Fear The Chorizo

Maybe throw strikes, Miz Put that 3-2 heater on a tee

Cruz is directly responsible for at least 3 of them playing an atrocious CF...and Skenes is out of the game

Cruz...I remember an offseason post here about trading for him...lol The 2026 Pirates - same as the old Pirates

94 wins. I'd go higher, but besides a good Cub team I think the rest of the division has gotten better, too...the race will be more competitive. My MVP is Turang - I think he is poised to have a monster year at the plate and his defense anchors the team. Despite trading away Freddy, pitching appears to be unbelievably deep and talented. Assuming good health, I have Gasser or Woody as my Cys, even though Miz will also have a really good year - i just think he'll have some struggles here and there with command or a funky non-arm related injury that is an issue. ROY - too many options to even compare at this point....which is a great problem to have! Disappointing player - one of the vet bullpen arms is going to have a bad year that winds up costing him a key late inning role, whether thats Koenig or McGill is a flip of the coin.

I will start this too long post by stating I'm glad to have been proven wrong with how great an event the WBC has become. When Bud first introduced this I didn't think it would gain any sort of sustained popularity, and it's turned into must-watch television rivaling the 4 nations hockey/olympics in terms of a sport showcasing most of its best on teams put together based on a mix of citizenship and cultures. I think the best thing the WBC has done in this format is expose people in the United States to the passion for baseball in other countries - particularly across Latin America. That energy/excitement for the game has rubbed off in the United States, just as many of the players and fans from these other countries have become dual citizens and are excited to be part of the American experience. No country can say that more than Venezuela, their people are having a fantastic 2026! And just because Team USA didn't have choreographed home run celebrations that carried all the way out onto the field like other countries did doesn't make them stoic/unlikeable unless people are looking under every rock to make that contrast. Had team Japan made the final, I guess we'd all be upset about both teams being too stoic because cultures didn't include TikTok routines when something good happened for either team. Reality is that every single one of MLB's teams will have some goofy dugout celebration every time someone hits a HR on Opening Day in a couple weeks - in every MLB stadium throughout this country....and what's best is that will include players from all over the world on the same team celebrating together over the course of 162 games and not just a 2.5 week preseason tournament whose initial goal is to grow the game internationally. I also see Bryce Harper getting dragged over the coals by the same people pining for US players to be more likeable/passionate for their country, for pointing to the US flag on his jersey while rounding the bases after tying the game up in the 8th with a home run. Meanwhile Team Italy, who are entirely American born citizens, are given props for taking stereotyping espresso shots and kissing cheek to cheek like they were taken to the stadium in a Venice gondola. Team Venezuela were draped in their colors throughout showing their national pride, and rightfully so - it's no secret and unfortunate that when Americans do it, way too many people are offended. I think Derek Jeter said it best, when asked if the WBC is now a bigger event than the MLB World Series - at least from an American's perspective: “I think the people that say [the WBC] is bigger than the World Series, never played in a World Series.”

I think the difference is Huntsville's really good group of prospects that year were largely ballyhooed for their minor league offensive statistics at that level - with the exception of Escobar and Cain (both traded to KC for Greinke), most of those guys were bat-first players who were largely considered subpar defensively. Once some of their offensive weaknesses were exposed at higher levels, they flamed out (or quite frankly were traded away to teams for impact starting pitching before they had really good MLB careers for teams besides the Brewers). The distinction I think this current crop of Brewer prospects has is they have a mix of incredibly young for their level with multi-tool talent, and college bats with light tower pop. Plus, the current Brewer IF prospect system list doesn't just shine in AA, but has talent most likely stockpiled at really good depth from High A, AA, and AAA - with younger prospects likely competing for their spots in lower levels as they continue developing. The guys aren't just "if everything goes right for them they'll make it to the majors" - they're more "unless injuries rob them of their primes, they'll be at minimum major league regulars for multiple seasons". Will all of these guys turn into even average major leaguers? Of course not - but the Brewers have an abundance of depth of talented prospects with star-caliber MLB ceilings. 4-5 Springs ago this board was full of people poo-pooing what Turang could ever amount to at the MLB level when he was a MIF prospect between AA and AAA. I'd argue right now they've got 4-5 MIF prospects at that same stage of development or even more MLB-ready who would comfortably be considered much better than Turang was 4-5 years ago.

