2023 MLB Season Thread

[redsoxrules]

The Atlanta Braves offense is insane. They are on the verge of having FIVE players with 30 or more HR. Their team OPS is 845.

[moonslav59]

The Atlanta Braves offense is insane. They are on the verge of having FIVE players with 30 or more HR. Their team OPS is 845.

 

It is amazing.

 

Here's more...

 

Their 9th best hitter is at .784!

Only 2 of those 9 are over 31 (Ozuna 32 & Rosario 31!)

Their lowest SLG guy is at .455 (M Harris.) We only have 5 above that, not counting Duvall.

[moonslav59]

I think a pretty significant event happened today that raises serious questions about the system set up through contract negotiations.

 

As we know, the Angels put almost a quarter of their roster on waivers, recently to try and get back under the tax line. That could matter, because the comp pick for losing Ohtani will be affected.

 

Now, the Guardians, who kinda suck, and have the earlier pick on claiming guys off waivers than team ahead of them, claimed 3 players:

Lucas Giolito

Reynaldo Lopez

Matt Moore

They have recently gotten back into the AL Central race, die to MIN sucking, too. The Guardians are 6 games under .500 but just 5 games behind MIN, and yet can still can pull this off.

 

It seems kinda unfair, although waiver wire deals have been around a long time, no bad teams will claim high price salary dumps, leaving the weakest contender a glden opportunity to pounce and only pay 1/6 of the player's deal.

 

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/08/guardians-claim-lucas-giolito-reynaldo-lopez-waivers-angels.html

[moonslav59]

I'll openly admit I'm Irish, as in born and bred, I live here in Dublin.

 

I started getting interested in baseball during lockdown, added to that, I'm a huge Liverpool fan, so obviously there's a connection there.

 

I'd say I'm a redsox fan.

 

But this seasons atlanta braves are absolutely outrageously good. I don't think there's a baseball fan in the world that wouldn't be entertained by them. The opening 3 hitters are ridiculous.... Acuna, matt Riley and the big mother f***er Olson must scare the s*** out of any starting pitcher. Or nearly seems impossible to get all 3 out. And then if they don't hit something big, that ozuna guy or Harris just jumps in to carry the can.

 

They're amazing to watch

 

Welcome aboard.

[moonslav59]

MVP Outlook:

 

AL: It has to be a lock for Ohtani. He's the best hitter in the AL and a damn good pitcher, too. The race is really about who finishes second?

fWAR

6.5 Ohtani + 2.3 pitching fWAR = 8.8

5.3 JRod

5.2 Robert

5.0 Whitt

4.7 Semien

4.4 Jose Ramirez

4.3 Tucker

 

The NL race is still open, but two guys are clearly the front runners:

7.8 Betts .317 38 116 (Great D

6.7 Acuna .337 30 83 (1st timer with 30 and maybe 35 HRs and 60 and maybe 70 SBs)

 

But...

6.9 Freeman .338 25 111

5.2 Lindor .251 24 85

4.9 Kim .277 17 76

4.6 Olsen .268 43 103

4.6 Riley .278 32 98

 

 

 

[moonslav59]

Looking at the fWAR Leaders in 2023 Pitching, I can't help but notice all the ex-Sox pitchers and one that we apparently came close to signing (Eflin):

 

5.1 Wheeler

4.8 Strider

4.7 Gausman

4.6 Gray

4.0 Gallen

4.0 Eflin

12. Pablo Lopez 3.6 (no link to a trade with Sox, but listing anyway)

14. Luis Castillo 3.2 (see Lopez)

15. Nate 3.1

21. Senga 2.9

22. ERod 2.8

41. Seth Lugo 2.2

50. Wacha 2.0

 

Were available, recently:

31. Stroman 2.5

35. Civale 2.4

49. Walker 2.0

 

[dgalehouse]

It is being reported that Dodger's pitcher Julio Urias has been arrested on a charge of domestic violence.

[moonslav59]

It is being reported that Dodger's pitcher Julio Urias has been arrested on a charge of domestic violence.

 

The Dodgers sure pick some winners.

 

THey are the Raiders of MLB.

[a700hitter]

Isn’t this his second go around with this?

[dgalehouse]

Isn’t this his second go around with this?

