Bosock1

You would also hate to have a six game streak of one run losses caused by 7th and 8th inning rallies in which you never called in the cavalry. I think that, given all the analytics and data, there is going to be a more sophisticated usage of your best relievers from now on then "when it's technically a save op, 1-3 run lead," etc. Managers and pitching coaches and relief pitchers, I know, love that....there are roles, no one has to get second-guessed in a media scrum when you lose one. But the REALITY is..... Say, you have two top guns, one righty fireballer, one lefty groundballer, each who you are fine getting four outs but don't want to stretch to two innings.....and your starter runs into trouble in the middle of the seventh. Now, you could just go "setup guy!" even if there are three reverse platoons coming up who have bizarrely killed him over his otherwise stellar career. That's the current methodology. Or you put your beanies on, figure out shifts and batter tendencies and who they have on their bench, days of rest and park factors and all that cr@p, and some guy that looks like Radar O'Reilly texts you the correct call from the bowels of the clubhouse. You know that is the way it HAS to be in the near future. The public and media are too well informed. Even if you go against the numbers and win, there is going to be a big analysis with a whiff of "he was lucky." Once Pandora's Box was opened and teams started breaking the stereotype closer title, this is the inevitable, and correct, path. Once someone starts quoting Tony LaRussa as to the personality aspect of something that goes against the numbers, that argument is deader than the reputation of Grady Little's gut.

I think it is a very interesting business study of how analytics and early training as teens and other factors have made 25 middle aged and 35 too old to hire, and in a very short time. It will be fascinating to see other fallouts. One, I would guess, might be that a top prospect is NOT going to be looking at that college scholarship very fondly. The path to riches is being six years in before age 27, ala Heyward, Harper, Machado. Hell, I'll go to college when I'm 30 years old with my $100m career.

The value/pay spreadsheet swap of recent years is fascinating. If they don't adjust the arb age system, it will be interesting to see what the effects will be.

Fascinating that last year was considered a huge setback year for FAs despite a roaring (sez prez) economy. Was business for the owners and attendance so comfortable that no one felt the need for Hail Mary passes? Was it just a weak FA year with a markedly lower percentage of players worthy of long deals? Did youth and analytics stab age in the back?

lol....The Suitcase Called and Came....

I think that is true for that first big money deal. Robertson has made over $50 mil already. He's an Alabama boy with a wife and two toddlers. I could get not wanting to commute to the Bronx everyday. He can get a nice center hall 4/2.5 in the mainline and pop down to the Phillies park in 15 minutes.

Well, I thought about that. He represented himself....that makes it interesting in terms of pinging the industry. Do you make 50 phone calls yourself? "Dave's on line 1 again." Sounds desperate. Say what you want about agents but that info network let's you know if your market is one team or ten, and who is getting close with other free agents, etc. In other words, as a solo act I don't think you are announcing the cities you won't take money from.

I must say, that seven years ago, I thought the Sox were patient in telling Bill James to STHU on his Paterno/child abuse commentation, and I thought he was an asset and it was good he stayed.

Interesting....career catcher, 2957 plate appearances in the minors, 27 in the majors. "Yeah, I was in the show. I was in the show for 21 days once - the 21 greatest days of my life. You know, you never handle your luggage in the show, somebody else carries your bags. It was great. You hit white balls for batting practice, the ballparks are like cathedrals, the hotels all have room service, and the women all have long legs and brains." -- Crash Davis Good luck in your future endeavors, Mr. Butler.

Like Papi was ? :-)

Hello to all! Ah well, shame Tulo went to the Bronx, he is a great lottery tic. Even though he played in Colorado for most of it, had be played with us and put up his numbers, he would have been the greatest SS in our history in WAR....and even in dWAR, ignoring the Coors factor. Great with the bat and the leather. Hope we don't see him down the road.