[Chowder Head]

(04-03-2016 05:27 PM)Chunnel Wrote:  

With 3 games slated today, Major League Baseball is back! Who do you guys think has the chops to win it all this year?

Will KC repeat?
Will the Chicago Cubs end their drought after spending big to reload their lineup?
Will SF keep their even year magic up in 2016?
Will the Diamondbacks compete in the top heavy NL west after going all in to acquire pitching?

I don't know about you all but for me March 2016 was one of the slowest months in recent memory, due to a horseshit job and actively waiting for opening day to arrive. Now its here, and everything just makes sense when hearing the crack of a catcher's mitt corralling a 95 MPH fastball.

Happy opening day guys!

Don't forget the Mets... this could be the best starting staff in years. Can they carry them to the WS again?

[They Call Me Mister Tony]

My predictions:

AL Central: Royals
AL East: Blue Jays
AL West: Astros
AL Wild Card: Twins/Angels

NL Central: Cubs
NL East: Mets
NL West: Giants
NL Wild Card: Cardinals/Dodgers

World Series: Blue Jays over Cubs in 6

[Justinian]

Blue Jays could easily have 4 guys with 30 or more homers this year, but that's been done a number of times before. If Smoak or Martin or Colabello have a career year there is some possibility that 5 BJs will have 30 and that's never happened.

There is a good chance that they will have 3 guys with 40 or more (they came within 1 HR of doing it last year but Encarnacion ended up with 39 when he struggled with a hand injury the last few weeks). That's never happened in the AL and only 3 times in the NL. If Tulowitski stays healthy and goes crazy like he is capable of, there is a chance they will have 4 guys with 40 or more. He got a good start with one today on opening day. Check Tulowitski's Wikipedia page to grasp what a freak of nature he is, too bad he seems prone to injury. I can't fathom how Toronto pried him away from Colorado.

Again if Tulo stays healthy and gets evil there is a good chance they will have 4 guys with 100 RBI, but that's been done before by 20 or so teams in history. The '36 Yankees are the only team that had 5 guys with a 100. Don't think there is a 5th BJ that can get to a 100 RBI.

Look for Toronto's offense to wreak violent destruction this season. Not sure how they'll fare against the Royals in the playoffs though if indeed they both get there, that is a serious club that won the WS last year without their closer Greg Holland in the playoffs. Oh just checked their roster and they lost Ben Zobrist to the Cubs, that is a massive loss, he is an amazing player, absolutely lethal in the playoffs last year against Toronto... and Holland could miss 2016 injured. Give Toronto the edge to get past the Royals to the WS this year.

[Chunnel]

(04-04-2016 12:06 AM)Justinian Wrote:  

Blue Jays could easily have 4 guys with 30 or more homers this year, but that's been done a number of times before. If Smoak or Martin or Colabello have a career year there is some possibility that 5 BJs will have 30 and that's never happened.

There is a good chance that they will have 3 guys with 40 or more (they came within 1 HR of doing it last year but Encarnacion ended up with 39 when he struggled with a hand injury the last few weeks). That's never happened in the AL and only 3 times in the NL. If Tulowitski stays healthy and goes crazy like he is capable of, there is a chance they will have 4 guys with 40 or more. He got a good start with one today on opening day. Check Tulowitski's Wikipedia page to grasp what a freak of nature he is, too bad he seems prone to injury. I can't fathom how Toronto pried him away from Colorado.

Again if Tulo stays healthy and gets evil there is a good chance they will have 4 guys with 100 RBI, but that's been done before by 20 or so teams in history. The '36 Yankees are the only team that had 5 guys with a 100. Don't think there is a 5th BJ that can get to a 100 RBI.

Look for Toronto's offense to wreak violent destruction this season. Not sure how they'll fare against the Royals in the playoffs though if indeed they both get there, that is a serious club that won the WS last year without their closer Greg Holland in the playoffs. Oh just checked their roster and they lost Ben Zobrist to the Cubs, that is a massive loss, he is an amazing player, absolutely lethal in the playoffs last year against Toronto... and Holland could miss 2016 injured. Give Toronto the edge to get past the Royals to the WS this year.

Phrasing

It was a no brainer for a rebuilding Colorado to deal Tulowitzki. They basically did a salary trade for this year and next year (w/ Reyes) and freed themselves of 60 million dollars over 2018, 2019, 2020.

