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Major League Baseball open thread

Tuesday, Jul 20, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

* How’s your team doing?

       

40 Comments
  1. - EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:05 am:

    They beat the Cubs last night and put them in 4th place


  2. - truthteller - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:08 am:

    Sox fan since I saw my first game at age 5 in 1958, so pretty happy where the team is at and they still are not firing on all 8 cylinders.


  3. - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:09 am:

    Stunning walk-off homer yesterday. Won the Astros series. 8.5 games ahead in 1st place, even with the injuries. Doing pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty good.


  4. - Amalia - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:10 am:

    Lynn is still good despite the game result. Rodon is magic. And Gio, quite good and he got some run support finally. Anderson getting lots of spaghetti. Abreu gonna Abreu. all of of that is important but…………… SHEETS!


  5. - EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:13 am:

    ==so pretty happy where the team is at and they still are not firing on all 8 cylinders.==

    If the Sox hope to make a long playoff run they need to improve the record against teams at or over .500. Of all the division leaders, the Sox currently have the worst record against .500+ teams (19-23). Although it doesn’t help that the Tigers, Twins and Royals in your division have worse records than the Cubs now.


  6. - DEE - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:20 am:

    my team is beginning our ‘Wait Until Next Year’ with the amazing new prospects we will have part of the season. Our owner maybe will use the salary savings to run for governor against JB, or even President. I am not too disappointed. s/


  7. - OldSmoky2 - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:28 am:

    Sox are doing great, even with a bunch of subs due to injuries. And now Jimenez and Robert are on rehab assignments and coming back in the next few weeks. Looking good.


  8. - Bruce( no not him) - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:29 am:

    All the new bandwagon Cubs fans are finding out what it’s like to be a lifelong Cubs fan. (Over 50 years so far)


  9. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:32 am:

    The Chicago National League Ball Club needs to be sellers… immediately.

    Trade “the $200 million” Baez, he’s not worth that in the now or in a long term, and get value… trade Bryant, right now he’s as hot a commodity as any out there… trade Contreras, get a Double A arm or two, it’s worth it for the value… sign Rizzo long term, and sign him big to attract free agents during Hot Stove…

    It’s time to retool…

    With these fellas, they’re not a very good ball club. The club needs arms and value, so trade what you can get the most back, it’s not like having these 3 the Cubs are easily above .500 and making noise in the division.


  10. - 10th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:32 am:

    Sox still need bullpen help. Would love another arm, ideally a Lefty. If both Eloy and Luis come back strong I like our chances for the WS.
    (see Rich–I’m more positive ;-)


  11. - ChicagoVinny - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:34 am:

    The Sox record against above .500 teams is somewhat misleading, because most of those series have been on the road. The only two teams to win a series against the Sox at home have been the Mariners and Cleveland.

    It would be good for the Sox to keep home field advantage in the playoffs, and I’d like to see Hahn acquire a 2B and a reliever or two.


  12. - Ben Bluesman - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:40 am:

    Awaiting the fire sale for prospects. The ‘21 Cubs appear to be on track to slightly outpace the 1921 Cubs who finished 64-89, and 7th in the NL. Ironically, they were also managed by a World Series hero Johnny Evers, who was fired at mid-season.

    The ironies are quite interesting.


  13. - Annonin' - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:45 am:

    Cards rolling along
    Generally to be sellers there should be buyers. If anyone gets the video of the Cubs on Monday Baez value is about a buck


  14. - Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:51 am:

    This might come as a surprise to everyone, but apparently a lot of the MLB pitchers were cheating.

    Who would have thunk it.


  15. - EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:52 am:

    ==Cards rolling along==

    Hopefully they recover from their own June swoon and recapture the magic of the two other recent years ending in “1″ with strong second half runs to playoff contention or even a division title (as what happened in 2001 and 2011 after being similarly mediocre records at this point of the season).


  16. - H-W - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:53 am:

    The Cards and the Cubs. Two teams engaged in a four game battle for outright ownership of the middle of the Central Division of the NL. Mediocrity at its best.

    As a side note, the Cubs injury list is all position players, while the Cards injury list is all pitchers. I wonder how that will influence the trading deals.


  17. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:53 am:

    ===If anyone gets the video of the Cubs on Monday Baez value is about a buck===

    Let’s not forget Baez was replaced (benched) this year, forgetting how many outs on the base paths, his odd ABs where some are one pitch, others consist of swinging at too many pitches out of the zone… and errors, some as simple as mental errors, not a guy trying too hard to make a play.

    Still… he’s young, power at the plate, good arm, good instincts when plays within himself, and, accolades or not, still not hit his ceiling under a *quality* manager, and playing with more veteran leaders.

