2015 MLB Thread

[barebeaverlover]

Zobrist is such an under-rated player. Great addition by the Royals. When I was a kid, my dream was to be an all-around player like Zobrist. Except I sucked in the outfield and I couldn't hit a curve.

I love this pick up by the Royals!!

So, the Jays get Price. They've gone all in on this year-they gave up 3 more pitching prospects. This line-up is scary good. Don't even think of throwing a lefty against theses guys-they mash them. Price is the first true ace they've had since Doc Halliday.

Who's left? Yankees need a starter. SF hasn't been heard from yet-Sabean usually does something.

 

[feller469]

Great to see a team, in this case the Blue Jays, say "Fuckit, we're going for it." Doesn't always work out, but I will be following them more closely the rest of the way. The Royals, Angels, Astros, Twins, Blue Jays,and Yankees look like they will battle it out. The Orioles are worth keeping an eye on too.

 

[feller469]

Astros sweep the Angels, add a big bat and get another arm. I grew up a Red Sox fan, but liked the 'Stros from my days living in San Antonio. The days of Dickie Thon,Terry Puhl, Mike Scott, Nolan Ryan, and J. R. Richards. Wish they were still N.L.ers, but glad to see them contending again.

 

[Red001]

there are rumblings of big deal between the Astros and Padres

 

[barebeaverlover]

With an hour to go, I heard the Astros are in on Aroldis Chapman.

 

[BCT]

Damn, the Stros and Jays are really going for it. But if the Yankees add Kimbrell or Chapman then everyone else in the AL is screwed, nobody will touch that pen.

 

[barebeaverlover]

Damn, the Stros and Jays are really going for it. But if the Yankees add Kimbrell or Chapman then everyone else in the AL is screwed, nobody will touch that pen.

Chapman stays put.

Cards pick up Broxton & Moss. Moss is a nice pick-up. Mets trade for Cespedis-they desperately needed a bat.

Astros, Jays & Royals all made big splashes. Love all the trades:thumbsup:

 

[Jagger69]

Agree on all counts. Nice strategic moves....especially by the Mets, Jays and Astros. Down the stretch we go!!

 

[BCT]

That Jays line up looks deadly, I wouldn't want to face them in the playoffs. That's way too many bats to count on going cold. oofa

 

[pool_hustler]

Where do Price & Hamels go? I'd be shocked if the Dodgers don't land 1 of them.

Well, let the shock begin. And I join you in it.
From day one the glaring need for this team has been a legit number three starter.
They have respectable 4 and 5 starters, but no number three.
So what do they trade for? Two more 4/5 starters
Sure it gives them more depth at the end of the rotation, but they ain't going anywhere special without a legit number 3.

 

[Red001]

Funny how the fire sales predicted in Cincy and San Diego didn't happen
loved the fact that Toronto and Houston drove the market

 

[barebeaverlover]

Well, let the shock begin. And I join you in it.
From day one the glaring need for this team has been a legit number three starter.
They have respectable 4 and 5 starters, but no number three.
So what do they trade for? Two more 4/5 starters
Sure it gives them more depth at the end of the rotation, but they ain't going anywhere special without a legit number 3.

I was surprised the Dodgers didn't land Price or Hamels. Talk here is that Price will sign with the Dodgers in the off season. Maybe they decided to keep their prospects & just throw money at Price in the off season.

- - - Updated - - -

Funny how the fire sales predicted in Cincy and San Diego didn't happen
loved the fact that Toronto and Houston drove the market

It's great to see teams that have been out of the playoffs for a few years load up.

 

[Whit]

Agree on all counts.

I think the Cards just lost the division. Matt H is gone and they got a guy that strikes out 30% of the time and they still can't beat lefties. They got one good bullpen guy and paid too much for the rest.
Their young starters are tired and their hitting is in trouble. The Pirates are a better team now unless they have a major injury.

 

[Jagger69]

I think the Cards just lost the division. Matt H is gone and they got a guy that strikes out 30% of the time and they still can't beat lefties. They got one good bullpen guy and paid too much for the rest.
Their young starters are tired and their hitting is in trouble. The Pirates are a better team now unless they have a major injury.

I don't necessarily think we'll lose the division (although I won't be shocked if we do). However, I'm much more concerned about our ability to win in the playoffs when it seems like every game we win is a 2-1 or 3-2 affair. Constantly needing to win close games is a helluva lotta pressure to put on your pitching staff and, although I wasn't happy to see Kaminsky go, we definitely needed a left-handed bat that can play both 1B and OF so I understand Mo's reasoning in acquiring Moss. Having Marp back at leadoff (he should never have been taken out of it in my view) and some of the kids playing well (Grichuk, Piscotty) is encouraging but not enough to overcome the loss of a major bat like Holliday's. We really need him back in the lineup. I think you'll see these games shorten up appreciably (the young starters not going past the 5th or 6th inning) with the veteran depth we'll have in the pen now (especially getting Walden back soon) but how that will translate in the playoffs remains to be seen. The Dodgers and Pirates are both teams to fear, especially LA after the way they improved their roster with the addition of Latos and Wood along with a big bat off the bench in Michael Morse.

