I prefer Mellow Mushroom. Has anyone tried the Papa John’s triple bacon pizza? It looks good but I’ve never had it.
Also, regarding the Twilight Zone question, has anyone noticed that the ScyFy channel has been on a Twilight Zone marathon for days now? I’ve recorded a lot of them but haven’t had time to watch. My all time favorite Twilight Zone episode is “Uncle Simon.” The writing and verbal insults in that episode are unmatched by anything I have ever seen. I’ve never heard someone be so consistently insulting while never saying a curse word. Has anyone else seen “Uncle Simon?”
Also, am I the only one who thinks Mark misunderstood George’s Padres “bad contract” question? I don’t think George meant Tatis was a bad contract. I think what he meant was (if Tatis didn’t have a no trade clause) wouldn’t it be better for the Padres to trade Tatis for good prospects and attach someone like Hosmer to the deal as the bad contract. That way they could replace Tatis with Correa and help the farm system while also saving a ton of money by dumping the $80 million Hosmer is owed. Are Tatis and Hosmer together really worth more than Correa and prospects plus about $80 million in payroll space? I know the Padres can’t trade Tatis but I think he meant he was surprised teams don’t do that in general. Like the question suggesting the Nationals trade Soto along with the Strasburg contract “and a lot more” bad contracts (maybe Corbin?). I know the Nats and Padres would hate to lose players like Soto or Tatis but I think George was onto something. They could help out their farm system in the trade and free up way more than enough money to go out and sign someone like Correa. Correa + prospects + money does seem a lot better to me that Tatis and Hosmer or Soto, Strasburg and Corbin. I think George just meant he doesn’t see why deals like that don’t happen more often in general. Does anyone else think that Mark got it confused and he wasn’t saying Tatis himself was the bad contract but a bad contract could be added to him?
If the choice is pizza hut or domino’s… Years back when domino’s changed their crust and stuff (we’re talking something like 2005?), they actually got better… So I’d have agreed domino’s over pizza hut.
For fast food pizza yes. Pizza Hut used to have like 6 or 7 different crust flavors. They have a Sriracha one that one was bomb. If you’re ever in Las Vegas look up Metro Pizza. Best pizza in Vegas.
The chat keeps freezing. My question is why is Brian Cashman regarded as such a great baseball mind and executive when the Yankees have not been to a World Series since 2009. I don’t think George would have allowed this to continue. This guy has had more resources then anyone in the past decade and has achieved very little. I contend just about anyone could have replaced him with at least equal results if not substancially better. I dont get why he gets a free pass from critics especially this offseason when they have done absolutely nothing. Thank you.
There are a lot of factors when looking at the yankees. I agree with you to a point. The expectations are high as well as the ability to max out the payroll. I do question how good of a GM Cashman is however I would not say they have done nothing. They have come close to going to a world series. The fact that they can max out the payroll every year helps in the sense that they can usually put at least a decent team on the field. The average to good team also means that they are picking in the middle to the back of the draft and hinders their ability to obtain premier young talent. Their brand possibly could be the draw for signing superior international free agents. As I mentioned there are a of things to consider when evaluting the yankees. George did not have to consider the penalties for going over the CBA barriers and how that hinders the farm talent and depth.
About the A’s not paying higher salaries for some of their players in arbitration and keeping that team together as they “go for it”…..
Don’t agree. First off, they team is not one player a way from being a legitimate WS contender. The franchise had the 29th (out of 30) level of attendance in 2021 – even lower than the Jays that played in minor league parks in multiple cities. And that poor attendance has happened even when they’ve been winning for the last 20 or so years. It’s a slim chance that they’d recoup the expense. There’s no guarantee that those players will remain healthy in 2022-23. But mostly – once the players become eligible for FA the A’s would be fortunate to get a draft pick out of them when they leave…..and that’s only if they offer the player a QO – which they cannot afford if the player takes it. Right now they can get some decent prospects for them and the team can begin it’s next level of competition with a year or two. If they lose those guys in FA scans prospects, they’re looking at a 4 year rebuild at least.
