2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

Post by sancarlos »

As you probably know, Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray was the first round draft pick of the Oakland Athletics and signed a contract with a fat bonus. Agent Scott Boras assures everybody that he'll be at spring training.

But, now with Oklahoma's great season led by Heisman candidate Murray, some people are starting to push the idea of him playing both sports. It's hard for me to believe that a 5'9"/5'10" quarterback would be a first round NFL pick, but that's the speculation in some quarters. Murray is being coy and hasn't ruled football out. Sphincters tightening in Oakland.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

Post by Joe K »

Having heard Murray talk about his decision and more specifically, how he feels about both sports, I predict he’ll be a full-time NFL player next year and quit baseball. He just seems to like football more and he’s talented enough that he’ll probably be picked no later than the second round. The A’s better hope that Alabama destroys OU in a few weeks because if Murray plays well against that defense, even in a loss, good luck convincing him to give up football.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

Post by EnochRoot »

His agent is Scott Boras. I think that implies his intent to play baseball no matter what. And while I acknowledge a two-way athlete like this is going to possess a massive ego to go along with it, he'd be foolish to enter the NFL as a diminutive QB when he can be patrolling an MLB outfield under a guaranteed contract in the near future.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

Post by A_B »

Put me under the baseball camp. If you’re a first round baseball pick you should probably play baseball given the length of nfl careers(unless he really is a franchise Qb of course)
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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EnochRoot wrote: Sat Dec 08, 2018 3:47 pm His agent is Scott Boras. I think that implies his intent to play baseball no matter what. And while I acknowledge a two-way athlete like this is going to possess a massive ego to go along with it, he'd be foolish to enter the NFL as a diminutive QB when he can be patrolling an MLB outfield under a guaranteed contract in the near future.
Yes, an MLB utility infielder gets paid as much as an NFL star and it's guaranteed which is not usually the case in the NFL. Then there's the length of careers and the relative likelihoods of injury. So, all logic says he should play baseball over football. But, if he really loves football, logic may take a back seat.

Right now, with the fans cheering and the potential for a national title, football is very exciting for Murray. But, in the cold light of day, he may remember the advantages of playing baseball.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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A_B wrote: Sat Dec 08, 2018 4:35 pm Put me under the baseball camp. If you’re a first round baseball pick you should probably play baseball given the length of nfl careers(unless he really is a franchise Qb of course)
Yeah I never understood how this isn’t a no-brainer for most kids in same position. If football is your first love that’s one thing I guess but otherwise baseball career is the only play.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

Post by Joe K »

I’m mostly going off the fact that Murray seems to love football more when he talks about it. And although he was a top-10 pick I don’t think he’s a surefire baseball star in the mold of someone like Buster Posey was coming out of college. Murray is obviously an incredible athlete but he really struggled as a freshman before making huge strides as a sophomore. I’m not sure he’ll be MLB ready for another year or two so the choice for at least the immediate future could be NFL QB v. Riding buses in the minors.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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Joe K wrote: Sat Dec 08, 2018 6:45 pm I’m mostly going off the fact that Murray seems to love football more when he talks about it. And although he was a top-10 pick I don’t think he’s a surefire baseball star in the mold of someone like Buster Posey was coming out of college. Murray is obviously an incredible athlete but he really struggled as a freshman before making huge strides as a sophomore. I’m not sure he’ll be MLB ready for another year or two so the choice for at least the immediate future could be NFL QB v. Riding buses in the minors.
the same can also be said about his football career
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

Post by Joe K »

Brontoburglar wrote: Sun Dec 09, 2018 12:07 pm
Joe K wrote: Sat Dec 08, 2018 6:45 pm I’m mostly going off the fact that Murray seems to love football more when he talks about it. And although he was a top-10 pick I don’t think he’s a surefire baseball star in the mold of someone like Buster Posey was coming out of college. Murray is obviously an incredible athlete but he really struggled as a freshman before making huge strides as a sophomore. I’m not sure he’ll be MLB ready for another year or two so the choice for at least the immediate future could be NFL QB v. Riding buses in the minors.
the same can also be said about his football career
Sure, but he was the best football player in the country this year and wasn't even a third-team All-American in baseball. Here's an excerpt of an article from Baseball America that explains that if Murray is a first-round NFL draft pick, the financial incentives appear to favor football over baseball:
Ultimately, the decision is Murray's, but nothing in his baseball contract with the A’s precludes him from deciding to play football instead of baseball. Looking at Murray’s decision from a purely financial standpoint (we have no clear insight into which sport he prefers to play), it’s clear that football would be a more lucrative decision if he is a first-round talent.

At any other football position, this argument is flipped. NFL careers are too short, injuries are too common and the players’ pay pales in comparison to baseball players. But with quarterbacks, it pays to play in the NFL.

