I used to loathe the George Steinbenner Yankees for their willingness to open their wallets for star players. And, of course. World Series victories. It seems that I am morally flexible as I am not the least bit disgusted when my hometown Dodgers do the same. I shall be more introspected on this matter as one of my New Year's resolutions.
It seems hard to win in Colorado, but my first suggestion has always been to start with this: with that big outfield, and the humidor, they should start with having the best defensive outfield in the game.
There are other steps, of course, but that should be step one.
They have done the opposite of this. Over the last 10 years, they have had one year with a positive DRS in the OF, and have averaged -13.5 runs in the outfield each year.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve thought this for a while. They should adopt Whitey Ball. Those huge power alleys have the same effect as the AstroTurf and deep dimensions of 70s stadia.
I’d also have a pitching staff of guys who don’t walk anyone and get grounders. Keep free runners off the bases so the unavoidable XBHs don’t score 2-4 each time. And try to avoid balls hitting those outfield gaps. In an era with max velocity, could be a hidden market inefficiency there too.
With those grounders, also need good defense at 2B, 3B, and SS. Gimenez, Ha Song Kim, K’Andre Hayes types. (Relatively) cheap, great D, and bats that will find 40 2B and 20 HR power in Coors.
Actually you don't even have to go back to Whitey Ball. The 2014-15 Royals are a great example of a team that would have done very well playing their home games at Coors, at least defensively, especially the uber defense outfield of Gordon/Dyson/Cain they used late in games when they had the lead.
Yes to you and Khazad. The Rockies have moved past the idea, I think, that they can win with Dante Bichette playing LF with his heels on the warning track, but they still haven't fully embraced that the way for them to win in their park is by putting the best defense they can on the field. Extra base runners kill you at Coors. Pitchers who strike people out without relying on a breaking pitch are also better, but those are hard to find (Ubaldo Jimenez was a good example of someone who did that pretty well), so ground ball pitchers are a reasonable alternative.
Just a point about humidors - all MLB teams are required to use humidors now, a lot of folks are under the impression that it's just the Rockies - not true. MLB instituted league-wide use a couple of years ago.
You're right though, the Rockies should take a lesson from the 1980s Cardinals, who tailored their team to their park with great success.
While the humidor thing is true, it did make a difference when the Rockies first did it. The 5 years after they did it, there were 74.3% hit of the home runs hit at Coors than they had the 5 years before at Coors. Home runs were down slightly overall, but teams still hit 97.6% of the home runs overall. Coors played a lot differently.
It continues to have an effect today. The last 3 years (I stopped there becuase I didn't want to deal with Covid shortened seasons) Teams have overall 101.9% of the home runs they hit in the 5 years before the Rockies had the humidor. Compared to the 5 years before the humidor, home runs at Coors the last three years are still at 83.3% of the rate pre humidor.
Less home runs, more balls in play in the outfield. Probably a lot more now if you take the recent focus on launch angles into account. I don't have any numbers on that, but I know that part of the recent drop in batting average has to do with more balls hit in the air (Balls hit in the air that don't make it out have a much lower average than line drives or ground balls) .
"The last person with an .850 OPS who drove in [fewer than] 40 runs was Richie Ashburn in 1958."
Great line there. Honorable mentions to Rickey (42 RBI in 1999), and Ichiro (46 RBI in 2009). So these are the kinds of players that the Giants don't want? Maybe go for someone resembling Pedro Feliz (98 RBI, OPS .709 for the 2006 Giants)?
please, oh please, don't let the Blue Bums get Sasaki; they already stole Snell (yeah, i get it, he's a mercenary hired gun for SF last season just trying to get the offers up and probably had no intention of staying longer than 1 season)...
A couple of things; "Zac Gallen is just in his first year of arbitration," no, Gallen's a free agent after this season.
The Dodgers are "Stengel’s Yankees, they’re Sparky’s Reds, they’re Jeter’s Yankees" but they aren't Cox's Braves. They'll probably do that under the new postseason setup, but they aren't there yet.
