Octopus Overlords

Lorini wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 10:26 am Yup, we'll see if they get him. They don't need Machado. I don't know about Harper, the things I've heard about his personality doesn't endear me to him off the bat. On the other hand I'll really miss Puig, made watching the game fun. If they don't get Harper he could be back in 2020.

naednek wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 11:44 am

Lorini wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 10:26 am Yup, we'll see if they get him. They don't need Machado. I don't know about Harper, the things I've heard about his personality doesn't endear me to him off the bat. On the other hand I'll really miss Puig, made watching the game fun. If they don't get Harper he could be back in 2020.

When did dodgers care about personality?

Zaxxon wrote: ↑Fri Jan 11, 2019 8:15 pm Cubs negate financial impact of Addison Russel's domestic violence suspension if he stays on the active roster. Ridiculous.

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 11:54 am Jenrry is 29. Moylan is 40.

Commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement regarding Mejia's reinstatement:

"Under the terms of our collectively bargained Joint Drug Program, a permanently suspended player like Mr. Mejia has the right to apply to me for discretionary reinstatement after serving a minimum of two years. Upon receiving Mr. Mejia's application for reinstatement last year, I invited him to New York to meet with me. During our meeting, Mr. Mejia expressed regret for poor choices he made in the past and assured me that, if reinstated, he would adhere to the terms of the Program going forward. In light of Mr. Mejia's contrition, his commitment to comply with the Program in the future, and the fact that he will have already spent almost four consecutive years suspended without pay, I have decided to grant Mr. Mejia a final chance to resume his professional career."
...
Per the terms of the drug policy a player who tests positive on three different occasions will receive a "permanent suspension" from Major League Baseball. After one year of the suspension the player can apply to the commissioner for discretionary reinstatement which would begin two years after the suspension. Mejia received the suspension on February 12, 2016, which made him eligible to apply at the beginning of '18.

Since Landis' death in 1944, Pete Rose is the only person banned by one of his successors who has not been reinstated.

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 2:46 pm And he signed a minor league contract, right? Is that what Moylan is looking for?

pr0ner wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 2:01 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 11:54 am Jenrry is 29. Moylan is 40.

Jenrry was also banned for life at one point, which is the point of Moylan's tweet. He's not the only one upset, as both Justin Verlander and Josh Reddick have tweeted about Jenrry's signing.

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 2:59 pm Then they need to lobby the MLBPA to change the rules.

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 3:45 pm The statement also says it's his "last chance", so presumably with another violation he'd be really permanently gone. we'd really mean it this time.

LordMortis wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 3:51 pm

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 3:45 pm The statement also says it's his "last chance", so presumably with another violation he'd be really permanently gone. we'd really mean it this time.

pr0ner wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 3:39 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 2:59 pm Then they need to lobby the MLBPA to change the rules.

With Tony Clark in charge?

Steron wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 4:18 pm As a life-long Orioles fan I used to knowing the team won't be relevant in the new season. F-you Chris Davis.

If Chris Davis recovers from a terrible performance last season, the Baltimore Orioles can thank the Texas Rangers.

Davis told reporters during the Orioles' FanFest last weekend that he consulted during the offseason with Rangers' personnel during his six years with the organization.
...
"I made a lot of changes this offseason," Davis told reporters. "I saw a lot of different people, people that I hadn't seen in a decade but that knew me in a younger age when I was in the Rangers' minor league system, and I feel like it just kind of opened me up.

If Chris Davis recovers from a terrible performance last season, the Baltimore Orioles can thank the Texas Rangers.

Davis told reporters during the Orioles' FanFest last weekend that he consulted during the offseason with Rangers' personnel during his six years with the organization.
...
"I made a lot of changes this offseason," Davis told reporters. "I saw a lot of different people, people that I hadn't seen in a decade but that knew me in a younger age when I was in the Rangers' minor league system, and I feel like it just kind of opened me up.

Jaymann wrote: ↑Sat Feb 02, 2019 11:53 am Angels sign Matt Harvey. Isn't he the guy someone here was complaining about?

Exodor wrote: ↑Sat Feb 02, 2019 11:56 am

Jaymann wrote: ↑Sat Feb 02, 2019 11:53 am Angels sign Matt Harvey. Isn't he the guy someone here was complaining about?

