The Official 2013 MLB Thread

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by DanGarion

Bonds is much less guilty than any of those other guys and PED-Rod.

How so?

SI

[cougarfreak]

I'd love to see the majority of players stop sending in MLBPA dues over this. Tell them they want stronger penalties, and ARoid be damned. Never happen, but it should. I would bet if you polled players 95%+ would support banishment for first offense.

[Swaggs]

I wonder if anyone will claim Rios and/or (to a lesser extent) Lee.

I can see either being really impactful on the pennant race, but without their existing teams kicking in some salary relief, it would pretty high stakes to claim them and risk their teams just allowing them to go.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

The game was pretty bad last night, but the entertainment in the fountains wasn't bad.

http://deadspin.com/royals-fountain-...ght-1041702657

[Danny]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

I've been feeling down on sports in general over the last few weeks because all of the news is about all of this bad stuff that's going on. All everyone talked about yesterday was A-Rod, suspensions and Johnny f-cking football.

No talk about what is happening on the field. It sucks.

And I'd bet for every bad story there 10 for a player seeing some kids at a local hospital, running a camp for kids, donating some money etc... But that doesnt sell news.

[ISiddiqui]

An article I think everyone needs to read:

Alex Rodriguez and the True Pink Elephant (Elefante Rosa) in the Room | The Nation

Most relevant part:

Almost all the suspended players are from the Dominican Republic. This isn’t coincidence or happenstance. It’s the set-up of our globalized national pastime in the twenty-first century.

Any serious discussion about performance-enhancing drugs and baseball needs to deal with the fact of who is getting caught. Major League owners choose to invest billions of dollars in Latin America to develop talent on the cheap in the school’s baseball academies. In the Dominican Republic, where 40 percent of the country lives below the poverty line, steroids are actually legal and available over the counter.

As Gregg Sarra reported for Newsday in 2009, “Here’s how easy it is to buy anabolic steroids in the Dominican Republic: Walk into the local pharmacy and ask for them.”

Human growth hormones are also available but you need a prescription.

Children get scouted before their tenth birthday, are signed to contracts for peanuts, and their families see baseball—not without reason—as the best shot to escape poverty. The incentive to use steroids weighs on the tweens charged with dragging their families out of poverty. According to my own interviews with major-leaguers who’ve injected their bodies with banned substances, they’re psychologically—if not physically—profoundly addictive.

Look at one of the most prominent people branded with the scarlet “S”, Sammy Sosa. Before his thirteenth birthday, he stitched soles in a shoe factory for, as he remembered, “pennies, just enough to survive.” His choices, as he said, were the cane fields, the army or baseball.

Baseball’s owners prey on this reality. They want to benefit from steroids in the development of talent, and then excoriate those same players when caught on US shores. It’s a context that speaks to the imperial arrogance at the heart of the game. It’s a context right in front of our faces that we are asked not to see. Put simply, MLB owners want to have their anabolic cake and eat it too.

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

What a fucking load.

A-Rod is from Miami, did those vicious owners prey on him too?

[Danny]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Children get scouted before their tenth birthday, are signed to contracts for peanuts

This is definitely not true anymore (dont know if it ever was). If you have the talent, you will get paid plenty of money. In fact, more than someone taken through the draft.

[rowech]

"Guy uses steroids. He then puts up better numbers than I do. He goes to free agency and gets the years and the money, takes a job I don't get and now I have to scramble during the winter and find another slot. Then, he gets busted for steroids and we use my union dues for his lawyers, his defense and his appeal? And that makes sense to you? That bulls--- is fair?"

-- an American League player

[Logan]

If he can gather 600 of his friends who agree, he might be able to change that.

[panerd]

Yeah that article is a bit of a stretch. They are most likely all Dominican because A-Rod lived there and was friends with them and recruited them to the agency. There are plenty of clean DR players in MLB(well as far as we know, so lets just say non Bigenesis) Had he been from the South Bronx it might have been a group of friends of his from the South Bronx. What's next? Ryan Braun and how the Holocaust led him to use steroids?

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Not even A-Rod, but ACES

http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2013/8/6...al-ACES-agency

Though this doesn't give the guy a chance to ram his political agenda down our throats, so I can see why he skipped over it.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by rowech

"Guy uses steroids. He then puts up better numbers than I do. He goes to free agency and gets the years and the money, takes a job I don't get and now I have to scramble during the winter and find another slot. Then, he gets busted for steroids and we use my union dues for his lawyers, his defense and his appeal? And that makes sense to you? That bulls--- is fair?"