Im actually not that surprised - carribean/south American countries just coming off winter ball is a different animal for hitters and timing compared to Spring training mode ramping up for the regular season. Kudos to Venezuela winning a very entertaining WBC, though.

Welp, my last comment aged well, at least my thinking they wouldnt tap the SPR anytime soon....really not a fan of doing so and hope the plan is to replace faster than they draw it down another 172 million barrels.

I doubt the SPR gets tapped because it's not anywhere close to full, and the only countries who cared about Iran's supply of oil are China and Russia. US refineries are still getting all the supply they need from domestic and nearby suppliers. Under normal circumstances they only import about half a million barrels per day from the middle east. If anything, the rate of the SPR getting refilled from its 2022-2023 low will slow or stop to help offset that loss in the short term. The key is to get the Strait opened up for the rest of tanker traffic destined for Asia, then the added stability of oil coming from Venezuela will push its price back well below $90 a barrel. Iran's navy has essentially been reduced to kayaks in recent days - clearing mines and protecting from pirate-style attacks on tankers not equipped to defend themselves will take time, but its not like Iran has gunships capable of sinking the tankers patrolling or blocking the Strait right now. Back to the original question on this, DCA should remain the approach on investment. Lots of uncertainty right now for sure, but its not a good time to stash money on the sidelines until after the markets start factoring in what the largest pain in the middle east region for 50 years no longer being a pain means for longterm energy prices. Better to take a bit of a hit in the short term, invest more along the way, and catch the whole bull rush back up the ladder than try to time it perfectly.

Of course not, especially since its currently difficult to keep track of who their actual leader is on any given day - but threats from Iran that prey on economic angst are then reacted on by leaders here and in other countries that can dramatically sway markets with a statement, fundamentals are sideshow with these swings. Oil prices are swinging like crazy based on what might happen to supply in the short term, but longterm there is going to be alot more supply certainty with both Venezuela and Iran supplies and more importantly safer shipping routes. Gas prices skyrocketing here feels more like gouging right now. Ironic that now would probably make sense to tap the SPR for a month or two, had it actually been full and not still severely depleted when gas prices here were much higher due to a mix of prolonged Covid inflationary pressures and domestic energy policy, and it was unnecessarily emptied to levels not seen since the early 1980s leading up to the 2022 midterms - all the while seeing Russia continue selling oil and gas all over Europe and Asian markets while they were attacking ukraine.

Pressures alone don't win you games on defense if they dont result in enough sacks/incompletions/interceptions. And he didn't give the Packers enough pressures, either. IMO pressures leading to a sack directly are a ton different than a PFF- interpreted rush where he beats his 1 on 1 lineman (something a guy paid his salary should do pretty often), but the rush had no chance of ending the play with a sack or even forcing an incompletion. The fact Gary had zilch in the sack column once the calendar turned to November says it all. Fact is, Gary had a bad 2025 season despite getting off to a great start with Parsons on the other side of the line from him - his production didn't come close to warranting keeping him around compared to the $$ savings the Packers get (some this year, much more in 2027), and thats why he isnt a Packer anymore.

Almost exactly 1 year ago we were supposed to go into a market depression due to tariffs being announced, and the market proceeded to go crazy hot once some clarity showed up. I think its a losing idea to play the shorter term buy/hold/sell game in markets that can go on both positive and negative runs based on what a now leaderless failed terrorist regime opts or even threatens to do on a day to day basis. In fact, March/April in general has been doldrums for the markets in more years than not. DCA through these downturns for people not in retirment still makes too much sense. Totally different reasons why, but I think history will repeat itself this year in the markets in terms of a significant rebound. I also think the potential longterm upside of an Iran that may not be a strategic ally, but at least a grudging partner with the rest of the middle east economically while not being a state sponsor of terrorism in the region is worth the temporary pain this uncertainty rattling global economic outlooks is causing (particularly in Asia, which leans heavily on oil exports through Hormuz).

didn't they sign a soon to be substitute teacher last fall, who now has the Packers record for longest FG made in their franchise's history? Don't ever use a draft pick on a kicker unless you've got a loaded roster and tons of extra late round picks that would turn into camp cuts if you pick actual football players with all of those picks.

