Devers signs 11 year $331 million extension

[notin]

There were plenty of arm problems back then; we just didn't know about them. Guys just disappeared. We tend to remember the Gibsons, Marichals and Seavers who seemingly pitched forever. But as great as Koufax was, he was done at age 30 due to an arthritic elbow.

 

When Bruce Suter had his arm go out at the end of his long career, people kept saying how sorry they were for him. He said one of the classiest things I've ever heard. He said something to the effect of don't feel sorry for me, I had 15 great years (or whatever it was). Feel sorry for the kid in A ball who blew his arm out and will never get a shot.

 

If Nathan Eovaldi was born 30 years earlier, he never would have made MLB. Not because of the talent, but because he tore ligaments in his elbow in high school (and again in MLB)…

[dgalehouse]

They used to just say a pitcher had a sore arm. That covered all of the various medical and technical terms.

[moonslav59]

They used to just say a pitcher had a sore arm. That covered all of the various medical and technical terms.

 

Nothing some ice couldn't take care of.

[notin]

They used to just say a pitcher had a sore arm. That covered all of the various medical and technical terms.

 

But only on the pitchers whose careers weren’t over…

[Bellhorn04]

Why?

 

On those throws, the guy throwing the ball wants the first baseman to catch it. He’s doing everything within his power to make catching his throw as easy as possible.

 

Hitters are not so considerate with batted balls. In fact - complete opposite…

 

I said it's funny that for Devers the throwing part is harder than the fielding part. Your response is a tad confusing.

[cp176]

I don't think kid's travel teams have much effect. Not too many kids are doing that. Years ago boys played baseball every day all summer. In some cases , all year round . If not baseball , they were playing some form of it , softball, stickball, wiffle ball or just playing catch, throwing the ball around. They became proficient and knowledgable in the game. It's not like that today. There is absolutely more talented foreign players than ever before , but too many American kids have other things they prefer doing. I wouldn't necessarily say the sport is watered down however. There is still a lot of talent.

 

I like this post and obviously agree with it. AAU sports in general has become a huge money maker for some in this country. The era of the 3 sport athlete is disappearing and that is sad. Due to the fact that there are so many different AAU teams and travel teams out there, being on one really isn't much of a big deal. More opportunities - of course. Better play - not necessarily.

[notin]

I like this post and obviously agree with it. AAU sports in general has become a huge money maker for some in this country. The era of the 3 sport athlete is disappearing and that is sad. Due to the fact that there are so many different AAU teams and travel teams out there, being on one really isn't much of a big deal. More opportunities - of course. Better play - not necessarily.

 

Ummm … I think you made the opposite point…

[oldtimer]

I said it's funny that for Devers the throwing part is harder than the fielding part. Your response is a tad confusing.

 

Devers seems to lose focus on some of his throws and while he can make tough plays, he also gets eaten up at times. We love his bat in the lineup and I know the guy is trying hard, but we use to say a guy who loses focus is sort of out in left field. Maybe that is where he should play.

[cp176]

Ummm … I think you made the opposite point…

 

ummmmm.... I don't think so. have a hunch he and I are on the same page.

[cp176]

I really like Devers and I'm glad that we signed him long term. When it comes to marketing him as the "face of the franchise"as some do, I think that he has some growing up to do. Once again, I like him and I sympathize with him when it comes to his fielding issues but I did not enjoy seeing one of our team leaders burying his head in his hands apart from his teammates. Not a good leadership look for me. I want him to get angry of course but I also want to see him get past hanging your head after making an error. If he is lucky, he'll get many more chances to make mistakes in the future.

[notin]

ummmmm.... I don't think so. have a hunch he and I are on the same page.

 

You sure? I mean he said travel ball had no impact, but you brought up the proliferation of AAU (travel basketball, albeit for Nike signees) which is really an example of the expansion of organized youth sports.

[cp176]

You sure? I mean he said travel ball had no impact, but you brought up the proliferation of AAU (travel basketball, albeit for Nike signees) which is really an example of the expansion of organized youth sports.

