mvp 78

Based on the fact that no one has rocketed beyond where they once were. No one (but maybe Logan Allen) has exceed the peak value they had when they were with the Sox.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24056411/cincinnati-reds-president-dick-williams-expects-nice-increase-team-payroll-2019 The last-place Cincinnati Reds, who have been one of the majors' best teams over the past month, plan to increase their payroll next season, according to president of baseball operations Dick Williams. "We do believe that we're creating a good core to invest around," Williams told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "For the first time in a couple of years, I firmly believe we'll have a raised payroll." The Reds have an estimated payroll of $110.9 million this season, the seventh-lowest in the majors. After losing 43 of their first 65 games, the Reds have gone 18-8 over the past month and will send three players -- Joey Votto, Scooter Gennett and Eugenio Suarez -- to next week's All-Star Game. Williams told the Enquirer that he did not have a set number on the Reds' anticipated payroll for 2019 but said he expected a "nice increase." "I'm not talking like 1 or 2 percent," Williams told the paper. "But it's too early to know for sure. A lot of it will depend on how we play the rest of the year, the support we get from the fans and strategic decisions we make about where our investments will go in the offseason -- payroll or otherwise."

He gets a pass on 2012 since it wasn't his team. In 2013, all the references to him being a boob were made to look foolish because he was able to put a great team on the field. In 2014, you could talk about a WS hangover or whatever and give him some sort of pass or at least excuse it away. However, when he brought in Pablo and Hanley for 2015 after letting Lester walk and then found himself again in last place, it's hard for me to continue to support him going forward.

You would f***ing think so...

Lackey was still a great unknown, but I always felt he was a 4.00 ERA guy. Never liked that signing. I had seen enough of him while living out in LA. Buchholz was oft injured and not reliable. Doubront was a young guy who was pushed to the pen in the postseason. He was never going to be more than a back of the rotation guy. I was hopeful that RDLR would provide something, but he was a lottery ticket.

Crazy pills. Can't play a catcher that much.

Calling it a coffee boy is rather ham fisted tho.

My last year's team was basically the 2007 Colorado Rockies. I'm hoping for better luck this year.

+3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749445923078164062862089986

Max's mojo is BornToRun's mojo reincarnate. RIP BTR Hail Max mojo!

I'm surprised you feel this way about that position considering how much you have liked prospects in the past. I would have thought you'd see value in what he provides to the Jays. I'm the fence straddler who thinks Ben wasn't a great GM, but that his current position has a lot of value and is perfect for him.

So far, it seems that DD suspected correctly for the most part.

2013 had the insane Buchholz run. Lackey was a back of the rotation guy who had his best AL ERA in 8 years. Dempster retired after 2013. Peavy was clearly on the back end of his career. It's not surprising that the Sox rotation took a substantial hit in 2014. They had to even rely on RDLR for 100 innings that year. For Lester, the aberration was 2012.

And he's still only 25!

2014: 4.36 ERA and 26th in the league. 2012: 5.19 ERA and 27th in the league.

A better rotation could have fixed it. That's not Ben's job or anything.

What was the 2016 pitching staff going to be under Ben? Does Ben stick with the "don't sign pitchers over 30" thinking and create another big hole in the rotation? Who would be the closer?

Sox should hold out til the very end and see who is cheaper between Dozier and LeMahieu. I don't think either has a crazy market. Just no to Iggy. My TS heart can't deal with that anymore. It'd be like bringing back Buchholz or Hanley. No more please.

Ben's method was more apt to give you last place finishes. I'm good with DD for now. He just needs to retain the right players. Kimmi, someday you'll come around to my POV. Slowly but surely. I just need to keep breaking you down with more poorly thought up arguments. Someday you'll slip. Shoulda traded Pedroia!!!!!!!!!

No, he's just a platoon guy. Having a platoon guy for Moreland or just a good bat off the bench is valuable especially when the Sox really struggle against lefties.

Nooo! Bad, Dojji!

I was referencing that post for sure.

I put a few people on ignore and reread the gamethread. It was much better. There was still a good amount of snark which is fine. I just get tired of some of the nonsense around here.

A juiced ball increases the count of homers tho?