGwire Hall, Sosa Hall, Clemens Hall, ARod Hall, Manny Hall, Palmeiro Hall, etc.
I'm not saying everyone should cheat nor am I downplaying "playing the right way" but when the playing field is even, maintained success should still be recognized.

igotid88

Why is it okay to say so and so was already a HOF before steroids and they should be in? But not before an injury/ies?

DewieCox

HesCalledDyer said:

I personally think denying someone the HOF because of steroid use is one of the dumbest, most holier-than-thou excuses to not vote for them I've ever heard.  We were all absolutely thrilled about what those guys were doing in the 90s & early 00's.  Now we're on some moral high horse when it comes to career awards & recognition? Why?  When almost the entire league was doing it, why punish the ones who had more success?  It's just like black-balling Lance Armstrong from cycling.  When one cheater beats the other cheaters, he's still better than the athletes in defeat.  Bonds Hall, McGwire Hall, Sosa Hall, Clemens Hall, ARod Hall, Manny Hall, Palmeiro Hall, etc.
I'm not saying everyone should cheat nor am I downplaying "playing the right way" but when the playing field is even, maintained success should still be recognized.

Im not anti steroid guys. I just think it’s fair to figuratively adjust he numbers and attempt to predict their career trajectory without them. Facts are some of those guys were on a HoF path and some of them weren’t, especially guys like Sosa whose numbers jumped drastically.

DewieCox

igotid88 said:

Why is it okay to say so and so was already a HOF before steroids and they should be in? But not before an injury/ies?

I’d rather them vote in injury prone guys theat didn’t get the numbers than guys that likely wouldn’t have been up to snuff without the juice.

Wobbie

Cliffy6745 said:

tempo_n_groove said:

Cliffy6745 said:

Ketchup sock.

C'mon.  It was a cool moment in BB history.

Literally the least cool moment in baseball history.

fuck curt schilling.

Wobbie

igotid88 said:

Why is it okay to say so and so was already a HOF before steroids and they should be in? But not before an injury/ies?

and......we’re back to mattingly.

igotid88

Wobbie said:

igotid88 said:

Why is it okay to say so and so was already a HOF before steroids and they should be in? But not before an injury/ies?

and......we’re back to mattingly.

there are others. 

cutz

https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1659610

5 ideal trade partners for Mets' Syndergaard

San Diego Padres

The Padres have been the most aggressively linked to Syndergaard after emerging as one of the teams that targeted him during the summer. Their interest makes sense with a rotation featuring Clayton Richard, Joey Lucchesi, Robbie Erlin, and eventually Dinelson Lamet.

Syndergaard would fill the void atop the pitching staff. Wil Myers, who has already been the subject of trade rumors with the Seattle Mariners, could go the other way and serve as much needed first-base help for the Mets, but it would almost certainly not work as a one-for-one.

New York could also use some help at third base. Myers spent some time at the hot corner last season, but it's not obvious that he can stick and may be better served to play first base. San Diego is in a position to deal from the farm system, possibly baseball's best, but barring a surprise offer of Fernando Tatis Jr., that doesn't seem to fit with what the Mets are seeking.

Colorado Rockies

While it's difficult to speculate on the exact pieces that could be involved in a trade, the Mets would have to listen if the Rockies brought up third baseman Nolan Arenado.

Arenado has popped up as a trade candidate this offseason, and he should tick off all the boxes that the Mets are looking for. Over the last four seasons, Arenado has hit .297/.358/.573 with 158 home runs (third most in the majors after Nelson Cruz and Khris Davis). The Mets have Todd Frazier at the hot corner, but he could be used off the bench or moved to first if Dominic Smith continues to flop or if Peter Alonso isn't ready.

The two concerns regarding Arenado will be his impending free agency and whether or not he can hit consistently away from Coors Field. The glove will play everywhere, but he struggles outside Denver's friendly confines. With that in mind, the Rockies may need to sweeten the pot with Syndergaard's cheaper salary and three extra years of control. It won't be top infield prospect Brendan Rodgers, but it could be speedy second baseman Garrett Hampson.

Syndergaard would slot in nicely atop a blooming rotation of German Marquez, Kyle Freeland, Jon Gray, and Tyler Anderson. His arrival could potentially make one of them expendable.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers' rotation was their Achilles' heel in 2018, though they made it work thanks to a ridiculous bullpen. Things already look like they'll be different this coming season with the growing likelihood of Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes joining the starting staff and 2017 ace Jimmy Nelson eventually returning.

Why not cap that off by pursuing Syndergaard? This would take some creativity and could include re-signing Mike Moustakas and offering Travis Shaw plus others to New York. It would be difficult to bid goodbye to Shaw after he's excelled in Milwaukee, but landing a possible generational pitching talent should make that pill easier to swallow.

The question becomes whether or not a player like Eric Thames, Domingo Santana, Keon Broxton, or Jonathan Schoop can generate enough interest to tip the scales without the Brewers also needing to relinquish top infield prospect Keston Hiura.

