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  • in reply to: Summer Camp 60-man roster (updated) #132226
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    As a side question, does anyone know what % of the Cardinals the DeWitt’s actually own?

    Obviously he has controlling interest, but I’ve read he is not a majority owner.

    in reply to: Our Younger OFers #132185
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    Yep, defense and pitching better be pretty darn good. That means Carp needs to be hitting well enough to fit the DH role. Fowler must EARN innings by outperforming others at the plate early on, or else he needs to be a backup. We know he’s not going to provide an edge in the field.

    in reply to: Our Younger OFers #132161
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    bccran, I get your concern about the lack of an OF anchor. Bader and O’Neill have potential, but it’s hard to get past those Ks. It’s not just the K rate, it’s how they look doing it. Maybe this will be the year it clicks for them.

    I’m not disappointed they let Ozuna walk. Don’t think a multi-year investment in him was a good idea. This will be the year they have to go with the hot bat(s) in the OF, short leash and all. I just hope one or two emerge.

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #132083
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    It was financial, not COVID.

    These aren’t two independent variables. It’s not even a mere case of correlation. It’s more specifically a case of causation. Without COVID, there is no financial issue. That’s like saying today’s double digit unemployment is due to the poor economy, not COVID.

    in reply to: Cardinals Odds and Projections #132068
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    Ny, I’ll go with a 4-way tie for 1st and the Bucs in 5th. I feel like we’re throwing darts blindfolded. I do like the pitching/depth argument for the Cards, so not to wimp out on you, I’ll go:

    1 StL
    2 Chi
    3 Mil
    4 Cin
    5 Pit

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #132067
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    For being such a smart guy, this was a really, really dumb admission to make.

    How do we know Manfed is smart? To be serious, I’m sure he is, but some smart people aren’t good at answering impromptu questions during interviews and interpersonal communications in general. And to be fair to Manfred, the Wingo tweet and other similar castigations of Manfred didn’t complete Manfred’s explanation. Right after saying they weren’t going to do more than 60 games regardless, Manfred explained that the reason was the covid situation, i.e., given all the uncertainties of health and “the virus” they couldn’t have gotten the season going any earlier due to the inherent complexities that needed to be worked out. It’s very clear if you listen to the full interview he was saying the health and virus issues have been THE limfac. It’s hard to argue there’s not some credible merit to that given there are so many activities that governors all across the nation are not allowing that seem as safe or safer than getting hundreds of people together to play a sport than has to ignore social distancing and masks while playing.

    Manfred did a very poor job of emphasizing his point, which has allowed his detractors to emphasize his answer as a half truth. How can he not be ready to do a better job talking to a guy like Patrick? Like I said, maybe this is not his strong suit. I would not feel at all comfortable with him arguing my case in a court of law. Now, I also wonder if the owners are reaching breaking point with him.

    in reply to: COVID19 Virus vs Baseball #131950
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    No guts, no glory! It’s not always stupid. Just make it part of a challenge trial. Where would we be without challenge trials? We’d be minus a few vaccines for sure.

    Full disclosure though: I’m not volunteering. 🙂

    in reply to: COVID19 Virus vs Baseball #131840
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    Not 100% clear, but it looks like the Cards may have already paid the Mariners for their part of Leake’s contract…

    Rebate?

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #131839
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    Why would a business owner place a caveat on starting the season without fans if it wasn’t for revenue? And why would the agreement say alternatives could be considered that were economically agreeable to both sides…..unless it was for revenue? That caveat opened the door to work out a modified arrangement that would be economically feasible to both sides and it didn’t exclude any specific negotiating points such as salary. All things could be put on the table. The players didn’t have to agree if they didn’t want to. That was their leverage. The owners clearly had the right to hold off on starting the season (even longer if they chose) because there are still limits on fan attendance.

    The fact that neither side was willing to bend much at all shows they are both greedy, all while feigning concern for the fans. I won’t mind a bit if they pay a price, because in the end, it’s the fan who take the shaft. That’s why I’ve joked a couple times we need to start a MLBFA (F=fans) to stick it back to MLB/MLBPA. Also, Sherman Act exemption hurts the fans, not the players. Elite players in the post free agency era have benefited hugely from MLB’s exemption. The exemption costs the fans plenty though, as the game has become so commercially/corporately slanted and demand is inelastic as far as we can see.

    You’re right, as you’ve expressed more of your take on this, I don’t agree with your position at all. That’s okay, that’s what makes the world turn. We both love baseball and the Cards, which is more important to us as a community of involved third parties and fans.

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #131831
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    This comment from the article is about nothing except money. Emphasis added is mine.

    There are no bans on mass gatherings that would limit the ability to play in front of fans. However, the commissioner could still consider the “use of appropriate substitute neutral sites where economically feasible“;

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #131826
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    OK, if you share the specific Passan points (as I respect his reporting), I will try to answer or we can let it go.

