Hongbit

I think our disconnect starts with the premise that I don’t think the Pirates have a chance to win anytime soon. I want to believe that their front office sees that. They suck and aren’t even playing any young players, which all the other mlb teams that suck are at least doing. They are a small market team and the only way they can ever get better is to build from their own farm system. That farm system is average to weak but its strength is starting pitching. Trading their most valuable asset would get them prospects to become the top farm system in baseball. One trade would take them from a very weak future to one that suddenly has some forecastable potential. I also believe both the term and dollars of Skenes controlled contract makes him even more valuable on the market. They can ask for even more because of the favorable contract. There is some added value to them if they choose to move off his very team friendly deal which I agree they ideally wouldn’t want to do. Again, unless Skenes asks out (which he really has no leverage on), I don’t see them making a trade. It’s a big, bold move and the Buccos aren’t a big, bold franchise anymore. They chances are definitely more than zero and it may actually be the right move for them to make

Dear Leader is going to speak to us momentarily

I’m sure the Dow Futures will love this move.

I don’t think so. This isn’t your normal trade deadline all-star. This is a generational talent. He’s a 1-1 pick that’s lived up to that and more.

He was using dog weeks

That’s not required in an Authoritarian Dictatorship.

So much for that Nobel Peace Prize

Not likely but much more than 0% chance. They are currently 17 under .500 and 2nd worst team in the NL. They aren’t playing a bunch of young players like Rockies, Marlins, and White Sox. Their entire everyday lineup is 28 or over. Their farm system entered the season ranked 27th. They are desperately in need of talent. If the team with the top farm system in baseball were to offer their top 4 prospects, not only should they listen but they should trade Skenes without hesitation. They would immediately have maybe the best overall farm system in baseball and their fans would actually have something to be excited about for the future. I can’t see Scott Harris doing something like this but it would definitely make sense for the Pirates if he did.

McGonigle, Clark, Briceno, maybe Liranzo too.

A foot away from that Vegas magic

But It’s the same short porch for everyone playing. Why would his odds be better than a Riley Greene, Brandon Lowe, or even Colt Keith?

We get to test the theory that Vegas always knows something. Despite his 3 week slump and 0 for 9 in his career against Rays starter Ryan Pepiot, Carp has the best odds to hit a home run of anyone on either team today. Doesn’t make much sense but he will probably end up hitting one out. Maybe even two.

It’s a long season and everyone does slump. I agree. This Carp slump has gone on a full month. I think he breaks out of it at some point but this one is really bad. 30 day stats after last night: .184/.215/.355 3 HR 5 RBI 1 BB 22 K As bad as these are, they are even worse factoring in the 3 HR and 5 RBI came in one game on June 2.

What do they do about Carp? This slump is going on 3 weeks. Since that 3HR game against the White Sox: 5 hits in 37 AB 0 HR 0 RBI 0 BB

This kid is wow.

I will be surprised if it doesnt sound like Comerica South all weekend.

The quest for the latest tech has killed America’s Cup for me. They aren’t even really sailboats anymore.

Unlimited PTO has a few main purposes: 1) PTO is no longer accrued, so it’s no longer a fixed line item on a corporate budget. 2) Eliminates the cost and effort of having a time management system in HR. 3) Marketed as a perk to employees but is really a corporate mindf as many people get scared to use more vacation time for fear of being thought of as a slacker and having it impact their chances of raises and promotions.

Rolen’s resume was bolstered by his defense. The 8 gold gloves definitely played a big part in his enshrinement. Arenado had 10 straight. That’s a big number if the voters are going to value them.

Since Scott Rolen made it, I’d think Nolan Arenado should be a lock.

I feel bad for the folks at The Onion. Their job of creating ridiculous tweets that can’t be believed has gotten increasingly harder in this administration.

It will be interesting to see if they stay the course with these players or if they create a package to acquire Giannis or Jokic.

The Undrone Soldier is the best

This one has a chance to be very different since it’s on the same day as Trump’s $100M May Day Parade. People are turning out in mass all across the country while Trumps event will be sparsely populated. It will be an easy litmus test on where the country stands on his policies. Hopefully, it will energize the opposition again and scare the **** out of maga.

I just drove by the rally in Novi. Huge turnout! There were easily 1000 people spread out on all sides of Grand River.