# MLB Hot Stove / Offseason 2015-2016 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 2, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418 "2015-11-02T14:38:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/301 "2016-03-02T14:29:03Z")
Carlos Carrasco is a terrific pitcher. He’s pitched well for two years now and I’ve no reason to think he won’t keep doing it. Salazar is just a bit behind Carrasco but younger, Bauer has all the potential in the world (though that comment is troubling in one way, at least he knows it’s a problem, and his saying it is suggestive of his intention to fix it; most people who are lazy do not know they are lazy) and Kluber pitched very well in 2015 but lost 16 games because Cleveland never scored when he pitched. What’s NOT to like about the rotation? Whose is better in the AL? I mean, they’re pitchers, so you never know when the ol’ rotator cuff will catch fire, but still. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/302 "2016-03-02T14:34:08Z")
Heard this morning that MLB said the suspension should be 40 games, but would make it 30 if he agreed not to appeal. They do not want this thing to drag out and get overly scrutinized by the media. Call it an overreaction, but the last thing they want is a Ray Rice situation on their hands. I have no problem with how this has played out. Probably the first smart thing Manfred has done as commissioner. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/303 "2016-03-02T15:24:54Z")
To be honest, I can never remember the new commissioner’s name. I always want to say “Bud” ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/304 "2016-03-02T21:14:40Z")
I am listening to actual, real live baseball on my radio! It doesn’t actually count of course, but it’s almost infinitely better than the total lack of baseball over the past several months. It is a glorious day, indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/305 "2016-03-02T21:15:55Z")
> [@Suburban\_Plankton](#): > > I am listening to actual, real live baseball on my radio! It doesn’t actually count of course, but it’s almost infinitely better than the total lack of baseball over the past several months. > > It is a glorious day, indeed. I’ve got MLB TV streaming on my phone while I work (different game than you, of course). I’m totally with you, right up until they start to count. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2016, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/306 "2016-03-03T21:27:31Z")
And the Dodgers starting rotation [starts](http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/165965738/brett-anderson-to-miss-3-5-months) to [disintegrate](http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/165945768/hyun-jin-ryu-rested-with-shoulder-discomfort) already. Just like their disks. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/307 "2016-03-04T19:24:42Z")
What’s up with the Interstate shields bearing AZ or FL for the Cactus and Grapefruit leagues respectively? They’re on the field. They’re on the sleeves. Why? Do the players or fans not know what state they’re in? Is this just to make another set of uniforms to sell to the fans? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/308 "2016-03-05T00:25:50Z")
I think you’ve answered your own question there. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/309 "2016-03-05T16:23:07Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Is this just to make another set of uniforms to sell to the fans? Well, of course. But to be fair, the line of spring training hats are awesome. [There are some inspired designs in there](http://mlb.mlb.com/photos/gallery.jsp?content_id=162996878&c_id=mlb) (and a few clunkers). ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/310 "2016-03-11T23:05:14Z")
I like Bryce Harper’s [take](http://deadspin.com/bryce-harper-speaks-truth-about-baseballs-unwritten-rul-1764016917) on the unwritten rules of baseball. > [@](#): > > “Baseball’s tired,” he says. “It’s a tired sport, because you can’t express yourself. You can’t do what people in other sports do. I’m not saying baseball is, you know, boring or anything like that, but it’s the excitement of the young guys who are coming into the game now who have flair. > > \ > > “If a guy pumps his fist at me on the mound, I’m going to go, ‘Yeah, you got me. Good for you. Hopefully I get you next time.’ That’s what makes the game fun. You want kids to play the game, right? What are kids playing these days? Football, basketball. Look at those players — Steph Curry, LeBron James. It’s exciting to see those players in those sports. Cam Newton — I love the way Cam goes about it. He smiles, he laughs. It’s that flair. The dramatic.” There’s more at the link. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/311 "2016-03-12T12:14:34Z")
I prefer Goose Gossage’s take: > **[Goose Gossage says Bryce Harper has ‘no respect for the game’](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2016/03/11/goose-gossage-says-bryce-harper-has-no-respect-for-the-game/)** > > The Goose Gossage and Bryce Harper stories have now merged, and the result could melt the cowhide off a ball. Just because Cam Newton is a jerk on the football field, it doesn’t mean the same showboating should be tolerated in baseball. Act like you’ve been there before. A home run in a 10-2 game in May isn’t winning game 7 of the World Series in extra innings. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/312 "2016-03-12T16:56:14Z")
Wonder what the grumpy old men of Gossage’s heyday thought about guys who were treated like stars when they couldn’t pitch more than 2 innings in a game. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/313 "2016-03-12T17:00:02Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I prefer Goose Gossage’s take Of course you do. If someone makes an argument for 1950s attitudes about anything in sports, we can be pretty sure that you’ll be on board with it. I love how, for Gossage, it’s not OK for someone to do a bat flip after a home run: > [@](#): > > "So let me tell Bryce Harper something: go look at the history, figure it out and quit acting like a fool.” but apparently this sort of behavior is completely fine, and represents the way the game should be played: > [@](#): > > “What’s wrong with the manager coming out and arguing with an umpire and kicking dirt all over him and throwing bases and getting kicked out of the game? That used to fire up the people, on both sides. It used to fire all of us up. That’s gone. Now they’ve got replay, because who died in the last 100 years because of a bad call? No one.” He doesn’t like replay and, to my complete and utter lack of surprise, he’s also angry about the use of computers and data to help with baseball decision-making. He’s a hybrid of Joe Morgan and Grandpa Simpson. I’m sure that back in Gossage’s day, they could probably also whack a girlfriend or two without it making the news or getting them suspended. No wonder you’re on board with him. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/314 "2016-03-12T19:42:54Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > I’m sure that back in Gossage’s day, they could probably also whack a girlfriend or two without it making the news or getting them suspended. No wonder you’re on board with him. You know that dale has a topic ban on this issue so quit trying to provoke him into replying. Drop the subject with him in this topic beyond this post, please. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/315 "2016-03-13T01:55:07Z")
Getting back to on the diamond baseball, the more I see of instant replay, the less I like it. Umps blow calls but endless replays usually end up with the same blown call being upheld. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/316 "2016-03-13T04:16:24Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > A home run in a 10-2 game in May isn’t winning game 7 of the World Series in extra innings. Who has acted like it was? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/317 "2016-03-13T16:07:04Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Well, of course. But to be fair, the line of spring training hats are awesome. [There are some inspired designs in there](http://mlb.mlb.com/photos/gallery.jsp?content_id=162996878&c_id=mlb) (and a few clunkers). However, do NOT look at the new “Spring Time” hats. I’m providing a link for those who hate their eyesight, and don’t have any bleach handy to pour directly into their eyes. [Click at your own peril](http://www.lids.com/Style/MLB-Spring-Time-9FIFTY-Cap). ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2016, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/318 "2016-03-13T16:26:48Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I prefer Goose Gossage’s take: Gossage is an old, grumpy fool. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/319 "2016-03-14T19:19:50Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Gossage is an old, grumpy fool. You’re not kidding. Dude might as well as just have ranted about the kids on his lawn. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2016, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418/320 "2016-03-14T20:17:08Z")
Well, I find playing it cool far more fun to watch than celebrating. I don’t have any objection, other that it should be only be used for emotional moments. A walk-off home run, for instance. It’s not like it wasn’t [done in the past](http://cdn.nextimpulsesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/larsen1956.jpg), but usually just when it was something that was not just routine. It’s slows the game if it happens with every home run, especially if the home run was meaningless. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-hot-stove-offseason-2015-2016/736418.md?page=17)