Murray has a $4.6 million guaranteed signing bonus in hand that he will be fully paid as long as he reports and plays baseball going forward (the contract specifically allowed him to play for Oklahoma this fall). But in baseball, that $4.6 million is the only significant payday he will receive for the next five to seven seasons. Considering he has less at-bats under his belt than his peers, he’s likely two to three seasons away from reaching the majors. And then he would be another three seasons away from arbitration. So his first big payday for baseball would likely not come until 2023 or 2024. His first chance at free agency would likely come after the 2026 or 2027 seasons. At that point, Murray will be 29 or 30, which means he’s likely to get one significant free-agent contract if he ends up being a very productive regular.

In football, Murray is consistently projected as a first-round pick. His college teammate Baker Mayfield landed a $21.8 million signing bonus and over $32 million in guaranteed money by being the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft (all contract information here has been gathered from Spotrac.com). And if he plays reasonably well, Mayfield will get a big payday as a free agent after the 2022 season. Even if he signed a five-year extension, Mayfield would hit free agency again in 2028 for a second big payday.

But that’s a best-case scenario. Let’s say instead that Murray lasted until the final pick in the first round. Quarterback Lamar Jackson was picked in that spot last year, and is now starting for the Ravens.

Even in Jackson’s case, he will do significantly better financially as the 32nd pick in the NFL draft than Murray did as the ninth pick in the baseball draft. Jackson signed a nearly $5 million signing bonus and is guaranteed more than $7.5 million even if the Ravens cut him tomorrow. That is almost $3 million more than Murray’s baseball contract. Jackson will make an average of more than $1.1 million a season over the first four seasons of his NFL career. The Ravens can keep him for the 2022 season by exercising a fifth-year option at a significant raise (likely $10 million or more). And then, having earned $20 million or more, he would be eligible for free agency after the 2022 season.

So if Murray gets drafted anywhere in the first round, he will earn somewhere between two and seven times as much money over the next five years in football than he will in baseball. If Murray is even an average NFL quarterback, he will make more than he will as anything other than an All-Star outfielder.
If Murray gets a first-round guarantee, and it seems likely he will, I really think he's gonna play football.

ETA: If Murray is a first-round pick, the economic incentives really only favor baseball if he thinks that he'll be a bust as a pro QB and won't earn starter money in his subsequent free agencies. Athletes as good as Murray don't think that way. I guess it's also possible thathe chooses baseball if the injury risks of football scare him, but why play this past season at Oklahoma if that were his mindset?
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

Post by Brontoburglar »

because Oakland had injury insurance on his contract
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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I legitimately will not be surprised with whatever Murray chooses. That said, it seems absurd to be so publicly certain about playing baseball -- nothing has changed on that front for months despite the rash of recent stories -- if it's really not that certain. The A's also had to know that Murray was pretty close to a baseball lock to take him in that spot. While a Heisman couldn't have been reasonably expected he was going to be the starting quarterback for the most dynamic offensive coach in college football. Murray having a great season is/was not a surprise.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

Post by mister d »

Could just be as simple as baseball was the first decision he had to make and there’s no incentive to tank his draft status.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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mister d wrote: Sun Dec 09, 2018 1:23 pm Could just be as simple as baseball was the first decision he had to make and there’s no incentive to tank his draft status.
I think his draft status had already tanked somewhat when he fell to Oakland at #9, no?
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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If we traded for Syndergaard and Torres weren't involved, I'd be #verypleased.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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I would love to see them trade two of those three.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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mister d wrote: Tue Dec 11, 2018 3:35 pm

I would love to see them trade two of those three.
Who wants Bradley Jr? Don't most teams have an all-glove no hit OF guy in AAA?

He seems like the guy the Red Sox would leave unprotected in an expansion draft.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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Flipside is he's hit in the past and if he does again, he's a legit star.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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mister d wrote: Tue Dec 11, 2018 4:16 pm Flipside is he's hit in the past and if he does again, he's a legit star.
Check out his splits. He really only ever hit in Fenway.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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Is Fenway good for lefties or is it just the standard comfort of home split?
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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mister d wrote: Tue Dec 11, 2018 4:32 pm Is Fenway good for lefties or is it just the standard comfort of home split?
Fenway's good for L/R. The last pop fly caught in foul territory in Fenway Park was in October, 1978 when Yaz popped to Graig Nettles.