When Black was with the Padres (2007-2015), their payroll was 23rd, 18th, 22nd, 25th, 24th, 23rd, 20th, 17th, and 28th, which means he got little help from ownership even after finishing second in 2009 when they were 22nd in payroll. No manager is going to win in Colorado until the owner stops acting like he knows something about baseball or running a successful franchise, something he's never done.
Reports on Sasaki say he's keen to sign somewhere known for their pitching development. Dodgers can certainly claim that. But would Sasaki also consider the fact that recently it seems that many of those uber-prospects are falling apart?
You can start with May, Gonsolin, and Buehler, who have all come up and had great success, then broke down. Then add to the list River Ryan and Emmet Sheehan, two of the more recent young pitchers who have missed a lot of time. Gavin Stone pitched most of last year before going down in September with shoulder problems.
Maybe this is something that might give Sasaki pause?
Or maybe this is just the way of the world, and you need to develop star pitchers in pairs because the only thing you can count on is one of them being hurt. It's also possible that Sasaki will see the stars in his eyes and not be able to help himself by signing with the Dodgers.
When joe described the potential Dodgers starting rotation it looked scary… and then I realized he forgot Ohtani… insane pitching for the dodgers. May not quite match 1990s Braves for peak, but might be the best ever in terms of quality depth
By the way, in a recent column, ESPN also listed the Dodgers rotation to show how formidable it is, and also forgot someone - Snell. The Dodgers simply have too many pitching stars for people to remember them all ;)
Interesting comment about the Dodgers underachieving. Got into it with a Yankees fan this morning on X as he mocked a Mets fan who got a coffee mug for Christmas that celebrated Alonso's Wild Card HR vs the Brewers. First off, imaging being on X like he was on Christmas day, and instead of bringing joy to the world and spreading good cheer, you decide to mock someone's gift. Second, his argument is that Mets fans are losers for celebrating a failed playoff run. Well guess what? As the Dodgers have shown, winning a WS even when you are the best team in baseball is hard. Really hard for the reasons Joe mentions. If you are only going to celebrate WS championships, you're going to have a miserable existence as a fan of any team.
Nobody is harder on the Dodgers than their own fans. I'm extremely proud of the playoff streak they're on because it's a nice reward for completing a successful season and it's really the only thing they can control before the randomness of the postseason begins. Every time I point out the playoff streak on social media I get a bunch of "IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING IF THEY CAN'T FINISH THE JOB" replies, as if the entire season we just enjoyed was a complete waste of time. When they won the World Series this year I couldn't tell if I was more happier as a fan that they won, or more relieved that I didn't have to hear another year of "BUT RINGZ." To think that a season where we saw the greatest player who's ever lived go 50/50 would've been a "waste of time" is just astounding, but that's the culture we live in I guess.
I think back on my own "personal" season. Saw a couple of ST games. Got to 30 during the regular season. Took my older son to London for the Phillies series, took my younger son to Chicago right before he left for his freshman year of college. Was able to go to every home playoff game, some with my wife, some with friends. Why wouldn't I celebrate the 2024 Mets' season and postseason? It brought me a ton of joy.
100%. That was a fun team and they should be celebrated. If the Dodgers hadn't eliminated them I definitely would have rooted for them in the World Series. Losing doesn't make the Lindor homer in Atlanta or the Alonso homer against Milwaukee mean any less. Are Red Sox fans supposed to forget the Fisk homer just because they didn't win Game 7? You find enjoyment when you can.
My advice to you is not to "get into it with a Yankees fan" any day of the year, let alone Christmas.
But, if one WERE to get into about this subject, my advice is to wish him a Merry 2009 Christmas . . . and drop the mic.
I think the message will be received. When he follows up with 1986 or whatever else, simply ignore him. Like children and trolls, if there's one thing Yankee fans hate, it's being ignored like the immaterial nonentities they are.
Ugh...did Joe read my "Why does the AL East always go first in these types of columns?" comment and decide to switch it up for the NL? I guess I should've been more specific and ask why the NL East always seems to go 4th, after the 3 AL divisions 🤣
1) if you’re Sasaki do you want to be the #5 starter and in the shadow of Ohtani and Yamamoto? I sure wouldn’t.
