MLB Talk

11 Dec 2024 18:32:07
I'd like to congratulate Chi Sox on her idea that the White Sox would get a ton of bats for Crochet. She was correct.

The problem? The actual bats they got.

Kyle Teel? 97 wRC+ in AAA. Yeesh.

Chase Meidroth, a guy Fangraphs calls "pleasing to watch but not especially impactful"

Braden Montgomery, a 21-year-old with a legitimate ankle injury who hasn't even taken a sinle professional at bat yet.

After all, I believe it was you who dismissed a young hitter (who has played, BTW) all because of a wrist injury (which are less cumbersome, long-term, than FRACTURED ANKLES)

But hey, they got some bats. It's a far cry from the good ones the Red Sox could have given up. LOL.

12 Dec 2024 21:16:16
"I suspect you'd be wishing they even get the return I proposed for him when all is said and done. "

LMAOOOO. Getz got a haul. If you think this is a bad return, go take a seat at the bitter table for one. These are great bats. We've already established that you get easily confused. You were dead wrong in all facets and now you're coping with random details. This is hilarious.

Teel's 97 AAA wRC+ is in 123 PAs. He mashed in the minor leagues and is great behind the plate.

Montgomery's ankle was from a freak injury and not a nagging back, hamstring, etc. "who hasn't even taken a single professional at bat yet. "

Uhh, yeah, he was drafted in July.

4 of Boston's top 14 prospects (Pipeline) in a loaded system. Your suggestion of a package of Luciano, Arias, Birdsong, and Wisely was laughable. You were dead wrong on Crochet's value. I correctly stated that he would get more than Cease. You really don't know what you're doing here little man.

13 Dec 2024 21:09:05
Oh, now hitting 97 wRC+ in the minors is good? Oh, we dismiss it because it was just 123 PAs.

Hey Siri, how many PAs was Rayner Arias' 98 wRC+? "Rayner Arias had 105 PAs in 2024"

Oh, now injuries aren't hindrances to players and we can consider them elite, despite ZERO evidence of how they might actually play in professional baseball?

Yet again, your qualms with players suddenly disappear when they are no longer convenient to your argument.

13 Dec 2024 21:12:54
"Coping with random details"

My guy, you literally suggested that Rayner Arias wasn't worth it because he hit 98 wRC+ in the minors and because he was injured.

That, like, defines the two best players involved in the Crochet trade.

These aren't "minor details", they were your key objections to one of the best players I included in the Giants' idea.

14 Dec 2024 13:22:30
For the record, I think Kyle Teel is pretty decent. I think Montgomery is pretty decent.

You, however, based on your own assessments of other players and the reasons you gave for them being "not good", if you're interested in being logically and intellectually consistent (don't worry, I'd never accuse you of this), would have to say that Teel & Montgomery are also bad.

But we know you won't say that now that they are members of the White Sox.

Because, again, you're not willing to be consistent.

Anyhoo, congrats on getting "bad" players. Or are injured players and players with 97 wRC+ in the minors suddenly "elite"? You change your mind so damn much it's impossible to keep up.

14 Dec 2024 19:12:20
Lol, I never said Arias was bad because he put up a 98 wRC+, I simply suggested that maybe a single one of the bats in your Giants package could be coming off a league average season. A 98 wRC+ as a complex league outfielder is a lot different than a 97 wRC+ for a AAA catcher, who mashed in his previous pro stops (& in college), who is also a premium defender. Also, a nagging wrist injury for a power hitter is a lot different than breaking your ankle on a fluke baserunning play. If you can't tell the differences there, well than maybe you're dumber than everyone else on here already thinks.

Arias is a fine prospect, but he can't headline a trade for a top 10-15 pitcher in the sport right now. Keep coming with the strawman rebuttals. You were so hopelessly wrong. I said Eldridge would have to headline for SF, and based on what they got in reality, that's true. A giants package would have had to START with Eldridge and Tibbs. Then, since those two are worse than Teel and Montgomery, you're looking at better 3+4 pieces. So likely Eldridge, Tibbs, Arias and then someone like Whitman. It's not a very good farm out there in San Fran.

