2025 Major League Baseball Thread

[Hi-Def Steve]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Hehe... I was a bit nervous in the 7th with them still down 2-0. But 7 runs in one inning is always good. I cannot believe we picked up Glaus for under $2 mill this year. He's been incredibly productive this year.

The Braves winning this year has almost been like a carbon copy of the Dodgers, horrible April and a great May. Probably wont happen but hopefully the Braves can stay on top of those shitty Phillies.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by steelcity24

For the second part, when you think about it, hockey and footbal are much different, because they have cap limits. Baseball does not. The Steelers and Penguins can keep up with the Jets, Giants, Chargers, Rangers, Kings, and Red Wings because they are all in the same boat. They all have a limit, no team gets an advantage. In baseball, I mean come on now. Now to be fair, of course the Pirates are not spending nearly as much money as they could be. They are doing this because they know they have no chance of winning a championship in the next couple of years. I believe once the Pirates think they have the young talent, and a chance to win a title, they will throw out the cash to attempt to do just that, make a run for the World Series.

Well that is definately a good point. My biggest problem with MLB has always been it's lack of a salary cap. However the Steelers have such a rabid following I'll bet even without a league salary cap they would have the necessary revenue to compete with anyone.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Hi-Def Steve

The Braves winning this year has almost been like a carbon copy of the Dodgers, horrible April and a great May. Probably wont happen but hopefully the Braves can stay on top of those shitty Phillies.

Going by talent it's very unlikely the Braves will stay ahead of the Phillies by year end. On paper the Phillies only the Yankees really have a team that can compete. Reality is a different thing though. The Phillies are struggling in many ways right now.

I predicted before the season started that Atlanta would win the Wild Card. I'm standing by that. But they could certainly edge out the Phillies if they catch some breaks. This is Bobby Cox's final season so I have little doubt that team will give 100% down the stretch for him. The Braves had an uncharactistic stretch for several years of their farm system not producing as it used to. Thankfully that seems to be reversed with guys like Heyward, Prado, McCann and Hanson proving successful.

I was a bit nervous about some of the veteran guys they brought in this year like Hinske and Glaus. Didn't think they had much left in the tank. But thus far every offseason move they've made is panning out in a big way.

[steelcity24]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Well that is definately a good point. My biggest problem with MLB has always been it's lack of a salary cap. However the Steelers have such a rabid following I'll bet even without a league salary cap they would have the necessary revenue to compete with anyone.

No doubt, the salary cap really seems like a no brainer to me. Bud Selig isn't going to take the time to do anything that might get his panties in a bunch though

[Hi-Def Steve]

I foolishly thought the veteran Garret Anderson had at least a little steam left from his time in Atlanta last year. Boy was I wrong! Wanna take him back?

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by steelcity24

No doubt, the salary cap really seems like a no brainer to me. Bud Selig isn't going to take the time to do anything that might get his panties in a bunch though

Selig is the ultimate reactionary commissoner. Never expect him to do anything that will shake things up. He's happy with his $10 mill per year lifetime gig as czar. And with the current profit sharing system the small market teams get just enough of a handout so as not to want things shaken up, even if they can't financially field a competitive team.

[steelcity24]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Selig is the ultimate reactionary commissoner. Never expect him to do anything that will shake things up. He's happy with his $10 mill per year lifetime gig as czar. And with the current profit sharing system the small market teams get just enough of a handout so as not to want things shaken up, even if they can't financially field a competitive team.

If the players are not striking and the ballparks are not empty, all is well in the life of Bud. I guess I can't complain too much though, I still watch and love the sport.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Hi-Def Steve

I foolishly thought the veteran Garret Anderson had at least a little steam left from his time in Atlanta last year. Boy was I wrong! Wanna take him back?

No thanks, you can have him. I am surprised as you about him. It seemed to me that he did have something left after last season. I never dreamed he'd be batting .151.

First Andruw Jones and now Anderson. The Dodgers sure seem to like taking washed up has-beens off our hands. Though you did pickup Furcal who hasn't been bad as a Dodger.

