# MLB: July 2015 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 1, 2015, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972 "2015-07-01T18:07:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/81 "2015-07-20T18:25:43Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > If that was ever true of any batter, it would have been true of Ron Hunt, who like Don Baylor really did try to get hit by pitches. Actually, it was Dick Dietz who was at the plate. Hunt was his teammate that year. I believe Hunt said something like “He stood there just like a post and didn’t move when the pitch came in”–which, knowing Hunt, would have been said approvingly. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/82 "2015-07-21T11:48:55Z")
Aroldis Chapman is too good it’s unfair ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/83 "2015-07-21T14:24:44Z")
It’s unfair he’s stuck on a crappy team, yes. And it’s gonna get worse when they deal Cueto. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/84 "2015-07-21T15:19:38Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Aroldis Chapman is too good > > it’s unfair And Thom Brennaman keeps playing homer, to the extent of essentially saying that Brandon Phillips (who, to be fair, made an unbelievable [play](http://m.reds.mlb.com/cin/video/topic/47074210/v274945583/must-c-crafty-phillips-makes-a-behindtheback-toss) last night against the Cubs) should be the Gold Glove winner every single season ever, even if others have a better fielding percentage and/or fewer errors than Phillips. He said something to the extent of “no offense to Darwin Barney or DJ LeMahieu, but Brandon Phillips should win the Gold Glove every year.” It’s one thing to praise a player for a highlight reel play, and Phillips does this with stunning regularity. But to disrespect the other players by saying that there shouldn’t even be a contest, that the award should automatically go to Phillips, seems to me to be a bit over the top. I know that Brennaman is supposed to be somewhat biased, as a Reds announcer. And I’m sure he still has issues with being passed over in Chicago in favor of Chip Carey. But he goes a bit too far, in my opinion. ---
**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:** [July 21, 2015, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/85 "2015-07-21T16:02:45Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > It’s unfair he’s stuck on a crappy team, yes. And it’s gonna get worse when they deal Cueto. Imagine the return they could get if they packaged Chapman and Cueto. Chapman could be a FA after 2016 and he’ll be 29 years old going into the 2017 season. Very few teams would have the assets to even suggest such a thing. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/86 "2015-07-21T16:59:23Z")
The Red Sox looked like they were getting it together before the break, but that was a four-game sweep in Anaheim with only 4 runs on the board. I’m ready to say they’ll be sellers at the deadline - Victorino and Napoli are in their last contract years, and could add some Veteran Presence to a contender, for instance. Maybe somebody would take Bradley, too. The pitching they gotta keep for now, though. Three out of four years in last place, with only a World Series championship to break up the dreadfulness … ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/87 "2015-07-21T17:28:35Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > And Thom Brennaman keeps playing homer, to the extent of essentially saying that Brandon Phillips (who, to be fair, made an unbelievable [play](http://m.reds.mlb.com/cin/video/topic/47074210/v274945583/must-c-crafty-phillips-makes-a-behindtheback-toss) last night against the Cubs) should be the Gold Glove winner every single season ever, even if others have a better fielding percentage and/or fewer errors than Phillips. He said something to the extent of “no offense to Darwin Barney or DJ LeMahieu, but Brandon Phillips should win the Gold Glove every year.” > > It’s one thing to praise a player for a highlight reel play, and Phillips does this with stunning regularity. But to disrespect the other players by saying that there shouldn’t even be a contest, that the award should automatically go to Phillips, seems to me to be a bit over the top. I know that Brennaman is supposed to be somewhat biased, as a Reds announcer. And I’m sure he still has issues with being passed over in Chicago in favor of Chip Carey. But he goes a bit too far, in my opinion. Isn’t this the kind of thing that all announcers say about their teams, and everyone listening knows to take with a grain of salt? ---
**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:** [July 21, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/88 "2015-07-21T17:51:18Z")
Normally, I expect a little bias in my sportscasts. Especially when I’m listening to Joe Buck, who think that every person in a Cardinals uniform shits diamonds out of a platinum asshole. But Brennamen went past rational discourse, and past homerism, with the way he was slobbering all over Brandon Phillips’ knob last night. As I said, he made an outstanding play. But TB was so over the top about it that it would have been almost comical if it wasn’t pathetic. His contention was basically that Brandon Phillips is so good, he never makes spectacular plays, because they’re all routine to him. I’m a Cub fan, grew up listening to Harry Carey, so I know about homerism in my baseball. But I think this was the most blatant bit of denial about anyone other than the home player that I have personally ever heard ---
