***Official - 2025 Major League Baseball Thread (9 Viewers)

[kupcho1]

they'll just go out and sign Honus Wagner, Sadaharu Oh and Goliath

Big mistake! You left David for the Jays (which is fitting)

 

[Gally]

he also benefitted from a questionable 3rd strike on Suarez, but we will take it.

Didn't robo-ump (the box and ball turning yellow for a strike) call it a strike?

if i recall it was just outside the box - (watching on the sportsnet broadcast) - but it was really close. Not one that's typically called a strike cause it wasn't where Kirk was setup and it was a slow curve, up and in.

i just saw a replay and the pitch called a strike turned yellow thereby meaning it was a strike by robo-ump standards. So if we went full robo-ump this pitch would be called a strike every time.

 

[thecatch]

he also benefitted from a questionable 3rd strike on Suarez, but we will take it.

Didn't robo-ump (the box and ball turning yellow for a strike) call it a strike?

if i recall it was just outside the box - (watching on the sportsnet broadcast) - but it was really close. Not one that's typically called a strike cause it wasn't where Kirk was setup and it was a slow curve, up and in.

i just saw a replay and the pitch called a strike turned yellow thereby meaning it was a strike by robo-ump standards. So if we went full robo-ump this pitch would be called a strike every time.

I don't fully understand the mechanics or whether it would have made a difference in this case, but it's worth noting that the ABS zone used by the robo umps and that is used to grade umpire performance is not exactly the same as the zone displayed on the TV broadcasts.

 

[Zeppelin]

I'll be rooting for the Blue Jays in the WS. Tired of the Dodgers and their embarrassment of riches. It was good to see them win a few years ago, but I think Dodger fatigue has set in for me. If they lose this one, they'll just go out and sign Honus Wagner, Sadaharu Oh and Goliath.

Not having a salary cap is stupid.

If they lose, they'll survive. It's a matter of time until they have Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes.

 

[Don Quixote]

I'll be rooting for the Blue Jays in the WS. Tired of the Dodgers and their embarrassment of riches. It was good to see them win a few years ago, but I think Dodger fatigue has set in for me. If they lose this one, they'll just go out and sign Honus Wagner, Sadaharu Oh and Goliath.

Not having a salary cap is stupid.

If they lose, they'll survive. It's a matter of time until they have Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes.

Report today that they are planning to make a run for Kyle Tucker because, eh, of course they are.

 

[-fish-]

I'll be rooting for the Blue Jays in the WS. Tired of the Dodgers and their embarrassment of riches. It was good to see them win a few years ago, but I think Dodger fatigue has set in for me. If they lose this one, they'll just go out and sign Honus Wagner, Sadaharu Oh and Goliath.

Not having a salary cap is stupid.

If they lose, they'll survive. It's a matter of time until they have Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes.

Report today that they are planning to make a run for Kyle Tucker because, eh, of course they are.

They've been saying that all year, including claiming that they were going to get him at the trade deadline. Also a lot of talk about De La Cruz even though Betts proved he can play short.

 

[Eephus]

I'll be rooting for the Blue Jays in the WS. Tired of the Dodgers and their embarrassment of riches. It was good to see them win a few years ago, but I think Dodger fatigue has set in for me. If they lose this one, they'll just go out and sign Honus Wagner, Sadaharu Oh and Goliath.

Not having a salary cap is stupid.

If they lose, they'll survive. It's a matter of time until they have Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes.

Report today that they are planning to make a run for Kyle Tucker because, eh, of course they are.

They've been saying that all year, including claiming that they were going to get him at the trade deadline. Also a lot of talk about De La Cruz even though Betts proved he can play short.

The Cubs aren't in the poor house

 

[-fish-]

I'll be rooting for the Blue Jays in the WS. Tired of the Dodgers and their embarrassment of riches. It was good to see them win a few years ago, but I think Dodger fatigue has set in for me. If they lose this one, they'll just go out and sign Honus Wagner, Sadaharu Oh and Goliath.

Not having a salary cap is stupid.

If they lose, they'll survive. It's a matter of time until they have Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes.

