General 2019 MLB thread

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Priziesthorse

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I take full responsibility for failing to land Harper. Just wasn't aggressive enough. That's on me. The push for Trout in 2021 begins tonight.
 

Hauler

Been fallin so long it's like gravitys gone
Feb 3, 2016
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Completely changed the heart of their lineup
I like Cutch, but there's no way I bat him leadoff.

Honestly, that lineup doesn't impress me that much. Some decent hitters, but nobody that really jumps out at you. Certainly nothing that will stop teams from pitching around Harper.
 

HEATH VON DOOM

Remember the 5th of November
Oct 21, 2015
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I like Cutch, but there's no way I bat him leadoff.

Honestly, that lineup doesn't impress me that much. Some decent hitters, but nobody that really jumps out at you. Certainly nothing that will stop teams from pitching around Harper.
Its decent but so far Harper has been a tad overrated, especially after last year.
 

Hauler

Been fallin so long it's like gravitys gone
Feb 3, 2016
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Its decent but so far Harper has been a tad overrated, especially after last year.
I think people are banking a lot on his age and that he'll get even better.

I agree though. His stats to date don't warrant a contract of this size.
 

HEATH VON DOOM

Remember the 5th of November
Oct 21, 2015
17,281
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I think people are banking a lot on his age and that he'll get even better.

I agree though. His stats to date don't warrant a contract of this size.
A 12 year to Harper is alot better than a 10 year to a 32 year old Pujols.
 

Hauler

Been fallin so long it's like gravitys gone
Feb 3, 2016
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A 12 year to Harper is alot better than a 10 year to a 32 year old Pujols.
Harper's deal is 13 years, so he'll be 38 when it expires. But it isn't backloaded. The money is pretty evenly distributed. He will make 27.5/yr through 2028, then in the last 3 years of the contract he will make 23.5

That's actually pretty friendly to the Phillies. 23.5 won't feel like a burdensome figure if he's still productive.

The Pujols contract was horrible, and most people saw it as such when it was signed. His salary increases each year. In 2012 he made 12 million. This year it's 28. So as he gets older and his production diminishes, his salary increases. Stupid.
 
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Hauler

Been fallin so long it's like gravitys gone
Feb 3, 2016
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Jon Lester has been named the opening day starter for the Cubs. Chicago opens their season on the road @ Texas.

My prediction on the amount of bunts that Texas lays down in an attempt to take advantage of Lester's 1st base yips: Zero.
If I were the manager, how many would I lay down? Every single AB until the bases were loaded.

Baserunners have had no issue taking advantage of Lester's inability to throw to 1st base by taking ridiculous leads, but for some reason the league has yet to adapt that same policy at the plate. I don't know if this is because managers look at it as a cheap tactic, or if it's a broader reflection on most professional hitters lacking the fundamental ability to lay down a bunt.

You have a pitcher who is incapable of throwing to 1st base. So make him throw to 1st base - often. If nothing else it will take his brain off of his pitching.
 

Hauler

Been fallin so long it's like gravitys gone
Feb 3, 2016
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The bunt would negate the shift as well but hitters would rather strike out trying to hit a HR than bunt
Which is fucking pathetic.

Good point about the shift. Hitters are given a free hit if they could just lay down a bunt. Very, very few attempt it.

6 or 7 successful bunts will pull them out of that shift in a hurry.
 

Limpy

Banned
Oct 20, 2015
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What are your thoughts on Vlad Guerrero Jr starting this season in the minors for the Jays because they don’t want him on the clock? It’s six years of service before they can become a free agent?

I can understand it but fans of the Jays are pissed. The Jays suck right now and a young phenom isn’t going to change that. No matter what even if it’s next year he starts he would have to get paid eventually. Is the idea to have him while he’s even better before he’s on the clock? Could playing in the minors stunt his growth? His stats there are already ridiculous last year.
 

