The All-New and Improved 2013 Major League Baseball Thread

[pedro]

I was happy when they were talking about $20 per year, so this makes me even happier. Great deal for both team and player.

According to a baseball source, the Red Sox and second baseman Dustin Pedroia have agreed to a seven-year, worth approximately $100 million extension that will begin following the final guaranteed year of his current deal. Pedroia is currently in the midst of six-year, $40.5 million deal that carries a team option for 2015.

The deal, according to the source, carries a full no-trade clause. Pedroia, who turns 30 Aug. 17, is hitting .308 with an .808 OPS in an American League-best 100 games played this season.

LINK

Also, Ryan Braun still sucks.

[yourenotevil]

for hc baseball fans: don't you just feel like the sport is pretty much a joke over the past 20 plus years since everyone has been doping and there is now way to tell who was clean and who isn't? and even with the possibility of getting suspended 100 games or a season, repeat offenders are still doing so? or do you just say everyone in any given sport (even shit like sprinting and cycling) has been doping too so it all doesn't matter?

[pedro]

for hc baseball fans: don't you just feel like the sport is pretty much a joke over the past 20 plus years since everyone has been doping and there is now way to tell who was clean and who isn't? and even with the possibility of getting suspended 100 games or a season, repeat offenders are still doing so? or do you just say everyone in any given sport (even shit like sprinting and cycling) has been doping too so it all doesn't matter?

How is this any different from football?

[WrEtcH]

for hc baseball fans: don't you just feel like the sport is pretty much a joke over the past 20 plus years since everyone has been doping and there is now way to tell who was clean and who isn't? and even with the possibility of getting suspended 100 games or a season, repeat offenders are still doing so? or do you just say everyone in any given sport (even shit like sprinting and cycling) has been doping too so it all doesn't matter?

not if yer team has won 2 titles in 3 years
SRSLY, I can die now. 1 is all I ever wanted in my lifetime. TWO and how they won it last year?
I'll take that one to the grave with me and ask for nothing more.

[yourenotevil]

for hc baseball fans: don't you just feel like the sport is pretty much a joke over the past 20 plus years since everyone has been doping and there is now way to tell who was clean and who isn't? and even with the possibility of getting suspended 100 games or a season, repeat offenders are still doing so? or do you just say everyone in any given sport (even shit like sprinting and cycling) has been doping too so it all doesn't matter?

How is this any different from football?

that's kind of what i am asking. i guess i would argue that doping in football is something i could see as affecting the game a little less since baseball is the least physical punishing sport of the big 4. plus, you don't have the stats to back up that the nfl was affected or it was as widespread in the last twenty years like baseball was. you only have all of these qb records being broken in the last 5 years since the rules changes are so much more geared towards the offense right now.

[WrEtcH]

never mind, I didn't look at padro's first post.

[pedro]

If the Yankees get out from under A-Hole's contract I will be furious.

[WrEtcH]

Brian Wilson signs with the Doyers

[pedro]

A little bummed to see Iglesias, who is an amazing glove, go, but I don't see him as a Major League hitter over a long career so it was probably the right move. I guess Peavy is an upgrade, but he seems pretty inconsistent. The reliever the Sox received from the Tigers has a bunch of talent, but can't seem to put it all together. He's a project. I was afraid the Sox would be getting rid of bigger prospects, for either Peavy or Cliff Lee, so I am happy it was only Iggy.

Apparently, the upcoming Biogenesis suspensions are the motivating factor for the Tigers to acquire a SS, as Peralta is going down for the year.

[JGJR]

Brian Wilson signs with the Doyers

He's on tour with Al and David Marks now. How does he find the time?

[pedro]

Wow.

[WrEtcH]

despite my team falling apart and looking like the most terrible defending champions, I'm still in touch with baseball, but it blows me away looking at the standings to see who's on top. God bless the Pittsburgh Pirates for losing so long and now they own one the best records in the MLB. I hope this is the year they have a wining record and reach the playoffs.

In the same conversation, how bout those Kansas City Royals? 9 in a row? The Cleveland Indians 8 in a row? Okay since it's a certainty the Giants won't make the playoffs, locally I'm jumping on the A's bandwagon (which isn't hard for me to do.) At the point, I'm just hoping for a .500 year for the Giants. I'm not upset anymore, heck I've been spoiled. They're still my first love amongst all the professional teams in the Bay Area.

