Frayed Knot

3B, Arenado, #1

I'm just shocked that a sleazy casino mogul knows Trump personally.

I know how ZOOM works and have been on it before ... just never from my home computer. And I suspect I'd have to speak REALLY LOUDLY into my microphone-less monitor for the others in the group to hear me ... which brings me right back to the ability to listen in on the meeting but not really participate in any meaningful way.

Frayed Knot wrote: The terms of my witness protection status prevent me from joining in. Actually what prevents me from joining in is that my computer doesn't have a built in camera. you are the one that posted about finally making the smartphone plunge a few months back right? Guess what it has? ;-) And guess what I haven't gone shopping for yet?

So while I couldn't participate, I could be creepy and lurking! But that's what I do in my day job, do I really want to be doing it again in my spare time?

Why don't you tell me 'bout the mystery man I wanna know about the mystery man. I wanna know cuz I've cried and I've cried but I'm still mystified I can't take it anymore and I'm not satisfied So it seems that, in addition to the J-Rod group, and the Sixers/Devils guys, and of course Cohen, a mystery man/group is getting buzz that could derail Mr. Cohen as presumptive winner. It starts with 86 y/o multi-billionaire gambling mogul Sheldon Adelson, and then includes private equity firm Silver Lake (worth $43 who are said to have interest in sports ownership. Silver Lake denies that they are a candidate to buy the Mets but they and Adelson could be teaming up with Harris & Blitzer (Sixers/Devils), a group which would certainly have the ability to challenge Cohen as top dog on the circuit. https://nypost.com/2020/07/15/sheldon-adelson-is-the-mystery-bidder-who-could-shake-up-mets-sale/https://nypost.com/2020/07/15/sheldon-adelson-is-the-mystery-bidder-who-could-shake-up-mets-sale/

Edgy MD wrote: Mike Trout is not yet 29 years old and he is already the Rangers' top all-time player, according to both WAR and fWAR. And it's not particularly close. Which is especially amazing seeing as how he doesn't even play for the Rangers!

The terms of my witness protection status prevent me from joining in. Actually what prevents me from joining in is that my computer doesn't have a built in camera.

Ummm, no. Yasiel Puig is the big, muscular -- and a bit crazy -- Cuban native the Dodgers signed for mega-bucks about seven years ago when he was barely known to most teams. He bounced from the Reds to Indians last year after the Dodgers tired of his various acts. [FIMG=150]https://www.baseball-reference.com/req/202001270/images/headshots/2/29123bcd_davis.jpg[/FIMG] Rich, 5' 10" / 165 from Tampa, Florida (which does have its share of Cubans) and the same HS as Dwight Gooden (I just now found that out) [FIMG=110]https://www.baseball-reference.com/req/202001270/images/headshots/e/e603a22f_milb.jpg[/FIMG] Yasiel, 6' 2" / 240 from Cienfuegos, Cuba

Had totally forgotten that Puig was a FA and that he had spent all winter/spring unattached. Still just 29 y/o and, although he's been wearing out welcomes lately, he's the type of player you can see the Braves getting a great year out of while he sings for further suppers. Will essentially replace Nick Markakis -- who himself did a nice aging-player renaissance thing in 'Lanta over the past few years at ages 34 & 35 -- as he has opted to sit this Covid-season out.

Add Aroldis Chapman to the list.

Missed the entire thing. Was out all afternoon (there may have been some alcohol involved) then came home and crashed before the game ever kicked off.

I don't see why Cohen would bid here. Well he would and he has, a reported [by FOX Business] $2 Billion-flat one (previous bid = $2.6) which is enough to put him in the lead. The JRod group, who are said to have "all the financing in place", and the one from the Harris/Blitzer--Sixers/Devils owners are both estimated to be in the $1.7 range, an amount which is likely enough to keep those groups around moving forward. The Wilpons will decide "in the coming days" which and how many groups will move on to the next stage. Cohen is also said to be willing to cough up an additional two billion to buy SNY. https://nypost.com/2020/07/09/alex-rodriguez-and-jennifer-lopez-bid-has-proper-funding-to-buy-mets/https://nypost.com/2020/07/09/alex-rodriguez-and-jennifer-lopez-bid-has-proper-funding-to-buy-mets/

