MLB Thread

[road doggy dogg]

Usually because in way too bombed to use a phone properly. Woo baseball!

[MrSmokeydogg7]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hj5nl8MhSI

[road doggy dogg]

Classic Alburquerque

Every good pitch he throws is followed by 2-3 awful ones

[Emperor Smeat]

Red Sox signed Stephen Drew to a 1 year, $10 million deal.

[ClockShot]

Boston must have been desperate. Drew probably could have gotten more if he hung back till after the Rule 5 draft. More suitors might have came his way.

Because of this, the Red Sox lost a draft pick.

[Emperor Smeat]

A bit but also didn't really need Drew either. Red Sox bigger issue was his salary more than the draft pick status which is why they didn't care when he rejected arbitration or the initial offer.

Its possible he could have gotten more suitors later in the season but probably also would have gotten less for money.

[road doggy dogg]

I'm glad it was the Sox pissing away a pick this year instead of the Tigers for signing Drew. Bullet dodged

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Why would the Sox lose a pick? The whole point of the qualifying offer is that another team who signs him has to give a pick to Boston. Boston wouldn't have to forfeit anything by signing him.

Cost himself $4 million this year though.</font>

[ClockShot]

Drew's classified as a Type A free agent. But I think there's some language in the CBA about he's gotta be on the roster for the entire season.

[Damian Rey]

Hate the draft pick comp tagged on free agents. It hampers their value, and it makes teams who may otherwise look into signing a valuable guy like Drew turn the other cheek. Double negative, baseball fans. Wish they just did away with it.

In Padres news, Andrew Cashner is dl'd with elbow soreness. MRI revealed irritation but nothing serious thus far. Meanwhile, Bud Black continues to baffle me by batting a .277 obp in the 2 hole, and benches a .281/.317 avg/obp centerfielder for one hitting .199/.274. Fucking why?

[Damian Rey]

And their fucking splits against RHP is about the same, with Maybin hitting better against. I hate our lousy manager.

[Droford]

Chris Davis announced he fixed his swing during BP and then went out and clobbered 3 home runs. I think its fixed.

[Bad News Gertner]

Edwin Encarsmashion

[Evil Vito]

RP's client, the Chicago Cubs, ended Masahiro Tanaka's streak.

[DaveWadding]

OUR CLIENT, MIKE OLT, CONQUERED THE STREAK.

[ClockShot]

I'll take that win.

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol Jesus is Encarnacion ever on fire.

[Emperor Smeat]

:nono: Red Sox pitching

[ClockShot]

Soooooooo, Miguel Olivo likes the taste of flesh.


From ESPN.com


Miguel Olivo (http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5355/miguel-olivo), accused of biting off part of teammate Alex Guerrero (http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/33096/alex-guerrero)'s ear in a dugout altercation Tuesday, has been suspended by the Los Angeles Dodgers (http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/lad/los-angeles-dodgers) for his part in the incident.


The Dodgers announced Wednesday that Olivo will remain on the suspended list at Triple-A Albuquerque, "pending the completion of an investigation." The Dodgers have had little comment about the altercation, which sent Guerrero to the hospital and could cause him to miss as much as five weeks, according to sources.


Agent Scott Boras, who represents Guerrero, said Tuesday that his client needed plastic surgery on his ear as a result of a bite from Olivo. Neither Olivo nor his representatives have commented publicly.


Guerrero, the Cuban infielder signed for $28 million this past winter, remained on the Albuquerque roster as of Wednesday evening.
According to the Salt Lake City police, Guerrero declined to file a complaint with the police about the incident, which would have been the first step toward criminal prosecution.


Last season, Olivo was placed on the restricted list by the Miami Marlins (http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/mia/miami-marlins) after he left the team without permission.
Olivo also has displayed a hot temper on the field before, charging at Jose Reyes (http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/5411/jose-reyes) and missing with a wild punch during a dustup between the Marlins and New York Mets (http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/nym/new-york-mets) late in the 2007 season.


Ironically, in a spring training interview with Telemundo posted by SB Nation (http://www.truebluela.com/2014/5/21/5739612/miguel-olivo-mike-tyson-ear-biting-spring-training), Olivo said that if he weren't a baseball player, he would like to be a boxer like Mike Tyson -- but without biting an ear off.
Tyson infamously bit off part of Evander Holyfield's ear during a 1997 bout.

[road doggy dogg]

lol wow

[road doggy dogg]

and wow did not realize the Tyson/Holyfield thing was almost 20 years ago

[road doggy dogg]

lol A's got 1-hit last night.......... and won 3-2

[ClockShot]

The Balkoff between the Indians and Tigers was better.

[road doggy dogg]

:nono:

[Emperor Smeat]

Dodgers released Miguel Olivo today.

[Bad News Gertner]

Jays fucking the corpse again today.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"><p>BREAKING: Prince Fielder is expected to miss rest of season after undergoing surgery for herniated disc in his neck. <a href="http://t.co/jgmWQXKp99">pic.twitter.com/jgmWQXKp99</a></p>&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/statuses/469597858577260544">May 22, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[road doggy dogg]

v disappointed he won't be at Sunday's game. We've got a group of about 20 of us going and really wanted to "give him the business". this is potentially ruining my entire Canadian Memorial Day weekend

[OssMan]

Still aint watched a game yet

[Evil Vito]

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/9780550/v33079369/ladnym-infield-fly-rule-is-called-puig-doubled-off

<font color=goldenrod>Yasiel Puig is like your first MLB The Show "Road to the Show" character when you're still trying to learn how to run the bases with the camera angle constantly changing.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

First place Toronto Blue Jays. That Liam Hendricks is a monster.

[ClockShot]

Ugh. Hi-Sox blew it last night. :(

[Bad News Gertner]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

[Emperor Smeat]

Cubs hired Manny Ramirez as their new player-coach for their Triple A team.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Josh Beckett with a no-hitter.</font>

[ClockShot]

Boston fans are gonna be begging for him to come back now.

[Bad News Gertner]

The Jays are a J.A Happenin!!!!!!

[screech]

Love Josh Beckett

[Emperor Smeat]

Boston fans are gonna be begging for him to come back now.

Can't say for others but I don't. Him being gone both led to Lackey becoming good again and getting rid of a big source of the club's problems.

Still good for him that he appears to be rebounding well after the past few seasons.

[Evil Vito]

How many more times are the Mets going to let Jose Valverde pitch in meaningful situations? Jesus Christ he is awful.

[road doggy dogg]

Well I could've told you that

[road doggy dogg]

http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/MRHC2asMQ_TYurNiSuu8Cw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusmlbexperts/hotdogmudhensvalverde.jpg

still my all-time favourite picture of anything ever in the history of anything

[Evil Vito]

Valverde was awesome for like the first two weeks and I figured maybe Sandy had lucked out. Then he blew that save in Anaheim and that was the end of it.

Mets finally saw enough as they announced Valverde's release the second the game ended. And they've fired the hitting coach.

[road doggy dogg]

This current rough patch for the Tigers' pitching stuff is really something remarkable

[ClockShot]

Like the camo uniforms everyone got going on today.

[road doggy dogg]

Seems like every time I find myself subjected to a Padres game they are wearing some random camo ish

[ClockShot]

Mets cut Jose Valverde loose and fired hitting coach Dave Hudgens.

We go to Vito Cruz for his thoughts.

[Bad News Gertner]

Wooo Blue Jays! Steve Tollefson in your face!

[Droford]

I guess I was lucky to get the free dominoes pizza BC it seems they screwed up. I did log in at 2:57 though...

[Bad News Gertner]

It's time for Edwin Encarnacion to move on. He's too good for this league.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>ICYMI: 50 Cent threw out perhaps the WORST first pitch in baseball history tonight. » <a href="http://t.co/v8JQ4ZGEMO">http://t.co/v8JQ4ZGEMO</a></p>&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/statuses/471486569338372096">May 28, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[RoXer]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bo1v39JIMAE_R4M.jpg:large

[road doggy dogg]

Jays' streak finally comes to an end. But hot damn. Encarnacion is otherwordly right now

[Bad News Gertner]

Tied with Mantle for most home runs in a month in the AL with 16. Fucking crazy.

[road doggy dogg]

Might go to the game tomorrow, been a while since I been to the <s>Skydome</s> Rogers Center

[Emperor Smeat]

:D 5 wins in a row for the Red Sox.

[Bad News Gertner]

Haha Encarnacion hit another one

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Sox sweep the Braves and Rays. 7 in a row.

[The Fraze]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tkU_4Kjl_R8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Tb1 making an appearance on the Giants' telecast.

[DaveWadding]

LOL @ the Orioles cheating the system to avoid Johan's opt out.

