AUGUST 10: Per CPBL Stats (via Twitter), the league has now officially rejected the contract.
AUGUST 8: The Lamigo Monkeys, a Taiwanese professional team, recently announced the signing of former Oregon State pitcher Luke Heimlich. It’s not yet clear, however, that the contract will go into effect.
The CPBL Stats website has tracked the league’s reaction to the announcement. It seems that the league has given varying indications, at one point saying it would require termination of the contract but later indicating the matter was still under review. To this point, the Lamigo announcement is still accessible online and there is no indication that the contract has formally been rescinded.
By now, most MLBTR readers are surely familiar with Heimlich’s background. Many, no doubt, have formed strong opinions on what it means for his future as a professional baseball player. In brief, Heimlich pled guilty as a teenager to sexually molesting a child, a fact which emerged in the middle of his tenure as a standout collegiate ballplayer. Regardless of one’s viewpoint, it’s worth reviewing this recent assessment of the situation from Kurt Streeter of the New York Times.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported during this year’s draft that Heimlich was nearly certain to join a MLB organization. Indeed, the Royals even publicized their possible interest (see here and here), while other organizations were also said to be considering a highly controversial move to bring in an undeniably talented player with a deeply concerning past.
As it has turned out, though, Heimlich was not selected in the draft and has not joined an affiliated club as a free agent. The fact that he has not found a willing team to this point perhaps indicates that it won’t happen — at least, in the near-term.
Instead, it seems he and his representatives have turned their attention to opportunities abroad, perhaps hoping that he’ll have an opportunity to earn some money and build some momentum toward an eventual move to a MLB organization. The outcome of that initiative, too, remains uncertain at this point in time.
Why has no one signed Hanley Ramirez?
That one is curious. His bat still has value, albeit not nearly as much as it used to.
I brought up MIA Hanley the other day. After reading dozens of articles here about him speculating on his next team, as well as skimming a thousand comments, everyone moved onto the next shiny rumor. (Ah, American “journalism”.)
What we do know is this…..
1. No MLB team would take Hanley on, even though all they would have to pay him was the prorated minimum salary.
2. The Red Sox have been winning since the day he was escorted out.
The BoSox were close to 20 games over .500 when Hanley was released. The release had more to do with freeing up a roster spot, freeing up the DH spot, and giving Moreland more time at 1st. You make it seem as if he was poison to the team.
We know only that Hanley Ramirez is not currently employed by an MLB team.
We don’t know whether that’s by his choice or by the decisions of 30 MLB cubs,
It was about the option that would have kicked in with plate appearances & would have left the Sox on the hook for another 20+ million next season.
No, it was about making sure that he didn’t hit the plate appearances number that would’ve caused his 2019 option to kick in and put Boston on the hook for paying him $20M next year.
No one had picked him up because he has basically no defensive value and his bat is below average for a DH.
Because he has negative WAR over the last two seasons. So GMs face a simple choice, when they consider picking up Hanley:
1. an aging, below replacement level player who can only play DH, runs the bases poorly, and was slumping with the bat when the Sox cut him … and hasn’t played since.
2. whoever’s your best hitter at triple A right now.
It’s a no brainer.
Yes GM’s just look at WAR and make decisions.
Since you have a device with a chip in it and Internet access, there is no reason you should not be an ML GM.
Send a resume highlighting your surfing skills with a cover letter to all 30 MLB teams. If you don’t want to relocate, that’s OK, you can work from home……but you’ll be missing out on the free food.
How about instead of trying to be clever, you point to a legitimate reason why a team would want Hanley at this point…
Idk i just see one example is a team like the pirates using Osuna and SRod both batting below .200 and wonder why they wouldn’t give him a shot.
Why should I do that?
The guy has always been a me-first stat-driven clubhouse cancer. He had no business trying to play 1B – especially when the other infielders at the time were Devers, Bogaerts, and Nunez. Those 3 were the worst combination in MLB. Add Hanley and the Red Sox were unwatchable on D…..I know…..because I tried, and turned their games off. Moreland saved their pitchers – his hitting is a bonus.
At this point HanRam can only hit and was below average doing that in 3 of his last 4 seasons. He’s 34 and probably has very little expectation to get better. SRod can at least still play good defense at several positions and passable defense at several others. Osuna is only 25 and has <300 ML PA spread out over 2 seasons with a track record of hitting in MiLB. I'm guessing the Pirates see Osuna's offensive potential greater than Ramirez at this point of their careers and also value SRod's defensive versatility above Ramirez's below average bat.
