caulfield12

2018 felt more like the gut punch year after all that early success in the front half of the window from 2015-17. Then they went the following four years without a single post-season win. Feels the same way for Sox, have to do their damage these next three post-seasons, with 2024 perhaps the final season of AL Central dominance. “They lost to the Brewers in a 163rd game to determine the Central Division champions, failing in their quest to win the division for a third consecutive year. Instead, they hosted the Wild Card Game against the Colorado Rockies, but the Cubs lost 2–1 in 13 innings.”

But that would typically mean replacing a cheap younger player at second with a pricier veteran FA for RF…now if you argued Kimbrel was going to be traded for one (an OFer) in the offseason, that would make more sense.

If if if Rodon doesn’t continue to regress. Then you might be forced to go Lynn, Giolito, Kopech…which means they have to bump up Kopech to at least 3 and then 4 inning stints at a time.

In the sense he didn’t establish himself right away and got pushed back to secondary status…and yes, Rizzo and Baez predated Bryant. It would be too complicated to break it down year by year. And I forgot another big disaster for the Cubs, Addison Russell. I think it’s fair to say that all those Top 3-5 prospects around the Core Four never really broke through to be counted upon as regulars.

1) Nobody developed after Hendricks on pitching side 2) Terrible free agent deals 3) The prospect group that followed the Core Four of Bryant, Rizzo, Baez and Contreras…flamed out or was traded, in Soler/Almora/Happ. 4) Bullpen issues, Kimbrel goes through two down seasons inexplicably, Darvish struggles first 1 1/2 seasons and has to be jettisoned to save money. 5) Chapman and Q trades 6) Maddon got complacent and celebrity status went to his head, off field endorsements and distractions 7) Injuries to Bryant, and then Arrieta (like Jose Contreras) couldn’t sustain Cy Youngish stretch

https://www.outkick.com/david-chao-md-fernando-tatis-jr-injures-his-same-shoulder-for-a-fifth-time-this-year/ Fifth time since spring training…the one swinging and the one handed follow-through was arguably the worst. Certainly, another MRI is coming. If there is no new structural damage, the team and player could decide once again to rehab and keep playing since the Padres are very much in contention for a playoff spot. Labral repair will come when there is more damage, risk of long-term issues or the team is out of playoff consideration. Tatis and the team have made the decision for a calculated risk to continue through four episodes, but now there is a fifth. Kudos to Tatis for playing through quite effectively so far this season with 31 home runs and 23 stolen bases. I hope he can continue to be effective without causing further damage. The question is when will the player and team say enough is enough. Surgery is a matter of when, not if.

2.2 and 1.8 in 2017 and 2018, followed by a very disappointing 2019. Maybe it would have been better to just get Wong as Fathom argued, and trade Madrigal+ for pitching in the offseason. Of course, his peak trade value was during the 2-3 weeks before the season ending injury.

Of course, you also have to consider the difference in salaries…if not the fact Kimbrel arguably cost a lot more in talent. Frazier heading for a 4.3 fWAR at his current pace. And can play 2B/LF very well, and RF above average.

1 Unit of fWAR in FA=$8.0 million Craig Kimbrel 2019 -1.1 2020 0.3 (prorated) 2021 3.4 (prorated) Net=2.6/3 years Liam Hendriks 2019 3.8 2020 3.8 2021 2.4 Net=10.0/3 years

Rick Hahn and Must Watch should never be placed together in the same sentence…

Well, this game might likely become more known as the one that galvanized everyone around LaRussa…and not for those three K’s with bases loaded.

Hard to imagine us beating Houston, TB, Boston…the Yankees as well with their new lineup.

Of course. Why can’t anything ever be easy with this team?

Hernandez must have been confused about who to fight… Sheets not having the greatest game. Forgot the situation.

If this was a Korean sports-themed rom com, he would be milking it with his gf or fiance for a minimum of 2-3 weeks. Wearing a head bandage around like The Mummy, lots of moaning and whining.

Quentin still leading him…

LaRussa went after Perez…Demarco Hale in CLE dugout got upset LaRussa was talking to his player. I guess it’s much ado about nothing, unless we hit someone with CLE.

Has to be in the concussion protocol…

Abreu having terrible injury luck this year…intentional?

Patented opposite field swing…

Bunt bunt bunt.

Board meltdown coming if the run doesn’t score or Hendriks blows save #6…although the media would have a manufactured “closer controversy” to right about. Karinchak going all fastballs. Crazy.

Now a PHer mid at bat, lol.

Bad hop. Might end up a hit if the official scorer looks at it carefully.

If Zavala does anything but bunt the runner over succesfully…