Can you just admit that the package they got from Boston was leaps and bounds better than the one you suggested from the Giants? Oh right, I was supposed to be "prepared to be disappointed". LMFAO.

15 Dec 2024 11:55:54
"Can you just admit that the package they got from Boston was leaps and bounds better than the one you suggested from the Giants? Oh right, I was supposed to be "prepared to be disappointed". LMFAO. "

Can you read? Like, for realsies, are you capable of reading? And are you capable of ever holding a consistent thought? I imagine much of your problem is that you give your brain so much whiplash from going back and forth in your own logic. You've got self-induced CTE, clearly.

I literally called Teel and Montgomery good. Just now. My initial point was to use YOUR STANDARDS against the package. You can flip flop all you desire. You can suddenly think that minor league wRC+ is irrelevant, or believe that ankle injuries aren't potentially a major issue for players (especially ones who haven't taken a single professional at bat) . That's fine.

Just know: I'm not buying it. And I seriously doubt anyone will buy it. Don't try to act like minor league wRC+ suddenly doesn't matter, or that major ankle injuries aren't problematic.

This is beyond pathetic, even for your standards, Sheila.

15 Dec 2024 12:07:49
" A giants package would have had to START with Eldridge and Tibbs. Then, since those two are worse than Teel and Montgomery, you're looking at better 3+4 pieces. So likely Eldridge, Tibbs, Arias and then someone like Whitman. It's not a very good farm out there in San Fran. "

LMAO.

Let's break down the actual return, first:
Teel- 50 FV
Montgomery- 45+ FV
Meidroth- 40 FV
Wikelman- 40+ FV

Now, let's break down the potential Giants package you said they'd have to give up:

Eldridge- 50 FV
Tibbs- 45 FV
Arias- 45 FV
Whitman- 45 FV

Yeah, the return the White Sox got doesn't even come remotely close to your laughable suggestion of a Giants package. Every player in the Giants package is a 45 FV prospect or better. You can't say the same about the actual return.

But then again, I'm not sure we should take prospect evaluations from the guy who thought the Yankees would trade Jasson Dominguez AND Luis Gil for Dylan Cease LMAOOOOOOOOOO.

Seriously, how do you continue to embarrass yourself? You really need to get a bit of shame.

15 Dec 2024 12:17:04
By the way, let's add one other caveat. you were so mad I tossed in Brett Wisely into the trade. I think I also sent you to the brink at the thought of it.

But let me introduce to the Brett Wisely that was included in the Garrett Crochet trade: Chase Meidroth.

Meidroth and Wisely's minor league numbers are eerily similar at nearly every stop. The difference is that Meidroth has relied more on walks than anything else, a skillset that depreciates as pitching gets better.

Meidroth doesn't field well. He doesn't run well. He has minimal power (.108 ISO in AAA, yeesh) .

If Meidroth doesn't field as well as Wisely, which scouts don't think he will, he'll likely be WORSE than Brett Wisely.

So yeah, the White Sox got a worse version of Brett Wisely.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time of reflecting on this truth.

15 Dec 2024 14:36:45
Ok so:

Teel > Eldridge
Montgomery > Tibbs
Wickelman.

16 Dec 2024 12:21:36
Whitman > Wikelman

Arias >>>>>>> Meidroth (aka Temu Brett Wisely) .

But again, you've relentlessly and breathlessly proven you don't understand how to evaluate prospects.

Speaking of prospects, did Andrew Vaughn ever become a 3+ WAR player? Asking for a friend.

16 Dec 2024 14:08:12
Was the White Sox return for Garrett Crochet better or worse than what you suggested? Did Crochet return more or less than Dylan Cease?

Asking for a friend.

Just admit you were wrong, man. You tried to sell me on Marco freakin' Luciano. You're consistently confused as to how this stuff works.

16 Dec 2024 14:26:51
"Was the White Sox return for Garrett Crochet better or worse than what you suggested? "

Now you're trying to change the conversation after you suggested that Eldridge, Tibbs, Arias and Whitman was a WORSE package than the White Sox actually got.

