TheLeviathan

Here would be a few highlights for me: 1) More emphasis on modern analytics and an understanding of statistics. 2) Early picks on hitters only 3) Treat FA as either boom or bust - either go big or go dumpster diving. Stay out of the middle. 4) Use the trade deadline aggressively, don't be too attached to players if the right moves are there 5) Emphasize defense and fundamentals 6) Emphasize strikeouts for pitchers 7) Adjust player's positions and roles early on. Not at AAA or the MLB level. 8) More analysis of their own work, flexibility with outside ideas, and a willingness to move on from people and ideas when they fail 9) A genuine effort to be out in front of trends Just off the top of my head.

Good for him for missing twice? Perhaps it might have been better for him not to have Donaldson hit a home run off him. Worry more about that and less about being butthurt and throwing at people. You know what a 17 year old does if he's butt hurt playing baseball? He keeps playing baseball. Not human target practice.

So, just like the Perkins stuff this offseason huh? Perhaps Dozier, like Perkins, should've taken note of how badly he sucked. That would seem to me to be more than sufficient explanation.

I hate this mentality that you can just toss any guy into the outfield and it should be "fine". Technically we can put Glen Perkins in CF and it's not like asking him to play fullback for the Vikings either. Hell, anyone want to put Kurt Suzuki in the bullpen? No? Then perhaps we should get rid of poor analogies like that. Just because you play baseball doesn't mean you can play anywhere in baseball. And what, if not the last few years, needs to be explained to people that the OF defense DOES matter. Not even to mention how people operate: we like to have a role, known expectations, consistency, and to feel capable of doing what we're asked to do. If you want me to build a freaking rocket ship tomorrow and give me directions - even if that thing won't hurt anyone if I screw it up - I'm still going to hate every second of being forced to do something I'm not comfortable with. It will affect my life. Why would Sano be any different? And who the hell looks at that kid and thinks he's a fat guy? He's just a big, strong dude. My god this whole topic really irritates the hell out of me.

Well, the other issue is that as long as Rickon is alive I believe Jon would still be second in line for the title. But he may end up being an acting leader in the North regardless because he's the one with the support of Sansa (thus the Vale), the Wildlings, the other Northern houses, and the Watch. Then what happens here in King's Landing has a big impact on everything. I have to imagine that eventually the Tyrells and Lannisters are at each other's throats.

Totally agree. I'm curious - does anyone know Jon was legitimized? Was that done in the presence of some of the heads of the northern houses?

I can't imagine he sits on the sideline. For one, he's banking on marrying Sansa and becoming the Warden of the North. And for two, he knows he has to win her trust back and helping her win back her home and avenge her family is the only thing he has left. (He'd also have a chance to avenge his true love as well) I think the Vale joins the fray and turns the tide of a tight contest, routing the Bolton forces, and establishing at least a decent size army that can stand up to the coming invasion from the North. Speaking of which, anyone else think Jon's comment to Edd about "don't knock it down while I'm gone" might have been foreshadowing for one of the climaxes of the season?

I understand the criticism. I definitely didn't like the comment last season when he told Ramsay that he didn't know anything about him. That was VERY unlike Littlefinger to go into business with someone who is an unknown. I thought that could have been explained better. For me, have him acknowledge to Sansa that Ramsay can be a jerk, but explain that he's banking on Stannis winning the war before they are even married. That would've made sense, even if it had been a bit too risky. But you're right, the show's explanation was unsatisfactory.

Yup, it's why the "code" is so dumb. It's enforced with virtually no accuracy, predictability, or reliability. At heart, it's just an excuse to use when you're butthurt.

Basically anything away is money. You can beat him high too. As long as you don't pitch low and in you can get him out fairly easily. I'm sure Dozier is a nice guy and I'm sure he knows he is struggling, but until his approach actually changes - he should see his playing time and position in the lineup dropped.

Yeah, but the Jeyne Poole thing can't work on screen for the same reason you can't go a whole book not telling people that Reek is Theon, it just doesn't work. It also would've required you to introduce a character for the sole purpose of inflicting all kinds of cruelty on them. You also still have to find a way to mature Sansa into something other than a pawn. Putting her right in the middle of the action is better, IMO, than having her sit at the Vale doing...stuff. And then some things. And then other stuff. Rinse and repeat. I think the most plausible explanation is that Littlefinger underestimated Ramsay and overestimated Stannis. He assumed Stannis was going to win that fight quickly and leave Sansa exposed to very little risk. Instead Ramsay was far worse than he imagined, Stannis screwed everything up, and Sansa was abused terribly. I chalk it up to a grave miscalculation, which would be his first on the show but it's not implausible. No one is perfect, especially if you're weaving all sorts of schemes.

I think this is probably right. I wonder if we'll ever find out why Jaqen H'ghar was in Westeros in the first place. (Much less in a cage headed for the Wall...)

Reusse has made it clear he doesn't like Sano at some personal level since spring training. And he doesn't appear to have much of any basis for it.

They need to be more harsh.

Yup, Donaldson is a hypocrite. That's what happens when you take all this stuff too seriously.

I hope Hodor is just plain dead, but it wouldn't shock me if he came back. I think we're quickly approaching a point in which Cersei is no longer influential at all. Arya remains my biggest unknown in this whole series.

Donaldson gets it

And here I was thinking nothing could make me more sad than this season. Mission accomplished thread.

Dozier doesn't get it. Hit him 7th.

Interesting take mike!

I agree, his argument is poorly structured.

I'll try to help! 1) I think the Northern Conspiracy is gone, with one possible exception - what the Manderlays decide to do. I don't think the Umbers are playing a game, I think they are continuing the show's theme that there is a racist hate for the Wildlings is a legitimate motivation for them. 2) I'm surprised they described him as having an army and taking over Riverrun. There is a seige going on in the book so I'm guessing that is where we'll pick up. But I don't think there is enough left of the Tully's to help. I think the Vale is the key. Last season Baelish told Ramsay he had the unique trait of being an unknown to him. I think it was a surprise, but I could see that being a twist. But I see Baelish as trying to make Sansa his replacement for Cat, so I don't believe he'd intentionally hurt her. 3) Her spear had dragon glass 4) It does seem like everything is taking place in one timeline. I like your explanation and I agree - this is territory to tread carefully on. 5) I think Coldhands and Lady Stoneheart are gone from the show (probably for the better, along with dozens of other filler characters) I think it will be Benjen as Benjen. But it's a huge book mystery we'll likely learn the answer to next week. GRRM has researched so much folklore (search youtube for the relationship of the WW, the children and Irish folktales. It's pretty much straight from there) and so many other stories and done an amazing job weaving it all together. Stannis is basically Agamemnon, the War of the Roses is the foundation, and there is so much more. He has an amazing storyline mapped out, I just wish he'd get through it better than he has to this point. It's been dragging for decades and the narrative is getting lost. I hope he can finish this masterpiece though.

Heyward is one of the most overrated players in baseball. Mostly thanks to an over-emphasis on WAR. He was a solid signing for the Cubs based on need, but he's not as good as he's often talked about.

I'll never rip a player for admitting he's hurt and getting healthy. Conditioning is another matter entirely and that's where this article should focus. And Perkins taking some accountability for his struggles rather than whining about his role would help too.

I guess I don't know what it will take for people to see that this has nothing to do with injury and likely hasn't for some time. But another excuse will get lined up after the season and next spring he'll come in wearing magic green shoes that will bring back the Old Mauer or some such nonsense. Some of you need to get out of Stage 1 of the grief cycle.