-- an American League player

I agree with the second part, but the first part is A-Rod didn't take anyones jpb when he was in FA

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

I agree with the second part, but the first part is A-Rod didn't take anyones jpb when he was in FA

I imagine (although I don't know the source) that that wasn't specific to A-Rod but was just a general venting at players who juice.

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Unless you think A-Rod sans steroids was likely to be employed through 2017 he certainly took someone's job.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I wonder if anyone will claim Rios and/or (to a lesser extent) Lee.

I can see either being really impactful on the pennant race, but without their existing teams kicking in some salary relief, it would pretty high stakes to claim them and risk their teams just allowing them to go.

I think Lee still offers value for his contract. If we hadn't just added Peavy I'd be for the Red Sox claiming Lee.

Rios is a bit more of a toss-up. Maybe the Rangers would take on his salary with Cruz out for the regular season?

[cartman]

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Danny Duffy called up by the Royals. Will be interesting to see if Wade Davis gets his spot in the rotation back after this start and/or if Duffy stays with the club once Davis comes back.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs3

Unless you think A-Rod sans steroids was likely to be employed through 2017 he certainly took someone's job.

He was likely to have the same sort of deal anyways. It's not like unjuiced A-Rod had a poor career arc

[MrBug708]

C'mon Sabean. Ned is supposed to rummage through your garbage. Not the other way around.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Danny Duffy called up by the Royals. Will be interesting to see if Wade Davis gets his spot in the rotation back after this start and/or if Duffy stays with the club once Davis comes back.

I figured Will Smith would get Davis's start but I guess not.

SI

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

He was likely to have the same sort of deal anyways. It's not like unjuiced A-Rod had a poor career arc

Really?

I have a hard time believing there was ever an "unjuiced A-Rod" now. He's tested positive so many times throughout the years (dating back to his time with Texas). IMO his whole career is tainted.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by panerd

Yeah that article is a bit of a stretch. They are most likely all Dominican because A-Rod lived there and was friends with them and recruited them to the agency. There are plenty of clean DR players in MLB(well as far as we know, so lets just say non Bigenesis) Had he been from the South Bronx it might have been a group of friends of his from the South Bronx. What's next? Ryan Braun and how the Holocaust led him to use steroids?

Here's the point:

In the Dominican Republic, where 40 percent of the country lives below the poverty line, steroids are actually legal and available over the counter.

So it really stretches the imagination to think that the MLB doesn't think that Dominicans aren't using steroids when they snap 'em up, and then act shocked when its found out that they are.

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

They snap them up between the ages of 16 and 18. They are tested for years in the minors. The author's point is that owners are exploiting them knowing they are juiced, when in reality they want good, clean players (nowadays, in Sosa's time maybe not, but he makes the point re: today).

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs3

in reality they want good, clean players

HAHAHA!! I'll have some of what you are smoking.

I mean, really?! How long did it take for a team to snap up Melky Cabrera after he took 50 games for PEDs?

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Suspended players do them no good, was my point.

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I wonder if anyone will claim Rios and/or (to a lesser extent) Lee.

I can see either being really impactful on the pennant race, but without their existing teams kicking in some salary relief, it would pretty high stakes to claim them and risk their teams just allowing them to go.

How come I don't see any news on these waives?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by DanGarion

How come I don't see any news on these waives?

I believe they're discussing the upcoming trade deadline where you can trade a player if that player can clear waivers. They're talking about whether those players could clear waivers if they wanted to trade them.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I wonder if anyone will claim Rios and/or (to a lesser extent) Lee.

I can see either being really impactful on the pennant race, but without their existing teams kicking in some salary relief, it would pretty high stakes to claim them and risk their teams just allowing them to go.

There is no chance of the Phillies letting Lee just go for salary relief. If they were going to do that, they would have done it last year.

[MizzouRah]

Well well Dodgers you are human after all.

[molson]

The Red Sox matched their win total from all of last year in a weird game. Lavarnway gave up 4 passed balls from Steven Wright in the first inning, so they gave up on that shit and pulled Wright. The first inning damage was 3 runs, the bullpen gave up another 7 runs after that, but the Sox scored 15, so all was good.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Good night for the Tigers: They beat Cleveland (winning their 10th straight game), the plucky Royals finally lose and Verlander pitches as well as he's pitched for sometime now.

