Click here to read the transcript of today’s live baseball chat
By Mark Polishuk | at
Click here to read the transcript of today’s live baseball chat
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Mets 97-105 wins
Braves 88-90
Phillies83-84
Marlins 75-77
Nats 68-74
Good to see you back lately, MF22. Your crazy optimism for the Mets has been missed. 97-105 wins? Thanks for the good laugh.
Braves 0-162 wins
Phillies 0-162
Marlins 0-162
Nats 0-162
Mets 0-162 record
One fallacy in your joking is that there might not be 162 games played this season, with the way the talks are going…
Unless they are still playing Baseball next Christmas there is almost zero chance of a 162 game season as things currently stand
Never count out the owners scheduling a bunch of double headers to make more money..
Yeah, that would almost have to happen for a full season under these circumstances. They are such a long ways away from an agreement and it does not appear that they’re getting much traction on the core issues.
They would do double admission double headers
There will be a full 162. Both the owners and the players have way to much to lose with any long term work stoppage. It took them several years to return after the 94 stoppage and that was before social media distractions.
lets go all out – 3 inning triple-headers.
It took a steroid infused assault on the record books to bring fans back last time. They don’t have that in their back pocket this time around.
The problem is time. Time is running out to get the season started on time to play a full schedule. Double headers to make up for lost time is not really the answer and playing into November isn’t optimum either.
I don’t think anyone likes the idea of weekly 7-inning double-headers, but, if the owners don’t want to lose revenue from a late starting season, and I doubt they’re willing to do so, then I expect we’ll see them, like it or not.
Braves 93
Phillies 86
Marlins 86
Mets 78
Nats 70
There’s not going to be 162 games, so that’s the main flaw. Rosters in NLE are still very much in the air. Based only on current rosters, I have the Braves and Mets in tier 1. Marlins tier 2. Phillies tier 3. Nats in bottom tier. Phillies will likely spend their way to tier 2 at least.
Yes….there will. Count on it.
At this point, if we have close to 162 games it will be because of a silly amount of double headers with the new bogus rules. I don’t want that.
Which band sung the name of “pleased to meet you, hope you guessed my head”?
For me it was Motorhead
Rolling Stones
The Stones. But GNR did a great version.
Remember the symphonic version by Blood, Sweat, & Tears? That was something. Also: the Jane’s Addiction version > GNR’s if I’m going LA rocker.
Still prefer GNR over Jane’s Addiction but JA’s version was good.
Hey, it’s the internet, Joe. Differences of opinion abound.
“Pleased to meet you, hoped you guessed my “head” “……? Not a lyric I am familiar with, but in a given context…..pretty cool alteration of the Stones’ Sympathy for the Devil….just sayin’
Hahah thank you for catching the typo but I think we got the point
tatats gave you an upvote, just cause, like I said…..whole new meaning to that lyric!
What’s an update?
Is that satanic?
…guessed my name!
“Sympathy for the devil”
worst song of all time as it reveals how they became successful (who they signed with).
Them and 45…..
I have never had a question answered during these weekly mlbtr chats. Not as upset about it as some folks get. Maybe I get in too late or, perhaps, my questions aren’t that interesting. However, I recently subscribed to Front Office. Asked Anthony Franco a question about theDodger needs this year and bam(!) he answered it. Good answer, too. Good to see that Tim and the gang are as good as there word. Really cheap, too.
I hate to tell you this, but I had 8 of my questions answered by Mark in this chat. Usually none (or sometimes 1) of my q’s get answered, so there is hope. I used a different name every time.
Coop – I’m not surprised, others have said similar and we’ve seen followup questions that must have been submitted toward the end of the chat.
Personally I think it would be more equitable if questions could no longer be submitted after 200-300 were already received.
Why continue to accept over 500 questions when only 67 questions will be answered and they were submitted by a total of only 20 or so people?
I get your point Fever, but that’s one of their enticements to have us become subscribers. Personally, I kinda feel bad that I’m not yet a subscriber as I’ve used this site for years when I as writing. I eventually will get around to it, and in those chats there are less people.
Coop – I agree being a subscriber has some cool perks, and I think now I get what you’re saying. By allowing just a small number of people to get multiple questions answered, it provides more motivation for everyone else to subscribe. It’s a good business move, very true. Supply and demand.