The a more important point…..
What the A’s are doing is what Cleveland just did, what the Rays, Brewers and other franchises are doing to avoid a long rebuild. In short – don’t go “all in” unless you intend to redo the FO and restructure the entire organization once the contention is over (as happened with the Jays 2015-16).
There is no guarantee of winning by going for it. The risk / reward is not good. Alex Anthopoulos learned from his mistakes with the Jays, and has made measured moves since taking over the Braves that had come out of a rebuild. He (and the “cheap”) owners were criticized for not going all in – including trading young players to get a real 3B because Austin Riley was an obvious failure at age 22. Fact is that winning is on the players, not the FO. They’re the ones that are playing, and they’re the ones that get the credit (and the money).
–
Along those lines – I read the article on Dallas Keuchel’s contract situation yesterday. I’ve long felt that the White Sox rebuild was overhyped (though not as badly as the Phillies was a few years ago). The Kimbrell trade had me scratching my head. Why would, a team that spend so many years in a rebuild and was just starting to be competitive, trade away their young, controlled, best overall position player (when factoring in Baseball IQ) to get an expensive closer at the trading deadline when they already had very possibly the best closer in the AL and he was healthy?
In the article now I find that the team is at record spending levels already (comments say the owner is “cheap”), and the farm system is pretty much barren of top prospects. While they “went for it” and that’s supposed to show some sort of commitment to winning, they’ve now it a wall – no real money to spend on acquiring players, no surplus of players to trade or prospects to replace them. (Unlike the Braves the past few years) They’re out of asset capital totally. They’re also in a division with 3 teams that have come through degrees of rebuilds, and are currently sorting out the young players to determine which will be effective and which will wash out – all of whom have some veterans sprinkled in to provide leadership.
Most franchises today are trying to avoid dong down to the studs rebuilds. It’s hard to keep their fans on the line for 5-7 years (look at the complaints from many Pirate fans on here…because they’re an example of what happens when the last rebuild didn’t work.
It didn’t get so long because the issue was not a small one – you tend to write long posts. Some with valid points, some that come off as snarky and condescending and some that are just words for the sake of words. It’s your m.o. which is fine but don’t act like the length of the post is due to the topic at hand. I’m tempted to post my recipe for biscuits but will refrain for the sake of civility..that and I don’t actually have a recipe for biscuits.
Love Samuels long posts. Some are biting and snarky for sure, in fact a lot of them are that way, but that’s part of what makes him a must read, along with his mostly correct opinions. Need more Yankee killers like him on the internet to combat the incessant Yankees fans moronic baseball drivel.
Cubs and White Sox have a history of lopsided trades. If Madrigal is healthy add this to Sammy Sosa to the Cubs and Cease and Jimenez to the White Sox.
But if the lopsided trades even out then are they really lopsided?
A statistician will tell you that if you have one foot in boiling water and the other foot in ice, on the average you are comfortable. But you are not!
And the Cardinals are still going to finish second to MKE, who will add more offense, a veteran bullpen arm and with their ridiculous pitching be one of, if not the best, team in baseball. Cardinals should get a WC though, and with that best in baseball defense be a threat for a WC title.
It’s interesting that the same people that get all upset about the Astros cheating, will come on and ask why steroid users and a manager that placed bets on MLB games (at the time he was employed in said capacity) are not in the HOF.
At issue are not really the contradictions from the fans. The issue is the integrity of the sport – which in MLB’s case has been compromised numerous times in the past 30 years. Which can be laid squarely at the feet of the players union and players agents – mostly lawyers that haven’t invested a cent in the sport – that constantly fight any rule changes or enforcement of existing rules that might be detrimental to the amount of money they and the players they represent take out of the sport.
When inheriting the benefits of a structure people spent a lifetime building, it’s nice to give something back to assure future generations can enjoy the same opportunities, instead of just taking from it. In turn, they should pass it on.
