MLB Thread

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Harper will get like $300 million from the Yankees and he'll hit 50 HR a year into that Little League porch</font>

[Frank Drebin]

lol...he might make that during his arb years alone.

(thats a joke, screech)

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Normally I'd groan at the thought of the Yanks getting a guy like Harper. But screw it. I don't want to have to watch him play against the Mets 18 times a year.</font>

[screech]

First off, you don't know what WAR stands for or at least comprehend the concept. If you did, you wouldn't say "a pro is better than a scrub off the street" because that's not what it means.

What Damian and I are arguing is that you're using antiquated metrics to quantify a players performance. We've given examples of why batting average is only a small piece of the pie. Ex: Kris Bryant is hitting .262 right now....if he were a free agent, what kind of contract do you think he would get this offseason? $200 mil would be a home town discount to put it mildly.

No one compared Hayward to Trout or Cabrerra. His scouting report was summed up and supported by data which all comes out to "hes getting paid very well" after this season.

I was being facetious with the WAR remark. I am not only looking at average and the like with this, that was just the first thing that came to mind, plus it's not something to be ignored (which you both seem to be doing in shitting on me for pointing to it).

Since you missed it, I'll say again: I did not compare Heyward to Trout or Cabrera, nor did I say anyone did. The point was that those guys have produced enough to be worth $200 million. From what I've seen from Heyward, which is quite a bit since he played for a rival for 5 years, he hasn't and isn't worth $200 million right now.

[screech]

<font color=goldenrod>Normally I'd groan at the thought of the Yanks getting a guy like Harper. But screw it. I don't want to have to watch him play against the Mets 18 times a year.</font>

As much as I love Harper, he kills the Phillies so I'd be happy to see him leave the division.

[screech]

Who doesn't kill the Phillies these days, amirite?


:(

[ClockShot]

Isn't Harper like a total headcase? If I were the Yankees, I'd pass on him.

[screech]

Early on he was, but I think he's "grown up" a lot this year.

i.e. I haven't heard any stories lately.

[Damian Rey]

Batting average has lost value and relevance in recent years because getting a hit is nice, but avoiding outs is more important. On base percentage is far more important and telling than batting average.

[screech]

Red Sox working out Hanley at first base. I guess he can't do much worse than LF.

[Emperor Smeat]

Should have done it earlier in the season had Cherrington not created a log jam at the position (and DH). Outside of some stretches, he's been pretty bad at LF compared to what they have available for that spot.

They signed him knowing full well he was pretty poor at SS and had someone better there nor could move him to 1B since a few guys already took that spot. Couldn't give him the DH spot either since Ortiz and 1-2 other guys were already set there.

[Frank Drebin]

Yes, but whats his batting average?

[screech]

Need to know his BABIP to be positive.

[screech]

It was really a matter of time before he was moved. Weren't they talking about trading him, or was that just a rumor?

Can imagine that conversation: "You suck at half your job. Go do it somewhere else."

[Emperor Smeat]

It was really a matter of time before he was moved. Weren't they talking about trading him, or was that just a rumor?

Can imagine that conversation: "You suck at half your job. Go do it somewhere else."

Mostly just rumors and same about them trying to do another salary purge like a few years ago. Read somewhere a while ago that the money they currently have tied up already puts them in the Top 5 for the next several seasons.

If they wanted to trade Hanley or Panda any time soon, they'd have to be the "Dodgers" of any deal in the sense of them eating most of the salary and tossing in prospects. Already had to with the Napoli trade earlier in the month by sending cash to help cover what he's owed.

[Frank Drebin]

Need to know his BABIP to be positive.

BABIP could help you predict his batting average.....:shifty:

[Bad News Gertner]

Jays win again with 2 in the 9th!

[Emperor Smeat]

:-\ NESN getting rid of the Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy commentary team after this season. Orsillo got officially fired today but staying till end of the season while Remy's own contract is up after next season so he could be next.

Those two were great together in the booth and made horrible seasons feel at least a bit more enjoyable with their comedy antics and stories.

[screech]

Batting average has lost value and relevance in recent years because getting a hit is nice, but avoiding outs is more important. On base percentage is far more important and telling than batting average.

It is, but being barely above average still doesn't make Heyward worth $200 million. He has been consistently good at everything. Not great (well maybe defense), not excellent, but good. Should he get a raise based on that consistency? Sure, but $200 million is a leap.

[screech]

Phillies need 12 wins to finish with fewer than 100 losses on the year. This is what I have to be excited about

Also holy shit at how bad Jerome Williams has looked compared to the second half of last year. He was at least serviceable.

[Damian Rey]

You should root for them to lose to ensure a better draft pick. Avoiding an arbitrary number of losses doesn't do any good.

I was hoping the Padres packed it in July but alas, they decided they could pretend they could still compete.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Never really understood how any fan could openly root for their team to lose. I understand the logic behind it but even if I were in a situation where losing would help my team I could never sit there and cheer when the other team does something good.</font>

[screech]

I've convinced myself that the season won't be a waste if they lose fewer than 100. I had low expectations, obviously.

Plus I proclaimed on my show that they would not finish with the worst record in the league lol

[screech]

Also what Vito said. I can't actively root against my team. I just can't. Especially since a lot of their remaining games are divisional.

[Frank Drebin]

<font color=goldenrod>Never really understood how any fan could openly root for their team to lose. I understand the logic behind it but even if I were in a situation where losing would help my team I could never sit there and cheer when the other team does something good.</font>

I was rooting for the Cubs to lose the last few years. They were doing a top to bottom rebuild and were in no way competing anytime soon. They needed top draft picks. Sure, you want to see good things from some of the guys who might be around for the long run, but in hindsight I'm sure happy they lost those few extra games otherwise no Bryant or Schwarber.

[road doggy dogg]

Can't cheer for my team to lose no matter how lucrative the draft pick is.

