MLB 2024 Season

[Uncle Rico]

Great f'ng officiating product you got there, MLB. If we're going to do crap like this let's actually throw at the the umps

Tossing Freddy tonight will be justified as we deemed it retaliatory for Hoskins being hit

[GB Warrior]

Think Pat should call for a gambling investigation into this crew

[GB Warrior]

Slap fight!

[PGsHeroes32]

I'm gonna overlook opponents and say 10 wins in a row is impressive

[MU82]

From Yahoo Sports:

Cubs lefty Shōta Imanaga continued the historic start to his rookie season on Wednesday, pitching seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory over the Mets.

‌His numbers so far:

5-0
34.2 IP
35 K
0.78 ERA
0.75 WHIP

Imanaga's 0.78 ERA is the lowest through a pitcher's first six MLB starts since Fernando Valenzuela (0.33) in 1981. Valenzuela was just 20 years old while Imanaga is 30 with seven pro seasons in Japan under his belt, but if he keeps this up... Chicago may soon get its own taste of "Shōtamania."

‌Quote of the day: Imanaga was asked what it was like pitching in New York for the first time. "The view from the hotel, I recognize it from Spider-Man," he said via his interpreter. "So I was like, 'Oh, this is where Spider-Man was.'" Amazing.

[JWags85]

From Yahoo Sports:

Cubs lefty Shōta Imanaga continued the historic start to his rookie season on Wednesday, pitching seven scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory over the Mets.

‌His numbers so far:

5-0
34.2 IP
35 K
0.78 ERA
0.75 WHIP

Imanaga's 0.78 ERA is the lowest through a pitcher's first six MLB starts since Fernando Valenzuela (0.33) in 1981. Valenzuela was just 20 years old while Imanaga is 30 with seven pro seasons in Japan under his belt, but if he keeps this up... Chicago may soon get its own taste of "Shōtamania."

‌Quote of the day: Imanaga was asked what it was like pitching in New York for the first time. "The view from the hotel, I recognize it from Spider-Man," he said via his interpreter. "So I was like, 'Oh, this is where Spider-Man was.'" Amazing.

Insane value grab by the Cubs so far for the production of star NPB pitcher signings.  Only paying $13MM a year for Shoto where the Dodgers are paying $27MM a year for Yamamoto.  Yamamoto is gonna end up being very good but he's been a bit boom or bust in his starts, Shoto meanwhile has an insane 4 hits over 5 starts.

Also, as I mentioned when Yamamoto signed, both guys are well below average for SP height.  Average last I saw was like 6'3, and there are less than 15 starters that are 5'10 or under, which Shoto and Moto both are, and both have a signature fastball.

[MU82]

Muggsy would like 'em even more if they were 4'10 or under!

[dgies9156]

Big question: Was Carl Pohlad right and major league baseball needs to contract?

I look at teams like the White Sox, Marlins, Rockies, Athletics, Pirates and even my beloved Cardinals. There isn't enough major league talent to staff 30 teams. When you get down to the lower end of any division in baseball, not only is there no talent, or very little talent, there's NO HOPE!

Miami should be, on paper, one of the best baseball towns in America. Its demographic, major market size and stadium quality (even the food is good) suggests this is a true major league city. But a succession of bad owners and GMs has wrecked the franchise and left the Marlins as a mediocre AA team. The Pirates have played better as of late but does anyone in Pittsburgh think a World Series will be coming in their lifetime?

Yeah, some if it is money. Stars go where the money is. But the baseball product is so watered down today, true stars have a huge market because there's just a limited number of high-level major league superstars --far fewer than are needed for a 30+ team league. And, the idiot commissioner is thinking expansion again??????

Pohlad probably was right. Baseball needs to think about contraction. Probably about four to six teams need to go. I'd probably argue the As and Kansas City for starters. Any thoughts Scoopers?

[Uncle Rico]

Big question: Was Carl Pohlad right and major league baseball needs to contract?

I look at teams like the White Sox, Marlins, Rockies, Athletics, Pirates and even my beloved Cardinals. There isn't enough major league talent to staff 30 teams. When you get down to the lower end of any division in baseball, not only is there no talent, or very little talent, there's NO HOPE!

