Baseball 2016 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter jazzeum
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Panzer ace
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Brad was right, I was wrong, they got to Kluber. And even with all of the ups and downs, even if it took 10 innings, once they scored on him it was the Cubs' night. What a game, what a World Series and what a season.
Congratulations to the Cubs and their fans!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations to the Cubs and their fans!!!!!!!!!!!!
Louis Badolato
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I went to bed when they put the tarp on and missed the ending, which apparently occurred around 1:00 a.m. Eastern time. I will never understand how a sport that is desperate to appeal to kids has its games late enough to ensure almost no kids could see the end of probably the most exciting game 7 in recent memory.
mikemiller1955
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Louis, it's a tragedy MLB couldn't find a way to schedule day games for the WS, especially playing at Wrigley, the classic day game venue. Your point about about young viewers missing out is spot on and MLB seems to not care as this has been a problem for a long time with the WS, but I realize it's all about the advert dollar. Too bad though as baseball is the ultimate day game. -- Al
Combat
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I turned it off when they went to extra innings. I assume they want to capture the west coast audience in prime time, but it makes it almost impossible to ever see the end of a game. At least the people in Chicago were too tired to riot. Talk about overblown hype. I saw pictures of folks writing the names of dead family members on a wall who didn't live long enough to see the Cubs win a WS. Good grief.
jazzeum
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That family members wrote names of deceased family members on the wall doesn't seem odd to me. Being a fan is a lifelong devotion and some never get to enjoy the feeling that you get when your team wins. I recall some Red Sox fans feeling and doing the same in 2004.
Toy Soldier Brigade
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Great game, I watched it all. I was really glad to see the Cubs win.
Panzer ace
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Al/Brad/George/Louis/Michael/Sammy (and everyone else),
I know I say this every year, but I wanted to thank all of you for once again letting me be part of this thread. It is one of my favorites on Treefrog or on any forum that I belong to. The baseball knowledge and fan devotion found here is a constant source of fun and entertainment. It has been a tough year for me for any number of reasons. At times the sport of baseball and indeed this thread have provided an escape, even if only for a few moments, so thank you all again.
So, when do pitchers and catchers report?
Best,
Jason
I know I say this every year, but I wanted to thank all of you for once again letting me be part of this thread. It is one of my favorites on Treefrog or on any forum that I belong to. The baseball knowledge and fan devotion found here is a constant source of fun and entertainment. It has been a tough year for me for any number of reasons. At times the sport of baseball and indeed this thread have provided an escape, even if only for a few moments, so thank you all again.
So, when do pitchers and catchers report?
Best,
Jason
jazzeum
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Thanks Jason. Baseball is a daily part of our lives and when it's gone, and it goes suddenly, you feel a little empty. There is now a void until next Spring. Although I was glad to see the game finally end, I really wanted it to go on.
I still marvel at some of the decisions the managers made. When Davis hit the HR, the game passed into legend. I think both teams emptied the tank. When Chapman took the mound for the ninth that's where the Indians had to win it but Chapman survived on guile and a bunch of sliders. And where have we seen Zobrist do this before. Mr. Clutch. I don't think the Cubs would have been in game 7 if it wasn't for Bryant hitting a HR in game 5. He was a treat to watch as is all their infield. I don't know if yesterday was a great game but it was certainly compelling and a great way to end the Series.
Now that the season is over, the business of baseball has begun anew as there were a lot of moves made today, a trade by the Angels and Tigers but mostly exercise of options on players. The off season has begun.
Brad
I still marvel at some of the decisions the managers made. When Davis hit the HR, the game passed into legend. I think both teams emptied the tank. When Chapman took the mound for the ninth that's where the Indians had to win it but Chapman survived on guile and a bunch of sliders. And where have we seen Zobrist do this before. Mr. Clutch. I don't think the Cubs would have been in game 7 if it wasn't for Bryant hitting a HR in game 5. He was a treat to watch as is all their infield. I don't know if yesterday was a great game but it was certainly compelling and a great way to end the Series.