As someone who exemplifies the first paragraph I see what you mean. As a dodger fan I still feel robbed of 2017 as I’m sure millions of other fans do but I will also gladly throw support to Astros players in the future on HOF cases including Altuve. At the same time as a Dodger fan I’m aware of the damage Bonds did to my team but honestly I don’t care. I think the BBWAA is doing a disservice to the fans if they keep roiders out of the hall. Sure out an asterisk but they reshaped baseballs trajectory after the strike and kept fans into the home run chases. Let both Correa, Jackson, and Clemens in, their actions are part of baseball history whether for good or for bad. They are indeed FAMEous.
Was disappointing that Mark misunderstood the Tatis question. Not that I would have really expected much of an answer but the question was interesting.
The idea was something like Padres trade Tatis and Hosmer to a team (lets say Mariner for example) and get like Kelenic, Kirby and Steckenrider (or insert a trade package in that general range) then they have money to go sign Correa and Conforto. They get a tiny bit worse but load up the farm and have pretty much the same contactual obligations after all that activity.
I’m sure the answer would have been something like, “can’t see that happening.” But it’s interesting to think about.
I’m guessing at Tatis’ trade value (assuming he didn’t have the no trade clause). Could be a couple big prospects or maybe in practice other GMs wouldn’t want to give up much for him and that contract. Not exactly sure there.
I think he understood that is why he corrected himself. Tatis is an injury risk but his upside is LIGHT YEARS above Carlos the cheater, who is himself an outstanding player.
“1:56 Any talk of minor league players unionizing? Many are paid under min wage when you factor in all the weight room and extra training they do.”
–
Any talk of a nationwide fans union?
We’re never in any discussions; asked to pay ever higher prices; through our tax dollars have to subsidize – if not totally pay for – the ballparks and offices of the MLB team in the area; as well as to maintain (to some degree) those facilities…..and of course, the franchises have to be granted tax relief as well.
The problem is small cities do not want to lose sports teams to other small cities so they cave and use taxpayer financing. But it is a monopoly so the government could condition it on not accepting taxpayer financing. I also believe a condition should be some free games on the internet, something that MLB usually does during the regular season with a free game of the day if it is out of your area. Finally, I am ok with minor leaguers starting a union, many of those players never reach the payoff and benefits of the majors.
On the point about the Angels not being able to accommodate Chapman if he doesn’t work out at SS, I think they are actually set up okay to accommodate that.
Chapman could move to 3rd, Rendon could head back to 2b where he spent time early in his tenure with the Nats, and Fletcher could slide to SS. Lots of moving parts and Rendon is coming off injury, but feasible.
That said I think Chapman could be a pretty decent SS.
You have a guy who bats well and plays 3B well in Rendon. You do not move Rendon off position to acquire a weaker bat in Chapman. Rendon at 3B, Fletcher at 2B, get a real shortstop. It is not like Chapman is already in your organization. No doubt Chapman plays good defense at 3B, but you paid a ton for Rendon, so you keep Rendon at 3B because he is good.
Everytime someone even mentions the White Sox as a fit for a good/great player, the change in tone of your response instantly becomes negative and dismissive.
I know it must be hard for you to set aside your personal biases towards certain teams, but that is your job, and you are ALL lousy at it.
Grosy ge likes domino’s. Barf emoji
Good point.
Which college did you do your graduate work at?
I didn’t didn’t go to college. I got a job right out of HS. Why?
Samuel:
Not everyone has a Ph.D. in snark.
I prefer Mellow Mushroom. Has anyone tried the Papa John’s triple bacon pizza? It looks good but I’ve never had it.
Also, regarding the Twilight Zone question, has anyone noticed that the ScyFy channel has been on a Twilight Zone marathon for days now? I’ve recorded a lot of them but haven’t had time to watch. My all time favorite Twilight Zone episode is “Uncle Simon.” The writing and verbal insults in that episode are unmatched by anything I have ever seen. I’ve never heard someone be so consistently insulting while never saying a curse word. Has anyone else seen “Uncle Simon?”
