Baseball 2016 (3 Viewers)

[jazzeum]

Tribe have acquired Andrew Miller and are on the verge of acquiring Lucroy. If the Lucroy deal goes through they are probably the team to beat in the AL.

Looks like it's over probably over for the Mets. They keep spluttering and are sinking in the WC. Time to start thinking about 2017 when hopefully everybody will be healthy.

 

[lancer]

Tribe have acquired Andrew Miller and are on the verge of acquiring Lucroy. If the Lucroy deal goes through they are probably the team to beat in the AL.

Looks like it's over probably over for the Mets. They keep spluttering and are sinking in the WC. Time to start thinking about 2017 when hopefully everybody will be healthy.

Mets aren't dead yet, Brad. They are having a rough stretch but there are still 59 games to go and we have seen this year already how fast a 6 game lead can go bye-bye.
As to Cleveland, great moves for them. A strong team gets stronger and becomes the favorite. Nice job by their front office. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

Al,

You and I have reversed positions from a year ago {eek3} I may sound like George but I really think they are effectively done. The SP is not healthy but have done a decent job. However, the hitting is abysmal, 202 with RISP, worst in the majors and injuries (not an excuse because everybody has them) and they're losing to teams that they should beat. If they're still in the doldrums come September 1, they should think about shutting Matz and Syndergaard down so they can have their surgeries.

This could be your guys' year; they're playing as well as anyone and now they have a top shelf closer.

Brad

 

[lancer]

Al,

You and I have reversed positions from a year ago {eek3} I may sound like George but I really think they are effectively done. The SP is not healthy but have done a decent job. However, the hitting is abysmal, 202 with RISP, worst in the majors and injuries (not an excuse because everybody has them) and they're losing to teams that they should beat. If they're still in the doldrums come September 1, they should think about shutting Matz and Syndergaard down so they can have their surgeries.

This could be your guys' year; they're playing as well as anyone and now they have a top shelf closer.

Brad

Brad, with the acquisition of Melancon, I am a LOT more optimistic about the Nats chances. Papelbon wasn't close to getting the job done, so hopefully Melancon will fill the gap. If the Nats ever get Zimmerman and Harper hitting to potential they will become a very tough team to beat but both are having down years as of now.
I hope the Mets injured pitchers can recover ok. Rivals or not, that is a fun bunch of pitchers to watch with many years ahead of them. I still think it is capable of being the best starting staff in baseball. -- Al

 

[lancer]

I see that Tyler Clippard has been traded to the NYY's by the Diamondbacks. Clippard started with the NYY's before coming to the Nats and becoming a crucial part of the bullpen for 7 years from 2008 thru 2014. He was lights out for most of his time with the Nats, but hasn't been the same since leaving. I wish him well in NY. He was a class act for DC. -- l

 

[Terp152]

Hope the Os can pull out of their downward spiral. :redface2: Tillman pitches today. Chris

 

[jazzeum]

Brad, with the acquisition of Melancon, I am a LOT more optimistic about the Nats chances. Papelbon wasn't close to getting the job done, so hopefully Melancon will fill the gap. If the Nats ever get Zimmerman and Harper hitting to potential they will become a very tough team to beat but both are having down years as of now.
I hope the Mets injured pitchers can recover ok. Rivals or not, that is a fun bunch of pitchers to watch with many years ahead of them. I still think it is capable of being the best starting staff in baseball. -- Al

Al, next year possibly, because everybody plus Wheeler should be healthy. I firmly believe that last year's run may have taxed their young arms.

I see that Lucroy has vetoed the trade to the Indians. What is he thinking (no offense to Pete)? Maybe he's more comfortable in a situation that isn't stressful, read that as no expectations or need to produce.

 

[Warrior]

Tribe have acquired Andrew Miller and are on the verge of acquiring Lucroy. If the Lucroy deal goes through they are probably the team to beat in the AL.

Looks like it's over probably over for the Mets. They keep spluttering and are sinking in the WC. Time to start thinking about 2017 when hopefully everybody will be healthy.