Now that the season is over, the business of baseball has begun anew as there were a lot of moves made today, a trade by the Angels and Tigers but mostly exercise of options on players. The off season has begun.
Brad
Panzer ace
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Brad:
I seriously had no idea that Chapman even had a slider until I saw him pitch in this World Series. You are also definitely right about Bryant being the unsung hero of the Series. Without him last night probably does not happen.
-Jason
Louis Badolato
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Jason,
Hope springs eternal, in sports and in life. Tough years pass into better ones (even if sometimes it takes 108 years {sm2}). So hang in there. I had a couple of tough years, and although I still have bad days (and bad weeks) I am doing better. Hopefully, by the time pitchers and catchers report, we will both be having good weeks, on ways to good years!:smile2:
Regards,
Louis
This thread has great people on it, which is fitting for America's great game. I'd like to thank all for their participation and the shared knowledge. This is a very interesting and most enjoyable thread and it's because of all of you, which is actually the case for Treefrog in general. Miss baseball already and, like all of you, will have to be satisfied with the hot stove league until the catchers and pitchers report. It was a fantastic season, even if my teams didn't get to the WS, they did make the playoffs after good years, so all i can hope for is the same in 2017. Thanks again, gang. -- Al
jazzeum
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Good article from a Cubs fan perspective, Jonathan Alter of The Daily Beast, http://www.thedailybeast.com/articl...ago-cubs-after-they-won-the-world-series.html
sammy719
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Less then 4 months for pitchers and catchers to report!!!
..2016 baseball was a wild and crazy ride for all of us it seemed, plenty highs and fair share of lows but that's part of the love of baseball and as Jason said it's always a blast to argue, like, agree,disagree with the members here on a daily basis of all things baseball, here's to 2017 and hoping that it's my O's that end their WS drout!!! ....Sammy
jazzeum
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From MLB, key free agents for our teams:
Washington Nationals
Key free agents: Mark Melancon, Wilson Ramos, Marc Rzepczynski, Chris Heisey, Stephen Drew, Matt Belisle, Yusmeiro Petit, Sean Burnett, Mat Latos
Two of the All-Stars who helped lead the Nationals to the NL East title are hitting free agency: Melancon, their Trade Deadline-acquired closer, and Ramos, their longtime backstop. Whether Washington pursues Ramos, who is reportedly seeking a four- or five-year deal, will be interesting, as he tore his right ACL in late September. Gio Gonzalez is coming off a rough year, but the Nats picked up his $12 million option, while declining Petit's.
New York Mets
Key free agents: Yoenis Cespedes (player opt-out), Bartolo Colon, Neil Walker, James Loney, Kelly Johnson, Alejandro De Aza, Jerry Blevins, Jonathon Niese, Fernando Salas
Cespedes, as expected, has reportedly opted out of his contract, so he'll become the best free-agent outfielder on the market. That doesn't preclude the Mets from re-signing him, just as they did last offseason. New York is also reportedly interested in bringing back Colon, who is 43 years old but was an invaluable member of the rotation in 2016 with the devastating rash of injuries to their electric young starters. The Mets picked up Jay Bruce's $13 million option on Thursday, despite his struggles after coming to New York via a Trade Deadline deal. New York declined to exercise Niese's $10 million option, electing instead to pay a $500,000 buyout.
Boston Red Sox
Key free agents: Koji Uehara, Junichi Tazawa, Brad Ziegler, Aaron Hill, Ryan Hanigan
First and foremost, the 2016 AL East champions will need to find a way to replace retiring superstar David Ortiz's sizable spot in the lineup. They'll also have a number of decisions to make in regards to their bullpen, with Uehara, Tazawa and Ziegler all set to become free agents. But the Red Sox's immensely talented young core -- and the veterans they're retaining -- have them poised to be strong contenders again next season, so they'll likely be active over the offseason to bolster their chances. Boston picked up Clay Buchholz's option ($13.5M) and declined Hanigan's ($3.75M) on the first day of free agency.