And for the record, any package that required Hayden Birdsong would be significantly better than some high variance hitting prospects.

Again, Teel hit 98 wRC+ in AAA last year with a .088 ISO. That's not going to get better as he graduates to MLB. And Montgomery hasn't played a single MLB plate appearance. Not one, because of a significant injury to his ankle.

Birdsong would be the White Sox best pitcher tomorrow if he were included into such a trade. Objectively. And he's objectively better than Teel + Montgomery, mostly because we actually know how he performs in the majors.

The White Sox clearly wanted bats, so they got bats, even it meant a lesser return for Crochet.

16 Dec 2024 14:39:20
Also, let's not bury what you said the return would be:

Kristian Campbell, David Hamilton, Yoshida, Montgomery, and Paez. That was four (4) 45 FV or better prospects, along with Yoshida.

The White Sox ended up getting 2 prospects 45 FV or better. TWO.

Again, you did the exact same thing with the Cease trade, where you were so confident the White Sox could land Coby Mayo AND Joey Ortiz, or worse, Jasson Dominguez AND Luis Gil for Cease.

You probably shouldn't be criticizing anyone saying they are "confused how this works" when your own history of ideas is the most laughable thing anyone has ever read on this website.

16 Dec 2024 16:14:49
"Now you're trying to change the conversation after you suggested that Eldridge, Tibbs, Arias and Whitman was a WORSE package than the White Sox actually got. "

No, I said that's what a SF equivalent would have had to be to beat Boston's offer. This is your favorite method of just changing the details of what I said. It's either on purpose, or you need to really learn to slow down & read.

"And Montgomery hasn't played a single MLB plate appearance. Not one, because of a significant injury to his ankle. "

Even if Montgomery was completely healthy, he wouldn't gave debuted in MLB yet. HE WAS DRAFTED IN JULY 2024. I don't think you understand how MLB prospects work. How many 2024 draftee debuted in 2024, Nate?

"Kristian Campbell, David Hamilton, Yoshida, Montgomery, and Paez. That was four (4) 45 FV or better prospects, along with Yoshida. "

Buddy, I was spot on with the value here. If we go off FG, I proposed:

Campbell (45+)
Montgomery (45+)
Paez (45)
Hamilton (45 - grad)
Yoshida

In reality, they got:

Teel (50)
Montgomery (45+)
Gonzalez (40+)
Meidroth (40)

So they got a better headliner in Teel, Montgomery is the same, then, in exchange for taking on Yoshida's contract (a substantial negative value), they got a better pitcher (Paez > Gonzalez) and hitter (Hamilton > Meidroth) - Boston got a RP.

"Birdsong would be the White Sox best pitcher tomorrow if he were included into such a trade. "

lol, no.

"Again, Teel hit 98 wRC+ in AAA last year with a .088 ISO"

Again, this is 120 PA that is conveniently ignoring his previous MiLB stops as well as ACC college performance. He's also a plus defender. I'm not sure you know how offense for catchers is valued differently. How about the 145 wRC+ in AA in almost 400 PAs last year, Nathan?

The fact that you think Luciano, Arias, Birdsong and Wisely is better than Teel, Montgomery, Gonzalez and Meidroth just shows how completely clueless you are.

17 Dec 2024 13:51:24
Birdsong >>> Teel, Meidroth & Montgomery, combined.

Birdsong had the second highest Stuff+ grade of any pitch among starters in baseball last year. His changeup had a stuff+ grade of 155. (Only Joe Musgrove's curveball had a greater score) .

His 111 Stuff+ was Top 20 in all of baseball, tied with Logan Webb and Gerrit Cole.

Birdsong's stuff has the potential to make him a top pitcher not just on the Chicago White Sox (who, again, literally had one of their own pitchers emulate Birdsong to make him better), but in all of baseball.

Acting like Hayden Birdsong, who is one of the better young pitchers in baseball right now, isn't better than any of the names the White Sox got is hilarious, and out of touch.