Your thoughts on how Haney Ramirez can have a net-positive effect on Wins.
You seem to be one of those me-first sarcasm-driven message board dipsticks. Good on ya, Chum.
Interview with Mr. Met tomorrow at 2M!
If the NL had the DH, Hanley would have immediately signed with the Mets.
The NL doesn’t have the QB either. Did that stop the Mets from signing one?
Who cares…
Because he is not very good
Heimlich would have been a first rounder. Hanley situation is a bit curious. But after last offseason, nothing surprises me.
I don’t understand. Teams like Cleveland, A’s, Cardinals, Mariners, Washington. He could definitely help with power plays a good first base. I’m sure others even Astros. He can still hit
Astros, Yankees, Cubs, Mets where ya at???
MLBTR should take a stand and denounce this thug.
I don’t think “thug” is the word you are looking for!
We try to draw a line between covering news stories and putting out opinion pieces, so this type of post is going to be as neutral as possible while also making clear that we need not shy away from calling things as they are. I will give you the facts and reasonable, objectively supportable characterizations of the situation, best I can.
We certainly are willing to weigh in on a situation like this, but it would come in a separate piece. And we typically reserve that for when we have a unique take on a topic. Many others have offered positions on Heimlich. I’m not sure we have one that’s different from what is already out there.
Not to say we can’t or won’t attempt it, just giving you an understanding of my perspective.
I’m fine with the article.I thought it was fine. As a long time follower of this site I just hope that you would follow the lead of a few other sites and not give to much attention to this hoodlum..
Here some news you may find interesting. Not everyone agrees that you have the best moral compass, especially in regards to the role of the press.
This article did nothing but inform readers that Heimlich may be pitching in Taiwan. That news interests me, and I have only found it here.
I notice you’re all over this thread. That’s some chutzpah you’ve got telling the site to not run this article when obviously there is an interest in it as evidenced by your behavior.
I think they should run articles when there is news.. I also think that as a private company, they have the right to make it clear they do not support him playing pro ball.
This is news, Chum.
I do find it disturbing that some of my comments referencing the bible have been removed but people who are pro child rape get to stay?
I only remove comments that come in conflict with our policies. Don’t recall which of yours were specifically removed but language, references to violence, or other considerations would be the basis, not the fact that you referenced the bible.
Sorry if my comments got out of hand, the issue makes me hot. I would ask you also take a look at a couple comments that I think go a little close to straight up promoting his type of action or least make it seem normal.
Why should MLBTR “denounce” anyone? MLBTR does not need to take a stand. Its a sports site. They reported the signing. They did not condone his behavior.
Unlike you I do not need my sports site to “take a stand” either way. Its sad that you do.
Amen. Virtue signaling is a pathetic expectation of modern society. I am glad MLBTR reports factual and doesn’t throw their opinions out there. No one should (key word) need this or any other news source to tell them what to think.
There’s nothing wrong with reporting facts and not emphasizing an opinion… I mean, it is a trade rumors site. Suggesting that reporting with facts as opposed to opinions is being an enabler is absurd, what are you trying to prove???
I would never sign heimlich, but reporting about him is okay, and at least looking into signing him is okay. It’s not enabling or encouraging it. I’m sure 30 teams have looked into it, yet nobody has signed him since they figured he was guilty, which I’m glad nobody has signed him.
Enabling would be providing kids for him or knowingly looking the other way. I don’t see any one here doing that or suggesting it.
Wonder if his future korean team will provide a “keeper” in order to keep him straight and out of trouble, much like Tampa had to do for trouble maker Elizah Duke and his mirad of issues years ago?
Why? It’s refreshing to read an article nowadays without a built-in bias. Give the facts to readers and let them make up their own minds.
Taiwan allows sex-offenders to come into their country and obtain Visas to work?
He is not on the sex offender list anymore so his passport probably doesn’t get flagged. I doubt he ever throws a pitch there though.
Comical. If players have already appeared at the MLB level, most any offense is just given some type of suspension and I include criminal offenses of all types. That has been proven true so far, tho we have not seen ones as bad quite yet as have occurred in the NFL, but they will come.. You watch…
Sexually based crimes are considered worse then most. NFL is a joke. We dont need rapist in MLB or USA.
