MiddleCoastBias

I said earlier that I thought it was too late to use the health issues excuses and everyone would see through it for what it was, but I buy into what you're saying. If he's actually going to step down, it makes sense to get some time to make an internal transition plan and have plan in place. The all-star break also gives the team, etc. the to adjust and get replacements into position. I buy that there may be internal conversations going on saying "I'm stepping down in a week so let's get our ducks in a row" etc. Here's hoping, at least.

The thing is, he's waited too long to make any FO bump or "health reasons" move look like anything BUT a weak cover-up for getting fired. Everyone in baseball is watching this situation now and sees how big of a trainwreck it is. We all know he needs to go, and now he's missed his opportunity to leave with dignity. And frankly, I don't care about his dignity, just get him out. Fuck 'em.

Tonight's game is becoming appointment viewing just to hear the commentary from Stone and Benetti. If this season is turning into a circus, might as well enjoy the ride.

"Things are going to change around here, see? No more long-distance phone calls, keep your dames at home, and shave those sideburns Mattingly!"

I know you're only trying to make a point and not actually suggesting that this WILL work, but it won't. The Nats are far enough out in their rebuild that they shouldn't want to diminish the return they can get for Soto just by getting rid of some bad contracts too. They should be in a position to max their return for him with as many prospects as possible, and ride out the contracts. Added to that, if any team is in a position to take on a bad contract to make a deal like that, it isn't us.

.... for now. Pitchers will drop out and he'll be in as a replacement. Agree that he should've been in originally, but it'll work itself out.

I see your reply after I posted pretty much the same thing haha

This is how I feel as well. See: Angels squandering Mike Trout for so many years.

"Show of hands, who actually wants to play today? Anybody?" - Tony, setting the lineup

But is this even a good thing? Ok, so he can't make bad bullpen decisions in game or whatever, but I still don't want him deciding the direction of the organization. That's how we ended up with a Leury Garcia extension in the first place. The ultimate goal is to NOT have that.

100% this. All of our "fire this guy" hypotheticals are followed by "well, but then they'll just fill that position with someone else similar that they know". It starts at the top - it's like a drug cartel. Until JR sells, we won't see any substantive changes. Reinsdorf won't bring in some new guy he doesn't know to replace Kenny, Hahn, et al - it will just be another crony. And that is depressing. Even IF we get a minor win (TLR retires, Menechino fired, etc), it won't really mean anything in the long run. Just more of the same.

That's a great counterargument I didn't think about, thanks

As others are saying, teams do this to free up the 40-man slot, sure. But what about the chaff we've carried on the 40-man when we didn't need to? What about holding onto Yermin for so long when we knew he would never be back? Maybe we don't know the whole story, maybe they told him not to do the surgery and he went ahead anyway. Just seems like they didn't have to cut him? And maybe I'm just naive.

But for whom? ? Jk and I'm sorry I spoke this possibility into existence.

Aside from the superstitions, just want to give kudos to whoever creates these things, they're awesome. This current Tim Anderson one with the TA in Soxtalk all shadowed is fire, I love it! Well done with all of these but especially this current one.

Pop quiz, hotshot!

Speaks to lacking that fire and motivation we've seen, team seems to be sleepwalking at times. Trailing early (and certainly can't blame that all on Keuchel anymore) can be demoralizing... if you let it get to you. Seems like that can be where a manager actually does something to get the most out of their players. Ricky's boys something something...

Man, you guys are great, baseball has such an archaic rules structure and I can never keep up.

The new CBA nixed qualifying offers, so they're no more. But as a thought piece, I don't think this org would have offered any way out of deference/loyalty to Abreu given how much they deflate a player's value when turned down.

Apparently Menechino bases his coaching philosophy on the "come on bud, just throw strikes!" coaching you hear in Little League.

Hey, we dodged that bullet, nice!

And worse, it's not even a team of DHs that can mash like the Phillies did with Schwarber and Castellanos, just hitting dingers. Instead our guys are being told to slap it the other way. If you're creating a team with zero defense and speed, they at least better be let loose to swing away.

Forgive me if this was posted elsewhere, but this ESPN story is ridiculous. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34149317/short-handed-chicago-white-sox-understanding-their-legs-important-tell-some-players-slow-running-first-base Solution to the injury problem? Don't try so hard! Fuck this organization, man. This team makes me sad.

I also don't want to be in a position where Tony has any influence over who we're giving up and who we're getting back. You shouldn't get to pick the music if you're leaving the party soon anyway.

The problem is they won't recognize the decrease in gate sales and concessions until it's too late to save fan interest with a move.