[pedro]

So, I am starting to think my team might actually be pretty good.

They don't quit. Ever.

[pedro]

Oh WrEtcH, were you there? That was as close as you can get! I kind of hope you weren't there.

[WrEtcH]

Oh WrEtcH, were you there? That was as close as you can get! I kind of hope you weren't there.

I was and cheering all the way to finally see my first one. DAMMIT, almost!
Regardless, hellva game by Yusmeiro Petit. Great effort!

it's night like this that define how much I love baseball.

[pedro]

Post season time.

Technically the regular season, but a one game, AL wild card tie-breaker will be played tonight in Texas. Rays v. Rangers. It's kind of a joke that Texas gets to host the game. Because the tie-breaker is record within your division, the Rangers basically host the game because Houston is in their division. I want nothing to do with Tampa Bay. I hate them, their stupid stadium and their fan(s). Go Rangers.

NL Wild Card is tomorrow, Pittsburgh hosts Cincinnati. With all apologies to the mean, I'm pulling for the Pirates. It has been so long for them. I really have nothing against the Reds and I can see me pulling for them in the NL if the win, but I'd like to see the Pirates go pretty far.

AL Wild Card is Tampa Bay/Texas at Cleveland on Wednesday. From a Red Sox point of view, as stated previously, I want nothing to do with Tampa Bay. I hate them, their stupid stadium and their fan(s). I hate that Texas held on, but I think I'd rather play them than Cleveland or Tampa Bay. Becareful what you wish for!

I assume WrEtcH is pulling for the A's? I know the mean is pulling for the Reds. Anyone else care? No Phillies, Mets, Nationals, White Sox or Yankees makes for very little rooting action around here.

OAK v. DET
TB/TEX/CLE v. BOS
LAD v. ATL
CIN/PIT v. STL

[yourenotevil]

Post season time.

Technically the regular season, but a one game, AL wild card tie-breaker will be played tonight in Texas. Rays v. Rangers. It's kind of a joke that Texas gets to host the game. Because the tie-breaker is record within your division, the Rangers basically host the game because Houston is in their division. I want nothing to do with Tampa Bay. I hate them, their stupid stadium and their fan(s). Go Rangers.

NL Wild Card is tomorrow, Pittsburgh hosts Cincinnati. With all apologies to the mean, I'm pulling for the Pirates. It has been so long for them. I really have nothing against the Reds and I can see me pulling for them in the NL if the win, but I'd like to see the Pirates go pretty far.

AL Wild Card is Tampa Bay/Texas at Cleveland on Wednesday. From a Red Sox point of view, as stated previously, I want nothing to do with Tampa Bay. I hate them, their stupid stadium and their fan(s). I hate that Texas held on, but I think I'd rather play them than Cleveland or Tampa Bay. Becareful what you wish for!

I assume WrEtcH is pulling for the A's? I know the mean is pulling for the Reds. Anyone else care? No Phillies, Mets, Nationals, White Sox or Yankees makes for very little rooting action around here.

OAK v. DET
TB/TEX/CLE v. BOS
LAD v. ATL
CIN/PIT v. STL

i always watch the playoffs usually but i haven't been paying attention since NFL started.

[WrEtcH]

Go,
A's
Pirates
& Braves (thought I'd never say that, but since they are playing the LAD.)

[the mean]

The Reds are limping into the post-season, figuratively and literally.

This has been the most disappointing "make the playoffs" season. This team is always feeling like its underperforming. The fact is that the bench is weak, and has been exposed due to injury. Missing Ryan Ludwick as a RH power hitter over most of the season was tough, and the offense has been inconsistent.

Cueto has missed most of the season, and his stellar call-up replacement, Tony Cingrani, has been hurt. Both RH and LH set up men have missed most of the season.

Now, Brandon Phillips has a baseball growing out of his shin, and Mat Latos can't make the start tomorrow due to injury. Cueto is starting, and has looked good since his return from injury, but who knows based on how little he's pitched this year.

Billy Hamilton better be on the post-season roster.

Good pitching can carry a team through the playoffs, and the Reds starting pitching can be amazing. This team can easily make a run, but just as easily could flame out with a 7-1 loss tomorrow.

I'm also happy to see Pitt back in the post-season. When I was a kid my best friend was a Pirates fan, and we got to see some good battles in the late 70s.