I'd like to think at least the players on the team would be actively trying not to lose as well. You figure on top of everything else there'd also be the thought that, "Hey, if we lose more we'll have more chance of drafting a guy that will potentially replace me" so more incentive to keep winning

[Damian Rey]

Players get paid regardless. From a player standpoint, winning 81 games instead of 75 doesn't do much for them neither financially or from a job security standpoint.

Maybe root was the wrong word. I am not rooting for the Padres to lose nor do I cheer when the other team gets the upper hand. However, if and when they lose I don't care and in th long it's better for them anyways. Especially if they furnish the bottom ten. They get a top ten pick and can sign free agents without surrendering their first rounder.

Gotta think long term of you're a losing team. For instance, what reason do the Phillies have for revoking Francouer from waivers? What benefit does he provide that they can't be without? The answer is nothing.

[Emperor Smeat]

Can't cheer for my team to lose no matter how lucrative the draft pick is.

I'd like to think at least the players on the team would be actively trying not to lose as well. You figure on top of everything else there'd also be the thought that, "Hey, if we lose more we'll have more chance of drafting a guy that will potentially replace me" so more incentive to keep winning

Only sport that seems ok to do is with basketball but even in the NBA it gets ridiculous at times with teams tanking right at the start. Then again they also have a lottery that feels more rigged than legit so no guarantees tanking would even be worth it.

[screech]

Jeff Francouer is a hero and you will respect him as such

[screech]

Plus the more he plays the less I have to see Domonic Brown, who is my least favorite player.

(maybe not ALL his fault, but that's another discussion)

[Bad News Gertner]

I hope Francouer gets traded and Dominic Brown bats lead off for the rest of the season.

[screech]

You sir, are the worst

[Damian Rey]

Gertner is the greatest heel I've ever known.

[Bad News Gertner]

Meanwhile in Texas, the Jays are kicking the shit out of the Rangers 10-2. Encarnacion with a grand slam.


Fuuuuuuuuck I love the Jays offence!

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol oh God, Bautista up with bases loaded, no outs in the 7th.

[road doggy dogg]

JV still got it

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Remember when the Mets traded for Eric O'Flaherty and I said "I don't care about his 5.91 ERA, the reason they're getting him is that he carves up lefties who are only hitting .186 against him"

In the 3 weeks since coming to the Mets, lefties are now hitting him at a .444 clip with a 2.70 WHIP :| He has a 15.88 ERA through 9 games with the Mets. Total season ERA up to an even 8.00. And in 2 of those games he came in with a huge lead and single-handedly allowed the other team to get back into the game.

It's a small sample size, but I've seen enough. I'd rather not have a lefty specialist at all than try desperately to get something out of him. He's just totally shot.</font>

[road doggy dogg]

all I'm reading is PHIL COKE PHIL COKE PHIL COKE

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'd rather have Phil Coke than O'Flaherty at this point.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Hell I'd rather they call up this kid from Double A who got signed out of independent ball this year. Josh Smoker. Excellent name for a pitcher.</font>

[Damian Rey]

Twins have activated their peak factor and took control of the second wildcard spot last night. Hope they didn't play their hand too early. Peak factor timing is everything these days.

[road doggy dogg]

While glancing at the standings earlier this morning on mlb.com I looked at the Wild Card list... they show the division leaders on top and then the WC race below. For whatever reason I never noticed this before but it's shown like this:

E - Toronto
C - Kansas City
W - Houston


E C DUB
E C DUB
E C DUB

I wanna see Donaldson put Yordano Ventura through a flaming table

[Bad News Gertner]

Well, Jays have peaked. They lost to Texas. Probably will get passed by the Red Sox at this pace.

[screech]

That's what you get!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mets recover from an early 5-0 deficit, pull off the play of the year in the 10th inning, and win 9-5 in the 13th. They've hit a franchise record 43 home runs this month, and have scored a franchise record 73 runs in the past week.

This must be how Gertner feels watching the Jays.</font>

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/8879118/v419095283/nymphi-murphy-makes-nice-play-off-wild-deflection

[Sepholio]

200 million. Yeah, you guys can have the frosted shit brick back.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Baseball Prospectus playoff odds updated daily

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/odds/

Padres still have a 0.1% chance to rectify not being sellers at the deadline. Sorry, Damian Rey.</font> :o

[Damian Rey]

It's okay. I've come to terms with that lousy decision. I'm hoping they indeed do not resign Upton to gain a draft pick, trade Kimbrel, Norris and Ross in the off season to try and reload the organization, and finish in the bottom ten do they can splurge on free agents without giving up draft picks this time.

These daft owners aren't going to mail it like they should've done this year with the all-star game coming. Wouldn't be shocked to see them be aggressive in adding cheap talent via trades and going for broke in the free agent market.

[ClockShot]

Jack Zduriencik....

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cNX_wGyKhmM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

I knew it was only a matter of time.

[Frank Drebin]

Supposedly he faked being a sabermetrics guy to get the job and just paid lip service to it after.

[Bad News Gertner]

Jays with already 3 home runs tonight after 5 innings

[Emperor Smeat]

MLB might consider a stronger push for extended the netting to protect fans from nailed by foul balls in the offseason now that a lawsuit got filed because of it. Current lawsuit targets the Red Sox and an incident from last season where a fan got injured by a foul ball.

teams are usually protected from lawsuits under the fine print or "The Baseball Rule," which says that by purchasing a ticket and going to a game, fans are putting themselves in danger and assuming liability. "The Baseball Rule" is rarely challenged. However, an Idaho court ruled in February of 2013 that a fan could seek damages after losing his eye after being hit by a foul ball at a Boise Hawks game in 2008.

In that case specifically, the Idaho Supreme Court ruled that Idaho lawmakers had not created such a rule and the team and stadium owners could not get blanket protection from liability by printing a disclaimer on a ticket stub.