 

I think that most posters here understand that I certainly see and probably hear things differently than you do. I understand perfectly what he was saying. I focused on an entirely different aspect of his comment than you. I have no idea whether or not more kids are playing baseball than they were when I was a kid in this country. What we do know I guess unfortunately is that there are more adult oriented programs out there for kids than ever before. More exposure of course but better baseball, not necessarily. There is something special about kids organizing kids in unorganized ways.

[notin]

I think that most posters here understand that I certainly see and probably hear things differently than you do. I understand perfectly what he was saying. I focused on an entirely different aspect of his comment than you. I have no idea whether or not more kids are playing baseball than they were when I was a kid in this country. What we do know I guess unfortunately is that there are more adult oriented programs out there for kids than ever before. More exposure of course but better baseball, not necessarily. There is something special about kids organizing kids in unorganized ways.

 

 

No one was talking about adult-oriented sports. AAU, your example, is aimed at high school and younger and has to be, since it’s a Nike recruitment drive that cannot negotiate with college kids . (I think they actually can now.)

 

Adult-oriented stuff is another matter.

 

Outside of the expense and the absolutely insane schedules, travel ball is a good thing. But the problem is too many parents think of it as an investment against riding college costs…

[Maxbialystock]

Devers seems to lose focus on some of his throws and while he can make tough plays, he also gets eaten up at times. We love his bat in the lineup and I know the guy is trying hard, but we use to say a guy who loses focus is sort of out in left field. Maybe that is where he should play.

 

Ahem. Devers took over the 3d base slot in 2018 even though he was 21 years old, his DWAR was -0.9, his OPS was just .731, and the 2018 Sox were in fact the best Sox team in their 123 years of existence. He's been the Sox third baseman ever since, and last year they gave him a $300M+ contract. Oh, and his DWAR this season is -0.3, which means that he costs the Red Sox 1/3 of one loss more than the average MLB thirdbaseman.

[mvp 78]

Ahem. Devers took over the 3d base slot in 2018 even though he was 21 years old, his DWAR was -0.9, his OPS was just .731, and the 2018 Sox were in fact the best Sox team in their 123 years of existence. He's been the Sox third baseman ever since, and last year they gave him a $300M+ contract. Oh, and his DWAR this season is -0.3, which means that he costs the Red Sox 1/3 of one loss more than the average MLB thirdbaseman.

 

The "R" in WAR doesn't stand for Average.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

No doubt about the modern proliferation of pay-to-play travel ball. With greater population comes greater participation.

 

However, there's now also year-round soccer, hockey, basketball, spring/summer football practice, and lacrosse (an organized sport that didn't even exist in my youth). And those are just a few other team sports that vie for dwindling attention-spans.

 

The point isn't that less kids play baseball these days, but less kids eat-sleep-and-play baseball all day all summer, like when it was truly the national pastime. Less reps, less muscle memory, less fundamentals.

 

For proof, take the airplane test. Next time you're airborne -- either right after takeoff or coming in for a landing -- look out the window at all the diamonds in towns and cities you pass. You can see dozens of diamonds... but never any kids -- spring, summer or fall... (except when in uniforms, supervised by adult volunteers in organized leagues).

[mvp 78]

No doubt about the modern proliferation of pay-to-play travel ball. With greater population comes greater participation.

For proof, take the airplane test. Next time you're airborne -- either right after takeoff or coming in for a landing -- look out the window at all the diamonds in towns and cities you pass. You can see dozens of diamonds... but never any kids -- spring, summer or fall... (except when in uniforms, supervised by adult volunteers in organized leagues).

 

Every youth baseball league I've been a part of has locked their fields so that they can only be used for league activities.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Every youth baseball league I've been a part of has locked their fields so that they can only be used for league activities.

 

That sucks. We have a really nice fenced-in ballpark in the middle of a town park that is empty 99% of the time because it cost so much to build. But you can play on it for $150.

 

At more accessible places, I've seen diamonds disappear... twice I've seen neighboring towns take down old backstops and level the field to make room for more soccer. And the local community college deleted baseball from its sports program, demolished the concrete dugouts, ripped up the screens and replaced the infield with solar panels.

[Dipre]

I really like Devers and I'm glad that we signed him long term. When it comes to marketing him as the "face of the franchise"as some do, I think that he has some growing up to do. Once again, I like him and I sympathize with him when it comes to his fielding issues but I did not enjoy seeing one of our team leaders burying his head in his hands apart from his teammates. Not a good leadership look for me. I want him to get angry of course but I also want to see him get past hanging your head after making an error. If he is lucky, he'll get many more chances to make mistakes in the future.