2) Ok the Dodgers were a better team than the Yankees, but if the Yankees caught the damn ball in 1&5, they’re up 3-2 heading into game 6.
3) my gut says Buster Posey will be a disaster. Wily Adames is a nice player, but $182m for a 3.1 bWAR feels desperate, still no one in that lineup who scares anybody.
1. Sasaki is already signing up for a MASSIVE pay cut, especially in comparison to those two. Safe to say his agenda, whatever it may be, ain't typical of an international FA.
2. My, oh my, the tears of Yankee fans are sweeter than ambrosia dripping from the teet of Venus, herself.
3. As my Dad used to tell me, "if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle." I guess we can say "if Aaron Judge caught the ball, he'd be a Dodger"?
1) I think it depends on culture and opportunity. Does Sasaki want a seemingly comfortable clubhouse with familiar faces and less pressure? Or does he want the challenge of being THE guy? If it's the former, the Dodgers make all the sense in the world. If it's the latter, he would be better served going to a place where he's the Top Dog. His choice will say a lot about him.
2) The Yankees had opportunities to win but they didn't execute. The Dodgers did. That's what separates teams. The Dodgers were the better team, the more well-rounded team, and the deeper team. You can make mistakes against some teams and still win. But the Dodgers, unfortunately for the Yankees, were not one of those teams. They made you pay for your mistakes. With that being said, I actually think the Yankees might be a better team this year or especially in 2026 when their youngsters really get their legs under them. If Jasson becomes what the Yankees think he can become...watch out.
3) I thought Adames was an overpay, too, and I'm totally underwhelmed by their lineup. It seems like they have a lot of good players being featured as great players. Chapman and Adames make for a nice left side of the infield but they're more supporting cast rather than leading stars. If they go out and get Burnes or even Alonso (he can play DH as Eldridge plays 1B) then MAYBE the Giants are a little scarier. But for now, they're fighting for third or fourth place behind the DBacks and maybe the Padres.
If you are Sasaki and come from a culture of team work and excellence and attention to detail, why wouldn't you go to the Dodgers?
Playing with a couple of pitchers who speak your language and have equal commitment to winning and honing their craft while reducing the culture shock of a new country seems to be an ideal fit.
Yeah I hope I'm wrong too. I just don't think being top dog or the #1 guy is the motivation.
I think most players want to win and win the World Series.
The biggest goal always seems to be winning and contributing to a championship.
They do want to be the best they can be, but it seems the regret at the end of a career is missing out on a WS ring not an individual accolade unless it's WS MVP.
I think the plan of teams like the Rockies (and I’ve thought the same of the Red Sox in recent years as well, as another example) is to draw enough fans to sell enough beer to make a pile of money. I’m really coming around to the theory that if Joe (or anyone else) can’t figure out a plan for what a team is trying to do, it’s because they don’t have a BASEBALL plan; they have a P&L (profit and loss) plan. Without regard to playing competitive baseball, let’s sell a decent amount of tickets to the “baseball experience,” let’s add craft beer and nifty high priced cocktails at the omnipresent full bars in the stadiums and just make some money. And we can keep Bud Black because it’s cheaper than firing him and no one cares. I think the Pirates and Reds have been doing this (while dabbling in actual baseball moves) and other teams have done the same.
I was concerned that the Red Sox were going to do the same this year but they’ve surprised me a bit by actually adding some guys who might help us win some games! (Although I will say that the press releases on our pitcher signings the past few years write themselves: “The Red Sox have signed pitcher Montgomery Burns to a two-year contract, the team announced. Burns, who missed all of the 2024 season following Tommy John surgery…”. Every pitcher we’ve signed either hasn’t pitched for a year because of TJ or will miss all or part of the coming season due to TJ.)