Plus they got Jeff Hoffman (top of the rotation potential), Miguel Castro, and Jesus Tinoco (2 international flyers that could be legit or implode). But when you're Colorado playing at Coors, throwing pitching prospects against the wall and seeing what sticks may be the only way to develop a rotation. Especially with guys that have good sink on their fastballs.

Trevor Story's got an above average bat for a shortstop in a lineup that doesn't really need power from SS. Then in 3 years when Brenden Rodgers is up in the bigs, Colorado will have a stud 22 year old short stop with his best years ahead of him while Toronto is stuck paying 20 mil. to a 36 year old broken down Tulo.

[Truth Teller]

I was watching the Mets game last night on ESPN. Jessica Mendoza is an awful commentator. She gives Joe Morgan a run for his money.

[kaotic]

Headed to opening day in a bit, pretty fucking stoked baseball is back.

However, keeping an eye on the NHL Playoff match ups.

[2Wycked]

I haven't kept up with baseball the past few years.

Anybody have any good recommendations for blogs or websites?

[Sean]

(04-05-2016 12:10 AM)2Wycked Wrote:  

I haven't kept up with baseball the past few years.

Anybody have any good recommendations for blogs or websites?

Use the mlb.tv app for news, scores, info. I pay for premium just to watch Jays games and Vin Scully Dodger games.

I'm sad that this thread only goes two pages.

[Sean]

(04-04-2016 05:09 PM)Truth Teller Wrote:  

I was watching the Mets game last night on ESPN. Jessica Mendoza is an awful commentator. She gives Joe Morgan a run for his money.

+1. Totally agree. That's why I can't watch ESPN games anymore. I love Dan Shulman and have since he used to do Jays post-game on Fan 590 in Toronto (and remember him on Rock 95 in Barrie doing news....). However, having a hard 5 tell me about baseball and how it relates to her softball career makes me hurl.

So thankful for mlb.tv premium. Get the ESPN video feed, mix with the radio feed through a PS3 or 4.... or park audio.

[DJ-Matt]

For Royals fans, EDIT nevermind, FSKC isn't on there anymore, pirate below:

If you're really cheap and don't mind iffy quality video and lots of buffering, Stream2Watch is decent. ARRRRRR!

Also don't bother paying for MLB TV if you're watching a local team, all the games are blacked out. Gee I wonder why people pirate the streams?

[TravelerKai]

Watching the Astros on opening day vs the Yanks. Good game so far. I hope they win before I end up too drunk to enjoy it. Such a nice day outside. I hope I can catch more games at Minute Maid this year as well.

[Chunnel]

(04-05-2016 12:10 AM)2Wycked Wrote:  

I haven't kept up with baseball the past few years.

Anybody have any good recommendations for blogs or websites?

For transaction news, injuries, etc. http://mlbtraderumors.com is far and away the best.

http://fangraphs.com is hit or miss. Some of their articles are written with a holier than thou attitude that can be a turn off, but they have gotten better in combining old school and new school think and not trying as hard to dismiss all old-school baseball rhetoric. They have a good podcast, I always learn a bunch when Dave Cameron is on.

http://baseballamerica.com is probably my favorite site to browse. Their bread and butter is prospects and draft coverage, which has become a fascinating aspect of baseball, and will only become more important as teams continue to shy away from huge free agent spending on the 90s and 00s. (most articles, however, are behind a paywall: worth it if you wanna expand your baseball acumen beyond the Major Leagues).

(04-05-2016 02:11 AM)Sean Wrote:  

(04-05-2016 12:10 AM)2Wycked Wrote:  

I haven't kept up with baseball the past few years.

Anybody have any good recommendations for blogs or websites?

Use the mlb.tv app for news, scores, info. I pay for premium just to watch Jays games and Vin Scully Dodger games.

I'm sad that this thread only goes two pages.

I kept watching the Giants obliterate the Padres just so I could listen to Scully yesterday. Legend.

[armenia4ever]

How about my Cubbies eh?

[EDantes]

Here's hoping the Rangers improve on last season.

[They Call Me Mister Tony]

(04-05-2016 10:31 PM)EDantes Wrote:  

Here's hoping the Rangers improve on last season.

Well, they're getting smacked 10-2 right now by the M's, but it's only one game.

[Justinian]

"while Toronto is stuck paying 20 mil. to a 36 year old broken down Tulo."

That explains the Tulo trade... and if Toronto wants to keep Bautista after this year he's looking for something like 150 mil for 5 years so they'll be paying him @ 30 mil/year when he is aged 37 through 41. While he claims he'll be full value for it with conditioning and nutrition, he's already close to being a liability in the outfield. At what point is financial insolvency a real risk with insane salaries to guys in the twilight of their careers.