And to be clear if an MLB got convicted of rape or a sex crime while under contract I think theres a 99.9 chance they would get the lifetime ban.
I’m 100% behind you on wanting stiff penalties on murders, super thugs and sexual predators with permanent bans Bruin. i just don’t see the MLB commissioner’s office having the guts to hand out those types of penalties any longer, especially if the offending player(s) are anything beyond marginal type.
We will have to see for it to happen. I think if a current player was charged with a very violent crime MLB would probably handle it like NFL handled A. Hernandez.. It also depends on the evidence. Hemlich admitted in open court himself that he did it so theres that.
Just take a look at the Ray Lewis/Big Ben issues and realise if you’re a big enough star, nothing will happen
Does Luke Heimlich really need to worry about money? I’m thinking that, once his playing days are over, he should have no problem suing the government and recovering all the lost wages resulting from the disclosure of a minor’s record.
Plus, he has all that Heimlich maneuver cash rolling in.
Uh, Jeff…..
“ . . . Heimlich pled guilty as a teenager to sexually molesting a child . . . Regardless of one’s predilections . . . “
There has to be a better way of saying this.
I was using the word in the sense of preconceived notions or biases, but I agree it warrants an edit since that term is often used in a certain context. Definitely wasn’t trying to be cute. Thanks for pointing it out.
Thanks for being so reasonable.
Whatever happened to the concept of paying your debt to society and then returning to a life of opportunity? We all agree that sex offenses, especially those that involve minors, are heinous. But that should be reflected in the sentence they receive, not in a second punishment inflicted by society after serving time (or whatever punishment the judicial system renders).
If you’re not going to allow this guy to play baseball, then you should have put him in jail for life, because you’re taking away his freedom anyway.
You’re wrong society has every right to judge, morality by definition is decided on by society as a whole, and the right to play professional baseball isn’t a thing, nobody said he can’t be an accountant or work at a restaurant etc but being a professional athlete is a more of a privilege
Why is that? I would rather somebody of questionable morals be an entertainer that I can choose to be entertained by or not. Much better than my accountant with access to my personal information or in a restaurant with access to my food and/or credit card information.
I’m using those as an example, places have a right to hire him, but based on a criminal past they have a right to not hire him as well
Well said Ryan
Maybe it’s because he continues to say he is innocent and wont admit his mistakes?
Also another flaw in your argument is that his situation is common, child predators don’t get to be teachers after plaything there debt to society, if you get five dui’s and serve your time they don’t let you drive a big rig at afterwards, the list goes on, people bring there kids around the clubhouse at the mlb level did you consider that? This guy plead guilty to molesting a kid, I’m not letting him around my children
And that is why no one in MLB signed him. He is going overseas. So what. You do not want him to leave?
How is that what you took away from the statement
Maybe some people don’t think he actually “payed” for what he did…?
“As part of a plea deal, reached when Heimlich was 16, one of the charges was dropped and he was placed on two years’ probation, took court-ordered classes and had to register for five years as a Level 1 sex offender, a designation the state of Washington uses for someone considered of low risk to the community and unlikely to become a repeat offender.
Heimlich also had to write a letter apologizing to his niece.”
He also hasn’t shown any remorse and continues to say the girl is lying, which turns off a lot of people.
For the most part I’ll agree with you. However, baseball is still a game where children are around the players. If I had children I would not be comfortable with him being at any kind of meet the players event.
While I don’t think there should be an official ban of the guy I’d find in a little strange for any team to sign him.
I hear you pt. How many of us can really say we have nothing in our youthful closet of skeletons to hang our heads about? We all make mistakes, especially as kids, and you hope we all learn and grow – and some of those mistakes really never leave the back of your mind. I don’t know any of the details in this case, and I’m certainly not condoning child sex offenses, but I’m sure this guy has gotten counseling and treatment to deal with his issues. Now it’s time for him to make his life, just like the rest of us.
Sure, he can make his life, but he doesn’t HAVE to make it playing baseball. I’m sure there’s several other things he can do with a college degree.
He got a degree in speech communication. He was clearly only there to play baseball.
Taking his freedom away? Absolutely not. He’s free to walk this earth. He’s free to live in the USA. He’s free to find employment. His freedom doesn’t hinge on whether or not he can play the game of baseball.
This signing will be known as the Heimlich Maneuver.
