Vic Sage

well there's just no way for the Mets to compete for talent with a big-market team like... Milwaukee.

Benjamin Grimm wrote: We'll see how it plays out, but my guess is that if Gonzalez makes the team, Smith is in Las Vegas. probably, but with a bench of Plawecki/Lagares/Flores, they'll need a LHed bat (preferably OFer) off the bench, at least until Conforto comes back and Nimmo goes to the bench. If they get a 2b or 3bman, then Reyes can be that utility bat off the bench.

Nymr83 wrote: thats probably the lineup against righties. against lefties, i'd suspect Flores over Smith at 1B at least for now and maybe Lagares gets in there? yes, i agree. Lagares and Flores should platoon with Nimmo and AGon (or Smith) against LHPs.

"if its Reyes and a bag of balls, we're fucked." Ahem. If we sign Walker or Frazier, i'd rather have Reyes on the bench than either Cecchini or Reynolds. But if he's our new starting 2bman, its not much help. Right now, it looks like this: Reyes# (2b) Nimmo* (cf) Cespedes (Lf) Bruce* (Rf) Cabrera# (3b) D'Arnaud © AGon* or Smith*(1b) Rosario (ss) Plawecki © Flores (If) Lagares (of) Smith or Agon* [or Nimmo, if/when Conforto returns] _____ (ut) [TJRivera (if/when he returns), or Reyes (if Wright returns or they sign a 2b/3bman), or a 13th pitcher]

Zvon wrote: Vic Sage wrote: If its Reyes and a bucket of balls, we're fucked. I read this last night and cracked up. Just read it again and it might be even funnier. I think I can hear you actually saying it even though I have no idea what your voice sounds like. My voice? A shot of Jim Morrison, a jigger of Bob Seger, a dash of Andrew Dice Clay, shaken well (not stirred). And then i wake up and realize I'm Streisand on testosterone.

at some point, A-Rod went from reviled PEDS poster boy to media darling. I think i missed the memo. I still think he's a corrupt, cheating asshole.

Valadius wrote: Nymr83 wrote: Vic Sage wrote: i don't think Hoffman or Edgar will make it. My feeling is that the more traditionalist voters will come in later (with the progressive voters having already put in their ballots so they could write about them and put forth their arguments), and they'll tend to overlook the value of relief pitchers and DHs, dragging down their percentage as we get down to the end. Just a hunch. Chipper, Vlad, and Thome this year, methinks. wouldn't it be the less traditional/more statistically oriented voters who put less value on relief pitchers and the bullshit Save stat? This seems to be correct. Hoffman received a greater share of votes last year from people who didn't make their ballots public prior to the vote (older, more traditional voters) than among those who did. His percentage went up 1.3%. Assuming a largely stable electorate, we can expect a similar trend. While i agree that Hoffman (specifically) has greater appeal to traditional voters, i think a greater appreciation of specialists exists among the more statistically-oriented voters. For example, they are more likely to vote for Wagner than Hoffman, and less likely to simply deem relievers and DHs irrelevant to HOF voting, as many traditionalists are wont to do.

Boone's squeaky, little boy voice drove me up a wall.

did Boone date JLo, too?

i don't think Hoffman or Edgar will make it. My feeling is that the more traditionalist voters will come in later (with the progressive voters having already put in their ballots so they could write about them and put forth their arguments), and they'll tend to overlook the value of relief pitchers and DHs, dragging down their percentage as we get down to the end. Just a hunch. Chipper, Vlad, and Thome this year, methinks.

