The MLB Thread

[RatBastard]

What happened to being "a land of second chances"? I hear that all the time.... (personally I don't see it all that much)

He played the game hard but the right way throughout his career as a ballplayer....certainly nothing different than say a Ty Cobb...just very intense and ruthless ...

He gambled as a manager and is a buffoon and charlatan.... admittedly not very likable...

I still say he deserves to be in Cooperstown. You cannot compare his actions to those of the Black Sox which is the reason why the rule he violated was instituted.

You absolutely 100% can compare what he did with the black socks.  In fact as manager he had more control over the outcome of the game than any one or handful of players.  He controlled the entire team.  Again his numbers MAY be worthy of consideration of being voted in but he intentionally, purposefully, and deliberately made a personal choice to break a rule that he full well knew called for a lifetime ban.  He knew that a lifetime ban would keep him out of the HOF.  There really is no debate at all about this.  If he did respect the game he would sit down, shut up, and go away rather than whine cry and make a mockery of the game by acting like what he chose to do did not matter.  Further I do not agree that he played the game 'the right way'.  Ending the career of another player over an exhibition game shows how much he did NOT do so.

[gaaaaaaaaah]

youre the only person ive ever seen not even admit that rose's stats are clearly hof worthy

[vansmack]

A's trade Donaldson to Toronto for Brett Lawrie

[shemptiness]

Cruz to Seattle - $57M for 4 years

[vansmack]

Nice work, Shemp.  That will be a disaster for the M's as Cruz will miss the shoebox that is Baltimore.

EDIT - $57m is not as bad as I thought.  Still probably should have found a smaller park though, but I suppose if it's your last job...

[shemptiness]

According to an Orioles official, the club was told that Cruz had a four-year, $58 million offer.
Cruz's agreement with the Mariners reportedly includes a $1 million signing bonus.

[hutch]

That's what I thought: you're going to miss Camden Yards...

[shemptiness]

That's what I thought: you're going to miss Camden Yards...

He only hit 15 of his 40 in Camden Yards.  That said, I don't think he makes it to 40 again either.

[vansmack]

The only way this deal makes sense is if the Mariners sign more free agents.  Giving Cruz a fourth year and giving up a #1 draft pick is foolish.  But now that the draft pick is gone, be bold and sign some more free agents like the O's did last year, with, eh, Cruz!

[Got Haggis?]

probably paying too much for Cruz....

that being said, now they are saying it doesn't look like Markakis will resign.  not liking that one bit.

[shemptiness]

probably paying too much for Cruz....

that being said, now they are saying it doesn't look like Markakis will resign.  not liking that one bit.

May be going back home to Woodstock.

[shemptiness]

http://grantland.com/features/2014-mlb-trade-value-rankings-part-1/

Part 2 tomorrow

[shemptiness]

Jim Johnson gets a major league deal from the Braves and $1.6M guaranteed.  Wow.

[vansmack]

Markakis to the Braves - 4 year, $44m deal.

[shemptiness]

Markakis to the Braves - 4 year, $44m deal.

Weird thing is the O's reportedly offered him a similar deal a month ago, but it fell apart for some reason.  Then, lately they didn't want to go more than 3 years.  Who knows?

Thought for sure he'd stay.