Pirates...Reds...Rockies. Hmm. That's actually a great comparison. All 3 teams have (or had) very good farm systems in the past 5-10 years and have little to show for it. All 3 have failed to complement their young stars with solid supporting casts. The Reds and Rockies have made some strange FA signings the past few years (Candelario for the Reds, Bryant for the Rox) and have great youngish players (Elly, McLain, Greene + Tovar, Doyle, McMahon) but where are either of these teams really going??? The Pirates are a team to watch: will they finally add enough offense to give Skenes and Jones and Keller a fighting chance to win? Will Ke'Bryan ever turn into the player everyone thought he would be? Will Reynolds age well? Will the Pirates EVER spend money to get a good FA? They're another team that could use Alonso to add thump to their lineup. Or will all 3 teams waste these years by not complementing their young players? Give the Reds credit for at least TRYING to figure things out.
the French are the one thing that everybody despises ---btw, i live in Germany, have been to France several times (almost got robbed by Gypsies and raped by a Frenchman on one execrable trip), and the island where i lived in Thailand was the setting for a French Survivor-type 'reality' show, so we'd get throngs of arrogant French tourists, who travel the world and ONLY speak French...
You realize we Rockies fans set the (still-standing) record for the highest attendance in a year, right? So I'd say there are a few more of us out there besides just me =) But you go on being unoriginal. It suits you perfectly. Cheers.
I was there at Mile High as a season ticket holder when the Rockies set
the all-time highest attendance record that will surely never be broken. But those first two teams not only had the novelty of being Denver's first MLB
experience, but also they were fun and the games they did win were so magical; I recall them sweeping a four-game series from the Dodgers in LA in '93. These recent Rockies' teams have been anything but fun. And Black's long, unsuccessful tenure has long baffled me, too.
I agree that it's definitely frustrating. We had Chuck Nazty, Nolan, and Trevor all in their primes and we got only 2 WC appearances to show for it. But there's always hope for a great run. 1993-1995 were all so much fun and of course 2007 was a blast. I wish ownership was better and would stop meddling with the team. If they ever hired a good baseball person and then left them alone, we might get somewhere. But we'll see. We never know when the Mile High Magic will hit us again.
Let’s not forget this exchange started off with a good natured ribbing via a Home Alone quote and wasn’t aimed at the fanbase, it was aimed at the team.
Baseball will continue its sadness until the object of the game (winning) is restored by those who truly understand how to win it (scoring more runs). Hitters striking out because they're trying to set a StatCast exit velocity record aren't helping anyone.
The Analytics Revolution HAS increased run-scoring (or run prevention on the other side of the ledger) and therefore winning. The problem is the piss-poor entertainment product it's created.
So agree about the sadness and suspect you & I also see eye-to-eye on the cure. But can't go with you in saying the incidental effects haven't been exactly as intended.
Disagree with both of you. Winning can never be increased in baseball, the league winning percentage will always be .500. Not really sure what you two are talking about re: “winning.”
thanks for an early morning belly laugh w/your slight turn on Will's phrase (am only on in early morn German time due to wifi issues in our buiding, only just seeing this response now at 7 a.m. our time)
I used to loathe the George Steinbenner Yankees for their willingness to open their wallets for star players. And, of course. World Series victories. It seems that I am morally flexible as I am not the least bit disgusted when my hometown Dodgers do the same. I shall be more introspected on this matter as one of my New Year's resolutions.
It seems hard to win in Colorado, but my first suggestion has always been to start with this: with that big outfield, and the humidor, they should start with having the best defensive outfield in the game.
There are other steps, of course, but that should be step one.
They have done the opposite of this. Over the last 10 years, they have had one year with a positive DRS in the OF, and have averaged -13.5 runs in the outfield each year.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve thought this for a while. They should adopt Whitey Ball. Those huge power alleys have the same effect as the AstroTurf and deep dimensions of 70s stadia.
I’d also have a pitching staff of guys who don’t walk anyone and get grounders. Keep free runners off the bases so the unavoidable XBHs don’t score 2-4 each time. And try to avoid balls hitting those outfield gaps. In an era with max velocity, could be a hidden market inefficiency there too.
With those grounders, also need good defense at 2B, 3B, and SS. Gimenez, Ha Song Kim, K’Andre Hayes types. (Relatively) cheap, great D, and bats that will find 40 2B and 20 HR power in Coors.
The places to find your power are 1B, DH, and C.
