2018 MLB Regular Season Thread! Current thread batting average: .420 (1 Viewer)

[rodg12]

Also good for Baseball...Nike will do it right, and Baseball provides a great platform with the long season and events like Spring Training, Mem Day, the 4th, and the Little League Classic.

Yeah, as a consumer I've much preferred Nike's products recently opposed to UA's.  So, I'm definitely a fan of the switch.  Plus Nike already has so much experience with uniforms elsewhere.

 

[Kraft...]

Woah, Hanley getting DFAd    He has been slumping but there must be something else to this, no details yet. 

 

[shadyridr]

Woah, Hanley getting DFAd    He has been slumping but there must be something else to this, no details yet. 

Wow unless there is something else they did him dirty releasing him so his player option doesn't kick in and the players on the team are not gonna be too happy about this.

 

[MAC_32]

Wow unless there is something else they did him dirty releasing him so his player option doesn't kick in and the players on the team are not gonna be too happy about this.

I guess, but he can't play defense and his bat has continued down last year's bell curve.  Of course the Red Sox don't want that option to vest.

 

[Epic Problem]

That's an interesting way to make sure he doesn't get 450PAs (guesstimate) and activate his 2019 option

 

[Doctor Detroit]

That's an interesting way to make sure he doesn't get 450PAs (guesstimate) and activate his 2019 option

You spelled dickish wrong 

 

[shadyridr]

I guess, but he can't play defense and his bat has continued down last year's bell curve.  Of course the Red Sox don't want that option to vest.

Ignoring the baseball side (despite him being a top 3 hitter in their lineup the majority of the season and having a great April) it just doesn't look good to his fellow teammates who called him a team leader this year. Yeah I get it, his defense is atrocious. Still think he was an important piece to the team.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Just another reason to root against everything Boston. 

 

[Northern Voice]

Hanley was one of the few Red Sox I didn't actively hate. 

 

[shadyridr]

Hanley was one of the few Red Sox I didn't actively hate. 

Also one of the few guys who always scared you late in games since Big Papi retired.

 

[shuke]

Woah, Hanley getting DFAd    He has been slumping but there must be something else to this, no details yet. 

What the absolute ####?

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I guess, but he can't play defense and his bat has continued down last year's bell curve.  Of course the Red Sox don't want that option to vest.

He has had a bad May but still has an 854 ops vs lefties and he was really good the first month. He’s always been streaky. 

 

[MAC_32]

He has had a bad May but still has an 854 ops vs lefties and he was really good the first month. He’s always been streaky. 

This is one thing that could come back to bite them.

 

[Kraft...]

Also one of the few guys who always scared you late in games since Big Papi retired.

Agree, despite being a knucklehead he is still a feared hitter IMO. The option is the obvious reason but I'm wondering if there was some other clubhouse or chemistry component. Maybe they are sending a message  strange for sure

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Obviously if you’re Hanley you refuse assignment and ask for unconditional release. Then you go to a competitor. 

Indians could use him as a 1B platoon with Alonso, there’s one option. 

 

[Eephus]

Hanley's lack of defensive flexibility limits his potential landing spots a lot. 

In the AL, the Twins might have a spot for him if Mauer's concussion issues cause an extended absence.  Texas is playing Ronald Guzman at 1B but are probably better off looking towards the future. 

In the NL, Ian Desmond is pretty similar to Ramirez in a lot of ways so I don't know how they'd be able to roster both.   Maybe the Dodgers are a possibility.

 

[Eephus]

Obviously if you’re Hanley you refuse assignment and ask for unconditional release. Then you go to a competitor. 

Indians could use him as a 1B platoon with Alonso, there’s one option. 

Modern roster composition with big bullpens makes it tough to keep multiple players with no defensive position.  It's a lot easier in the AL with the DH of course.  Adding Hanley would give Cleveland three with Alonso and EE.  They'd probably have to go with a shorter pitching staff because you can't have a functional bench without a UT IF, OF4 and backup CA.

 

[shadyridr]

Modern roster composition with big bullpens makes it tough to keep multiple players with no defensive position.  It's a lot easier in the AL with the DH of course.  Adding Hanley would give Cleveland three with Alonso and EE.  They'd probably have to go with a shorter pitching staff because you can't have a functional bench without a UT IF, OF4 and backup CA.

What about SEA? Would have to play him at 1B though

 

[Eephus]

What about SEA? Would have to play him at 1B though

I think their needs are elsewhere after losing Cano and Gordon, although supposedly Gordon's return may be faster than originally expected.  Another issue is that Seattle is already heavily stacked with RH bats including both Healy and Cruz at 1B/DH respectively.

 

[guru_007]

Agree, despite being a knucklehead he is still a feared hitter IMO. The option is the obvious reason but I'm wondering if there was some other clubhouse or chemistry component. Maybe they are sending a message  strange for sure

I'm not sure why this is such a head scratcher.

Ramirez has been replacement level offense player now for over a year.  And frankly outside of 2016 has not been a very good offensive player at all.  

