NBA OFF TOPIC THREAD

[tlance]

Baltimore is no longer bad. Same record as the White Sox

They will fall off for sure once the schedule gets division heavy though.

I will be surprised if they win much over 70 games.

 

[trojanfan12]

I think both sides just accept it unless really long as you said. In that case, if it is extended by an NFL appeal and Goodell extending the suspension I could see the rumors of a lawsuit coming to fruition.

I read this morning that the Browns are quietly preparing for an 8 game suspension.

 

[shopson67]

Heatwave in the northeast. This shit is absolutely disgusting and exactly why i can never live in a place that's hot all year long

We've topped out around 90 so far, can deal with that if necessary. It's not like there's any need to do yard work....my "grass" looks more like hay it's been so dry. Mowing is more like 10 minutes cutting down weeds with a string trimmer lol.

 

[shopson67]

lol

Clayton Kershaw hs an asshole.

Ohtani was 0-8 with 4 strikeouts vs. Kershaw and gets his 1st hit off of him in the All Star game in Dodgers Stadium.

So Kershaw picks him off 1st.

Classic, almost makes up for Gonsolin's inning.

 

[Shanemansj13]

the catcher position is so bad in baseball right now. Jose Trevino is an all star...gotta be kidding me.

It has less depth than any position in the game throughout history.

I mean you have Bench, who is the GOAT. Then you have I-Rod, Carter, Berra, Piazza.

Some old schools guys most people haven't heard of like Harnett, Cochrane, Dickey, Campanella.

Really in the last 20 years or so it's been Posey and Mauer that have been pretty damn good. Molina was great defensively but a poor hitter but that seems to be the theme. All of them are pretty poor offensively other than getting those power hitters that hit .220 and SO every other AB.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Cleveland likely not a playoffs team. Wildcard spots likely going to be 2 AL East teams and the Mariners or all 3 AL East teams

Yeah it's the division or no playoffs without a doubt. Extremely young team... I don't see them winning the division. Too inconsistent.

 

[Shanemansj13]

While I don't like the Dolan ownership no doubt the FO usually wins these deals...or even if the guy they give up does well we don't lose them.

Too bad Dolan isn't out already I think they are one of the teams that COULD have made a run at Soto. Amazing farm system and young assets. It's too bad, their payroll is so low even with Soto's crazy deal they would still be way below average payroll lol

 

[dtgold88]

I read this morning that the Browns are quietly preparing for an 8 game suspension.

Seen that, too......also seen no games, 2-8, 4-6, 6-8, a season, indefinite, etc. someone's lying or their source is.

8 definitely wont surprise me and think each side would live with it.

 

[dtgold88]

Too bad Dolan isn't out already I think they are one of the teams that COULD have made a run at Soto. Amazing farm system and young assets. It's too bad, their payroll is so low even with Soto's crazy deal they would still be way below average payroll lol

and soto doesn't even get that extension for 2+ seasons.

 

[shopson67]

It has less depth than any position in the game throughout history.

I mean you have Bench, who is the GOAT. Then you have I-Rod, Carter, Berra, Piazza.

Some old schools guys most people haven't heard of like Harnett, Cochrane, Dickey, Campanella.

Really in the last 20 years or so it's been Posey and Mauer that have been pretty damn good. Molina was great defensively but a poor hitter but that seems to be the theme. All of them are pretty poor offensively other than getting those power hitters that hit .220 and SO every other AB.

Will Smith got snubbed this year. I think the voters were afraid of another slap fest.

 

[Wamu]

I read this morning that the Browns are quietly preparing for an 8 game suspension.

Announce the suspension already, damn.

 

[Shanemansj13]

and soto doesn't even get that extension for 2+ seasons.

I meant to add this in the Soto post...

The Indians only have just $19MM on next year’s books and $25MM on the books in 2024. They could absolutely do it but knowing the owner, they won't.

 

[dtgold88]

I meant to add this in the Soto post...

The Indians only have just $19MM on next year’s books and $25MM on the books in 2024. They could absolutely do it but knowing the owner, they won't.

Honestly, not even sure I would assuming it costs up 3-4 top prospects AND 1-2 from among Giminez, Rosario and Jones. Cannot imagine soto would be thrilled, either, knowing it's another team who would not keep him longterm.

IF we were to do something I'd rather it be for a lesser star player, I think.

Not that it wouldn't make the next 2 seasons exciting.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Honestly, not even sure I would assuming it costs up 3-4 top prospects AND 1-2 from among Giminez, Rosario and Jones. Cannot imagine soto would be thrilled, either, knowing it's another team who would not keep him longterm.

IF we were to do something I'd rather it be for a lesser star player, I think.

Not that it wouldn't make the next 2 seasons exciting.

It all depends if they extend him or not and knowing the history that won't happen...in that case. No thanks.

 

[WiggyRuss]

It has less depth than any position in the game throughout history.

I mean you have Bench, who is the GOAT. Then you have I-Rod, Carter, Berra, Piazza.

Some old schools guys most people haven't heard of like Harnett, Cochrane, Dickey, Campanella.