Oof
I wish him well and hope he doesn’t “choke” over there
Come on world. Teenagers make mistakes. If it even happened the way the mother who lost custody says. As Jesus would say time for forgiveness. And I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse so leave your snarky comments at the door. Namaste!
Teenagers make mistakes but this is incest and sexual abuse of a minor. Yes Jesus forgives all sins but He also asks for redemption, and confessing one’s sins. Heimlich seems far more worried about his career than he does redeeming himself.
Jesus Trade Rumors?
Been around 2018 years
Rape is no mistake. God hates enablers.
What he allegedly did wasn’t a “mistake.” You don’t accidently do something like that.
Honestly I wish he had just not taken the plea deal so that the correct verdict (whatever it might have been) would have been reached.
He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.
John 1;11 and galations 6’7
Wow, that Galation guy is the size of Aaron Judge! Is he playing in the minors right now?
By that logic let’s go ahead and throw out the entire criminal justice system.
Exactly
He served his punishment, as determined by the prosecutor and judge. What some people want is a lifetime long, extrajudicial punishment barring him from his chosen career path well after any such debts to society have been paid.
I’m not going to tell MLB teams whether or not they should want to be associated with him, but let’s not pretend it has anything to do with justice.
Then hire him to babysit your kids you sanctimonious turd
Sorry, I missed where he was signing a contract to be a babysitter. Here I thought he wanted to be a baseball player.
Nah, he should be hired to babysit all the world’s children and be partnered with Sandusky and Jared from Subway!
Come on man, if you’re gonna put a straw man out there, you need to really go for it.
Oh Bruinsfan you are a saint I bet huh? Look no one gives a crap about your bs morality play to make yourself look good. This is not a political or social policy site and no one here condoned anything. Its just a sports site so it was reported he signed with some subpar league. Get over yourself
I don’t need to look good. It is you who looks bad in the eyes of god for your support of rapist and child molestors.
How is he supporting that at all?
By going out of his way to support and defend Luke Hemlich, he has thus enabled others to do similar crimes.
He’s not supporting/enabling, he’s saying they reported he signed with a subpar league basically.
Ok here is the point. Why does the MLB have to make a rule about this when 30 teams already have made their decision. I don’t believe they need to make a rule if (MLB) if teams do it on their own. Sometimes have faith people make the right decision.
Why would any team sign this guy? It would be PR nightmare and if he got in trouble again with the law, it would most likely kill your career as a GM.
In my opinion, most teams would be willing to put this in the past and sign the guy. I think they’re just afraid to insult the victim and family.
It’s also worth mentioning that 1/4 of children experience sexual abuse. I bring this up for multiple reasons.
1.) This is not uncommon.
2.) We treat it as if it is.
3) If 1/4 are experiencing this, then imagine how many uncaught abusers are out there. (including in MLB)
4) The Heimlich case is an example of the system actually working decently. The victim was heard and believed. The perpetrator confessed, and followed through with the consequences.
5) We need more forgiveness in this world. We’ll never be able to forget what he did. Forgiving is healing.
6) Forgiving/healing will help bring attention to the issue and find solutions. Ostracizing forever those who made mistakes as children is just going to make matters worse.
On 1 and 2, that doesn’t mean we should accept it. On 3 and 4, well frankly that’s going to bring up a much longer conversation about the justice system and I’d rather not go into that on this site.
As for forgiveness. Well, I don’t have children but my sister is expecting her first any day now. She’s already told me I’m going to be the one taking the kid to his first ball game in Fenway. If I knew the Red Sox had a convicted child molester on the team, I wouldn’t allow my soon to be nephew anywhere near the player and I’d feel betrayed by the team I’d supported my whole life.
We can argue from here until eternity but the final word to keep guys like Heimlich away from the majors will still be “I wouldn’t let my kid near him.”
Well said purple. Thank you for summing it up so well.
Well there it is. I’ve had enough internet today. This guy is literally supporting child rape. Well I guess you and Luke can talk over your fondness of kids while your burning in the fiery pits of hell.
You know sometimes it’s best to keep your enemies closer cause that way you know where they are at all times.
Alot of pedophile defenders in here. Why don’t you guys give him a chance then. This isnt a dui or anything like that he molested a 4 year old. And spare me your “he without sin” crap. Let him around your kids if you’re such a believer. Never thought being against a pedophile would be controversial
RIght? So many losers on this site. Very sick people defending this guy.