[Droford]

The way the o's starters have been pitching, hopefully its motivation for them to pick it up over their next 3 starts. Unfortunately its only realistic that the chopping block consist s of Chen, Gonzalez and Norris since they won't do anything drastic with Tillman or Jiminez. Money is on Gonzalez but Chen has been the one struggling to go 5 innings each start which is taxing the bullpen, but im not ure replacing him with Santana would solve the innings issue. All the minor league reports I've seen say Santana has been pitching well but needs more rehab time just to be sure he's ready.

The one pretty amazing thing is the o's haven't had a starting pitcher get hurt (knock on virtual wood) and Gausman's 1 start on his callup was for extra rest to the rotation.

[Droford]

Also nice to see the AL East all lose except for the o's and Jays who didn't play.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mets take 4 of 5 in Philadelphia. Hot damn.</font>

[Frank Drebin]

Watching cubs/mets...thought about Billy Wagner and if there are any left handed closers now. Brian Fuentes was for a while. Only other modern day lefty closer I can think of.

[Bad News Gertner]

Blue Jays, nigga what!

[Bad News Gertner]

Watching cubs/mets...thought about Billy Wagner and if there are any left handed closers now. Brian Fuentes was for a while. Only other modern day lefty closer I can think of.

B.J Ryan

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>DRIP Don Zimmer</font> :(

[Droford]

http://media.silive.com/yankees_impact/photo/pedro-don-zimmer-10-29-09jpg-ea11055583cb3747_large.jpg

[Bad News Gertner]

Wooooooooooo Melky Cabrera!

[ClockShot]

Good lord the Yankees suck right now. Bullpen blowing all the leads.

R.I.P. Zim. :'(

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Fucking knew they'd back winning 4 of 5 in Philly with losing a series to the worst team in baseball. Forever mediocre Mets.</font>

[DaveWadding]

hey, the Diamondbacks are the worst team in baseball. No matter what records say.

[RoXer]

No way. This team is a lot better than what their record is.

[Droford]

hey, the Diamondbacks are the worst team in baseball. No matter what records say.
I'm pretty sure that's Tampa Bay.

[DaveWadding]

No way. This team is a lot better than what their record is.

David Peralta and Ender Inciarte.

[Evil Vito]

Pretty close to slapping the "bust" tag on Travis d'Arnaud. Dude is 25 and looks absolutely helpless against big league pitching. Been getting rave reviews about his ability to handle the pitching staff but that's certainly not why the Mets got him.

Thank god the Mets kept Kevin Plawecki. Could see him taking d'Arnaud's job in a year if d'Arnaud doesn't get his shit together. Also Thor alone should still make that trade with the Jays a long-term win for the Mets.

[Bad News Gertner]

Muhahahahahaah BLUE JAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RoXer]

David Peralta and Ender Inciarte.

<iframe src='http://m.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?content_id=33478153&topic_id=8878726&width=400&height=224&property=mlb' width='400' height='224' frameborder='0'>Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

[Droford]

Santana tore his achiles..done for the season/career

Oh well

[Bad News Gertner]

Aaaaaand the Jays win again. Marcus Stroman woooooo!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Manny Machado was a whiny penis last night. Claimed Josh Donaldson tagged him too hard on the bases.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

Here, I'll get this out of the way before the game starts: wooooo the Jays win again!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>God dammit. Normally I'm an idiot and play my starting pitchers regardless of matchup but I purposely sat Shelby Miller today going up against the red hot Jays.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

Fuck did he ever pitch a gem. Just completely shut down the Jays.

[Frank Drebin]

Lol white sox

[Frank Drebin]

I really liked Josh Donaldson back when he was a catching prospect in the Cubs system. Didn't think he was going to be this good though. At least Hendry gave up Sean Gallagher instead of Sean Marshal in that deal for Rich Harden.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>The Mets are so god damn pathetic.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>At the rate they're going I'm expecting Alderson to leave after the year, realizing that there's never going to be the payroll flexibility he was promised. And Collins will be fired so they'll need to pay him 2 years since they gave him an extension for basically no reason.</font>

[road doggy dogg]

Thank god for Sox of all colours this week. Need to build up that division lead again.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>lol jesus Manny Machado is a dick</font>

[RoXer]

what a baby

[DaveWadding]

Cubs prospect 3B Kris Bryant continued his assault on Southern League pitching Sunday, going 2-for-4 with a double, home run and two RBI for Double-A Tennessee.

The home run was Bryant's 21st of the season, which ties him with the Rangers' Joey Gallo for the minor league lead. The 22-year-old slugger continues to put up monster numbers this season in his first taste of the Double-A level, as he currently leads the Southern League in batting average (.356), on-base percentage (.461), slugging (.716), home runs (21), OPS (1.177), total bases (161), runs scored (55), hits (80) and RBI (54).

FRAAAAAAAANK

[Droford]

<font color=goldenrod>lol jesus Manny Machado is a dick</font>

The scrub pitcher Abad is an asshole for throwing at his knee which he blew out not even 10 months ago. You want to hit someone you don't go for the head or knees.

[screech]

It was 10-0 Oakland in the 8th. I doubt it was intentional.

[Frank Drebin]

Just remember wadding....we saw him first.

[Bad News Gertner]

Cubs prospect 3B Kris Bryant continued his assault on Southern League pitching Sunday, going 2-for-4 with a double, home run and two RBI for Double-A Tennessee.

The home run was Bryant's 21st of the season, which ties him with the Rangers' Joey Gallo for the minor league lead. The 22-year-old slugger continues to put up monster numbers this season in his first taste of the Double-A level, as he currently leads the Southern League in batting average (.356), on-base percentage (.461), slugging (.716), home runs (21), OPS (1.177), total bases (161), runs scored (55), hits (80) and RBI (54).

FRAAAAAAAANK

Crazy Joe Gallo

[Bad News Gertner]

R.A Dickey. Go fuck yourself.

[RoXer]

Enough with spring already, let's get it on.

Opening Day is Monday. Who's going?



http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1019/1472800700_0d3f96d235.jpg

http://sticksnballs.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/mets-fan.jpg

http://image.spreadshirt.com/image-server/v1/compositions/18475396/views/1,width=280,height=280,appearanceId=258.png/new-york-baseball-lol-shirt_design.png


http://images2.nick.com/nick-assets/shows/images/star411/blogs-3/2012-leon-thomas-mets-3.jpg?width=520


http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/q8b1gbiq2jb7rc57dcsg.png



http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/18x32ia6h9a9ngif.gif


http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/18ybj3597g8bzgif.gif

http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4577629/NieseGoof.gif

[poopfromweiner dude]

You're missing the smiling dickhead from the Mets game

[Damian Rey]

For fuck sakes Droford, can you stop being a homer for one second? Machado gets pissed at a legit tag, blows up on Donaldson's face, hits Norris in the face, TWICE, then throws his bat down the third base line after swinging after the ball was past him. He was being a fucking spoiled brat cock sucker cry baby and he acted like an ass.

For all the shit Harper and specially Puig get for how they play, there better be a huge fucking backlash for the bullshit Machado was pulling yesterday.

What a fuck face.

[road doggy dogg]

It's just Manny being Manny! :lol:


:nono:

[Droford]

Actually its Manny slowly transforming into A Rod

http://baltimoresportsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/manny-machado-alex-rodriguez-1.jpg

Don't think this didn't/doesn't piss me off

[Droford]

Also while I'm at there's something weird between Manny and Yonder Alonso (no, not Yonder's sister who's engaged to Manny)

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2013/05/14/machado-x-large.jpg

[Droford]

Also

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view3/4778803/david-ortiz-smashes-phone-o.gif

David Ortiz can do that with his bat and not get Suspended but Manny's going to get the hammer thrown down on him..fuck that. His bat shattered and endangered his own teammates plus he did damage to property.

[Damian Rey]

The difference being he didn't intentionally attempt to hurt anyone, unlike Manny, who again, hit Norris on purpose, TWICE, and purposely threw his bat down the line with the intention of sending a message, if not more. Theres a difference between throwing a tantrum and seeking vengeance.

[Damian Rey]

#blindhomer

[screech]

Also

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view3/4778803/david-ortiz-smashes-phone-o.gif

David Ortiz can do that with his bat and not get Suspended but Manny's going to get the hammer thrown down on him..fuck that. His bat shattered and endangered his own teammates plus he did damage to property.

David Ortiz wouldn't throw his bat at the other team like a child.

[screech]

*didn't throw his bat at the other team

[DaveBrawl]

Pedroia covering his head is the best part of that, meanwhile Farrell never acknowledges it.

[Emperor Smeat]

The yelling Pedroia did afterwards was the most pissed off I've ever seen of him (and for good reason). Also don't think Ortiz was ever made to pay for the box's repairs.

[Damian Rey]

Shit like that happens all the time. It's almost a given someone will blow up and take it out on the dugout. What Machado did is bull shit. Especially given the fact that he wasn't dirty at all prior to this whole incident. The tag that started it all was legit. Machado just decided to go outside the baseline in an abysmal effort to avoid the tag, and got tagged while he was off balance and moving backwards as a result. What an ass.