Also, am I the only one who thinks Mark misunderstood George’s Padres “bad contract” question? I don’t think George meant Tatis was a bad contract. I think what he meant was (if Tatis didn’t have a no trade clause) wouldn’t it be better for the Padres to trade Tatis for good prospects and attach someone like Hosmer to the deal as the bad contract. That way they could replace Tatis with Correa and help the farm system while also saving a ton of money by dumping the $80 million Hosmer is owed. Are Tatis and Hosmer together really worth more than Correa and prospects plus about $80 million in payroll space? I know the Padres can’t trade Tatis but I think he meant he was surprised teams don’t do that in general. Like the question suggesting the Nationals trade Soto along with the Strasburg contract “and a lot more” bad contracts (maybe Corbin?). I know the Nats and Padres would hate to lose players like Soto or Tatis but I think George was onto something. They could help out their farm system in the trade and free up way more than enough money to go out and sign someone like Correa. Correa + prospects + money does seem a lot better to me that Tatis and Hosmer or Soto, Strasburg and Corbin. I think George just meant he doesn’t see why deals like that don’t happen more often in general. Does anyone else think that Mark got it confused and he wasn’t saying Tatis himself was the bad contract but a bad contract could be added to him?
If the choice is pizza hut or domino’s… Years back when domino’s changed their crust and stuff (we’re talking something like 2005?), they actually got better… So I’d have agreed domino’s over pizza hut.
Papa johns beats all
For fast food pizza yes. Pizza Hut used to have like 6 or 7 different crust flavors. They have a Sriracha one that one was bomb. If you’re ever in Las Vegas look up Metro Pizza. Best pizza in Vegas.
Pizza my dear, joes, and Napolis are better pizza in Vegas. Metro pizza is good though
If you live near a big enough town, I’d recommend a local place over those two poor examples of “pizza”. The salt alone…
A highly recommended local place you mean? There are plenty of local places that make a garbage pizza.
Thought that said Grody this whole time. Haha
Aw, Theo is making a comeback to gm and wanted to sign chatwood to a 5 year deal.
Why would the Padres include Robert Hassell (perhaps their 2nd best prospect) in any trade… for prospects?
Gwynning:
I would respond but it is too much hassle.
Oh gosh
The chat keeps freezing. My question is why is Brian Cashman regarded as such a great baseball mind and executive when the Yankees have not been to a World Series since 2009. I don’t think George would have allowed this to continue. This guy has had more resources then anyone in the past decade and has achieved very little. I contend just about anyone could have replaced him with at least equal results if not substancially better. I dont get why he gets a free pass from critics especially this offseason when they have done absolutely nothing. Thank you.
There are a lot of factors when looking at the yankees. I agree with you to a point. The expectations are high as well as the ability to max out the payroll. I do question how good of a GM Cashman is however I would not say they have done nothing. They have come close to going to a world series. The fact that they can max out the payroll every year helps in the sense that they can usually put at least a decent team on the field. The average to good team also means that they are picking in the middle to the back of the draft and hinders their ability to obtain premier young talent. Their brand possibly could be the draw for signing superior international free agents. As I mentioned there are a of things to consider when evaluting the yankees. George did not have to consider the penalties for going over the CBA barriers and how that hinders the farm talent and depth.
About the A’s not paying higher salaries for some of their players in arbitration and keeping that team together as they “go for it”…..
Don’t agree. First off, they team is not one player a way from being a legitimate WS contender. The franchise had the 29th (out of 30) level of attendance in 2021 – even lower than the Jays that played in minor league parks in multiple cities. And that poor attendance has happened even when they’ve been winning for the last 20 or so years. It’s a slim chance that they’d recoup the expense. There’s no guarantee that those players will remain healthy in 2022-23. But mostly – once the players become eligible for FA the A’s would be fortunate to get a draft pick out of them when they leave…..and that’s only if they offer the player a QO – which they cannot afford if the player takes it. Right now they can get some decent prospects for them and the team can begin it’s next level of competition with a year or two. If they lose those guys in FA scans prospects, they’re looking at a 4 year rebuild at least.