I’m still kinda surprised they don’t publish the subscriber chats after they are done.
@fox I am not a Front Office subscriber, but feel guilty @it these days….I have had multiple questions answered, probably 95% Phillies related ….
Tossed out @7-8 q’s and got one answered…These guys from what I have gleened have 500+ people per chat, which means a ton of q’s….Quite often I am surprised at some that get answered, but that’s kinda the fun as well…..
Must admit, I have 4-5 Charlie Brown q’s replied to over the past couple years…
We can have serious Q’s answered, plus have some fun…Some gent got a Superbowl winner Q reply!
And mark is very much right. Rams should on paper with the Bengals “OLine”
The Rams should win, but there’s something about that Joe Burrows vibe – It just kind of seems like he’s going to ball out. Don’t get me wrong – I’m rooting for Stafford – he’s finally getting a chance to show everyone what he can do with a good team. And Cooper Kupp – even the name alone is a winner – he had his best game the last time they played each other. And then there’s Aaron Donald, who I’m picking as the game’s MVP.
“their word.”
The subscriber chats are so much better. You can submit ahead of time and the answers are longer and more detailed. Very worth the few bucks a month…..
Or just ask about a Joe Adell trade…..
2 hours worth of baseball chat, thank you Mr. Polishuk.
One of the names I used in this chat was “Pleased to meet you…” Another was “P Mark’. I still can’t believe I got so many q’s answered.
Yeah, it is as I figured, probably my questions were not that interesting
Dave – I’m sure your questions were more interesting than “How many games will each team play” or “How many postseason teams will there be”.
The first question nobody would have any semblance of an answer other than a wild guess, and the second question has been answered dozens of times as both the owners and players have gone on record as saying they are cool with 12 teams. Why would either side fight postseason expansion when it would benefit both sides? Funny thing is the players are acting like it’s a concession by them, but it’s really not.
That’s the owners with the DH
Fever – the owners have asked for 14 teams in the playoffs. Of course, more teams = more money from broadcasters.
The issue players have is that if it’s easier to make the playoffs, then teams may not be as willing to spend since just getting into the playoffs crapshoot could net a team a title. Atlanta had the fewest regular-season wins of any playoff team last year.
Also, some players may not like the playoffs being watered down just like some fans don’t.
But that’s the main problem I believe – each side views everything that they either currently have or want to have as a concession. And with every concession the other side has to give up something else to get it (or keep it). You’re right – it benefits both sides (though maybe the owners a bit more), just like the DH – both sides want it. But they’re treating it like it’s only a benefit to one side.
gbs – Yes I think ultimately the owners will push for 14 teams after the next CBA expires. They had asked for 14 now, knowing the players would come back with 12 teams. That way they appear to have conceded on the subject, even though 12 teams was their primary goal for now. it’s a very common negotiating tactic, always ask for more than what you really want so that way it appears you’re conceding to reach an agreement. If you immediately throw out your final offer, it’s a bad look and appears you’re not willing to compromise.
I get what you’re saying about teams willing to spend less with an expanded postseason, but I think it works both ways. If there was another postseason spot up for grabs in the AL last year, it might have motivated teams like Seattle and Oakland to take on more payroll at the trade deadline.
I’m definitely against playoff expansion, but I can’t imagine any players being against it. The extra two teams increases their chances of additional income and gives them a better opportunity to play in the spotlight. Too many personal benefits for them to care about the integrity of the game.
Coop – That’s a standard part of negotiations, making it seem like you’re sacrificing more than the other side is.
If you can “concede” something that really isn’t important to you, it’s a big win for you.
No, Myers and Knehr don’t get the Padres Kimbrel. The White Sox obviously aren’t moving Kimbrel for a bad contract and Knehr isn’t enough to offset that.
The Padres wouldn’t do that trade either. Now would they trade Campusano and Weathers for 1 year of Contreras.
“Nor” would they trade
Would depend on how they view Kimbrel. Myers and Knehr for an org filler favors the Padres but maybe they don’t see Kimbrel as having positive trade value. The White Sox do but that doesn’t mean every single team agrees.
And no, the Padres aren’t doing Campy and Weathers for 1 year of Contreras.
