casimir

This is stupid.

That's what prevents him from being a starter. They can't bring Barnhart back. He's a free agent he simply isn't more than a journeyman type. There are probably questions to answer about Rogers coming back from Tommy John surgery. But with all of the other holes that need to be filled, and with C not being one position to fill offensively (most of the time), they might roll with a tandem of Haase/Rogers and have a AAAA type with MLB experience in Toledo as a break glass in case of emergency type. Dingler probably starts out in Toledo next season. Or maybe they go with Rogers in Toledo at first to prove himself and sign a one year deal with some random C to split time with Haase? Rogers will be 28 next season, so one would think whatever time spent in AAA would be simply to get back into game shape rather than player development. A lot is up in the air simply because there is no GM right now. That person might decide to torpedo the whole position and move Haase while his value is at its highest.

Sorry, I've already taken that title.

That's true, there was the safety aspect to it. That actually might have been the primary driver.

Yes, give Manfred and MLB their due with the IBB. The pitch clock will be another good move. Maybe it needs to be tweaked a bit, but they are going in the right direction. It also looks like MLB is going along with unionization of minor league players and their representation by MLBPA. There had to have been some scuttle behind the scenes, but that hasn't played out publicly. So far so good on that front?

Yeah, I'm wondering this about the middle infielders. Not necessarily running in towards the plate, but can they line up a step over from behind 2B but reposition to the "illegal" side of 2B once the pitch is delivered? Or even get a running start like you see WRs do in the CFL? Maybe it wouldn't be an effective strategy, maybe its just too much additional short/quick runs to add to a player during a game? I don't know.

This Jonathan Heasley, today's Kansas City starting pitcher. That's a strong mullet and mustache combination. I gotta be honest, I fear another shutout.

Detroit Tigers (53-85) at Kansas City Royals (56-83)

So, what's the devil in the details behind the banning of the shift? It has to have some clause that clearly states 3 OFs and 4 IFs, the difference between the OF & IF being the dirt. But what about the parameters of left side and right side of 2B? Wasn't there a minor league experimenting with a "wedged divider" like a piece of pie shaped area behind 2B that the defense had to stay out of prepitch? Or will it just be a line extending from home through 2B and to the OF? And what is the exact timing of when the defense can move? I agree, it sucks that it kind of rewards the hitters into staying with their swing for the downs approach. I think the HR or bust is bad for the sport. Get more in game movement. The bigger bases, I think, were to encourage more base stealing? The Tigers don't get anyone on base, so meh, whatevs.

Detroit Tigers (52-85) at Kansas City Royals (56-82)

One would think with all of that losing, the Tigers would have a pretty darn good farm system, what with all of the benefits of drafting high and bonus dollars that come with those slots.

Cumulative regular season records since Opening Day 2017: The Tigers have clinched the worst or next to worst record over that time frame. Yes, I'm saying there's a chance.

It was listed merely as an option. There was never any declarative statement that it was a good option.

Now that is the stat of the day.

I thought of the Clippers, also. And, yes, the reds were just fine.

That's fair. I would think every GM kicks one once in a while. It is just a matter of winning more than losing. Simon for Suarez was brought up recently. But, hey, the same guy got some good seasons out of Guillen and Peralta, each for not much at all.

He was 0 for 12 in Erie, with a 1 BB and 8 SOs. Talk about falling up.

Stat of the day: This season, in 24 PAs (6 games), Ohtani hit .273/.333/.773 vs the Tigers, good enough for a 199 sOPS+. In 21 PAs (all of 1 game, but just play along), the Tigers hit .294/.429/.647 vs Ohtani, a 242 sOPS+. Against the Tigers, Shohei giveth and he taketh away this year.

Its quite possible the father has a longer interview than the player during the player's active playing career.

Given the playoff expansion, I wonder what the possibility is that Texas, Oklahoma, USC, and UCLA renege on their future moves and decide to stay put? Maybe its zero, I don't know. I suppose the money coming from the conferences outweighs the playoff chances (probably enhanced if they stayed with their current conferences) and whatever windfalls would become of that.

They're ugly, which, OK, that's subjective. But the numbers are going to be tough to see, essentially black on black with a bit of white outline around the number? That's a practicality issue for identifying players when you cannot do so from other characteristics during actual live play.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a solid D.

I like maps. The NFL is back. Put 'em together, and we have the weekly TV coverage maps.

He got Dingled up?