mtutiger

Jello shots anyone?

I dont know how realistic it was to get the necessary votes to extend the deadline, especially with the requirement of 60 in the Senate. But clearly, a strike really wasn't something that anyone would countenance. In a time where we already have supply chain issues and inflation, the railroads grinding to a halt would have been like a nuclear bomb to the economy - trains carry a lot of consumer goods, but they also carry a lot of necessities as well, such as food to medical supplies. It's not an exaggeration to suggest that a strike would do a tremendous amount of harm to the country. And would have downstream harm to all Americans. The railroads, for their part, knew this and had a tremendous amount of leverage in negotiations. So, maybe it's theoretically possible that a better deal could be reached, but I kinda doubt it - I have a little insight on the industry for professional reasons, and their business model (longer trains, on time and more efficiently) is complicated a lot by sick leave. I'm not saying it's right, but it's absolutely a hill they were gonna die on, even if the optics weren't good. So knowing all of this, as sympathetic as I am to the workers and that they should have more sick leave, this is one of those cases where there really wasn't a good decision to be had - you either tank the economy in the hopes (no guarantee) of seven days of sick leave, or you enforce the deal and try to fight it another day. On balance, they probably did the right thing - both politically and for the country.

So the 47/50 (not 49, due to absenses) Democrats who voted for 7 days of sick leave weren't voting to support unions, but the 6/50 Rs who voted the same are? That makes zero sense.

Probably worth adding in a couple of SF Giants Rule5 eligible players to the list, given who our PBO is: https://www.fangraphs.com/players/will-wilson/sa3009871/stats?position=SS https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jairo-pomares/sa3010023/stats?position=OF https://www.fangraphs.com/players/hunter-bishop/sa3011413/stats?position=OF Not sure I'd be as interested in any of them, but with his institutional knowledge, he may look their way.

Stavenhagen from the top-rope with a real hot-take on his pod: trading ERod. With the idea being that he's likely to opt-out given how overheated the starting pitching market appears to be at the moment. Despite the need for pitching, it actually makes some sense as a means to jump start the upgrade at their various needs on the position player side. Although it's one area where all the pitching injuries are an issue and it would likely require the need for another starter to be signed.

I do think we should continue to keep an open mind - to an extent it seems like some are already making judgments about this offseason when it has barely even begun for all teams.

This is random, but this kind of moment is the kind of thing that used to happen in all the other administrations but really didn't happen during Trump. Maybe others don't care, but I appreciate the dignity for the office and being able to handle the administerial stuff well

No amount of Blue Kool Aid would make anyone predict it, but if they managed to win out, I'm pretty sure that would be enough. Considering the start they had, that's still progress

Very...

I remember the 40 point beat down they put on the Tebow Broncos, but I'm sure there's been one more recently...

No doubt, the lack of energy and enthusiasm for Walker is noticeable, and the pros don't seem to be exhibiting a lot of confidence in a W on Tuesday for his campaign. Not making any predictions, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Warnock won by as much as 4 points, which would be a blowout for a D candidate in a state like Georgia.

If I were Walker, I'd be concerned the fact that AA% is almost 32% in early voting. It was closer 29% in the first round during early voting, where Warnock got more votes than Walker... granted I know people get chided for talking about EV, but due to racial polarization in the south, AA turnout in Georgia is fairly predictive. Walker still has a path, but his people will need to show up in big numbers on EDay.

The key term being "appearance of a scandal"... It all goes back to the first impeachment, which was Trump blackmailing the Ukrainian government to compel them to open an investigation that would benefit him politically. Wrongdoing or anything of the sort was irrelevant, just the appearance of an investigation was political gold. Still think that event is somewhat underrated in his political downfall... it really tipped people off to the playbook and people were much more wise to claims after it.

I'm not sure it matters what his motivation is. The reality is that anyone who talks about "suspending the Constitution" is talking like an aspiring Dictator and shouldn't be anywhere near power.

I saw that earlier, he would be a great fit here imo

Just to add to this, putting resources on a position player also takes their position off the board. In Jeimer's case, tendering him likely means you aren't in the market to acquire another (possibly longer term) 3B option in this offseason. We have spent a lot of time on the risk side of the coin, the idea that non-tendering Jeimer risks leaving the position to someone worse for 2023. But what happens, hypothetically, if the Tigers manage to swing a trade or acquire someone who ends up being a longer term option at the position? In that case, that's likely something that doesn't happen if you tender Jeimer. *That's* calculated risk... tendering Jeimer is the safe move, and is even defensible to a degree. But the downside is that, assuming he was always just a placeholder, is that you pull yourself out of consideration for trying to improve for the longer term at the position in this offseason.

The lack of consistency no doubt has an impact on his value... Reminds me of Jonathan Schoop to an extent, who has more or less ping ponged around the league since leaving Baltimore. Presumably because he's streaky and isn't consistent at the plate

100%. I understand that we are all fans and it isn't our money so, why should we care? But just thinking realistically, teams aren't generally in the business of paying significantly over market value on players. I see the other side of the argument as well and it has merit, but ultimately it's just hard to be upset at the Tigers on this one for doing what a lot of other teams likely would have done in this situation from a business sense.

49/50 Democrats voted for the measure. 6/50 Rs voted for the measure. Not sure the math adds up, Chief.

She and her compadres also have a lot of political relevance at this particular moment with such a small majority and Kevin cutting backroom deals for their support. There's a fine line between giving too much and too little attention, but let's not pretend she (and statements she makes) aren't newsworthy either

This. Likely the only way he was staying was by giving him the $7 million, regardless of whether he was worth that or not. And the decision to negotiate, while likely the right one in the business sense (ie. Candy wasn't worth $7 mil even in this market) meant the Tigers had to be comfortable walking away from the table. They made a decision, one that I can't really fault them for. And they have to see how it shakes out at this point.

Chas suggested that his market price (and what he signed for with Washington) was based on a perception that he was damaged goods or more of a project player. It's clear that the Tigers viewed him similarly.

Maybe the Tigers also perceive Jeimer as damaged goods and value him accordingly as well?

Don't know how exactly the ratio works out, but the contract that Candy agreed to with the Nationals suggests that the market doesn't think much more of Candy's value than the Tigers do imo

My understanding is that they offered him a contract at a lower number and he refused. I know why the Tigers did it, I think most other teams would have done the same thing in that situation as well, all things equal. And you have to be willing to walk away in a negotiation, which they did. Wish Candy the best, but there was nothing wrong in trying to pay him fair market value and being willing to walk away.