Was he what the White Sox "wanted"? No, if they wanted bats, then sure, Birdsong didn't fit their criteria.

Was/ is he better than Teel and Montgomery? By leaps and miles. Not even a question.

But if you think that a backup catcher and an injured hasn't-played-yet prospect are better than an MLB-ready 50 FV prospect, then I'm not interested in discussing baseball with you any longer. Because frankly, I don't discuss intellectual conversations with people who can't handle them.

17 Dec 2024 13:57:08
"How many 2024 draftee debuted in 2024, Nate? "

I meant professional at-bat, which would be consistent with what I've already said elsewhere in this conversation.

But even when I mentioned professional at bat, you balked at it with the "he was drafted in 2024". You realize professional isn't limited to MLB, right? Right? RIGGGHHHT?

17 Dec 2024 17:51:27
"Birdsong >>> Teel, Meidroth & Montgomery, combined. "

Sure, Jan. Whatever you say.

Montgomery not yet playing is such a nothing detail. What about Giants first rounder James Tibbs? He played, but he hit .134/ .216/ .239 with a 31 wRC+ in A ball. To stick to your logic, we can ignore anything he did before that (i. e., at FSU or low-A) .

Id rather not play than put up a 31 wRC+.

20 Dec 2024 13:04:27
"Id rather not play than put up a 31 wRC+. "

Hey, there's the absolutely ludicrous takes we've all come to know and not love around here!

James Tibbs hit so well after his professional debut that the Giants swiftly promoted him LMAOOOO. But yeah, I'm sure the Giants are devastated that their 2024 1st Rounder was promoted to High-A after just 9 games last year.

I bet they wished he had a serious ankle fracture that prevented him from even playing a single competitive game for over 10 months from the time the season begins.

We'll return to this conversation next winter, I'm sure, but when Tibbs is raking in AA and Montgomery is barely getting through rookie ball, I'm sure the Giants will be so upset.

20 Dec 2024 13:13:57
""Birdsong >>> Teel, Meidroth & Montgomery, combined. "

Sure, Jan. Whatever you say. "


I mean, Hayden Birdsong has had elite performances at the Major League level already. If you need some assistance on what that means, don't worry, I'm here to help:

Hayden Birdsong has had success at the MLB level. Kyle Teel, Chase Meidroth and Braden Montgomery have a whopping ZERO (that's less than one) games COMBINED at the Major League level. One of those players hasn't played a non-amateur baseball game. One of those players is Temu Brett Wisely.

So really, it's a question of Kyle Teel versus Hayden Birdsong. And Teel is probably a poor man's Joey Bart, with less defensive capabilities. He's literally a dime-a-dozen catcher who probably turns into a slightly better version of Ben Rortvedt, or some average catcher. Maybe (the White Sox aren't exactly killing it in the Player Development department lately, so I wouldn't hold my breath) .

So yeah, Hayden Birdsong is objectively better than an average MLB catcher, by a rather significant degree.

20 Dec 2024 15:27:42
From:

"Birdsong >>> Teel, Meidroth & Montgomery, combined"

to:

"So really, it's a question of Kyle Teel versus Hayden Birdsong"

lol. Quite the back peddle there.

"James Tibbs hit so well after his professional debut that the Giants swiftly promoted him"

You mean like how Teel make it do AA the year he was drafted and then tore it up over 400+ PA? Teel hit so well, Boston promoted him, a catcher, to AAA just a year after he was drafted. Try and stay consistent with a stance one time.

20 Dec 2024 17:00:18
"You mean like how Teel make it do AA the year he was drafted and then tore it up over 400+ PA? "

The conversation isn't Kyle Teel versus James Tibbs, Dorothy. The conversation, regarding Tibbs, is Tibbs versus Montgomery. I know it's difficult to keep track of your own nonsense, but I remind you, you said, "Id rather not play than put up a 31 wRC+. "

By the way, if there was an award for the single-handed most ludicrous idea ever concocted on this website, that would be unanimous.

