Non-Twins 2019 season news

[Mike Sixel]

Who views Ruth as the career HR leader?

What are their reasons for disqualifying Aaron?

My racist grandmother did. She can't be the only one....

[Mr. Brooks]

My racist grandmother did. She can't be the only one....

Interesting.

I knew that there were racists who were bitter about him breaking the record. But I didn't realize any of them actually considered it illegitimate.

[KirbyDome89]

I'm not sure Nick Francona is the champion of that article. His lack of action and motives are just as questionable as the Dodgers IMO....

[biggentleben]

 

I'm not sure Nick Francona is the champion of that article. His lack of action and motives are just as questionable as the Dodgers IMO....

 

He has stated that he is upset by his own actions. He was fresh from the military and very ingrained mindset of respecting chain of authority, which he knows now he should have challenged.

[biggentleben]

The worst possible situation for baseball fans - Sinclair purchased the local team rights. This could be very, very bad for baseball.

[KirbyDome89]

 

He has stated that he is upset by his own actions. He was fresh from the military and very ingrained mindset of respecting chain of authority, which he knows now he should have challenged.

It's good he realizes in retrospect that a mistake was made, but the whole article reads as more of a personal battle between Francona and Kapler/LA. The alleged assaults seem like the highest hill Francona could climb onto after it became clear he was going to lose the struggle. That's unfortunate....

[biggentleben]

 

It's good he realizes in retrospect that a mistake was made, but the whole article reads as more of a personal battle between Francona and Kapler/LA. The alleged assaults seem like the highest hill Francona could climb onto after it became clear he was going to lose the struggle. That's unfortunate....

 

There is more there, but the Dodgers settled with Francona on the grounds that he not release any of it, and he has held to that, though he's open to discuss other portions of his employment with the team. Kapler, on the other hand, will go after Nick on all subjects, including ones that he knows (or should know) that Nick can't respond to...

 

Kapler has a reputation around the game as a "baseball bro", which has its positives, but it definitely has its negatives, including this cover-up.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The worst possible situation for baseball fans - Sinclair purchased the local team rights. This could be very, very bad for baseball.

Worst case scenario, sure. I’d like to see a separate discussion on this because I’m not sure what this means. But I don’t think Sinclair bought up the television rights of half the teams in MLB simply to black out audiences and keep them off tv. Just doesn’t sound plausible. But no it doesn’t sound sensible for MLB to sell to this outfit, either.

[old nurse]

 

The worst possible situation for baseball fans - Sinclair purchased the local team rights. This could be very, very bad for baseball.

MLB had no control over who Disney sold to.  I doubt that the owners do not dislike  the conservative bias of Sinclair.  Sinclair would not have paid 10 billion to lose money. If they radically slant their coverage of sports they will lose viewers, thus ratings go down, meaning revenue goes down.

[biggentleben]

 

MLB had no control over who Disney sold to.  I doubt that the owners do not dislike  the conservative bias of Sinclair.  Sinclair would not have paid 10 billion to lose money. If they radically slant their coverage of sports they will lose viewers, thus ratings go down, meaning revenue goes down.

 

The conservative slant is one thing. Sinclair is known for slashing down to bare bones in staffing, pushing to maximize profits in all aspects while also presenting a common, unified message. Cutting corners on coverage of the game could absolutely kill the game.

 

Will there actually be discourse on the game or when a player flips a bat, will he universally be panned across all Sinclair-owned stations in pregame highlights?

[Vanimal46]

The conservative slant is one thing. Sinclair is known for slashing down to bare bones in staffing, pushing to maximize profits in all aspects while also presenting a common, unified message. Cutting corners on coverage of the game could absolutely kill the game.

 

Will there actually be discourse on the game or when a player flips a bat, will he universally be panned across all Sinclair-owned stations in pregame highlights?

Like Hosken, I'd love a separate discussion about this since I'm not familiar with Sinclair enough. If you take the time to write an article you'd get my click and comment.

[KirbyDome89]

 

There is more there, but the Dodgers settled with Francona on the grounds that he not release any of it, and he has held to that, though he's open to discuss other portions of his employment with the team. Kapler, on the other hand, will go after Nick on all subjects, including ones that he knows (or should know) that Nick can't respond to...

