Running 2015 MLB Regular-Season Thread

As much as I'd like to see it shape up otherwise, Bryant's going to be in the playoffs. A lot.

 

He'll make the playoffs because more teams are in it nowadays. Banks played most of his career with just the league champions in the World Series.

 

I'm waiting for the season that Bryant could theoretically come back from an injury and the Cubs could theoretically grab a playoff spot, but he doesn't because fuck them.

 

I'm waiting for 2020 or 2021, when the Cubs want to talk contract extension and Boras says, "Nah, we'll take our chances in free agency."

 

The Cubs can eat a big bag of unsalted boiled dicks. So can their fans.
Here's hoping they never win squat.

 

He's the next Mark Prior.

 

Why is everyone so contemptuous of the way the Cubs handled this? Not only is the right long-term plan, it's something the players association conceded to in collective bargaining.

And it's not like they're the first team to do it. The Rays did it with Evan Longoria, the Angels with Mike Trout, the Nationals with Bryce Harper, etc., etc., etc.

The Cubs lost 3-2 on Tuesday, which is probably the only loss in which Bryant might have made a difference. I'd trade one win for an extra year every single time.

 

Kid is clearly overmatched. They need to send him back down…

 

Also, I find it hard to see Bryant being a bust. Since 1993, the following position players have been named Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year:

Manny Ramirez
Derek Jeter
Andruw Jones (twice)
Paul Konerko
Eric Chavez
Rocco Baldelli
Joe Mauer
Delmon Young
Alex Gordon
Jay Bruce
Matt Wieters
Jason Heyward
Mike Trout
Wil Myers
Byron Buxton
Kris Bryant

Of that list, Young and Baldelli are the only ones you could say were out-and-out busts, though Young has been a key player on some good teams and Baldelli's career was wrecked due to injury and illness. Even Heyward has been an All-Star and a two-time Gold Glover.

Buxton is still in Double-A at least partly due to injury, but has been great when he's played. Myers hasn't been anything special since his rookie year, but there's still plenty of time for him to be a star.

Everyone else on the list has been a multi-time All-Star and/or regarded as among the best players in the game for an extended period. Pitching prospects can be dicey for a variety of reasons, but elite hitting prospects almost always succeed.

 

I'm scornful of a big-market team with known formidable spending resources that punts away four or five seasons while piling up farm treats.
And then they fkn act like an underdog on top of it.

 

I mean, this Kris Bryant angst is all just because sportswriters need something to bitch about, right? The guy missed seven games. Seven. Who gives a shit? It's without question the correct move for the franchise based on the current collectively bargained rules.

The Cubs are doing the right thing.

 

Oh, no. I'm in the eye of the storm. Sports writers seem to be the only people who do get it. The fans are the ones who are being irrational.