[kaotic]

Fucking Cubs killed my Halos man.

P.S.

If you have T-Mobile as your mobile phone service you get MLB.TV for free this entire season.

Go sign up !

[Mentavious]

Tigers already having bullpen issues.

Its gonna be a long season

[Switch]

How about the Chase Utley Rule already making an impact on the outcomes of games? This game is getting a little pussified. The constant debate between player safety and tradition wears on...

[Jura]

(04-06-2016 01:23 PM)Switch Wrote:  

How about the Chase Utley Rule already making an impact on the outcomes of games? This game is getting a little pussified. The constant debate between player safety and tradition wears on...

And now apparently Gibbons has to explain himself for some of his post-game comments??

Quote:

"maybe we'll come out and wear dresses tomorrow. Maybe that's what everybody's looking for."

CBC story

GTFO with your fake outrage. At least most of the top comments are encouraging.

[kaotic]

Don't you talk about Jenner like that !

Fuck them.

[renotime]

Pirates are taking it all this year.

[Sean]

(04-06-2016 12:01 AM)Justinian Wrote:  

"while Toronto is stuck paying 20 mil. to a 36 year old broken down Tulo."

That explains the Tulo trade... and if Toronto wants to keep Bautista after this year he's looking for something like 150 mil for 5 years so they'll be paying him @ 30 mil/year when he is aged 37 through 41. While he claims he'll be full value for it with conditioning and nutrition, he's already close to being a liability in the outfield. At what point is financial insolvency a real risk with insane salaries to guys in the twilight of their careers.

Tulo's only 31. Besides, once his range drops at SS, his bat plays at 3B or 1B nicely... and should since E-5 and Joey Bats are gone come November. Tulo's contract isn't that bad since SS can play other positions just fine. It's guys like Cutch who, when he gets paid next year, is going to have the typical CF decline.

[Chunnel]

(04-07-2016 02:07 AM)Sean Wrote:  

(04-06-2016 12:01 AM)Justinian Wrote:  

"while Toronto is stuck paying 20 mil. to a 36 year old broken down Tulo."

That explains the Tulo trade... and if Toronto wants to keep Bautista after this year he's looking for something like 150 mil for 5 years so they'll be paying him @ 30 mil/year when he is aged 37 through 41. While he claims he'll be full value for it with conditioning and nutrition, he's already close to being a liability in the outfield. At what point is financial insolvency a real risk with insane salaries to guys in the twilight of their careers.

Tulo's only 31. Besides, once his range drops at SS, his bat plays at 3B or 1B nicely... and should since E-5 and Joey Bats are gone come November. Tulo's contract isn't that bad since SS can play other positions just fine. It's guys like Cutch who, when he gets paid next year, is going to have the typical CF decline.

Only problem is Tulo hasn't played 140 games in a season since 2011. I don't put good chances on him putting together healthy season at age 35 or 36.

Difference with Cutch is his OBP is driven much more by plate discipline, which stays as a player ages more than bat speed. Once he's a bit older you can slot him in right or left and expect 600 plate appearances with an .830 OPS.

However both guys are prime examples of how the league values youth much more than it ever has. 10 years ago both guys are still considered prime players rather than ones entering their twilight. 24 year old rookies are considered "old". The new CBA will be interesting to see if younger players will be compensated accordingly rather than getting 3 years of league minimum pay when their value is near its peak.

[Sean]

(04-07-2016 10:27 AM)Chunnel Wrote:  

Difference with Cutch is his OBP is driven much more by plate discipline, which stays as a player ages more than bat speed. Once he's a bit older you can slot him in right or left and expect 600 plate appearances with an .830 OPS.

However both guys are prime examples of how the league values youth much more than it ever has. 10 years ago both guys are still considered prime players rather than ones entering their twilight. 24 year old rookies are considered "old". The new CBA will be interesting to see if younger players will be compensated accordingly rather than getting 3 years of league minimum pay when their value is near its peak.

I mentioned Cutch since there's already starting to be some talk about his deal expiring 2 years (maybe 3) from now and how tight fisted Pittsburgh is. ESPN had a writer, I think ESPN, who showed that CFs basically since the age of Curt Flood had precipitous declines in production come age 30 and money spent on them was hugely overpaid. I think Cutch isn't long for CF and will likely be in left sooner rather than later.