If the Brewers could cobble together a suitable offer that wouldn't totally gouge their depth, they'd turn their biggest weakness into a strength rather quickly.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have missed the postseason in six of the seven years that Mike Trout has been a full-time player. And that one occasion saw the Kansas City Royals sweep them in a three-game ALDS in 2014.

Think about that for a second. The Angels have yet to win a playoff game in the Mike Trout era. That is a colossal disappointment, and the biggest culprit has been poor starting pitching.

Shohei Ohtani won't pitch in 2019, either, so the current outlook is bleak. Finding a way to get a player like Syndergaard should be a priority, but the current roster makes that idea a difficult one to imagine. Kole Calhoun and Zack Cozart are individuals they wouldn't exactly miss, but the Mets would laugh at that offer. Andrelton Simmons would be intriguing (Amed Rosario could shift to second base), but it would be shocking to see the Angels part with him.

cutz

Houston Astros

Perhaps no would-be contender is in more need of Syndergaard's services than the Astros, especially when considering the years beyond 2019. Both Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander are free agents after the season, so acquiring a top young pitcher with control would help to curb the panic.

For the immediate future, Syndergaard would give Houston a legitimate trio atop the rotation with Lance McCullers Jr. out for the season while replacing free agent Dallas Keuchel without spending huge money on the open market.

Like the Angels, though, the Astros may be somewhat thin in experienced major-league players who they'd be willing to give up. With Alex Bregman's emergence as an MVP candidate, could the Astros be convinced to build a package around shortstop Carlos Correa or outfielder George Springer?

Based on the criteria put forward by the Mets, that would be the most likely avenue, but the cost may be too steep. Springer makes more sense because they could bring up top prospect Kyle Tucker (and the Mets could move Jay Bruce to first base), while finding a Correa replacement would require more roster gymnastics.

cutz

Full article here  https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1655465

Best fits

New York Yankees

• In the Yankees' quest to dethrone the Boston Red Sox, many pundits expect them to go big-game hunting in free agency. Harper isn't a perfect roster fit for them, and now that they've addressed some of their pitching needs by trading for James Paxton, New York could go after Machado. Didi Gregorius is slated to miss a large portion of next season after requiring Tommy John surgery, and although Gleyber Torres could slide over to shortstop, that would leave a different vacancy at second base. Machado in the Bronx makes a lot of sense.

Philadelphia Phillies

• Until both Harper and Machado sign, the Phillies will be tied to both. They have less than $100 million on the books for next season and an ownership that's willing to recklessly spend. They also have a notable need at pretty much every position on the diamond, especially on the left side of the infield.

Chicago White Sox

• The White Sox are a lot further away from a playoff spot than simply adding Machado, but that hasn't stopped the parties from being linked. Perhaps if Yoan Moncada and Lucas Giolito actually take steps forward next year, and if Michael Kopech comes back healthy, they could be close. But, for now, they aren't. What they do have, though, is plenty of payroll room before coming anywhere near the luxury tax. If Chicago is looking for a marketable face that may help lead the younger players into contention, Machado could, conceivably, be it.

Prediction

Machado signs a 10-year, $310-million deal with the Yankees.

tempo_n_groove

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have missed the postseason in six of the seven years that Mike Trout has been a full-time player. And that one occasion saw the Kansas City Royals sweep them in a three-game ALDS in 2014.

Think about that for a second. The Angels have yet to win a playoff game in the Mike Trout era. That is a colossal disappointment, and the biggest culprit has been poor starting pitching.

Shohei Ohtani won't pitch in 2019, either, so the current outlook is bleak. Finding a way to get a player like Syndergaard should be a priority, but the current roster makes that idea a difficult one to imagine. Kole Calhoun and Zack Cozart are individuals they wouldn't exactly miss, but the Mets would laugh at that offer. Andrelton Simmons would be intriguing (Amed Rosario could shift to second base), but it would be shocking to see the Angels part with him.

As an Angels fan I am absolutely pissed that they have the best player on the planet but they can't build a team around him...  They do Have Adell and Maitan coming up soon hopefully so that would be a huge plus to the lineup.

Like mentioned above Calhoun needs to go...  20HR and a 200 BA isn't helping anything... 

tempo_n_groove

HesCalledDyer said:

I personally think denying someone the HOF because of steroid use is one of the dumbest, most holier-than-thou excuses to not vote for them I've ever heard.  We were all absolutely thrilled about what those guys were doing in the 90s & early 00's.  Now we're on some moral high horse when it comes to career awards & recognition? Why?  When almost the entire league was doing it, why punish the ones who had more success?  It's just like black-balling Lance Armstrong from cycling.  When one cheater beats the other cheaters, he's still better than the athletes in defeat.  Bonds Hall, McGwire Hall, Sosa Hall, Clemens Hall, ARod Hall, Manny Hall, Palmeiro Hall, etc.
I'm not saying everyone should cheat nor am I downplaying "playing the right way" but when the playing field is even, maintained success should still be recognized.