[Droford]

Manny only got 5 games which was 5 less than everyone was calling for. I'm of course OK with it buy everyone else is angry. Meanwhile A bad only got a fine for throwing 2 pitches at his knee

[Damian Rey]

So, are you saying that throwing your bat down the line on purpose, and hitting the catcher, in the face, twice, ON PURPOSE is less offensive/dangerous an act than throwing at a batter you never hit?

[Droford]

Something tells me there was more bad intent in throwing 2 pitches at Manny's surgically repaired knee than him throwing the bat. One pitch at the knee, OK fine..but the 2nd pitch clearly proved he was throwing at his knee.

[Damian Rey]

Clearly.

[screech]

Lol what? He hit the catcher with his bat, then threw his bat toward the third baseman. How is throwing inside more malicious?

[screech]

Hey the Phillies won!

[Droford]

Lol what? He hit the catcher with his bat, then threw his bat toward the third baseman. How is throwing inside more malicious?
He hit aj pierzynski tonight on a back swing..batters hit catchers in the mask with their bats all the time. I guess we're going to have to force batters to move up in the batters box now..

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Something tells me there was more bad intent in throwing 2 pitches at Manny's surgically repaired knee than him throwing the bat. One pitch at the knee, OK fine..but the 2nd pitch clearly proved he was throwing at his knee.

No, the bat was worse.

[Droford]

Manny didn't go up there intending to hit anyone with his bat. It was only after the dumbass pitcher threw 2 pitches at his surgically repaired knee that he snapped and did it. I'm pretty sure in the same situation 85% of people would probably snap and do something stupid. I think Manny chose tossing the bat cause he thought he could get away with it as "oh it slipped" instead of him charging the mound and punching the guy in the face which wouldn't have any doubt about his actions.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Throwing the bat is a pussy move. It would be more manly if he rushed the mound.

[Damian Rey]

So, because he was thrown at inside, but at no point ever hit or made to be injured, it's okay he risks the career of someone else who's completely defenseless by hitting him in the head, twice, with his bat, on purpose.

Sound logic, you fucking half wit.

[Damian Rey]

And yeah, nothing blatantly obvious about throwing your bat at the third baseman after the ball was in the catcher's glove. More sound logic from your resident know nothing, Droford.

[screech]

He hit aj pierzynski tonight on a back swing..batters hit catchers in the mask with their bats all the time. I guess we're going to have to force batters to move up in the batters box now..

I realize it's a common occurrence, but most players give a nod or some kind of sign to say "my bad" because they aren't dickbags.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

If he hits the catcher it's a walk.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>this throw. omg.</font>

http://m.mlb.com/video/v33614681/oaklaa-cespedes-throws-out-kendrick-at-the-plate/?partnerId=as_mlb_20140611_25748406

[road doggy dogg]

filthy

[Emperor Smeat]

Wow. Amazing throw by Cespedes

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Almost good that he bobbled it. They wouldn't have even gone if he didn't.

[road doggy dogg]

It was an amazing play, but I do find it a bit hilarious how the MLB Facebook page has linked it about 15 times now. WE GET IT

[DaveWadding]

Here's a new one:

<iframe src="http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/video/embed/embed.html?width=400&height=254&content_id=33645015&property=mlb" width="400" height="254" frameborder="0">Your browser does not support iframes.</iframe>

[Droford]

I think its pretty official that the Red Sox suck. 1 run in 3 games. It was almost embarrassing that the 1 they scored was a 1-0 shutout but I blame the 2 rain delays
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>THIS TEAM WON THE WORLD SERIES?</p>&mdash; Fake Oriole Bird (@FakeOrioleBird)
<a href="https://twitter.com/FakeOrioleBird/statuses/476928627507200000">June 12, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Innovator]

If you're running the bases and Cespedes bobbles a ball in left, just don't run. Stop at the base where you are.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Good lord Angel Hernandez is the most consistently awful umpire in the league. And he has the shortest fuse when it comes to ejecting players for arguing his idiotic calls.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Fuck/Marry/Kill: Angel Hernandez, CB Bucknor, Joe West. GO!</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Fuck: Angel Hernandez much like he's fucked the Mets over the years

Marry: Joe West cause he's fat and will probably die early anyway

Kill: CB Bucknor cause Joe West is already gonna die early</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Also I love Carlos Torres</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>And Carlos Torres gives up a 2-run HR.

I should just stop posting.</font> :(

[RoXer]

http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4577629/NieseGoof.gif

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--9CZOAiLt--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/sfcrqhiyszeva9zlj6kf.gif

[Innovator]

<font color=goldenrod>Fuck: Angel Hernandez much like he's fucked the Mets over the years

Marry: Joe West cause he's fat and will probably die early anyway

Kill: CB Bucknor cause Joe West is already gonna die early</font>

You also get that sweet sweet country music money from Cowboy Joe

[DaveWadding]

love the loser ass Cubs. <3

[Frank Drebin]

Walked around the park today for season ticket holder family day. Stole an Eli Whiteside jersey for you Dave. Medium.

[Bad News Gertner]

Woooo Drew Hutchison!

[Damian Rey]

God, the Padres are so fucking awful. I expect them to at least compete with the Mets. Instead, they get shut down outside of a couple of shimmers of hope. Time to clean out the roster and give my annual state of the team...

PLAYERS ON THE BLOCK

CHRIS DENORFIA
Great platoon player who can masquerade as an everday player. Can play all three outfield positions, though he's not ideal in CF on an everday basis. Great base runner. His slash is down this year (.259/.306/.358) from his career (278/.338/.405), but I think that's a combo of being about 10 points off his career babip, and not playing as regularly in past years due to the emergence of Seth Smith and Cameron Maybin being healthy, along with Venable and Quentin also being active. He's still a solid pickup who might net a decent low level prospect, and create a roster spot for a minor leaguer. Deno is a free agent after this year.

SETH SMITH
This guy has been a huge win for the Padres. I always liked him as a platoon from back when he was on the Rockies, and though I didn't care for the trading of Luke Gregerson for him, I have ot amdit the move was brilliant, as he's been the team's best hitter. He's currently slashing a robust .294/.393/.522, and has already accumulated 2.1 WAR through just over a third of the season. If he keeps pace, he's going to bury his previous career WAR of 2.3 back in 09 with Colorado. He's not particularly great in the corners, but that could be exposed more times than not consider how Petco has a huge outfield. He's a stud against righties, and, like Denorfia, would create a roster spot for a younger player by being moved. He too is a free agent at years end.

HUSTON STREET
Been absolutely nails since he was acquired for a former first rounder in Nick Schmidt, who went to Colorado in exchange. He can be homer prone, as we've seen in the past, and Petco definitely masks his flaws at times, but he is a strike thrower, is cheap considering what closers costs these days, and comes with a not so bad $7 mil option for next year.

EVERTH CABRERA
I get a lot of shit for saying this to fellow Padres fans, but I'd be qucikly on the move to try and get a team to overpay for Cabrera. Even though he has been awful this year offensively, there's a lot to like. His on base career number is .320. Michael Bourne has seen his value sky rocket by being a decent lead off hitter with speed and defense at a premium position. Cabrera could continue to mature into that of he can bounce back this year, especially if he remembers how to draw walks again. That current number is currently sitting at 4%, down from 9% for his career coming into the year. No reason to think he won't eventually realize a lot of his value last year came from drawing walks while dropping in hits. He's also got 2 more years of control after this season, but, being a Boras client, it's highly unlikely he'd sign anything resembling a team friendly deal that would lock him up for into his 30s. That also works in the team's favor though, since the team buying him from the Padres would get him for an extended period of time, through his final 2 prime years. I highly doubt he gets moved, especially since would be incumbent Jace Peterson has struggled at the dish this year. But if the price is right and they can reap an above average prospect or two not too far away, then I'd definitely try and swing a deal.

CARLOS QUENTIN
He's just not healthy enough to be more than a DH at this point, and because of silly things like tradition, that won't be available in the NL in enough time for the Padres to actually maximize Quentin's value. He excels at the two most important aspects of offense in the game; gets on base and hits for power. He carries a limited no trade clause, so moving him might be tricky, especially if the teams eligible for his services aren't in the hunt/looking for a DH, but putting him through waivers after the deadline and hoping someone bites is not a bad idea. It would clear up payroll space and allow the team to waive goodbye to a good idea in theory.

IAN KENNEDY
Has pitched decently this year. Strikeouts are up, walks are down, and he's still a few ticks up on his career babip, which means it would not be unrealistic to see him get better as the season goes on. Anything that could be even major league average in return would be a steal, since he was acquired for a lefty specialist who averaged about an out per appearance. He's still a bit homer prone, and can struggle in a smaller park. But with the type of year he's having, and the fact that starting pitching is always an asset to be had at the deadline, he may be the team's most attractive piece with 1.5 years of control left.