Report today that they are planning to make a run for Kyle Tucker because, eh, of course they are.

They've been saying that all year, including claiming that they were going to get him at the trade deadline. Also a lot of talk about De La Cruz even though Betts proved he can play short.

The Cubs aren't in the poor house

They just spend like they are.

 

[-fish-]

Just booked my flight to LA for Game 4.

 

[Gally]

Just booked my flight to LA for Game 4.

Expecting a sweep?

 

[simsarge]

The Jays have the 5th highest payroll in the majors. Caveat that I'm not sure if the MLB chart factors in the whole deferred money thing. So it's not like the WS is a true David vs Goliath. Maybe David vs his older cousin who's a beer league MVP

 

[-fish-]

Just booked my flight to LA for Game 4.

Expecting a sweep?

Nah. Dave Roberts will mismanage at least one game. I was hoping Mariners would win so Dodgers would have had home field and the weekend home games for 1 and 2. Tuesday was the only day that worked for me and my brother. I'm flying from Seattle and he's coming in from Hawaii.

But it should be Shohei on the mound so a sweep would be pretty great to witness.

 

[-fish-]

The Jays have the 5th highest payroll in the majors. Caveat that I'm not sure if the MLB chart factors in the whole deferred money thing. So it's not like the WS is a true David vs Goliath. Maybe David vs his older cousin who's a beer league MVP

Jays offered Shohei $700 million. They tried to ruin baseball.

 

[simsarge]

The Jays have the 5th highest payroll in the majors. Caveat that I'm not sure if the MLB chart factors in the whole deferred money thing. So it's not like the WS is a true David vs Goliath. Maybe David vs his older cousin who's a beer league MVP

Jays offered Shohei $700 million. They tried to ruin baseball.

I do remember hearing that Ohtani was on a plane to Toronto to sign a contract, but figured it was the usual offseason noise.

 

[-fish-]

The Jays have the 5th highest payroll in the majors. Caveat that I'm not sure if the MLB chart factors in the whole deferred money thing. So it's not like the WS is a true David vs Goliath. Maybe David vs his older cousin who's a beer league MVP

Jays offered Shohei $700 million. They tried to ruin baseball.

I do remember hearing that Ohtani was on a plane to Toronto to sign a contract, but figured it was the usual offseason noise.

It came down to Toronto, SF and LA. All three made the same offer, including the deferral, which was suggested by Ohtani's people so that the team could surround him with talent. He didn't want a repeat of Anaheim.

 

[simsarge]

The Jays have the 5th highest payroll in the majors. Caveat that I'm not sure if the MLB chart factors in the whole deferred money thing. So it's not like the WS is a true David vs Goliath. Maybe David vs his older cousin who's a beer league MVP

Jays offered Shohei $700 million. They tried to ruin baseball.

I do remember hearing that Ohtani was on a plane to Toronto to sign a contract, but figured it was the usual offseason noise.

It came down to Toronto, SF and LA. All three made the same offer, including the deferral, which was suggested by Ohtani's people so that the team could surround him with talent. He didn't want a repeat of Anaheim.

Any insight on what made him pick LA (other than the weather )?

 

[Cowboysfan8]

The Jays have the 5th highest payroll in the majors. Caveat that I'm not sure if the MLB chart factors in the whole deferred money thing. So it's not like the WS is a true David vs Goliath. Maybe David vs his older cousin who's a beer league MVP

Jays offered Shohei $700 million. They tried to ruin baseball.

I do remember hearing that Ohtani was on a plane to Toronto to sign a contract, but figured it was the usual offseason noise.

It came down to Toronto, SF and LA. All three made the same offer, including the deferral, which was suggested by Ohtani's people so that the team could surround him with talent. He didn't want a repeat of Anaheim.

but….THE DODGERS ARE RUINING THE GAME!!!!!!!!!!!1111!!!

 

[Capella]

The Giants hiring a college coach who never played or coached in any pro system even (not just the majors) is insane. He’s going to be laughed out of that clubhouse eventually.

 

[-fish-]

The Giants hiring a college coach who never played or coached in any pro system even (not just the majors) is insane. He’s going to be laughed out of that clubhouse eventually.