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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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Bryce Harper did not renew his condo lease....(Mike Green's old place)
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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I'm pretty confident Harper signs with the Dodgers. Could be final piece to put them over the hump and only a 40-minute plane ride from his place in Las Vegas.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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I felt aswirl with warm secretions.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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Jays release Tulo, still owe him $38 million.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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rass wrote: Tue Dec 11, 2018 4:47 pm Did he leave the crocs and scooter?
probably not...he just moved them from McLean back to his new place in DC
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

Post by EdRomero »

mister d wrote: Tue Dec 11, 2018 4:32 pm Is Fenway good for lefties or is it just the standard comfort of home split?
What I've heard is Fenway is great for lefties who are willing to hit to the opposite field, but Bradley has more of a Willie Mays Hayes swing. I'd hate to give up his great fielding, but they're gonna have to make some decisions on who to keep and not to keep pretty soon. Bradley has been rumored to be on the trading block since he was a rookie.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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His run-out-of-town media campaign might reset the bar.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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mister d wrote: Tue Dec 11, 2018 7:11 pm His run-out-of-town media campaign might reset the bar.
Shaughnessy should just cut to the chase and do a “sources tell me Bradley is black” column.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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So the Yankees were nervous about giving Corbin a 6th year, taking him into his age 35, but are totally fine giving Happ 3 years from 36-38?
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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Last year's Red Sox radio play-by-play guy (who virtually nobody liked anyway) walked away from the job this week and word this morning is that WEEI is going to turn their broadcasts into more of a talk show format while the game is going on. :)
he’s a fixbking cyborg or some shit. The

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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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Ryan wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 8:22 am Last year's Red Sox radio play-by-play guy (who virtually nobody liked anyway) walked away from the job this week and word this morning is that WEEI is going to turn their broadcasts into more of a talk show format while the game is going on. :)
Will they still say what is happening as it happens?
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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tennbengal wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 8:37 am
Ryan wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 8:22 am Last year's Red Sox radio play-by-play guy (who virtually nobody liked anyway) walked away from the job this week and word this morning is that WEEI is going to turn their broadcasts into more of a talk show format while the game is going on. :)
Will they still say what is happening as it happens?
That's a very good question. Let's get your thoughts on it. 617-SOX-CHAT. Ball one.
he’s a fixbking cyborg or some shit. The

holy fuckbAllZ, what a ducking nightmare. Holy shot. Just, fuck. The
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

Post by tennbengal »

Ryan wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 8:40 am
tennbengal wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 8:37 am
Ryan wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 8:22 am Last year's Red Sox radio play-by-play guy (who virtually nobody liked anyway) walked away from the job this week and word this morning is that WEEI is going to turn their broadcasts into more of a talk show format while the game is going on. :)
Will they still say what is happening as it happens?
That's a very good question. Let's get your thoughts on it. 617-SOX-CHAT. Ball one.
I can see baseball The View being workable when they are up 19-2 in the fifth on the Orioles, but annoying as hell for games that are competitive.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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Ryan wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 8:22 am Last year's Red Sox radio play-by-play guy (who virtually nobody liked anyway) walked away from the job this week and word this morning is that WEEI is going to turn their broadcasts into more of a talk show format while the game is going on. :)
I am irrationally angry about this happening.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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Do people really listen to games on the radio? I'll turn the reds on at the office if they're playing day game. Or listen during a drive, but if I'm at the house, I can just turn the game on.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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A_B wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 8:49 am Do people really listen to games on the radio? I'll turn the reds on at the office if they're playing day game. Or listen during a drive, but if I'm at the house, I can just turn the game on.
Basically only when I drive, but it was always something I looked forward to in the spring, hearing Joe Castiglione talking about how he ran into old friend Rich Gedman at a Jiffy Lube, and hearing genuine excitement about the game. It's just baseball with old friendly announcers that are friendly with everyone in the game as opposed to sports radio which is a bunch of assholes trying to showoff how they're much smarter than everyone and shitting on everyone.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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EdRomero wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 8:56 am a bunch of assholes trying to showoff how they're much smarter than everyone and shitting on everyone.
Yeesh, that sounds awful.
he’s a fixbking cyborg or some shit. The

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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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Castiglione is really good. Maybe he'll hate this format, which is one of the dumber fucking things I've ever heard, and take over for Sterling. And Waldman. And Kay.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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mister d wrote: Thu Dec 13, 2018 9:21 am Castiglione is really good. Maybe he'll hate this format, which is one of the dumber fucking things I've ever heard, and take over for Sterling. And Waldman. And Kay.
It better not end up with Castiglione riding a horse around Yankee stadium like Wade Boggs.

They did a Red Sox/Yankees radio crossover last summer and Joe made the Yankee announcer sound likable. It's the same effect the Pardon my Take guys have about making every person they interact with sound like a good guy.
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Re: 2018-19 MLB Offseason Thread

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Its not that Sterling is dislikeable, he's a dorky uncle, its that he can't fucking see and especially on the radio you need someone who can see.
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