Toronto Blue Jays
Key free agents: Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, R.A. Dickey, Dioner Navarro, Michael Saunders, Jason Grilli (team option), Joaquin Benoit, Brett Cecil, Scott Feldman, Gavin Floyd
Bautista and Encarnacion, the faces of the franchise this decade, may have played their final games in a Blue Jays uniform. Toronto will extend qualifying offers to both, but the sluggers will almost certainly test the market. The Blue Jays could end up re-signing either of their all-world mashers, but losing one or both would be a big hole to fill for a team coming off back-to-back AL Championship Series appearances, and replacing them would become Toronto's top offseason priority.
Baltimore Orioles
Key free agents: Mark Trumbo, Matt Wieters, Michael Bourn, Pedro Alvarez, Brian Duensing, Nolan Reimold, Drew Stubbs, Tommy Hunter, Steve Pearce
The Orioles' one-year deal with Trumbo paid off huge in 2016, and now the MLB home run champion, who hit 47 round-trippers, figures to command a lot of attention for his powerful bat. And Wieters could be the top free-agent catcher available due to Ramos' torn ACL. That means the O's might have to get busy in free agency if they want to make it back to the postseason after their 2016 Wild Card Game appearance.
New York Yankees
Key free agents: Mark Teixeira (retiring), Billy Butler
The Yankees have suddenly gained some financial flexibility this offseason, with Teixeira's retirement and their midseason trades of Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller. Their system is now stocked with prospects and talented young players, and it wouldn't shock anyone if the Yanks made some big splashes in free agency to become contenders again in 2017.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Key free agents: Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Rich Hill, Chase Utley, Josh Reddick, Carlos Ruiz (team option), Scott Kazmir (player opt-out), Joe Blanton, J.P. Howell, Brett Anderson, Jesse Chavez
The Dodgers won the NL West again in 2016 before falling in the NLCS, but they're about to have several marquee players hit free agency. Chief among those are closer Jansen, third baseman Turner and the resurgent Hill, all of whom will likely become top free-agent targets. The Dodgers have the money to re-sign key pieces or acquire new ones to surround Clayton Kershaw and superstar-in-the-making Corey Seager in order to contend again in 2017.
San Francisco Giants
Key free agents: Gregor Blanco, Angel Pagan, Sergio Romo, Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez, Jake Peavy, Gordon Beckham, Joe Nathan
Many of the Giants' veterans from the team's recent World Series runs will become free agents this offseason, and players such as Romo, Lopez, Pagan and Peavy all seem likely to depart. The bullpen was one of the worst in the Majors in 2016, and it showed in their NL Division Series loss to the Cubs. San Francisco will have to address that heading into next season. San Francisco had an easy call on Matt Moore, and it picked up his $7 million option on the first day of free agency.
Washington Nationals
Key free agents: Mark Melancon, Wilson Ramos, Marc Rzepczynski, Chris Heisey, Stephen Drew, Matt Belisle, Yusmeiro Petit, Sean Burnett, Mat Latos
Two of the All-Stars who helped lead the Nationals to the NL East title are hitting free agency: Melancon, their Trade Deadline-acquired closer, and Ramos, their longtime backstop. Whether Washington pursues Ramos, who is reportedly seeking a four- or five-year deal, will be interesting, as he tore his right ACL in late September. Gio Gonzalez is coming off a rough year, but the Nats picked up his $12 million option, while declining Petit's.
New York Mets
Key free agents: Yoenis Cespedes (player opt-out), Bartolo Colon, Neil Walker, James Loney, Kelly Johnson, Alejandro De Aza, Jerry Blevins, Jonathon Niese, Fernando Salas
Cespedes, as expected, has reportedly opted out of his contract, so he'll become the best free-agent outfielder on the market. That doesn't preclude the Mets from re-signing him, just as they did last offseason. New York is also reportedly interested in bringing back Colon, who is 43 years old but was an invaluable member of the rotation in 2016 with the devastating rash of injuries to their electric young starters. The Mets picked up Jay Bruce's $13 million option on Thursday, despite his struggles after coming to New York via a Trade Deadline deal. New York declined to exercise Niese's $10 million option, electing instead to pay a $500,000 buyout.
