Dr Beinfest

I'd argue that keeping a core of Stanton/Yelich/Realmuto/Gordon isn't exactly a rebuild, but I get what you're saying. They suck and keeping Stanton and their target payroll are incompatible for success. So, even if not a rebuild, it's a losing team, which is what he really doesn't want. That being said, Jeter will probably command zero respect in a trade market for Stanton. Might as well let the guy plan to walk and trade him mid-season when teams are trying to stack up for the playoffs. And cross your fingers for a miracle.

I think it's possible to keep Stanton, if they needed the big name for marketing (they're gonna suck either way because they don't have any pitching, remember). Could Ozuna paired with Chen attract takers? If so, that approach, plus ditching two of Volquez/Prado/Gordon would probably do the trick.

Stanton's contract was a brilliant one that allowed us to enjoy him under Loria. Loria sold this team at the perfect time, because despite the fact that Stanton was likely gone either way when the big part of his contract kicks in... new ownership gives us a chance at keeping him. Though, not likely.

Well if there's a consolation, Jeter obviously doesn't like Loria either.

I would venture to say Loria was pretty evil during his reign as Florida Marlins owner. But with the Miami Marlins, it's two different stories with similar notes.

I think there's a 2b there... trade Stanton and another pricy veteran. Attempt to save face on the likes of Ozuna as your MVP. Less likely, but it's an option. Regardless of a fire sale, it sounds like they're going to lose money either way. So I don't think an all out fire sale is likely. I don't mean to say that losing any amount of money is the same, but rather suggest that they probably have to come up with a maximum amount of money bled. Assuming a low payroll team still fails to turn a positive.

There's arguably no good option. Cutting payroll just dooms the team and the fan base. Sticking to payroll Dow the team. I would venture to say moderate spending is necessary, taking a loss for 2-3 more years before cutting it down and starting over.

If there's a legitimate money issue, dumping only some of them might alleviate the problem. Most of the players are still young enough where you can rebuild and keep them, too. Just a choice of which.

Because there are current players, current contracts, carryover, negotiations... someone still has to be here to know what the fuck is going on. To help transition. Im just making this up because I'm trying to imagine a way he gets fired still.

Hill was probably retained because firing your GM after clearing the office out right at the end of the season is an awful idea. And you can't give a GM advanced notice of his firing.

You tried, that's what counts.

I believe so.

The irony... One puts a barrel to a barrel of fish, and when he gets so eager and fires... he makes... a squall.

You forgot Looper fell apart and Urbina took over. Though technically Willis wouldn't be there and instead Redmond would. And probably Encarnacion in the OF, though to the best of my memory Conine was swapping with LF and 1B and thereby did play almost every game.

C - Pudge 1B - Derek Lee 2B - Castillo 3B - Lowell SS - Alex Gonzalez OF - Pierre OF - Cabrera OF - Conine SP - Beckett SP - Pavano SP - Burnett SP - Penny SP - Willis BP - Urbina MNG - McKeon

Gotta admit, being a diehard fan includes the offseason.

Was @squall rekt?

FA normally is an awful thing for a team with no money that wants to be competitive. I still reserve the Buerhle case as an exception to the rule, because the marlins paid the price for a guy who would have cost that price at that performance regardless of whether or not he was home grown. The Buerhle move is a move that a competitive team with an ok rotation makes in order to have a solid rotation. This is in stark constrast to the Chen deal, which cost more for a hope that one good look was permanent (of course it wasn't). I suppose the only thing about the Buerhle deal was that it was not well timed. If Jose were still here and that's Buerhle type deal was made at the beginning of this season, I would support it 1000%. Because our pitching is shit. But I suppose that Buehrle deal relied on the Marlins making all the other dumb ass deals of Reyes, Bell, etc. to justify it. In which, the premise of the Buerhle deal is flawed, but the actual contract itself was solid.

I agree with just about all of that, though I would disagree with one bit. That's that Mark Buehrle was absolutely worth his contract and was a total steal for a solid lefty at that price. Should've never traded him.

Sad!

Can we not, and just live in blissful ignorance?

Maris is undisputed, yes. Bonds is disputed, yes. To be the undisputed champion, you remove all doubts. All doubts include the disputed records set. It's impossible to measure the exact number of HRs Bonds hit due to PEDs versus what he would have hit. It's possible they had no implication. It's also possible they doubled his output.

I mean I was already like Lawrence and on hiatus. I'll never be done, but if I return and theyre sad! I will probably watch less.

Agreed. 73 is the number to beat. That's how you earn the title of undisputed champion.

Also, excuse my payroll ignorance. Brushing off the dust.