[Hi-Def Steve]

Furcal has been good when healthy. Best thing about him though is his defense. Sure wish he had the same speed like he did while he was in Atl.

[steelcity24]

Hehe I never really noticed how many trades the Dodgers and Braves go through. You really have mixed up a few players. You both do a lot of deals with the Pirates as well. Dodgers (Andy Laroche), Atlanta (Nate McLouth, Charlie Morton, Adam Laroche). Looks like we have an interesting little triangle going Neither of you guys better take Ryan Doumit from us this year or I will be VERY unhappy.

[Hi-Def Steve]

Don't worry, the Pirates have a better chance at winning the NL crown than Frank McCheap spending money.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by steelcity24

Hehe I never really noticed how many trades the Dodgers and Braves go through. You really have mixed up a few players. You both do a lot of deals with the Pirates as well. Dodgers (Andy Laroche), Atlanta (Nate McLouth, Charlie Morton, Adam Laroche). Looks like we have an interesting little triangle going Neither of you guys better take Ryan Doumit from us this year or I will be VERY unhappy.

Most of the Braves that went to the Dodgers actually did so through free agency rather than trades.

I remember thinking the Braves made a mistake not offering Andruw Jones a contract following the 2006 season. Afterall, up to that time Andruw had only one bad season (2006) where he hit just .222. Outside of 2006 he was one of the better players in baseball. I was certain he would snap out of it and continue what I assumed to be a HOF career. Turns out the Braves knew what they were doing letting him go. He's barely been a .200 hitter since then and was an epic bust with the Dodgers.

I really cannot think of any other player in my lifetime who was a guaranteed Hall of Famer like Andruw before having a complete mental breakdown. At least I think it's mental. Not sure what else could have caused a consistent
.260 Avg/35HR/100RBI Gold Glover to hit a brick wall like he has.

[Hi-Def Steve]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

I remember thinking the Braves made a mistake not offering Andruw Jones a contract following the 2006 season. Afterall, up to that time Andruw had only one bad season (2006) where he hit just .222. Outside of 2006 he was one of the better players in baseball. I was certain he would snap out of it and continue what I assumed to be a HOF career. Turns out the Braves knew what they were doing letting him go. He's barely been a .200 hitter since then and was an epic bust with the Dodgers.

Epic bust is putting it lightely. Not to mention the Dodgers are still paying his $3 million plus salary and will be for the foreseable future.

[supersix4]

Awesome week for baseball! MLB draft Bryce Harper coming to DC!, Strasburg starting

[Jellybeans]

I hope Yanks don't lose 3 in a row against Jays!

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Jellybeans

I hope Yanks don't lose 3 in a row against Jays!

I hope they do, I'm pullin' for ya, Blue Jays!

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Jellybeans

I hope Yanks don't lose 3 in a row against Jays!

Vazquez is pitching today. What on earth would make you optimistic?

[Navster]

Originally Posted by steelcity24

It was one hell of a catch to end the game. I was getting a little uncomfortable in my chair towards the end. If Milledge is going to be hitting .240 at the plate, I sure hope he makes catches like that. Anyways, well played series so far San Fransisco.

We will see you in the series finale tomorrow at 12:35 Est.

It will be Ross Ohlendorf Vs. Tim Linecum

should be a good one.. Its tied 2-2 right now... Giants have the bases loaded with only 1 out

[toef]

In a week where an ump cost a guy a perfect game, any other complaint about a bad call seems trivial by comparison... but the strikeout called on Swisher was pretty ridiculous.

The home plate umpire claimed he swung, when he clearly didn't, and if anyone should've determined whether Swisher swung or not, it should've been the 3rd base ump.

Girardi ran out and was thrown out within 2 seconds, so I wonder what he said.

Situation was top of the 8th, runners on 2nd and 3rd with 0 outs, Yankees down by a run.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by NavsterKing

should be a good one.. Its tied 2-2 right now... Giants have the bases loaded with only 1 out

Lincecum still isn't his usual dominant self today. He's had a rough last few starts.