NBA OFF TOPIC THREAD

[fightinfunbags]

As the youngest team in baseball, and as a team that most predicted for 4th or 5th place, one of the lowest payrolls in baseball - and going through what basically amounted to a rebuild on the fly, its pretty impressive they have even made the postseason.

I doubt they go far- they really do not have much experience.

However, they have a chance- as @bksballer89 said- the baseball playoffs are unpredictable and the Guardians do have Bieber, McKenzie and a great bullpen. That should give them a punchers chance.

the best part of the Guardians is this is basically just the first year of the rebuild and they will either knock on the door or get to 90 wins and have identified some core pieces.

Is it though? There’s only one team in the division over .500

 

[dtgold88]

@dtgold88

you guys see that Herbert and Mac Jones are banged up?

I was not giving the Browns a ton of hope in those games but it seems like with those injuries they may have a little more hope now. Also- Brisset is playing better than I think most of us could have hoped- while the defense is obviously playing worse and now has some early significant injuries.

I would, too, but how hurt? Meaning there is time for them to heal before we play them. I'd give us a puncher's chance regardless since both at home.

 

[dtgold88]

Is it though? There’s only one team in the division over .500

Yes, it is.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Yes, it is.

Objectively it really isn’t. The Midwest is baseball purgatory. The St Louis Cardinals are the only legit Midwest franchise in a sea of small market also rans. That came through in spades this year in the AL Central. It’s probably happened before but I can’t think off the top of my head of a division that only had one team above .500. That’s a pure case of “the tallest midget” situation.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Is it though? There’s only one team in the division over .500

Weakest division in baseball for sure but they also are the youngest team in MLB, actually they would be the youngest team in AAA. So that in itself is pretty crazy.
There has to be a stat out there to see the youngest team to make the playoffs each year the last 20 years or so. Wonder where they would rank on that list.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Weakest division in baseball for sure but they also are the youngest team in MLB, actually they would be the youngest team in AAA. So that in itself is pretty crazy.
There has to be a stat out there to see the youngest team to make the playoffs each year the last 20 years or so. Wonder where they would rank on that list.

No idea. I don’t do the moral victory thing.

 

[trojanfan12]

It was funny, but I wouldn't say it was worst. I expected something like that to happen when you're punting from the 1-yard line.

I don't know. At least on the butt fumble the Patriots had blown up the play and the o-line was pushed back into Sanchez,

On the butt punt, it looked like they treated it like a regular punt.

I guess Sanchez tweeted "Whoa, stay out of my lane bro" after he saw it. lol

 

[dtgold88]

Objectively it really isn’t. The Midwest is baseball purgatory. The St Louis Cardinals are the only legit Midwest franchise in a sea of small market also rans. That came through in spades this year in the AL Central. It’s probably happened before but I can’t think off the top of my head of a division that only had one team above .500. That’s a pure case of “the tallest midget” situation.

K

 

[DJ Fieri]

 

[trojanfan12]

Objectively it really isn’t. The Midwest is baseball purgatory. The St Louis Cardinals are the only legit Midwest franchise in a sea of small market also rans. That came through in spades this year in the AL Central. It’s probably happened before but I can’t think off the top of my head of a division that only had one team above .500. That’s a pure case of “the tallest midget” situation.

I don't know. I think given the age of their roster, it gets looked at a little differently.

They probably aren't likely to get out of the first round...but an unexpected division title and making the playoffs early should serve them well in the future.

If they were a more veteran team, I'd agree it's a case of the tallest midget. But this is a bunch of kids still learning how to play.

 

[fightinfunbags]

I don't know. I think given the age of their roster, it gets looked at a little differently.

They probably aren't likely to get out of the first round...but an unexpected division title and making the playoffs early should serve them well in the future.

If they were a more veteran team, I'd agree it's a case of the tallest midget. But this is a bunch of kids still learning how to play.

It will serve someone else well. The Indians is where a player cuts their teeth and gets playing experience. When they earn a payday they move on elsewhere. The Indians are a developmental franchise. They prepare players to eventually play in real sports markets.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Objectively it really isn’t. The Midwest is baseball purgatory. The St Louis Cardinals are the only legit Midwest franchise in a sea of small market also rans. That came through in spades this year in the AL Central. It’s probably happened before but I can’t think off the top of my head of a division that only had one team above .500. That’s a pure case of “the tallest midget” situation.

Philly is baseball purgatory. You have not even made the playoffs in over a decade with gigantic payrolls.