here are some actual facts: [u:2b8ha3nb]opening day payrolls[/u:2b8ha3nb] 2011 (pre-Madoff): 120m (7th) 2012: 93.3m (14th) 2013: 73.4m (23rd) 2014: 89m (22nd) 2015: 101.4m (21st) 2016: 99.6m (19th) 2017: 155m (12th) During these years, we were often outspent by the Twins and Padres, while the Yankees and Dodgers led the league with payrolls in the 200-270m range. What's true is that the Mets were damaged by Madoff and the debt that now hangs over this franchise like a sword of Damocles prevents us from spending in proportion to our revenue and market size, keeping us in the Minny/SD budget range. So we're competing with 1 hand tied behind our backs, unable to take advantage of our market size to give us a competitive edge. Now every move has to be the right one, every guy we bring up has to be a stud, or we can't win. no margin for error. But technically, Sandy was correct when he said that "we've already spent more than most teams this season," if he means by that the Mets payroll last year was 12th (better than 18 other teams!). Of course that was the first time that was true over the past 5 years, while the other NY team (and the LA team) were spending more than double the Mets payroll in the same size media markets. But if he is referring to the upcoming season, we have no idea what he'll have spent by the time the season begins; so far, its Bruce and Swarzak, while almost none of the major free agents have been signed. so again, his accuracy is hanging on a technicality of timing. We'll see where we end up by opening day. If we've signed Darvish, Cain and Moustakas, i'll be impressed. If we sign Lynn and Frazier, at least we'll have some leeway. If its Colon and Nunez, the rotation will have to come back awfully strong, along with Conforto, and Rosario will have to take a big step forward. If its Reyes and a bucket of balls, we're fucked.

so after James Franco wins the Golden Globe for his performance in DISASTER ARTIST, there is a backlash regarding his "history of sexual harassment", and lo and behold, he doesn't even get a nomination from the Academy. Instead, Denzel gets a nod for a movie everyone hated. After the GGs, a few women stepped forward to make accusations about Franco's past actions; some allegations seem credible, some not so much. One accusation I read consisted of a claim that he tried unsuccessfully to talk a woman's 17-year old friend into coming back to his hotel when he was on Broadway in MICE AND MEN. Now that's creepy, but its not illegal. That wasn't harassment, it was a failed effort at seduction. I'm not saying he didn't engage in OTHER acts of harassment, but the way that article read (as written by a female reporter), it asserted as FACT that he was pursuing a "legally underage girl", which is simply a falsehood. 17 is not legally underage in NY, and journalists need to do a better job about this sort of stuff to (1) maintain credibility, (2) have legitimate charges treated seriously, and (3) ensure that these sorts of loopholes aren't there for predators to jump through. There's enough smoke in our culture to warrant a real effort to put out these fires. But calling every ember a conflagration undermines the effort and smacks of blacklisting. There is a lot of real and righteous anger out there, and for good reason, but due process is still a thing and an off-color quip or staged photo, or a clumsy effort at seduction, is not the same (morally, legally or in any other way) as abuse or harassment, much less rape. And we're getting to a place where these distinctions are not only NOT being made, but people trying to make such distinctions are themselves being viewed suspiciously. Now if all this costs us is the ongoing career of James Franco, i'm fine with that. But it's already cost us a smart, effective senator from Minnesota. So i think we need to be more responsible in our pursuit of equity and justice, and that starts with journalists maintaining basic professional standards of accuracy.

wonder woman got skunked!