Today (Thurs 7/9) is deadline day for the initial round of bidding. These are not binding bids but rather a way to gauge the level of interest and perhaps narrow the field. The Mets will then show their 'financials' to any survivors of this round and ask for committed offers "within a few months" although it's also possible that a "too rich to refuse" offer could preemptively end the process. https://nypost.com/2020/07/08/mets-sale-first-round-bidding-deadline-is-here/https://nypost.com/2020/07/08/mets-sale-first-round-bidding-deadline-is-here/

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: I don't wanna pee on anyone parade but who cares about a stupid skillz contest Yeah, the phrase 'HR Derby' and 'apex of the season' should never occur in the same sentence.

The reign of Rhame now falls plainly to Anahaim uhh, I'll keep working on it.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I suppose if it was important enough to make the effort, West could find a way to ump 65 games this year. He'd have to skip his days off and do one game each day. There will be 60 games over 66 days in this regular season so, yes, it would be just possible. On the other hand, such a brutal schedule sounds like it would slow West down ... oh wait, that's not possible!

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Joe West is 65 games shy of tying Bill Klem for the all time record for number of games umpired. Which means he'll have to umpire into next season in order to break the record.

Is anyone really looking at baseball in 2020/2021 and saying to themselves that what the sport really needs is multiple expansions? 32 teams?, 36?, OMG 40?!? In my view, if they really think there are multiple major league quality cities out there they should combine this with their already declared intention to revamp the minor league system and expand downward. Free up what you think are the best of the current AAA cities, let them go independent and form them into some sort of MLB 'B' league. It could be small-ish at first (10-12 teams?) but with a plan for growth over time until you have a fully formed 'lower' major league that could become a partner in a promotion/relegation agreement. You might even wind up shrinking the upper ML to do it [24 teams in the upper level, 20 below, or something of that nature] but you'll also wind up with more teams in more cities which are fully independent clubs with an upper division which will likely be even stronger than it is now. You can't just simply 'declare' a promotion/relegation arrangement and expect it to work out of the gate. But if you devise a plan to get there it just might become something. Either way: dream big, get creative. It beats the hell out of expanding when your reasoning for doing so is going to be similar to that Otter and Hoover and Bluto looking at Pinto and Flounder and declaring; "We need the dues!"

=MFS62 post_id=40044 time=1594151931 user_id=60] =bmfc1 post_id=40034 time=1594149680 user_id=73] To be released this Thursday. We know one date:

Or coal in our stockings ... still TBD

https://nypost.com/2020/07/06/steve-cohen-is-making-another-big-push-to-buy-mets/He's Baaaaaaack!! "Sources close to billionaire hedge-fund manager Steve Cohen told The Post he will bid on the Mets this week ..."

Almost everything is at night, although at least they're all EDT night starts so nothing after 7:15 -- Exactly TWO weekday day games, the first being opening day (4:10) and then at 1:10 on Labor Day Monday (also at home) vs Philly -- Only TWO Saturday day games: Game #2 at 4:10 and a 1:10 start for a late August day in, not surprisingly, YSIII -- At least as of now, just ONE Sunday night game and again it's opening weekend at Citi. That, of course, is subject to change at the behest of Bristol, CT -- Other than those couple of exceptions, everything else is 7:00-ish with a couple of Six and Six-thirties thrown in -- The Subway Series games are on consecutive weekends: Aug 21-23 at Citi, August 28-30 in da Bronx -- No off-days in July, three in August (6th, 24th, 31st), three in September (3rd, 10th, 14th) Every team gets six. -- The season finishes (assuming it finishes) with a Four-Gamer in DC

=batmagadanleadoff post_id=39973 time=1594059057 user_id=68] I don't like when the team takes the name of the state instead of the city.

David Price informs all his Dodger fans -- in case you've forgotten (and it would be understandable if you had since everything prior to March seems like three years ago) Price was part of the salary shedding trade* this winter involving Boston & LA which sent all kinds of players everywhere including Mookie Betts to LA -- that he won't be playing baseball in 2020. He at least, unlike Betts, won't be a FA this winter so this doesn't automatically close the book on him being a Dodger in the future, just the near future. * Feb 10: Betts & Price sent to LA for 24 y/o OF Alex Verdugo plus two minor leaguers