 

Kapler has a reputation around the game as a "baseball bro", which has its positives, but it definitely has its negatives, including this cover-up.

Doesn't the fact Nick was willing to settle financially reinforce the point I'm making though? His interest, above all else, during his time with LA and NY was himself. He waited over a year to shed light on the alleged assaults and it immediately followed LA being cleared of misconduct regarding his dismissal. That timing is too convenient to ignore. If "some things are worth being fired for," why wait over a year? Why dump personal communications with coworkers? If he's truly disturbed by the questionable morals of the Dodgers why settle and keep quiet? If Nick is a victim, it's of his own selfishness at this point. 

 

This isn't some absolution for Kapler or LA here. I'm simply pointing out that Nick Francona seems hellbent on getting back at the above duo, and in that process he appears to be using potentially serious issues as stepping stones.

[biggentleben]

 

Doesn't the fact Nick was willing to settle financially reinforce the point I'm making though? His interest, above all else, during his time with LA and NY was himself. He waited over a year to shed light on the alleged assaults and it immediately followed LA being cleared of misconduct regarding his dismissal. That timing is too convenient to ignore. If "some things are worth being fired for," why wait over a year? Why dump personal communications with coworkers? If he's truly disturbed by the questionable morals of the Dodgers why settle and keep quiet? If Nick is a victim, it's of his own selfishness at this point. 

 

This isn't some absolution for Kapler or LA here. I'm simply pointing out that Nick Francona seems hellbent on getting back at the above duo, and in that process he appears to be using potentially serious issues as stepping stones.

 

Nick immediately filed a discrimination complaint with MLB regarding Kapler pushing him out the door due to his military background. That investigation took significant time, and after MLB cleared the Dodgers and Kapler, they did leave the window open for Francona to pursue legal action. That's when the Dodgers pursued a financial settlement, but Nick (technically his lawyer, but still) negotiated a very narrow settlement rather than his entire employment. MLB waited until after that initial investigation was complete to even open the investigation on the assault, which is horrific.

 

His big issue while he was with the Mets was how MLB was using military to make money and really not being transparent about how they used that money. He was outspoken enough that he lost his job with the Mets.

[biggentleben]

 

Like Hosken, I'd love a separate discussion about this since I'm not familiar with Sinclair enough. If you take the time to write an article you'd get my click and comment.

 

I'm actually drawing one up. I do a piece every Sunday/Monday called "starting 9" where I cover a topic around the game. This is what I'm intending to cover in this week's piece, hoping to get more info, if I can.

[old nurse]

 

The conservative slant is one thing. Sinclair is known for slashing down to bare bones in staffing, pushing to maximize profits in all aspects while also presenting a common, unified message. Cutting corners on coverage of the game could absolutely kill the game.

 

Will there actually be discourse on the game or when a player flips a bat, will he universally be panned across all Sinclair-owned stations in pregame highlights?

On air broadcasts are presented by team employees.  Preparatory information for the announcers is likely also provided by the team. Sincllair would not have a bearing on that. Less camera may be the outcome. Then there is that if they are too cheap with their support teams will find other carriers when their contract is up,  leaving Sinclair with a load of debt, nothing to broadcast on a sports network, thus no revenue.

[Mike Sixel]

On air broadcasts are presented by team employees. Preparatory information for the announcers is likely also provided by the team. Sincllair would not have a bearing on that. Less camera may be the outcome. Then there is that if they are too cheap with their support teams will find other carriers when their contract is up, leaving Sinclair with a load of debt, nothing to broadcast on a sports network, thus no revenue.

It hasn't worked that way in any market.....

[old nurse]

 

It hasn't worked that way in any market.....

Broadcasters paid by the team?  It doesn't say FSN hired him. I didn't think there could be an argument about that.  https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/blog/sports-business/2011/11/twins-select-new-radio-voice.html

Teams changing broadcast rights to different providers. at the end of their contract doesn't happen. WGN says hello. The Dodgers switched. If you can find a team that stuck with a poor production company by all means spit it out.  What I responded to was a comment that Sinclair could because of their history cut production costs and have an inferior product. Between the two of you come up with a team and station that has done that.