Here is the list of 2018 Oscar nominations: [u:1l8zrtyr]Best Picture:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Call Me by Your Name” “Darkest Hour” “Dunkirk” “Get Out” “Lady Bird” “Phantom Thread” “The Post” “The Shape of Water” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” [u:1l8zrtyr]Lead Actor:[/u:1l8zrtyr] Timothée Chalamet, “Call Me by Your Name” Daniel Day-Lewis, “Phantom Thread” Daniel Kaluuya, “Get Out” Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour” Denzel Washington, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” [u:1l8zrtyr]Lead Actress:[/u:1l8zrtyr] Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water” Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Margot Robbie, “I, Tonya” Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird” Meryl Streep, “The Post” [u:1l8zrtyr]Supporting Actor:[/u:1l8zrtyr] Willem Dafoe, “The Florida Project” Woody Harrelson, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Richard Jenkins, “The Shape of Water” Christopher Plummer, “All the Money in the World” Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” [u:1l8zrtyr]Supporting Actress:[/u:1l8zrtyr] Mary J. Blige, “Mudbound” Allison Janney, “I, Tonya” Lesley Manville, “Phantom Thread” Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird” Octavia Spencer, “The Shape of Water” [u:1l8zrtyr]Director:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Dunkirk,” Christopher Nolan “Get Out,” Jordan Peele “Lady Bird,” Greta Gerwig “Phantom Thread,” Paul Thomas Anderson “The Shape of Water,” Guillermo del Toro [u:1l8zrtyr] Animated Feature:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “The Boss Baby,” Tom McGrath, Ramsey Ann Naito “The Breadwinner,” Nora Twomey, Anthony Leo “Coco,” Lee Unkrich, Darla K. Anderson “Ferdinand,” Carlos Saldanha “Loving Vincent,” Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman, Sean Bobbitt, Ivan Mactaggart, Hugh Welchman [u:1l8zrtyr]Animated Short:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Dear Basketball,” Glen Keane, Kobe Bryant “Garden Party,” Victor Caire, Gabriel Grapperon “Lou,” Dave Mullins, Dana Murray “Negative Space,” Max Porter, Ru Kuwahata “Revolting Rhymes,” Jakob Schuh, Jan Lachauer [u:1l8zrtyr]Adapted Screenplay:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Call Me by Your Name,” James Ivory “The Disaster Artist,” Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber “Logan,” Scott Frank & James Mangold and Michael Green “Molly’s Game,” Aaron Sorkin “Mudbound,” Virgil Williams and Dee Rees [u:1l8zrtyr]Original Screenplay:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “The Big Sick,” Emily V. Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani “Get Out,” Jordan Peele “Lady Bird,” Greta Gerwig “The Shape of Water,” Guillermo del Toro, Vanessa Taylor “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Martin McDonagh [u:1l8zrtyr]Cinematography:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Blade Runner 2049,” Roger Deakins “Darkest Hour,” Bruno Delbonnel “Dunkirk,” Hoyte van Hoytema “Mudbound,” Rachel Morrison “The Shape of Water,” Dan Laustsen [u:1l8zrtyr]Best Documentary Feature:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” Steve James, Mark Mitten, Julie Goldman “Faces Places,” JR, Agnès Varda, Rosalie Varda “Icarus,” Bryan Fogel, Dan Cogan “Last Men in Aleppo,” Feras Fayyad, Kareem Abeed, Soren Steen Jepersen “Strong Island,” Yance Ford, Joslyn Barnes [u:1l8zrtyr]Best Documentary Short Subject:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Edith+Eddie,” Laura Checkoway, Thomas Lee Wright “Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405,” Frank Stiefel “Heroin(e),” Elaine McMillion Sheldon, Kerrin Sheldon “Knife Skills,” Thomas Lennon “Traffic Stop,” Kate Davis, David Heilbroner [u:1l8zrtyr]Best Live Action Short Film[/u:1l8zrtyr]: “DeKalb Elementary,” Reed Van Dyk “The Eleven O’Clock,” Derin Seale, Josh Lawson “My Nephew Emmett,” Kevin Wilson, Jr. “The Silent Child,” Chris Overton, Rachel Shenton “Watu Wote/All of Us,” Katja Benrath, Tobias Rosen [u:1l8zrtyr]Best Foreign Language Film[/u:1l8zrtyr]: “A Fantastic Woman” (Chile) “The Insult” (Lebanon) “Loveless” (Russia) “On Body and Soul (Hungary) “The Square” (Sweden) [u:1l8zrtyr]Film Editing:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Baby Driver,” Jonathan Amos, Paul Machliss “Dunkirk,” Lee Smith “I, Tonya,” Tatiana S. Riegel “The Shape of Water,” Sidney Wolinsky “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Jon Gregory [u:1l8zrtyr]Sound Editing:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Baby Driver,” Julian Slater “Blade Runner 2049,” Mark Mangini, Theo Green “Dunkirk,” Alex Gibson, Richard King “The Shape of Water,” Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Ren Klyce, Matthew Wood [u:1l8zrtyr]Sound Mixing:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Baby Driver,” Mary H. Ellis, Julian Slater, Tim Cavagin “Blade Runner 2049,” Mac Ruth, Ron Bartlett, Doug Hephill “Dunkirk,” Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker, Gary A. Rizzo “The Shape of Water,” Glen Gauthier, Christian Cooke, Brad Zoern “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Stuart Wilson, Ren Klyce, David Parker, Michael Semanick [u:1l8zrtyr]Production Design:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Beauty and the Beast,” Sarah Greenwood; Katie Spencer “Blade Runner 2049,” Dennis Gassner, Alessandra Querzola “Darkest Hour,” Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer “Dunkirk,” Nathan Crowley, Gary Fettis “The Shape of Water,” Paul D. Austerberry, Jeffrey A. Melvin, Shane Vieau [u:1l8zrtyr]Original Score:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Dunkirk,” Hans Zimmer “Phantom Thread,” Jonny Greenwood “The Shape of Water,” Alexandre Desplat “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” John Williams “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Carter Burwell [u:1l8zrtyr]Original Song[/u:1l8zrtyr]: “Mighty River” from “Mudbound,” Mary J. Blige “Mystery of Love” from “Call Me by Your Name,” Sufjan Stevens “Remember Me” from “Coco,” Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez “Stand Up for Something” from “Marshall,” Diane Warren, Common “This Is Me” from “The Greatest Showman,” Benj Pasek, Justin Paul [u:1l8zrtyr]Makeup and Hair[/u:1l8zrtyr]: “Darkest Hour,” Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, Lucy Sibbick “Victoria and Abdul,” Daniel Phillips and Lou Sheppard “Wonder,” Arjen Tuiten [u:1l8zrtyr] Costume Design:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Beauty and the Beast,” Jacqueline Durran “Darkest Hour,” Jacqueline Durran “Phantom Thread,” Mark Bridges “The Shape of Water,” Luis Sequeira “Victoria and Abdul,” Consolata Boyle [u:1l8zrtyr]Visual Effects:[/u:1l8zrtyr] “Blade Runner 2049,” John Nelson, Paul Lambert, Richard R. Hoover, Gerd Nefzer “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Jonathan Fawkner, Dan Sudick “Kong: Skull Island,” Stephen Rosenbaum, Jeff White, Scott Benza, Mike Meinardus “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Ben Morris, Mike Mulholland, Chris Corbould, Neal Scanlon “War for the Planet of the Apes,” Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, Daniel Barrett, Joel Whist

