Jay Kirk Baseball Thread since 2017: The 2021 season, Dodgers Repeat?

[Barry Sears]

For you Cubs fans...didn't know if you saw this - 

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/theo-epstein-discusses-cubs-future.html

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

6 hours ago, Barry Sears said:

 

Those 2 pitchers were injured and each team can reset their rosters for each series.  Clevinger may be back, not sure about Lamet.

Yep Clevinger is starting Gm 1 tonight. I am not sure about Lamet

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

6 hours ago, HOZER said:

After all the low scoring games they had this shortened season, I wasn’t surprised, pretty much picked up where the left of the previous season. Somethings broke.....hope they get it fixed next season. Already seeing talks of Epstein finishing his contract next season then moving on, hope he hasn’t already checked out!!!

 

6 hours ago, Barry Sears said:

For you Cubs fans...didn't know if you saw this - 

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/theo-epstein-discusses-cubs-future.html

Ya, the likelihood is he will move on after next season. He has always said 10 years in one spot is the right time to leave. Did it in Boston, and next year is his 10th year. 

 

I do not believe he will checkout. He is trying to prepare the organization for the next move though. The thought is Hoyer will take over for him next year as the President. No one knows what Theo will do, or if he will continue to stay in a organization. 

From the non-Cubs fans perspective, what would you think if he became the Commissioner? Everyone hates Manfred, and Theo is articulate and thoughtful and actually likes the game of baseball

[2006Coltsbestever]

8 hours ago, Barry Sears said:

For you Cubs fans...didn't know if you saw this - 

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/theo-epstein-discusses-cubs-future.html

Yeah I have feeling next season will be his last in Chicago. Just a vibe I get. Change is good sometimes, Maddon is a great example of that as I thought David Ross has been solid for the team so far. Maddon looked like he had worn his welcome with the players. We need to work on getting a better hitting coach IMO because something isn't right there. I can't really complain because it has been a hell of a 6 season span overall since 2015 - 3 Division Titles, 5 Playoff appearances, 3 NLCS appearances, and we won our 1st WS in 108 years in 2016. It is what it is.

[Barry Sears]

How about this...we'll trade you John Mozeliak for Epstein??  

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

On 10/6/2020 at 5:26 PM, 2006Coltsbestever said:

Yeah I have feeling next season will be his last in Chicago. Just a vibe I get. Change is good sometimes, Maddon is a great example of that as I thought David Ross has been solid for the team so far. Maddon looked like he had worn his welcome with the players. We need to work on getting a better hitting coach IMO because something isn't right there. I can't really complain because it has been a hell of a 6 season span overall since 2015 - 3 Division Titles, 5 Playoff appearances, 3 NLCS appearances, and we won our 1st WS in 108 years in 2016. It is what it is.

Theo has always said 10 years is the time to change organizations/leave one. After that, you dont add as much. 

 

And it is hard to say it is the Hitting Coach, we've had 3 since 2017, normally that also can mean that it is the players not taking too, or even too much change

[Barry Sears]

Going to fly the flag!

 

 

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

2 hours ago, Barry Sears said:

Going to fly the flag!

 

 

I have like 9 or 10 different MLB teams hats, and the Rays are the only ones still in the Playoffs

[NFLfan]

Two more MLB Hall of Famers have died. Former Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford died last week; later this month he would have celebrated his 92nd birthday.

 

Former Reds second baseman Joe Morgan died today at age 77. 

 

May they both rest in peace. 

[crazycolt1]

4 minutes ago, NFLfan said:

Two more MLB Hall of Famers have died. Former Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford died last week; later this month he would have celebrated his 92nd birthday.

 

Former Reds second baseman Joe Morgan died today at age 77. 

 

May they both rest in peace. 

I used to imitate Whitey Ford as a young baseball player in the little league. RIP Mr. Ford

While I was not a Reds fan at the time, the Big Red Machine was real.  RIP Mr. Morgan.

[Barry Sears]

13 hours ago, NFLfan said:

Two more MLB Hall of Famers have died. Former Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford died last week; later this month he would have celebrated his 92nd birthday.