Honorable mentions are Chase Headley and Joaquin Benoit. Headley hasn't seen anything near the form he saw in the second half of 2012, or even the first half. He did finish 2013 at a respectable .250/.347/.400, compliling just shy of 4 WAR in a year where he struggled with a few nagging injuries. He's a free agent after this year, so even if he does turn it on over the next 2 months, he's likely not going to fetch a huge return unless a team gets desperate because he's unlikely to sign due to a thin 3rd base market next year.

Benoit is curious just because they signed him this off season, and he's been terrific. He's also pretty affordable, if a team wants him to close, but it unneeded on a losing team not likely to take advantage of his maximum value. It would create a bit of hole at the back end of the bullpen should the Padres move both he and Street, but I am of the mind that you can find guys with decent enough stuff to close on a losing team that moving two guys with value is only going to help.

The other move I see (and hope) is Bud Black getting the axe. He just is not a good manager. Black fails at in game strategy, and basic roster optimization. Certain players have to play because there are no viable alternatives. So, even though they've been awful, guys like Headley, Cabrera, Alonso and Gyorko have to get the chance to improve, because there's literally no one else. But others, like Venable, who is fucking awful this year, is getting consistent playing time over guys like Denorfia and Cameron Maybin, who have been better than him this year, and in Deno's case, since day one.

Black also does not utilize basic statistics in fielding a lineup. I think, these days, for the most part, people realize on base percentage is an important and telling stat, best utilized in the first 3-4 lineup spots, where your best hitters are and most scoring opportunities arise. Black does not comprehend this. He has continually batted Cabrera and Venable, two players with SUB .300 OBP'S in the 1-2 spots. And it's not something that's every now and then. Cabrera has yet to bat lower than 2 all year, despite struggling all year. Venable has been a league average hitter his entire career, but yet finds himself, in the middle of his worst season, hitting at the top of the order, while Maybin hits in the bottom 3rd when he does play, and Deno sits the bench. Meanwhile, Seth Smith can't buy an RBI because, despite his manly slash line, nobody's ever on base when he comes up.

It's mind boggling that my feeble brain can see this and make a direct connection with the two guys hitting 1-2 and the lack of overall offense despite a more than capable 3 hitter this year, but Bud Black can't figure it out and continues to give the same old "it'll turn around" press answer night in and night out.

Hopefully the team does turn it around, because about a calender year ago, their entire middle infield was, statistically, above average. And I don't fee Headley, Cabrera, Gyorko and Alonso will be awful forever. Alonso has actually shown signs of improving. His babip is starting to climb, and his power that was sapped from a hand/wrist injury it starting to come back after posting a decent month of May. Hopefully the rest follow suit, so they can be traded and I can move on with my life.

[Frank Drebin]

Noid baseball post

[Evil Vito]

CARLOS QUENTIN
He's just not healthy enough to be more than a DH at this point, and because of silly things like tradition, that won't be available in the NL in enough time for the Padres to actually maximize Quentin's value.

<font color=goldenrod>You might be the first NL fan I know that actually wants the league to adapt a DH. Would hate that so much. I realize it'll probably happen eventually whether I want it to or not, but fuck.

It'd never happen but I heard a proposal on SNY. Eliminate the DH in the AL and in turn expand the rosters to 27 players. You eliminate the DH job but the selling point for the union is that you create 60 new jobs where guys will make big league salaries. So many NL teams lack a true slugger on their bench to be used as PH late in the game, because teams want to fill their bench with versatile players. Expanding the rosters to 27 eliminates this and still allows aging hitters a chance to stick around as PH specialists.

Still probably won't happen though because the DH is a bigger money position than 2 extra bench guys combined.</font> :-\

[RP]

I hate the DH. I wish every pitcher hit like Travis Wood.

[DaveWadding]

Hey RP and Frank, remember how Schierholtz looked amazing in the 1st half last year and the Cubs could have actually got something decent for him at the deadline?


Now he's hitting like Travis Wood. Great move, Theo.

[DaveWadding]

MIKE LIENT, MIKE OLT

[Frank Drebin]

Nah. He's a guy you could have included as a piece in a trade like how Ryan Theriot got dealt as part of the Ted Lilly deal to LA. You don't deal straight up for him like a starting pitcher. He's a platoon guy and everyone knew it. No market for a guy like that who was also playing over his head. If any GM balked at pulling the trigger on him, they were right.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Well after a fucking pitiful performance against the Padres, I will take a page out of Damian Rey's book and take a look at some trade candidates for the Mets:

BARTOLO COLON
I expect Colon's name to be tossed around more than any other Met at the deadline. He's given up a lot of home runs this year and his overall numbers don't look particularly flashy, but then again the 4/13 start against the Angels and 5/12 start against the Yankees really fucked up his numbers. Take those out and he's having a very solid year, especially in his last 5 starts where he's put up a 1.83 ERA. I'm not convinced a contender will give up much more than a mid-level prospect for him given that he's 41 and is under contract for 2015 at $11 million. But, he has a rubber arm and is dependable so I'd guess the Mets will still get plenty of calls on him. With Harvey coming back next year to go along with all of their other young pitching they probably won't need him.

DANIEL MURPHY
Murph has been the Mets' most consistent hitter all season, made even more apparent with Wright in a complete tailspin over the past couple of weeks. As of right now, Murph is slashing .299/.356/.419 with 16 doubles. Not a big power hitter (has 5 HR now, usually gets around 10-13) but he absolutely knows how to find the gaps. Easily the Met most deserving of going to Minnesota in July. He's got one year of arbitration left and is forecasted to get somewhere around $10 million for 2015. He isn't really good defensively and makes some dumb baserunning decisions, but he is pretty much the perfect hitter for Citi Field. For that reason, I'd really want the Mets to lock him down for like 4 years and $40 million since he'll surely want more than that if he has another big year next year, but I doubt the Mets do it. Overall it would take a big haul for the Mets to move Murph now, they're more likely to trade him next year or keeping him through 2015 and letting him leave for nothing, but I figured he was at least worth being in the discussion.

DILLON GEE
Gee's injury was really shitty timing. He's been red hot ever since May 2013. Was putting together a really solid campaign this year with a 2.73 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. He'll hopefully be back by July. I expect there will still be interest in him, though. He's still relatively young at 28, under team control for 3 more seasons, and is showing that 2013 wasn't a fluke. In a way I feel bad for Dillon. Everybody knows the Mets need to deal from their pitching depth, and Gee is always the one that gets cast off with Harvey, Wheeler, Syndergaard, Niese, deGrom, Montero, Verrett, etc. all in the mix for next year. If I had to guess I'd say the Mets keep him this year and hope for a huge second half to maximize his trade value for the off-season. Either way I'd be fairly surprised if he is a Met in 2016.

BOBBY ABREU
I'm listing Abreu here, at age 40 he's worked his way back into the starting lineup although that might say more about the state of the Mets than Abreu himself. Still, he's slashing .307/.379/.453 in limited play and could get some suitors looking for a veteran presence off the bench. Every year though the Mets find themselves with a veteran having a good year that they SHOULD trade (Scott Hairston in 2012, LaTroy Hawkins last year) and they never pull the trigger because they want to pretend they care about the second half even when they're clearly not a playoff team. Could see that being the case with Abreu this year.

DAISUKE MATSUZAKA
Dice-K has been way better than I ever thought possible this year. He only recently got forced into the rotation out of necessity, but really I think his best value is out of the bullpen (even if he does have to comically start warming up 3 innings before he enters the game). His versatility may have extended his MLB career, as he's done enough good this year where I could see him landing a job somewhere next year. Much like Abreu the Mets might keep him anyway and I doubt teams would be knocking down the doors for him, but I could see a contender wanting to add a swingman for depth.

CHRIS YOUNG
I'm not sure why I'm even putting him on this list. Best case scenario for him was that he had a decent first half and got flipped for a mid-level prospect in July. That's no longer in play because Young has been fucking atrocious, slashing .196/.283/.313 and he makes $7.5 million. Mets would need to pay his entire salary in a trade and they wouldn't get anything for him, anyway. He got the golden sombrero today, starting only because Granderson is hurt. It's telling that he's otherwise been benched even with Juan Lagares and Eric Young Jr on the DL. Just what a waste. I didn't think it was possible for a 1-year deal to be THIS bad but somehow it has been. I shed a tear thinking of what the Mets could have done with that $7.5 million. Hell they still could have brought CY in for about 1/4 of the price if they had just waited rather than blowing him away with an offer in fucking November. Hopefully they just release him outright once Lagares gets back. A total sunk cost.

Honorable mention would go to Jon Niese, who might be in serious All Star Game consideration. Having a really good year, is young, left-handed, and has a team-friendly contract. Could probably get a good return for him. Would be shocked if the Mets move him though since there are no lefty SPs on the horizon. Closest is probably Steven Matz, who is only in Single A and has 2 more option years left.</font>

[Evil Vito]

Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn has passed away. :(. RIP

Only 54...fuck cancer.

[Frank Drebin]

RIP. Supposedly an all around nice guy.