Not me, I love Harvey and his tendency to pitch one inning too long.

pr0ner wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 2:01 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Wed Jan 30, 2019 11:54 am Jenrry is 29. Moylan is 40.

Jenrry was also banned for life at one point, which is the point of Moylan's tweet. He's not the only one upset, as both Justin Verlander and Josh Reddick have tweeted about Jenrry's signing.

A three-batter minimum for pitchers

A universal designated hitter

A single trade deadline before the All-Star break

A 20-second pitch clock

The expansion of rosters to 26 men, with a 12-pitcher maximum

Draft advantages for winning teams and penalties for losing teams

A study to lower the mound

A rule that would allow two-sport amateurs to sign major league contracts

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:29 am A three-batter minimum for pitchers - This is the only one I don't like.

Jaymann wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:35 am

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:29 am A three-batter minimum for pitchers - This is the only one I don't like.

Obviously a reaction to starting a pitcher then yanking after one batter. I can see it playing havoc with late inning strategy though.

Jaymann wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:35 am

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:29 am A three-batter minimum for pitchers - This is the only one I don't like.

Obviously a reaction to starting a pitcher then yanking after one batter. I can see it playing havoc with late inning strategy though.

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:38 am

Jaymann wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:35 am

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:29 am A three-batter minimum for pitchers - This is the only one I don't like.

Obviously a reaction to starting a pitcher then yanking after one batter. I can see it playing havoc with late inning strategy though.

Teams would adapt. I just don't think the one batter pitcher is a problem that needs fixing. Maybe have a set amount of time per inning for warming up pitchers excluding those removed for injury. They don't need to throw from the mound - make them warm up in the bullpen and then come pitch.

ImLawBoy wrote:

Jaymann wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:35 am

stessier wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:29 am A three-batter minimum for pitchers - This is the only one I don't like.

Obviously a reaction to starting a pitcher then yanking after one batter. I can see it playing havoc with late inning strategy though.

I don't think the one hitter starter issue is of much concern to anyone, as it's still in the novelty phase. You certainly wouldn't make this drastic of a rule change in response to something like that. I read it as more of a reaction to late inning one-hitter relievers. All the switching can add significant time to the game.

ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 11:41 am I think the pitchers would argue that bullpen mounds are different from field mounds, so they need at least a few tosses to make sure they've got their rhythm. Depending on who has come before them, the indents from pitchers' landing spots could move. That's just my speculation, though. I do think that's an area where we could do something to take some time off of the game that might have a legit impact on overall game length.

Low-revenue teams that succeed -- whether by finishing above .500 or making the playoffs -- would be given greater draft positions or bonus pools under the union's proposal, according to sources. While the depth of the penalties were not clear, the union suggested teams that lose 90-plus games in consecutive years could be affected negatively in the draft.

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 1:55 pm ESPN

Low-revenue teams that succeed -- whether by finishing above .500 or making the playoffs -- would be given greater draft positions or bonus pools under the union's proposal, according to sources. While the depth of the penalties were not clear, the union suggested teams that lose 90-plus games in consecutive years could be affected negatively in the draft.

Exodor wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 2:05 pm

Isgrimnur wrote: ↑Wed Feb 06, 2019 1:55 pm ESPN

Low-revenue teams that succeed -- whether by finishing above .500 or making the playoffs -- would be given greater draft positions or bonus pools under the union's proposal, according to sources. While the depth of the penalties were not clear, the union suggested teams that lose 90-plus games in consecutive years could be affected negatively in the draft.

That's stupid.

Why penalize a team that loses 90+ games in consecutive years?

I'm not a huge fan of Cubs/ Astros style tank and win but I wouldn't want to put a system in place that punishes low-payroll teams for losing. I waited 29 years for the Royals to get back to the playoffs. Punishing them in the draft for sucking is not going to help low-payroll teams compete.

I also hate the must-pitch-to-three-batters rule. I feel like capping pitching staffs at 12 players will be more effective at cutting down on the endless reliever swapping that we see now.

The pitch clock is fine but something also needs to be done to address batters stepping out of the box between every pitch.