Managers don't matter. Dave Roberts is a freaking moron.

 

[-fish-]

My cat could have managed its way to the world series a few times with the Dodgers talent. She would also know better than to let Tanner Scott blow 12 saves or let Blake Treinen lose 5 consecutive games

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Managers don't matter

In baseball it seems to matter in a significant way to have made the major leagues as a player, no matter how brief the time or how bad they were: LaRussa/Ron Washington/Bruce Bochy, as examples.

Baseball doesn't seem to have a Bill Belichick or Sean McVay or Greg Popovich or Mark Daigneault.

Earl Weaver and Joe Maddon have talked about how hard a road they had in trying to break into the majors as a manger.

 

[Northern Voice]

The Giants hiring a college coach who never played or coached in any pro system even (not just the majors) is insane. He’s going to be laughed out of that clubhouse eventually.

It's funny because this is so incredibly common in hockey with coaches jumping from junior or college ranks to the NHL. Badger Bob Johnson went from college to NHL (and Hall of Fame coaching career) in 1982. Another GOAT/Hall of Famer, Roger Neilson did it in 1977. Neither were players of any note at all. I don't Neilson ever played and Johnson didn't beyond college.

Do we really think Albert Pujols or some of the other former player candidates - who have never coached a second - are more qualified than a guy who has won the college world series as a coach, just because he was a good player?

If it were my team, I'd be happier with someone up and coming with some winning pedigree than some guy who got hired because he was a player or some guy being recycled through the league for the fourth time.

Not saying there aren't/weren't better candidates in terms of MLB minor leagues/bench coaches or former players who have actually gone and coached at some level but I don't get why this is so egregious. Again maybe it's my hockey bias where college/junior is viewed as a common pipeline to NHL coaching

 

[Northern Voice]

Managers don't matter

In baseball it seems to matter in a significant way to have made the major leagues as a player, no matter how brief the time or how bad they were: LaRussa/Ron Washington/Bruce Bochy, as examples.

Baseball doesn't seem to have a Bill Belichick or Sean McVay or Greg Popovich or Mark Daigneault.

Earl Weaver and Joe Maddon have talked about how hard a road they had in trying to break into the majors as a manger.

Jays manager John Schneider never made it beyond AA as a player. He certainly paid his does in the Toronto organization though.

 

[Capella]

Do we really think Albert Pujols or some of the other former player candidates - who have never coached a second - are more qualified than a guy who has won the college world series as a coach, just because he was a good player?

No I don’t know that but I don’t think professional players will respect him. I highly doubt any of them give a F about the college World Series, that’s the equivalent of winning a single-A title, probably worse actually since those guys are all pros.

It’s happened in football and hoops too, usually without much success, but some good stories (Brad Stephens for sure). I just think the baseball mentality is a little different.

 

[Capella]

Managers don't matter

In baseball it seems to matter in a significant way to have made the major leagues as a player, no matter how brief the time or how bad they were: LaRussa/Ron Washington/Bruce Bochy, as examples.

Baseball doesn't seem to have a Bill Belichick or Sean McVay or Greg Popovich or Mark Daigneault.

Earl Weaver and Joe Maddon have talked about how hard a road they had in trying to break into the majors as a manger.

Jays manager John Schneider never made it beyond AA as a player. He certainly paid his does in the Toronto organization though.

This guy has no pro experience at all. Like literally none. Plenty of lifer minor league guys have become managers. This is totally different.

 

[Northern Voice]

Managers don't matter

In baseball it seems to matter in a significant way to have made the major leagues as a player, no matter how brief the time or how bad they were: LaRussa/Ron Washington/Bruce Bochy, as examples.

Baseball doesn't seem to have a Bill Belichick or Sean McVay or Greg Popovich or Mark Daigneault.

Earl Weaver and Joe Maddon have talked about how hard a road they had in trying to break into the majors as a manger.

Jays manager John Schneider never made it beyond AA as a player. He certainly paid his does in the Toronto organization though.

This guy has no pro experience at all. Like literally none. Plenty of lifer minor league guys have become managers. This is totally different.