    Bryant has the most value now, no doubt…


  18. - JS Mill - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:54 am:

    The rocking and rolling Sox will essentially get the impact of two mega trades when Eloy and Louis return. YoYo is hitting with power again. They do need at least one dependable bullpen arm. I think mendick and Leury can cover 2nd effectively when the big boys get back.

    Is Wilson Contreras available? ;-)

    I am very excited about the go go Sox.


  19. - Hello Friend - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:56 am:

    Sox need to:

    *Get a 2nd baseman
    *Upgrade the bullpen a bit
    *Burn the Southside jerseys. Not because of what they look like but because the Sox are winless so far when they wear them.


  20. - Responsa - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 10:58 am:

    Baseball is the only sport I care about. And I care a lot. Many years ago I read a good article that pointed out that a “team” and a “roster of individual star players” are not the same thing–and that teams are who wins. 2005 proved that and this year feels the same way on the South Side to me. These Sox rock. I am also eating lots of crow over my initial attitude toward the TLR signing.


  21. - SAP - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 11:03 am:

    https://www.mlb.com/news/yoan-moncada-releases-music-video


  22. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 11:14 am:

    - JS Mill -

    The Sox could use Contreras AND Bryant… the Sox could give some value back, and it could be a time where both can win with this (these) trade(s).

    Even if the Sox decided to sign one and “rent” the other (don’t attempt to lock them up long term) it helps the Sox ball club be deeper and go deeper in the playoffs.


  23. - Facts Matter - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 11:15 am:

    Unfortunately, the Cubs are doing about as well as I expected. The Darvish trade and letting Schwarber leave were signs that the ownership was not planning a serious championship run this year.

    Of the four players in their contract year (Baez, Bryant, Kimbrel and Rizzo) it is my hope that if they keep one player it would be Bryant. However, I doubt that will happen.

    Rizzo has been a great player, but he will be 32 next month and he likely has hit his peak. The question is how quickly or slowly the natural age-related decline will occur.

    Baez has been exciting, but he statistically, he seems to be Shawon Dunston with Dave Kingman power - strike out rate. I don’t believe he is worth the money he is reported to be seeking.

    Kimbrel has been amazing so far his year, but if the Cubs aren’t all in for this year, and they aren’t, they should get whatever they can for him.

    Bryant will be a legitimate top tier player for the next few years and could be a cornerstone of a quick rebuild. He has unparalleled versatility in the field in addition to being a very good hitter. But, from the press reports it sounds like he is likely to be traded. He has Scott Boras as an agent and he is the toughest negotiator among the agents, and there is the lingering effects of the Cubs keeping him in the minors long enough to make this year his walk year, rather than last year.

    The good news is that all of this will cause me to move up on the season ticket waiting last faster . . .


  24. - OneMan - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 11:15 am:

    Happy with the team and happy that I get to listen to Stony and Jason.


  25. - Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 11:22 am:

    ===Trade “the $200 million” Baez, he’s not worth that in the now or in a long term, and get value… trade Bryant, right now he’s as hot a commodity as any out there… trade Contreras, get a Double A arm or two, it’s worth it for the value…===

    All due respect, but the biggest RoI is gonna be on Kimbrel. And second might be Chafin. Pitching is always at a premium. Baez and even Bryant won’t return that much w/o guaranteed extensions. Also, Bryant’s value was much higher in early June. He’s put up a big WOOF since then.

    Past that, I don’t know that a first baseman entering his age-32 season wants to be the sole position player building block. Contreras probably has more value than Baez or Bryant because he’s controllable for another year, but I’d keep him and build around him and Rizzo.


  26. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 11:32 am:

    ===biggest RoI is gonna be on Kimbrel. And second might be Chafin.===

    Keep pitching. Why dump pitching when the worse ya do is move them around either the rotation or bullpen. Trade for pitching, don’t move pitching (if you can help it)

    ===wants to be the sole position player building block.===

    It’s the organization showing “good faith”, not only to Rizzo but free agents after being such a fire sale ball club this trade deadline. Nothing more.

    Thing is, this club needs to move players, thinking keeping any of them is a good move is folly.


  27. - 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 11:34 am:

    I’m ready for mini-camp to start in Lake Forrest.


  28. - Rudy’s teeth - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 11:41 am:

    The genius who created the Southside/Wrigleyville uniforms should be fired. Repurpose the shirts and donate to the CTA. Trains and buses are always in need of a good cleaning.

    This trend will hopefully fade. Marketing gone awry.