Then, we have the conversation of Teel versus Birdsong. I dismiss the other two because they are so inconsequential to the discussion based on the fact that a player w/ o a single professional PA and Brett Wisely Jr. don't move the needle in the slightest.

20 Dec 2024 17:19:54
"Teel hit so well, Boston promoted him, a catcher, to AAA just a year after he was drafted. "

Again, this isn't a Tibbs vs. Teel discussion. I fully acknowledge that Teel is better than Tibbs, and I don't recall ever saying anything different. (Tibbs was brought up in relation to Montgomery, not that I'm accusing you of being able to keep up. )

So we can maintain the proper comparisons, you know who else was swiftly promoted through the minors? Hayden freaking Birdsong.

Birdsong had just 80 IP at AA or above prior to his promotion. Just 9 of those innings were at AAA. The Giants so quickly saw how good he was and promoted him basically straight from AA to pitch in the majors.

So yeah, if we "try to stay consistent" (a very ironic thing for you to say), Birdsong didn't even need more than a handful of games in AAA to prove how good he was. Kylie Teel will likely remain in Charlotte until mid-July, if he even hits at AAA. (I remain unconvinced he will) .

21 Dec 2024 05:28:18
Dude, this is about your inconsistencies regarding sample size. Your knock on Teel is that he was a league average player at AAA through 123 PA, but at the same time say things like "James Tibbs hit so well after his professional debut that the Giants swiftly promoted him".

You keep thinking that Montgomery not playing professionally to this point means anything. Tibbs hit just 136 times and put up a .636 OPS. Montgomery not playing and Tibbs playing poorly don't mean much at all in terms of their outlook. These are prospects after all. They both raked against good competition in college. Montgomery is just the switch hitter with better bat speed, better arm, and is the better defender who hit vs. better pitching, that's all. Stop acting like his injury was an Alex Smith-like ordeal. It wasn't, he's fine.

This is not Birdsong vs. Teel. There's no "proper comparisons". You plainly stated that Teel, Montgomery and Meidroth combined were not as valuable as Birdsong. Talk about the "single-handed most ludicrous idea ever concocted on this website. "

For the record, your favorite resource, MLB Trade Values, has Teel Montgomery and Meidroth as 5 (FIVE) times more valuable than Hayden Birdsong. Birdsong is so good that he not even projected to crack the rotation of the 4th place Giants. Dude is a baller.

"Birdsong had just 80 IP at AA or above prior to his promotion. Just 9 of those innings were at AAA. The Giants so quickly saw how good he was and promoted him basically straight from AA to pitch in the majors. "

OMG, this is truly groundbreaking.

23 Dec 2024 11:47:32
"For the record, your favorite resource, MLB Trade Values"

For the record, I wrote off BTV years ago after a lengthy conversation with its founder, John Bitzer and having him admit he makes the numbers up. There is no algorithm. He just adjusts as he sees fit.

So yeah, BTV is nonsense. You even wrote it off as nonsense.

But now that it confirms what you want to be true, it's your evidence! I continue to be embarrassed for you.

24 Dec 2024 16:22:50
Remember when you claimed that Jesus Luzardo and Garrett Crochet had the same trade value? LOL, oopsies.

It's only late-December, but this has been a brutal offseason for ya Nathan. LMAO.

25 Dec 2024 14:43:08
Merry Xmas. Hope you guys get along better in 2025.

27 Dec 2024 17:23:33
Merry Christmas to you too, Nate.

30 Dec 2024 14:16:46
So wait, is Baseball Trade Values all of a sudden a reliable resource? Or are you just willing to use it because it confirms what you want to be true?

You seemed to ignore that rebuttal of mine. Weird, eh?