The other thing that's really been bugging me in recent weeks is Matheny's propensity to always go by the book. I don't think this team has tried to execute a squeeze play since LaRussa retired. Does no one on this team know how to bunt? At least two games lost in the past two weeks for this reason.

 

[barebeaverlover]

If anybody gets a chance, watch the bullshit happening in Toronto.

Donaldson gets plunked in the 1st inning-plate ump issues a warning. (mistake 1) Next at bat, Donaldson get buzzed chin high-nothing. In his next at bat, Donaldson is buzzed again-nothing. Tulowitzki comes up in about the 7th & gets plunked-nothing. Gibbons gets tossed (as he should have) In the 8th with the score 3-0 Jays, Aaron Sanchez is pitching for the Jays-hits a batter & gets tossed. Zobrist comes up & hits a 2 run homer.

Everybody in the game is held accountable except the umpires. I've been involved in baseball for 50 years & these umps are getting worse. That ump (DeWolf I think) has to be suspended. He issued the warning, he should have tossed the KC pitcher when he hit Tulo.

P.S. I'm not a Jays fan & pitching in tight is part of the game. Damn umps shouldn't take it away from the pitchers in the 1st inning.

Hey Jagger-the Jays DFA'd Danny Valencia who is a lefty masher & good utility player-if he makes it to the Cards, he would be a great pick-up.

 

[Jagger69]

If anybody gets a chance, watch the bullshit happening in Toronto.

Donaldson gets plunked in the 1st inning-plate ump issues a warning. (mistake 1) Next at bat, Donaldson get buzzed chin high-nothing. In his next at bat, Donaldson is buzzed again-nothing. Tulowitzki comes up in about the 7th & gets plunked-nothing. Gibbons gets tossed (as he should have) In the 8th with the score 3-0 Jays, Aaron Sanchez is pitching for the Jays-hits a batter & gets tossed. Zobrist comes up & hits a 2 run homer.

Everybody in the game is held accountable except the umpires. I've been involved in baseball for 50 years & these umps are getting worse. That ump (DeWolf I think) has to be suspended. He issued the warning, he should have tossed the KC pitcher when he hit Tulo.

P.S. I'm not a Jays fan & pitching in tight is part of the game. Damn umps shouldn't take it away from the pitchers in the 1st inning.

Hey Jagger-the Jays DFA'd Danny Valencia who is a lefty masher & good utility player-if he makes it to the Cards, he would be a great pick-up.

I agree that the umps seem to be upstaging the players and managers more and more. The best umps are the ones you never notice.

If Valencia's worth adding, Mo will look at him believe me. I'm just not sure we're going to make any more moves....especially once Holliday returns. This team will live or die with their pitching....which is something every team can say I suppose.

 

[Ace Bandage]

First time the Cubbies have been 10 games over .500 this decade. They've been fun to watch this year. I've been to 3 games this year (all losses, per usual) and plan on going to more. I'm not totally sold on Haren as a fifth starter, but I'll wait to see how it pans out. They're in the wildcard hunt, but realistically they're still a year out from being able to compete for the division let alone a title.

Fucking Cards, man. I wish that organization would take a few years off...

 

[Jagger69]

First time the Cubbies have been 10 games over .500 this decade. They've been fun to watch this year. I've been to 3 games this year (all losses, per usual) and plan on going to more. I'm not totally sold on Haren as a fifth starter, but I'll wait to see how it pans out. They're in the wildcard hunt, but realistically they're still a year out from being able to compete for the division let alone a title.

Fucking Cards, man. I wish that organization would take a few years off...

Sorry bud....that will never happen. Honestly, I was disappointed in the lack of activity by Epstein at the deadline. The Cubs have a real shot at a wild card slot but their chances were diminished when compared to moves that competing teams made. The keep shopping Castro and the truth is, nobody wants him. They need more than Danny Haren to make their pitching staff good enough to compete for a playoff spot....much less after and if they qualify. They're getting better but I'd agree with you....likely another year away from legitimacy. Joe Maddon is the perfect manager for them so you need to just be patient. A competitive Cubs team is great for baseball and really great for the Cardinals-Cubs rivalry.

 

[Red001]

i think Epstein held off making moves because he realizes the cubs need 1 more offseason to be ready and he wants a team that will compete for years

 

[Jagger69]

i think Epstein held off making moves because he realizes the cubs need 1 more offseason to be ready and he wants a team that will compete for years

Well that's certainly the message I would be receiving if I were a Cub fan. I do think it would be prudent to give them an opportunity to develop from within a little bit more instead of throwing away the entire farm system to acquire a stud pitcher like Cole Hamels. They are still in the hunt for a wildcard berth. Play it out and see what happens would be my take.