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MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

Seems like the Dodgers lost in fitting fashion. All 5 Red Sox runs came off the long-ball, all 3 pinch hitters LA employed struck out, and 5 of the final 6 Dodger batters struck out swinging (the 6th also struck out, but looked at a called third strike) looking like each wanted to hit a 7-run home run.
It's not just a product of, but a complete embrace of the Three True Outcomes concept that seems to be taking deeper hold in MLB. The Dodgers happened to have a bunch of sluggers and rode it to the World Series these past two seasons, only to be neutralized by teams that figured out how to work around it (paint the corners, keep the hitters off balance with speed changes) and had the pitchers who could execute it (don't float that hanging spinball middle-middle).


I wonder what will happen with Machado. I'm sure he was hoping to ride 15 games worth of big bat highlights to a huge payday but instead hit just .227 and struck out 18 times. That's probably only going to get him 5 years and $125 milllion, not the 10 year, $350 million payday someone surely would have come up with had he won a few games for LA.
I can't wait for the Yankees to embrace the Evil Empire name again and sign him. He's going to be a lot of fun to root against for the next 5-7 years in pinstripes. I know he answers basically none of the Yankees needs (namely starting pitching), but if Gregorious is out as long as the rumors are suggesting, I could see them biting the bullet.
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

I will say that, from a Sox fan perspective, I thoroughly enjoyed this season. I had cut cable years ago, but had a feeling we had something pretty special brewing so I jumped in on YouTube TV in order to watch. Despite the cesspool that is Boston sportsball media, this team was the best in the game from wire to wire, and while "best evah!" discussions don't particularly interest me, 108 wins and a buzzsaw 11-3 through the playoffs (including dismantling two 100+ win teams) has to put them at least in the "best of the last few decades" discussions, doesn't it? Yeah, I know the '98 Yankees have a place at that table too, along with maybe those late '80's A's teams, but man, that was fun.

And with that, we're on to hockey.
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

It's not just a product of, but a complete embrace of the Three True Outcomes concept that seems to be taking deeper hold in MLB. The Dodgers happened to have a bunch of sluggers and rode it to the World Series these past two seasons, only to be neutralized by teams that figured out how to work around it (paint the corners, keep the hitters off balance with speed changes) and had the pitchers who could execute it (don't float that hanging spinball middle-middle).

I know. Although I enjoyed the Yankees in the regular season, I did not enjoy the baseball overall (except Boston and Houston) in the playoffs. I was pining for the days of situational hitting, aggressive base running, hit and runs, even bunting. During certain pressure cooking situations with the Yankees, even if a top player came up to bat, all I could think was, "Gee, I would much rather see Boggs, Jeter, Bernie..." up there instead. Guys who could also hit, not just slug.

I can't wait for the Yankees to embrace the Evil Empire name again and sign him. He's going to be a lot of fun to root against for the next 5-7 years in pinstripes. I know he answers basically none of the Yankees needs (namely starting pitching), but if Gregorious is out as long as the rumors are suggesting, I could see them biting the bullet.

Yeah, I can see that happening, too, when logic says it shouldn't.

While on the topic, fans have to remember one key factor this year -- the Yankees purposely did not partake in spending this year. They were under the mandate, no matter what, to stay under the luxury tax limit in order to reset their "penalty" moving forward.

That will not be the case in 2019. Hal Steinbrenner will have no problems now spending what it takes to win again. So, though Houston was a great story in 2017 and Boston deservedly won the title this year, look out. The Evil Empire will be back in 2019... :D
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

I know what you mean about not enjoying it so much. I mean, I did as I had a strong rooting interest, but I absolutely see the complaints about pace of play and the absurd length of games due to that (notwithstanding the 7+ hour 18 inning marathon).

MLB positively needs to address the pace of play. The time spent on non-baseball activities (signs, time outs, mound visits, conferences, etc) is insane. Is sign stealing truly so intense that pitcher and catcher need to go through 3 rounds of signs between every pitch? That's excruciating to watch. It's 2018. Find some better way to communicate. The NFL has been using forms of radios for what, 20 years? Clean that up and we're already making enormous strides and the 7 pitching changes per playoff game won't seem so grueling.

