Other Baseball

I just got my ticket for this (which was free), was informed about it from a friend. For anyone who is interested in sabermetric education, as well as a few other sports topics. Mostly baseball, but a few football and soccer classes as well. February 2 in Eden Prairie. https://sportcon2018.sched.com/

I had the pleasure of joining Travis Aune and Chad Smith on their Minnesota Sports Weekly podcast last night. We talked about everything from the prospect handbook/rankings to Yu Darvish. I believe I'm welcomed on to the show at around the hour mark. The guys led off the show with Josh Whetzel, who is the radio guy for Triple-A Rochester, so there's plenty of good Twins content in this episode. Here's the Blog Talk Radio link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/minnesotasportsweekly/2018/01/11/minnesota-sports-weekly-episode-52

Moderators, if this is more appropriate for the Sports Bar, I can completely understand... Player's Association is looking into an agent who has been accused of recording players showering. He's the agent of Minnesota prep pitcher and current Red Nick Hanson. https://t.co/1FSugUkRp6

I know he was only a Twin for one year but it was a memorable year and I always liked him. Hudson is on the HOF ballot this year - he won't receive a vote - but he had a nice career and Poz gives him a nice write up. https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/news/orlando-hudson-overcame-odds-to-excel-in-mlb/c-264056974

Not sure how this trade impacts the Central this year but thought I'd put it up. Via email: The White Sox, Kansas City and L.A. Dodgers have completed a three-team, five-player trade, with the Sox acquiring LHP Luis Avilán, RHP Joakim Soria and cash considerations from the Dodgers in exchange for minor-league INF Jake Peter. The Dodgers acquired Soria and LHP Scott Alexander from K.C. in return for INF Erick Mejia and RHP Trevor Oaks. Comments?

Has anyone ventured into this? http://m.milb.com/gdaudio/#/js/gdaudio/?sort_by=affiliate&o=142 I drive a lot for my work and I primarily listen to podcasts. I subscribe to MLB.tv and listen to games of interest, but the thought that MiLB teams have their own streams is pretty exciting. The link says that not all teams have a stream, and not all games are streamed for those that do have one. If anyone has any info based on previous years' experiences, I would love to hear it.

What a dumb offseason for baseball. It's almost Christmas and a grand total of 2 of the top 20 free agents have signed. What are they waiting for? Baseball could really put a stake in ground for the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas and instead they putz around with this nonsense.

Has anyone read the book "The Only Rule is it Has to Work"? about the 2 Baseball prospectus guys that run a indy baseball team? I am half way through it and its great. Just wondering if anyone else has read it, and if not, pick it up.

Jeff Passan tweeted out tonight that the Yankees are working on a package to acquire him. Another tweet says if deal falls through Pittsburgh is still highly motivated to move him.

Denard Span, Christian Arroyo and prospects to the Rays.

that's all I wanted to say. I consider it good for baseball if they don't win the World Series next year. Feel free to vent below. Also, is Jeter trying to improve the team he owns or his old team? I mean, why would you do that trade prior to the Winter meetings where he may have gotten a better offer? I realize Stanton could nix other potential trade and that this was about dumping salary, but shouldn't you try to get something better for a superstar? Just my 2 pennies.

Who plays out of the park baseaball? Personally, I love it and found out about online leagues. Is anyone else interested in joining one that I found? It's amazing playing and trading with other users. I love this game. Respond to this or PM if anyone is interested.

Along with Alan Trammel. Congrats to them both.

My God, this organization is worse than the Cleveland Browns.

Ohtani and Trout will be fun to watch...

Obviously as a “broadcaster”. That would be laughable. It would be like Dan Gladden in the Hall as a broadcaster. The broadcasters that are in are true elite immortals. I’m fine with that.

Jeter made it sound very likely that Stanton will be gone, saying that the Marlins are about to make some very unpopular decisions. They've had seven straight losing seasons. I'm guessing he ends up a Yankee, and that NY gives up anything they have to to end up with a lineup anchored by Sanchez/Judge/Stanton. What are your thoughts? Does he get moved? Where does he go?