Wow, the MFY's traded both Chapman and Miller, talk about waving the white flag, so much for that lights out back end of the bullpen and for them being all in and having that "never give up because we're the MFY's and we don't tank seasons" that I've heard so much about.........:wink2:

I don't get it to be honest; they'd better get some quality ML talent in return that will be big league ready sooner than later or else................

 

[jazzeum]

Girardi claims they haven't done so. Betances will become the closer and Clippard the 8th inning guy.

There is talk that Mets will become sellers before August 31 if they're sinking on the WC.

 

[lancer]

The NYY's have cut their 'lights out' bullpen from 3 innings to 2 innings with these latest moves, a step backwards but not disastrously so, assuming that Betances and Clippard can be lights out. They have picked up several younger players/prospects that they desperately needed. Understandable moves that shouldn't torpedo their season. Still, the trades do totally change the last 3 innings of the game for them. -- Al

 

[lancer]

Nats were lucky to get out of SF with a split considering they couldn't hit and the bullpen struggles. We'll take it and run. Nats have the ability to help struggling opposing pitchers become Cy Young contenders and they have done so all season.:rolleyes2: At any rate, Cain looked good and we could do nothing with him. -- Al

 

[lancer]

O's have made a trade for Seattle LHP Wade Miley, sending 27 y.o. Cuban pitching prospect Ariel Miranda to the Mariners. Miley is about a .500 pitcher career wise, but he is an innings eater, something the O's need. Plus, who can't use a decent LHP as a starter? -- Al

 

[sammy719]

O's have made a trade for Seattle LHP Wade Miley, sending 27 y.o. Cuban pitching prospect Ariel Miranda to the Mariners. Miley is about a .500 pitcher career wise, but he is an innings eater, something the O's need. Plus, who can't use a decent LHP as a starter? -- Al

I just read that al, maybe Buck was reading the forum after my rant last night ^&grin seems to be a decent pitcher, certainly no All Star but at this point we need a lefty to add some where to the pitching staff.

As far as the game today as old Earl Weaver would say "just give me a 3 run homer and some good pitching" I'll take the win, back in first with a day off on Monday to rest up for Texas, hopefully a days rest and a solid win will do the O's some good, Lord we need it after these last few series...Sammy

 

[jazzeum]

If you want Buck to read the Forum, try talking about the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He's a huge fan.

 

[Warrior]

O's have made a trade for Seattle LHP Wade Miley, sending 27 y.o. Cuban pitching prospect Ariel Miranda to the Mariners. Miley is about a .500 pitcher career wise, but he is an innings eater, something the O's need. Plus, who can't use a decent LHP as a starter? -- Al

He was with the Red Sox, maddeningly inconsistent, looked good one start, then got shelled in the next one, got into a shouting match with the manager after being pulled from a game, they almost came to blows.

He is an innings eater though.

Plus I'm sure when he faces the Red Sox, he'll throw a no hitter.............................

 

[Warrior]

Girardi claims they haven't done so. Betances will become the closer and Clippard the 8th inning guy.

There is talk that Mets will become sellers before August 31 if they're sinking on the WC.

See, here's the thing; I don't understand why big market teams like the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, etc, etc, should ever be sellers. To me, sellers at the trade deadline are small market teams that are 900 games out of first place and have a good player who's about to become a free agent and they don't have the money to sign him, so they trade him for young prospects that they hope will become good MLB players and can be cost controlled for a few years.

Which is why I never understood why the Red Sox traded Lester to the A's a few years ago. They let him walk, went with a bunch of #3, #4 and #5 starters last year and it was a disaster, so they went out and paid Price a boatload of money this off season, more than they would have paid for Lester to replace Lester.

And he's been a disaster this year.

Makes zero sense to me.

 

[jazzeum]

Looks like Beltran is out there for the selling. Red Sox are said to be a suitor. There is also a possibility that Arod may be released. He's having a terrible year and they might as well open up a space for a youngster.

 

[lancer]

He was with the Red Sox, maddeningly inconsistent, looked good one start, then got shelled in the next one, got into a shouting match with the manager after being pulled from a game, they almost came to blows.

He is an innings eater though.