 

Do you know Devers (or any ballplayer?) personally? Why do you think he has "growing up to do". I mean, Wander Franco, for example, has growing up to do, as in, he needs to stop banging underage girls. Tim Anderson has some growing up to do because he needs to stop being so bush league and running his mouth, only to get knocked the f*** out by a tiny dominican. Justin Verlander has some growing up to do, because he's a diva and rubbed everyone in the Mets clubhouse the wrong way. Which of these "needs to grow up scenarios" has Devers demonstrated a proficiency in? Dude plays hard, doesn't showboat, and keeps his mouth shut. He showed some frustration, and so what? He's a human being. Just stop pretending like y'all know the guy and he's an immature crybaby. Sheesh.

[cp176]

Do you know Devers (or any ballplayer?) personally? Why do you think he has "growing up to do". I mean, Wander Franco, for example, has growing up to do, as in, he needs to stop banging underage girls. Tim Anderson has some growing up to do because he needs to stop being so bush league and running his mouth, only to get knocked the f*** out by a tiny dominican. Justin Verlander has some growing up to do, because he's a diva and rubbed everyone in the Mets clubhouse the wrong way. Which of these "needs to grow up scenarios" has Devers demonstrated a proficiency in? Dude plays hard, doesn't showboat, and keeps his mouth shut. He showed some frustration, and so what? He's a human being. Just stop pretending like y'all know the guy and he's an immature crybaby. Sheesh.

 

yes he did. Like I said, I like him. I just don't like to see my leaders act this way. I'm likely too old, don't you think? I spent too many years trying to help young athletes get through these types of situations without letting the world know how they feel. I understand it of course but I still don't like to see it. It is my opinion.

[cp176]

Do you know Devers (or any ballplayer?) personally? Why do you think he has "growing up to do". I mean, Wander Franco, for example, has growing up to do, as in, he needs to stop banging underage girls. Tim Anderson has some growing up to do because he needs to stop being so bush league and running his mouth, only to get knocked the f*** out by a tiny dominican. Justin Verlander has some growing up to do, because he's a diva and rubbed everyone in the Mets clubhouse the wrong way. Which of these "needs to grow up scenarios" has Devers demonstrated a proficiency in? Dude plays hard, doesn't showboat, and keeps his mouth shut. He showed some frustration, and so what? He's a human being. Just stop pretending like y'all know the guy and he's an immature crybaby. Sheesh.

 

Oh and yes I do know some ballplayers. He had a bad moment but I don't think that I would consider him an "immature crybaby". As for the others you mentioned, I could care less about them. I don't know Devers. Don't twist my words and suggest that I think I know him. It is my opinion. You don't like it - I get that.

[moonslav59]

yes he did. Like I said, I like him. I just don't like to see my leaders act this way. I'm likely too old, don't you think? I spent too many years trying to help young athletes get through these types of situations without letting the world know how they feel. I understand it of course but I still don't like to see it. It is my opinion.

 

I'd rather see a player show some emotion like Devers than smash things around or go ape on an ump, like Nixon and Youk used to do.

 

Devers reminds me a lot of Manny- a player that loves the game and doesn't seem to let down moments affect his next AB or play.

[Dipre]

yes he did. Like I said, I like him. I just don't like to see my leaders act this way. I'm likely too old, don't you think? I spent too many years trying to help young athletes get through these types of situations without letting the world know how they feel. I understand it of course but I still don't like to see it. It is my opinion.

 

You do know they're not robots? Even guys like Jeter and Chipper Jones would show emotion from time to time?

[Old Red]

I'd rather see a player show some emotion like Devers than smash things around or go ape on an ump, like Nixon and Youk used to do.

 

Devers reminds me a lot of Manny- a player that loves the game and doesn't seem to let down moments affect his next AB or play.

 

You don’t think Raffy’s down moments hasn’t affected his play? I don’t think Manny would be hanging his head, but laughing it off.