TY.  This is my exact feelings too.

tempo_n_groove

DewieCox said:

HesCalledDyer said:

I personally think denying someone the HOF because of steroid use is one of the dumbest, most holier-than-thou excuses to not vote for them I've ever heard.  We were all absolutely thrilled about what those guys were doing in the 90s & early 00's.  Now we're on some moral high horse when it comes to career awards & recognition? Why?  When almost the entire league was doing it, why punish the ones who had more success?  It's just like black-balling Lance Armstrong from cycling.  When one cheater beats the other cheaters, he's still better than the athletes in defeat.  Bonds Hall, McGwire Hall, Sosa Hall, Clemens Hall, ARod Hall, Manny Hall, Palmeiro Hall, etc.
I'm not saying everyone should cheat nor am I downplaying "playing the right way" but when the playing field is even, maintained success should still be recognized.

Im not anti steroid guys. I just think it’s fair to figuratively adjust he numbers and attempt to predict their career trajectory without them. Facts are some of those guys were on a HoF path and some of them weren’t, especially guys like Sosa whose numbers jumped drastically.

Told you that Sosa was a 30/30 guy before juicing...

DewieCox

A barely 30/30 outfielder, .250 batting average, that perennially led the league in strikeouts and never came within a mile of a gold glove isn’t a hall of famer.

tempo_n_groove

DewieCox said:

A barely 30/30 outfielder, .250 batting average, that perennially led the league in strikeouts and never came within a mile of a gold glove isn’t a hall of famer.

Is still a 30/30 player...

When he was leading the league in K's he was hitting big time jacks.

Leading the league in K's doesn't hold weight if you are producing.

LongestRoad

When is Stanton coming back to the Marlins for the win?

cutz

https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1662406

Report: Rival evaluators believe D-Backs intend to move Goldschmidt

Bryan Mcwilliam

3h ago

Jennifer Stewart / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Arizona Diamondbacks look like they want to blow things up.

With rumors already circulating about them willing to listen to offers for Paul Goldschmidt and Zack Greinke, some rival evaluators believe Arizona is intent on moving Goldschmidt as they enter a rebuild, reports ESPN's Buster Olney.

Even though Goldschmidt has been one of the National League's best players since 2013, the market for first basemen isn't strong.

One evaluator estimates the D-Backs' return for Goldschmidt would be more than what the Pittsburgh Pirates received for Andrew McCutchen from the San Francisco Giants, but less than what the Baltimore Orioles acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Manny Machado, Olney adds.

SF	PIT
Andrew McCutchen	Bryan Reynolds
Cash	Kyle Crick
	Intl bonus money

LAD	BAL
Manny Machado	Rylan Bannon
	Yusniel Diaz
	Dean Kremer
	Zach Pop
	Breyvic Valera

The Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals already had reported talks with Arizona about the 31-year-old, who will reach free agency at the end of next season.

Rival executives tell Olney the Cardinals are open to discussing big ideas.

Goldschmidt finished sixth in NL MVP voting in 2018 (his fourth top-10 finish) even after a miserable May that featured a .144 batting average and .531 OPS. He finished the season hitting .290/.389/.533 with 33 home runs and 83 RBIs.

He's set to earn $14.5 million in 2019.

tempo_n_groove

cutz said:

https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1662406

Report: Rival evaluators believe D-Backs intend to move Goldschmidt

Bryan Mcwilliam

3h ago

Jennifer Stewart / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Arizona Diamondbacks look like they want to blow things up.

With rumors already circulating about them willing to listen to offers for Paul Goldschmidt and Zack Greinke, some rival evaluators believe Arizona is intent on moving Goldschmidt as they enter a rebuild, reports ESPN's Buster Olney.

Even though Goldschmidt has been one of the National League's best players since 2013, the market for first basemen isn't strong.

One evaluator estimates the D-Backs' return for Goldschmidt would be more than what the Pittsburgh Pirates received for Andrew McCutchen from the San Francisco Giants, but less than what the Baltimore Orioles acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Manny Machado, Olney adds.

SF	PIT
Andrew McCutchen	Bryan Reynolds
Cash	Kyle Crick
	Intl bonus money

LAD	BAL
Manny Machado	Rylan Bannon
	Yusniel Diaz
	Dean Kremer
	Zach Pop
	Breyvic Valera

The Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals already had reported talks with Arizona about the 31-year-old, who will reach free agency at the end of next season.

Rival executives tell Olney the Cardinals are open to discussing big ideas.

Goldschmidt finished sixth in NL MVP voting in 2018 (his fourth top-10 finish) even after a miserable May that featured a .144 batting average and .531 OPS. He finished the season hitting .290/.389/.533 with 33 home runs and 83 RBIs.

He's set to earn $14.5 million in 2019.

Goldy stunk in the beginning of the season then caught fire.  He would be one hell of a pick up for someone.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

I don’t understand getting rid of a guy like that. He would be exceptional for someone.