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I’m done looking for “signs” for him. His production during a slump is beyond unplayable.

Shocking.

Whoa he hit something hard

I’m a bigger fan of signing odorizzi this offseason than I was last.

It’s not a blood born virus Benetti

Gross

I’d rather it go toward a good right fielder

I don't know if it's "teams won't be willing to break bank in a world where 100 wins doesn't matter", but you could tell the chance for more teams to make the playoffs (giants, reds, etc) made deadline acquisitions more expensive. That may cut down on win totals a bit.

Tonight could be the night.

I don't mind expanding but the 8 team set-up per league sucks, it needs to be just like football. These best of 3 series are too dumb and there is too little advantage to being good. Here's what the MLB needs to do and they know it: - Add 2 new teams, 1 per league - Create a new division per league, 4 teams each 4 division winners + 2 wild cards Top 2 teams get a bye 1st round - Best of 5 (3) division team + (6) wildcard, (4) division team + (5) wildcard DS - Best of 5 (1) Division team + (winner of 4/5) CS - Best of 7 WS - Best of 7 Use the new 7 inning double headers to start in late september or cut schedule to 154 games.

Exactly right

I know you were skeptical the MLB would do it right, but it did sounds like one of the side effects (according to law) of the changes this summer would be more scouts needed (since they can't be two places in once). Are you any more confident?

Well in the post I'd BE the MLB not have to convince Manfred not to be an idiot. And it has the benefit and goal of increasing the number of kids playing baseball which leads to longer term fans. It is a goal to grow the sport overall and then league.

And it was already heading that way on the position player side.

If I was MLB I'd take the wind out of the tournament circuit, put together regional tournaments by invite only based on team scout nominations + increase the size of MLBs scouts, and make the trackman data and measurements available to all 30 teams. Make a show out of inviting kids who aren't on travel circuit.

Regardless, this is going to be an awesome draft next year. The only scenario I'd hate is a lottery occurring, and the red sox getting rocker and things turning around for them dramatically similar to after 2013. Unlikely with their FAs, but that offense is still damn good and Verdugo has been a stud.

Which is funny to me just because the tools available now scream to me that you should be able to refine faster, especially if you have high and general athleticism. Learning how to use your body would be way more helpful especially with the wearables only getting better.

That's kinda the point in the book, and the US system that has emerged for Soccer, Baseball and Basketball isn't helping but it feels intuitive to people so it won't stop.

I think this is more that baseball benefitted from the Yankees doing the job for them and thought they had a philosophy because of it. Now even Judge can't break through and baseball doesn't know how to build that engine from scratch.

The book would argue that specialization works in chess and golf but more chaotic sports like tennis, baseball, basketball, football benefit from general athleticism.

https://www.amazon.com/Range-Generalists-Triumph-Specialized-World/dp/0735214484/ref=asc_df_0735214484/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=344057888328&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10864068482040066665&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021569&hvtargid=pla-750234669981&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=69543898472&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=344057888328&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10864068482040066665&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021569&hvtargid=pla-750234669981 Good book on that idea.

Well what if instead of marketing the players who play the game we just put a bunch of weird restrictions in the game to make it harder to understand what's happening.

Yes we know you don't watch baseball. In Alexei's prime he was a 4 WAR starting shortstop. He came at 25 and had to learn a new league. He was a really good player who faded after age 30, beat up mentally and physically.

lol I can't get over that at one point I was jealous and hoping he could be Jonathan Schoop.

That was the thing with Tim. We hadn't had a guy come up in a while (position player) who had a plus skill so apparent. Tim's hands and bat speed were undeniable. What is crazy to me is it was hard not to listen to baseball people who were saying his approach couldn't work. He'd need to up his walk rate, be more patient to not be susceptible to falling down 0-2 and getting sliders. But instead he's just...made his approach work in a way I don't see in baseball. He's just ... moved around in the box and taken away pitchers pitches against them because he's so smart. When the hell does that happen? Mike Trout molded himself into this perfect encapsulation of all the best things to do in baseball, and that's amazing and I love Mike Trout. But Tim Anderson just...didn't do that and is incredible. And that's fun as hell and he's a WHITE SOX