2021 HOT STOVE

Billy Bean stuck with the A's because he was given a percentage of the franchise, and if deserting would have to divest himself of that. Not bad, from GM to GM/Part owner. The inflation of his ownership stock has probably made him more money, with more job security, than just a new job with no security would have. Another way of chasing the buck; slower but more secure.

And as for Madrigal's zero power rating; just wait until he gets used to those juiced balls on a daily basis. Another Altuve? Opposite field pop-outs that make it over the wall? Could happen. 

@KeyElement

 I did not realize that cheap owner gave him a % of the team,yes that makes much more sense now,but even if he had gone to Boston and ended up losing his job he would of caught on with other teams.

@JEG53

People get addicted to a locale and a lifestyle. I wouldn't want to live anywhere east of the Rockies and I am sure you wouldn't either. Even for money Boston would be one of my most objectionable places to live. If you are going to wind up wealthy anyway, why be miserable just so you can earn 10-15% more? I can't imagine living in Chifartgo, but it seems to agree with sac. Go figure.

@KeyElement

 I think people from there do not know any better,plus how could you leave the Cubs and White Sox,.

So true about Altuve. And he uses a bat at least 4 ounces bigger than a guy his size should be using.

@KeyElement

 I have told you about my 3 Girls wanting to leave Calif.,I am not sure where it is they feel like going but I have been in other areas of US and I have always came back here and have lived in many towns and cities in Califruitty and the only one I disliked was SF,besides one of the first things I saw was the Gay Parade,I camo out of the Bart Tunnel and was right in the middle of of it,very strange parade,lots of naked people painted up and some cute girls that were men,plus the weather was windy and cold,was not really like CA.

I like Conn.but that 4th winter drove me from there,so the  went along area I live in now is really nice,but the town I live in is not the best,but being a worker you find the best area you can afford to buy a house if that is what your goal is so though the Women in my life did not love the place they did also want the dream,so we have been in an area and State that has a very addicting climate and it is easier to stay then move,but I am seeing that when I am on a fix income that it will take a bit of science to stay in my State of Choice,and though I agree with you on how far east to go but,it could be that I get over ridden on it,and by selling the house I bought they did not really like the income we made can finance this move that I am starting to see I will not get a lot of power in the decision being made as to where.

NOW THE REAL REASON FOR POST,

Kevin Greene another Steelers player has died in his 50s,though this one was late 50s it is still young in this day and age,he also played for one of my fav teams this year so our org.has another ex player to mourn,lets hope that this does not lead to a string of other players from the guys he played with having issues,though it was not just the Pittsburgh players in the Will Smith movie that took their lives,though I have not heard cause of death yet on Kevin,lets hope drugs were not the reason.

@undermysac

 The size of the bat though for his size  might seem to big but he could and I would guess if the Batting Coach is letting him use it he can handle it,but you made me remember in HS Baseball I remember using different bats based on how hard the pitcher threw,slower pitcher bigger bat and though I do not know if it changed anything it just brought back memories of the days of playing ball and looking for any edge.I played the 3 sports in school,though I was second string QB the only reason I agreed to do it was our first guy was raised to be a QB,his Dad was a QB at same school and Steve was going to be one and he was good also,so I was a just in case guy and did very little,but it was my Ability to throw a baseball that made my 10th grade Gym Coach decide I could be the back up.And Key and LC will understand this,once the Coach makes a decision what you wanted back then did not really matter,you had to do it.But the sport I could play all day was Baseball and we had enough kids on the block to get a game together most any day in summer and would and could play all day,Baskerball was a one game thing along with street football,couple hours you were done.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, GUYS!

Same to YOU, L.C., and may God bless us with a better 2021  Sad year, 2020, overall.

Perhaps Madrigal will have a great year and make a case for "old school" baseball

Perhaps sac will find the love of a woman, instead of a large mouth bass

Perhaps JEG will find contentment in retirement

And perhaps my granddaughters Covid will not be severe (she's only 26)

And maybe we should all follow Padre Pio's advice - Pray, Hope, don't worry

For good or bad these times will pass, by the will of God

Merry Christmas everyone 

Key, reeling em in and releasing em is much better than keeping em.

I think

@undermysac

 Depends if you like fresh fish,

@KeyElement

 Key sorry to hear that virus has invaded your family again,God lets hope it is not much for her to deal with,I will add her in my prayers for sure,

and I am not retired at this time,in fact I might be getting a work at home job if the funding comes thru to make phone calls to people explaining the vaccine and giving out info for people,that is just me trying to help out where I am needed,I made hundreds of calls before election for free which is why I am being considered for this paying job.

LC-Key-Sac and the whole group here that puts up with my rants and bitching MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE AND HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY,I know its hard to stay home at this time but I know Calif. can not handle another big travel holiday with another spike in cases,since Thanksgiving the #s have been nuts,but 4 million people took trips flying and who knows how many drove,but stay safe and lets hope America can take summer vacations to visit family.

sac no drinking and fishing,hey you ever see a movie called  CATCH AND RELEASE ,think you would enjoy it,nice win on Bears at +money.

Merry Christmas you pricks 

@BIGDTITLE

 You to Mr BIG D

@KeyElement

 Prayers for your granddaughter. My 8 year old granddaughter tested negative yesterday. She had contact with a schoolmate whose mother contracted it. She had to be tested because her mother, my daughter, spends her days in an operating room. Can’t wait for all of this to end.....

@LogCottage

 That is a Good news for Christmas LC,must of been crazy for your family before results came in,

You have a good Christmas,

SF GIANTS ARE LOADED THIS YEAR,SANTA TOLD ME HE IS GIVING US ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR,DAMN OLD MAN HAD SOMETHING POKING ME WHEN I WAS SITTING ON HIS LAP,GUESS IT WAS WORTH IT FOR A WORLD SERIES WIN.   

@LogCottage

Bump - The thread that got ahead is not even concerned with baseball. Sheesh!

This thread is barely concerned with baseball either

I heard that Josh Bell got shipped to the Nationals. Damn good player.

There, baseball news 

Steelers -1.5 over Colts

The Colts come into this game winners of 3 straight while the Steelers come in losers of 3 straight.  Pittsburgh might have gotten a blessing by this brick wall they hit because teams that cost all year sometimes don’t have that winning edge when they hit the playoffs.  The Steelers still have a talented roster and there is one key to this game that nobody is talking about.  Philip Rivers is not a mobile QB and that one key that nobody is talking about is this teams starting tackles on both the right and left side will miss this game.  The Steelers will get a pass rush and collapse Rivers into the pocket which will cause sacks and turnovers.  If Rivers is quick to throw the ball this secondary can pick him off.  I believe we will see a great defensive performance today by the Steelers and they will win this game by cashing in on Indy mistakes.  Take Pittsburgh.

 sac is not going to like this one.

Your the one with all the secret web sites to cool articles on all kinds of baseball crap,us old guys have ESPN or CBS SPORTS sites and they are always late on info,

you guys know the CBB COACH Urban Meyer,he is on his way to being an NFL  Coach,2 teams are bidding for him,sure you knew that already sac.

Stop the presses, JEG picked a winner.

Nice call on Pitt Jeg.

I had Indy +2.5(+105) on an early line. Just felt in my bones to go for a middle/buy out all week. I didn't. Instead put Pitt in a 3 team teaser which the Maricopa Cardinals destroyed.

First and last teaser bet of the year. I frigin hate those, but made that idiotic bet anyway.

Snell to the Padres for prospects.