Coming off an American League Divisional Series appearance, its year 3 of Matt Quatraro tenure. Can they take the next step to a division title? Can Bobby Witt, Jr. take his superstar status to another level? Can Cole Ragans develop more? Will the other starting pitching duplicate last season? The offense can it deliver more? Who will be in the outfield? How about the new stadium development?
Free Agents/Trades Acquisitions
Jonathan India, 2B
Joey Wiemer, OF [Reply]
Originally Posted by Ocotillo:
Your answer is that society views different types of cheating on separate scales. Drastically altering one's body composition through chemical means is high on or at the top of the list. There's a reason why WADA and track and field gives an automatic two-year ban for doping.
I do think the Astros went beyond just gamesmanship where they're using technology and AI to decode signs. It's much more flagrant than using a corked bat or throwing a screwball.
The Astros literally had a coach set up watching a video feed feeding them pitch calls which they proceeded to communicate to the hitters at the plate for an entire season. I’d argue that’s a far more severe form of cheating than simply doing what a large portion of the league was already doing in the 90s/00s (which wasn’t actually against any MLB rule and which they didn’t even test for until 20 years ago).
And if any of these writers actually cared that much about doping, they’d never have let David Ortiz in either. [Reply]
Originally Posted by KC_Connection:
The Astros literally had a coach set up watching a video feed feeding them pitch calls which they proceeded to communicate to the hitters at the plate for an entire season. I’d argue that’s a far more severe form of cheating than simply doing what a large portion of the league was already doing in the 90s/00s (which wasn’t actually against any MLB rule and which they didn’t even test for until 20 years ago).
And if any of these writers actually cared that much about doping, they’d never have let David Ortiz in either.
The players knew it was wrong. Even if Fay Vincent's 1991 memo had no teeth to it, it was against the law.
Donald Fehr and the MLBPA were vehemently against testing anyway, so it had no chance to be included in a CBA. Fehr cried privacy concerns. Fehr only relented to testing when the players were shamed publicly. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Ocotillo:
Your answer is that society views different types of cheating on separate scales. Drastically altering one's body composition through chemical means is high on or at the top of the list. There's a reason why WADA and track and field gives an automatic two-year ban for doping.
I do think the Astros went beyond just gamesmanship where they're using technology and AI to decode signs. It's much more flagrant than using a corked bat or throwing a screwball.
Just like all these NFL guys aren't roided out.. [Reply]
Originally Posted by poolboy:
Profar to the Braves
The Braves announced that they have signed free agent outfielder Jurickson Profar to a three-year, $42MM deal. The MVP Sports Group client will make $12MM this year and then $15MM in each of the next two seasons. Robert Murray of FanSided reported earlier that the two sides were in agreement. Atlanta designated right-hander Connor Gillispie in a corresponding move.
Originally Posted by Wilson8:
The Braves announced that they have signed free agent outfielder Jurickson Profar to a three-year, $42MM deal. The MVP Sports Group client will make $12MM this year and then $15MM in each of the next two seasons. Robert Murray of FanSided reported earlier that the two sides were in agreement. Atlanta designated right-hander Connor Gillispie in a corresponding move.