Hauler

Been fallin so long it's like gravitys gone
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What are your thoughts on Vlad Guerrero Jr starting this season in the minors for the Jays because they don’t want him on the clock? It’s six years of service before they can become a free agent?

I can understand it but fans of the Jays are pissed. The Jays suck right now and a young phenom isn’t going to change that. No matter what even if it’s next year he starts he would have to get paid eventually. Is the idea to have him while he’s even better before he’s on the clock? Could playing in the minors stunt his growth? His stats there are already ridiculous last year.
Baseball contract rules are confusing as fuck. By delaying his callup they can manipulate their control on when he becomes a free agent (as you alluded) and also when he becomes eligible for arbitration - saving the club money.

Toronto finished 35 games out of first place last year. It's smart to start him in the minors to secure an extra year of control. It can be frustrating as a fan, but how frustrated would you be in 2024 if Toronto has completely turned shit around and 2025 looks like it could be the year they win it all - but Guerrero is a free agent and the Yankees or Red Sox sign him? I'm sure every fan in Toronto would gladly give back the beginning of the 75-87 2019 season for a chance to make a run at a title in 2025.

If you want to find out when he will get called up, the magic number is 172 days. That constitutes a "full" season. If he is in the bigs for 171 days instead of 172+, the Blue Jays control him for 7 years instead of 6.

Sucks for the player and the fans, but it makes sense for Toronto and it's perfectly legal with the current terms of the CBA.
 

Limpy

Banned
Oct 20, 2015
14,842
27,929
Baseball contract rules are confusing as fuck. By delaying his callup they can manipulate their control on when he becomes a free agent (as you alluded) and also when he becomes eligible for arbitration - saving the club money.

Toronto finished 35 games out of first place last year. It's smart to start him in the minors to secure an extra year of control. It can be frustrating as a fan, but how frustrated would you be in 2024 if Toronto has completely turned shit around and 2025 looks like it could be the year they win it all - but Guerrero is a free agent and the Yankees or Red Sox sign him? I'm sure every fan in Toronto would gladly give back the beginning of the 75-87 2019 season for a chance to make a run at a title in 2025.

If you want to find out when he will get called up, the magic number is 172 days. That constitutes a "full" season. If he is in the bigs for 171 days instead of 172+, the Blue Jays control him for 7 years instead of 6.

Sucks for the player and the fans, but it makes sense for Toronto and it's perfectly legal with the current terms of the CBA.
Thanks for breaking that down.
 

HEATH VON DOOM

Remember the 5th of November
Oct 21, 2015
17,281
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What are your thoughts on Vlad Guerrero Jr starting this season in the minors for the Jays because they don’t want him on the clock? It’s six years of service before they can become a free agent?

I can understand it but fans of the Jays are pissed. The Jays suck right now and a young phenom isn’t going to change that. No matter what even if it’s next year he starts he would have to get paid eventually. Is the idea to have him while he’s even better before he’s on the clock? Could playing in the minors stunt his growth? His stats there are already ridiculous last year.
Same thing the Cubs did to Kris Bryant and the Royals do with any young player they have. Players signed the union contract allowing this so they cant bitch too much.
 

Hauler

Been fallin so long it's like gravitys gone
Feb 3, 2016
45,413
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Same thing the Cubs did to Kris Bryant and the Royals do with any young player they have. Players signed the union contract allowing this so they cant bitch too much.
Reds have the same issue with Nick Senzel this season. Dude is a STUD and is definitely MLB ready. Everyone is assuming he makes the Opening Day roster. He might, but I wouldn't be shocked if the Reds slow play it like Toronto is.

There is talk that the infielder will be playing CF for the Reds. You can almost hear it coming: "We want Nick to get a few more games under his belt at CF before we call him up."
 

Hauler

Been fallin so long it's like gravitys gone
Feb 3, 2016
45,413
57,814
Random stat:

In 2004, Barry Bonds had 617 plate apearances. He was walked 232 times. On just the walks alone, that is a .376 OBP