Neither did the hockey guys I referenced who are hall of famers and regarded as two of the best ever. Hell, the best hockey coach ever Scotty Bowman didn't play beyond junior and jumped straight from coaching junior to the St Louis Blues.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Jays manager John Schneider never made it beyond AA as a player. He certainly paid his does in the Toronto organization though.

That seems to be the viable path: Snitker in Atlanta was in the organization for over forty years before getting his chance. Schaeffer in Colorado is another "lifer", as was Mike Shildt in St. Louis.

Pat Murphy was Craig Counsell's coach at Notre Dame, and Counsell brought him on staff when he became the Milwaukee manager. When Counsell took the Cubs job there was the story that he told Milwaukee management if they hired Murphy then he would not take any coaches with him to Chicago, and if they didn't hire him then he would take Murphy along with most of the other coaches. They hired Murphy and Counsell came to the Cubs by himself.

 

[Capella]

Managers don't matter

In baseball it seems to matter in a significant way to have made the major leagues as a player, no matter how brief the time or how bad they were: LaRussa/Ron Washington/Bruce Bochy, as examples.

Baseball doesn't seem to have a Bill Belichick or Sean McVay or Greg Popovich or Mark Daigneault.

Earl Weaver and Joe Maddon have talked about how hard a road they had in trying to break into the majors as a manger.

Jays manager John Schneider never made it beyond AA as a player. He certainly paid his does in the Toronto organization though.

This guy has no pro experience at all. Like literally none. Plenty of lifer minor league guys have become managers. This is totally different.

Neither did the hockey guys I referenced who are hall of famers and regarded as two of the best ever. Hell, the best hockey coach ever Scotty Bowman didn't play beyond junior and jumped straight from coaching junior to the St Louis Blues.

Totally different sport. It’s never been done in baseball before for a reason. Will be really interesting to see what happens.

 

[Northern Voice]

Managers don't matter

In baseball it seems to matter in a significant way to have made the major leagues as a player, no matter how brief the time or how bad they were: LaRussa/Ron Washington/Bruce Bochy, as examples.

Baseball doesn't seem to have a Bill Belichick or Sean McVay or Greg Popovich or Mark Daigneault.

Earl Weaver and Joe Maddon have talked about how hard a road they had in trying to break into the majors as a manger.

Jays manager John Schneider never made it beyond AA as a player. He certainly paid his does in the Toronto organization though.

This guy has no pro experience at all. Like literally none. Plenty of lifer minor league guys have become managers. This is totally different.

Neither did the hockey guys I referenced who are hall of famers and regarded as two of the best ever. Hell, the best hockey coach ever Scotty Bowman didn't play beyond junior and jumped straight from coaching junior to the St Louis Blues.

Totally different sport. It’s never been done in baseball before for a reason. Will be really interesting to see what happens.

Yeah I guess I don't get it. It's still coaching the same sport, it's a guy who's had success with winning systems at junior/college levels. It's going from dealing with young adults/college kids to dealing with big egos/big money.

I know it hasn't happened but I don't get why it shouldn't or why it's a big deal. I guess I'm pretty anti - coaching carousel though, I like the idea of expanding the pool of available candidates beyond the same old guys/former players and looking for people who might actually bring something new.

 

[Northern Voice]

I also heard today, they're effectively spending $12M or more to make this Vitello hiring happen ($3M buyout to Tennessee, $4M owed to Melvin, estimated $5M+ salary to get Vitello to leave Tennessee+ factoring in things like different taxes/cost of living going from Knoxville to SF).

 

[thecatch]

I also heard today, they're effectively spending $12M or more to make this Vitello hiring happen ($3M buyout to Tennessee, $4M owed to Melvin, estimated $5M+ salary to get Vitello to leave Tennessee+ factoring in things like different taxes/cost of living going from Knoxville to SF).

I’m more confused about why Vitello is taking this job than I am the Giants offering it to him. It’s not a big raise especially given the tax situations and he had a great thing going.

 

[kupcho1]

Totally different sport. It’s never been done in baseball before for a reason. Will be really interesting to see what happens.