  29. - SAP - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 11:45 am:

    ==The genius who created the Southside/Wrigleyville uniforms should be fired.==

    Did you happen to see the All Star game?


  30. - JS Mill - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 11:50 am:

    =The Sox could use Contreras AND Bryant… =

    Agreed


  31. - Pundent - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 11:53 am:

    I don’t see anyone in the current Cubs line-up that shouldn’t be expendable. The problem that many WS winners run into is holding onto players for nostalgia purposes. The White Sox fell into that trap and the Cubs have definitely done so. The reality of the current line-up is that it just isn’t good. Bryant’s numbers are now returning to his last few seasons, Rizzo isn’t the player he once was, and Baez and Contreras are showing that 2016 was probably the best we’ll get from them. The Cubs are caught between nostalgia and a rebuild. Time to commit to a full rebuild while some of these players still have value.


  32. - Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 12:10 pm:

    ==Keep pitching. Why dump pitching when the worse ya do is move them around either the rotation or bullpen. Trade for pitching, don’t move pitching (if you can help it)===

    Chafin is on a one-year so keeping him means potentially losing him for nothing. Kimbrel has a mutual option and Cubs aren’t likely to contend next year, so moving him could bring in real prospects - not Chapman/Torres level because clubs don’t do that anymore, but more than anything they’ll receive for Baez/Bryant

    ==It’s the organization showing “good faith”, not only to Rizzo but free agents after being such a fire sale ball club this trade deadline. Nothing more.==

    And that may be, but what I’m saying is that I question whether he would sign that knowing he was the only ‘core’ player returning. He’s already been part of a full teardown. I’d bet he doesn’t want to be part of even a partial tear down.


  33. - Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 12:11 pm:

    Adding…if you’re a player - free agent or otherwise - do you have any faith that the Ricketts will spend after this year? I don’t


  34. - workingfromhome - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 12:14 pm:

    Fingers crossed the WS keep it up and go far in the playoffs. Was watching Sheets’ at bat last night and commented to a buddy that this was a great time for a walk-off HR and lo and behold. Sheets is a beast. Go go White Sox!


  35. - RNUG - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 12:18 pm:

    They’re the Cubs … so they are living down to expectations.

    Mrs RNUG’s Red Sox are doing better …


  36. - obiter dictum - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 12:42 pm:

    Baseball? NHL draft is this Friday. Hawks traded Keith. How is Toews health? Kane is always worth the price of admission. But, this years’ alignment clearly showed they are not cup contenders and probably won’t be for some time. Hopeful they may make the playoffs this year.


  37. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 1:53 pm:

    === Chafin is on a one-year so keeping him means potentially losing him for nothing.===

    Who wants to “rent” Chafin?

    === Kimbrel has a mutual option and Cubs aren’t likely to contend next year, so moving him could bring in real prospects - not Chapman/Torres level because clubs don’t do that anymore, but more than anything they’ll receive for Baez/Bryant===

    Everyday players when “renting” is also a chance to try to keep them, I think of the likes of Chapman with the Cubs, the cup of coffee, the ring, then moving on. I’d like to see what could be packaged, as would the Cubs, when I think about Baez, Bryant, Contreras.. then filling those holes.

    One thing for sure, gotta be sellers. Can’t *not* move one or all those folks.

    === he (Rizzo) would sign that knowing he was the only ‘core’ player returning.===

    Like Bryant, they both know the “one team” legacy enhances a ball player, and Rizzo has, albeit with great angst right now being in limbo, needlessly, that Rizzo would desire to stay and be a Cub for life, a legacy ball player… but at the market price. Bryant will not have that luxury… and Boras (Bryant’s agent) only likes legacy when teams sign contracts like A-Rod, Pujols, etc….


  38. - From DaZoo - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 1:55 pm:

    Been playing at or just above .500 each month since May. Unfortunately finishing April at net -10 dug themselves a huge hole at the beginning. So they need to start playing .650 or better if they want to be contenders this year. Maybe Phil Coke’s attempt to fire up the crowd on Saturday will spill over to the players?


  39. - jimbo26 - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 1:55 pm:

    My team the Cards did well last night. Will have to see what happens tonight as my wife (Cubs Fan) and myself (Cards Fan) are on the way to St.Louis shortly for tonight’s game. Always interesting.


  40. - NorthsideNoMore - Tuesday, Jul 20, 21 @ 9:20 pm:

    My AL team Sox are very well suited to make a deep run this year. Strong rotation my need to get a closer…My NL team Cards not playing like they should with some of the pop in the bats they are supposed to have. Throwing strikes is big issue for their bull pen…Ya got one job as a reliever !


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


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