    Brian, here is an article with Passan’s points on the March agreement that I was referencing. I agree it would be nice to see the actual agreement. Interesting the neither side side leaked excepts of the agreement that might’ve bolstered their argument.

    https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28962850/mlb-mlbpa-agree-stipulations-return-2020-season

    Not that it’s an important issue, but I recall we agreed that fake crowd noise is a bad idea for broadcasts. I’ve been watching some of the tennis events where they are doing that. It definitely has a phony feel to it.

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #131746
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    Freedman is nothing more than a big shill for the players. He’s off base on several points. What I stated was news broken by Passan and reported by every major news outlet without a serious rebuke that I can see. If you’re basing your opinions on Freedman, you’re not getting a balanced review.

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #131724
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    However, for me, the bottom line is that the owners could have begun the season weeks ago under the March agreement

    Brian, a lot did happen since May, but I saw the players lose ground with many fans after their “when and where” rebuttal. Nothing I’d hang my hat on, though. 😉

    I agree there’s not much to else to say, but this is a point I see glossed over by the players’ side. I’d like to know your thoughts on it if you care to share. The March agreement also had a caveat on starting the season if there were limits on travel and fan attendance, and that issue would open the door for further discussion of playing in empty stadiums in an agreement that would be feasible for both sides. Why does the players’ side cite the agreement for prorated salaries, but ignore the agreement’s caveat on travel and attendance restrictions? The way COVID-19 unfolded is precisely the case for which the March agreement called for addressing the issue. Clearly, the big concern for this caveat by the owners was lost $$.

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #131719
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    Brian, I wouldn’t use a poll to shape how I feel and what I see about this situation. Polls from people like Brown are only good for getting a desired preordained answer based on that source’s follower-ship. They are not scientific and are the polar opposite of random collection.

    Here’s a poll that was heavily slanted toward the owners side. Means nothing to me. Twitter polls and the like are nothing more that meaningless groupthink. Anyway, you missed my point if you think I’m saying the owners are the winners.

    https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2020/05/where-do-you-stand-on-mlbs-salary-debate-poll.html

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #131707
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    Brian, the prevailing sentiment I see is a lot of disdain for both sides. I guess winning can be defined as not losing as badly as the other guy. I believe that is what’s happening here.

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #131704
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    Players are as adept as owners with shooting themselves in foot while delivering their own messages — not sure that’s an advantage. A lot of shills carrying water on both sides.

    in reply to: 2020 Schedule & Jordan Hicks #131606
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    That camera angle makes throwing strikes look impossible.

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #131454
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    Teams get their money back from a joint fund between the MLB and the MLBPA.

    After being laundered from price increases to fans.

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #131449
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    The Mike Leake question is interesting because it brings up a couple other points to me. He is still playing and is under contract, so yes, it seems the Cards would pay only the prorated amount.

    What about deferred salary for guys like Bonilla, Holliday, Sutter, Griffey, Strawberry, etc.? It would seem this year’s situation would have no impact on deferred payments.

    The situation that’s less clear to me is about players who are owed salary for this year, but are no longer obligated to play games this year to receive their salary. I’m talking about guys who were given unconditional releases and were not picked up by other teams. Somebody like Luke Gregerson comes to mind, although I think he was owed money for just 2019 (not 2020). Anyway, the point is the same and I am sure somebody fits this situation for this year.

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    No bat boys/girls means MLBPA will be demanding extra wages for having players doing demeaning duties.

    Similar thing in tennis. Watching the players retrieve their own tennis balls and sweaty towels is a bit strange. Each ball is marked so it can be handled only by the player for whom it is marked.

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    Hmmm, maybe not bling, it might be a great idea. Alcohol kills the virus, right?

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    My understanding is that yes, the three-batter rule will be used.

    I read it will be enforced.

    I also read the restrictions on pitching by position players will not be enforced. Other things I saw were no hands touching face for signs/signals, no spitting tobacco or seeds, pitchers can keep a wet rag instead of licking their fingers, no throwing the ball around the horn, and no bat boys/girls.

    in reply to: Jack Buck Tribute On MLB Network #131290
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    bicyclemike, I caught part of it. I saw Costas and Verducci reaping high praise on Buck while recounting some of his famous calls (go crazy, can’t believe what I just saw, see you tomorrow night, etc.) They also showed of clip of Buck roasting Harry Caray at an event in Vegas that was funny. It seemed well done — wish I had seen it all.

    I just checked and it will air again at 2pm EST this Saturday.

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #131209
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    Covid is a wildcard either side could play to resist.

    in reply to: Agreement on 2020 salaries/service time/contracts #131204
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    Passan tweets what Brian just said.

Viewing 25 posts - 2,876 through 2,900 (of 5,300 total)