[Frank Drebin]

Geezus. 388 career obp.

[Droford]

I just saw him on the bottle of some kind of grip enhancement spray he was endorsing.

[Bad News Gertner]

Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn has passed away. :(. RIP

Only 54...fuck cancer.

Dude was a dipper. Very glad I quit. That's the kind of shit that scared me into quitting.

[ClockShot]

R.I.P. Mr. Padre.

[Emperor Smeat]

A's Drew Pomeranz out for at least 2 weeks after breaking his hand from punching a chair yesterday.

Red Sox designated Grady Sizemore for assignment. Daniel Nava's resurgence and Brock Holt having an amazing rookie season was eating a lot of his potential playing time.

[road doggy dogg]

Brock Holt is still my fav baseball player name to say

[DaveWadding]

Mike Olt. Try it.

[road doggy dogg]

Brock is a way more bad-ass sounding name

[road doggy dogg]

on account of client conquering streak etc etc

[screech]

Plus Mike Olt plays for the Cubs so......

[road doggy dogg]

If Mike Olt wore #45 though that would be pretty fantastic.

[screech]

Tweet Theo so that can be a thing

[RoXer]

Clayton Kershaw had a Perfect Game going.

But now Clayton Kershaw only has a no-no going.

#jinx

[Damian Rey]

Well, it took a few days for me to get on here and actually say anything, but I have no where else to really vent this, so here it goes.

If you've even remotely followed anything I have said in this thread, you notice two things. I love baseball, and I fucking love my Padres. But before I gave two shits about either of those things, I loved Tony Gwynn. He was the sole reason I ever bothered to watch the games in the first place. I'm not sure how or why, but I just remember being an 8 yr old kid who all of sudden took an interest in watching a not so muscular, chubby guy in his 30's punch the ball all over the field, and I was hooked.

I collected everything Tony Gwynn. Magazines, bobble heads, baseball cards, posters, newspaper clippings. EVERYTHING. I wore my Tony Gywnn number 19 t-shirt for Halloween multiple years in a row. I legit idolized this man I had never met, but never heard one bad thing about.


My entire day as a kid was built around baseball and watching Tony hit. Once my youth league games were over, I'd want to rush home, and make sure that, no matter what I missed, I didn't miss Tony's at bats. I'd take half assed 2 minute showers knwoing he was due up the next inning. I'd scarf down my dinner to get back to the living room to watch him hit. I put everything in my life on hold 4 times a night because nothing mattered more to me than watching my favorite player do his thing.

I saw all of his great moments in the back 9 of his career. His WS homerun off David Wells was amazing. My favorite player of all time crushed a pitch, at Yankee stadium, to give my team the lead. I watched intently has he lined his 3000th hit into center field in front an empty stadium in Montreal. I remember his first grand slam, his only inside the park homerun, etc. I was an addict to his watching his game.

As I grew older, I more and more wanted to emulate Gwynn. I stopped caring if I'd ever hit a homerun, and just tried to make contact. I mimicked his stance ( to little success), his plate mannerisms. I played right field, even though the "scrubs" were the ones who played there when I was a kid. He was my everything for baseball. He was everything I wanted to be as a player. Humble. Loyal. Insanely consistent and successful. but nothing flashy or over the top.

As I continued to play and not be entirely successful in youth baseball, I began to be more and more inspired by my hero. I knew for a long time Tony had watched himself relentlessly through video tape. The minute I figured out how to work my parents old camera and plug the feed into the tv, I started doing the same, having my brother throw whiffle balls at me while the camera was capturing a profile shot. I hadn't a fucking clue exactly what I was looking for, but I knew to only focus on the good swings and good hits.

This continued into high school. Video equipment was not readily available, so trying to tape myself in front of my teammates was a doomed idea, but, after "borrowing" at a batting tee I still own to this day, I was able to continually tape and photograph my swing off the tee and through soft toss from my unwilling brother, trying to mimmick success, just like my hero.

I legit, no joke, do this to this day. I, being a 28 year old man, playing in Sunday adult baseball leagues the last decade, still bring my camera and tripod to the dugout, and set that bad boy up to tape my at bats. It sounds ridiculous that I take something so serious, but it's true. I tape my damn at bats. I tape my rounds off the tee in my garage at home. I tape my batting practice session with my best friend during the week, shooting the shit for hours talking hitting mechanics, getting my foot down, throwing my hands, and all other kinds of jargon about hitting and trying to get better. And then I go home, ignore my poor, enduring wife, while I pour over hours of video looking for the constant in my good swings. All because, to this day, 20 years after first seeing him play, I still want to be like Tony Gwynn.

Like everyone, I had to accept that my hero's time was winding down. I distinctly remember Tony's press conference, following two miserable seasons of injuries and missing a gross amount of time, where he announced it was time to call it day at the end of 2001. I was crushed. I was already 15 years old, and I still needed my mommy to console me, because I didn't know who I was gonna root for or care about when he was gone. Who was I going to watch and emulate if Tony isn't around? I somehow lucked out, and got great seats from a family friend to attend Tony's last game. At this point, Tony was limited to making a joke out of pinch hitting, punching a .300 plus average while doing so. He ended up grounding out Juan Uribe, who was the Rockies shortstop at the time. Tony took his time jogging off the field, and tipped his helmet. I remember it like it was yesterday. My favorite game I've ever been to.

I was in my truck driving to work on Monday morning, wearing, no joke, my 98 pinstripe T. Gwynn jersey (fav jersey, btw). I had just gotten gas and was heading to work, and as I accelerated up the on ramp, I hear dead silence on the radio where a news bumper usually plays, leading to a top story spot. The announce came on, clearly wavering, and stated "The greatest athlete in San Diego history has passed away". For a split second I tried to process who the fuck he could be talking about. He then followed "Tony Gwynn passed away this morning...". I, quite literally yelped, put my hand over my mouth, and tears started to roll down my face.

The man I had spent my entire life trying to mimick, trying my best to emulate, was gone. A man I had never met, yet felt such a deep connection to, was no longer with us. My hero. My idle. Gone. I still cannot put into words how empty I feel. It is still hitting, hard, that a man who I spent my entire childhood looking up to was no longer in this world.

I know it can, and likely, sounds at least a bit silly to cry tears for a man, a person, I never had the pleasure of meeting. But Tony meant a lot to me. My dad, for all the great things he has provided me, and the great things he's taught me as a man, was not, in any way, shape or form, into baseball. My mom was, but not like me. I didn't have that male figure in my life to look up to and learn from and be my mentor. That's what Tony was for me. Everything I wanted to be as a person, as a player, and as a man, was what Tony was. Kind, generous, humble. That's how I modeled myself, and it's still how I continue to try and carry myself.

I will never get to tell him this, but Tony, you meant thw world to me, and you had a big part in shaping who I am. Thank you for being the man who made me fall in love forever with the greatest game on earth. You will be missed. R.I.P #19.

[Damian Rey]

Sorry for back to back Noid posts, btw.

[ClockShot]

Hey, Kershaw got a no-hitter. Good for him.

Buuuuuuuut,

MY CLIENT, MASAHIRO TANAKA, LEADS THE MLB IN WINS!

[Droford]

And the Orioles are the only team to beat him. So ha..

Going to try for another free pizza. Probably won't be lucky this time.

[ClockShot]

Cubs beat him if memory serves me correctly.

[Droford]

I remember he gave up the 3 run homer to Schoop but he got a ND in the Yankees 5-4 loss. That and the cubs game were the only two games the Yankees lost that he's started.

[RP]

Look, I'm not saying the Cubs will make the playoffs, but if they win today and the Cards lose, they'll only be 5 1/2 back in the Wild Card. The national league wild card spots are completely up for grabs right now. I'd like to see where we're at a week from now before we go trading a sure Ace for a bunch of unproven prospects ( which makes no sense btw ). Rizzo and Castro are really doing a great job right now. Castro is on fire. I really wanna ride this out a few weeks.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>The Mets are somehow only 5.5 out of the division despite being 8 games under .500. I remember when the NL East used to be good.</font>

[screech]

<font color=goldenrod> I remember when the NL East used to be good.</font>

Tell me about it :(

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'm always nostalgic about the 2006 Mets for obvious reasons, but jesus I've even been pining for 2007-08 lately. Yeah they collapsed spectacularly but at least they could score more than 2 runs a game.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'd like to think that if they're still within 5 games of the division lead in July, they'll consider trading from their pitching depth for a big bat. But I doubt it. As it is Harvey was trying to make a push to get back by August, a year after his TJS but the Mets are now banning him from throwing off a mound even though doctors have already OK'ed Harvey for the activity. They don't want him pitching this year. It's like they don't want the fans to think they have any aspirations of winning before 2015.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>In other news, there was a 3-1-3 putout in the Cardinals game last night. That's odd.</font>

[RoXer]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqtTHKvCQAEE4Sp.jpg
(https://twitter.com/BAnderson_30/status/480569170703024129/photo/1)

[Droford]

Schoop now has 2 hrs off Tanaka. O's currently up 7-0 in the 9th.