[notin]

Do you know Devers (or any ballplayer?) personally? Why do you think he has "growing up to do". I mean, [b{Wander Franco, for example, has growing up to do, as in, he needs to stop banging underage girls. [/b]Tim Anderson has some growing up to do because he needs to stop being so bush league and running his mouth, only to get knocked the f*** out by a tiny dominican. Justin Verlander has some growing up to do, because he's a diva and rubbed everyone in the Mets clubhouse the wrong way. Which of these "needs to grow up scenarios" has Devers demonstrated a proficiency in? Dude plays hard, doesn't showboat, and keeps his mouth shut. He showed some frustration, and so what? He's a human being. Just stop pretending like y'all know the guy and he's an immature crybaby. Sheesh.

 

Since you’re in the DR, I assume you get more info on this.

 

I’ve heard the primary allegation was before Franco had a wife and kids. If so, not sure this is a big deal. I mean, his first son, Wander Franco Jr., was reportedly born in 2018, meaning Franco was 17 at the time (and the mother, his current wife, was 16).

 

If that timeline is true, is it wrong for a 17yo Franco to be involved with a (then?) 14 year old? Details about this incident -specifically the “when” - are not readily available online, probably for good reason.

[Maxbialystock]

Every youth baseball league I've been a part of has locked their fields so that they can only be used for league activities.

 

I don't get you guys. When I was a kid I was absolutely thrilled to play just one short season of Babe Ruth baseball with real coaches, uniforms, a ballpark, etc. That was almost 70 years ago and I still have strong and good memories of that experience. Later our sons played little league and then high school ball, and 3 of our 4 daughters played softball and all enjoyed it--organized, with coaches, ball field, etc.

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with organized baseball/softball for kids--except when the competitive side of it can get a little out of whack, sometimes because of the parents and sometimes because of the coaches.

 

I also love that our kids have all kinds of choices about sports they play in the various seasons.

[Maxbialystock]

I'd rather see a player show some emotion like Devers than smash things around or go ape on an ump, like Nixon and Youk used to do.

 

Devers reminds me a lot of Manny- a player that loves the game and doesn't seem to let down moments affect his next AB or play.

 

He's got imperfections but is very much worth defending--as you and dipre have done so ably.

[Dipre]

Since you’re in the DR, I assume you get more info on this.

 

I’ve heard the primary allegation was before Franco had a wife and kids. If so, not sure this is a big deal. I mean, his first son, Wander Franco Jr., was reportedly born in 2018, meaning Franco was 17 at the time (and the mother, his current wife, was 16).

 

If that timeline is true, is it wrong for a 17yo Franco to be involved with a (then?) 14 year old? Details about this incident -specifically the “when” - are not readily available online, probably for good reason.

 

Legally, there's a "Romeo and Juliet" doctrine that can be applied to people who come of age while dating a minor, but this is not the case, as reported here. The info on hand is that he consistently chased underage girls, and has accusations from this one, who's a clear gold-digger, and a second accuser, who is held in higher regard by the news. There's also a lot of speculation and hearsay about other girls, but initial reports (and I work with a lot of these public-appointed attorneys on ponzi-scheme cases) are that he's f***ed.

[mvp 78]

Oh and yes I do know some ballplayers. He had a bad moment but I don't think that I would consider him an "immature crybaby". As for the others you mentioned, I could care less about them. I don't know Devers. Don't twist my words and suggest that I think I know him. It is my opinion. You don't like it - I get that.

 

His bad moment was putting his head in his glove because he was frustrated with his play. That was his bad moment.

[mvp 78]

I don't get you guys. When I was a kid I was absolutely thrilled to play just one short season of Babe Ruth baseball with real coaches, uniforms, a ballpark, etc. That was almost 70 years ago and I still have strong and good memories of that experience. Later our sons played little league and then high school ball, and 3 of our 4 daughters played softball and all enjoyed it--organized, with coaches, ball field, etc.

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with organized baseball/softball for kids--except when the competitive side of it can get a little out of whack, sometimes because of the parents and sometimes because of the coaches.

 

I also love that our kids have all kinds of choices about sports they play in the various seasons.

 

I loved coaching my kids in little league. I was just stating a fact that all the leagues we were involved in locked the fields outside of practice and gametime. Kids aren't allowed to play on those fields without adult supervision which goes against the airplane test noted above.