[Mike Sixel]

Broadcasters paid by the team? It doesn't say FSN hired him. I didn't think there could be an argument about that. https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/blog/sports-business/2011/11/twins-select-new-radio-voice.html

Teams changing broadcast rights to different providers. at the end of their contract doesn't happen. WGN says hello. The Dodgers switched. If you can find a team that stuck with a poor production company by all means spit it out. What I responded to was a comment that Sinclair could because of their history cut production costs and have an inferior product. Between the two of you come up with a team and station that has done that.

Every station currently owned by Sinclair. But, you did come up with counter examples, so I could be wrong. But I'm willing to bet they cut values plenty.

[old nurse]

 

Every station currently owned by Sinclair. But, you did come up with counter examples, so I could be wrong. But I'm willing to bet they cut values plenty.

The stations owned by Sinclair are cheap on the news production and staff.  What they do with sports is a different situation, an entirely different type of production. Stations cutting local news production costs is not limited to Sinclair. Paul Douglas was cut from WCCO years ago to shave costs. Sports programming on cable is not the local news. I don't see how you can equate the two.  On the sports stations when they have cut, it is not the production of what drives the revenue, the sports presentations remain high quality. The fill in shows, yes, they have had cuts. They also have low ratings.  So, again, name a major sports production that anyone has cheapened.

[biggentleben]

I posted it on Twitter already, but here is the link to my piece on Sinclair:

https://videobaseballscout.com/2019/05/12/starting-9-sinclair-broadcast-group-enters-mlb/

[Vanimal46]

 

Big blow for the Yankees.

[biggentleben]

 

Big blow for the Yankees.

 

They haven't had him all season, and they really didn't seem all that enthused to play him at the hot corner before he was injured. The Yankees were a big reason that Anthony Rendon did not want to sign an extension below a certain dollar amount. They very well may have just ended the Nats' chances of a Rendon extension.

[Vanimal46]

Ryan Pressly now owns the MLB record for consecutive appearances without giving up a run. 39 straight.

[USAFChief]

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/astros-shortstop-carlos-correa-says-broken-rib-was-caused-by-in-home-massage/

 

riiiiiiiiiiiigghhhhttttttttt....

 

 

[USAFChief]

https://www.mlb.com/video/wade-leblanc-in-play-run-s-to-yuli-gurriel

 

The Mariners are...not good.

[SomeGuy]

Update on the $300M man, Manny Machado.

.251/.340/.423 (.763 OPS)

 

2019 League Average

.248/.321/.425 (.746 OPS)

 

Bryce Harper is fairing better but not historic contract worthy, not really all star worthy either.

.243/.355/.477 (.832 OPS)

[Mr. Brooks]

Update on the $300M man, Manny Machado.

.251/.340/.423 (.763 OPS)

 

2019 League Average

.248/.321/.425 (.746 OPS)

 

Bryce Harper is fairing better but not historic contract worthy, not really all star worthy either.

.243/.355/.477 (.832 OPS)

That line for Machado is good for 1.2 bWAR already. Position and defense matter.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Update on the $300M man, Manny Machado.

.251/.340/.423 (.763 OPS)

 

2019 League Average

.248/.321/.425 (.746 OPS)

 

Bryce Harper is fairing better but not historic contract worthy, not really all star worthy either.

.243/.355/.477 (.832 OPS)

 

for those that like the whole "he's a winner" thing.....

 

Let's look at Phi and Wash records last year vs this year.....

[jkcarew]

If this is what Machado and Harper are going to be, their contracts weren't worth it. But track records suggest we are seeing performances so far that are closer to their floors than their ceilings. And both have many years of prime ahead of them. My opinion of the signings by SD/PHI hasn't changed in two months.

[Shaitan]

 

If this is what Machado and Harper are going to be, their contracts weren't worth it. But track records suggest we are seeing performances so far that are closer to their floors than their ceilings. And both have many years of prime ahead of them. My opinion of the signings by SD/PHI hasn't changed in two months.

And in a market like SD, an added purpose of his contract is likely to serve as a magnet so other free agents consider the team. It's part on-the-field expense, part marketing, part recruitment.

 

I'd say that's mostly the case for a mid to small market team.