Quote from fenn68 on May 11, 2021, 3:00 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on May 11, 2021, 2:42 pm

Wouldn’t the loss of TV revenue due to 32 teams be somewhat offset by two more cities with TV deals to raise the overall number?

 

The national TV is BIG money (as is other branding revenues) ... local TV is tiny in comparison and not much (if any) is shared.

I would guess the league (and teams) will run the models to get present value of a big upfront payday vs. diminished revenues stream forever. Also, would expect that the entrance fee would be paid in installments over a number of years offsetting some of the near term revenue stream reduction.

There will be a "breakeven" year but probably well into the future and the current owners probably will not care by then.

Quote from MrPadre19 on May 11, 2021, 4:08 pm

The Giants get “four” hits and score four runs and win again.

Ugh!

It sure seems(I know it’s early) that everything is going their way this year.

 

Quote from LynchMob on May 12, 2021, 8:47 am

At the risk of sounding a bit heretical ... I think that the next Tony Gwynn-lite is in MLB now ... here's what The Athletic has to say

Madrigal: The anti-2021 hitter

Ask Tony La Russa if he has ever managed a hitter like Nick Madrigal, and he quickly mentions David Eckstein and Fernando Viña. Then he adds David Fletcher, whom he watched up close last season while serving in the Angels’ front office.

Madrigal, though, might prove better than all of them.

While he has appeared in only 57 career games, Madrigal is striking out at an even lower rate than the previous La Russa favorites while showing the potential to be more productive.

PLAYER	K%	OPS+
Eckstein	7.3	87
Viña	6.2	89
Fletcher	11.6	94
Madrigal	5.6	106

Keep in mind that Madrigal, 24, is performing at this level when the league’s strikeout rate is higher than at any point in history, with many hitters more concerned about their exit velocity and launch angle than swinging and missing.

Madrigal’s average exit velocity is in the bottom 7 percent of the league, his hard-hit percentage in the bottom 1 percent. Yet, he’s batting .301 with a .721 OPS, and his 4.5 percent strikeout rate is easily the league’s lowest, with Jeff McNeil next at 7.5 percent.

“I’ve never seen a guy get so many infield hits in the holes, just past players,” White Sox hitting coach Frank Menechino said. “It’s like he’s got a magic wand.”

Yet, the player fans call “Nicky Two Strikes” also is capable of driving the ball, as he showed on April 24 when he fell behind the Rangers’ John King 0-2 with two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the ninth inning. Madrigal got a slider in the middle of the plate, and hit it over the head of right fielder Joey Gallo for a walk-off double.

In two-strike counts, Madrigal leads the majors with a .333 batting average.

“He takes pride in not striking out,” Menechino said. “A lot of guys could do that. But they choose not to.”

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 12, 2021, 10:40 am

I'm definitely rooting for Madrigal!  I HAAATTTE guys being "OK" with K's.

Put it this way.  I get physically that 'scrappy little' Madrigal (Eckstein) "has to" take this approach b/c he's not going to hit many HR with his build....  but why can't a 'HR type' take this approach ALSO.  If Madrigal (Eckstein) WERE bigger, I still think the way he's wired he wouldn't sell out for power ALL the time.  How many HR get hit 0-2, 1-2?   I get there's some strategy trying to avoid GIDP into a big shift sometimes, so swing big to try to drive it in air.  But the bottom line is that not only are P's throwing harder & more breaking stuff than ever, hitters are just more willing to accept a K than ever too.

I freaking loved Eckstein.  You could visibly see the P get more & more irritated with him as the AB went on with 7-8 foul balls.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on May 13, 2021, 2:23 pm

Gotta feel a bit bad for Corbin Burnes.

Much like DeGrom he gets no support.

This guy has an ERA of 1.67

K/BB ration of 58/1

opp batting average of .169 and a WHIP of .64......and is 2-3!

 

Quote from LynchMob on May 14, 2021, 11:10 am

https://www.mlb.com/news/bryce-harper-rbi-total-breakdown

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 14, 2021, 11:43 am

Wouldn't it be bonkers if the open 26 man spot were filled today by.....   Albert Pujols hitting 4th/5th!  vs the Cards

Could offer him a week of everyday play till Hosmer back.  "Audition tape" for.... ???  Agree upfront he can move on by "Trade" to any team (for $1 or whatever) if/when he wants.

With off day, then 5 "SP" covering 3 games vs Cards, would get back to 4-man bench for this series.

Quote from MrPadre19 on May 15, 2021, 1:31 pm

Pujols signs with the Dodgers?

Gonna be a pinch hitter?

 

Quote from Brian Connelly on May 15, 2021, 1:50 pm

Quote from MrPadre19 on May 15, 2021, 1:31 pm

Pujols signs with the Dodgers?

Gonna be a pinch hitter?

 

Now does my idea seem crazy...   🙁

Hope the naysayers are right & he really is done, but per Han Solo... "I've got a bad feeling about this".

Least disruptive to his family to stay in L.A.  Joining an elite team provides some "cover" for reduced playing time.  Dave Roberts has been around the block with superstars every year; sure they've probably been pretty upfront with him what to expect.