He's 35 years old, and has no defensive position.  You want to be on the hook for another $22M of crap for next year too?  They gave him every opportunity to produce and he wasn't getting it done.  All this move does is takes an expensive bat off the bench.

Now they can move Martinez to full time DH (big ++ offensively) and can have Betts/JBJ/Benintendi OF (big ++ defensively).  

This is business - and they are giving him ample opportunity to catch on with another team here and prove himself. 

 

[Northern Voice]

Hanley's lack of defensive flexibility limits his potential landing spots a lot. 

In the AL, the Twins might have a spot for him if Mauer's concussion issues cause an extended absence.  Texas is playing Ronald Guzman at 1B but are probably better off looking towards the future. 

In the NL, Ian Desmond is pretty similar to Ramirez in a lot of ways so I don't know how they'd be able to roster both.   Maybe the Dodgers are a possibility.

I saw Houston (as a DH)  suggested as well.

 

[guru_007]

Astros would make a ton of sense if they are willing to take on that salary.

 

[Eephus]

I saw Houston (as a DH)  suggested as well.

Houston has similar roster composition issues as Seattle.  A heavily RH lineup (although less so when Reddick and Fisher return) including their current DH and 1B.  The ability of Marwin Gonzalez to play everywhere does provide them with a bit more flexibility.

 

[Eephus]

Astros would make a ton of sense if they are willing to take on that salary.

Nobody is taking on that salary.  The Red Sox will be paying over $50M for Hanley, Castillo and Panda to play somewhere other than Fenway.

 

[Epic Problem]

Astros would make a ton of sense if they are willing to take on that salary.

No one's taking on that salary. Boston's saddled with it and anyone can sign him for min once he clears waivers. 

 

[Kraft...]

Yeah the vesting option comes with him if claimed too, no way he gets claimed 

 

[Dickie Dunn]

Not sure how much credence there is, but I have heard rumblings that Hanley and Pedroia didn’t necessarily get along. Ironic that Pedroia’s return is the reason they needed to clear a spot on the 40-man.

They also were in a position where they want to get Moreland more playing time at 1B. Then there has been the curious case of Blake Swihart, who has been rotting on the bench taking up a roster spot. Maybe they try Swihart at 1B against lefties.

Finally, getting that vesting option scenario off the books opens up a lot of money should they decide to go after a another big-name FA (Harper? Machado?) this off-season.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Not sure how much credence there is, but I have heard rumblings that Hanley and Pedroia didn’t necessarily get along. Ironic that Pedroia’s return is the reason they needed to clear a spot on the 40-man.

They also were in a position where they want to get Moreland more playing time at 1B. Then there has been the curious case of Blake Swihart, who has been rotting on the bench taking up a roster spot. Maybe they try Swihart at 1B against lefties.

Finally, getting that vesting option scenario off the books opens up a lot of money should they decide to go after a another big-name FA (Harper? Machado?) this off-season.

Was James Loney not available? 

 

[Northern Voice]

Yeah, Moreland has a career .677 OPS vs. lefties but maybe it's easier to put Swihart on the small side of the platoon than Hanley?

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I'm not sure why this is such a head scratcher.

Ramirez has been replacement level offense player now for over a year.  And frankly outside of 2016 has not been a very good offensive player at all.  

He's 35 years old, and has no defensive position.  You want to be on the hook for another $22M of crap for next year too?  They gave him every opportunity to produce and he wasn't getting it done.  All this move does is takes an expensive bat off the bench.

Now they can move Martinez to full time DH (big ++ offensively) and can have Betts/JBJ/Benintendi OF (big ++ defensively).  

This is business - and they are giving him ample opportunity to catch on with another team here and prove himself. 

The irony of everything you wrote is that the Red Sox are DFAing him for another aging, replacement level player. 

 

[Dickie Dunn]

Yeah, Moreland has a career .677 OPS vs. lefties but maybe it's easier to put Swihart on the small side of the platoon than Hanley?

Martinez didn’t look very good in LF last night either. This solves that issue ... he becomes the regular DH now. Holt can play an OF spot when any of Benintendi/JBJ/Betts need a rest.

They still have to figure out how long they can live with JBJ and Vazquez/Leon not hitting.

 

[Eephus]

The irony of everything you wrote is that the Red Sox are DFAing him for another aging, replacement level player. 

The Red Sox have even more bad contracts than the Giants do.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

The Red Sox have even more bad contracts than the Giants do.

Funny that Hanley and Sandoval were introduced by the Sox on the same day.

 

[Mr.Pack]

Absolutely love the experiment/shtick Tampa is rolling out and hope it goes well enough to cause other teams to try their own variations. 

Wondering if the proponents for QS are still digging their heels in.

 

[Eephus]

Funny that Hanley and Sandoval were introduced by the Sox on the same day.

Slow day at work so I went back to the 2014-15 Hot Stove thread.  I forgot that a 14 year old broke the signings on Twitter.