The a more important point…..
What the A’s are doing is what Cleveland just did, what the Rays, Brewers and other franchises are doing to avoid a long rebuild. In short – don’t go “all in” unless you intend to redo the FO and restructure the entire organization once the contention is over (as happened with the Jays 2015-16).
There is no guarantee of winning by going for it. The risk / reward is not good. Alex Anthopoulos learned from his mistakes with the Jays, and has made measured moves since taking over the Braves that had come out of a rebuild. He (and the “cheap”) owners were criticized for not going all in – including trading young players to get a real 3B because Austin Riley was an obvious failure at age 22. Fact is that winning is on the players, not the FO. They’re the ones that are playing, and they’re the ones that get the credit (and the money).
–
Along those lines – I read the article on Dallas Keuchel’s contract situation yesterday. I’ve long felt that the White Sox rebuild was overhyped (though not as badly as the Phillies was a few years ago). The Kimbrell trade had me scratching my head. Why would, a team that spend so many years in a rebuild and was just starting to be competitive, trade away their young, controlled, best overall position player (when factoring in Baseball IQ) to get an expensive closer at the trading deadline when they already had very possibly the best closer in the AL and he was healthy?
In the article now I find that the team is at record spending levels already (comments say the owner is “cheap”), and the farm system is pretty much barren of top prospects. While they “went for it” and that’s supposed to show some sort of commitment to winning, they’ve now it a wall – no real money to spend on acquiring players, no surplus of players to trade or prospects to replace them. (Unlike the Braves the past few years) They’re out of asset capital totally. They’re also in a division with 3 teams that have come through degrees of rebuilds, and are currently sorting out the young players to determine which will be effective and which will wash out – all of whom have some veterans sprinkled in to provide leadership.
Most franchises today are trying to avoid dong down to the studs rebuilds. It’s hard to keep their fans on the line for 5-7 years (look at the complaints from many Pirate fans on here…because they’re an example of what happens when the last rebuild didn’t work.
Time expired on the proofreading changes.
Sorry.
And it got so long because the issue is not a small one that can be explained in a paragraph or two.
It didn’t get so long because the issue was not a small one – you tend to write long posts. Some with valid points, some that come off as snarky and condescending and some that are just words for the sake of words. It’s your m.o. which is fine but don’t act like the length of the post is due to the topic at hand. I’m tempted to post my recipe for biscuits but will refrain for the sake of civility..that and I don’t actually have a recipe for biscuits.
Are those limp biscuits?
depends on amount of wild turkey consumed lol
Love Samuels long posts. Some are biting and snarky for sure, in fact a lot of them are that way, but that’s part of what makes him a must read, along with his mostly correct opinions. Need more Yankee killers like him on the internet to combat the incessant Yankees fans moronic baseball drivel.
dang bro
i would agree
the longer the lockout goes on, the longer his posts get. Someone, please! Get this man a backup hobby, stat!
Red Lobster cheddar biscuits
Cubs and White Sox have a history of lopsided trades. If Madrigal is healthy add this to Sammy Sosa to the Cubs and Cease and Jimenez to the White Sox.
But if the lopsided trades even out then are they really lopsided?
A statistician will tell you that if you have one foot in boiling water and the other foot in ice, on the average you are comfortable. But you are not!
Happy New Year!
Cards are going to trade DeJong for Odorozzi and sign Scwarber and Joe Kelly. Calling it.
@ baseballpun
And the Cardinals are still going to finish second to MKE, who will add more offense, a veteran bullpen arm and with their ridiculous pitching be one of, if not the best, team in baseball. Cardinals should get a WC though, and with that best in baseball defense be a threat for a WC title.
MLBTR could make a fortune by charging certain posters by the word or for placement as the top post!
Happy New Year to all!
Domino’s pizza Mark!!??
Yuk!
It’s interesting that the same people that get all upset about the Astros cheating, will come on and ask why steroid users and a manager that placed bets on MLB games (at the time he was employed in said capacity) are not in the HOF.
