2016 MLB thread. THE CUBS HAVE BROKEN THE CURSE! Chicago Cubs are your 2016 World Series champions

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A little more consistentcy from Bills and I'll be more confident if you know what I mean IM. I know it was a long time ago but I still remember 08 :lol:

Supposedly, a deal is getting closer. We'll see by tonight or tomorrow AM.
 
That's what I'm fearing about the Dodgers. Hypothetically, LA could have used Cliff a lot more than Adrian or Crawford. Reason being they simply can't match SF, Washington, or Cincy's premier pitching staffs in the NL. Forget about Texas and Tampa in the AL if the Dodgers are able to reach the WS.
 
Besides Cueto. I don't see how any team in the NL would be worried about facing any Reds' starting pitcher in the playoffs. Bullpen is solid, though.
 
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Sean McAdam ‏@Sean_McAdam

Confirmed: It is indeed the Dodgers who have also claimed Beckett. #RedSoxTalk

Ruh, oh.
 
@GordonEdes:

Blockbuster: red Sox, Dodgers working on deal that would send AGon, Crawford, Beckett and Punto to LA. Hurdles remain, but closing in
 
All depends on if LAD thinks Gonzalez is worth the 140m or so salary dump that is the Crawford + Beckett contracts albatrosses. Beckett is past it, and Crawford needs TJ.

I think Boston may be willing to eat a bit if it means getting the deal done. Despite his powerless season A-Gon has value, but it would be a win for the Sox if they completely wash their hands of the lot.
 
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Taking down A-Gon poster.

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Besides Cueto. I don't see how any team in the NL would be worried about facing any Reds' starting pitcher in the playoffs. Bullpen is solid, though.
I suppose I could/should have said arms and not just starting rotation. Cueto has been surprisingly dominant the past two years though. Good pitcher to lead off your rotation and pitch multiple games in a tight series. I don't think any batter wants to face Chapman at the back-end after seven or eight strong from Cueto. Especially now that the Cuban pitcher is getting all his stuff and heat over the plate. Even though STL is significantly a safe distance back in the division, I'm not counting out the Cards under Matheny. Helps that the Pirates are slowly fading out of the picture. Wish McDonald could have a re-do post-ASB.

Dodgers literally claiming everybody on waivers. Talk about rebuilding project for Cherington, ironic that Boston could essentially be starting from scratch similar but not exactly the same to Theo's situation with the Cubs. The largest looming problem is not enough quality arms in the starting staff or bullpen at Fenway. And hate to say it, but Bobby V. isn't the perfect or even right fit for the Boston Red Sox in the clubhouse. Francona had the last laugh. Good guys don't always finish last.

abovelegit1: I don't think Beckett is "past it." Could be the fan in me talking and no excuses, but we would have to factor in the minor injury Josh has been battling and/or golfing with. Also, I don't believe he has a great or close relationship with Bobby V. Beckett isn't properly motivated at the moment, he's not really playing for anything besides collecting a paycheck. Not acceptable for a professional but I would believe a change in scenery could help Josh like it did for Han Ram. Sunshine, beautiful women, and nightlife could entice Beckett to start pitching well again. Crawford will be fine once he gets all his injuries sorted out in the off-season. Is Carl overpaid? Sure. But so is Jayson Werth, significantly.
 
I've seen Beckett pitch a few times this season and he definitely looked past it. The curveball doesn't have the same sharp break or depth it used to have, and his fastball is sitting at 90-91 where it used to be in the mid 90s. The decrease in FB effectiveness is forcing him to use more off speed stuff, but he hasn't been fooling anyone.

I could be wrong, and he may still have something left to offer, but his time as a top end starter is over. I don't think women or sunshine will motivate him to pitch well, but maybe the move to the Jr. League will give him some respite.

Crawford will need longer than that to recover from TJ, and there's the fact that the attribute that made him a valuable player is his speed and that's already going. The Dodgers will be hoping they eventually have an above average corner outfielder, because he hasn't even been that since leaving Tampa.



Chris Davis :smokin
 
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Chris Davis w/ 3 bombs....

Most importantly, O's win...

CHEA!!!

*Davis has the potential to be a 35+ HR guy. Still young and not in his prime.
 
Becket has NO fastball anymore IMO.

If Boston pulls this deal off and gets something of value in return, they've won HUGE to me. Get rid of those huge contracts, add another minor leaguer and build around Lavarnway - Middlebrooks - Boegarts - Ellsbury on offense.
 
BTW, this whole Scott Diamond situation shows that umpires can do whatever they want with the power they have and MLB will overreact and suspend a pitcher who did NOTHING wrong.
 
Becket has NO fastball anymore IMO.
If Boston pulls this deal off and gets something of value in return, they've won HUGE to me. Get rid of those huge contracts, add another minor leaguer and build around Lavarnway - Middlebrooks - Boegarts - Ellsbury on offense.
Can't deny that the dip in FB velocity is significant. Cool if I just blame it on his back injury?

Jacoby ready to carry the squad. But they aren't catching Tampa for years without some more live arms. I know I've berated the point, but it's absolutely true.
 
I think their farm is good enough to help at least keep up with them for now. I think we're beyond the point of the back injury being blame bud TBH. But, I will give you that I think he'll be motivated by a move to LA. He doesn't need to rediscover the FB to be the #2 out there. He needs to find his secondary pitches and movement again.
 
Fair points, Pro. Beckett has always been my guy, and a different, dominant pitcher in the playoffs. Once the fall air hits in October, Josh becomes locked in. I really want to believe it's the back and lack of motivation. I don't see him giving it his all in recent starts this season. I don't know if he's discontent with the PC, manager, fans, teammates, FO, city, or personal life.

At least Lackey comes back next year. :lol:
 
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