Miami should be, on paper, one of the best baseball towns in America. Its demographic, major market size and stadium quality (even the food is good) suggests this is a true major league city. But a succession of bad owners and GMs has wrecked the franchise and left the Marlins as a mediocre AA team. The Pirates have played better as of late but does anyone in Pittsburgh think a World Series will becoming in their lifetime?

Yeah, some if it is money. Stars go where the money is. But the baseball product is so watered down today, true stars have a huge market because there's just a limited number of high-level major league superstars --far fewer than are needed for a 30+ team league. And, the idiot commissioner is thinking expansion again??????

Pohlad probably was right. Baseball needs to think about contraction. Probably about four to six teams need to go. I'd probably argue the As and Kansas City for starters. Any thoughts Scoopers?

I agree (And not just baseball).

However, not happening

[Holy hell all time]

Big question: Was Carl Pohlad right and major league baseball needs to contract?

I look at teams like the White Sox, Marlins, Rockies, Athletics, Pirates and even my beloved Cardinals. There isn't enough major league talent to staff 30 teams. When you get down to the lower end of any division in baseball, not only is there no talent, or very little talent, there's NO HOPE!

Miami should be, on paper, one of the best baseball towns in America. Its demographic, major market size and stadium quality (even the food is good) suggests this is a true major league city. But a succession of bad owners and GMs has wrecked the franchise and left the Marlins as a mediocre AA team. The Pirates have played better as of late but does anyone in Pittsburgh think a World Series will be coming in their lifetime?

Yeah, some if it is money. Stars go where the money is. But the baseball product is so watered down today, true stars have a huge market because there's just a limited number of high-level major league superstars --far fewer than are needed for a 30+ team league. And, the idiot commissioner is thinking expansion again??????

Pohlad probably was right. Baseball needs to think about contraction. Probably about four to six teams need to go. I'd probably argue the As and Kansas City for starters. Any thoughts Scoopers?

The Royals are a decade removed from a World Series win.  24 teams isn't enough.  What baseball needs is a salary cap and a salary floor.

[tower912]

Yes.    The Cardinals are in a uncharacteristic hole.    Some prospects didn't pan out.   Maybe they should try the portal.      The A's are not even trying.    They are an embarrassment to all owners everywhere.      The White Sox have been competitive recently, they just got dumber.    Florida, for whatever reason, does not support MLB.   

[WhiteTrash]

Yes.    The Cardinals are in a uncharacteristic hole.    Some prospects didn't pan out.   Maybe they should try the portal.      The A's are not even trying.    They are an embarrassment to all owners everywhere.      The White Sox have been competitive recently, they just got dumber.    Florida, for whatever reason, does not support MLB.   

I agree with this, and yet the A's are only 2 games under .500 and in third place. It lends credibility to the position that the White Sox are purposefully tanking (for no reason I can explain) or JR is not fit for owning a team (not just in a fan's perspective of "our owner sucks", but actual diminished cognitive capabilities).

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Contraction isn't the answer for baseball or any other sport. There is plenty of talent around.

[tower912]

Bally Sports and Xfinity aren't the answer right now, either.   

[dgies9156]

Contraction isn't the answer for baseball or any other sport. There is plenty of talent around.

Brother Hippie:

I agree there is plenty of "talent" around, but not enough MAJOR LEAGUE talent. That's where I think the problem is. The pitching is just atrocious

Part of the problem is money, I agree. To retain talent, whether out of high school or college, takes huge bonuses and lots of development costs. Then, once they become arbitration eligible, you're screwed financially because arbitrators have been conditioned to look at home runs and batting average. And, to the romantic notion that somehow baseball will get a salary cap -- not going to happen in my or your lifetime!

Basically, you have to sell about 2.5 million tickets to be competitive and 3.5 million to consistently contend. Even then, the Cardinals are proving this year that with bad management and poor player development, a team can S-U-C-K, suck!

My nominees for contraction are Oakland, Kansas City (also having a stadium battle), Tampa Bay (stadium). At this point, it gets tough. I'd argue for Pittsburgh on grounds that even with the best stadium in the majors, it can't support a winner. From there, it's a crap shoot, but I'd surely keep Miami, Denver, Phoenix, all of which should be able with good ownership to be winnders.

Maybe we need to fire and replace owners!

[Jockey]

Yes.    The Cardinals are in a uncharacteristic hole.    Some prospects didn't pan out.   Maybe they should try the portal.      The A's are not even trying.    They are an embarrassment to all owners everywhere.      The White Sox have been competitive recently, they just got dumber.    Florida, for whatever reason, does not support MLB.   