**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:** [July 21, 2015, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/89 "2015-07-21T18:02:13Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The Red Sox looked like they were getting it together before the break, but that was a four-game sweep in Anaheim with only 4 runs on the board. I’m ready to say they’ll be sellers at the deadline - Victorino and Napoli are in their last contract years, and could add some Veteran Presence to a contender, for instance. Maybe somebody would take Bradley, too. The pitching they gotta keep for now, though. > > Three out of four years in last place, with only a World Series championship to break up the dreadfulness … Yep, up until that sweep it looked like the Sox might be able to contend. I don’t think any one of the three you mentioned would bring much of a return. I would have been willing to see what Buchholz would fetch, but I doubt there will be any buyers interested in him now, even if he comes back soon. I’ll never understand what the Sox saw in Rick Porcello to give him $20M. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/90 "2015-07-21T18:43:49Z")
They might get something for Koji, even at his age and with a year left. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/91 "2015-07-21T20:18:02Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > I’ll never understand what the Sox saw in Rick Porcello to give him $20M. Back in the April thread I seem to recall some Red Sox fan raving about how wonderful the Porcello deal was–not just getting him, but giving him the extension, how he was being locked up for his prime years and all like that… Am guessing it wasn’t you, huh? 😀 ---
**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:** [July 22, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/92 "2015-07-22T14:43:27Z")
Yes, I remember at least one commenter being happy that the Sox locked up Porcello for his prime years. I think I stayed quiet at the time, but I remember thinking that money could have gone to Lester. I did, however, express strong concerns about the Panda. This past offseason ranks among the worst for the Red Sox. Maybe not as bad as the offseason of 1918/1919, but it’s up there. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/93 "2015-07-25T22:53:49Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Cole Hamels got knocked out of his second start in a row. Has his long term contract made him not concentrate any more? This afternoon, on the other hand… ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/94 "2015-07-25T22:55:40Z")
ugh Cubs go no-hit today for the first time since 1965 this is the worst day of my life ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/95 "2015-07-25T23:07:18Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > ugh Cubs go no-hit today for the first time since 1965 > > this is the worst day of my life ☹ You must have had a very pleasant life.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2015, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/96 "2015-07-25T23:31:35Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > You must have had a very pleasant life.😉 Wait a minute—I thought he was a Cubs fan. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/97 "2015-07-26T02:52:56Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Wait a minute—I thought he was a Cubs fan. Aside from being a Cubs fan, of course. Even so, surely a no-hitter isn’t the worst thing Cubs fans have had to endure. ---
**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:** [July 26, 2015, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/98 "2015-07-26T17:32:15Z")
The Royals acquire Reds ace Johnny Cueto. It’s unknown at the time who the Royals give up, though Brandon Finnegan is likely the biggest piece of the puzzle. Lots of rumors flying around, including it being Finnegan, Bubba Starling, and either John Lamb or Sean Manaea. That’s a lot of prospects, but Cueto is a dominant Game 1 starter. It doesn’t leave a lot of room if the Royals want to pursue Ben Zobrist - do they have to include Herrera in trade talks at that point? Dozier and/or Cuthbert? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/99 "2015-07-26T18:47:13Z")
Nice to see the Mets show some offense yesterday, but I still see them as finishing near .500. Too bad the owners are too cheap/broke to have gone after the better hitters on the market. ---
**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:** [July 26, 2015, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972/100 "2015-07-26T20:24:16Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Aside from being a Cubs fan, of course. Even so, surely a no-hitter isn’t the worst thing Cubs fans have had to endure. You obviously haven’t been to the [Cubs](http://www.forums.mlb.com/discussions/Chicago_Cubs/General/The_season_ended_this_past_Friday/ml-cubs/438308.1?nav=messages) [Message](http://www.forums.mlb.com/discussions/Chicago_Cubs/General/The_horrible_play_of_this_team/ml-cubs/438296.1?nav=messages) [Board](http://www.forums.mlb.com/discussions/Chicago_Cubs/General/Confines_Friendly_to_Worst_MLB_Road_Team/ml-cubs/438301.1?nav=messages) [recently](http://www.forums.mlb.com/discussions/Chicago_Cubs/General/Whos_instructing_our_hitters_Do_we_have_a_hitting_coach/ml-cubs/438303.1?nav=messages), have you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2015/723972.md?page=6)