squally1313

Yeah I just looked at the BR MVP page for that year (http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1998.shtml#NLmvp). Some good names in there, and shows how different the voting was done then. I think what's really funny is how good the "replacement player" was back then (if I understand WAR correctly). McGwire hits 70 home runs and puts up a 1.222 OPS, and it's only good for a 7.2 WAR. Bautista's got a 1.102 OPS currently, and he's already at 6.8.

So you don't think any team would want him to be their closer if he continues his current production through next season?

He's making $3.1 million next year, in the second year of a two year contract that avoided arbitration. If he does the same thing he's been doing for the next year and a half, and then goes on the open market, you don't think there will be a single team out there who would think that he might be an upgrade over their current closer? Thornton just got 2 years/$12 million for 2012-2013. Isn't that as close of a comp as you can get?

The fact that Marshall is a non-closer reliever will diminish any return, as well as the money he'll get. I don't see him getting "a lot" more expensive, nor do I see a compelling reason to deal him. I think he's regarded very highly around the league, and a lot of playoff teams would think he would help a lot in October as a lefty specialist (even though he's more than that). In terms of salary, I can't really see him getting less than $5 or $6 million. If one of Gaub, Beliveau, etc from that list posted earlier can give you 75% of Marshall's production at 10% of the cost, isn't that preferrable?

I love Marshall as much as the next guy, but he's a reliever, and he's about to get a lot more expensive. The best way to handle the bullpen is to keep a group of young, team-controlled guys in the upper minor leagues, and plug the best 6 or 7 in for the year. Maybe pay one guy bigger money that can be your closer/high leverage guy, but we already have that in Marmol. As already mentioned, we have a bunch of lefties that are ready/near ready. They probably won't be as good as Marshall, but the money saved and the return we could get for Marshall more than make up for it. I'm assuming this won't end up being the final trade (if there is one), but if the Sox land Rasmus for Thornton and a midlevel prospect or something, I'm going to be furious. Not that I think the Cardinals would ever trade Rasmus to us, but the idea of Rasmus and Jackson (and Kemp?) in the outfield for the next 10 years makes me happy in the pants area.

I would definitely think he is in line for a September call up and if he has a good fall/spring I think he could be in line to win a utility role with the team for next season. Especially if he can handle 2B/SS/OF adequately and one or more of Baker/Dewitt/Johnson do not return. I think, sooner rather than later, we need to figure out the 2B/3B situation with our prospects, because we've got too many guys for those positions, and a lot of them are going to start losing their trade value quickly. Obviously shortstop is not going to be an issue for a while, and I think we all agree that we're hoping to get an elite first baseman. However, with Gonzalez's emergence (if it's for real), we now have him, Vitters, Watkins, Flaherty, Lemahieu, even Barney to an extent fighting for 2 spots. (I suppose Vitters can still be in the 1st base discussion, but he'd need to significantly improve his offense to be valuable there). That's 5 or 6 guys, and I just realized I left Lake out as well. None of these guys are really "young" anymore, and it seems redundant to have so many. Yes, it's nice to be able to fill out the utility positions in house, but I think the ceiling for all of these players is a starter at one of those positions. I'd start calling around, seeing what the value is for these players, and maybe unload a couple of them for pitching prospects, or package them with a Soriano/Fukudome/Dempster to help with salary relief.

Anyone know of any streams (outside of espn3) for those of us horribly unfortunate enough to be stuck at work?

Any timetable on Guzman? He seems to be handling himself pretty well now. Obviously he had to start over, and there's no rush to get him up to the majors, but it'd be nice if we could see enough of him to know we can count on him next year.

Should we be excited about Struck? His numbers seem decently above average, but nothing special. He'll be 21 the entire year, so putting up good numbers in AA would be pretty impressive, but he was also a 39th round pick. Is he another one of those guys who's ceiling is a 3rd-4th starter? Or is there hope he could be more than that?

Not that anyone really gives a crap about Alberto Cabrera's stats (seriously, that pitching staff is awful), but I'm thinking there's a typo in his innings pitched for Iowa. Either that, or the catcher sucks at catching third strikes and he leaves a bunch of stranded runners.

I know Jackson has been bad.....but I don't think he's been THAT bad....

At least there's that.

Bryce Harper showing early shades of Lebron, both in talent and in being a huge dick... http://deadspin.com/5809414/bryce-harper-does-another-jerkass-bryce-harper-thing

I love when Lebron does the thing where he doesn't look directly at the person, but it's so clear he's just talking [expletive] for 20 seconds.

Need both.

It has to be Bosh. Of course it does. Kill me.

Noah looks completely gassed. We need to go after Bosh and his 5 fouls.

I'd give my next paycheck to hear a recording of what went on in that last huddle before Rose did that.

FIX

This is going to come down to a Thib's 5 second play, either for the tie or for the win.

You really think so? I know the free throw differential is bad, but outside of that last charge on Noah, I don't it's been all that bad. They just go into the lane much more than we do. It's a whole different discussion about why the NBA would be pushing for the team that 90% of the country wants to lose. I think it's little things and not so much a completely out of whack FT discrepancy. It's more than Crawford and Salvatore are pretty easily swayed by a home crowd. Yeah I guess I can understand the home crowd factor. But other than that, I don't think it's surprising that they get more free throws than us. Maybe not this many, but their personnel is going to lead to it. I thought the flagrant was absurd, I think they consistently blow continuation calls, loose ball fouls, etc. I don't think it's a fix, a la SAC/LA, but these guys suck at their jobs. I think it's more an overall problem with how the rules are interpreted, especially the continuation call, like you said. LBJ's last and-1, any of Wade's fadeaways, even Rose's first dunk....none of those should really be continuation. But yeah...it's really tough for me to buy into the fixed thing.

You really think so? I know the free throw differential is bad, but outside of that last charge on Noah, I don't it's been all that bad. They just go into the lane much more than we do. It's a whole different discussion about why the NBA would be pushing for the team that 90% of the country wants to lose. I think it's little things and not so much a completely out of whack FT discrepancy. It's more than Crawford and Salvatore are pretty easily swayed by a home crowd. Yeah I guess I can understand the home crowd factor. But other than that, I don't think it's surprising that they get more free throws than us. Maybe not this many, but their personnel is going to lead to it.

You really think so? I know the free throw differential is bad, but outside of that last charge on Noah, I don't it's been all that bad. They just go into the lane much more than we do. It's a whole different discussion about why the NBA would be pushing for the team that 90% of the country wants to lose.

Commentators got it right. No need for what he did with his left arm.

Korver's got LBJ on his back at his feet and gives the ball up to Noah, then the next possession he shoots a fadeaway 2-pointer over Lebron. I'm fine with him not playing. Watson can go 1-5, and maybe cut to the rim every now and then too.