In a previous court case in Massachusetts, "The Baseball Rule" was upheld, but there might be an opening in this case allowing it to be dismissed. At the time Taubin was injured, Fenway Park was undergoing renovations. The lawsuit alleges those renovations directly impacted fan safety and led to the fan's injuries.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/fan-suing-red-sox-after-suffering-injuries-from-foul-ball-222826444.html?soc_src=mail&soc_trk=ma

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Seemed to work great for the Little League World Series.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>jesus...even when the Mets lose they keep it interesting. Down 6-3 with 2 outs and the bases empty and they wind up losing 6-4 with the bases loaded.

sucks to lose a game where Harvey tossed 6 scoreless, but oh well. things had to even out at some point given the way the past week has gone. at least the Nats lost.</font>

[RP]

Fernando Rodney dyed his beard in an unsuccessful attempt to try to make us think he's not Fernando Rodney.

[Bad News Gertner]

How fucking awesome is this: Every Jays home run up to Aug.26 done to the beat of Johnny Cash's God's Gonna Cut You Down

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E9jaMJvYNq0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol Encarnacion is killing the Tigers. 2 more home runs today. Jays up 9-1.

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol Encarnacion just hit a Grand Slam. 3 home runs and 9 rbi's today. Jays up 13-1.

Oh how sweet it is!

[Bad News Gertner]

Bahaha Martin with a 2 run home run. 15-1. Suck it Tigers.

[ClockShot]

Tigers were better with Leyland & Price.

Organization needs an overhaul. Probably gonna regret letting Dombrowski go.

[ClockShot]

Mets grab Addison Reed from the D-Backs for 2 prospects.

Wonder if I should pick him up again in fantasy?

[Bad News Gertner]

Jays drop the mic. Now we're done. Encarnacion with another home run.

[ClockShot]

Yankees destroy the Braves and sweep the series. Looks like we've finally learned to hit again.

[Frank Drebin]

Droford is currently justifying why the O's are fine without Jake Arrieta.

[RP]

Jake motherfucking Arrieta right now.
He's pitching for a MVP. Fuck a Cy Young!

[Damian Rey]

Frank beating me to the punch

[RP]

Arrieta may have just sealed up the Cy Young right there.

[Frank Drebin]

Wow dude.....that was a hell of a pitching performance. Cubs needed it too. 2 runs in the first was it after 13 hits and chasing Alex Wood after 5 innings.

[Damian Rey]

He's just peaking is all. Orioles still won the trade.

[Frank Drebin]

lol.....fucking got him AND Strop for Scott Feldman....

edit: yeah hes peaked for these last 50 starts so he's bound to come back to erf.

[Frank Drebin]

He's just peaking is all. Orioles still won the trade.

Oh yeah dude....O's still got a ton of young pitching. Wouldn't even have room for Arrieta in the rotation right now.

[Frank Drebin]

Even screech can't argue with him being a CY candidate because of his ERA.

[Damian Rey]

But does he have "TEH WINZZ" and pass the eye test.

[Frank Drebin]

Those are just numbers, man. The I test is just a letter.

[screech]

His beard is enough.

[RP]

Hey Droford! How's Scott Feldman and Steve Clevenger doing????

[SammyG]

God damnit Dodgers

[Ruien]

I think Droford quit this thread.

[Damian Rey]

He's just waiting for his posts to hit their peak factor.

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol Droford has been M.I.A lately

[ClockShot]

Cubs get Austin Jackson from the Mariners for a bag of money and a PTBNL.

[Frank Drebin]

Jorge Soler insurance.

[Bad News Gertner]

GOINS! GOINS! GONE!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Went to tonight's game. Collins' bullpen decisions are so fucking bad and have been throughout his tenure. Jon Niese had a shit outing. 5 innings, 6 runs. Bleh. But then they came fighting back. Kelly Johnson with a big pinch hit double, and Cespedes with a 2-run bomb. 6-4. Great, you've pulled closer. So now you try to bring in one of your few reliable arms to hold the deficit, right?

Wrong. Apparently you put in Bobby Parnell and his 5.66 ERA, fresh off a DL stint that was pretty much made up just so he could sort out his command issues. First batter: walk. Second batter: walk. Third batter: sacrifice bunt that Parnell throws over the first baseman's head. Eric O'Flaherty comes in with 2 men on and still no outs. Walk. Carlos Torres comes in bases loaded no outs and just gets eviscerated. And before you know it it's 14-4 Phillies. What the shit.

Worst inning I've ever seen in person lol. And then of course the 3 relievers the Mets use to finish the game combined for 3 perfect frames as the team lost 14-8, aka enough runs to overcome the initial 6-run deficit. Fucking moron.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Fortunately, Brandon Moss hit a walk-off for the Cards over the Nats, so somehow the Mets lose no ground after that stinker. I think I can put my hatred of the Cards aside for one more game tomorrow.</font>

[road doggy dogg]

ha ha, for one night at least suck it KC!

[Droford]

Lol Droford has been M.I.A lately

The Os are playing like complete shit circa 2002 when they were 63-63 and finished 4-32, they are 1-12 which s actually aworse pace
Almost had forgotten those dark days

[screech]

Wooooo Phillies

[Bad News Gertner]

The Os are playing like complete shit circa 2002 when they were 63-63 and finished 4-32, they are 1-12 which s actually aworse pace
Almost had forgotten those dark days

Probably shouldn't have peaked.

[BigDaddyCool]

ha ha, for one night at least suck it KC!

Back to Royals killing it.

[Bad News Gertner]

Woooo Jays win!

[Ruien]

Feels like the Yankees and Blue Jays never lose anymore.