At issue are not really the contradictions from the fans. The issue is the integrity of the sport – which in MLB’s case has been compromised numerous times in the past 30 years. Which can be laid squarely at the feet of the players union and players agents – mostly lawyers that haven’t invested a cent in the sport – that constantly fight any rule changes or enforcement of existing rules that might be detrimental to the amount of money they and the players they represent take out of the sport.
When inheriting the benefits of a structure people spent a lifetime building, it’s nice to give something back to assure future generations can enjoy the same opportunities, instead of just taking from it. In turn, they should pass it on.
As someone who exemplifies the first paragraph I see what you mean. As a dodger fan I still feel robbed of 2017 as I’m sure millions of other fans do but I will also gladly throw support to Astros players in the future on HOF cases including Altuve. At the same time as a Dodger fan I’m aware of the damage Bonds did to my team but honestly I don’t care. I think the BBWAA is doing a disservice to the fans if they keep roiders out of the hall. Sure out an asterisk but they reshaped baseballs trajectory after the strike and kept fans into the home run chases. Let both Correa, Jackson, and Clemens in, their actions are part of baseball history whether for good or for bad. They are indeed FAMEous.
Was disappointing that Mark misunderstood the Tatis question. Not that I would have really expected much of an answer but the question was interesting.
The idea was something like Padres trade Tatis and Hosmer to a team (lets say Mariner for example) and get like Kelenic, Kirby and Steckenrider (or insert a trade package in that general range) then they have money to go sign Correa and Conforto. They get a tiny bit worse but load up the farm and have pretty much the same contactual obligations after all that activity.
I’m sure the answer would have been something like, “can’t see that happening.” But it’s interesting to think about.
I’m guessing at Tatis’ trade value (assuming he didn’t have the no trade clause). Could be a couple big prospects or maybe in practice other GMs wouldn’t want to give up much for him and that contract. Not exactly sure there.
I think he understood that is why he corrected himself. Tatis is an injury risk but his upside is LIGHT YEARS above Carlos the cheater, who is himself an outstanding player.
“1:56 Any talk of minor league players unionizing? Many are paid under min wage when you factor in all the weight room and extra training they do.”
–
Any talk of a nationwide fans union?
We’re never in any discussions; asked to pay ever higher prices; through our tax dollars have to subsidize – if not totally pay for – the ballparks and offices of the MLB team in the area; as well as to maintain (to some degree) those facilities…..and of course, the franchises have to be granted tax relief as well.
Hmm this is a new one…
why unionize when you can just vote out the politicians okaying these taxpayer-funded stadiums? dont have to pay for that.
The problem is small cities do not want to lose sports teams to other small cities so they cave and use taxpayer financing. But it is a monopoly so the government could condition it on not accepting taxpayer financing. I also believe a condition should be some free games on the internet, something that MLB usually does during the regular season with a free game of the day if it is out of your area. Finally, I am ok with minor leaguers starting a union, many of those players never reach the payoff and benefits of the majors.
Mark, immediately who came to mind was Grich, so thank you for the update. Big thumbs up on especially Whitaker, but also McGriff.
On the point about the Angels not being able to accommodate Chapman if he doesn’t work out at SS, I think they are actually set up okay to accommodate that.
Chapman could move to 3rd, Rendon could head back to 2b where he spent time early in his tenure with the Nats, and Fletcher could slide to SS. Lots of moving parts and Rendon is coming off injury, but feasible.
That said I think Chapman could be a pretty decent SS.
You have a guy who bats well and plays 3B well in Rendon. You do not move Rendon off position to acquire a weaker bat in Chapman. Rendon at 3B, Fletcher at 2B, get a real shortstop. It is not like Chapman is already in your organization. No doubt Chapman plays good defense at 3B, but you paid a ton for Rendon, so you keep Rendon at 3B because he is good.
Everytime someone even mentions the White Sox as a fit for a good/great player, the change in tone of your response instantly becomes negative and dismissive.
I know it must be hard for you to set aside your personal biases towards certain teams, but that is your job, and you are ALL lousy at it.