casimir

Same, but there isn't enough popcorn to with the drama How are they not already to the communication devices? That's mind boggling to me. Although, we are talking about the NCAA, so....

I don't know. They have the big 3 contracts with DeGrom, Seager, and Semien. DeGrom isn't an ideal contract, but the other contracts still have useful life on them.

The recent opponents include the worst 3 teams in the Big Ten, so I'm not really sure how impactful that point differential comparison is.

Well, OK, from a free agency acquisition standpoint, I think cost typically outweighs value for the top players. By the time players become free agents, a team is buying their downhill seasons. Having said that, we can look at the Rangers and what they just accomplished. I think its safe to say they have a good roster and they did acquire a couple of the better free agents one offseason to pair up with that emerging roster. Kudos to them for timing that well. It'll be interesting to see where they go from here.

I agree with this theory. And on the other hand, why not both?

That trade has been legally drinking beer for a few years now. Let it go.

Sounds like that's what TCU did. I mean, if you figure out an opponent is onto your signs during a game, you alter them in some way right then and there, don't you? It doesn't matter at that point how they picked up on it. You've got to do something different.

Did he need to be there to file the “MSU sucks” report?

When do the Astros announce Ausmus as manager?

He may be weird. He may be quirky. But he probably ain't an idiot, there's a payday to be had.

Uh...... what?

Urshela's name kind of surprised me there. The article was favorable towards his defense, but mentioned that the public numbers don't necessarily jive with that. Personally, I think I'd say pass and go with Vierling/McKinstry for now until one of Jung or Keith are ready, but I wouldn't kick rocks if the Tigers brought in Urshela or another 3B option on a reasonable enough deal.

Ibanez put together a competent season. Does he have it in him to do that again? I suppose he could be part of the filler/fodder at 2B until that position figures itself out.

Possibly. I’m not all that worried about offense out of the backup catcher. They need one of those, this one is in house and might have some slight upside over last season. Sands ain’t gonna be it. Dingler needs more minor league reps. Free agency is awful. Just pick up the option and move along with life.

Wiseman is going to get some run tonight? Oh boy…..

Nobody.

Bowl games have to be checking their contractual language on an hourly basis, praying that they can easily bypass Iowa.

Isn’t there a theory that the difference between the Pythagorean record and actual record is managerial? And if true, Bochy cost them games in the regular season? What a hack. I mean, ain’t no way in hell I’d tell him that, but it is what it is.

That’s awesome! it’s so weird to see those 3 digit jersey numbers.

Keeping Baddoo and carrying him at $2M even if he is at Toledo really isn’t as a big deal.

Has Baez opted out yet?

Nevin shouldn’t be on the 40, so I don’t see him as an issue. I suspect at least one of Short/Ibanez doesn’t return. If Baddoo leaves, it’ll be via trade. To Edman’s point, he’s 25 and can be stashed at Toledo at worst. He’s not a perfect player by any means, but he’s got some skills to work with. Maybe he just needs a bit more time.

Ah, OK! So he’s technically not a free agent yet, but will be soon because he’ll get more than what he could (short & long term) if he opts in for next season.

He’s interesting. He didn’t seem to suffer much at all moving from the bullpen to the rotation last season. His SO% has been dropping lately, but he was still a bit better than league average to go along with materially better than league average BB%. I just wonder about arm usage. Does he have the stamina to start again, will he have a bit of a hangover from increased usage last season? Or does the reduced mileage from his previous seasons help him?

Michael Wacha was let loose by San Diego. He had a pair of team options at $16M per followed by a $6M player option. Not sure what his health has been lately, he’s only been around 23 starts and 130 innings the last two seasons. Ut those innings have been effective. It’ll be interesting to see what he gets on the market. I wonder if Harris inquired about him.