While i agree with many of Edgy's criticisms, i liked it nonetheless. I found it funny, touching, and believable. And i disagree that the character has no arc. I admired her spunk and ambition and desire not to settle for a life in Sacramento, so even when she does stupid or cruel things, i hope she's able to work it out. And she does, learning life lessons along the way. In the catholic school kid coming of age genre, its a solid entry after HEAVEN HELP US. i think it'll get a screenplay nom at least, and one for the girl and maybe one for Laurie Metcalf, who is brilliant as always. Also the dad, played by playwright Tracy Letts, is a solid performance.

[on edit] Jacob deGrom Michael Conforto Jay Bruce Yoenis Cespedes Curtis Granderson Asdrubal Cabrera Jerry Blevins Addison Reed Lucas Duda Brandon Nimmo Seth Lugo Neil Walker Wilmer Flores Jose Reyes Juan Lagares Travis d'Arnaud Noah Syndergaard Jeurys Familia T.J. Rivera Kevin Plawecki Montero R.Gsellman Paul Sewald Zach Wheeler Chasen Bradford R.Rivera Aoki Amed Rosario Matz Dominic Smith i thought Harvey was such a net negative that i couldn't rank him. I was close to leaving off Matz and Smith, too, for the same reason, but i couldn't see putting in somebody over them who was barely there unless they had a Syndegaard-like impact. But infielders Reynolds, Cecchini and Evans, and relievers Robles, Ramos, Salas, Smoker and Edgin did not have that sort of impact; they didn't even make Rivera/Aoki/Bradford-level contributions.

I cut AGon, platoon Wright and Smith at 1b. If Wright goes back on the DL, Smith can split time with Flores. If Smith is not cutting it and the Mets are otherwise playing competitive ball, you send him down and play Flores at 1b full time, and look for another LHed IF bat off the bench (A-Gon might still be sitting out there then!). If half our rotation goes back on the DL, i'd keep running Smith out there to see if he can develop during a lost season.