Actually you don't even have to go back to Whitey Ball. The 2014-15 Royals are a great example of a team that would have done very well playing their home games at Coors, at least defensively, especially the uber defense outfield of Gordon/Dyson/Cain they used late in games when they had the lead.
That’s a great point. I’m a Met fan, so I think I’ve blocked out all memories of the ‘15 Royals.
Yes to you and Khazad. The Rockies have moved past the idea, I think, that they can win with Dante Bichette playing LF with his heels on the warning track, but they still haven't fully embraced that the way for them to win in their park is by putting the best defense they can on the field. Extra base runners kill you at Coors. Pitchers who strike people out without relying on a breaking pitch are also better, but those are hard to find (Ubaldo Jimenez was a good example of someone who did that pretty well), so ground ball pitchers are a reasonable alternative.
Just a point about humidors - all MLB teams are required to use humidors now, a lot of folks are under the impression that it's just the Rockies - not true. MLB instituted league-wide use a couple of years ago.
You're right though, the Rockies should take a lesson from the 1980s Cardinals, who tailored their team to their park with great success.
While the humidor thing is true, it did make a difference when the Rockies first did it. The 5 years after they did it, there were 74.3% hit of the home runs hit at Coors than they had the 5 years before at Coors. Home runs were down slightly overall, but teams still hit 97.6% of the home runs overall. Coors played a lot differently.
It continues to have an effect today. The last 3 years (I stopped there becuase I didn't want to deal with Covid shortened seasons) Teams have overall 101.9% of the home runs they hit in the 5 years before the Rockies had the humidor. Compared to the 5 years before the humidor, home runs at Coors the last three years are still at 83.3% of the rate pre humidor.
Less home runs, more balls in play in the outfield. Probably a lot more now if you take the recent focus on launch angles into account. I don't have any numbers on that, but I know that part of the recent drop in batting average has to do with more balls hit in the air (Balls hit in the air that don't make it out have a much lower average than line drives or ground balls) .
"The last person with an .850 OPS who drove in [fewer than] 40 runs was Richie Ashburn in 1958."
Great line there. Honorable mentions to Rickey (42 RBI in 1999), and Ichiro (46 RBI in 2009). So these are the kinds of players that the Giants don't want? Maybe go for someone resembling Pedro Feliz (98 RBI, OPS .709 for the 2006 Giants)?
please, oh please, don't let the Blue Bums get Sasaki; they already stole Snell (yeah, i get it, he's a mercenary hired gun for SF last season just trying to get the offers up and probably had no intention of staying longer than 1 season)...
The Rockies should get rid of the humidor, move home plate forward like 10 to 15 feet and just let things go nuts.
A couple of things; "Zac Gallen is just in his first year of arbitration," no, Gallen's a free agent after this season.
The Dodgers are "Stengel’s Yankees, they’re Sparky’s Reds, they’re Jeter’s Yankees" but they aren't Cox's Braves. They'll probably do that under the new postseason setup, but they aren't there yet.
When Black was with the Padres (2007-2015), their payroll was 23rd, 18th, 22nd, 25th, 24th, 23rd, 20th, 17th, and 28th, which means he got little help from ownership even after finishing second in 2009 when they were 22nd in payroll. No manager is going to win in Colorado until the owner stops acting like he knows something about baseball or running a successful franchise, something he's never done.
Reports on Sasaki say he's keen to sign somewhere known for their pitching development. Dodgers can certainly claim that. But would Sasaki also consider the fact that recently it seems that many of those uber-prospects are falling apart?
You can start with May, Gonsolin, and Buehler, who have all come up and had great success, then broke down. Then add to the list River Ryan and Emmet Sheehan, two of the more recent young pitchers who have missed a lot of time. Gavin Stone pitched most of last year before going down in September with shoulder problems.
Maybe this is something that might give Sasaki pause?
Or maybe this is just the way of the world, and you need to develop star pitchers in pairs because the only thing you can count on is one of them being hurt. It's also possible that Sasaki will see the stars in his eyes and not be able to help himself by signing with the Dodgers.
