2011/2012 MLB Off-season Thread - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Where ru Chris O'Sullivan · 11-18-2011, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CofR

According to multiples sources, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig has announced that with the approved sale of the Houston Astros, and their subsequent move from the National League to the American League, the new 15 team leagues will be comprised of three divisions and give playoff births to not only the division winners, but also the winner of a one game playoff between the two next best teams beginning in 2013 at the latest, with a chance that the play in game will happen this coming year.

http://blogs.thescore.com/mlb/2011/1...ra-wild-cards/

I think it's a good idea and I'm more of a purist. That said, imagine it started this last season.....ATL and BOS would have had a chance to 'make up' for their colossal collapse, sure would have sent a bad message had either got through the 1 gamer....Fool around in Sep. and be rewarded.
Nm the World Champs could have been out.

CofR · 11-19-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

After Terry Francona told Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com earlier this week that he will not manage next season, the natural assumption was that he would end up in the broadcasting booth before testing the waters again next offseason. FOX was obviously impressed with the work he did filling in for Tim McCarver during the ALCS, because they are already trying to secure him as part of their broadcasting team for next season.
FOX Sports spokesman Dan Bell confirmed the network’s interest to Richard Deitsch of SI.com:

“We are talking to Terry Francona and our hope is for him to join our coverage next season.”

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...medium=twitter

I approve of this, I thoroughly enjoyed Francona on Fox in the playoffs.

ricoFlame · 11-19-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CofR

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...medium=twitter

I approve of this, I thoroughly enjoyed Francona on Fox in the playoffs.

Pretty smart, he's been in a pressure-cooker situation as far as managerial jobs go...the last thing he needed to do was jump right to a job like the cubbies and more of the same.

He can pretty mush punch his ticket when he wants to.

Where ru Chris O'Sullivan · 11-19-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricoFlame

Pretty smart, he's been in a pressure-cooker situation as far as managerial jobs go...the last thing he needed to do was jump right to a job like the cubbies and more of the same.

He can pretty mush punch his ticket when he wants to.

Boy, I'm going to disagree there. That september collapse was one for the ages and then when it comes out pitchers were drinking during the game on off-days (nm looking how fat they've become). I think that really hurts his stock, I think he would have been a lock for a team like STL otherwise. He will certainly get another chance, but he may not be the lock he would have been before last seasons debacle.

d_phaneuf · 11-19-2011, 06:31 PM

agreed, I thought Francona was great

guys who are just out of coaching/playing have so much more insight than guys who have been out for 10-15 years

Smoltz and Francona are the two best baseball commentators right now

and like rico says, he can choose any job he wants too, take a few years off the pressure cooker (like Gruden is doing right now too) and make sure you get in to a perfect fit

d_phaneuf · 11-19-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Boy, I'm going to disagree there. That september collapse was one for the ages and then when it comes out pitchers were drinking during the game on off-days (nm looking how fat they've become). I think that really hurts his stock, I think he would have been a lock for a team like STL otherwise. He will certainly get another chance, but he may not be the lock he would have been before last seasons debacle.

agree with you that it was a terrible collapse

but I think it's more of a case of a guy who is known as a players manager just being tuned out after so many years

it's not like he forgot how to manage

browna · 11-19-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Boy, I'm going to disagree there. That september collapse was one for the ages and then when it comes out pitchers were drinking during the game on off-days (nm looking how fat they've become). I think that really hurts his stock, I think he would have been a lock for a team like STL otherwise. He will certainly get another chance, but he may not be the lock he would have been before last seasons debacle.

In addition to some of the blame to be put on the multi-million dollar players, the loss of the strict task masker in Farrell as pitching coach can also be partly to blame.

By accident stumbled upon Francona working those couple games, and enjoyed him. As soon as Tim (Dick Irvin) McCarver came back, it was off to the alternate Snet feed.

moon · 11-19-2011, 07:15 PM

I would have had no problem with Francona being hired by the Cardinals.

I think the collapse had a lot more to do with the crap team that Theo built and his overall stubborness. Theo and his stupid system are more to blame than anything for the make-up of that team that was in no shape to handle a few injuries and adversity at the end of the year.

The beer and chicken in the clubhouse are just easy excuses for what was a weak roster but nobody wants to criticize the "golden boy."

So glad that Theo is in Chicago now as it makes it much easier for the Cards to win with the Cubs a non-threat.

NoCupsIn40Years · 11-19-2011, 10:54 PM

I am liking the new Blue Jay jerseys, much better than the new cartoonish era version we've seen the past decade.

CofR · 11-21-2011, 12:34 PM

Justin Verlander has been named AL MVP

moon · 11-21-2011, 02:37 PM

Good to see Verlander win it.

He didn't have a super amazing season but considering there was nobody else worthy of winning it might as well give it to the guy that did the most to get his team into the play-offs.

CofR · 11-22-2011, 12:39 PM

Ryan Braun has been named NL MVP

GirlySports · 11-29-2011, 08:54 PM

Bobby Valentine announced as Red Sox manager. #fistpump

dustyanddaflames · 11-30-2011, 08:50 AM

Of all the managers in baseball, and I have no real reasoning behind it - I really dislike Bobby Valentine.

evman150 · 12-01-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustyanddaflames

Of all the managers in baseball, and I have no real reasoning behind it - I really dislike Bobby Valentine.

Me too. That sarcastic grin tilts me.

Flickered Flame · 12-01-2011, 09:29 PM

Sounds like the Marlins have signed Heath Bell.

dustyanddaflames · 12-04-2011, 08:24 PM

Marlins have signed Jose Reyes too - 6 yrs 106M

dustyanddaflames · 12-06-2011, 06:47 AM

The Miami (still feels weird) Marlins, have offered Albert Pujols a 10 year contract, as well Billy Beane comfirmed yesterday on MLB radio that Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey are receiving interest. I read this morning, that the Red Sox and A's were to have talks about Bailey.

troutman · 12-06-2011, 10:02 AM

Looks like Miami is trying hard to sell tickets in the new stadium.

dustyanddaflames · 12-06-2011, 10:48 AM

Which really goes against anything Florida/Miami has ever done in the past - as they seemed to have built a contender and completely dispersed of them right after season's end.

Like you said Trout, Jeffrey Loria is going big in Miami's first season in existance. If Loria would have dropped this type of cash into the Expos when they were in existance, maybe we would still have two Canadian teams to cheer for (I know there were other factors, but winning teams bring people into the stands).