And yes, the Red Sox overpaid for Garrett Crochet. That doesn't make me wrong, it means that the Red Sox had a greater need for pitching than the Philadelphia Phillies. Do you seriously not comprehend how valuation works? (Don't answer that, we both know the answer to that question)

01 Jan 2025 16:27:55
"is Baseball Trade Values all of a sudden a reliable resource"

No, I don't think it's good practice to come up with trades with their values. However, it's a source that you have referenced in the past, using their values as justification. So when you say idiotic things like "Birdsong >>> Teel, Meidroth & Montgomery, combined", I just wanted to put that into context for you from a source that you're familiar with. But, I don't need them calling Birdsong 5 time less valuable than the White Sox actual return to justify that that was an asinine statement.

"it means that the Red Sox had a greater need for pitching than the Philadelphia Phillies. Do you seriously not comprehend how valuation works? "

Ah yes, you nailed Luzardo/ Crochet's value. It was the Red Sox AND Phillies who were off on their respective values. Makes complete & total sense.

"That doesn't make me wrong"

LMAO, ok.

So you think that Luzardo is just as good as Crochet, and that their values are indeed, equal? That's what you're going to stick with?

02 Jan 2025 13:02:42
The reason Birdsong is better than all those guys combined is really simple (or it should be if you have functioning brain cells) :

Hayden Birdsong has had success in the majors. He's 23 and has tremendous upside. There are literal MLB teams modeling their own pitchers after Birdsong (namely, your own favorite baseball team) .

A 23-year old MLB Starter with 6 years of team control >>> a random group of ho-hum prospects.

This isn't even remotely controversial. It's not "asinine. " It's basic baseball information, and you're being contrarian at this point because you can't handle someone else being correct about anything.

02 Jan 2025 13:05:50
And again, I reject BTV's model after looking into it more. I haven't used that site in like, 5 years, so it's pretty hilarious that you think it's relevant all of a sudden.

Trade value calculations when it DOESN'T FAVOR the White Sox: nonsense. Doesn't know ball. Ridiculous. Bad math.

Trade value calculations when it DOES FAVOR the White Sox: gospel truth. If you deny them, you don't know ball. Clearly true.

Again, if you need an answer for why no one should ever take you seriously on here: this is a good start.

25 Jan 2024 13:32:50
Remaining Free Agent Landing Spots:

Cody Bellinger- Cubs, 7/189M
Blake Snell- Giants, 7/200M
Jordan Montgomery- Rangers, 6/120M
Matt Chapman- Padres, 5/95M
Jorge Soler- Blue Jays, 3/45M
J.D. Martinez- Mariners, 2/34M
Brandon Belt- Marlins, 1/10M
Adam Duvall- Angels, 1/8M
Justin Turner- Royals, 1/7.5M
Michael A. Taylor- Twins, 2/12M
Gary Sanchez- D'Backs, 1/6M
Tommy Pham- Padres, 1/10M
Amed Rosario- Giants, 2/15M
Alex Wood- White Sox, 1/12M
Joc Pederson- Mets, 1/15M
Tim Anderson- Angels, 1/12.5M
Yasmani Grandal- Rays, 1/10M
David Peralta- Padres, 1/7M
Carlos Santana- Guardians, 1/5M
Hector Neris- Yankees, 3/40M
Ryne Stanek- Dodgers, 2/20M
Noah Syndergaard- Pirates, 1/8M

24 Aug 2023 02:27:40
Rick Hahn fired LOL.

I was confidently told that every MLB GM was trying to emulate Hahn.

21 Sep 2023 19:10:08
And then they hire Chris Getz LMAOO.

This is like dumping your girlfriend only to start dating her less-attractive sister.

04 May 2023 09:01:43
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Boxing Legends Part 5: Sugar Ray Leonard

29 Mar 2023 03:40:28
2023 MLB Predictions

AL East:

1. Yankees (93-69) [2]
2. Rays (90-72) [5]
3. Blue Jays (88-74) [6]
4. Red Sox (81-81)
5. Orioles (80-82)

AL Central:

1. Guardians (88-74) [3]
2. White Sox (84-78)
3. Twins (83-79)
4. Royals (65-97)
5. Tigers (63-99)

AL West:

1. Astros (102-60) [1]
2. Mariners (92-70) [4]
3. Angels (80-82)
4. Rangers (77-85)
5. Athletics (56-106)

NL East:

1. Phillies (97-65) [2]
2. Braves (93-69) [4]
3. Mets (90-72) [6]
4. Marlins (78-84)
5. Nationals (54-108)

NL Central:

1. Cardinals (94-68) [3]
2. Brewers (85-77)
3. Cubs (76-86)
4. Pirates (68-94)
5. Reds (61-101)

NL West:

1. Dodgers (98-64) [1]
2. Padres (93-69) [5]
3. Diamondbacks (81-81)
4. Giants (78-84)
5. Rockies (63-99)

AL Wild Card: Guardians over Blue Jays (2-0), Mariners over Rays (2-1)
NL Wild Card: Mets over Cardinals (2-0), Braves over Padres (2-1)

ALDS: Guardians over Yankees (3-2), Mariners over Astros (3-2)
NLDS: Phillies over Mets (3-0), Dodgers over Braves (3-1)

ALCS: Mariners over Guardians (4-2)
NLCS: Dodgers over Phillies (4-3)

World Series: Dodgers over Mariners (4-1)

Awards:

AL MVP: Shohei Ohtani - Angels
NL MVP: Ronald Acuna Jr. - Braves

AL Cy Young: Framber Valdez - Astros
NL CY Young: Aaron Nola - Phillies

AL ROY: Gunnar Henderson - Orioles
NL ROY: Corbin Carroll - Diamondbacks

AL MOY: Terry Francona - Guardians
NL MOY: Dave Roberts - Dodgers

29 Mar 2023 13:04:06
Dang. Things must be rough when you're not even predicting the "AL Equivalent to the Dodgers" aren't even making the playoffs.

And putting the Giants at 78 wins is just trolling at this point. It would be the worst record Gabe Kapler has had with the Giants, all the while with objectively his best team.

But no one has ever accused you of having reasonable takes regarding the Giants, so why start now?

29 Mar 2023 14:38:05
I mean you obviously watch more Giants than me, but saying this year's roster is the best Kapler has had is interesting. I don't agree with that at all.

They're betting on 75th+ percentile outcomes from a TON of guys to make the postseason.

No trolling, I don't expect them to be very good.

29 Mar 2023 17:25:54
They have the best bullpen, top to bottom, they've had with Kapler.

They have the deepest rotation I think I can ever recall them having in my time on this earth, with 7 legitimate starting options. This doesn't even include Sean Hjelle or a potential Kyle Harrison addition later on.

They added 30 HR potential in Michael Conforto while losing just Brandon Belt and Evan Longoria offensively. Guys like Yaz and Joc Pederson won't be affected as severely by the shift.

This is, objectively, Kapler's best Giants team.

Your prediction is anywhere from 4-10 wins below the projections of the experts. Meanwhile, you're projecting the White Sox are anywhere from 3-10 wins BETTER?

Yeah, pardon me for not buying what you're selling.

29 Mar 2023 22:34:08
It can't "objectively" be his best team before they play a single game. That's not what "objectively" means.

If Conforto has "30 HR potential" (playing half his games in SF, mind you) with a 15 total projection from THE BAT X, then boy, the White Sox have 8 regulars with 30-homer potential too.

And the Giants swapped Rodon for Manaea who was more than a full run worse by botERA (well, would you lookie there - look which metric got added to FanGraphs. Legit enough for ya now? ) .

They added Stripling, but does he have a better outlook than DeSclafani did coming into last year? No. Otherwise, the rotation is exactly the same as last year.

The rotation depth is good, but I don't think it moves the needle for them above anything other than a .500 team. Just my opinion.

30 Mar 2023 01:36:47
And I know you're keen on the opinion of "experts", but ESPN & FanGraphs agree with my last statement.

30 Mar 2023 12:16:30
ZiPS projected the Giants to win 87 games.

They projected the White Sox to win 74.

But I can fully understand why you'd all of a sudden dismiss ZiPS. I don't entirely blame you.

30 Mar 2023 12:25:54
As far as Manaea is concerned, no one has accused you of paying attention, so I won't begin to do so either.