 

[WiggyRuss]

It will serve someone else well. The Indians is where a player cuts their teeth and gets playing experience. When they earn a payday they move on elsewhere. The Indians are a developmental franchise. They prepare players to eventually play in real sports markets.

Guardians are making the playoffs for the 5th time in 9 years. They have the 2nd best overall record in the American League over the last 10 years after the Yankees.

They dealt Lindor and got Gimenez and Rosario- good deal.

They dealt Clevinger and got Quintrell and Naylor and Hedges- good deal.

They dealt Kluber and got Clase - good deal.

 

[dtgold88]

I don't know. I think given the age of their roster, it gets looked at a little differently.

They probably aren't likely to get out of the first round...but an unexpected division title and making the playoffs early should serve them well in the future.

If they were a more veteran team, I'd agree it's a case of the tallest midget. But this is a bunch of kids still learning how to play.

Cannot imagine many gave this team a chance to even be .500 this year before the season (I didn't). Looked like the usual Dolan offseason and penny pinching ways. Clearly the FO was right to just let the kids play to see what they could do and many did not disappoint. They will be young, cheap fixtures in the lineup for a long time.

To do what they've done on a $60 million payroll compared to, say, the Cardinals' $140 mil payroll (with a division that is as weak or weaker) is pretty damn impressive IMO. Sure, could say that's the problem with ownership but, again, they were right to see what the youngsters could do as opposed to signing some overpaid, regressing guys on 1 year deals (or longer).....and, yes, not how I saw it before the season as I was ripping Dolan as I usually do.

 

[dtgold88]

It will serve someone else well. The Indians is where a player cuts their teeth and gets playing experience. When they earn a payday they move on elsewhere. The Indians are a developmental franchise. They prepare players to eventually play in real sports markets.

Is a team with a payroll $100 mil+ more than theirs but not any better being aided by the market?

are you pre-crying in case Philly has to watch the Tribe in the playoffs? at least they would do so in a real market.

 

[Shanemansj13]

It will serve someone else well. The Indians is where a player cuts their teeth and gets playing experience. When they earn a payday they move on elsewhere. The Indians are a developmental franchise. They prepare players to eventually play in real sports markets.

That is only due to the owner and even in the 90's he paid players but overall it's an owner issue not willing to spend. It will take another couple years but once he has less control or is on his way out that will fix most of the problem. Still a small market team and until or if baseball sets a floor and a ceiling that issue will not get fixed. Replacing the owner would be a start for the franchise though.

 

[Wamu]

He is well below average.

Is win/loss record really the best way to measure?

Have you not been paying attention the last four seasons where I have said very little to nothing in support of him?

I've been calling him nothing more than an average QB for years. And since his W/L is right around .500 I'd say average is the good word to describe him. He's nothing special and if he doesn't have weapons around him he's gonna struggle.

He's not in the top tier of QB's and he's not in the very bottom tier. So wouldn't that make him average? Or do you think he's just total junk and shouldn't be starting for any team?

 

[WiggyRuss]

Is a team with a payroll $100 mil+ more than theirs but not any better being aided by the market?

are you pre-crying in case Philly has to watch the Tribe in the playoffs? at least they would do so in a real market.

its just funny.

When guys get too expensive they deal them and more often then not- really teh vast majority of the time- the Guardians get the better end of the deal.

The only really great player that they could not sign because of financial restrictions that they dealt away was Sabathia if you ask me- and at least they got a multi-time all star in Brantley for him.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Philly is baseball purgatory. You have not even made the playoffs in over a decade with gigantic payrolls.

Outside of the poster who made the post being a Phillies fan what does that have to do with the substance of the post? The Phillies are the losingest franchise in the history of North American sports. They even have two WS titles since the Indians last WS championship during the Truman administration.

 

[dtgold88]

That is only due to the owner and even in the 90's he paid players but overall it's an owner issue not willing to spend. It will take another couple years but once he has less control or is on his way out that will fix most of the problem. Still a small market team and until or if baseball sets a floor and a ceiling that issue will not get fixed. Replacing the owner would be a start for the franchise though.

Mostly agree and while it's working out this year small market an excuse. I'd say, first, we are midmarket and no reason we shouldn't spend league average when needed to win. Can we keep up with NY or LA? Nope. But should be able to keep up with Minnesota, Milwaukee, etc.

Guess the good news is likely wont need to spend league average as we have so many core players now on reasonable deals (or incredibly cheap) for the foreseeable future.