GregAlso

I think he deserves a D- or F+, so I have him an F. I know that people on here are giving him a pass on the weird season. I’m gonna post some articles here from cubs fans about why they were frustrated. Read them and I think it’ll feel very familiar. i don’t think this is an aberration. the process https://www.cubsinsider.com/2019/09/12/joe-maddon-continuing-same-process-as-cubs-mediocrity-continues/ The pitching https://www.cubsinsider.com/2019/07/30/maddon-bristles-at-criticism-from-fans-with-really-ridiculous-concept-of-bullpens-and-bullpen-management/ There are more of these out there. Chuck can testify I was not pro this hiring. He is no better than Ausmus (I know that’s sacrilege on here but whatever). There are other articles about lineups and strange decisions about who should play over whom. I know we all would like to hope next year will be different but I don’t think Maddon is changing his stripes, hence an F.

If you haven’t read the athletic piece it is really good and much more about hitting than about a poor me Barry Bonds. Baggerly is very even handed about the legacy thing. it is subscription only but honestly the Athletic is completely worth it. I don’t have many subs, but for baseball it is Athletic and OC Register(really mostly just @Jeff Fletcher) for me.

I noticed that. Your article did try to clarify it for them. It’s probably nothing but it is strange to me that they were intentionally vague in their presentation. “We will use a non-specific term that includes multiple possibilities instead of a more specific term that has been talked about a lot in recent years.” Why be vague? Again, probably nothing but just something I wonder about.

You’re telling me you were like “biological injections... hmmm, oh right, PRP.”? I don’t know what they were trying to do. Pretty much anyone around baseball is familiar with a PRP injection. Most professional sports fans would’ve at least heard of them in passing. But instead they called it a biological injection. While the term may be strictly correct it is obtuse. Why do that? Something just doesn’t smell right about it all. I can’t really put my finger on it exactly. It just seems suspicious.

For what it is worth. Why call it biological if we all know PRP? I mean that is the weirdest part.

An interesting future is coming

Saw this article about MLB’s intention to enforce this rule in a new and more proactive way. I wonder what it’ll mean for all pitchers. I also wonder if the look at the Astros emails had something to do with this. Did they see the rampant use of illegal substances by pitchers in their communication as a way that improved pitchers. Very intriguing how this will play out this year. https://nypost.com/2020/02/26/mlb-cracking-down-on-pitchers-using-foreign-substances/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

“Angels are going to the dance in 2020!” I can dig that. Nice to see such enthusiasm for our team right now.

As far as baseball only, which is what I primarily am, it is great. I probably read 4-6 articles a month and some of them are the really good. For Angels only news the Register is the best source for me but for genera baseball news there isn’t anything better than the Athletic. Is it worth the money, I probably don’t get my money’s worth but it is some good content when they strike gold.

That was interesting for sure. It must be something he has in his contract. There has to be inherent danger that clubs would want protection from. Oh well they’re all hush hush.

So Pujols will get his sprint speed up to 26.5? 27? I mean I really want him to do well but we will know fairly quickly how accurate all this fluff is very soon.

These lawsuits by Astros Season Ticket Holders are intriguing as they could conceivably get to discovery. That would mean evidence subpoenaed by the court and players forced to testify under oath. I guess this is one thing I can root for in Houston! https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/amp/Astros-lawsuits-face-complicated-path-toward-trial-15069061.php

More info on the cubs breakup from Chicago. https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2020/2/18/21143349/joe-maddon-defends-less-is-more-methods-after-criticism-over-cubs-decline-in-2018-19 looks like the Cubs management thought Maddon wasn’t getting the best out of the players because he was too lax with drills and fundamentals. Interesting take and something to pay attention to, how do the Angels do with the fundamentals.

It is the union’s legal responsibility to protect every player not just the majority of players. Evan Drellich’s piece in the athletic laid it out legally pretty well. This mess was likely caused because of terrible foresight by the league. They thought the teams would generally not cheat or if they did it would not be player driven. This led to disastrous letter in 2017 putting onus on teams to stop the cheating and not laying out possible punishment for players. That one decision probably more than anything led to this disaster.

I shared this in the thread about punishments but the short answer is @Stradlingright but here’s the quote from an article in the register to prove that. “Our early efforts were not particularly successful in terms of making progress with the investigation,” Manfred said. “My office then contacted the MLBPA to request player cooperation. We wanted players to submit to interviews. The MLBPA asked if we had a disciplinary intention. I think the response was, that we could not rule that out. The union indicated to us that that would be a problem.” The union told MLB, Manfred said, that the players would only cooperate if they received “blanket immunity.” MLB agreed, for lack of a better alternative.

Saw this tidbit in a recent OC Register Article. “Our early efforts were not particularly successful in terms of making progress with the investigation,” Manfred said. “My office then contacted the MLBPA to request player cooperation. We wanted players to submit to interviews. The MLBPA asked if we had a disciplinary intention. I think the response was, that we could not rule that out. The union indicated to us that that would be a problem.” The union told MLB, Manfred said, that the players would only cooperate if they received “blanket immunity.” MLB agreed, for lack of a better alternative. Looks like Manfred is calling out the MLBPA for the immunity given to the Astros. They wouldn’t force the players to the table without the blanket immunity given. If that’s the truth then the onus for the players not being punished is squarely on the union. I can’t imagine some smart reporter doesn’t pull on that thread to get it to unravel. Doing things like asking players what they think about their union being responsible for the light punishments on their fellow players. This could be interesting.

It seems Trout really liked Eppler’s plan and the rapport with Eppler is at least partially responsible for Trout wanting to stay. edit: also I don’t want Arte to stop writing checks just stop meddling in the decisions. Rendon is a challenge, but Rendon also gets us Hamilton, and Pujols, and Wells. Tough trade off.

We can only hope he fires himself. Write the checks and stop interfering with personnel decisions.

After Arte controlled the offseason and nixed one of his trades by pulling rank. “Win, but do it only with the players I allow you to have.” This feels hollow to me.

No, there is no reason for them to lie about 2019. But wait, I thought the shame of being exposed as cheaters was part of the punishment. Conflicting statements.

the Weave is ready to return! Make it so!

Saw this

Yet, Manfred tells players there will be increased suspensions if the retaliate.

Resurrecting this because I feel much different about this now. After the Astros pathetic attempt at an apology and today Correa blasting back at Bellinger I say come on down. Come and express all your anger at Houston. It’ll be a party and we can enjoy the extra heckling of this hated team. Anybody else change their mind?

Bryant weighs in.