Ortiz makes the hall of fame with a 53 war… Beltran should make it with a 70 war. Whitaker sits in the cold with a 75 war.
joe morgan came to the writers and stated many members of hof didn’t want steroids users in the hall. which is laughable since many highly suspected users are already in it and ortiz was voted in. besides, amphetamines(greenies) are even more helpful than steroids for baseball players.
Vizion – I never had a problem with players using greenies because all it does is give them energy when they are feeling tired, it’s just a stimulant that can easily be substituted with so many other legal stimulants. Use of energy drinks by MLB players has skyrocketed since greenies were banned.
Big difference from PED’s that increase bat speed and pitch velocity in all situations.
amphetamines give humans concentration and help in hands-eye co-ordination. that’s why germany used it on their soldiers. on a side note, japan went further providing their soldiers meta-amphetamines.
Yes concentration is a bi-product of stimulants, but I have a hard time believing it helps hand-eye coordination.
Regardless, unless MLB eventually bans caffeine the players will continue to use it as a substitute for greenies. And I don’t see how it could ever be banned. What are they gonna do, tell players they can’t drink Red Bull or Gatorade or 5-hour Energy or coffee or soda?
Thank God players aren’t inducted into the HOF based solely on one fad stat that hardly nobody believes is reliable.
I believe WAR is pretty reliable, and it’s not a fad. It’s also not the only way to determine a HOFer. Whitaker should be in.
I agree with you. It is reliable for what it is truly marketed as, not the end all he all stat but something that offers a complete look at value across situations. No one tasked with creating a WAR statistic believes theirs is perfect. It is just a good relative value indicator that is a quick thing that pundits and commentators can point to so that the “average fan” can see how good XYZ is.
gbs – I agree on Whitaker, and I agree that WAR shouldn’t be the only way to determine if a player is HOF caliber.
I do think it’s a fad, different versions created by two different entities that both profit from it’s use. I’ve seen plenty of other statistics rise and fall in popularity, but I know it’s all about individual perspective.
Sweet Lou will get voted in by his peers. While his numbers are not eye popping he was one of the best with the glove and offensively he was pretty consistently solid
He is the trash can scandal though. Without him it doesn’t exist. According to Mark Tiexiera, he was stealing signs from the video room from 2014 thru 16 as well. Can’t have him in there.
Been to all current ballparks, except for the new one in Arlington, and in my mind, PNC Park is BY FAR the best ballpark out there. Everything about the place is fantastic! It is a shame that the Pirates haven’t been able to put a better team together, because a packed PNC for the playoffs would be incredible! Cherington has really improved their farm system that last few years, so there might be some light at the end of the tunnel for the Pirates and their fans.
Pirates owner won’t spend. They usually trade or attempt to trade their better players before free agency.
That is true, but with the number of good prospects they have now and the possible haul of prospects they can/would get for Reynolds’s, they might just have enough good players to put together another 4-5 year run like they did a few years back a couple years down the road.
Crime Dog, maybe the Pirates will become the Rays of the Rust Belt.
It’s a shame because Pittsburgh, like Kansas City and Cincinnati, is a great baseball town. Unfortunately it’s a low-wage region which means revenue won’t ever be enough for ownership to compete with other teams for the most talented players.
I’ve said a few times in the past, PNC is my favorite park. The location is great too.
The Tigers should add Colin McHugh. He pitched for AJ HInch in Houston. They know each other. Pairing the righty, McHugh, with the lefty, Alexander, at the back of that rotation would give the Tigers some valuable versatility.
Tell me I’m wrong.
I disagree with Mark that there isn’t a competition problem in MLB. Sure, there are outliers like the A’s, but it seems like the A’s are just competitive enough to sometimes make the PS, but not always be serious contenders.
Over the last 20 seasons the A’s made the PS 9 times. The Dodgers equaled the A’s appearances over the last 9 seasons. and went to the PS in 13 of the past 20. The Brewers made the PS only 6 times, while the R Sox went 11 times, and the NYYs 16 times. Even the excellently run Rays have only gotten to the PS 7 times in the last 20.
In general, big market teams that spend money have much bigger windows, allowing for more PS appearances, and with elite FAs, stand a far better chance to emerge from the PS crapshoot with a title.