 

Yes.. He was arrested for domestic violence a few years ago as well.

[notin]

Yes.. He was arrested for domestic violence a few years ago as well.

 

He should be done for the season. And next year, join Trevor Bauer in Korea…

[Jasonbay44]

Hopefully he’s done in the MLB. Dude seems like a piece of s***

[moonslav59]

Article on line-up slots and changing philosophy:

 

Number 2 spot in lineup now the best in baseball

WWW.MLB.COM

---

If Babe Ruth were starring for the Yankees today, he might not be wearing his legendary No. 3, famously issued to him when the team first put uniform numbers on their backs in 1929 simply because that’s where he had primarily batted in the lineup: third. Instead, imagine a world

[Bellhorn04]

Rays take 3 of 4 from Seattle, doing damage to the M's playoff run.

[notin]

Watching the Cubs-Rockies.

 

First career start for Cubs’ top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong and the kid just put on a defensive clinic…

[mvp 78]

Watching the Cubs-Rockies.

 

First career start for Cubs’ top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong and the kid just put on a defensive clinic…

 

That was his calling card if his offense doesn't work out.

[mvp 78]

@TalkinBaseball_

Alek Manoah never reported to Triple-A when he was optioned on August 11th because he was upset about the decision, per @SNJeffBlair

 

Manoah reportedly has not even been throwing bullpens or side sessions. It’s unlikely that he’ll pitch in a game again this year

 

[notin]

That was his calling card if his offense doesn't work out.

 

It’s better than advertised. And it was advertised quite well…

[redsoxrules]

@TalkinBaseball_

Alek Manoah never reported to Triple-A when he was optioned on August 11th because he was upset about the decision, per @SNJeffBlair

 

Manoah reportedly has not even been throwing bullpens or side sessions. It’s unlikely that he’ll pitch in a game again this year

 

 

Couldn't of happen to a better guy.

[redsoxrules]

Can the Red Sox follow the Braves approach for next year and don't sit

players out?

 

Acuna, Olson have not missed one game. Austin Riley only 2 games.

 

Their production is certainly not affected by playing every day.

[Bellhorn04]

Can the Red Sox follow the Braves approach for next year and don't sit

players out?

 

Acuna, Olson have not missed one game. Austin Riley only 2 games.

 

Their production is certainly not affected by playing every day.

 

If one of those two pulls a hammy right before the playoffs start, the tactic will come into question, of course...

[moonslav59]

Can the Red Sox follow the Braves approach for next year and don't sit

players out?

 

Acuna, Olson have not missed one game. Austin Riley only 2 games.

 

Their production is certainly not affected by playing every day.

 

I'm thinking there can and should be a happy medium: 4-6 days off for younger players and 6-9 off for aging or frail players, unless you can DH them, here and there.

[mvp 78]

Can the Red Sox follow the Braves approach for next year and don't sit

players out?

 

Acuna, Olson have not missed one game. Austin Riley only 2 games.

 

Their production is certainly not affected by playing every day.

 

How did not sitting Ozzie Albies out work for him?

[redsoxrules]

If one of those two pulls a hammy right before the playoffs start, the tactic will come into question, of course...

 

That can happen anytime. Even with resting players.

[redsoxrules]

How did not sitting Ozzie Albies out work for him?

 

Sitting him could have resulted the same injury. It's irrelevant players get injured regardless sitting games or playing. There's no proof he got injured due to playing everyday.

[redsoxrules]

I'm thinking there can and should be a happy medium: 4-6 days off for younger players and 6-9 off for aging or frail players, unless you can DH them, here and there.

 

And if you do that and miss the playoffs by 1 game that's acceptable? You play your best players

[Bellhorn04]

Sitting him could have resulted the same injury. It's irrelevant players get injured regardless sitting games or playing. There's no proof he got injured due to playing everyday.

 

The simple fact is there's no way to prove resting helps improve performance and/or prevent injuries, and no way to prove it doesn't.

[mvp 78]

Why don't pitchers go back to throwing 300 innings?

[mvp 78]

Let's just run out a 4 man rotation.

[redsoxrules]

The simple fact is there's no way to prove resting helps improve performance and/or prevent injuries, and no way to prove it doesn't.

 

One thing is certain though, you have better chance winning games with your best players than resting them.