When joe described the potential Dodgers starting rotation it looked scary… and then I realized he forgot Ohtani… insane pitching for the dodgers. May not quite match 1990s Braves for peak, but might be the best ever in terms of quality depth
Yeah, I was coming on to post a similar comment. Dodgers rotation is better than what he shared. Yeeesh.
Good call. Not like Joe to overlook Ohtani!
By the way, in a recent column, ESPN also listed the Dodgers rotation to show how formidable it is, and also forgot someone - Snell. The Dodgers simply have too many pitching stars for people to remember them all ;)
"the[ Diamondbacks] have no excuses"
Hate to be "That Guy," and I certainly have no dog in this fight, but isn't the excuse the same as it's (almost) always been?
They're the Diamondbacks
Hey, I'm 64 and the Diamondbacks are the only team I was actively rooting for to EVER win a championship.
Interesting comment about the Dodgers underachieving. Got into it with a Yankees fan this morning on X as he mocked a Mets fan who got a coffee mug for Christmas that celebrated Alonso's Wild Card HR vs the Brewers. First off, imaging being on X like he was on Christmas day, and instead of bringing joy to the world and spreading good cheer, you decide to mock someone's gift. Second, his argument is that Mets fans are losers for celebrating a failed playoff run. Well guess what? As the Dodgers have shown, winning a WS even when you are the best team in baseball is hard. Really hard for the reasons Joe mentions. If you are only going to celebrate WS championships, you're going to have a miserable existence as a fan of any team.
Nobody is harder on the Dodgers than their own fans. I'm extremely proud of the playoff streak they're on because it's a nice reward for completing a successful season and it's really the only thing they can control before the randomness of the postseason begins. Every time I point out the playoff streak on social media I get a bunch of "IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING IF THEY CAN'T FINISH THE JOB" replies, as if the entire season we just enjoyed was a complete waste of time. When they won the World Series this year I couldn't tell if I was more happier as a fan that they won, or more relieved that I didn't have to hear another year of "BUT RINGZ." To think that a season where we saw the greatest player who's ever lived go 50/50 would've been a "waste of time" is just astounding, but that's the culture we live in I guess.
I think back on my own "personal" season. Saw a couple of ST games. Got to 30 during the regular season. Took my older son to London for the Phillies series, took my younger son to Chicago right before he left for his freshman year of college. Was able to go to every home playoff game, some with my wife, some with friends. Why wouldn't I celebrate the 2024 Mets' season and postseason? It brought me a ton of joy.
Exactly. I feel that way and think about it often.
Any Met fan who feels otherwise . . . doesn’t make sense to me.
100%. That was a fun team and they should be celebrated. If the Dodgers hadn't eliminated them I definitely would have rooted for them in the World Series. Losing doesn't make the Lindor homer in Atlanta or the Alonso homer against Milwaukee mean any less. Are Red Sox fans supposed to forget the Fisk homer just because they didn't win Game 7? You find enjoyment when you can.
Heck, there's probably a segment of the population that thinks Boston won the '75 WS because of that HR!
Yep. We need to remember that the journey (of a season) should be enjoyed as much as the destination.
My advice to you is not to "get into it with a Yankees fan" any day of the year, let alone Christmas.
But, if one WERE to get into about this subject, my advice is to wish him a Merry 2009 Christmas . . . and drop the mic.
I think the message will be received. When he follows up with 1986 or whatever else, simply ignore him. Like children and trolls, if there's one thing Yankee fans hate, it's being ignored like the immaterial nonentities they are.
one million bonus points for your comment!!!
Ugh...did Joe read my "Why does the AL East always go first in these types of columns?" comment and decide to switch it up for the NL? I guess I should've been more specific and ask why the NL East always seems to go 4th, after the 3 AL divisions 🤣
Was thinking the same thing.
I guess the consolation "prize" for winning the Soto Sweepstakes is going to the back of the line for other things.
I'll take the trade.
1) if you’re Sasaki do you want to be the #5 starter and in the shadow of Ohtani and Yamamoto? I sure wouldn’t.
2) Ok the Dodgers were a better team than the Yankees, but if the Yankees caught the damn ball in 1&5, they’re up 3-2 heading into game 6.
