Tenacious D

what kind of a reflection is it on Harris if we backslide even further? Last year was classic Murphy's Law--significant injuries, key players missing time (ERod and Meadows), not a single offensive player hitting close to their career averages/potential? Can we really be worse, and should that be excused? I don't think this is the same situation that Dombrowski was in--when he joined, the cupboards were literally bare. That's not the case now, though admittedly there are a ton of question marks. Personally, I don't see us being worse, although the schedule changes where we don't face our AL Central rivals a disproportionate amount, could have negative implications.

this has been the easiest Michigan winter of my life.

This offseason was different than the last few years. Any time it's a players market, which this offseason was, the teams that are in preferred geographies and have winning records will generally win out in free agency. The Tigers couldn't offer either. Which is why I think Avila misplayed the market, prior to signing Baez and Erod. Many free agents that we probably could have been in on, but we played the tank card instead. Bad timing. Again, there were only a few free agents I would have liked this year--Mitch Haniger was one of them. All of the guys who received 8-10 year deals are not for us--hopefully we learned that lesson with Miggy. If it's a players market after this season, which it likely will be, I suspect Erod and Baez will opt out if they have good seasons. Much more risky for Javy as teams aren't stupid or unaware of his deficiencies. I don't care if he hits .300/30/100 this year--I'll dance a jig if we get out of the balance of his contract.

John Jaso sighting…

Nice to see Boyd and Rogers healthy

I sense a theme.

Still holding out hope that they have deals in place with a couple of major league free agents and are just waiting until they can put Mize and Skubal on the 60-day to make room.

Think you just described Victor Reyes, too.

Chafin didn’t want to come back here. Can you blame the guy?

Santana was also 19 years old. I don’t think I’d drop him based off last year, especially with a high walk rate and some power. You could easily make the argument that he is a top-5 talent in the org. I also can’t get behind putting Jung over Keith, but I hope that is the outcome because I’m very high on Colt.

That was the knock on Okudah by some—that playing in the Big 10 wasn’t as challenging or the best test.

I kind of like this

underwhelmed in the KBO, but hopefully he can be our new Trayce Thompson.

Pretty cool autograph card of Pacheco that I just purchased off eBay:

I don’t see a scenario where the Bears make their pick,

I was part of the “be patient” brigade. They did bring some guys in, but no one clear cut or who looks to be an upgrade. I’m still convinced that Schoop moves over there for some games, with Maton getting more starts at 2B.

I’ve read them all. His was the only one that I was left, he’s really not very good and I hope he enjoys summers in Toledo (and Erie, eventually). He’s not blocking Dingler or Crouch, but I don’t think anyone else is coming up behind those guys.

I hope people are still interested in baseball to the same degree in 15 years. Not a great long-term business model when your core audience is the AARP crowd.

Of course you would—you spend time in a baseball online forum. I agree that the majority of fans would not pay that premium, especially when the team is largely irrelevant due to lack of marquee players or winning baseball.

That trade devastated my 7th grade self. Got to meet him as an adult through my son’s travel baseball stuff. You know that expression that you should never meet your heroes because they’ll disappoint you? Spot on.

Is it really cord cutting? I have to believe the TV audience is diminishing because baseball is waning in popularity. Its biggest advantage is that it owns the summer, while the other three major sports overlap in the fall-spring. MLB has to figure out how to market their marquee players, as well as teaching them how to market themselves via social media. The only baseball player that I’ve seen do that effectively has been Trevor Bauer, who then got canceled.

I recall the stretch where we would add guys past their prime: Eric Davis Lloyd Moseby Ruben Sierra Fred Lynn Bill Madlock Vince Coleman Ray Knight Probably forgetting a few.

Reminded of what a disappointment Nick was while playing with us. He never should have left the friendly confines of Cincinnati’s stadium.

Why didn’t you say, “old friend update…”