[cartman]

The Rangers showed a glimpse of what their post-Cruz gameplan will be last night. Scored 8 runs without the benefit of an extra-base hit. They stole 6 bases, got the leadoff runner on base 5 times and brought them around to score 3 times.

They don't play a team with a record above .500 until the first of September, so now is the time for them to overtake the A's and get a decent lead before the stretch run.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by molson

The Red Sox matched their win total from all of last year in a weird game. Lavarnway gave up 4 passed balls from Steven Wright in the first inning, so they gave up on that shit and pulled Wright. The first inning damage was 3 runs, the bullpen gave up another 7 runs after that, but the Sox scored 15, so all was good.

I know they want to see him in the bullpen for the stretch run, but I didn't understand why they didn't just give that start to Workman and then move him to the pen. And fwiw, Workman hasn't really looked good in any of his bullpen appearances, although Britton has surprised and De La Rosa looked like he could be downright dominant as long as he can throw strikes. Fingers crossed that's enough so they don't feel the need to trade for another reliever after their horrible track record there the last couple years. Fingers also crossed the team ends this charade and calls up Bogaerts soon. Brock Holt and Brandon Snyder are combining for a .550 OPS at 3rd base

[BishopMVP]

David Ortiz has 8 straight hits (+ 2 walks), and we still might lose 2 out of 3 vs. the Astros, in part due to the 5-hole hitters (Napoli and Carp) being 0-10 behind him. I know Mike Napoli has decent overall numbers, but he's one of the most painful hitters to actually watch bat. Lowest O-swing % (contact rate on pitches swung at in the strike zone) in baseball at 72.1%.

Edit - and of course, after that jinx Ortiz lines out to 1st base next at-bat. MLB record is 12 consecutive hits, 17 consecutive plate appearances reaching base (no errors, fielders choice, sacrifices) fwiw.

[Atocep]

I think the Mets should just keep Ike Davis in AAA until July every year.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Amazing stuff happening here in KC. Big walk-up numbers. Record TV ratings. And most importantly, lots of wins.

Huge weekend series against Boston. That place is going to be packed and rocking. Can't wait. Going to try to snag some tickets for one of the games.

[SackAttack]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Amazing stuff happening here in KC. Big walk-up numbers. Record TV ratings. And most importantly, lots of wins.

Huge weekend series against Boston. That place is going to be packed and rocking. Can't wait. Going to try to snag some tickets for one of the games.

Nothing like a trial by fire.

[spleen1015]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Amazing stuff happening here in KC. Big walk-up numbers. Record TV ratings. And most importantly, lots of wins.

Huge weekend series against Boston. That place is going to be packed and rocking. Can't wait. Going to try to snag some tickets for one of the games.

Enjoy the ride while it lasts!

[Swaggs]

Pirates continue to play well. They are now 25 games over .500 and still (quietly) have the best record in baseball, even though they only have the third best run differential in the NL Central.

I'm surprised that it hasn't gotten more play, but the Pirates have the longest streak of continuous losing seasons in the history of North American sports. So, the fact that they only need to win 13 more games this year (with 49 more games on the schedule) is pretty awesome.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Mizzou B-ball fan

Amazing stuff happening here in KC. Big walk-up numbers. Record TV ratings. And most importantly, lots of wins.

Huge weekend series against Boston. That place is going to be packed and rocking. Can't wait. Going to try to snag some tickets for one of the games.

Good to hear! Too bad they are chasing the hottest team in baseball right now.

[Easy Mac]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Good to hear! Too bad they are chasing the second hottest team in baseball right now.

Fixed.

[sterlingice]

Wow. I completely missed the Braves winning streak

SI

[cartman]

The new look Runnin' Rangers are the second team since 1920 to steal six or more bases in back to back games.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

Fixed.

Dunno about that. In the last 20 games, the Braves are 16-4, same as Detroit and LA. In the last 30, Detroit and LA are the hottest team. (I like taking a bit wider view of hottest team)

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Didn't we just have this argument?

Plus, in the widest view, the Pirates are the hottest team.

[sterlingice]

I would think in the widest, widest view the Yankees would be the hottest team, having won 27 World Series in baseball's first 100-whatever years

SI

[Danny]

The Dodgers had a +9 run differential yesterday, so they are in fact, the hottest team

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

I would think in the widest, widest view the Yankees would be the hottest team, having won 27 World Series in baseball's first 100-whatever years

SI

SSS

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Nothing like a trial by fire.

To be the best, you have to beat the best. This is still more fun that what we've dealt with in the last decade.