[road doggy dogg]

lol Bryce Harper had a great line tonight

0-0, 1 RBI, 4 R, 4 BB

[road doggy dogg]

He saw 20 pitches tonight, didn't swing at a single one.. lol

[Emperor Smeat]

lol Bryce Harper had a great line tonight

0-0, 1 RBI, 4 R, 4 BB

How did he get an RBI, bases loaded situation for one of his at bats?

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Red Sox better get out of the basement. I still think they will be playing games in October though. Anybody want to make a bet?

[Damian Rey]

Better at this point that they don't. They could get a protected draft pick, sign one of the huge free agent starters without giving up a draft pick, and you know Dombrowski is gonna wheel and deal.

[screech]

Crazy stat of the day: Carlos Gonzalez has 25 homeruns since July 1. That's 7 more than Juan Pierre hit in his entire career lol

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>lol fuck Scott Boras. Mets have been trying to cap Harvey at roughly 180 regular season innings this year, even going to the 6-man rotation at points to help make it happen. But the plan was always to just pull the gloves off in the playoffs and not worry about innings at that time (unlike when the Nats shut down Strasburg for the playoffs).

And only now...in September...in the heat of a playoff chase, Boras is blasting Sandy and saying 180 innings is not a soft cap, it's a doctor's order. And that if they go over that number of innings it's putting his client at risk. Translation: if Harvey injures his arm again I'll get a lot less money fromn his contract in 2019.

Hopefully Harvey tells him to shut the fuck up.</font>

[Frank Drebin]

Boras means nothing to the Mets front office regarding Harvey. He's not a FA until 2020 and Boras isn't going to let his client sign a team friendly extension. Boras is irrelevant for 4.5 years.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Harvey's a free agent after the 2018 season (partly why I've advocated the Mets doing all they can to do all they can to supplement the pitching with quality offense in the next few years and would be willing to overpay Cespedes for during that window), but yeah...Boras is just angling for his payday years down the road because he knows another Harvey arm injury will lessen his value down the line.

He's just going into business for himself, as he normally does.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Also, Harvey is ridiculously competitive and expects nothing but the best from himself. There is a better chance that Renee Young, Paige, and Alexa Bliss all simultaneously show up at my doorstep to be at my sexual beck and call than there is of Harvey voluntarily shutting himself down for the playoffs.</font>

[Frank Drebin]

My bad....FA after 2018...yer right.

[Bad News Gertner]

Droooooooford. Better hope the Jays finally peaked lol

[Droford]

Droooooooford. Better hope the Jays finally peaked lol

Drew Hutchison sucks, you're gonna toss that guy out in the playoffs lol

Guy only has 13 wins cause of outrageous run support.

[Damian Rey]

I'm gonna get the farm Hutchison doesn't pitch in the playoffs short of long relief

[Bad News Gertner]

The Jays for whatever reason never hit Ubaldo Jimenez. They are like the only team.

[Bad News Gertner]

Drew Hutchison sucks, you're gonna toss that guy out in the playoffs lol

Guy only has 13 wins cause of outrageous run support.

Silly Droford. Marcus Stroman is coming back. Plus who the hell uses a fifth starter in the playoffs.

[Droford]

10-2 btw, cause your bullpen sucks too

[Droford]

Chris Davis has 40 Homers

Gonna miss him next year

[Damian Rey]

You could've said about half the roster. Duquette has failed the team in not acquiring more long term pieces.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Nats tie the game with 2 outs in the 9th against the useless Braves and then win in extras. Mets meanwhile drop an absolute heartbreaker in Miami ending with, of course, Eric O'Flaherty losing it.

Feels like a weird thing to say still up by 5 games in early September but the next 2 feel like must-wins for the Mets. The Braves have absolutely given up and aren't likely to beat the Nats this weekend. So the pressure's on the Mets to avoid heading into Washington on Monday with a shortened division lead when they're scheduled to pitch Jon fucking Niese, who is horrible.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

10-2 btw, cause your bullpen sucks too

They threw out their scrubs

[Bad News Gertner]

If the Jays make the playoffs I go Stroman, Buehrle, Dickey and Price.

Maroc Estrada is a ticking time bomb and someone is going to overpay a lot for him in the off season. His BABIP is riduclous and he's a fly ball pitcher. Once that starts levelling out he's in trouble.

[Sepholio]

The Braves gave up before the season started. Same deal next year, too.

[Frank Drebin]

Sorry Damian Ray....I don't think josh Johnson is gonna work out.

[Frank Drebin]

If the Jays make the playoffs I go Stroman, Buehrle, Dickey and Price.

Maroc Estrada is a ticking time bomb and someone is going to overpay a lot for him in the off season. His BABIP is riduclous and he's a fly ball pitcher. Once that starts levelling out he's in trouble.

Moot point when all those right handed hitters run into KC'S bullpen.

[Damian Rey]

Kc's starting staff outside of Cueto is suspect. If the Jays can murder their starters before the bullpen kicks in the have more than a shot, and that offense is good enough to do so.

At least Josh Johnson had a glorious afro to admire.
http://thumb.usatodaysportsimages.com/image/thumb/650-510nw/8755736.jpg

[screech]

As a white dude with an afro, I'm a bit jealous of that.

[Bad News Gertner]

And that's one more for the good guys!

[Damian Rey]

Sorry Vito
https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-0/11987140_688598697907663_9012271850536298429_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=547acb30c8ff3134970fff06e6f892a1&oe=5679BAD7

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Harvey repeatedly said all season that he wasn't worried about his innings. He bitched about the 6-man rotation throwing off his timing even though it was done specifically to allow him to get to the end of the year. And only now in September during a playoff chase is he saying "nah I'm going to listen to Boras and shut myself down."

If he actually does shut himself down after all of this, then fuck him. I hope they trade him in the offseason to whatever AL team offers the most because the constant off-field drama with him is not worth it at all. No one player is above the team. They'd get a haul for him with 3 years of team control and the pitching will still be really good without him, anyway.