Right now, there are a dozen teams as bad or worse than the A's.

If the Cards don't want to compete anymore, I'd get rid of them 1st.

[tower912]

I should have said the A's ownership is embarrassing.   The players continue to meet or exceed expectations.   Use their moronic owners as focus and motivation.

[Jockey]

The Royals are a decade removed from a World Series win.  24 teams isn't enough.  What baseball needs is a salary cap and a salary floor.

Especially when almost all of the losing teams get millions and millions in revenue sharing.


But some owners don't care if they win. They just want to keep their money tree healthy.

[Uncle Rico]

Right now, there are a dozen teams as bad or worse than the A's.

If the Cards don't want to compete anymore, I'd get rid of them 1st.

To be fair, a good chunk of the fan base is poor from legal defenses and buying autographed bibles

[Hidden User]

I agree with this, and yet the A's are only 2 games under .500 and in third place. It lends credibility to the position that the White Sox are purposefully tanking (for no reason I can explain) or JR is not fit for owning a team (not just in a fan's perspective of "our owner sucks", but actual diminished cognitive capabilities).

You should have to disclose your financials if you fall under the median total salary threshold

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Brother Hippie:

I agree there is plenty of "talent" around, but not enough MAJOR LEAGUE talent. That's where I think the problem is. The pitching is just atrocious

Part of the problem is money, I agree. To retain talent, whether out of high school or college, takes huge bonuses and lots of development costs. Then, once they become arbitration eligible, you're screwed financially because arbitrators have been conditioned to look at home runs and batting average. And, to the romantic notion that somehow baseball will get a salary cap -- not going to happen in my or your lifetime!

Basically, you have to sell about 2.5 million tickets to be competitive and 3.5 million to consistently contend. Even then, the Cardinals are proving this year that with bad management and poor player development, a team can S-U-C-K, suck!

My nominees for contraction are Oakland, Kansas City (also having a stadium battle), Tampa Bay (stadium). At this point, it gets tough. I'd argue for Pittsburgh on grounds that even with the best stadium in the majors, it can't support a winner. From there, it's a crap shoot, but I'd surely keep Miami, Denver, Phoenix, all of which should be able with good ownership to be winnders.

Maybe we need to fire and replace owners!

The issue isn't one of lack of major league talent. The issue is one of competitive balance. Contracting teams isn't going to help with that.

[dgies9156]

To be fair, a good chunk of the fan base is poor from legal defenses and buying autographed bibles

Excuse me but most Cardinal fans not educated at Marquette probably don't know the difference between a Bible and a Koran.

But we know baseball and we know one absolute: The CUBS SUCK!!!!!

[PGsHeroes32]

Well


Buxton made it to May before the knee acted up.

Progress

[MU82]

From Yahoo Sports:

The Athletics are averaging 6,410 fans per home game this season, which is on pace to be the lowest average home attendance for an MLB team since... the Athletics in 1979.

‌Mind-blowing stat: 553 professional and college teams in the U.S. are averaging more fans than the 2024 A's, per Sportico.

‌Included in that list: 18 minor league hockey teams, 13 minor league baseball teams, 12 NWSL teams, 12 NCAA baseball teams, eight NLL teams (indoor lacrosse), seven WNBA teams, seven USL Championship teams (one tier below MLS), six D-II football teams, three Indoor Football League teams, two D-III football teams, and one women's volleyball team (shoutout to the Omaha Supernovas!).

[PGsHeroes32]

From Yahoo Sports:

The Athletics are averaging 6,410 fans per home game this season, which is on pace to be the lowest average home attendance for an MLB team since... the Athletics in 1979.

‌Mind-blowing stat: 553 professional and college teams in the U.S. are averaging more fans than the 2024 A's, per Sportico.

‌Included in that list: 18 minor league hockey teams, 13 minor league baseball teams, 12 NWSL teams, 12 NCAA baseball teams, eight NLL teams (indoor lacrosse), seven WNBA teams, seven USL Championship teams (one tier below MLS), six D-II football teams, three Indoor Football League teams, two D-III football teams, and one women's volleyball team (shoutout to the Omaha Supernovas!).

And they are actually currently playing far better than expected to start ha