moonslav59

Robo Umps... MLB tests robo umps in Arizona Fall League WWW.MLB.COM SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- It’s one of the boldest experiments in the history of the Arizona Fall League. Whether it goes from the “laboratory” to the Major Leagues remains to be seen, but there’s no question the use of “robo-umpires” at Salt River Fields this season generated conversation among players and

To me, the draft picks were part of it, but he wanted a ring, and SS defense was all that team needed. OCab was a big plus over Nomar on defense.

It wasn't fixed back then.

Baseball is not basketball. No one player can do it all. It's one of the great things about the sport. I hope nobody is saying Julio Lugo is better than Ted because he has a ring.

There were also rumors he was hitting on other players' wives. That could explain so many teams.

Some advance a round or two, but they hardly ever win it all.

Maybe this year's playoff teams will swing the pendulum back towards the realization that 3-4 good SP'ers are more valuable then a boatload of RP'ers.

Now that the Loogy is all but dead, does this mean managers will not go lefty-right with their line-ups as much as before?

Best record may not be the best criteria to use, even though I used best 2 records from each contest. Strength of schedule is a major factor. How many true underdogs have won it all in the past 15-20 years? The 2006 Cards? Anyone else?

I think we reset next year. We may deal Betts this winter or at the deadline, but I think Bloom will be allowed to go over the tax line in 2021- maybe even the second line and up to but not over the max line. We can re-sign Betts or use his money plus the extra budget room to make some serious signings after 2020. With some shrewd deals this winter, maybe the 2020 season won't be as bad as it might seem like it will be.

Just offer Mookie a fair and generous contract and let the chips fall where they may.

SD spent big and still finished last. Maybe they go for broke. SF loses Bumgarner and then Samardzija after 2020. Posey, Cueto, Belt & Crawford after 2021. It's not looking so hellish anymore, but they may have learned a lesson. I agree, LAA looks most likely, but there will be competition.

I think we'll go over the luxury tax line after we reset, so it's not really a hard cap. I understand the 1 man making 1/7th of your budget argument. I agree, it doesn't look right, but Betts is worth 7 average players and then some, IMO. I won't be heart broken, if Betts bolts, and there are limits to high high I'd go, but I'd make him a fair offer. I'm confident Bloom will spend that $30M wisely, if not on Betts, so either way is okay with me.

Good points. I did not mention these two because both are not Rule 5 until after 2020, but they could certainly be added to the 40 man roster, if we feel they can help on the 25 man roster at some point, next year. I doubt either is added by opening day, although they may get a ST'ing invite.

Dodgers, Padres- maybe even Seattle or SF.

...and the defense isn't even close, despite some improvement on D from Devers and steady D by Bogey.

Dave Bush, the new Sox pitching coach? https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/10/report-dave-bush-favorite-to-become-red-sox-pitching-coach.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Good. 28 is enough and may help eliminate games with 15+ pitching changes. We had a 16 inning games where 25 pitchers were used! Let that sink in. Also starting next year, pitchers must pitch to either a minimum of three batters or the end of a half-inning, barring situations involving injury or illness.

Are you making a point?

I can see that position as being reasonable, but obviously I disagree. Here's why: 1) Betts does not ever have to repeat 2018 to be worth $300M/10. 2) 2018 was his best season, but he's had a season pretty close and 3 other seasons of high productivity: BWAR (Year) fWAR 10.9 (2018) 10.4 9.7 (2016) 8.3 6.8 (2019) 6.6 6.4 (2017) 5.3 5.9 (2015) 4.8 3) He just turned 27. He likely has 5-6 prime years left and 2-3 near prime years. If Betts puts up these WAR numbers in the next 10 years, would you say he's worth $300M/10? 7 '19 (age 27) 8 '20 (28) 7 '21 (29) 7 '22 (30) 6 '23 (31) 5 '24 (32) 4 '25 (33) 4 '26 (34) 3 '27 (35) 3 '28 (36) Amount of players in MLB over the last 10 years with the above WAR totals at the ages listed: Ages: 35-36: 33 @ 3.0+ (36 at 2.9 or better) 3-4 per year 33-34: 32 @ 4.0+ (34 at 3.8 or better) 3-4 per year (Look at some of the names on this list and tell me Betts isn't as good or better) https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2019&month=0&season1=2010&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=33,34&filter=&players=0&startdate=&enddate=&page=1_50 31-32: 33 @ 6.0+ and 44 @ 5+ WAR https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2019&month=0&season1=2010&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=31,32&filter=&players=0&startdate=&enddate=&page=1_50

Another look at the 2020 Red Sox 40 Man Roster: 1) Assume Pedey goes on the 60 Day DL, so he does not take up an official slot. 2) Assume none of our free agents return. 3) Assume JBJ and JD are gone, somehow- some where. 4) Here's how I see the rest... 16 Keepers: Devers, Betts, Bogaerts, Sale, ERod, Benintendi, Vazquez, Workman, D Hernandez, Barnes, Walden, Chavez, Taylor, Price, Eovaldi, Lin 14 Borderline: Johnson, Marco Hernandez, Weber, Velazquez, Brasier, Chacin, Shawaryn, Brewer, Lakins, Travis, Poyner, Reyes, Kelley, Centeno 2 Likely Traded or Non Tendered: Hembree, Leon (may be re-signed after non tender) 8 Open Slots: 9 Rule 5 Possibilities: 2 Keepers: Dalbec, Chatham 2 Borderline: Kyle Hart, Marcus Wilson 5 Long Shots: Josh Ockimey, Pedro Castellanos, Cole Sturgeon, Eduard Bazaedo, Jhonathan Diaz Chances are, we have several slots open for free agency, but I do not see a roster crunch in any form this winter. I only see 18-20 guys that are keepers. My guess is we'll see a lot of wheeling and dealing- many small/minor deals.

A few teams not looking to reset next season.

Sox not going to offer JD another contract. https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2019/10/jd-martinezs-opt-out-boston-red-sox-havent-made-new-contract-offer-have-5-day-exclusive-window-at-start-of-mlb-free-agency.html?fbclid=IwAR0Xjb8WmiGPp90t_frrxKUA2VWQjZYZ9co1blMqx9oswNTdZdhHME49AM0

They are not trying to get to $180M. If they lose JBJ and JD, we'll have money to spend, and Bloom seems to like low to mid ranged FA signings, and maybe he likes Holt. I have no idea, if he does or not, but he could be back.

Yes, but they knew his arb costs were going up. It's not like he was cheap in 2019. I'm pretty sure people wanted him last winter- just not as much as DD hoped.