[scannest]

I can root for the Pirates. Their long tradition of suckitude fits in well with my love for the Mets.

[JGJR]

I can root for the Pirates. Their long tradition of suckitude fits in well with my love for the Mets.

Pretty much this. Otherwise, I can't say I really care about the MLB playoffs at all this year and am not sure how much of it I'll actually watch.

[WrEtcH]

pedro, looking good on the TBS round table with Olbermann

[pedro]

Condolences to the mean, but how about those Buccos!

[JGJR]

Condolences to the mean, but how about those Buccos!

Yep. Go Pirates!

[the mean]

Condolences to the mean

That was a listless and embarrassing performance last night. Heads need to roll. Team needs a major shake up to make it to the next level.

Unfortunately, Dusty has another year on his contract and will probably be back. I don't think they can afford to keep Choo. Arroyo is likely gone. BP probably needs to be traded. Upgrades needed at a couple positions (3B/LF.) And... AROLDIS CHAPMAN SHOULD NOT BE PITCHING FUCKING LESS THAN 70 INNINGS PER YEAR.

[JGJR]

Condolences to the mean

That was a listless and embarrassing performance last night. Heads need to roll. Team needs a major shake up to make it to the next level.

Or more to the point and less dramatically, they just don't have an answer against lefties as another FB friend who's also a Reds fan pointed out.

[the mean]

Or more to the point and less dramatically, they just don't have an answer against lefties as another FB friend who's also a Reds fan pointed out.

I don't really think that's the case. The team's 2013 sOPS+ against LHP was 100 (which means right at league average.) What's interesting is that the Reds' LH hitters have an sOPS+ of 124, which means it is the team's RH hitters that are below league average against LHP.

[JGJR]

Or more to the point and less dramatically, they just don't have an answer against lefties as another FB friend who's also a Reds fan pointed out.

I don't really think that's the case. The team's 2013 sOPS+ against LHP was 100 (which means right at league average.) What's interesting is that the Reds' LH hitters have an sOPS+ of 124, which means it is the team's RH hitters that are below league average against LHP.

Sure, but that didn't help last night, did it?

[the mean]

Well, yeah. I'm saying their poor performance last night was not because of a general inability to hit lefties. They have even been successful against Liriano this season. I believe they were 3-0 against him and handed him his one regular season home loss.

[the mean]

Unfortunately, Dusty has another year on his contract and will probably be back.

Nope. Dusty seems like a nice dude, but he's not the right guy to take this team to the next level.

[scannest]

Not that anyone needs another reason to hate A-Rod, but his legal staff has decided it is in his best interest to sue Major League Baseball:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ml ... g/2922019/

[pedro]

Slightly surprised Dusty got canned. I thought the $4M would save his job.

Rays-Red Sox in seconds!

[xxxHunterxxx]

I will be rooting for the following in this round of the playoffs:
Pirates
Red Sox
Dodgers
A's

[pedro]

One down, two to go.

[obik]

Clearly my prayers have not been answered.

[JGJR]

Go Pirates!

[WrEtcH]

Red Sox and Dodgers are in. Just 2 game 5's to decide the rest. Liking how the playoffs have gone as far as intrigue and competitiveness goes.

[JGJR]

Red Sox and Dodgers are in. Just 2 game 5's to decide the rest. Liking how the playoffs have gone as far as intrigue and competitiveness goes.

With the way Wainwright is pitching right now and with the Cards' incredible defense, it's not looking good for the Pirates right now. It's only the 6th, though.

[WrEtcH]

My prediction,

it will be a Dodgers/Red Sox world series with the Dodgers winning it in 6 games.

[WrEtcH]

what a game 2 by the Red Sox.

pedro probably is like "OMG, OMG, OMG!"

[pedro]

what a game 2 by the Red Sox.

pedro probably is like "OMG, OMG, OMG!"

I screamed like a school girl! That was the second time on Sunday that I screamed like a school girl.

Big game tonight. I need the good Lackey to be on the mound.

[obik]

I screamed like a school girl!

That's your most endearing quality.

[pedro]

There is so much more to me that, sadly, now you will never know.

[pedro]

AND

[JGJR]

Great series, Sox deserved it, they just wanted it more, crazy games 3 and 4, nice to see them in Fenway, our neighbors (family with a guy, his wife and two kids) all dressed up as different Red Sox players with the appropriate uniforms and fake beards for Halloween. It was great!