Mike Sixel

so, 27 before you make him a RP, losing another year of value.......

Yawn. You can't take it with you....and your heirs don't really need billions to survive.

Who has EVER said a high payroll guarantees a playoff spot? What a straw man.

I couldn't be further from authoritarianism if I tried......

If they are in the bottom third of payroll forever.....then I wish them luck in being a consistent winner.

How is that whining? He is stating a fact. People are not computers, they like routine, they crave routine, they crave certainty. He was not comfortable with how things went, that's merely reporting how he felt, not whining.

I don't like that the rules are different in the same sport. Pick one. I prefer the DH, because of what Brock posted.....90+% of the time, the same move is made (after watching the pitcher suck for 2-3 ABs). It really isn't all that interesting, strategically, if you do the same thing almost ALL THE TIME.

Didn't realize that much of the Davis deal was deferred. Still don't like it, but that is party because they are paying a lot of money for a guy, but not putting much around him. I still think it is too much money, but it is also that they aren't doing enough to improve the team around him for it to likely matter that he is there.....

That is too much money for Davis. I don't get why teams keep blinking on stuff where they are the only bidder. I like the Upton deal much, much more. The Royals just paid real money for Nolasco, imo. I don't get why teams spend $4-5MM less for a mediocre player, than they could have for a good/great player.

I love popcorn. Of all kinds. Especially when my son makes it, lots of oil and salt* compared to when my wife makes it. *edited, no idea why I put "butter" in there first.

So, NEXT YEAR, they will spend money. I think I read that every year.....NEXT year is the year.

I endorse moving Meyer to RP, but I'd also endorse giving him 2 more months to start. But, if they are moving him to RP full time, I hope they trust him to do it, and let him go and stop monkeying with 3rd and 4th pitches......

Thanks for coming in, Jack. Fair or not, we can only go by what you all make public. It was just a few years ago that your assistant GM didn't even know what some stats were in an interview. That may have influenced some of us to question the organization's commitment to math......However, I think it is clear that things have changed over the years, and the key now is where are you now. I remain hopeful that the organization is using every tool available to improve. Have a great day.

It will be May by the end of the year.

What I really find interesting about Trump is that, other than the military stuff, he's a left wing, protectionist, almost union guy......who doesn't believe in free markets really. It's almost as if a leftist on the economy and rightist on social issues is a populist. Which, wow. The number of my friends that claim to be free market republicans that want restrictions on pharmaceutical companies (and others) always amuses me, it's almost like they are still Republican because they've always been one.....

Fulton is the best brewery in walking distance. Dayblock is quite good, and they even have a bacon flight! In the stadium, I am partial to the pork belly sandwich from Andrew Zimmern's place, but then, I did not go last year .....so I can't comment on the Indian food. the best affordable food is at El Taco Riendo, right by Fair State Brewing. Not real close to the stadium, but on a street filled with affordable ethnic foods. btw, Eno, if you are reading this, thanks for Beergraphs.....

I'd guess we agree on 80-90% of the stuff......

Very fair/good deal, imo. Still under rated by most fans.

Perkins' health is an area of concern. But, no way I do a 3 year deal for a RP. 1 year, 7-8MM, team option at same rate 2 year, 10-12 MM

I'm ok if the plan is to use the minor league players......but then have the courage to do it, and to stick with them. They didn't have that courage last year with Rogers, or Meyer. There was zero reason for Rogers not to be up last year, as a RP, imo. Will they have the courage to stick with these guys, if they blow a game or two (like any MLB RP does)? If so, then just start with them......

It's the boring time of MLB........so as a thought experiment, I am posting a radical idea.....this is meant as a thought, fun, discussion, not some kind of super serious proposal.... 1. Cut the season by 2 weeks, likely 8 games or so. 2. Change the playoffs so every team makes it, but there is great value in winning in the regular season. 3. This gives every fan something to look forward to for their team. The game is about entertainment, nothing more or less than that. "Fair" playoffs don't really exist, if you use them to determine the "best" team. The data on that is all over the internet if you look. Here is the proposal: Week 1: Round 1 15 vs 14, one game (Sunday night in AL league, Monday in NL) Round 2 14 vs 11, one game (Tuesday in AL, Wednesday in NL) 13 vs 12, one game Round 3 12 vs 5, 2 games (top ranked team only has to win 1 game) (Thursday, Friday in AL, Friday Saturday in NL) 11 vs 6, 2 games (top ranked team only has to win 1 game) 10 vs 7, 2 games (top ranked team only has to win 1 game) 9 vs 8, 2 games (top ranked team only has to win 1 game) Week 2: 8 vs 1 3 games, (top ranked team only has to win 1 game) 7 vs 2 3 games, (top ranked team only has to win 1 game) 6 vs 3 3 games, (top ranked team only has to win 1 game) 5 vs 4 3 games week 3: 4 vs 1, 5 games 3 vs 2, 5 games week 4 1 vs 2, 5 games Now, you can monkey with this some, and give the division winners another bye round, but that extends the playoffs out too much, imo. the Division winners get a week off.....and might only have to play 1 game in week 2. This, to me, is the weakest part of the plan........There is an even more bizarre version that is more double elimination, where everyone is playing a lot more often, but it is a bit complex and I need to work on it more.

Really, the exact numbers are not the key. They key is to make it a FA period where the worst teams have the first shot at the best players, and they get real money and a chance to choose where they go. But, the money has to be significantly different between "rounds" or it doesn't work. You should see my "every team makes the playoffs" proposal!

Let's say the RP are mediocre, not bad, but mediocre ..... how dominant would one of the minor league guys have to be to be brought up?

I would not go three years for him, if that's the price, then I say no. But.......other than Rogers, NONE of those guys starts next year here. Are they just going to settle for mediocre for 4-8+ weeks or so? How many games will that cost them? If I had to, I'd go 2 years, but I'd prefer a more expensive 1 year deal. An offer of 1 year, $4MM per year is not an actual offer. It is a PR move "we tried". No way he takes that right now, no way.

Yes, absolutely.