RatkoVarda

Haley, who BTW has never lost an election, I assume would be somewhere within the "normal" range if she was POTUS

speaking of the Athletic, good but very long article about how the Giants never were able to pull the trigger on a big transaction over the last few years and now they are floundering to even keep the LAD at least in sight. NL West is a great microcosm of MLB. Colorado - poorly run team with no clue and no chance; SFG - trying to outsmart everyone while finishing 5, 4, 3, 3, 1, 3 and 4 in the division; SD - spending $ just to spend it with absolutely no plan; AZ - lots of young talent and now spending FA $ to keep it going; LAD - incredibly well run franchise loaded with almost unlimited resources (except the cheat code for post season success)

Mariners just bought last 27% of their RSN that they did not own. Not connected to Bally bankruptcy, but interesting that Ms are one of the most profitable franchises already. Still think that Tigers+Wings gives Ilitch 2 ready made content providers if they go that way. Could promise to not carry any Pistons games as well.

needed to either axe him or extend him, otherwise uncertainty will be used by other teams competing for FAs

Lynn jumped the shark with the AJ opt-out, and it's hard to take him seriously after he just made up that story

Harris cannot help but notice that his old boss is hanging on by a thread.

appears that Turnbull and Flaherty are at different end of political spectrum

KC adds SP Wacha at 2/32.

maybe that is a factor, and having the flexibility to move him up and down is nice, but Faedo is 28 - if he can help as a reliever, just take that IMO

plans can change, but pretty sure AJ said late last season that BB and Faedo are relievers

Detroit rotation: Skubal, Maeda, Manning, Flaherty, with Olsen or Mize, with the other one being a piggy-back reliever for Maeda. Toledo: SGL, Madden, Flores, Hurter, Englert Erie: Jobe and Melton Faedo, Brieske, Montero are now relievers

both things can be true: Vierling has even more to offer the Tigers, and the Tigers would benefit if Harris got someone better than Vierling/McKinstry/Ibanez

no doubt. the issue is not blocking prospects, it is that Vierling, McKinstry and Ibanez are decent, but Harris should be able to find one more guy this winter better than decent

if healthy - which is obviously a silly thing to say as injuries will certainly come up - they can win ALC with this pitching staff

very nice. was concerned that Harris was done with significant moves. I suspect he only makes another signing if, come Feb 10, some infielder or reliever is homeless and would take a 1 year deal. they are still more than 20M under 2023 payroll, so money should not be an issue.

Giolito is projected to be one of the more expense fixer upper guys. would prefer to pay more $$$ for more talent, or less $$$ for a Lorenzen type. but again, have to trust that they see something they like in whoever they sign

SFG finally get someone to take their money; CF Jung Hoo Lee, 6/122M including posting fee; will play in same division as BFF Kim

the only teams that do not have some level of free agent remorse, are the teams that do not spend on free agents. it is just a cost of shopping in the free agent aisle; sooner or later, some guy will underperform or get injured or do something stupid off the field

and right on cue, the LAD make a prospect trade with the Yankees, getting a well regarded minor league SS/3B for a well regarded minor league 2B and a generic LHR, and clearing 2 40 man rosters spots. they really do get talent into their system in any way you can think of.

they are more focused when they are the hunter, rather than the hunted. that's on DC

Stupid to downgrade to Schreve over 2m last year

Mann is interesting; but it might be better to have Kriedler or Lipcius or Leonard who can all freely by moved up and down as needed. I'll continue my perfect record of being wrong and say Hudson Haskin.

11th pick has not been kind, with injuries wiping out Baugh (2001) and Drumright (1995) who both never made it, but still outperformed Veryzer (1971) and his -3.7 WAR. Maybin went 10th, and Gibson and Jung went 12th.

now that Fedde has signed the rest of the dominos will quickly fall

would have been nice to move up and get more $$$ to play with, oh well