 

Former Reds second baseman Joe Morgan died today at age 77. 

 

May they both rest in peace. 

 

It's been a sad past few weeks with the passing of Seaver, Brock, Gibson, Ford and Morgan.  Hits home even more since I saw all of them, with the exception of Ford, play in person and many times on TV.

Rays up 2-0!!

 

 

[2006Coltsbestever]

Dodgers lose again, down 2-0 in series vs the Braves. Doesn't look good again for them.

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

12 minutes ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

Dodgers lose again, down 2-0 in series vs the Braves. Doesn't look good again for them.

I was hoping for a Braves/Rays WS once I saw the LCS matchups. I kinda enjoy watching the Dodgers acting like the Colts team of Manning and being great in the regular season but not in Post. Also of course want to see the Astriks lose.

 

I also realized, all 4 teams in the LCS, I had planned to see in the season normally. Was gonna go to FL teams, TX teams, ATL, and CA teams before I got sick and Covid

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

Rays up 2-1 in the top of 6th

[Barry Sears]

Rays up 3-0!!  One win from the World Series.  I really enjoy watching this team play...great defense, awesome pitching and timely hitting.  They've knocked off the Billion-Dollar Yankees and about to eliminate the Cheatin' Astros.

 

 

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

I did not think we would get a Game 7 in the AL and Game 6 in NL should be interesting. Did anybody catch the games? I missed today since I was moving

[2006Coltsbestever]

8 hours ago, PuntersArePeopleToo said:

I did not think we would get a Game 7 in the AL and Game 6 in NL should be interesting. Did anybody catch the games? I missed today since I was moving

It would not shock me at all if it ended up Dodgers vs Astros and Dodgers get their revenge. 

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

11 hours ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

It would not shock me at all if it ended up Dodgers vs Astros and Dodgers get their revenge. 

The fact both series went to a game 7 is surprising. I truly did not think both leagues would end up doing that after the way the series started

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

Rays to the WS!

[2006Coltsbestever]

Congrats to the Rays, AL Champs. Game 7 - Braves vs Dodgers Sunday night for the NL.

[Barry Sears]

I thought I had done it here prior to the playoffs, but I can't find a post.  Anyway, I had entered a contest on MLB to fill out a bracket and had the Rays and Dodgers in the World Series.

 

I think the Rays win in 6 games...the Dodgers always manage to choke in the WS and I'm thinking it will happen again.

 

It's also a match up of a low team payroll vs. one of, if not the highest team payroll.  I know the Rays will be the underdog, but I believe they prefer that, honestly.

 

LET'S GO RAYS!!!!

 

 

[2006Coltsbestever]

5 hours ago, Barry Sears said:

I thought I had done it here prior to the playoffs, but I can't find a post.  Anyway, I had entered a contest on MLB to fill out a bracket and had the Rays and Dodgers in the World Series.

 

I think the Rays win in 6 games...the Dodgers always manage to choke in the WS and I'm thinking it will happen again.

 

It's also a match up of a low team payroll vs. one of, if not the highest team payroll.  I know the Rays will be the underdog, but I believe they prefer that, honestly.

 

LET'S GO RAYS!!!!

 

 

I hope the Rays win but the Dodgers are due. We will see?

[landrus13]

Rays and Dodgers are tied 2-2 in the WS. Rays won game 4 last night in a wild fashion. Anyone else see it?

[Barry Sears]

16 hours ago, landrus13 said:

Rays and Dodgers are tied 2-2 in the WS. Rays won game 4 last night in a wild fashion. Anyone else see it?

I missed it...I was at a soccer playoff game that night, but watched the highlights and it was an incredible game!!

 

Rays lose last night, so their backs are against the wall, but I would not be surprised if they force a game 7.

[2006Coltsbestever]

4 hours ago, Barry Sears said:

I missed it...I was at a soccer playoff game that night, but watched the highlights and it was an incredible game!!

 

Rays lose last night, so their backs are against the wall, but I would not be surprised if they force a game 7.