Shots fired from Bill James: https://www.billjamesonline.com/judge_and_altuve/

Not a bad deal for the Cubs. Hopefully this gets the hot stove going.

John LaRue with The Hardball Times wrote an interesting article titled "Evaluating Talent Distribution on Rosters" He looks at teams over the last 30 years and compiled data to find out what is the best methodology to build a roster. Stars and scrubs, Deep with depth, Deep with stars, etc. Not every team has the resources and market size to build a super team. These methodologies help small market teams like the Twins compete against the Dodgers, Astros, Yankees, and Cubs of the world.

60 Minutes had an exclusive interview with Shohei Otani last night... Trying to find the video as we speak, and will post it once it's available. He WILL sign with an MLB team after the 2017 season, CBA and potential money left on the table be damned. The big key with him signing in the MLB is finding a team that will allow him to pitch and DH or play in the field. I don't know how he'll choose his MLB team all things being equal. After watching his highlights and interview last night, I'd love for that guy to be on my favorite team.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21568989/ten-players-traded-offseason-their-own-good 10 guys who could use a change of scenery. Edit: I posted this in the wrong section. Could a mod move it to mlb baseball forum?

The Braves GM and his top assistant have been forced to resign over a major league baseball investigation into the teams international signings. John Hart has resumed the role of GM until the position is refilled. It is possible that some of the signings including the top international 16 year old the Braves signed this year might be voided. (Most of this information came from posts on mlbtraderumors). Should the Twins be interested and at what price for Kevin Maitan(he could be an unrestricted FA). John Coppolella and his top assistant Gordon Blakely have been forced out and it is expected some scouts will also be forced out. Stunning is that up to 15 baseball club…

https://baseballhall.org/hof/2018-bbwaa-ballot The important new names are Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones, Hideki Matsui, Jim Thome, Johan Santana, Johnny Damon, Scott Rolen and Omar Vizquel. Each of them sorta has a HOF claim (Matsui would need some credit for Japan). And fourteen people got enough votes last year to stay on, with both Vlad and Hoffman really close to getting elected. Of the new group, Chipper should be a lock and Thome should be as well. I'd vote for Andruw Jones first ballot but it'll take him a while. Scott Rolen will eventually get in but probably not this year. I think Vizquel eventually gets in as well. The rest don't. Of the returning guys, Ed…

Jon Heyman announced this morning that Doug Mientkiewicz has been named the manager of the Toledo Mudhens, the AAA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.

https://theathletic.com/160170/2017/11/19/gammons-justin-morneau-dwight-evans-and-the-debilitating-effects-of-concussions/ It's behind a paywall but features Morneau.

Sad. Check out this post in the Boston Red Sox vibe: "Teen Red Sox prospect dies after cancer battle" https://www.yahoo.com/newsroom/vibes/mlb.t.2/v-0921d98e-cdff-3ef9-8fae-1780ae004a1c_c-730ac611-480f-3ac7-91de-602cbba94e5d_a-730ac611-480f-3ac7-91de-602cbba94e5d?soc_src=newsroom&soc_trk=com.apple.UIKit.activity.CopyToPasteboard&.tsrc=newsroom

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/11/07/plane-crash-gulf-of-mexico/ Some reports are saying Halladay perished in the crash... still awaiting some confirmation...

Actually seems pretty solid to me: Two of them should be givens (Miller, Trammell) and it wouldn't be terrible if some other guys made it. Ballot does usually end in deadlock.

Game 1 starts tonight. They're forecasting that it will be over 95 degrees at first pitch. Which would be the hottest temperature at the start of a game since the 2001 WS in Phoenix, AZ. The Dodgers and Astros are the first 100 win teams to meet in the World Series since 1970. Kershaw v. Keuchel tonight. I predict both pitchers will see the 6th inning at least.