[Droford]

Make that 8-0

[ClockShot]

Damn, Tanaka took the loss and the bullpen made it worse.

Yankees couldn't hit a lick today.

In other news, Padres fire GM Josh Byrnes.

[Droford]

Damn, Tanaka took the loss and the bullpen made it worse.

Yankees couldn't hit a lick today.

In other news, Padres fire GM Josh Byrnes.

They had one good inning at the plate the entire series (4 run 9th inning Friday)

Orioles should have left NY with the sweep. Pisses me off but anyway.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqtTHKvCQAEE4Sp.jpg
(https://twitter.com/BAnderson_30/status/480569170703024129/photo/1)

It's a me Mario!

[Innovator]

They had one good inning at the plate the entire series (4 run 9th inning Friday)

Orioles should have left NY with the sweep. Pisses me off but anyway.

At this rate it'll be the Yankees/Orioles fighting in September for the division, unless Red Sox turn things around quickly

[ClockShot]

Joey Bats and Troy Tulowitski are YOUR Home Run Derby captains.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>The Derby is also expanding to 10 participants while shrinking the number of outs from 10 to 7. They're also doing seeding after the first round. The guys who finish 4th and 5th in each league get knocked out, 2nd and 3rd play each other, winner plays the 1st seed, and then whoever wins THAT meets the winner from the other league in the finals.

Even with 7 outs the Derby is prolly gonna take like 5 hours.</font>

[Damian Rey]

I'm late to the party again, but boy do I not agree with the firing of Josh Byrnes. I admit I had my reservations about him when they replaced a departing Jed Hoyer with him, but I think he's done a solid job, considering his limitations.

I still would not have done it, but he didn't lose on the Cashner/Rizzo trade. Cash has been the team's best pitcher the last 2 seasons, and has filled in nicely for Latos. Speaking of Latos, even though I wouldn't have done that trade either, it's not like he got a couple of bums in Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal. Both were legit highly touted prospects when they got here, who have since been derailed by either lack of playing time and, in both cases, injuries.

He also raped the Athletics, twice, for Tyson Ross, another great starting pitcher, and Seth Smith, who's a top 20 in avg/obp/slg this year. Also, the Rays gave up Alex Torres and Jesse Hahn, both who have been impressive (especially Hahn), while Logan Forsythe has sucked on the Rays end of the deal.

He has also built a staff that has continued to draft well. Apparently ownership thought the current roster should be a more competitive team. Byrnes, or any GM, can't control that. I think player performances and lack of development as they get more experience falls on the manager, not the GM. I also think you'd have to have been an idiot to think the current roster, even if healthy and productive, would be better than the Giants and Dodgers. Maybe they're slightly above .500, but they wouldn't be a division contender. Sounds like ownership is a bunch of know nothings.

Now that he's gone, though, I'd love to see them pluck Jason McLeod from the Cubs. Think he's Jed Hoyer 2.0, and I loved Jed when he was here.

[RP]

He lost the Cashner/Rizzo trade. Rizzo is an MVP candidate if on a contender right now.

[Damian Rey]

There's a difference between losing and getting the lesser end of the deal. To say a team "lost" by acquiring a top of the rotation starter is assinine. Rizzo is, as I have conceded, the better of the two, but Cash isn't some schlub starting the middle or backend of their rotation. Cubs got the better end of the deal, yes. But the Padres did not lose out.

A loser trade to this point has been the Latos for Grandal/Alonso move, and that's more due to injuries. The haven't reaped any benefit out of that move after 2012.

[RoXer]

Tim Lincecum has a no-no through 8.

[Evil Vito]

He's got it.

[Emperor Smeat]

Good for Lunecum.

[ClockShot]

Padres got themselves a legit kryptonite on their hands. The Freak no-hitting them twice within a year is not good.

Watch another Giant get a no-no in a few days. Dodgers and Giants will be going back and forth all season.

[road doggy dogg]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is my favourite MLB pitcher, good on him.

[ClockShot]

Pirates and Angels swap relivers. Jason Grilli for Ernesto Frieri.


Who turns it around first?

[Sepholio]

Can someone lift the injury curse that was placed upon the Braves? I would be greatly appreciative.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>We’re less than a week away from voting closing for the All Star Game, and presumably the player ballot has already been done or will be very soon so the managers can make their picks. I believe next week is when they’ll reveal the initial rosters anyway, so I’ll continue my annual tradition of guessing how the rosters will shake out. Gives me a good excuse to be a stat nerd and look through the league.

Keep in mind this isn’t necessarily who I think SHOULD make the team, but how I think it will play out based on how the voting is conducted. The fans elect the starting lineups, the players elect a backup at each position, 5 starting pitchers, and 3 relievers, and the manager fills out the rest and picks the Final Vote guys. Besides, the rosters are bound to even change beyond this as players drop out due to injury or ineligibility. Anyway, let’s get to it:


National League

Fan-Elected Starters
C: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
2B: Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies
3B: Aramis Ramirez, Milwaukee Brewers
OF: Yasiel Puig, Los Angeles Dodgers
OF: Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates
OF: Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee Brewers

I just went with the current leaders from the most recent polling update this week. Goldschmidt, Tulowitzki, and Puig are no-doubters to start at their positions. There are better options to start at C and 2B than Molina and Utley, but both were going to make the team anyway – Molina because he’s Molina and Utley because nobody else from the Phillies deserves it. Todd Frazier has been the best 3B in the NL by far but isn’t even in the top 5 of voting, Ramirez has a slim lead but Milwaukee is on a voting blitzkrieg so I think he’ll make it. That’s why I also think Gomez will hang onto the 3rd OF spot, he and McCutchen are certainly both deserving. I think Giancarlo Stanton should be in the starting lineup but it might work out better that he doesn’t get voted in since can simply DH instead while the better defenders play the field.


Player Balloting
C: Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers
1B: Anthony Rizzo, Chicago Cubs
2B: Dee Gordon, Los Angeles Dodgers
SS: Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs
3B: Todd Frazier, Cincinnati Reds
OF: Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies
OF: Michael Morse, San Francisco Giants
OF: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins
SP: Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
SP: Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds
SP: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
SP: Alfredo Simon, Cincinnati Reds
SP: Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
RP: Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
RP: Francisco Rodriguez, Milwaukee Brewers
RP: Huston Street, San Diego Padres

Stanton is pretty much guaranteed to get elected, and as mentioned above he should probably be the NL’s DH and hopefully be in the Home Run Derby. I think Frazier will get a lot more respect from the players than he got from the fans. Lucroy has been better than Molina this year. Gordon’s blazing speed should win him a ton of votes from the players. Blackmon and Morse have been big surprises this year, way better than anybody could have expected. And how about those Cubs? Normally I’d say a last place team shouldn’t get 2 reps, but I think the circumstances are right for it to happen. Rizzo is having an incredible season, just way too good to pass up. Castro and Hanley Ramirez are having really similar seasons, but Castro has still been better so I’ll say the players give him some love in spite of his team.

From the pitching side, Wainwright, Cueto, and Bumgarner would seem to be locks to get voted in straight away. Kershaw missed a good chunk of the season, but with 2 Cy Youngs, a no-hitter, and still being crazy good this year, I would be shocked if he didn’t get the player support. Simon has been a huge surprise this season and I think the players vote him in as he’s at the top of the NL in wins. For the relievers, Kimbrel still has his reputation and insane strikeout rate, K-Rod is having himself a career rejuvenation, and Street hasn’t blown a save yet.


Manager Selections
C: Evan Gattis, Atlanta Braves
1B: Justin Morneau, Colorado Rockies
2B: Daniel Murphy, New York Mets
OF: Justin Upton, Atlanta Braves
SP: Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Dodgers
SP: Tim Hudson, San Francisco Giants
SP: Lance Lynn, St. Louis Cardinals
SP: Tanner Roark, Washington Nationals
RP: Jean Machi, San Francisco Giants

Mike Matheny’s first task is to make sure every team has a rep. While David Wright might be the most well-known player on the Mets, Murphy has clearly been their best everyday player so he rightfully gets the nod. The poor first place Nationals don’t have a rep yet either, so breakout pitcher Tanner Roark gets tabbed for a spot.

Anthony Rendon would give the Nats another rep, but there are too many hitters having better seasons, which is why Gattis and Morneau get picked. I think Matheny will also want to take another OF especially if Stanton is the DH, and I can’t see him taking Ryan Braun with his controversy, so Justin Upton is in. Two more Giants get in as the highly respected Hudson is picked, as is Machi who has been ridiculous as a set-up guy. Greinke is selected in a tough call over Josh Beckett. One spot left and with so many good starters in the mix, we haven’t gotten a homer pick yet so I think that’ll be the tiebreaker for Lance Lynn.