3) my gut says Buster Posey will be a disaster. Wily Adames is a nice player, but $182m for a 3.1 bWAR feels desperate, still no one in that lineup who scares anybody.
1. Sasaki is already signing up for a MASSIVE pay cut, especially in comparison to those two. Safe to say his agenda, whatever it may be, ain't typical of an international FA.
2. My, oh my, the tears of Yankee fans are sweeter than ambrosia dripping from the teet of Venus, herself.
3. As my Dad used to tell me, "if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle." I guess we can say "if Aaron Judge caught the ball, he'd be a Dodger"?
1) I think it depends on culture and opportunity. Does Sasaki want a seemingly comfortable clubhouse with familiar faces and less pressure? Or does he want the challenge of being THE guy? If it's the former, the Dodgers make all the sense in the world. If it's the latter, he would be better served going to a place where he's the Top Dog. His choice will say a lot about him.
2) The Yankees had opportunities to win but they didn't execute. The Dodgers did. That's what separates teams. The Dodgers were the better team, the more well-rounded team, and the deeper team. You can make mistakes against some teams and still win. But the Dodgers, unfortunately for the Yankees, were not one of those teams. They made you pay for your mistakes. With that being said, I actually think the Yankees might be a better team this year or especially in 2026 when their youngsters really get their legs under them. If Jasson becomes what the Yankees think he can become...watch out.
3) I thought Adames was an overpay, too, and I'm totally underwhelmed by their lineup. It seems like they have a lot of good players being featured as great players. Chapman and Adames make for a nice left side of the infield but they're more supporting cast rather than leading stars. If they go out and get Burnes or even Alonso (he can play DH as Eldridge plays 1B) then MAYBE the Giants are a little scarier. But for now, they're fighting for third or fourth place behind the DBacks and maybe the Padres.
i think you're wrong about the Giants (go figure lol)
No, I am sure he doesn't. What Sasaki wants to be is the #1 starter and have Shota and Suziki as teammates.
If you are Sasaki and come from a culture of team work and excellence and attention to detail, why wouldn't you go to the Dodgers?
Playing with a couple of pitchers who speak your language and have equal commitment to winning and honing their craft while reducing the culture shock of a new country seems to be an ideal fit.
i hope you are completely wrong, although i fear you may be right... but then again, the Cubbies have 2 Japanese stars as well...
Yeah I hope I'm wrong too. I just don't think being top dog or the #1 guy is the motivation.
I think most players want to win and win the World Series.
The biggest goal always seems to be winning and contributing to a championship.
They do want to be the best they can be, but it seems the regret at the end of a career is missing out on a WS ring not an individual accolade unless it's WS MVP.
I think the plan of teams like the Rockies (and I’ve thought the same of the Red Sox in recent years as well, as another example) is to draw enough fans to sell enough beer to make a pile of money. I’m really coming around to the theory that if Joe (or anyone else) can’t figure out a plan for what a team is trying to do, it’s because they don’t have a BASEBALL plan; they have a P&L (profit and loss) plan. Without regard to playing competitive baseball, let’s sell a decent amount of tickets to the “baseball experience,” let’s add craft beer and nifty high priced cocktails at the omnipresent full bars in the stadiums and just make some money. And we can keep Bud Black because it’s cheaper than firing him and no one cares. I think the Pirates and Reds have been doing this (while dabbling in actual baseball moves) and other teams have done the same.
I was concerned that the Red Sox were going to do the same this year but they’ve surprised me a bit by actually adding some guys who might help us win some games! (Although I will say that the press releases on our pitcher signings the past few years write themselves: “The Red Sox have signed pitcher Montgomery Burns to a two-year contract, the team announced. Burns, who missed all of the 2024 season following Tommy John surgery…”. Every pitcher we’ve signed either hasn’t pitched for a year because of TJ or will miss all or part of the coming season due to TJ.)
If only your namesake - who owns two teams I root for - felt the same as you.