Plus I'm sure when he faces the Red Sox, he'll throw a no hitter.............................

George, Miley sounds like he was made to pitch for the O's. They have extensive experience with inconsistent pitchers. Should be perfect fit.:rolleyes2::rolleyes2: -- Al

 

[Louis Badolato]

See, here's the thing; I don't understand why big market teams like the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, etc, etc, should ever be sellers. To me, sellers at the trade deadline are small market teams that are 900 games out of first place and have a good player who's about to become a free agent and they don't have the money to sign him, so they trade him for young prospects that they hope will become good MLB players and can be cost controlled for a few years.

Which is why I never understood why the Red Sox traded Lester to the A's a few years ago. They let him walk, went with a bunch of #3, #4 and #5 starters last year and it was a disaster, so they went out and paid Price a boatload of money this off season, more than they would have paid for Lester to replace Lester.

And he's been a disaster this year.

Makes zero sense to me.

George,

In the Yankees case, it makes perfect sense, due to their own past mistakes. Since around 2000, the Yankees have been giving out big multi-year deals to star players in their 30's (starting with Giambi), and over the last 5 years it has really caught up to them. All these big free agents (A-Roid, Sherman Klump, Teixiera, Jacoby Ellsbury, McCann, Beltran [I know, not this year in his case], Chase Headley) are past their prime due to age, injury and/or the absence of performance enhancing substances, and with all these has-beens on the team, the Yankees have not been able to rise beyond mediocrity. If the Yankees continued as buyers, they would perpetuate the problem, merely picking up more has-beens and bad contracts. By trading Chapman (free agent), Beltran (free agent), Nova (free agent) and Miller (2 years on contact), they are picking up multiple young top prospects. If even one from each deal works out, the Yanks get younger and better, while finally the crazy contracts end this year (Teixiera) and next (Sabbathia and A-Rod). Over the next two seasons, the Yankees will hopefully fill in gaps at third base (with the Cubs top prospect, a shortstop), right field and starting pitcher (with the two top prospects they got from the Indians for Miller), and can use all the money freed up by the bad contracts to try to sign Harper (who will only be 26 years old when he hits free agency) to a blockbuster 10 year deal ending when he turns 36, and is still worth the money). They have a top first base prospect, Byrd, coming back from a shoulder injury next season, so won't waste money on another 1st baseman past his prime. If by draft, trade or free agent signing they can pick up a true ace, the Yankees will be set for another period of dominance after a two year rebuild, something I (and hopefully any other reasonable Yankee fans) can live with after playing over-500 ball since 1995, making the playoffs 17 times in that 21 year period, winning 7 pennants and 5 World Series. I'll sign on for a couple of sub-500 seasons if I can get a young, talented team led by a true superstar following the 2018 season.

 

[jazzeum]

See, here's the thing; I don't understand why big market teams like the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, etc, etc, should ever be sellers. To me, sellers at the trade deadline are small market teams that are 900 games out of first place and have a good player who's about to become a free agent and they don't have the money to sign him, so they trade him for young prospects that they hope will become good MLB players and can be cost controlled for a few years.

Which is why I never understood why the Red Sox traded Lester to the A's a few years ago. They let him walk, went with a bunch of #3, #4 and #5 starters last year and it was a disaster, so they went out and paid Price a boatload of money this off season, more than they would have paid for Lester to replace Lester.

And he's been a disaster this year.

Makes zero sense to me.

Every team has to go through this process of tearing down and rebuilding. In the case of the Yankees, for the last few years they were good enough to have a decent season but not good enough to win it all and not bad enough to get top draft choices. If you looked at this year's team, you knew they were probably good enough to compete for a WC but not to make it to or win the WS. Since the ultimate goal is to win a championship, if you're not good enough for that, you have to change course, which is what they're doing.

The players they received will help them rebuild and when Harper and Jose Fernandez come onto the free market after 2018, they may be in prime position to compete for several years. That's just what George wants to hear.

As for the Mets, they haven't given up yet. They seem to be the favorites to land Jay Bruce. Frankly, I think it's a waste of time but I guess you have to try.