Ceetar wrote: https://www.sny.tv/mets/news/smith-should-get-chance-to-compete-with-gonzalez-for-first-base-job/264882428 "There is somewhat of a defined role as far as starting a certain amount of games," Gonzalez said, adding that he'll serve as a mentor of sorts for Dominic Smith during Spring Training. Yeah, let's see how that goes. Sandy told him what he needed to hear to be signed. The only way Gonzalez is starting the majority of the games by mid-April is if he's hitting and Smith is not, and in all honesty, if he's legitimately contributing, fine. my concern is if A-Gon is the presumptive starter. Then, if neither of them actually earns the job in ST, A-Gon gets the job by default. In that case, Smith will probably go down to AAA; I doubt they'll just let Smith sit on the bench just to be "mentored" by A-Gon, whose clubhouse persona doesn't need to be modeled for a young player learning how to be a major-leaguer. And so if they do leave Smith on the bench, that's even worse.

Edgy MD wrote: Vic Sage wrote: Sewald's still on the 40, yes? I think he has a shot at an opening day slot, as do Callahan and Rhame. At least one of them, anyway. I just don't want to see any more of Montero or Robles. He's still there, but in the next couple of days, there will be blood. And just as I type that, ABNS breaks in with the Bradford news. Chasen got chastened! i told you that in my post above. I did, however, question the notion that Bradford would make it, and today he was designated for assignment, along with McGowan.

https://www.sny.tv/mets/news/smith-should-get-chance-to-compete-with-gonzalez-for-first-base-job/264882428

Edgy MD wrote: Yeah, but it's rife with whataboutism. He may consider all competitive transgressions equal, but I don't think we should just take that at face value. Some guys broke rules. Some guys have broken laws. Some have sworn back and forth on their honor that they weren't cheating while they were cheating like fiends. Some lied before Congress. Some maliciously slandered perfectly honorable folks. Nuance, man. Nuance. i agree that not all transgressions are created equal and one must make these independent assessments as a voter, without a blanket objection to anybody for any reason (including what position they played). I just think his point illustrates the hypocrisy surrounding the PEDS folks.

now that i hear that that A-Gon is being granted the starting 1bman spot going into camp (or rather, its his to lose), and that they are PLANNING for Smith to be sent down, i'm downgrading my indifference on the deal to a negative "feh". Its one thing for A-Gon to come into camp as insurance, and as motivation for Smith, and to help groom the kid, but to give him the preference as the starting 1bman? Giving up on a 22-year old with real minor-league production? That's just... stupid.

Sewald's still on the 40, yes? I think he has a shot at an opening day slot, as do Callahan and Rhame. At least one of them, anyway. I just don't want to see any more of Montero or Robles.

Edgy MD wrote: Well, I saw this coming. Fallout from the Jay Bruce signing. And there Vic Sage was, suggesting that he might make the opening day roster. say what now? I suggested what when? Edgy MD wrote: Right now, the leaders are: Jerry Blevins*Chasen BradfordJeurys FamiliaRafael MonteroA.J. RamosHansel RoblesJosh Smoker*Anthony Swarzak Bradford and Smokey's slots are the two most fungible. That list also presumes they are carrying an eight-man bullpen, but I certainly hope they don't. I'd say Bradford, Robles and Montero are on the bubble, too. Montero's out of options, but he's shown little to deserve a major league roster spot. i'd much rather have Lugo as a spot starter in the pen; he's been effective in both roles. Robles has great stuff but gets hit... hard. Bradford? meh. Sewald has a better minor league resume and showed some effectiveness in NY, too, and Callahan and Rhame have more upside. And I think they'll carry Smoker unless they sign a better lefty. And i definitely think an 8-man pen is a bad idea overall, but having an extra arm early in the season (when its cold and your pitchers are still stretching themselves out) may be more useful than an extra bat. They might carry 8 until Conforto comes back at least. But i hope not after that. I think this is all i've said about who i was suggesting would make the opening day roster. I don't recall ever mentioning McGowan. I did, however, question the notion that Bradford would make it, and today he was designated for assignment, along with McGowan.

so let it be written, so let it be done