Pirates...Reds...Rockies. Hmm. That's actually a great comparison. All 3 teams have (or had) very good farm systems in the past 5-10 years and have little to show for it. All 3 have failed to complement their young stars with solid supporting casts. The Reds and Rockies have made some strange FA signings the past few years (Candelario for the Reds, Bryant for the Rox) and have great youngish players (Elly, McLain, Greene + Tovar, Doyle, McMahon) but where are either of these teams really going??? The Pirates are a team to watch: will they finally add enough offense to give Skenes and Jones and Keller a fighting chance to win? Will Ke'Bryan ever turn into the player everyone thought he would be? Will Reynolds age well? Will the Pirates EVER spend money to get a good FA? They're another team that could use Alonso to add thump to their lineup. Or will all 3 teams waste these years by not complementing their young players? Give the Reds credit for at least TRYING to figure things out.
The Rockies are what the French call “Les incompetents.”
Ah, a timely Home Alone quote. Lovely! However, nobody cares what the French think, lol.
the French are the one thing that everybody despises ---btw, i live in Germany, have been to France several times (almost got robbed by Gypsies and raped by a Frenchman on one execrable trip), and the island where i lived in Thailand was the setting for a French Survivor-type 'reality' show, so we'd get throngs of arrogant French tourists, who travel the world and ONLY speak French...
Found the one Rockies fan!
You realize we Rockies fans set the (still-standing) record for the highest attendance in a year, right? So I'd say there are a few more of us out there besides just me =) But you go on being unoriginal. It suits you perfectly. Cheers.
I was there at Mile High as a season ticket holder when the Rockies set
the all-time highest attendance record that will surely never be broken. But those first two teams not only had the novelty of being Denver's first MLB
experience, but also they were fun and the games they did win were so magical; I recall them sweeping a four-game series from the Dodgers in LA in '93. These recent Rockies' teams have been anything but fun. And Black's long, unsuccessful tenure has long baffled me, too.
I agree that it's definitely frustrating. We had Chuck Nazty, Nolan, and Trevor all in their primes and we got only 2 WC appearances to show for it. But there's always hope for a great run. 1993-1995 were all so much fun and of course 2007 was a blast. I wish ownership was better and would stop meddling with the team. If they ever hired a good baseball person and then left them alone, we might get somewhere. But we'll see. We never know when the Mile High Magic will hit us again.
You forgot DJ, too, who was allowed to walk in an incredibly lame-brain decision so they could sign an over-the-hill and overweight Murphy. As long
as Monfort remains in charge, this franchise will remain, as always, insular with no new or differing
voices and opinions ever to be heard. You're a helluva lot more optimistic than I if you're expecting change any time soon.
The skin of Rockies fans is apparently as thin as the air.
As is your pale attempt at wit.
You attract more bees with honey than with vinegar, amigo. Maybe try not insulting an entire fanbase next time?
Well I wasn’t trying to attract bees.
Let’s not forget this exchange started off with a good natured ribbing via a Home Alone quote and wasn’t aimed at the fanbase, it was aimed at the team.
It wasn’t malicious. Ease up.
Baseball will continue its sadness until the object of the game (winning) is restored by those who truly understand how to win it (scoring more runs). Hitters striking out because they're trying to set a StatCast exit velocity record aren't helping anyone.
Politely disagree.
The Analytics Revolution HAS increased run-scoring (or run prevention on the other side of the ledger) and therefore winning. The problem is the piss-poor entertainment product it's created.
So agree about the sadness and suspect you & I also see eye-to-eye on the cure. But can't go with you in saying the incidental effects haven't been exactly as intended.
Disagree with both of you. Winning can never be increased in baseball, the league winning percentage will always be .500. Not really sure what you two are talking about re: “winning.”
I’ll let Hamlet answer on my behalf:
“How absolute the knave is! We must speak by the card, or equivocation will undo us.”
ooh, a Bard reference... methinks you win today's comments
Aw , shucks. The lady doth compliment too much.
thanks for an early morning belly laugh w/your slight turn on Will's phrase (am only on in early morn German time due to wifi issues in our buiding, only just seeing this response now at 7 a.m. our time)
Re: Bud Black. Ned Yost on line one.