Non-Pirates Baseball Thread

[Point Breeze Penguins]

The slotting system would hurt teams like the Pirates who do overpay H.S. kids to skip college.

[beerman]

The slotting system would hurt teams like the Pirates who do overpay H.S. kids to skip college.

Right which is a pretty interesting situation imo. It helps them because they can get the top player available without any monetary concern, but hurts them later in the draft for the reason you mentioned.

I still think the slotting system does more good than anything though by allowing teams to always nab the bpa. But it does come with downside, even though teams are essentially just bribing kids not to go to school, so maybe it isn't all that bad.

[MWB]

Anyone catch the Bob Costas' Studio 42 interview with Bud Selig last night? I saw the last few minutes of the interview seemed like a pretty good one overall. Costas was just asking about different things they could be changing/trying in the next few years: making the first round of the playoffs 7 games instead of 5 (which Selig says means they would have to shorten the regular season which owners don't want to do), tightening up the playoff schedule with less off days, putting a slotting system in the draft and having a World Series day game which was my favorite idea.

That's a pretty good list of ideas. If they shortened the season I'd be happy with a 7 game first round... the better all-around team would be more likely to win a longer series. I also like the slotting system. I'd like to see them add the ability to trade draft picks as well.

[Point Breeze Penguins]

Trading draft picks would be an excellent idea. Imagine how much more it would help the Pirates would have been able to trade someone like Jason Bay for a 1st-Round pick instead of a bunch of filler?

[beerman]

Anyone catch the Bob Costas' Studio 42 interview with Bud Selig last night? I saw the last few minutes of the interview seemed like a pretty good one overall. Costas was just asking about different things they could be changing/trying in the next few years: making the first round of the playoffs 7 games instead of 5 (which Selig says means they would have to shorten the regular season which owners don't want to do), tightening up the playoff schedule with less off days, putting a slotting system in the draft and having a World Series day game which was my favorite idea.

That's a pretty good list of ideas. If they shortened the season I'd be happy with a 7 game first round... the better all-around team would be more likely to win a longer series. I also like the slotting system. I'd like to see them add the ability to trade draft picks as well.

Yeah Selig mentioned going 154 or 158 and then the 7 game first round, I'd be in favor of that. If they do it though I'd almost think they have to go 154 and cut a whole week off the season. Only because the season ends on a Sunday and I think has for a long time now. It's a great way to end, with day games and everything like that and I can't see them wanting to change that. So cutting 4 games does nothing because you are still ending on the same day unless you move the start of the year up. If your doing those you may as well stay with 162.

Plus going to 154 has the historical significance to go with it.

[Idoit40fans]

World Series day game would be sweet.

[Idoit40fans]

The Braves 2-1 win yesterday was their 54th game this season giving up 3 or fewer runs. Baller.

[DudeMan2766]

I know nobody wants to be hit with a fastball, bt Prince Fielder is the only guy I see that has to make a production out of it. He slams his bat, stares down the oitcher everytime. Just walk to the base like everyone else. No matter the situation, he always takes it personal. He's the player tho that probably most deserves a fastball to the ribs

[Idoit40fans]

Is it even possible for a baseball to actually get to his ribs? There are a lot of layers of fast food protecting them.

[Idoit40fans]

Boom, McCann Grand Slam. Do work.

[SolidSnake]

Is it even possible for a baseball to actually get to his ribs? There are a lot of layers of fast food protecting them.

Kinda like Slimer

[Idoit40fans]

Madison Bumgarner is having another solid start. He's quietly having a really good rookie campaign.

[Idoit40fans]

Is it about time for someone to start throwing the Eephus with regularity again so people can become obsessed with it again?

[MWB]

Is it about time for someone to start throwing the Eephus with regularity again so people can become obsessed with it again?

Yes.

[MelicharSux]

The O's just went back to back to back off Matt Garza... woo!

[MWB]

Talking on Baseball Tonight how the Phils are looking to get a front end starter and how they'd end up paying more for one now than they would have if they just kept Lee. 20/20 hindsight, but it's looking like that may have been the worst off-season move of the past year.

[Idoit40fans]

It was stupid at the time, its stupid now.

[MWB]

Especially since the minor leaguers they got in the deal have sucked, their other pitchers have not been good, and their offense isn't as good as last year.

[Rocco]

Talking on Baseball Tonight how the Phils are looking to get a front end starter and how they'd end up paying more for one now than they would have if they just kept Lee. 20/20 hindsight, but it's looking like that may have been the worst off-season move of the past year.

Not sure what was dumber- trading Lee in the offseason, or not making the Halladay deal last summer and gone into the World Series with Halladay and Cliff Lee.

[MWB]

I don't think they ever would've traded for both Lee and Halladay in the same season, so I'd say the trading of Lee is the dumber thing. With both of them in the rotation this year I'm guessing they'd be at least 10 games better right now.

[Idoit40fans]

I don't think they lack the money to keep both of them. I'm actually surprised they didn't try to do it. I guess they thought their offense could carry them. I'm not complaining, the team with the best pitching in the division is dominating, and thats pretty much how it always will be in any division.

[MWB]

Speaking of Braves pitching.... I just traded for Hanson in the hopes that he straightens things out in the second half. He's got great peripherals, but not so great in ERA and whip... what do you think?

[Rocco]

I don't think they ever would've traded for both Lee and Halladay in the same season, so I'd say the trading of Lee is the dumber thing. With both of them in the rotation this year I'm guessing they'd be at least 10 games better right now.

They could have had both in their rotation for the last two months of the season and lived with a few less dollars in profit given that they'd be guaranteed a return trip to the playoffs. They could have then moved one in the offseason if they didn't want to pay the full salary. It's impossible to know, but I have to think they win the Series if they go and get both players, and they obviously had the prospects to get it done.

[Idoit40fans]

Speaking of Braves pitching.... I just traded for Hanson in the hopes that he straightens things out in the second half. He's got great peripherals, but not so great in ERA and whip... what do you think?

I've been trying to do the same thing in the LGP league. The way I dealt out contracts though, I can't really do it in a way that is actually a gain for me. I think he's going to pull it together and dominate.

[MWB]

I think it must be mostly BABIP related. His k rate is way up, his walk rate is down, his other numbers are pretty steady.