Women abusers should be given a life time ban with no chance of reinstatement. 1 and done policy. Including ones that already got in trouble for it.
Agreed
I agree too, and I’m sure everyone else you called out does too!
You just called him a sick and twisted person earlier, when you didn’t even know his stance… Why??? (Not defending Heimlich at all)
His first comment was pretty sick and twisted. It strongly implied that Hemlich had served his time. It seems he thinks because we have failed in some cases we should not agitate against Hemlich being in pro ball.
I honestly do not care if he is signed or not. I’m not sure whether or not to be fine with giving him a second shot. There are lot of things at play here.
1. No one would likely ever know if the rules had been followed in dealing with his file.
2. All these teams peach “no tolerance,” yet would rather cut unproven players from drug offenses (Ian Kahaloa rings a bell) than established ML players for rules violations relating directly to the game (the Cano’s, Cruz’s, and Manny’s of the world) or abuse/assault (Chapman, Reyes, Famalia, etc)
We are we so willing (in general, not specifically in this extreme case) to ignore the fallacies of guys near or around the age of thirty over Minors?
Heimlich got caught. Went through the judicial system. Completed his punishment that the judicial system decided was fair. And has stayed out of trouble since it seems.
Hes a talented baseball player. And if the mlb and fans are ok giving women beaters and people like josh lueke chances to play in the show, idk how they can claim moral superiority.
You are a very sick and twisted person.
Cause i called out how fans cheer for women abusers like chapman familia reyes and rapists like lueke but somehow claim the moral stance? Pitiful and pathetic.
Im fine with no one signing heimlich. But then ban everyone else listed above for life with no chance for reinstatement.
Go virtue signal elsewhere.
I never even knew about the Lueke story. That is sick. He has not played in MLB in years tho and would not be accepted back. Familia and Reyes are scumbags and should be banned for life, agreed.
Why don’t you take a breath and climb down off your high horse.
So women abusers and rapists are ok in the mlb. But not what heimlich did.
Man how far have you fallen if saying roberto osuna who beat his gf should of been banned instead of getting 75 games is considered the high horse.
You’re misinterpreting what he is saying badly. He said MLB has allowed this stuff, and doesn’t see how Heimlich is any different from other players. Nothing wrong with saying that. He isn’t an “enabler”, for all you know, he could want all of them kicked out the MLB.
We live in a society increasingly populated by science deniers. Morally repugnant conduct only makes it easier to deny science.
Extensive studies of juvenile sex offenders show a recidivism rate of well below 10 percent. Youth who are caught are unlikely to re-offend, especially those like Luke Heimlich who have completed sex offender-specific treatment.
Domestic abusers have a far, far higher rate of recidivism.
As the target of vitriolic hate, Heimlich still took the mound 21 times this year for the Oregon State Beavers. I am in awe of the toughness that took.
MLB franchises are under no obligation to offer anyone a job but I suspect no team has the fortitude to face a fraction of the heat that Heimlich has endured.
You are in awe of a pedophile? Disgusting. Let him live next to you and hang out with your family if you believe in him so much
Luke Heimlich does not fit the scientific definition of a pedophile.
But I understand that many folks deny science.
He molested a 4 year old and admitted it. Theres your science. So will you let him around your kids? Yes or no?
When my daughters were young I would not let any stranger be alone with either.
If Luke Heimlich were not a stranger I would permit him around my daughters in the presence of others if his post-treatment supervision plan permitted contact with minors.
People who don’t understand juvenile sex offenders can be forgiven for their lack of knowledge.
I’ll rely on the findings of experts in an extensive field of study.
your “study” has been disproved dozens and dozens of times (and the actual rate is closer to 40 percent, not 4).
and besides, the fundies that defend luke don’t believe in science in the first place, so not sure why you keep bringing up science anyways
Please provide citations to support the contention that “the actual rate is closer to 40 percent, not 4.” I don’t need “dozens and dozens.” A few studies should suffice.
As a lifelong learner I am always open to new information.
The U.S, Department of Justice collected studies in a July 2015 report titled “Recidivism of Juveniles Who Commit Sexual Offenses.”