Or trade him to Colorado. Have fun earning a 9-figure salary pitching there, Matt.</font>

[Evil Vito]

https://a.disquscdn.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/2483/9431/original.jpg

<font color=goldenrod>^
Fucking pansy Matt Harvey</font>

[Damian Rey]

I can't say I blame him. I think most thought the Mets might make the wildcard maybe. And even then. His long term health may legit be at risk and if he's feeling uncomfortable, Dr Andrews feels it's detrimental or the Mets really did have a hard count that they're now backing out in, it shouldn't reflect negatively just because he's putting his health first.

Best case scenario is they use himas super reliever throwing multiple innings per game. They should probably implement that now. Give him 6 or 9 outs twice a week in the backend of games.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>It was never once relayed as a hard cap even going back to Spring Training. In fact Harvey actually scoffed at the idea of being on an innings limit much like he complained about the 6-man rotation and being skipped occasionally. The plan was always to get him to October.

To wait until fucking September to backtrack and say it's not a soft cap is a complete load of shit on the part of Boras and Harvey. If either of them had been clear about a hard cap in Spring Training, the Mets would have started Harvey's season in May or something and this wouldn't be an issue.</font>

[Damian Rey]

They should've just stacked him with one of their extra starters and only let him go 5innings a start. He would be at about 150 or so innings by now with plenty of innings left in the tank.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Pretty tough to stack starters in the Mets' case because they were also trying to cut down the innings for Syndergaard and Matz when they went to a 6-man staff. Using both in one game would be a bit of a waste.

I love the idea of letting a pissed off Harvey start in Washington on Tuesday and then sending him to the bullpen where they clearly need help, but then I'm sure Boras would bitch about that too because of all the extra times he needs to warm up and shit.

Again, this would have all been avoided if Harvey had been more transparent about his limitations at the start of the season instead of portraying himself as an alpha male who will pitch all season and into October and then pussy out out of the blue.

I'm glad Mike Vaccaro wasn't afraid to rip him a new asshole:</font> http://nypost.com/2015/09/05/mets-fans-wont-forget-matt-harveys-a-hypocrite/

[Bad News Gertner]

Moot point when all those right handed hitters run into KC'S bullpen.

Jays homered off Davis and Herrera last series they played and curved of the Royals bullpen pretty good.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Couldn't they just save him for the playoffs? They have a five game lead. If he needs to rest. Then let him rest. NL playoff do seem pretty set barring a huge change.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>The NL East is far from set. It's a 5 game lead but they still play the Nats 6 more times and the Nats still have a ton of games against the awful NL East just like the Mets do. And if the Nats beat the Mets in their series next week the division will be really close. The Mets need all hands on deck to avoid blowing this opportunity.

Again, this wouldn't have been an issue if Harvey/Boras had been up front at the start of the year about wanting to maintain a hard cap. The Mets would have accommodated it and either started his season late or skipped more starts earlier in the year. But instead he pissed and moaned about being skipped or having his starts spread out via 6-man rotation. He said he could handle it. And now he's backing out when they need him most.

Even if he comes back tomorrow and backtracks/says he'll keep going into October, he's done irreversible damage to his image in the eyes of fans after talking the talk all year trying to look like the alpha male. And if he really does only have 180 innings, that's 2 more starts tops. I could see him getting booed off the field at Citi on 9/14.</font>

[Evil Vito]

http://i.imgur.com/HSV9f6Y.jpg

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

lol

[ClockShot]

NO, I DON'T WANT MATT HARVEY!

I'll take 1 or 2 of the pitchers in the upcoming offseason crop, please.

[Evil Vito]

<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/eT3TdV0lIIB/embed/simple" width="600" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>

<font color=goldenrod>Wright snubbing Harvey</font> :love:

[road doggy dogg]

ummm I'd gladly take Harvey........

[Bad News Gertner]

Orioles getting their ass handed to them already

[Bad News Gertner]

BAUTISTA!!!! CRUSH!!!!!

[Bad News Gertner]

And that's one more for the good guys!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, the Mets are gonna choke away this division. Today way scarily reminiscent of 2007.</font>

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Sox are 1 game away from not being in the basement.

[Bad News Gertner]

The Jays are in town. I don't see that changing. #CanadianRaken

[Vastardikai]

I feel like the owners of the Braves took their ownership cues from Miami.

[Ruien]

Mets are coming up huge today. Hope they don't blow the 3 run lead in the 9th.

[Bad News Gertner]

Bad Buehrle! Bad!

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RedSox?src=hash">#RedSox</a> had held sole possession of last place for the last 89 consecutive days. But they caught the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Orioles?src=hash">#Orioles</a> today - or vice-versa</p>&mdash; Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/641005170034376704">September 7, 2015</a></blockquote>
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With how poorly Tampa had played as well, Sox could even reach third place very soon. Just 2 games separate them from Tampa at the moment.

[Damian Rey]

The battle for the best pick in the draft is on. C'mon Padres!

[ClockShot]

God Bless America dooms another team in The Bronx.

[Evil Vito]

Mets are coming up huge today. Hope they don't blow the 3 run lead in the 9th.

<font color=goldenrod>Today was indeed a huge win, especially fighting back after yet another implosion from Jon Niese.

It's still very important for the Mets to take one of the next two with Harvey and deGrom on the mound. If they lose those next two, it gives the Nats a huge confidence boost. They'd still be down 3 games, but since the final series of the year is against the Mets it means they still control their own destiny and they'd merely need to keep pace to ensure their season will stay alive right up to the final series.

And right now the Mets still are sub-.500 against teams with a winning record on the year. They need to put the hammer down and make a statement here but I'm just not convinced the Nats are ready to die.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

The Jays still haven't lost back to back games since trading for Tulo.

