Joseph Zarr

Well, post-Luka trade after acquiring the wrong side of chronically made of glass soon to be 32-year-old AD, J Kidd and the Mavericks 'brain trust' were supporting the playing of Kyrie 40 mpg. I can't help but think that 'might' contribute to tired legs and an over-extended consummate team player in soon to be 33-year-old Kyrie. Kryie is a fantastic player - one of the best to ever play offense in the NBA. However, he's 7 years older than Luka. And, now, he'll be 33 years old coming off an ACL some time around the time he'll be turning 34. Any way you look at this trade it was disastrous. Just look at the fall out with their fanbase. You can't in right conscience trade a 26-year-old generational superstar because your higher ups have an ego/cultural clash. You craft your organization around that type of talent. You prioritize his Prime Window. The Mavericks jettisoned him in an absolutely myopic maneuver failing to even consider other options. It wreaks of incompetence at every level. And, it shouldn't come remotely as a surprise given the man sitting in the Head Coach's chair. Even if you support the notion Luka had overplayed his welcome within the organization, you can't not shop him for the best package. You can't simply zero in on a single package. It just does not support your side of things in the public arena. And, this (and many other reasons) is why the Mavericks are being universally bashed by the NBA community's analysts. They are universally chastised here and for good reason. This past week, analysts have been going so far as the owner needs to fire Nico Harrison to save some semblance of good will from their fan base's eyes. When do you ever see this type of universal discourse in professional sports? I can't remember.

If true, I like quite a bit: Very Packersy target. He is likely going to grade out as a 'League Average' guy. I think he's a bit better than that. And, let's be honest: Even if you think he's League average, the Packers need that after last season's D-Line performances. I personally think he's young, has traits and decent production, and would thrive in Green Bay.

Bears addressing their O-Line early in the off-season via trades is interesting. (2026 4th Rd pick sent to KC) This a day or so after:

I personally griped about this on more than one occasion in 2024. It is very real in the Triple-A games during those games it is completely an ABS game. This was a major motivating factor from my seat as to why I was vastly in favor of the fast-paced player involved Challenge System. At least with the Challenge system the player has an opportunity in-game to see how the ABS system is framed in that park on that given day. Stadium-to-stadium, the tech used is either different (which, I think it is - ie not everyone is using the exact same set up or cameras etc) or, in the very least, set up differently or 'arranged' differently given the different architectures of these stadiums. Anywho, thanks for this interview @Matthew Trueblood. It's really nice to hear a veteran catcher's perspective on this area of the game.

This ongoing Mavericks fall out is incredible. Kyrie ACL tear. AD saying he is considering calling it a season to prepare for 2026? Ball don't lie, I guess. What a literal clown show.

Lara def added muscle. Wow. Very apparent.

Let's not go that far. The process is the process. Youth needs experience. The goal is to broaden the gaps between the ugly moments. Post-snafus the young men acquitted themselves quite well.

Welcome to my Minor League season, my friend. 😅 Essentially, in a nutshell, the way this ST game unraveled is prime and I do mean prime Biloxi Shuckers baseball. To a 'T'. Pain. So much pain.

Costello's Pitch 1 Change-up that just missed the outer black was ruled a 'curve ball' by Statcast. Yes indeed, he has that Yoho in him. Man, I love love love me some Chase Costello.

For any of you watching this game at Home: This is exactly what watching a Minor League baseball game feels like. To a 'T'. Welcome to my Man Cave. 😅

Ahhhh ,yes. Zavi airmailing a routine throw to 1B. Hurt me.

It twas and is, yes. LOL. I think I just wanted to speak like I was in 'The Matrix'.

It's the old adage: Make the routine, routine. Occasionally make the spectacular. Then, everyone forgets the rest.

Nice work Mr. Anderson! You love to see it.

The thing is, we can say "Oh it's a spring training game." And, yes, it absolutely is. I've seen those exact 50/50 plays swing entire games at Nashville. He had a two error game early in the 2024 season at 3B. They lost the game because of it, essentially. You can not have that at the MLB level. He kept the ball in front of him there. That's a plus move. Tip the cap. Would we like to see him stab that and save a run and save? Absolutely. We want that and we should expect that a majority of the time for a plus MLB 1B. BUT, in that instance, he kept the ball in front of his body. That's acceptable. BUT, then to throw that type of throw to the back stop? Come on. Can't have it. It's what is so frustrating about his entire body of infield work. I'll keep going back to it: I personally feel, at this point, we're forcing a square peg in a round hole. Black's best position is the OF and it's by a considerable margin. I've seen the vast majority of his Minor League infield work. I've seen enough. It just is not dependable. The Brewers would be very very wise to settle him into an OF and DH role.

That sums up the Tyler Black experience. He's just not going to save you a run. And then throws the ball to the backstop. I'm not saying that's an easy play. It isn't. BUT you just never know what you're going to get play-to-play on the infield.

I don't really care about that run. Nice piece of hitting on a heater on the inner corner of the zone. I really like RHP Elvin Rodriguez. That's a quality signing.

Hey if you're going to hit em, hit em when they least suspect it.

Not much more to add other than a solid solid depth piece. Hard to complain about this type of vet at this stage of the off-season at that price.

Ostensibly, this is a very very solid back-of-the-rotation add at this late point in the off-season. Major boon to the overall quality depth of the staff. Plus, now he can't inexplicably shut down the Brewers bats once again. I think Ashby stays on board as a stretch swing man/6th Starter.Either way, the Crew suddenly has a wealthy of lefties. Wild times.

I think you'll appreciate this. From Tony Pauline via conversations at the Combine:

Last I remember hearing the Packers and Walker's Agent(s) were talking new deal? Maybe I am misremembering.

Seems like an overpay for McDuffie but I am sure the Packers like his dependability and see him as an improving player who fills a need in the middle of their defense. He is available. Dependable. Plays downhill. They have familiarity. That's a Top 40 contract as of today, however, at his position.

If I'm not mistaken, the Brewers now have Melvin; Klentak; and Eppler listed as an Executive Assistant or Executive and Special Advisor to Matt Arnold. I personally love giving Arnold this level of acumen and support. I do believe Eppler has been named as an advisor for scouting and baseball ops so perhaps that's a wee different?