Click here to view the transcript of today’s chat with MLBTR’s Anthony Franco.
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Agree with Stubby on 3B for the Crew. Gotta try something there, although I’m surprised he didn’t suggest some AA prospect! Lol. Seen enough of Urias to know he’s not the answer there, although Counsell will be happy to just roll with Jace Peterson
I’m predicting the Cards have no interest in Christian Vazquez.
I predict they will make a competitive offer to Contreras.
I don’t see it. He’s really not a fit. They won the division this year while getting next to nothing offensively from the catcher spot. I’m sure that’s an area they would like to improve in order to offset inevitable regression from Goldy and Arenado, but not at that cost. They still like Herrera and they will always prefer defense at the position.
Remember hearing how if the National League adds the DH, that takes away all the strategy of a baseball game? The starters will just go their 7 or 8 innings and then the setup men and closer finish it off.
BobGibsonFan;
I felt that way for years about bringing the DH to MLB, as did many MLB and especially NL fans.
What changed was the strategy. Having every game managed like the 7th game of the WS became standard for most teams maybe 5 years ago. Which is why when the DH came in for the NL it didn’t bother me or most people that were opposed to it.
I will say that the aggressive strategies used today take away a lot from the game. They are A reason for the number of injuries – particularly TJ surgeries, as well as casual fans not knowing who’s on their team from game to game….nor caring anymore.
Today ML teams use most, if not all of their 13 man position player roster in a game (it’s essential that teams have a couple of players that can play multiple positions), and it’s almost odd to see a team use less than 4 pitchers in a regulation 9 inning game and more often than not will use up to 7 pitchers – or a bit over half of their 13 man pitching roster.
The game is not the same. Don’t believe it’s for the best. Players with limited skills make ML rosters and their organizations don’t care if they gain more skills (as in the past) – they just bring players on and off the ML roster 2-plus times a week during the season in preparation for the teams they’ll be playing in their next series.
As you know, Bob Gibson finished most of his games and (until the later part of his career when he aged) was angry when he wasn’t allowed to.
There’s no more Bob Gibsons!
One of the things I don’t like about the DH is how it takes the manager off the hook for removing a pitcher when it looks like he might, or might not be, starting to leak oil. With the DH, managers just go the conservative route and take the guy out if there’s any question about him losing his stuff.
Before, quite often the pitcher’s spot in the order was due up in the next half inning. Without the DH the manager had to decide whether to gamble or not, on the pitcher getting through the inning. If the pitcher got out of the inning he could pinch hit in that spot. Or, if he takes the pitcher out, he either bats that reliever, or loses that pinch hit opportunity.
It was interesting to me, because I always knew from the result whether the manager made the right decision or not. Now with the quick hook, it’s not so apparent.
The DH also reduced the small ball game. Since pitcher’s weren’t good hitters in general, sometimes their best use was with the bunt. Now, everyone just swings for the fences.
The result doesn’t necessarily mean a decision was right or wrong. Luck – good and bad – is a notable factor in many outcomes.