Junkballer

"Lack of Institutional Control" would not have been the verdict if they inadvertantly violated some process rules. It was their monumental hubris during the investigation that led to the penalties because rather than cooperating and letting the blame fall on the specific people who were primarily responsible, Garrett/Carroll, they circled the wagons. Those two put themselves above the institution and because of it, the penalties were warranted.

Pear is a shape, and he's never been pearier.

It's still an unknown, and likely will always be an unknown, what the communication was between Eppler and Friedman when the Sox started two-stepping the Betts deal because of fan backlash. We never did find out who the players going back were going to be and I find it plausible that Friedman, while explaining to Eppler the delay in the Angels deal, also may have indicated that the players in addition to Rengifo may need to be changed. They had a handshake deal in place and Friedman and Arte had differing views on what a handshake deal obligates you to. Of course, one man's integrity is another mans impetuousness but I do believe Arte was motivated to move on based on his own personal sense of integrity. At the end of the day, an (non-corporate) owner has to make decisions that allow for them to live with themselves and enjoy their role for the long term and I'm OK with Arte making decisions based on that, even when I don't like the results or might have made a different decision in his place.

Be careful what you ask for.

What was this thread about again?

Someone queue up the ken jeong fireworks gif.

Friendly reminder to check on the real Kevinb down in the basement. You might want to alternate your method of binding so there's no permanent circulatory impairment. He might need some vitamin D as well. You're welcome.

Jeff thanks for your great contributions to this site. I think you are well aware that this subject has a history with fans (47 years worth) that are integrated with the way they view the role of the manager and complexity (or non-) of pitching/substitutions strategy, and those roots run deep for some. As a fan of an AL team, I like the DH. When discussing the value of the lack of DH in the NL with say a Dodger fan, (I know, gross right?) I can appreciate the passion they bring to the argument. To that mind, they like that the decisions are not as easy for the manager and introduce an unknown potential penalty in exchange for giving yourself an advantage. I understand their passion for it and who's to say that some of us wouldn't feel the same if the Angels were expansioned into the NL in '61? I like that the two leagues have this differing aspect. It speaks to their history that they were once truly independent leagues. But to answer your question, incorporating new league-specific rule changes would have to be looked at carefully, but on a case by case basis, yes I'd be okay with some. Probably not with any rule that affects how balls and strikes are called though because that isn't something a player can easily adjust to going from one series to the next. Some might argue the same thing for AL pitchers having to hit all of a sudden in interleague and that is valid but that argument is just not as compelling to me. Rules like the 3-batter can be implemented in interleague without giving any significant advantage either way.

I, and this article (https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/31349/flu-like-symptoms-the-strategic-argument-against-the-dh/) agree that the strategic element has become overstated over time, due largely to the proliferation of short relief stints; it is not however non-existent. I actually prefer that the NL remain w/o the DH. My perception is that the majority of serious fans of NL teams prefer it that way and there should be a more compelling argument to standardize the DH than game-time, which is negligible and can be addressed in other ways. If the NL prefers the status quo, how does that affect the AL? Interleague and playoffs. I think there may be room to tweak the rules in these scenarios but having different characteristics for the two leagues isn't something that needs to be fixed.

Jeter's bed. The voter's will all get a nice gift basket.

There is a lot to be said for trending towards rules that force simplicity, even if it isn't related to minimizing cheating.

He can go in the All Squat/No Smash Annex.

132 RBI with that slashline means the rest of the team didn't survive one of Tim Buss' spring training team building pranks.

During Spring Training, bot must 1) identify players who drastically under-performed the previous season(s), and 2) identify and post all corresponding news feeds that contain the search term "in the best shape of my life".

If desired player, or their near or distant relative, has ever lived in or said anything positive about the Southern California area, bot must invoke "hometown discount" protocol.

Well in that case...

Being that there is no option year in his contract, I can see Eppler giving Simmons a qualifying offer (more aav but only one year) and taking the draft picks when it is declined. Not sure about the tier he'd end up as but probably a type A FA netting a 1st and sandwich pick or sandwich and a 2nd? He'll certainly negotiate an extension, but perhaps with the reservation that payroll flexibility combined with draft picks gives him more elbow room to make pitching moves when he deems the time to be right, and be motivated accordingly.

Sign either one so as to retain prospect availability at the trade deadline to go after a top of the rotation arm for a playoff run.

And, as an adjunct to your earlier post Chuck, there would certainly be a rising sun competitive flavor going on between him and Ohtani.