poppysox

Feeling optimistic makes you feel better than being pessimistic does. Much easier on you physically and mentally IMO. Kind of like fooling yourself into feeling good.

I remember those days fondly. Those were the days that the players had something to bi*** about.

The poster inquired if baseball couldn't have gone forward while negotiations continued. I explained why that would never happen again because it already didn't work in 1994. The replacement player was a poorly conceived idea that came along well after the strike was initiated by the union.

The National Labor Board didn't slap anyone down. They filed a complaint upheld by the district court. The replacement players were brought into the fight in January 1995...quite a bit after the strike was called by the union in August 1994. The Natl. Labor Board filed a complaint that was upheld by the District court thereby ending the strike in March 95. The point still is...the owners don't want a strike mid-season therefore the lockout when we got it...with enough time to settle things before the season gets started.

Of course, the players would be OK with it. Remember when in 1994 a strike was called by the players on August 12 that flushed the playoffs and WS down the drain. You can bet the owners will never again be caught in that type of weakened bargaining position again.

Yes, until right before the playoffs. Noone cares about strikes and lockouts during the offseason. The owners have the most power over the situation when many players don't have teams and players start missing paychecks. Players have the most leverage when the owners would miss the big money the playoffs create.

This is how labor negotiations go. When enough owners or enough players let their negotiators know they want this thing settled sooner rather than later...a deal happens. I am rather optimistic that the end is in sight. The end of the month (February 2022) would be my guess.

If that happens several owners will be in deep trouble and many players will have seen their careers come to an end. That's what happens when you kill the golden goose. Best for all concerned to stop posturing and get a deal done.

That would at least lengthen the time for the meetings.

I know it takes something to get something and Sheets will have a market with the National League getting the DH...but I really would want something good. Feels like when the Sox traded John Romano and Norm Cash for a 37-year-old Minnie Minoso.

Burger might be the bait we are using to snag a short-term TOR-type arm.

I know it can feel like "adversaries" but for the most part, they are fellow WS fans who have strong opinions just like you and me. A few years ago when Jose was about to become a FA you were without a doubt Jose's biggest supporter. At the end of the day, the FO agreed with you and brought him back. His performance since then has been as "you" thought and you were right in your support for him. Nice of you not to rub it into all those who said Jose was finished. If I had my way Jose will share a little more time this year with Vaughn (heir apparent) and maybe sign an extension with the understanding of transitioning to a player/coach type of situation...heavy on the "coach" as his skills diminish as they do for everyone. His fellow players look up to him and I like him so long as the young guys get to transition. Jose seems to be WS in his veins so I think he will recognize when the time comes. Konerko as an example stayed too long and I for one thought it was sad to tarnish his reputation. Age is a funny thing in baseball. Thomas and Konerko both made 15 years and the last few weren't very pretty to watch. Jose started his major league career later than those guys so I guess it's year to year.

I suspect you know better than that.

Mediation was the way to go.

I wonder what is taking so long for the players to respond to the owner's latest offer.

I agree with your point that Jose is actually pretty good on defense. He worked hard to become a reliable fielder.

Works for me.

Exactly...we need to maximize the utilization of our minimal resources. My preference, therefore, is to go with Vaugh/Sheets/Engel in RF and use our resources on finding the best 2nd baseman possible.

I agree...it was terrible. Don't say I didn't warn you.

You make it sound like there is no shortage of money or trade chips. I much prefer Marte to Conforto but am happy to take a chance since money seems to be plentiful these days.

You know me...if we sign him I will love him to death until he proves himself unworthy. I personally wouldn't pay $18M because he didn't earn a $5 million raise IMO. However, it's not my money. As long as we upgrade 2nd as well I'm fine. We have this odd situation with Eloy, Vaughn, and Sheets with similar skills being good hitters but certainly average minus defensive skills. I believe Eloy and Vaugh are better than they are given credit for being...especially in LF.

In situations like owners vs union...I only post when my opinion is different than the majority. If I agreed with you...what would be the point. Do you ever notice that when everyone is in agreement the subject dies out after very few posts?

These are negotiations...this is IMO just something to give in on much like DH in the NL. Players never thought they would get early free agency...just something to give in on. It isn't like anyone had to create 180 jobs in the first place.

You don't argue...you just post smiley faces. Apparently, you don't have much to say that you can defend. I will proudly admit to being biased toward WS players and management. I'm a fan.

Well if he gets $18M...I hope it isn't from us. This idea that it isn't fair to look hard and heavy into his 2021 performance is just silly IMO. When one of our guys has a year like his...this board wants to run him out of town on a rail. His .232 ave with 14 HR and 55 RBI is not much better than what sheets did in less than half the at-bats. Both Adam Dunn and Adam LaRoche convince me that NL sluggers don't always come back from down years.