Final Vote Candidates
SP: Henderson Alvarez, Miami Marlins
SP: Josh Beckett, Los Angeles Dodgers
RP: Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals
SP: Jeff Samardzija, Chicago Cubs
SP: Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves

The NL is just loaded with starting pitchers that could have easily been All Stars, enough so that I think Matheny could very easily just load up his Final Vote list with them. I threw Rosenthal in as well as a way of Matheny rewarding one of his guys, would have been Michael Wacha but he just landed on the DL. If Matheny does decide to put position players on his list, I imagine Hanley Ramirez, Freddie Freeman, and Neil Walker will all receive consideration.




American League

Fan-Elected Starters
C: Derek Norris, Oakland Athletics
1B: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
2B: Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
SS: Derek Jeter, New York Yankees
3B: Josh Donaldson, Oakland Athletics
OF: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
OF: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
OF: Melky Cabrera, Toronto Blue Jays
DH: Nelson Cruz, Baltimore Orioles

Like with the NL, I stuck with the current vote leaders, the one exception being at C. Matt Wieters is somehow still in the lead there despite not playing in 2 months. Still, Norris is gaining on him and will likely be the starter anyway even if Wieters gets elected. That should be 2 starters for the A’s, whose fans have done a great job ensuring Donaldson isn’t snubbed again this year. Miguel Cabrera, Cano, Trout, and Bautista are all winning handily and rightly so. There was no way on God’s green Earth that Jeter wasn’t getting the start in his final season despite his crappy numbers. Not sure why Cruz is on the ballot as a DH since he’s played the field more than he’s DHed, but he’s winning that race which in turn frees up a OF spot for Melky Cabrera to get elected, not sure the players would have put him on the team following his steroid controversy a couple of years ago.

Player Balloting
C: Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals
1B: Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox
2B: Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers
SS: Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox
3B: Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
OF: Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians
OF: Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland Athletics
OF: Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
DH: Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto Blue Jays
SP: Mark Buehrle, Toronto Blue Jays
SP: Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
SP: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
SP: Scott Kazmir, Oakland Athletics
SP: Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees
RP: Dellin Betances, New York Yankees
RP: Greg Holland, Kansas City Royals
RP: Koji Uehara, Boston Red Sox

Much like with Cruz, Encarnacion has played the field way more than DH, but I think the players vote from the same ballot as the fans and he’s listed as a DH there. I can’t see the players not voting for the HR/RBI leader so he’s in as backup DH which frees up the rookie powerhouse Abreu to be named as backup 1B. Jones, Kinsler, and Beltre get in for reputation and they’re all having good seasons. Alexei is having the best year for any AL SS and probably would start if it weren’t Jeter’s final year. I thought about Bryan McCann who always seems to make the All Star Game, but really a guy hitting .220 shouldn’t be there, Perez is much better. Brantley gets respect for his breakout season. Poor Brandon Moss is a victim of also being listed as DH on the ballot, but his loss is his teammate Cespedes’ gain.

I’d be stunned if Tanaka, Hernandez, Buehrle, and Darvish aren’t all voted in by the players. Can’t argue with any of them. Kazmir got destroyed in his last start but has still been really good, enough so that I think he gets voted in by the players as well. Holland’s been the best closer in the AL this year and Uehara has picked right up where he left off last year. I’m not sure if a non-closing reliever has ever gotten in via player ballot, but if Betances doesn’t with the kind of year he’s having then I’m pretty sure nobody ever will.


Manager Selections
2B: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
DH: Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers
SP: Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox
SP: Garrett Richards, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
SP: Phil Hughes, Minnesota Twins
SP: Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox
RP: Jake McGee, Tampa Bay Rays

3 teams left without a rep. Altuve is the easy choice for the Astros, gives some speed for the bench and he’s easily been their best player. Hughes has had a big bounceback season for the hometown Twins. With only 2 closers on the roster I feel bad snubbing Sean Doolittle and Fernando Rodney, among others. But the Rays do need a rep so I reckon it’ll be McGee.

Martinez gets in as the only true DH on the roster because he has been amazing, but that being said I guarantee John Farrell will consider taking David Ortiz as a loyalty pick. I do think he’ll reward Lester with a spot, not unlike Jim Leyland rewarded Justin Verlander last year. Lester hasn’t been bad or anything but there are better options such as Dallas Keuchel, Sonny Gray, and Jesse Chavez. Sale is kinda like Kershaw, missed time but still incredible when he’s on the mound so Farrell gives him the nod. Richards gets the last spot with a breakout campaign and because the Angels deserve a second rep anyway.


Final Vote Candidates
2B: Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins
OF: Jacoby Ellsbury, New York Yankees
OF: Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals
OF: Brandon Moss, Oakland Athletics
DH: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

If Farrell doesn’t take Big Papi for the roster, I’d be really surprised if he wasn’t given a chance to be voted in. Dozier gives Minnesota fans a chance to have a second Twin elected for the game at Target Field. Moss, Gordon, and Ellsbury unfortunately get squeezed out in a deep OF pool this year. Most of the pitchers I mentioned earlier (Keuchel, Chavez, Gray, Doolittle, Rodney) should be in play if Farrell wants some arms on his Final Vote list.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

Jays linked to Chase Headley. I really dont want the Jays dealing prospect Daniel Norris. He's a stud. Im open to seeing Aaron Sanchez moved.

[Damian Rey]

Care to inform us on Norris, Gertie?

[screech]

Radio station here is asking if it's time to move on from Dominic Brown. They've come around!

[road doggy dogg]

Rajai Davis awesome walk-off last night. lost my shit

[ClockShot]

And the Yankees are now sitting at .500

[RP]

Olt Jolt!

[Bad News Gertner]

Encarsmashion!

[Emperor Smeat]

A's staying in Oakland for at least another 10 years after agreeing to a stadium lease extension with the city.

[ClockShot]

Bad day for Yankees fans. CC Sabathia is on the DL indefinitely for a bad knee, and Solarte got sent down.

[DAMN iNATOR]

And tomorrow will be a sad day not only for Yankees fans but for baseball fans everywhere as it will mark 75 years since Lou Gehrig's famous "Luckiest man on the face of the earth" speech.

[Droford]

Orioles sweep the Rangers in 4 and are now tied for first place with the Jays.

Take that back. The O's are in first by .001 percentage points (.541-.540)

Woohoo!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>What on earth were the White Sox thinking?</font>

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrnVdaECMAAdzpY.jpg:large

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Cubs send Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the A's for Addison Russell.</font>

[Bad News Gertner]

Care to inform us on Norris, Gertie?

He's a lefty, throws around 95, been destroying High A and now AA. They just can't deal him.

A pitching staff of

Hutchison
Stroman
Norris
Sanchez
Hoffman

That's insane potential.

[Droford]

That seems like not a lot for 2 pitchers. I get Russell is a top prospect but still..

[Emperor Smeat]

A's also sending 3 more players (1 to be named later) and a draft pick.

The Cubs will receive pitcher Dan Straily as well as shortstop Addison Russell, the top prospect in the Athletics' system. The A's also are sending over outfielder Billy McKinney, the 24th overall pick in the 2013 draft, and a player to be named later.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Russell was pretty much the only nearly-ready position player prospect that the A's had. Better hope they win it all in 2014.</font>

[Droford]

I'm just happy neither Toronto or NY got samardzija.

[Frank Drebin]

Saw Russell in the AFL. Looked good defensively but seemed over matched at the plate alot. AFL is a hitters league too but everyone seems to think he's a bad ass.

[Damian Rey]

Because he is. AFL is not a good place to judge minor league talent. Big time trade, and creates more middle infield elite prospect drama for the Cubs. Man, I really wish Jed had never left San Diego. Cubs are gonna be a force.

[Droford]

Its a shame the o's couldn't have traded for Samardzija cause the Cubs would have had 3-4 more former Orioles players to go with Hammel, Arrieta and Strop along with Tsuyoshi Wada who they got from the Orioles.

[Frank Drebin]

Lol....AFL not a good place to judge minor league talent. If it weren't it wouldn't exist and the 50 scouts who were there at every game must have been watching porn on their speed guns.

[ClockShot]

Heh. Samardzija pitched his way out of Chicago. I remember that was someone's advice.

[Frank Drebin]

Heh yah. Forgot about that. He's from NW Indiana and supposedly grew up a Cub fan though. If he wanted to go to a competitive team he got it...If he wanted one that had better facilities than Wrigley, well, at least Wrigley never had problems with toilets always overflowing.

[Damian Rey]

Look it up, bud. Scouts don't use the AFL as a defining method of evaluation for a number of reasons, such as the wide varying range of age and talent, and the time of year. Case in point is Junior Lake. He fucking blows, but put on a show in the AFL. Nobody was calling him a start prospect during that run.

[Innovator]

Bad day for Yankees fans. CC Sabathia is on the DL indefinitely for a bad knee, and Solarte got sent down.