It looks bad but you never know. Dodgers were due so it doesn't surprise me.

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

The MLB Season could end tonight, and then we can go back to Players and Owners fighting. It is highly likely that will happen based off reports

[buccolts]

4 hours ago, PuntersArePeopleToo said:

The MLB Season could end tonight, and then we can go back to Players and Owners fighting. It is highly likely that will happen based off reports

Eh! Why should they be any different? 

[2006Coltsbestever]

I picked the Dodgers to win it all, almost seems rigged for them because they have choked so much and this silly year. I hope the Rays can come back but I doubt it.

[Barry Sears]

Congrats to the Dodgers...they finally won a WS after so many unsuccessful tries the past few years.  I saw someplace that I think it is Betts and Kershaw make the same yearly salary combined than the entire Rays roster!!!  I guess you can buy a championship if you have enough money.

 

The Rays proved you can acquire and develop young talent, sell them on your system and approach to the game and be successful without having billionaires on your roster.

 

Well, it was the most unusual season in the history of the game, so here's hoping 2021 will be normal again although the chances aren't looking great right now.

 

Enjoyed all the chatter this season and look forward to some Hot Stove talk in the coming weeks.

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

And a final covid positive test. Turner then acted reckless after being confirmed positive. MLB investigating including him staying on the field after security told him he needed to quarantine 

[NFLfan]

8 minutes ago, PuntersArePeopleToo said:

And a final covid positive test. Turner then acted reckless after being confirmed positive. MLB investigating including him staying on the field after security told him he needed to quarantine 

 

That was irresponsible. This guy here lambasted him:

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/justin-turners-selfish-celebration-is-a-symptom-of-a-much-larger-problem-152422116.html
"Justin Turner was selfish in wanting to celebrate after testing positive for COVID-19, but it's a symptom of a much larger problem in America."

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

@NFLfan You see MLB is set to approve the sell tomorrow I think? And de Blasio is trying to work a way to deny it

[NFLfan]

3 hours ago, PuntersArePeopleToo said:

@NFLfan You see MLB is set to approve the sell tomorrow I think? And de Blasio is trying to work a way to deny it

 

I did not know that. I have been avoiding the news, as everything is so negative. Do you have a source? I want the sale to be approved. Why would the mayor be against it? Why does he have a say in it? 

[NFLfan]

8 hours ago, NFLfan said:

 

I did not know that. I have been avoiding the news, as everything is so negative. Do you have a source? I want the sale to be approved. Why would the mayor be against it? Why does he have a say in it? 

 

@PuntersArePeopleToo I read it. Apparently Steve Cohen had pleaded guilty to insider trading. 

 

Quote

At issue appears to be Cohen’s shady financial dealings in the past. According to the Post, language in the Citi Field lease prevents “'[a]ny Person that has been convicted in a criminal proceeding for a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude or that is an organized crime figure' from leasing Citi Field." Cohen, as you may remember, pleaded guilty to insider trading charges in 2013 and paid $1.8 billion in fines, but never faced jail time

.

 

Link

 

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

2 hours ago, NFLfan said:

 

I did not know that. I have been avoiding the news, as everything is so negative. Do you have a source? I want the sale to be approved. Why would the mayor be against it? Why does he have a say in it? 

 

2 hours ago, NFLfan said:

 

@PuntersArePeopleToo I read it. Apparently Steve Cohen had pleaded guilty of insider trading. 

 

.

 

Link

This is where I get the news https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2020/10/29/report-the-mayor-of-new-york-city-will-do-everything-he-can-to-stop-the-sale-of-the-mets/

 

Cubs Blog, guy also use to be lawyer so sometimes can add that take. 

 

And it is correct he has, but he has also been minority owner of Mets already. He has a little take on it

[NFLfan]

6 hours ago, PuntersArePeopleToo said:

 

This is where I get the news https://www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2020/10/29/report-the-mayor-of-new-york-city-will-do-everything-he-can-to-stop-the-sale-of-the-mets/

 

Cubs Blog, guy also use to be lawyer so sometimes can add that take. 

