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Paul Swydan

9:27

Even if they don't end up being the ONLY frontrunners, we're all going to shoehorn them as such because the contrast between the two of them physically is one of those things that makes life worth living.

2019 Blue Jays

9:27

Suddenly, we look pretty good. Can we keep competing with Boston and NYY?

Paul Swydan

9:27

I'm glad you're so optimistic, but Rogers Corp. signaled that they would not be spending in a commensurate fashion when they hired Mark Shapiro. So, I'm not as optimistic as you are.

9:28

Especially if the Yankees go out and get Harper, Machado, Kershaw or Donaldson next offseason.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:28

You can but it will be tough.

or? I am thinking And

Will

9:29

Judge has 3 home runs in the past 7 games, with like a 900 OPS. I'm not even sure it's correct to say he's still slumping.

Paul Swydan

9:29

Yeah, fair enough. Just saying, not ready to hop on the clickbait-y "what's wrong with Aaron Judge" until there's something REALLY wrong with Aaron Judge.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:29

Correct, he's gone from insane to very good

CarrotJuice

9:29

JON LESTER DINGER ALERT

Paul Swydan

9:29

Love it.

Carter

9:30

Jeff Zimmerman
9:19 Then why do teams buy at the deadline if it is a crapshoot?

Good question.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:30

Thanks

Paul Swydan

9:31

Because perception is reality, and even if a team doesn't need anything, its players and its fans will get upset with the baseball ops dept if they sit on their hands.

Unless they pull the ole "We don't need anyone because we believe in our players" line. But that usually doesn't work.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:31

... and they need to appease their fans and egos

Matt

9:31

So, I totally understand the whole concept of armchair quarterbacks, and the fact that our information is not as complete as a FO's information. That said, how can teams like the O's (and others, but they're at top of mind) do things like the O's did at the deadline - nothing. They have to have some sort of grounding in reality, no?

Paul Swydan

9:32

They don't, no. Peter Angelos is the owner, and he is a very rich man, and is welcome to do what he pleases with his bauble. If he told his GM not to sell, then his GM wasn't selling. That simple. We don't have to like it, but ultimately, it's not up to us.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:32

IMO, the O's go into the season with a set strict budget and can't change.

Mike D

9:33

How do you balance the crap shoot aspect of the playoffs with the competitiveness window aspect? Rizzo/Nats seem to be maximizing appearances in the playoffs, never go all in and give up big prospects, but also haven't won a division series. They're betting on the crap shoot and could miss their window.

Paul Swydan

9:34

I think in the Nats case what Jeff said about the O's being on a budget definitely applies to the Nats. Ted Lerner has made it clear he is only going to spend a certain amount on the team -- even when it comes to the manager he will hire -- so that definitely plays a role in Rizzo & Co's decision-making. IMO, they do the best that they can.

Ultimately, they're not going to win anything if Strasburg and Scherzer aren't healthy.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:34

It's all up to the team

Johnny Rockport

9:34

9:31 Paul - Like Astros fans?

Paul Swydan

9:34

Yes, kind of like Astros fans.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:35

I personally don't know an Astros fan

Mike

9:35

Is Devers the second coming of Papi?

Jeff Zimmerman

9:36

I hope he plays better defense

Paul Swydan

9:36

I think that'd be fantastic, but Ortiz logged 50 WAR in his career. I would never heap those expectations on a 20-year-old kid.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:36

... and I will bet on no.

Matt

9:36

Why does the word "toast" refer to someone being bad? I happen to prefer bread in it's toast form, and think toast is more like the ages 27-30 seasons of bread.

Paul Swydan

9:37

I agree. Ah, the English language!

Right on cue, Devers strikes out with men on base. He is human!

Jeff Zimmerman

9:37

I don't know but think I may have to look up the origins of the phrase.

Minty

9:38

Mejia on base 4 more times tonight and Cleveland's catchers aren't doing much. Just don't get why he isn't in AAA

Paul Swydan

9:38

I was told that Cleveland is very comfortable with their catchers and don't want to make a switch midseason. I find that to be quite shortsighted, but we went through this same song and dance with Lindor. I thought Lindor was ready a year before they called him up.

Jeff Zimmerman

9:39

It may have to do with the catching instruction. With catchers, they may stay at a level because teams only have one good catcher coach.

Paul Swydan

9:39

And you're seeing why right now. Lindor turned down $100+ million from them this past offseason. Even when Cleveland makes an honest effort to sign guys through their free-agent years, they're going to have trouble. So they'll ride it out with Gomes/Perez this year and hope they get hot as October starts.

PitchClocksPlease

9:40

Paul, Boston fans get a lot of stick (and rightfully so). But, the Fenway crowd giving Austin Jackson a standing ovation was class. Jackson robbing Hanley, tumbling over the fence into the Sox dugout has to be the catch of the year (so far).

Paul Swydan

9:40

Yeah. I turned to my son when that happened and I said, wow what a great play. And he waited a couple of beats and said, wait isn't that bad for Boston? And I said, yeah, but you can still appreciate how good of a play that was. And he agreed. True story.

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