WestEddy

I didn't see the ump's hand go up until the ball hit the ground, which was ludicrous. The ump should have called the IFR with the ball in the air. Dude was trying to keep out of a double play due to umpire error. If he made it to 3rd safely, we'd all be talking about the heads up baserunning.

Dude, their entire draft was shortstops. You've convinced me that the only way forward as a franchise is to acquire Vientos. Veni, Vidi, Vientos.

And the fascination with ex-Sox pitchers continues...

I'm guessing the Mets' GM is on the phone to Getz just making random demands - "Okay, now I want to see if Sosa could run from 2nd to 3rd on a dropped popup". "We're so close. Now have Burke walk the next two batters to show he can pitch under pressure".

They've stated repeatedly that they're using him as a reliever this year to get him innings. They have also stated that they see him as a starter after this year.

The entire league is made up of "me first" players. That's why free agency, arbitration and no trade clauses exist. If you guys want to run with this "selfish player" narrative, have at it. I see it as a player who needed a longer runway, and didn't see any opportunity, or a way out of a bullpen role.

He tweaked something a few days ago, and "talked his way into the lineup". We can pretend all sorts of things to establish "new levels of low". Perhaps Robert will come to bat looking like a zombie, he's so shot up on pain killers. Maybe trainers will carry him out to the batter's box.

He had periods of competency earlier this year, and he seems coachable. In between weight room stints, he can take grounders in the parking lot.

This makes it sound like Robert can play, and the Sox are holding him out.

Okay, looking this up, I don't believe he had a contractual clause that stipulated how the Brewers would use him. Conversely, there don't appear to be any rules or penalties that disallow Civale from asking for a trade. I didn't even pay attention to whether the Brewers' front office was blind-sided by a request in the press, or if he just had his agent ask the team, then alluded to it in locker room press availability. My main point is that I don't really see how Civale requesting a trade should be seen as some sort of "bad behavior" on his part that other front offices might want to steer clear of. GMs are used to dealing with big egos, or guys who have routines they believe ensures their success.

Beyond Benintendi, we've kind of cleared out all our 1B/DH's, haven't we? I don't consider Noda or Elko to be viable major leaguers, at this point.

All Civale did was exercise his rights under his contract and the players' agreement. Pretty much like players exercising a deadline opt-out on a minor league deal or even declining a player option at the end of a season. There's a huge gap between that and players who are headaches to be avoided. If teams scouted Civale's last 3 starts, they'll see three strong outings where he was left in too long for one of them.

Altavilla and Alexander have the best ERA and WHIP in the bullpen.

We want Quero to play against RHP even though he OPS's .549, because that's the only way he'll get better. But we don't want Leasure to pitch in leverage. Don't we want Leasure to get better in high leverage time?

Okay, it's a 3-inning ballgame, now. We're good at those.

Appropos of nothing, I still hold firm that Lenyn Sosa will be a surprise trade candidate.

They called me this time.

You don't say...

No Robert, again. The drinks will flow, and the hugs will spill.