Jeremiah

Is it similar to a Rondon?

Apparently the Rockies are taking offers on Arrenado.

I guess. But there were also big investments in Colon, Nibbles Wilson, and Escobar.

Ha! Beat me to it.

It's probably not as likely in MLB where, outside of the luxury tax, there are really no limits on what teams can pay players. The strategy of coming to players with a trade-off of lower salary for a better chance to win works better in the NBA where there is a hard cap as well as strict limits on what players can be paid based on a variety of factors. I like that MLB has stayed away from a hard salary cap. I wish they'd ditch the luxury tax. Those artificially limit what players can make and shift much more money back to the owners, as well as offering a nice cop-out for owners that don't want to spend the money to retain popular players or sign marquee free agents.

I think the team is clearing out last season's jerseys because Nike is taking over the production for 2020 and beyond. The Reds tweeted out some pics of new ones that had the Nike swoosh on the front (Yay, more advertising). They have to clear out all of the Majestic stock. As for new unis: I've always loved the early- to mid-90's set (just before the periwinkle mess). Just add a halo to the crown of that cap and I think it'd be perfect.

That was my thought too. On the other hand, they did get @tdawg87 to apply. So there’s that.

I think Chuck is saying that the Angels should be able to combine good scouting and development with a higher payroll and succeed. The A’s and Rays do some things really well in their scouting, player development, and analytics. They don’t have to revenue that the Angels do, so they end up trading their players once they get good. A cycle they’re likely to continue in perpetuity. But you have to develop good players in order to trade them for valuable assets. The A’s and Rays seem to do that regularly. There are things those teams do that the Angels can learn from. One example of a team that mixes high payroll with strong player development is the Dodgers. Not coincidentally they are run by the Rays former GM.

Seems like they’ll let the new manager hire his own staff. A more experienced manager would definitely want that kind of control.

I would agree. It sounds like If the Halos don’t show some marked improvements in on-field performance, then Eppler will be allowed to leave. Maybe the writers who were talking about Eppler and BOS last week weren’t just pulling it out of their asses.

When the rumors of Maddon’s possible departure, I remember the speculation was that he’d likely head to LAA while the Cubs would look to Girardi. It’s said Girardi wants more of a playoff-ready club.

I’m pretty sure it’s Maddon’s Job if he wants it. The timing is just too perfect.

Another former Showtime star dunking on the Lakers. West said he wouldn’t have come back even if asked. Riley implied he would, but no one has asked. Now Byron is saying that FA’s should just go to the LAC. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2837571

And it would have been, in part, his job to handle those problems. I do hope that laying all of these issues bare will force the team to get their house in order fast. The draft and FA are quickly approaching. Those players looking to move to LA may see the Clippers as the more sound organization that actually has a plan.

Player forgoing the draft to sign with a Japanese League team. If he’s any good it’ll be an interesting case study on getting around draft slotting and other salary constraints, especially now that MLB is calling for an international draft. http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26797572/passan-how-19-year-old-prospect-turning-mlb-draft-upside-down

Yeah, I take back my concerns about Kyrie and Butler being bad clubhouse guys who don’t accept accountability and air their laundry publicly. If front office people (and I think Magic is just as involved as he’s ever been) are doing it, then what kind of tone does that set for the rest of the organization? Keep that stuff out of the papers. And now who is this Tim Harris guy? Another cook in the kitchen. SMH

I’m sure Pels fans are drooling at that possibility too. It’s certainly possible that NO can keep AD, at least for this season, as he is under contract. Their new prez, David Griffin (I wish the Lakers had gone after him), already has a good relationship with AD’s agent. Maybe he can convince AD to stay after all. Although, as @Lou said, all the chatter is AD still wants to go to LAL or NY.

I doubt it as well. So does much of the NBA media. Would be a nice get, though.

In the draft, the best C’s are probably Bol Bol (who is injured), and Jackson Hayes, who would be good for Vogel since he’s a solid defender. Both are projected outside the top five. In the NBA, other than Davis, I can’t think of a great big man who is available. Would love to get Klay.

After the first three picks, this draft seems like it’s pretty meh. Might be a good year to deal the pick and use the max cap space. That said, Butler has shown in CHi, MN and PHI to be a pretty difficult clubhouse guy who has no qualms about publicly airing his dirty laundry. Same with Kyrie, plus Irving can’t handle being held accountable after shitty play. They need shooters, but both of those guys seem the wrong type to have around Kuzma, Ball, and Ingram, assuming they stay.

The logos in the standings here spell “hasta”, which is what Houston is saying to the rest of the AL West.

Absolutely. And making it worse, the people making the decisions don’t seem to have the qualifications to be doing so.

I agree. Rambis has not shown that, beyond his playing days in the Showtime era, he’s got the ability to succeed with players.

Sounds like Rambis and not Pelinka is making a lot of the basketball ops decisions. https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2019/5/12/18616758/lakers-rumors-shadow-president-kurt-rambis-jason-kidd-frank-vogel-hirings-rob-pelinka-gm-woj-espn

Take note, Commish. That is how Trout markets baseball to the younger generations. It’s not selling sandwiches or sports drinks. It’s making a random kid in BAL who idolizes him feel like he’s Trout’s bud. Just Trout being himself.