There are some quality posts in the old thread.  Dr. Detroit liked the Adam LaRoche signing by the White Sox and hoped the Tigers would consider trading for Allen Craig

 

[Northern Voice]

Slow day at work so I went back to the 2014-15 Hot Stove thread.  I forgot that a 14 year old broke the signings on Twitter.

There are some quality posts in the old thread.  Dr. Detroit liked the Adam LaRoche signing by the White Sox and hoped the Tigers would consider trading for Allen Craig

The Donaldson trade reactions in there are funny too. Billy Beane was still infallible according to some people, Brett Lawrie had upside "a little south of" Josh Donaldson according to me

 

[Hilts]

Slow day at work so I went back to the 2014-15 Hot Stove thread.  I forgot that a 14 year old broke the signings on Twitter.

There are some quality posts in the old thread.  Dr. Detroit liked the Adam LaRoche signing by the White Sox and hoped the Tigers would consider trading for Allen Craig

Going with the blasts from the past and Beane, remember when everyone ripped him for giving up future star Addison Russell? That hasn't been such a bad deal. 

 

[guru_007]

The irony of everything you wrote is that the Red Sox are DFAing him for another aging, replacement level player. 

Well of course Pedroia is a shell of the player he used to be.  But even last year where he only played 100 games, he outperformed Hanley offensively, while still being able to play a respectable defensive second base.  In fact, Pedroia has outperformed HanRam every year he's been there, 2018 notwithstanding.

And Pedroia's contract is not very pretty (especially considering you cross your fingers every year that you get 100 games out of him) but he's a life long Red Sox.  

I wasn't aware there was that much love for Hanley to be honest.  I'm a Red Sox fan and was pretty ambivalent when he was brought back and feel pretty much the same that he's been DFA'd.  

 

[guru_007]

The Red Sox have even more bad contracts than the Giants do.

You would think they would have learned over the years after the Dodgers bailed them out on Crawford and AGone.  Some teams just love splashing in pots.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Slow day at work so I went back to the 2014-15 Hot Stove thread.  I forgot that a 14 year old broke the signings on Twitter.

There are some quality posts in the old thread.  Dr. Detroit liked the Adam LaRoche signing by the White Sox and hoped the Tigers would consider trading for Allen Craig

In my defense, Adam LaRoche was the Mia Sorvino of baseball. All the experts were predicting big things then there was just no gap power. 

ETA: I thought you meant Andy. Lol 

 

[Eephus]

In my defense, Adam LaRoche was the Mia Sorvino of baseball. All the experts were predicting big things then there was just no gap power. 

ETA: I thought you meant Andy. Lol 

Between the teenage Red Sox GM on Twitter and Adam LaRoche's kid, this was the golden age of 14 year olds.

 

[Gally]

Wondering if the proponents for QS are still digging their heels in.

Why would this change anything at this point?

 

[Northern Voice]

The Jays did the same thing to Frank Thomas about a decade ago by the way (released so as not to vest his option) but he was being a #### in the clubhouse, where the Sox dudes seemed to like Hanley at least on the surface and maybe Pedroia aside - also #### Pedroia.

 

[Northern Voice]

Going with the blasts from the past and Beane, remember when everyone ripped him for giving up future star Addison Russell? That hasn't been such a bad deal. 

I still believe in Addy

 

[Dickie Dunn]

The Jays did the same thing to Frank Thomas about a decade ago by the way (released so as not to vest his option) but he was being a #### in the clubhouse, where the Sox dudes seemed to like Hanley at least on the surface and maybe Pedroia aside - also #### Pedroia.

@JMastrodonato 24m24 minutes ago

More

When asked what it was like seeing a big empty locker (Hanley's) next to his, Swihart said: "I have the whole section to myself."

This doesn't sound like someone too torn up by the move.

 

[Northern Voice]

@JMastrodonato 24m24 minutes ago

More

When asked what it was like seeing a big empty locker (Hanley's) next to his, Swihart said: "I have the whole section to myself."

This doesn't sound like someone too torn up by the move.

Well, he likely stands to benefit from it the most in terms of playing time (and also not being the one DFA'd), so no ####...

 

[Northern Voice]

Span and Colome to the Mariners.

Fire the Rays into the Sun.

 

[Capella]

Span and Colome to the Mariners.

Fire the Rays into the Sun.

Don’t they have a better record than the Jays?

 

[Northern Voice]

Don’t they have a better record than the Jays?

Let's stop this shtick where you pretend to defend them in here then #### on them harder than anyone in the Rays thread ok?

The way they do business is a joke, but hey, maybe they got some fresh prospects they can trade the second they cost more than the minimum

 

[Capella]

Let's stop this shtick where you pretend to defend them in here then #### on them harder than anyone in the Rays thread ok?

The way they do business is a joke, but hey, maybe they got some fresh prospects they can trade the second they cost more than the minimum

They have a better record than the Jays and are like 4 out of the WC. I killed them all off-season but they’ve had a good year, much to my surprise. You can’t #### on them if your team is worse.