chasfh

This is mere speculation and there’s no way to check it in this specific instance, but one of the wild cards at hand is the system each player ended up in. Move any of the three to either of the other two systems, and are we seeing the same results thus far? Again, no way to know—all we know is what we’re seeing in this universe.

Errrr …

I do too. I think there's a decent chance that everybody in the triangle of Al Avila, Eduardo Rodriguez and Rodriguez’s agent knows where the other two are and what's going on with them, and that we're the ones who have no idea.

This may be a clue: Witness intimidation is a form of obstruction of justice and under 18 U.S. Code § 1512, it's a federal crime to interfere with witness testimony or cooperation in a criminal case. In order to be charged with witness tampering, it has to be proven you attempted to alter or prevent witness testimony. It's important to note the action doesn't actually have to be completed. https://www.thefederalcriminalattorneys.com/federal-witness-tampering

Today? Probably nothing. August 2, after he has something like a .280/.370/.430 run? Maybe something.

As airtight as this procedure has been, I gotta believe they have actionable evidence, not just hearsay.

Today's hearing revealed the first overt indication that your typical violent red hat insurrectionist is down with the idea of killing "every man, woman and child" who they suspect is a Democrat, and that "your average Democrat is a traitor" and must be killed.

That said, seeing as how voting has been established as a constitutional right, I don't think its regulation should be subject to voter fiat. Especially since we have seen how the requirements for what constitutes voter ID can be easily manipulated.

Voters with voter ID vote for law requiring voter ID. Shocking.

I agree that talking about Rodriguez that way to the press looks unprofessional, and I am wondering what Al was trying to accomplish. He may have made those comments as a bull in a china shop, cluelessly and without thinking and unconcerned of the effects, which some might conclude. Or, maybe Al was trying to send a message to Rodriguez and his agent along the lines of, "hey, we're embarrassing you here, you can put a stop to that by getting back to us." That could be considered unprofessional in its own way, too, but at least there would be a point behind it. I think it's also possible that Al was laying some public groundwork for Ilitch to terminate the contract, whether in advance of petitioning Baseball (and the Players) to simply allow us to void it, or perhaps as a ploy to create more favorable terms for settling it for an undisclosed amount that's more in the Tigers' favor. If the Tigers can in a public way successfully portray Rodriguez as being continually unresponsive to them, that may strengthen their case to have the contract simply voided without penalty to them.

I don't think everyone here is concluding that, although it's still within the range of outcomes.

While he may be a manager favorite, I think highlighting Grossman for trade value is really the only reason he's playing. There's no other logical reason, and I don't believe Hinch is managing unprofessionally and playing Grossman over obviously better-qualified candidates in the system simply because he likes him. This may get to the point where Al does one of this practically-patented get-what-ever-we-can deal last-second for Grossman. If Al can't swing even that, I would expect to see Grossman's playing time plummet, and he may even be DFA'ed.

I find this story genuinely fascinating because I’ve never seen anything like this before with my team. I’ve been checking in with the news a few times a day seeing whether there are updates. I am really interested in learning what the deal is. Is it mental issues? Substance abuse issues? Did he just get sick of playing, whether overall or just for this team? Or was it a marital problem after all? How is this all going to resolve with the team and his contract? Is he (or his agent) even alive? Enquiring minds want to know. I’m starting to feel similarly about Meadows. Every time he gets close there’s yet another setback seemingly unrelated to what went before it.. I am fascinated to know whether his issue is a string of unfortunately consecutive run-of-the-mill illnesses and injuries and he’s going to end up doing OK by the end of the year, or next year, or whenever? Or whether there’s something more chronic that can’t be overcome. And it is fascinated I am, not angry or upset, because to your point, I didn’t have any time to form any attachment to either of them, so if both of them are gone for good, it’s kind of like 🤷‍♂️, oh well, hardly knew ye.

Tigers giving up the game with sloppy play. We see this too goddamn much.

My bet is that they settle the contract for an undisclosed amount.

Oh, sweet Jesus ... not our first-round pick on another high school pitcher, please ...

On the one hand, this makes total sense. This is the front office’s bailiwick, not the manager’s. On the other hand, this is a really terse, icy reply Hinch was asked Monday if the Tigers have heard from Rodriguez. "I have no comment on that," Hinch said, "and I won't have any comment on the Eduardo Rodriguez situation. That's for the organization to handle." https://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2022/07/11/detroit-tigers-austin-meadows-setback-rehab-assignment-achilles/10029937002/

BREAKING: stop and start over

Sure, he could return to what’s he has been in the past. But nothing has been normal for him in this already very abnormal year, so I’m just not penciling him in for anything. I’ll think about him when he’s actually back with the team. I’m with you on tempering hopes for him this year even if he does come back. I’d be thrilled if he merely came back and didn’t miss any more time injured again.

Joe Biden accomplished the one thing I care the most about: he wrested the presidency away from that loud-mouthed criminal fascist.

Nice take on that third-inning ball four to Javy. He’s struck out on that pitch before.

I'm not arguing anything. I was replying to another poster about whether the Tigers might sue.