Thanks Obama

[Damian Rey]

Seeing how stacked the Cubs have become since Jed took over makes me sad. I have zero doubt the Posted would've been in a similar situation, maybe better, had our then ownership committed to extending him. #imissjed

[Frank Drebin]

Look it up, bud. Scouts don't use the AFL as a defining method of evaluation for a number of reasons, such as the wide varying range of age and talent, and the time of year. Case in point is Junior Lake. He fucking blows, but put on a show in the AFL. Nobody was calling him a start prospect during that run.

He's been a top ten prospect in the Cubs system so it's not like he's obscure. It's not the be all end all for evaluation but it's a big enough stage that it matters. If you want to go back to the cubs, they had Dallas Beeler go to evaluate if they should place him on the 40 man roster or leave him unprotected for the rule 5 draft. Apparently they felt it was a good enough proving ground.

[RP]

Seeing how stacked the Cubs have become since Jed took over makes me sad. I have zero doubt the Posted would've been in a similar situation, maybe better, had our then ownership committed to extending him. #imissjed

Well, it's easy to get stacked when you're constantly drafting in the top 3 every year.

[DaveWadding]

Man, just what the Cubs needed, another elite middle infield prospect. Maybe they can trade Castro to New York for Harvey and Syndergaard now... :shifty:

[RP]

Don't know what I think about this trade. I thought the whole point was to get pitching in the farm system. I don't know if Jeff is a full blown Ace, but we'll find out. I think Hammel will come down to earth, but still bee decent for the A's.

[Frank Drebin]

I'll actually agree with droford and say I'm kinda surprised the cubs didn't shoot for some type of bundy/gausman deal. Theo probably realizes arms fall off alot easier on SPs. Still...used to wonder how all these guys were going to get playing time at the big league level, now wondering the same all the way down to AA. Can't expect all these guys to work out but still....has to be thinking there is some sort of market deficiency on middle IFs

[Droford]

I'll actually agree with droford and say I'm kinda surprised the cubs didn't shoot for some type of bundy/gausman deal. Theo probably realizes arms fall off alot easier on SPs. Still...used to wonder how all these guys were going to get playing time at the big league level, now wondering the same all the way down to AA. Can't expect all these guys to work out but still....has to be thinking there is some sort of market deficiency on middle IFs
Fairly certain despite Bundy coming of TJS and not looking too good so far in the minors that they wouldn't trade him. Which probably figures because I'm starting to worry he'll end being one of the few pitchers that can't pitch after the surgery.

[Frank Drebin]

Should just be hoping he passes all the "tests" stays healthy, and not worry about how he looks this season. You can be sure he's going to be on an innings and pitch limit next year too.

As a baseball fan, not happy about the bundy injury last year in the same vain of this year's Jose Fernandez injury. Just a shitty thing for baseball.

[ClockShot]

Exactly why is Francisco Cervelli on the roster instead of J.R. Murphy?

Murphy wouldn't have made that bad throw.

[ClockShot]

Yankees acquire Brandon McCarthy from the Diamondbacks for Vidal Nuno.


I guess this guy is Home Run Hughes 2.0. And in Yankee Stadium, greaaaaaaaaaaaaat.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>McCarthy has never really regained his form since taking a liner to the head a couple years ago and requiring surgery.

Regardless he's probably still loving life. Fairly good looking, rich, great sense of humor, and a really hot wife who also has a great sense of humor. Wish I was him.</font>

[RoXer]

<font color=goldenrod>Fairly good looking, rich, great sense of humor, and a really hot wife who also has a great sense of humor. Wish I was him.</font>

weird post

[Evil Vito]

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/11/brandon-mccarthy-discharged-from-hospital-still-great-at-twitter/

[ClockShot]

Ooof. Fonsie got DFA'd to make room for McCarthy.

Unless someone grabs him, this may be the end. Unless he's content with a stint in AAA.

[RP]

Im pretty sure no one won the Yanks Cubs Soriano trade, now.

[Frank Drebin]

Corey Black has been ok in AA. May be a decent bullpen arm at some point.

[Droford]

Image is way too big but herechicks dig the ground ball (http://blog.sfgate.com/athletics/files/2012/02/E-030512-COVERPROMO.jpeg)

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

From first to worst to world champions to worst again. Shit.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>All Star rosters announced:


AL Starters (fan vote)

C Matt Wieters, Orioles
1B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
2B Robinson Cano, Mariners
SS Derek Jeter, Yankees
3B Josh Donaldson, Athletics
DH Nelson Cruz, Orioles
OF Jose Bautista, Blue Jays (leading vote-getter overall)
OF Mike Trout, Angels
OF Adam Jones, Orioles

NL Starters (fan vote)

C Yadier Molina, Cardinals
1B Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks
2B Chase Utley, Phillies
SS Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
3B Aramis Ramirez, Brewers
OF Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
OF Carlos Gomez, Brewers
OF Yasiel Puig, Dodgers

AL Pitchers

RHP Yu Darvish, Rangers
RHP Max Scherzer, Tigers
RHP Felix Hernandez, Mariners
RHP Masahiro Tanaka, Yankees
LHP Jon Lester, Red Sox
LHP David Price, Rays
LHP Scott Kazmir, Athletics
LHP Mark Buehrle, Blue Jays
LHP Sean Doolittle, Athletics
RHP Greg Holland, Royals
LHP Glen Perkins, Twins
RHP Dellin Betances, Yankees

NL Pitchers

RHP Johnny Cueto, Reds
LHP Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
RHP Zack Greinke, Dodgers
LHP Madison Bumgarner, Giants
RHP Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
RHP Tyson Ross, Padres
RHP Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals
RHP Julio Teheran, Braves*
RHP Craig Kimbrel, Braves
LHP Aroldis Chapman, Reds
RHP Francisco Rodriguez, Brewers
LHP Tony Watson, Pirates
RHP Pat Neshek, Cardianls

* Teheran replaces Jeff Samardzija, who was voted into the game but is ineligible to play following his trade from the Cubs to the Athletics.

AL Reserves

C Salvador Perez, Royals -- will replace Wieters (Tommy John surgery) in the starting lineup
C Derek Norris, Athletics
C Kurt Suzuki, Twins
1B Jose Abreu, White Sox
1B Victor Martinez, Tigers
1B Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays
1B/OF Brandon Moss, Athletics
2B Jose Altuve, Astros
SS Alexei Ramirez, White Sox
3B Adrian Beltre, Rangers
OF Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics
OF Alex Gordon, Royals
OF Michael Brantley, Indians

NL Reserves

C Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers
C Devin Mesoraco, Reds
1B Freddie Freeman, Braves
2B Dee Gordon, Dodgers
2B Daniel Murphy, Mets
SS Starlin Castro, Cubs
3B Todd Frazier, Reds
3B Matt Carpenter, Cardinals
IF/OF Josh Harrison, Pirates
OF Charlie Blackmon, Rockies
OF Hunter Pence, Giants
OF Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>And the final vote candidates:

AL

LHP Dallas Keuchel, Astros
RHP Corey Kluber, Indians
RHP Rick Porcello, Tigers
RHP Garrett Richards, Angels
LHP Chris Sale, White Sox


NL

3B Casey McGehee, Marlins
1B Justin Morneau, Rockies
2B/3B Anthony Rendon, Nationals
1B Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
OF Justin Upton, Braves</font>

[ClockShot]

AL sending in some solid pitchers. Might be what makes the difference this All-Star game. Shocked that Betances made the team. Only one of the Yankee Killer B's to make something of himself.

Starting lineup ain't that great. Twinkies only sending Suzuki and Perkins to the game. That's gotta be a kick in the balls for being the host city and a fan.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Not really. If the game wasn't in Minnesota they'd probably have only gotten one guy in. The host city usually gets at least 2 reps even if the team is shit (see: Mets in 2013)</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>If Stanton had beaten out Gomez, then all 16 starting position players would have been from different teams. Odd.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Anyway, I'm really glad Murphy made it in. Easily the most deserving Mets candidate. Really, with the exception of Jon Niese he's probably the ONLY deserving candidate. Glad to see him get the recognition although there's a very good chance he doesn't even get in the game since he's pretty much the 3rd string 2B.

The biggest snub I can see is Huston Street not being the lone Padres rep...but when the players voted in Chapman he pretty much got screwed as Matheny was dead-set on taking Watson and Neshek.</font>

[ClockShot]

Not really. If the game wasn't in Minnesota they'd probably have only gotten one guy in. The host city usually gets at least 2 reps even if the team is shit (see: Mets in 2013)

Figured Dozier might have snuck in with the fair year he's having.

But Joe Mauer. Man, how the mighty have fallen. :nono: Used to be guaranteed to be the catcher for the AL.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>King Felix is pretty much a lock to be the AL starting pitcher. Tanaka is in line to start the Sunday before and therefore wouldn't be able to play.

The NL starter probably has to be Kershaw but Kershaw and Wainwright going 2 innings each to start would be a helluva way to cover 4 innings. Cueto is another guy lined up to start the Sunday before so he'd be a no-go.</font>