Baseball is a slow game; that's one of my favorite things about it. But that doesn't mean we can't cut out the obvious BS.
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

I just got back from the Red Sox parade. A wonderful end to an amazing season. My office is a block from the parade route, so I just ran out at 11:20 and was back at my desk in less than an hour.

I've been a Red Sox fan my entire life. This is my dad's 50th season as a season ticket holder. He's had tickets with a group of guys he used to work with. I bought into the plan a few years ago so between the two of us, we get a decent amount of games to go to. As someone who lived through 1978, 1986 and 2003, I reserve the right to be skittish about the team's potential success. It's how I cope and get through games. It's also where my stupid #OppositeGirl mantra comes into play. I love this team and still go to games during bad years. And I don't gloat. Because I've been on the other end and that's not how to be a fan and support your team.

And I really kinda loathe the pink hats. At the parade, I was wedged up next to these two college age girls who were OMG!!! SO EXCITED to be there. Pedro Martinez was holding the 2004 trophy as his duck boat went by. Then another duck boat was coming up and I saw another trophy and lifted my phone to take a picture. One of the pink hats was like "what are you taking a picture of?" I said "The trophy!!" And she says "So the other ones that went by, are they, like, fake ones?" ::head desk:: "No. Pedro Martinez was holding the 2004 one, which he won." Get out of the way and let this parade be for fans. Jeez.

Anyway, this was truly an epic season. I kept waiting for that other shoe to drop and it never did. I know I should be more positive. I want to be. But when I do, bad things tend to happen. I am so happy that they won, for me, for my brothers, for my niece and most especially for my dad. He's been a fan since he was 6 years old. When they won in 2004, he had just come off of some minor surgery. He wasn't dealing with it all that well so he really didn't get too involved in all of it. That Christmas I bought the DVD that was this amazing recap of the season. We watched it that day and the smile on his face...he was like a little kid. Rooting for the Red Sox has been a bonding thing with me and him. And my niece and my brother. I don't know what my life would be without it.
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

Just saw Harper to the Yankees, unofficial, but Twitter chatter from Aaron Judge.
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

HOF Today's Era ballot nominees:

Harold Baines, Albert Belle, Joe Carter, Will Clark, Orel Hershiser, Davey Johnson, Charlie Manuel, Lou Piniella, Lee Smith and George Steinbrenner
 
HOF Today's Era ballot nominees:

Harold Baines, Albert Belle, Joe Carter, Will Clark, Orel Hershiser, Davey Johnson, Charlie Manuel, Lou Piniella, Lee Smith and George Steinbrenner
Would really like to see Will Clark make it. Loved watching him play.
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

Steinbrenner and Lee Smith are the only two that have any kind of realistic shot.
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

Kep and Dr. Mrs. are working the polls today, but if he checks his phone, I'm sorry.

@jonmorosi: Tim Tebow is likely to begin 2019 at Triple-A, but new #Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen did not rule out the possibility that he could make the @MLB Opening Day roster. Tebow has fully healed from hamate injury, Van Wagenen said. @MLBNetwork
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

How very Mets of them. This is 100% about ticket sales. This is the same team that just hired the guy that was an agent to like 8 of their players to be their GM.
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

Steinbrenner and Lee Smith are the only two that have any kind of realistic shot.

Hershiser was dominant and I believe deserving. That's the name that stands out to me in that list. Next would be Lee Smith.
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

@Buster_ESPN: As there continues to be speculation about Bryce Harper and the Yankees, a well-placed source emphatically says: “It’s not happening. He’s not going to be a Yankee.”
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

@PeteAbe: During his opening statement, Scott Boras said LSU baseball out-drew the Miami Marlins.

Per average, indeed they did: 10,786 to 10,013.
 
Re: MLB 2018.2: Postseason, Free Agency, and Awards

Hershiser was dominant and I believe deserving. That's the name that stands out to me in that list. Next would be Lee Smith.

Looking at his numbers, the only years I would consider him "dominant" would be 1985 and 1988. He pitched an awful lot of innings from 1987-1989, but I don't see "dominance" there, outside of '88.

I would also argue that his success from his 3 years in Cleveland was due to the fact that the Indians were absolutely loaded to high heaven during that time period. It's a minor miracle that they didn't get a ring in the '90's, and only truly got close once (1997).
 
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