However, a few notes:

1. He worked with Driveline this offseason and the effects were pretty obvious this Spring. His velocity is up by 3mph.

2. Manaea has really focused on his sinker, which has been highly effective. That sinker is why the Giants acquired him. It's why they went for Alex Cobb. It's why they like Alex Wood. They seem to know what they are doing when it comes to guys with sinnkers.

3. Cherry-pick whichever bizarre metric you'd wish, here's what we know about Manaea's 2022 season (which, frankly, doesn't matter anymore) : he was a full run LOWER by xERA. He was a half-run lower by FIP. I won't use xFIP with you, because now that it is no longer favorable to your argument, you dismiss is (again, you're the most predictable person ever) .

But surprise, surprise, nearly every projection has Manaea performing at his xERA from 2022. I suspect if they were able to quantify the changes he made this winter, that number would be even lower.

You've already convinced me you don't know what you're talking about, you don't have to continue to sell the point.

30 Mar 2023 12:30:18
"If Conforto has "30 HR potential" (playing half his games in SF, mind you) with a 15 total projection from THE BAT X, then boy, the White Sox have 8 regulars with 30-homer potential too. "

For someone who LOVES projections*, you sure seem to ignore the realities, don't you?

Of course Conforto is going to be around 15-19 HR via projection systems. The systems can't operate knowing if he's healthy. They can't account for changes he made. Conforto had 14 HR in 2021 and ZERO in 2022. Why would any projection, mathematically, give him a number in the 20s? That makes no sense.

His four seasons prior: 27, 28, 33, 27 (it was 9, but adjusted to 27 for 162 games) . Dang, it's almost like, I don't know, Michael Conforto has 30-home run potential.

Crazy how that works.



*Chi Sox only loves projections when they are favorable to his argument. And he consistently uses the most favorable for White Sox, and the least favorable for the Giants.

30 Dec 2022 22:04:57
Per Maria Guardado of MLB.com:

"Our organization was totally unified every step of the way as this unfolded," Zaidi said. "In the initial pursuit, in the negotiation and in unfortunately what happened subsequently. There was complete alignment from ownership to the baseball group to the business side."

Seriously, Chi Sox's post gets worse and worse each time.

EVERYONE was in agreement on each step of the process.

30 Dec 2022 22:57:26
The alternative here is that Zaidi releases a statement that insinuates tension between ownership and the front office. Even he's not that dumb.

It's cute how naïve you are.

You think public statements from club executives are always an accurate representation of what actually goes on behind closed doors.

Just like how anything that "reputable writers" like Keith Law say in terms of player valuation or biblical.

31 Dec 2022 02:50:08
Comical for someone who fell for Scott Boras' statements hook, line and sinker to call anyone "naive"

Between this and trying to suggest the Giants operated like an alt-right team, this hasn't been a good stretch of hot takes for you.

I'm a little worried you might be hitting the bottle like TLR. Just stay off the roads, otherwise Jerry Reinsdorf will hire you!

31 Dec 2022 03:03:31
You're also the same guy who ran with a rumor from Bennet Karoll LMAOOOOOOO.

Bennet Karoll, a shock jock radio host.

Scott Boras, the clown super-agent who literally lied (and changed his story multiple times) to reporters about what happened with the Correa/ Giants saga.

Yeah, I think it's probably safer to assume that Farhan Zaidi, who is probably the most open about what his team is doing to the public & media, is telling the truth.

But you don't want to accept it because it doesn't appeal to your laughable and ridiculous nonsensical takes regarding the Giants.

You've been wrong at literally every point regarding the Correa saga. You continue to embarrass yourself and honestly, I actually feel bad for your family and acquaintances.

24 Dec 2022 17:05:39
Per The Athletic: The Mets, yes, the team who models their spending after the U.S. Government, have concerns of an issue with Carlos Correa's physical.

Let this be a lesson to this forum: Don't listen to Chi Sox.

He has no idea what he's talking about and he fell for the Scott Boras narrative hook, line and sinker.