poppysox

I liked Al Lopez, Chuck Tanner, and Gene Lamont.

Agreed. I actually like him a lot if used in late-inning running and defensive situations. When he has a bat in his hand's bad things happen.

And Hamilton can buy a ticket to the game.

People being talked about would include Joey Gallo, Joc Pederson, Charlie Blackmon, and Jason Hayward. Any of this type of player would improve our current situation but none qualify as a blockbuster acquisition. I am referring to your statement that blockbuster deals don't tend to happen in early May.

Not the baseball savant that some of these guys are but I try to keep up.

None of the names being talked about would be blockbusters IMO. Our outfield is in dire need of a solid addition. I'm thinking someone more sure thing than Brian Goodwin. If he was the answer he would already be on the team.

Those Harper & Machado deals would be no-brainers if you could just discard them when performance dropped.

No problem. Several people thought I was being serious. Not as obvious as I thought apparently.

It was a joke...loosen up.

Yes...I am aware of that.

I've been expecting an outfielder acquisition to be announced all day. These off days often seem to be when news breaks.

Nope. If we did I would be joining all the negative posters on this site. We have a lifetime supply of DH types.

Wow...is that even legal? Seriously, with these long-term contracts at mega dollars, it is a fate to befall most of these former stars.

Not close in my opinion. Mazara was just bad.

I am disappointed for Engel. This would have been his year to shine.

That's what playing all the games is about. We will have hot hitters and slumping hitters. Pitchers throwing lights out and pitchers crap themselves. We blow some games and we get handed an undeserved win. Guys get hurt but someone gets a chance to play and shines. After 162 games we win enough games to qualify for the playoffs. Hopefully three or four starters are pitching really well and everybody is healed up and on a hot streak. We breeze through the playoffs and win the WS. We brag to our Cubs friends and talk trash. Start the whole process again in 2022.?

The worst player in baseball last year was EE. I assume we could all agree on that at least.

The 10th inning should be played the same way as the 9th. The game was designed so that you need someone to get on base via hit, walk, error, or getting drilled in order to score a run. The strike zone shouldn't change and spitball shouldn't be allowed using your earlier example.

I had a bad hamstring that felt like I was shot in the leg. Turned black and lasted for months. However, my progress was steady and without setbacks. A professional athlete with top-notch trainers...I expected him back a month ago.

I obviously mean the basic game of 27 outs and 9 innings and three strikes your out. Yes, the changes you mentioned did occur and they had their share of detractors. The DH is only now starting to gain acceptance. The differences in ballparks have always been accepted by fans. Another way of putting it is there are changes and then there are changes. I don't like "these" changes.

On another subject...can you shed any light on the Engel injury? What do you think is going on with him?

I agree with all of your assessments. Very enjoyable to not worry about who is starting...having the faith we will be in the game.

We need a Leury & Hamilton banner...quick.

Ron 883 misstates my post. The hot take you refer to was about MLB making changes to the game such as the runner at 2nd crap. I don't like tampering with a game that has withstood depression and World Wars. No attempt was made to defend TL for his not knowing the rule.

I can understand why people are frustrated. Stuff hasn't been going our way lately. I frequently don't like the TL lineups, especially what I think of as the overuse of Leury & Hamilton. Like you...I don't B**** about it much because I know for certain that TL has forgotten more than I ever knew about the game. I think it's fair to feel Tony or his bench coach or Duncan's kid should know that rule...so egg on face...I get it. I think a fair amount of blame should go to major league baseball for changing the game to the degree that many or all of the baseball insiders don't understand the rules. We are mostly long-time baseball fans that are among the most loyal and knowledgeable. At this point, the rules shouldn't be confusing to us or it's management.