[Ruien]

Mets had a HUGE comeback win. Hope they stomp on Washington's throat next game.

[Droford]

Chris Davis could hit 50 again

[Evil Vito]

Mets had a HUGE comeback win. Hope they stomp on Washington's throat next game.

<font color=goldenrod>Incredible turnaround, especially doing that in a game in which Harvey completely shit the bed after all of last week's controversy.

I said going in that they needed to take 2 of 3, and they did just that. Puts the Mets in a great spot. Even if they went 12-12 the rest of the way, the Nats would need to go 18-6 (a .750 clip) just to tie.

Of course, even knowing that I realize it would be huge if the Mets could deliver the final knockout blow tonight. I look at the Nats schedule and they play nothing but teams that have essentially folded it up for the year until the last series of the year against the Mets. So it's not the least bit inconceivable to me that they have yet another big run in them.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

Chris Davis could hit 50 again

50 meaningless home runs.

[Damian Rey]

It'll be a nice farewell to Baltimore as Davis goes on to make 20 million a year while the Orioles deploy Steve Pierce at first next year.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Holy fuck.

I've been saying this for a few weeks but...just give Yoenis Cespedes whatever he wants. Holy fucking shit.</font>

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

498!!!!

[Droford]

I'm hoping the Orioles can keep the Yankees out of the plsyoffs. it would be fun

2 out of 3 helps

[Damian Rey]

Consolation prizes are for losers. Just hope they lose out, get a better draft pick and someone else gives up their first rounder to sign Davis.

[ClockShot]

Teixeira and Eovaldi gone.

Big difference without them in the lineup.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yoenis Cespedes since joining the Mets:

36 games
.312 AVG
14 HR
36 RBI
.357 OBP
.675 SLG

These are video game numbers. He won't win MVP obviously...games played is one of the 5 stated criteria when the voters are given their ballots. It'll still be Harper in all likelihood, with Rizzo and McCutchen as other candidates if the voters are gung-ho on giving it to a player from a playoff team or if the Nats just completely phone it in these last few weeks and they finish sub-.500.

But Cespedes will probably wind up getting some votes simply because he really has defined the word valuable in this stretch.</font>

[Damian Rey]

It's definitely going to boost his market for free agency. If Harper doesn't win I'll be quite disappointed. Sure as shit isn't his fault the team has flopped.

I'm sure Arenado will get votes because of teh RIBBIES

[DaveWadding]

America's First Baseman Paul Goldschmidt should win.

[screech]

Ruben Amaro is OUTTA HERE! WOOOOO!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>lol @ them waiting for the team to be mathematically eliminated before finally pulling the plug</font>

[screech]

Come on, man. Just let me have this.

[DaveWadding]

Ruin Tomorrow JR RIP

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Nah I don't blame you for celebrating. It's amazing he lasted as long as he did.

Can't say I'm sad to see Rollins and Utley gone though. No matter how old and otherwise bad they became, they ALWAYS killed the Mets.</font>

[screech]

The deal that sticks out to me is Hunter Pence. Threw a bunch of prospects to get him at one deadline, flipped him to SF for a few nobodies and Nate Schierholtz the next. Terrible.

[screech]

When MacPhail came in and said he's going to "evaluate everyone" before making moves, I got worried Ruben would have time to make one last FU move.

Very glad he didn't. Today is a good day. Now about Brown and Buchanan....

[Damian Rey]

Good day in Philly.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>After pulling off an exhilirating sweep in Washington, the Mets need to avoid having a letdown series in Atlanta. Looking at the Braves lineup I really have no idea why they've been so offensively starved of late (scoring 8 runs on 18 hits last night notwithstanding), it's not like they're totally devoid of good players. Plus Turner Field has been a house of horrors for the Mets.</font>

[ClockShot]

It's everything or nothing for the Yankees with this series against the Blue Jays. Gotta atleast break even or take 3 of 4.

[ClockShot]

Game's rained out. Single admission doubleheader on Saturday.

Tempting...................very tempting.

[Damian Rey]

Fucking do it.

[ClockShot]

Teixeira's done for the season with a fractured leg.

HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE loss. Was having an MVP season and was the backbone of the offense for most of the season. Goes above and beyond playing 1B, too.

This changes everything.

[Droford]

Orioles just hit 2 grand slams in the 8th off the royals bullpen in a 10 run inning

[Droford]

Only the 8th time in history 2 grand slams in an inning

[Bad News Gertner]

Canadian Rakin out in full force tonight

[Frank Drebin]

It's definitely going to boost his market for free agency. If Harper doesn't win I'll be quite disappointed. Sure as shit isn't his fault the team has flopped.

I'm sure Arenado will get votes because of teh RIBBIES

Harper will win and it won't be close. I'll be interested to see who finishes 2 thru 5 though. See where Riz, Goldie, Votto and Cutch land.

[Frank Drebin]

screech, you got a good look at Jake Arrieta today. Can you believe all it took to get that was Scott Feldman and Droford's pride?

[Droford]

Jake Arrieta is hardly the next coming of Curt Schilling

[Droford]

This was an article on worst deadline deals (http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/readers/deadlineMLB.html) from espn a while back

1. Orioles send Curt Schilling, Pete Harnisch and Steve Finley to Astros for Glenn Davis (53 letters)
You want free drinks in Baltimore? All you have to do is start a conversation complaining about Glenn Davis. It's like visiting Boston, bumping into The Sports Guy and saying, "Roger Clemens is a bum." Next thing you know, the whole bar is buying your rounds for the rest of the night.

The O's sent Steve Finley, Pete Harnisch and Curt Schilling (yes, the Curt Schilling) to the Astros for Glenn Davis. I'll repeat -- an All-Star outfielder, a decent pitcher (who had some issues, but anyway) and the NL pitcher of dominance to the Astros for a veteran (read: old man getting paid too much money).

