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MLB Discussion Thread
- Thread starter Mr.E
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^pretty much this
But Lester for Cespedes was a good deal for both sides. The problem for the A's in that game wasn't their offense, as it was for most of post-All Star Break, but their solid pitching let them down ultimately. The Royals' speed will be a very disrupting factor for opponents' pitching in the postseason, and it was the deciding factor in this one game playoff for sure.
But Lester for Cespedes was a good deal for both sides. The problem for the A's in that game wasn't their offense, as it was for most of post-All Star Break, but their solid pitching let them down ultimately. The Royals' speed will be a very disrupting factor for opponents' pitching in the postseason, and it was the deciding factor in this one game playoff for sure.
This post season has been absolutely amazing. The AL Wild Card game was amazing. The 18 inning pitching war was amazing. There are so many comebacks, close games, unpredictability, high tension situations... I'd have to say that this have been one of the most all around entertaining post seasons in recent memory. So exciting that I have put an express delivery order in for a "That's What Speed Do" hoodie to wear for the rest of the post season. Cause that's what speed do.
For those looking into the Lespedes trade... I'm not sure it is going to cost Billy his job or was even a bad move to make. Oakland's rotation did not have the shine to it without Lester as it did with. Including Lester put them in position of having the best playoff rotation in the AL going into the season. It didn't work out, and Lester under preformed. But without the bullpen blowing two leads, they're into the ALDS set up pretty well with an offense that was finally getting in its groove. The A's, like they have every year with Billy's team, just couldn't close the deal and close it out.
You also have to take into consideration what the A's gave up. Billy has nodded that regardless of what happened in the post season, Cespedes was going to be traded in the off season. The A's couldn't afford to keep Big Y, and they were going to follow their plans of trading soon to be free agents for controllable prospects. Based on that, the trade for Lester isn't such a bad thing because you're not trading a year and a half of Cespedes for a half a year of Lester and Gomes. You're trading a half a year of Cespedes and some prospects for a half a year of Lester. And consider the fact that there is a bunch of evidence that the A's were beginning their offensive decline before the trade and that Y only hit .269 with 5HR with Boston... I'm not sure that keeping Cespedes would have prevented the offensive collapse enough to stave off the division lead from the Angles. That puts you up against KC with Shark in the WC (which is a worse matchup than Lester) and with a weaker rotation against LAA.
Consider the fact that the A's owner is getting up there in age, and gave Billy the green light and the funds to go for the championship, I'd say his job is safe. The Lespedes trade was a good move for Oakland. And if the bullpen doesn't blow three leads, Soto does't get hurt to open the running game, the team wins the WC and goes on with a bona fide rotation against LAA... People would be singing the praises of Beane instead of chastising him. Just like we are praising Ned Yost for his aggressive tactics and his cunning instead of blasting him for using Ventura out of the pen or for stupidly failed trick steals of home.
The Lespedes trade isn't the one that Billy regrets. It's the Shark/Hammel trade where he sent all the years of Russell and McKinney for. That's the trade that broke the program and will cost the A's the most for their failed 2014 run. Also... my last quick point... if Cherington and the Red Sox are able resign Lester and things transpire the way I think it did with Boston and Lester agreeing on an increased contract if he were to get traded... then he has pulled off the greatest GM move since Babe Ruth. But I'll get more into that when the off season rolls around and we see what happens after the 5 day window...
Anyone else want to switch over to the Country Breakfast buffet? It's not too late. Though be warned, there is a fuck ton of Lorde over here.
So the royals can fluke one insteaD? the giants were at least a better than league average team this year...
yes. One WS to the Royals is infinitely better than the shit piss SF fans after their third one (no offense Shady6121 I am just sick of them). *high fives Stallion*
Rings before the 60s and expansion mean fuck all. Winning the comp when there was 8 team isn't the same.Lol you're from Vermont apparently so you're doing the same exact thing (you're essentially a hypocrite), and it's not bandwagoning, it's appreciating the greatness of an all-time team, also:
I was born in pittsburgh and have been a diehard pirates fan my entire life. lol.
Also i struggle to say a team that missed the playoffs twice in a 5 year span is an all-time great
Credit to the late 90's Yankees. Those teams were stacked.
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