True, but until very, very recently, baseball has been extremely conservative in its thinking. In the grand scheme of things, moneyball is still a relatively new concept to a game that's 100+ years old. The pitch clock and other new innovations have improved the game. Perhaps the Giant's move will become the norm.

Keep in mind, the players are very good at what they do (e.g., hitting, pitching), but there aren't a lot of critical thinkers in the bunch.

 

[Northern Voice]

Curious to see what the Jays do with Bichette. His bat is good enough that you want him in the lineup but his defence wasn't the best even when he was fully healthy and Gimenez has been a huge part of their success.

If you DH Bichette, it means Springer is back in the outfield which also weakens you defensively at the best of times at this stage of his career and who knows what shape his knee is in. Bichette has never played 2B and on half a leg in the world series doesn't seem like the place.

Maybe he's just a pinch hitter but I'd guess Springer guts it out and it's:

C - Kirk
1B - Vlad
2B - Clement
3B - Barger
SS - Gimenez
LF - Lukes vs RHP/Schneider vs LHP
CF - Varsho
RF - Springer
DH - Bichette

BN - Heineman, Kiner-Falefa, Straw, Schneider/Lukes (Loperfido comes off the roster for Bichette).

The only real soft spot in that lineup is Gimenez and his amazing glove and couple big hits this postseason make it more than acceptable to have him in there.

If Bichette comes off the bench, IKF starts at 2B, Clement at 3B with Barger in RF and Luke's/Schneider in RF.

 

[falguy]

I feel like they will start with Bichette as PH in game 1 and 2, ride the same lineup they had against Seattle. Schneider in for Lukes in game 1. Depending on how that goes, and how Bichette is feeling maybe DH him in a game or two after that. Give Bichette a PH at bat in both games 1 and 2 regardless of score to give him a couple ABs.

Ive not seen a single comment about something I think should be a consideration. That is, to start Lauer in Game 3 or 4. He was good all year and, as a lefty, might be good to start a game with him. Maybe only as an opener. I don't know, just seems like they are wasting him and against Shohei, freeman and Muncy might be a nice changeup.

I'm probably just crazy

 

[Northern Voice]

Ive not seen a single comment about something I think should be a consideration. That is, to start Lauer in Game 3 or 4. He was good all year and, as a lefty, might be good to start a game with him. Maybe only as an opener. I don't know, just seems like they are wasting him and against Shohei, freeman and Muncy might be a nice changeup.

I'm probably just crazy

I'll bet we see Lauer as a lefty out of the pen in games 1/2 Toronto. I don't think they'll use Little at home after his last appearance.

I wouldn't be opposed to him in game 4 as part of a piggyback with Scherzer. I'm skeptical Max can repeat his game 4 ALCS performance but who knows, he certainly has shown not to bet against him.

 

[falguy]

Ive not seen a single comment about something I think should be a consideration. That is, to start Lauer in Game 3 or 4. He was good all year and, as a lefty, might be good to start a game with him. Maybe only as an opener. I don't know, just seems like they are wasting him and against Shohei, freeman and Muncy might be a nice changeup.

I'm probably just crazy

I'll bet we see Lauer as a lefty out of the pen in games 1/2 Toronto. I don't think they'll use Little at home after his last appearance.

I wouldn't be opposed to him in game 4 as part of a piggyback with Scherzer. I'm skeptical Max can repeat his game 4 ALCS performance but who knows, he certainly has shown not to bet against him.

Looks like Trey gets the game 1 nod. I like it! Gives Gaus an extra day and he seems to pitch better on long rest. Gets Trey in when it's 0-0 so no added pressure (not that it seems to bother him) and one less day for him to think about it. His journey this year is absolutely incredible, and now he's starting game1 of the WS.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

This is big

I hope everything is ok with his family

 

[Northern Voice]

This is big

I hope everything is ok with his family

That really sucks. It doesn't take much reading between the lines when the statement starts "with a heavy heart" and his wife is in her third trimester. Really hope I'm wrong and it's some sort of complications that can be worked through - either way I feel awful for them and hope for the best.