Really in the last 20 years or so it's been Posey and Mauer that have been pretty damn good. Molina was great defensively but a poor hitter but that seems to be the theme. All of them are pretty poor offensively other than getting those power hitters that hit .220 and SO every other AB.

true- but even guys like Perez and Grandal - the TExas guy who was traded from the Twins- being hurt in the AL have taken the position to very few good offensive catchers to practically none. Even the Tampa Guy- Zunino had some power and hes sbeen hurt all year practically.

 

[DJ Fieri]

 

[bksballer89]

 

[WiggyRuss]

Saints should be interesting

think of how much improved their WR core will be with a healthy Thomas and drafting Olave. HUGE upgrades. They got good value on their other 1st rounder o-lineman as well.

some challenges with Winston coming off major surgery.

I kind of ripped on them for getting rid of so much future draft capital - but I heard something interesting on the radio that I had not taken into account- they have a huge asset that will probably net them AT LEAST a future first round pick- and potentially much more--- maybe as much as 2 firsts and a second- or a first and 2 seconds, etc......

I am sure you can guess what that asset it.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Honestly, not even sure I would assuming it costs up 3-4 top prospects AND 1-2 from among Giminez, Rosario and Jones. Cannot imagine soto would be thrilled, either, knowing it's another team who would not keep him longterm.

IF we were to do something I'd rather it be for a lesser star player, I think.

Not that it wouldn't make the next 2 seasons exciting.

they had an article on TheAthletic like this....in the comments some of the proposed packages would be like--- Williams and Valera FOR SURE (I am sure the Nats would want one of Espino or Williams- and would prefer Espino - but I think he is pretty untouchable).......so Williams, Valera, Arias, Jones, Allen......I think that would get it done.

great point on Soto not being thrilled being traded to a team where he would just temporarily be there---- only thing that I saw that might counter that a liiiiiitle bit was how friendly him and Jose were at the ASB. Those guys palled around the whole time.

If you are the Tribe can you give up 6 years of service time of all those guys for 2.5 years of Soto? Probably not.....

I think Williams and Valera would be the pre-requesites. Just those 2 would really really hurt.

if you could do a deal like Valera, Allen, Freeman, Jones, Gonzalez- I would have to think about it seriously. Prob. not enough though.

honestly- I am not super high in Arias even though he is super young and performed well at Triple A. I think our MI of the future is Rochhio and Gimenez. I am super high on Rocchio.

Valera, Arias, Freeman, Allen would be close to 4 top 100 prospects- I think all 4 of those guys are on most top 100 lists, or at least very close. It would hurt trading Valera who is the best OF prospect the Tribe has had since probbly freaking Manny- but Soto wont be cheap.

I think I read in that article on TheAthletic where they said the "Guardians" had 8 of the top 100 prospects in the big leagues by most lists- the most in baseball.....and with a 40 man roster crunch coming I think what you said is smart- make a deal- but maybe not for someone of Soto's caliber.

 

[WiggyRuss]

@dtgold88 @Shanemansj13

my favorite Guardians trade targets are:

Sean Murphy- catcher- Oakland
Wilson Contreras- catcher- Chi Cubs
Bryan Reynolds- OF- Pirates
Luis Castillo- SP- Reds
Frankie Montas- SP- Oakland
Tyler Mahle- SP- Reds
Pablo Lopez- SP- Marlins

with Civale being hurt and ineffective before he went on the DL- I think a veteran starter could really help. Tribe does have a ton of SP prospects- but putting another #2 or #3 in the rotation right away would help a ton.

Espino and Williams- I think are still a ways away. I dont think either will pitch meaningful innings even next year- maybe get a cup of coffee. Allen the same though he is a tick down. Some of the other guys are nice- and maybe one or two hits- but they are more #3 types and down.

I actually think Mahle is a great fit- some team control left- wont be too expensive. Seems like a guy that would thrive getting out of the bandbox in Cincy with the Guardians coaching staff.

They could also use a reliever- but there are just so many guys to list reliever wise- unless you want a star like Bednar.

the "go for it" moves would be to get Contreras, and a guy like Josh Bell. Let Bell play first, DH Naylor, - IF they think Reyes is a lost cause (which would be sad). Putting Contreras and Bell in this lineup I think would give them an excellent chance at winning the division. Both are just pure rentals though. It would make for a fun stretch run though- especially with how big of an upgrade both would be over what catcher and Reyes have produced thus far.

and honestly- I like Bo Naylor at catcher- and he has rehabbed his prospect status a TON this year--- but getting an established guy with control like Murphy would be just amazing. Every single service just about dropped Naylor to non-prospect after his terrible year last year--- but - when you look at the context- he sucked last year, lost all the previous year to covid, and was hurt the year before that- you can kind of give him an excuse.


I know that if you have free agents leave your team you get compensatory picks-- but I am not sure if you trade for a rental (a guy about to be a free agent) if you get a compensatory pick. Something in the back of my mind is saying "no". However- if you do---- getting Contreras/Bell types- letting them just walk and getting the compensatory pick and letting the clock re-set on those guys before having to be added to the 40 man instead of being exposed to the Rule 5 draft is actually pretty sneaky smart.