Not directly Packers but definitely Packers-related....sounds like starting Bears center and Pro Bowler Drew Dalman is retiring at 27. He must really not want to play home games in Hammond, lol. The downside for Packer fans is we have seen the last of his rocket snaps over Williams' head That leaves a cavernous hole in their interior line, and along with them missing Trapilo most if not all of next year after he blew his knee out in the playoffs, suddenly what was an assumed strength of that roster for next season isn't.

Maybe MLF needs to take his shirt off next year so he's cooler with the players I'd be more concerned about the dings on facilities/training room amenities from this survey over "player respect" for coaches. The Packers need to have state if the art facilities in GB for it to remain a destination most players want to live and train here year round. The Dolphins were ranked very high, and they had a trainwreck of a season - solely because they play in Miami.

there are some fantastic memes/reels with that insane Helley save as the image

Check that - Canada hockey also gets the referees on their side, too.... Finland goes up 2-0, then every penalty, questionable icing, offsides, and other call goes Canada's way. Their last 2 goals should've been waived off due to goalie interference and an offsides on a 2nd power play that was called based on Canada being great at finding sticks to skate their faces into and react like they got slapped in the face with a tortilla point blank to sell the call.

Watching Canada-Finland semifinal hockey game, and no wonder Team Canada always looks like they have skaters everywhere on the ice...apparently they get to play with 6 on the ice with their passive line change strategy. They did get caught with a penalty once early in the game (they actually almost had 7 on at that point) and should have gotten another penalty late in the 1st. If I'm one of their opponents, any time you see them going through a change at full strength, send the puck towards their bench - you're likely to hit someone or draw one of the guys going off the ice right back onto it. They have guys going over the boards onto the ice well before the other players are anywhere close to the bench to come off.

A big part of special teams is roster construction....the Packers have routinely had very young or very thin rosters depending on cap situations, and the bottom of the gameday roster has killed them with special teams over the years. Coaching also plays a role in it....but if the players on special teams cant block or cover, those units are going to stink. They are a dying breed, but it wouldnt hurt to prioritize bringing in a vet or two that specializes in kick coverages...and have some vet lineman backups who can be reliable on fg blocking sets.

The idea of full sharing of league broadcast revenues and then laying out a salary floor all teams need to pay in no way limits the ceiling on what the best players can make. The Dodgers are able to shell out a $70m per year deal to Ohtani but only pay him $2m per now only because they know their massive TV deal will cover the deferred payments 10 -20 yrs down the road. Honestly, I dont think MLB needs a cap if they push to fully share broadcast revenues across the league equally.

$5-$10million is not generational wealth - im referring to 9 figure guaranteed contracts that only a small percentage of mlb players ever come close to earning, even in today's game. To me, generational wealth is enough for the player and their immediate family to not need to work another day in their life if they so choose, not a few years of big paychecks (which are also taxed heavily) that pulls a family out of poverty but doesnt mean they are independently wealthy no matter what decisions they make with the money over the next 50 years.

What i think would go a long way towards improving the health of the game without a salary cap would be for MLB to push game broadcast revenues solely onto their platforms - establish leaguewide contracts with networks/cable/streaming services and do away with team-owned broadcasts, and then sharing that revenue equally across the league. Then, setting that shared amount as the salary floor every team has to pay players the following season. I'd even be ok with allowing current local broadcast contracts to run their course before those teams get looped into the leaguewide revenue bucket - but they'd get none of the shared revenue if their own local/self-owned TV revenues exceed a certain threshold. I dont see why players should be against that....and frankly a vast majority of owners would approve, too.

I didn't say it would be easy - but it needs to happen. Multiple years of no baseball season would be worth getting it right this time around.

The Dodgers ownership group doesn't need to be happy....several don't need to be happy...there doesn't need to be a 30-0 team consensus to move forward. I strongly feel that MLB has reached a point where getting unanimous agreement by MLB ownership groups for its financial structure would be a defeat for the longterm health of baseball.

Players are already making way, way more than half of all profits on a year to year basis. Half of all revenues? Probably not - but MLB organizations have far more expenses that eat into revenues and reduce profits already...not to mention the guaranteed contracts they can't get away from like NFL and even NBA teams can with cuts/trades/etc.