 

And it is correct he has, but he has also been minority owner of Mets already. He has a little take on it

 

It sounds more like a column rather than a report. The author is saying that the mayor is trying to squeeze money out of Cohen. That is speculation. He also wrote that Cohen's company, not Cohen, was guilty of insider trading. It sounds like this guy is finding ways to defend Cohen. He also admits that he is cynical. Whenever I read something like the following (italicized), I don't take it seriously.  He sounds a bit like Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk) who makes assumptions and presents them as fact.

 

I don’t know what it would be – better lease terms for Citi Field, some investment agreement on real estate, or even something shadier – but it seems like any time a political entity has a way to block, or threaten to block, a company from doing something major, they squeeze out those extra pennies.

 

I want the sale to happen and I am not sure why the Mayor is involved. But this guy is not reporting -- he is giving his opinion and making the public believe that it is a fact. 

[PuntersArePeopleToo]

11 hours ago, NFLfan said:

 

It sounds more like a column rather than a report. The author is saying that the mayor is trying to squeeze money out of Cohen. That is speculation. He also wrote that Cohen's company, not Cohen, was guilty of insider trading. It sounds like this guy is finding ways to defend Cohen. He also admits that he is cynical. Whenever I read something like the following (italicized), I don't take it seriously.  He sounds a bit like Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk) who makes assumptions and presents them as fact.

 

I don’t know what it would be – better lease terms for Citi Field, some investment agreement on real estate, or even something shadier – but it seems like any time a political entity has a way to block, or threaten to block, a company from doing something major, they squeeze out those extra pennies.

 

I want the sale to happen and I am not sure why the Mayor is involved. But this guy is not reporting -- he is giving his opinion and making the public believe that it is a fact. 

He was doing sorta of a mix, between reporting what is being reported and give his opinion as to why it may be happening. It was cause the land for Citi Field is public and due to the company having the guilty plea the NYC Mayor can look into and potential deny.  And while it was his company, he was in charge still at the time. 

 

Either way, de Blasio gave approval after MLB approved so the sell is official. 

 

 

Also did you see this 

 

[NFLfan]

3 hours ago, PuntersArePeopleToo said:

He was doing sorta of a mix, between reporting what is being reported and give his opinion as to why it may be happening. It was cause the land for Citi Field is public and due to the company having the guilty plea the NYC Mayor can look into and potential deny.  And while it was his company, he was in charge still at the time. 

 

Either way, de Blasio gave approval after MLB approved so the sell is official. 

 

 

Also did you see this 

 

 

No, I had not seen it. I'm trying to stay away from the news for my state of mind. There is just so much negativity. But thanks for sharing it. 

[landrus13]

Cardinals decided to decline the $12M option on Wong. Bought him out for $1M. He's now a free agent. Yadi and Wainwright are also FAs. They both wanna play together. Atlanta has appeared as a suitor for Wainwright, That would make a ton of sense on both sides. 

 

MLB free agency started today at 5pm. I think it'll be quiet for awhile until we see what the market is gonna look like. It's a really bad year to be a FA. Most teams are wanting to shed payroll. Not sure how many are willing to spend to try and improve. I think most guys are gonna sign their qualifying offers if they were offered one. Trevor Bauer was offered one by the Reds today. I know I saw a few others, but I can't remember who. I'll try to look for an article.

[landrus13]

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-free-agency-six-players-receive-qualifying-offers-including-yankees-dj-lemahieu-reds-trevor-bauer/

 

Trevor Bauer - Reds

DJ LeMahieu - Yankees

Kevin Gausman - Giants

JT Realmuto - Phillies

George Springer - Astros

Marcus Stroman - Mets

 

The QO in 2020 is set at $18.9M. I'd definitely be signing that this year with the market likely to be poor. Probably not gonna get that kinda money on the market this year. Unless the Mets with Cohen or the Yankees or Dodgers decide to spend more. I feel like the Dodgers have a ton of money tied up already so I don't see them as big players.