Hey now stop it you have not earned the right to say that. He obviously has raised good kids and taught them for a good life. Boundaries should be practice by all of us . That being said writing on here and what we do in real life can be two different things
The craziest thing about this is, and I’m by no means a legal expert, but wouldn’t he have a legit case against someone leaking the details when the whole thing is supposed to have been sealed?
Buyers Beware, boys. If a team felt Heimlich was reformed as a human being and took a chance on him, you have the decision to turn off the TV, never show up to a game and hit the league where it hurt.
Him signing outside of America takes you off the hook. Fact is, several MLB players have been tagged with beating women, PED cheating etc. You still support them. The best route to humility for millionaire baseball players is to take their millions away. For those outraged over the prospect of Heimlich playing in the MLB, which sinful ballplayer have you supported with your hard-earned dollar? I’m sure you have.
“as it turned out heimlich was not selected in the draft” —– yeah what a total shock right? no owner wants that baggage. good riddance
Unless he in fact is truly innocent. If that’s the case then you’ve been preaching falsehoods. Well then it’s hellfire for you.
Personally I don’t care one way or another if an MLB team picks him up. I am not the moral police, I do not know if he in fact committed the crime or not, I wouldn’t be shocked if he did, I wouldn’t be shocked if he didn’t.
The only truly shocking thing to me in this whole situation is how many people in this world deem themselves worthy of passing judgment.
No one has all the facts, no one knows who’s telling the truth or who’s lying, yet everyone believes they are holy enough to pass judgment on this young man.
The worst of the worst are the people who are saying this kid should burn in Hell.
If you think that then you must be some sort of believer. If that’s true then honestly you’re worse then this kid even if he did commit the crime.
A true Christian would not pass judgement on someone or slander them especially without proof.
Society has no problem admitting especially today that innocent people have been convicted for crimes they didn’t commit.
Is it so hard to believe that this young man at the behest of his family plead guilty to a crime he didn’t commit to spare his niece the trauma of testifying against her uncle in court?
To me it’s a perfectly believable story if you’ve read anything about this kid and his family.
Im not saying that in fact is the truth, but it is reasonable doubt enough for me to not cast stone.
It should be enough reasonable doubt for any Christian to not pass judgment.
It would be enough reasonable doubt for a jury, so it should be enough doubt for the court of public opinion.
For those who believe they are morally righteous enough to pass judgment on this kid or anyone else I truly feel sorry for you, bc one day you too will have to confess your sins and that sin is just as heinous as the sin you are condemning this young man for.
That all being said…
I probably wouldn’t want my favorite team to sign him, not bc of what he has or hasn’t done but only bc it would be a huge distraction to any team.
The last thing you want as an MLB team is to have a single A ballplayer being a distraction to the major league club.
He admitted it in open court.
I’m not a legal expert, but still, I seriously doubt that juvenile court proceedings are open.
spare us the god bs, man (oh, and you do realize your god allowed a child to be molested and did nothing, right? and allows it thousands of times a year. pretty pathetic god).
God gives man free will. On the day of judgement Hemlich and many others will meet their doom. But even beside the religion stuff, he admitted it in open court.
Honestly dude yes the idea that someone completely innocent of the crime would plead guilty to molesting a kid is preposterous to me, the stigma of child molesters is a very real thing, we know growing up how wrong that is and it’s the biggest black mark we can carry in this society, for good reason so if you are spinning me some tale about how a teenager of at least average intelligence in the past decade just agreed to that I’m sorry no I don’t believe it
If a family does not have money to fight the charges, yes they would plead guilty even if innocent. Especially if they know they can land a job without much question from future employers (depends on the crime, age etc).
People have not fought charges despite innocence due to prior criminal records, even if the prior crime was considered to be small and petty.
NOT saying any of this applies to Heimlich.
Perhaps a baseball team based in Thailand would be a good fit for both parties?
I understand all of the objections but at the end of the day, if I’m running a team, I would see this as an opportunity to make the team better.
As I’ve said before trial make leaders and players who have done heinous things have come back to become great players and teammates in all of the leagues. I’ve always mentioned Mike Vick, and Ive also mentioned the fact that he never had any issues in college.
I’m ready for any backlash but at the end of the day, I don’t think its the job of baseball teams to play judge jury or executioner and if a player can make a team better, I would do it. At the same time however, I would include stipulations in the contract such as x% of his earnings would go to help victims of sexual violence, the family or something.
I rest my case.
When his team gets beat badly will the headlines read “the Giants Spank the Monkeys”?