Davis' claim to fame in Baltimore is getting his jaw broken in a bar room brawl after being here a week! That's right, not only did the man lose us some major prospects but he didn't even play because he got his butt whooped in a bar fight.
Greg Kushto
Baltimore

[screech]

screech, you got a good look at Jake Arrieta today. Can you believe all it took to get that was Scott Feldman and Droford's pride?

It would have been demoralizing if the season wasn't in the shitter by April 15.

[Damian Rey]

Jake Arrieta is hardly the next coming of Curt Schilling

Per era+, they're actually pretty close both in terms of their production at age 29 and through 6 seasons. Schilling has a slight edge but it's pretty marginal.

[ClockShot]

Cardinals catcher Cody Stanley suspended 80 games for popping positive for PEDs.

[Bad News Gertner]

Were into the 5th inning of the second game of the Jays vs Yank series and 12 home runs have already been hit accounting for all but 5 of the total runs scored.

[ClockShot]

Yanks/Jays game better pick up the pace if they're gonna beat the rain.

Delayed down in Baltimore right now.

[Bad News Gertner]

And that's one more for the good guys.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Hell yeah. Long long game that they got lucky to win, but luck only works out when you're good.

[Ruien]

Really hope Houston does not blow it down the stretch.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Big Papi with 499 and 500 tonight! Whooooooooo! Cooperstowwwwwwn!

[Emperor Smeat]

:D Ortiz

[Bad News Gertner]

Jays are killing the Yanks in the second game of a doubleheader.

[Bad News Gertner]

And that's one more for the good guys!

[Frank Drebin]

screech...2 questions about Chase Field:

1) The guy behind home plate with the speed gun looks like he says something more than just the speed into his walkie-talkie. Any idea if hes relaying the type of pitch or something as well?

2) There is a window into some dudes office in the corner in right field....who the hell is that and why is it there?

[screech]

I don't know anything about Chase Field.

[Droford]

Big Papi with 499 and 500 tonight! Whooooooooo! Cooperstowwwwwwn!

Apparently an Orioles fan caught the 500 ball and let him have it. They've now been excommunicated from Birdland, fuck them.

If I had caught it I'd have destroyed it like he did the Camden Yards dugout phone.

[Frank Drebin]

I don't know anything about Chase Field.

.....meant Citizens Bank.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Lowe was super clutch in the ninth... honestly was the type of game Yanks could have clawed back into, and he shut the door on them.

[ClockShot]

So much for the Yankees taking 3/4 to keep the AL East pennant interesting.

Should be taking some pointers from the Mets right now.

[road doggy dogg]

Apparently an Orioles fan caught the 500 ball and let him have it. They've now been excommunicated from Birdland, fuck them.

If I had caught it I'd have destroyed it like he did the Camden Yards dugout phone.

shut the fuck up


I hate the Red Sox but if I caught Papi's 500th HR ball... damn that would be something special

[screech]

lol excommunicated, fuck off

[Frank Drebin]

Screech, does the guy in the right field corner count RBI on one of those new fangled adding machines?

[screech]

He calculates BABIP, then burns his findings because it's a ridiculous stat.

[Frank Drebin]

Well played, Harold Reynolds.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Does career HR count playoffs?

[Damian Rey]

Nope. Those 500 are from regular season games only.

And it looks like Ruben Amaro has once again hacked Screech's account. Guess he's got a lot of time on his hands these days.

[Emperor Smeat]

Padres currently rumored to be the front runners in signing Red Sox announcer Don Orsillo after this season ends. A few other teams are also interested but Orsillo's been teasing a move to San Diego. Would replace Dick Enberg once his own contract ends after next season.

NESN basically blamed him for why tv ratings are down for Red Sox games while Red Sox management don't care about the growing petition to change the decision made.

[Damian Rey]

He'd be a welcome commodity in the booth. While I respect Enberg and his legacy, he makes a lot o little goofs that I think are just due to him being old. Time for him to hang up the headphones.

[Bad News Gertner]

I've noticed that since football has started that even though the Jays are in first that I probably care half as much.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Man, fuck the goddamn Marlins. It's bad enough that all of their players (Dee Gordon especially) celebrate every run like they've won the World Series. But the cocks blatantly beaned Cespedes today. Hate that shit. And the odds aren't likely that the Mets will retaliate tomorrow or anything because the Marlins have nothing to lose and will just hit a Met again or try to start a fight. Not worth risking a player getting injured or suspended down the stretch.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rangers defeat Astros, 6-5. Texas was 8 games back in late July, now lead Houston by 1/2 game in AL West. <a href="http://t.co/L3HPPtwxUi">pic.twitter.com/L3HPPtwxUi</a></p>&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/644001636394905600">September 16, 2015</a></blockquote>
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[road doggy dogg]

that's insanity

really hope the Astros win the division

but Texas is a good story too, so many injuries for them this year

[Frank Drebin]

I like both teams. Happy that the Astros got themselves out of such a huge hole. 3 years ago I didn't think it was possible. However, they've been over their heads for a while. Teams that hit tons of home runs and, well, not much else usually fade.

[Frank Drebin]

Droford! Jake Arrieta is going for his 20th win tonight! How excited are you?

[screech]

Teams that hit tons of home runs and, well, not much else usually fade.

25 Mark Reynolds agree

[road doggy dogg]

thirty Helens agree

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Last night was the first time in 9 days that the Mets actually lost ground. But whatever, they're 8.5 games up with 17 games to play (better than the 7.5 games up with 17 to play that the historic choking 2007 Mets were). More importantly, the magic number dropped from 23 to 10 in that span.

I mean, I really only consider it a 5.5 game lead because they wrap up the season with a 3-game series vs. the Nats and, if the division was somehow still on the line by then, it means all hell broke loose in the division. The Mets and Nats combine for 29 games between now and then. I'd really like to think they can arrive at the magic number of 10 before that series.