Boston Red Sox
Key free agents: Koji Uehara, Junichi Tazawa, Brad Ziegler, Aaron Hill, Ryan Hanigan
First and foremost, the 2016 AL East champions will need to find a way to replace retiring superstar David Ortiz's sizable spot in the lineup. They'll also have a number of decisions to make in regards to their bullpen, with Uehara, Tazawa and Ziegler all set to become free agents. But the Red Sox's immensely talented young core -- and the veterans they're retaining -- have them poised to be strong contenders again next season, so they'll likely be active over the offseason to bolster their chances. Boston picked up Clay Buchholz's option ($13.5M) and declined Hanigan's ($3.75M) on the first day of free agency.
Toronto Blue Jays
Key free agents: Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, R.A. Dickey, Dioner Navarro, Michael Saunders, Jason Grilli (team option), Joaquin Benoit, Brett Cecil, Scott Feldman, Gavin Floyd
Bautista and Encarnacion, the faces of the franchise this decade, may have played their final games in a Blue Jays uniform. Toronto will extend qualifying offers to both, but the sluggers will almost certainly test the market. The Blue Jays could end up re-signing either of their all-world mashers, but losing one or both would be a big hole to fill for a team coming off back-to-back AL Championship Series appearances, and replacing them would become Toronto's top offseason priority.
Baltimore Orioles
Key free agents: Mark Trumbo, Matt Wieters, Michael Bourn, Pedro Alvarez, Brian Duensing, Nolan Reimold, Drew Stubbs, Tommy Hunter, Steve Pearce
The Orioles' one-year deal with Trumbo paid off huge in 2016, and now the MLB home run champion, who hit 47 round-trippers, figures to command a lot of attention for his powerful bat. And Wieters could be the top free-agent catcher available due to Ramos' torn ACL. That means the O's might have to get busy in free agency if they want to make it back to the postseason after their 2016 Wild Card Game appearance.
New York Yankees
Key free agents: Mark Teixeira (retiring), Billy Butler
The Yankees have suddenly gained some financial flexibility this offseason, with Teixeira's retirement and their midseason trades of Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller. Their system is now stocked with prospects and talented young players, and it wouldn't shock anyone if the Yanks made some big splashes in free agency to become contenders again in 2017.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Key free agents: Kenley Jansen, Justin Turner, Rich Hill, Chase Utley, Josh Reddick, Carlos Ruiz (team option), Scott Kazmir (player opt-out), Joe Blanton, J.P. Howell, Brett Anderson, Jesse Chavez
The Dodgers won the NL West again in 2016 before falling in the NLCS, but they're about to have several marquee players hit free agency. Chief among those are closer Jansen, third baseman Turner and the resurgent Hill, all of whom will likely become top free-agent targets. The Dodgers have the money to re-sign key pieces or acquire new ones to surround Clayton Kershaw and superstar-in-the-making Corey Seager in order to contend again in 2017.
San Francisco Giants
Key free agents: Gregor Blanco, Angel Pagan, Sergio Romo, Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez, Jake Peavy, Gordon Beckham, Joe Nathan
Many of the Giants' veterans from the team's recent World Series runs will become free agents this offseason, and players such as Romo, Lopez, Pagan and Peavy all seem likely to depart. The bullpen was one of the worst in the Majors in 2016, and it showed in their NL Division Series loss to the Cubs. San Francisco will have to address that heading into next season. San Francisco had an easy call on Matt Moore, and it picked up his $7 million option on the first day of free agency.
Panzer ace
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Louis:
Thank you for the encouraging words. You are right, if the Cubs can win the World Series, then life can clearly turn around for anyone.
I am truly looking forward to spring training (and the off-season of trades and new signings). I too hope that we have many good weeks, months and years ahead.
Best with thanks again,
Jason