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Jeffrey Todd
4:19
Extremely low
Like rain on your wedding day.
4:20
The lack of coverage surrounding Gio Gonzalez on this website was disappointing.
Jeffrey Todd
4:20
I can only assume you are mocking us for covering it so thoroughly, which would be fair to an extent. It's just ... it's April, man, this is as exciting as the hot stove gets.
Seriously Jeff
4:21
Rondon?! He has half the hrs of Yelich and Bellinger
Jeffrey Todd
4:22
Keeping the theme alive ...
I guess he would trail if the season ended today but that wasn't quite the question. I was guessing that Rendon would win it by season's end.
Brent Honeywell
4:24
What ever happened to me?
Jeffrey Todd
4:24
Slight step back in rehab and they'll exercise care. Still a possible factor this year.
Sloth
4:25
I think Tom didn't realize El Mago is the nickname for Javier Baez and that is what he was asking about
Jeffrey Todd
4:25
Oh that could be. Sorry, it is tough to make sure I'm clear about just what is being discussed. I know everyone isn't totally versed in every name/nickname being thrown around. I'll try to be clear!
Aaron's broken nail
4:25
Tim said this on Tuesday. Agree or disagree?"the rash of extensions suggests that the players do not have the fortitude to band together and truly threaten a strike, which is their only real leverage"
Jeffrey Todd
4:27
At first glance, as something I haven't thought about, I agree in part. In that the players need to seriously get it together and realize the bargaining power they do have. That is in part the threat of strike, though they would need to do a lot of PR work before that'd be an appealing possible strategy.
4:28
(Yes, players are rich, yada yada yada. But we are talking about baseball $$$ here and I'm just looking at things from their financial perspective.)
4:29
But I also see at least theoretical alternatives for gaining leverage. Think about the Big League Advance company that has invested in young players' future earnings. Why is the union not working with investors and/or insurers to figure out big-picture means of protecting the downside scenarios/getting cash to its best young/underpaid players? There have to be possibilities, even if it is just giving these guys information and outlets for getting paid other than taking weak extensions.
Gila Monster
4:29
Demand solely  determines ticket prices. For example: Red Sox tickets are never cheap because Fenway is a top tourist destination in Boston.
Jeffrey Todd
4:29
Yes that's what I was hinting at.
4:31
Quick aside, though, since you bring up Fenway. Last time my wife and I were up in Boston, revisiting our time there, we decided to catch a game. Walking up trying to find a scalper, some dude just offered us free tickets. Heck yeah! Maybe ten rows deep in the HR territory next to Pesky Pole. Super cool.
4:32
Then we go out to dinner in the North End ... great night, just beautiful out, decide to walk to our hotel. The same dude drives by in a convertible, stops and asks us how the game was! Small town I guess.
Couple more and I have to head out ...
Kenny Powers' Posse
4:33
Are we still worried about Chris Sale?  He struck out more Tigers, but did give up some hits...
Jeffrey Todd
4:34
Well yeah he also only lasted 5 innings and I believe his velo dipped again. He's not fully himself right now. For a guy you just invested in, at his age, that is worrying. I don't doubt he can still right the ship, even if he's not CHRIS SALE anymore. But it is a totally suboptimal way to start his new contract (well, the year before his new contract).
Mr Owner
4:35
People forget we employ hundreds of non players, invest in our stadiums and lead a hierarchy of very smart individuals.
Jeffrey Todd
4:35
Thank you for representing those forgotten rich dudes.
4:37
Thank you also for completely missing my point. I didn't say "poor labor woe are the rich baseball players." I said that, from a competitive negotiation perspective, the players are losing ground and need to come up with a coherent strategy. There's no value judgment in that whatseover.
Billy again
4:37
Seriously, an article on the recent A's ballpark would be nice
Jeffrey Todd
4:37
We touched upon it recently. But it isn't as if there's a done deal so far as I'm aware. Still many steps to go.
Mariners 1st base
4:38
We have four of them any market for EE?
Jeffrey Todd
4:39
I don't think anyone doubts that he can still hit. There certainly ought to be interest. But the M's can't deal him right now in the midst of this start unless some other team goes wild, right? And that's not likely. Going to be rather a limited market for him since he is pretty much a DH and is expensive.
Gila Monster
4:40
On the same note, As a college student just walking by the park, I was offered a free ticket. It was a bleacher seat(some of the best seats at Fenway mind you), but the guy continued to buy me a few beers and a hot dog. Sometimes humanity is great.
Jeffrey Todd
4:40
Nice. I also had two dudes give me 2 consecutive free tickets to awesome seats for a Nats-Rox series at Coors Field. That was great.
4:41
Hey ... be generous when you have the chance. It sticks with people and they're more likely to pass it on.
Those are my words of wisdom for the day ha.
Thanks! Let's talk next week!
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