2018-19 Hot Stove League

[Brad]

Mookie Wilson was never pronounced like “bookie.” 

[Patrick]

I think it was in parts of flyover country.

[JSngry]

I always heard it as "Mow-Kay".

[Brad]

It's more like Moo (a cow's moo) key. 

[JSngry]

That's a regional pronunciation, right?

I knew a guy from Gretna who pronounced hit "Meaux-Koy". He was one of those tough guys with a teardrop tattoo, so I didn't question him.

[Brad]

I don't believe so because that's the way Mookie Wilson pronounces his name. 

[JSngry]

That's what he tells the public,anyway. When he tells his baby to call his name, what does SHE call him?

[Dan Gould]

he's been in the league a few years has no one listened to any broadcasts?

[JSngry]

You trust the media? Hell, they're just saying his government name like the FCC (and the express written consent statutes) makes them do.

[Dan Gould]

I trust MOO-KEY to correct them if MOH-KAY wants his name pronounced correctly.

It obviously is pronounced correctly.

[JSngry]

The key is to moo on cue like Elsie and Elmer do before they become the goo in the glue,

[Soulstation1]

[Brad]

Yankees have acquired Paxton from Seattle and according to MLB Network are prioritizing more starting pitching over signing Machado or Harper, which makes sense.  

[Dave Garrett]

There was some speculation that the Astros were interested in Paxton. I would've been happy if they'd managed to reach a deal for him, not least because he's been like kryptonite to our lineup, but I assume Seattle was somewhat less than interested in seeing him go to a division rival. 

[Dan Gould]

9 hours ago, Dave Garrett said:

There was some speculation that the Astros were interested in Paxton. I would've been happy if they'd managed to reach a deal for him, not least because he's been like kryptonite to our lineup, but I assume Seattle was somewhat less than interested in seeing him go to a division rival. 

And Houston wouldn't include their number 2 prospect so they went with the yankees and their number one.

When healthy Paxton is very good. And two years cost control is pretty good.  But that health issue has to be in the back of your mind.

I don't think the Yankees are necessarily concentrating on starting pitchers. They are going to let the markets develop there while working other things, then swoop in with some stupid offer.  My prediction is 3 starters (I think they get their other two targets, Happ and Corbin) then they jump in last minute and get one of Harper/Machado.

They need to snuff out Red Sox Century(tm) before it gets any further along.

Edited November 20, 2018 by Dan Gould

[Brad]

The Yankees had first asked for Segura but when they were turned down, the transaction turned to Paxton. I think trading Sheffield was a mistake but time will tell. 

[JSngry]

So long, hero.

[felser]

1 hour ago, JSngry said:

So long, hero.

 

Next stop, Cooperstown, 2023.

[Brad]

Speaking of Cooperstown, Mariano Rivera is on the ballot this year (along with the late Roy Halliday).  If Mariano is not a unanimous selection, something’s wrong. 

[soulpope]

2 hours ago, Brad said:

Speaking of Cooperstown, Mariano Rivera is on the ballot this year (along with the late Roy Halliday).  If Mariano is not a unanimous selection, something’s wrong. 

Yep ....

[paul secor]

There has never been a unanimous selection to the Baseball HOF. Weirdly, Ken Griffey Jr. came the closest - 99.32%. Then, Tom Seaver - 98.84%.  Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, If you look at some of the percentages, it makes you wonder what the baseball writers were on when they voted: https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Hall_of_Fame_Voting_Percentages

[JSngry]

"Conventional wisdom" used to be that a unanimous selection would never be granted so as to show that HOF membership was not an easy thing to get, that it had to be earned/worked for because no matter how good the player was, they weren't perfect.

Yeah yeah yeah, whatever. I get it, but still...some shit just be stupid sometimes.

[Dan Gould]

21 minutes ago, JSngry said:

"Conventional wisdom" used to be that a unanimous selection would never be granted so as to show that HOF membership was not an easy thing to get, that it had to be earned/worked for because no matter how good the player was, they weren't perfect.

Yeah yeah yeah, whatever. I get it, but still...some shit just be stupid sometimes.

I don't think that's really conventional wisdom at all. I think what has happened is that some voters hold up Aaron, or maybe someone else, as someone who didn't get in unanimously, and therefore they will withhold their vote from X because if Aaron isn't unanimous no one else should be.  They reap the notoriety that follows when everyone gets the same old stupid quote about why whoever didn't vote for someone.

It happens every time a historically remarkable candidate goes in. Will this year be different?  With changes to eligibility for the vote, maybe Mariano is the one.

Or maybe not. Only takes one.

 

[JSngry]

I might be misremembering, but I seem to recall the "not perfect" reasoning being used by some writer for Cobb and/or Ruth, and that kind of set the precedent.

Like I said, I might be misremembering on that.

[T.D.]

9 hours ago, Brad said:

Speaking of Cooperstown, Mariano Rivera is on the ballot this year (along with the late Roy Halliday).  If Mariano is not a unanimous selection, something’s wrong. 

I'm sure he'll get in, but doubt it'll be unanimous.I remember an era when HoF voters were reluctant to induct relief pitchers. For instance: Bruce Sutter, awesome reliever and father of the split-fingered fastball, had to wait until his 13th year of eligibility!

OT, but the DH issue is interesting. I'm a big fan of Edgar Martinez and would like to see him in the Hall, but don't expect to.