And yet in spite of there being no logical reason to think this Mets team will choke given how they've played since the deadline, I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a part of me that still worries about it happening especially since the Nats will see very little resistance between now and that last series. :o Life as a Mets fan, I guess. Need to officially clinch to eliminate those ghosts of September past.</font>

[ClockShot]

Honestly thought Texas was D.O.A. when the season began with all the crap they've been through. And now poof, they're in the mix.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mets lose, Nats win, magic number stays put for another night. Baseball Prospectus playoff odds for the Mets drop from 99.9% yesterday to 99.1% today. PANIC CITY.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mets go 6-7 in their next 4 series, Nats have to go 11-3 to make that last series of the year for the division.

Mets go 7-6 in their next 4 series, Nats have to go 12-2 to make that last series of the year for the division.

Mets go 8-5 in their next 4 series, Nats have to go 13-1 to make that last series of the year for the division.

And in all of these scenarios, the Nats would then also need to sweep the Mets to force a Game 163.

Everything's going to be fine, right? ..............RIGHT???</font> :'(

[Damian Rey]

Take a deep breath Vito. Matt Williams at the helm will almost certainly result in a Mets playoff run.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I sure hope so. In truth I'm sort of taking this piss out of the fanbase and am not THAT worried yet based on the scenarios listed above. Even if the Nats win tonight, they'll be 7 back. Aka exactly where they were when the Mets finished sweeping them last week and everybody in the media (both NY and Washington) declared the race over.

But if the Mets lose this Subway Series and the weekend ends with the Nats having gained more ground? Then yeah, there's bound to be some uneasiness, if not outright panic.

You'd be hard pressed to find a Mets fan that doesn't worry at least a little bit about a collapse. That will never go away until the Mets can win a division title.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

Droford! Jake Arrieta is going for his 20th win tonight! How excited are you?

Droford has quit since his Orioles peaked too early.

[Damian Rey]

Did they even peak? I'm shocked he's not here trying to tell yes how JJ Hardy is an all-star.

[Bad News Gertner]

Jays now have three players with 30 home runs and 100 rbi.

[screech]

But what about their WAR???

[Frank Drebin]

Lets ask a Phillies fan:

http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/game-on/2010/04/16/clemmensx-large.jpg

[Damian Rey]

Lol what in the world happened there?

[Frank Drebin]

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/04/phillies-fan-charged-with-intentionally-vomiting-on-cops-kid/1

[Droford]

Did they even peak? I'm shocked he's not here trying to tell yes how JJ Hardy is an all-star.

JJ Hardy is still an awesome defensive shortstop, but fuck he can't hit his way out of a paper bag anymore. If they hadn't extended him Manny would be at short by now.

[Droford]

Of course I say that and he hits a home run tonight

[Bad News Gertner]

Woooo one more for the good guys and the Yanks lose! Jays now up 4.5!

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAKING!

[Frank Drebin]

Peaking duck

[DaveWadding]

GETCHA HOT, CRISPY PEAKING DUCK RIGHT HEAH

[Bad News Gertner]

Jays have won 26 in a row when scoring 5 or more runs.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Turn on stream that has the Mets radio announcers instead of the terrible FOX guys.

First thing I see is Beltran's HR flying into right field for a 3-0 lead with nobody out in the top of the first.

Turn off stream.</font>

[RoXer]

Vasgergian is cool, I like him

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I liked him when he would be in-studio on MLB Tonight and stuff. As an announcer he's just kinda boring I feel.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Also I automatically feel like I'm playing MLB The Show.</font>

[DaveWadding]

Matt Vagsurgeon

[Damian Rey]

Matty V is a great host. Not too keen on his play by play, however when he was in San Diego he was an absolute clown. He's much better now that he's a "national" voice.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Said it a couple weeks ago and I'll say it again. Fuck Matt Harvey. All this fucking bullshit with the innings. Waiting until September to say he should be on a limit even though he spent all spring saying he wanted to pitch every 5 days with no restrictions.

Then to have a temper tanrum in the dugout when he gets pulled after 5 shutout innings even though it's only being done to accommodate him and his agent.

Just done with this bullshit. Fucking get rid of him this offseason.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mets had a 9.5 game lead with 18 to play. It's now a 6 game lead with 13 to play. Mets have lost 4 of their last 5 games. Nats have won 7 of 8.

But hey they have the Braves coming in! No problem, easy wins, right? So let's just toss our 2 worst starters against them and then have Logan Verrett do a spot-start for deGrom because it's totally a great idea to conserve your pitchers for 2016 when you're in the middle of a MOTHERFUCKING PENNANT RACE and have the 2nd place team heating up.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I am fucking done if they blow this division. Like seriously done. I will burn every piece of Mets clothing I own (and I own a lot) and broadcast it for TPWWForums.com if it happens.</font>

[Evil Vito]

http://i.imgur.com/HSV9f6Y.jpg

[Bad News Gertner]

Woooooo Brett Cecil is awesome.

[Emperor Smeat]

:eek: Red Sox not in last place anymore in the division.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Woooooo Brett Cecil is awesome.

Bret Hitman Cecil was fucking godly tonight...

I was saying they NEEDED to take one this series, they're in tough to take 2/3 because the bats are sleeping and the bullpen is in flux. If the bats wake up, I think they'll take another one, but hard breaking balls seem to be the key right now to shutting them down.

It's safe to say that Aaron Sanchez is not ready for prime time, hopefully he can get his confidence back... I think Cecil coming in and bailing him out could possibly save this poor bastard's career. Will probably give him a feeling of security to know he's got some veterans that can save his hyde.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

:eek: Red Sox not in last place anymore in the division.

Fucking assholes. Record doesn't reflect how decent they are.