20 replies to this topic

[Pedro Cerrano]

Most people, I think, have the top 3 in some order of Ryan Braun, Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera.

Who would you take first overall out of this bunch? I'm inclined to go with Braun. Trout and MCab could easily be better than him this year, but he has the track record and gives you most of what Trout can and more. A 40/40 season isn't completely out of the question (although you could say the same about Trout).

What say you?

[bnickle]

Most people, I think, have the top 3 in some order of Ryan Braun, Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera.

Who would you take first overall out of this bunch? I'm inclined to go with Braun. Trout and MCab could easily be better than him this year, but he has the track record and gives you most of what Trout can and more. A 40/40 season isn't completely out of the question (although you could say the same about Trout).

What say you?

Braun.

[Tyler Bingaman]

I completely agree with the way you laid it out.

[Adam Wolff]

Most people, I think, have the top 3 in some order of Ryan Braun, Mike Trout and Miguel Cabrera.

Who would you take first overall out of this bunch? I'm inclined to go with Braun. Trout and MCab could easily be better than him this year, but he has the track record and gives you most of what Trout can and more. A 40/40 season isn't completely out of the question (although you could say the same about Trout).

What say you?

I think it's Braun. Like you said, I think he and Trout could very easily give you the same thing, but I'll take Braun as the more sure thing. I think Trout will be fantastic, but maybe those numbers come back just a hair and Braun just keeps on keeping on. I think you're thinking of it exactly the right way.

[SammyBirdland]

I'm taking Trout. The guy is 21 years old and after 179 career games is already just a couple clicks below Braun. Of course, that means you have to believe Trout will keep it up, which I do believe.

[SportsGuy]

I think i take Trout.

Its a very close call but he is younger and less likely to be suspended.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Yea the newest nonsense with the Miami area company is enough for me to put Trout #1. It's just not worth the risk.

[JeremyStrain]

Yea the newest nonsense with the Miami area company is enough for me to put Trout #1. It's just not worth the risk.

Yep, smart play. Good odds Braun catches a suspension this time. They know they had him last time and he got off, so they will be looking to hammer him this time.

[DJ MC]

Yep, smart play. Good odds Braun catches a suspension this time. They know they had him last time and he got off, so they will be looking to hammer him this time.

They can't. The players association will burn down 245 Park Avenue before allowing MLB to "hammer" someone without a legally failed test.

Besides, they need a lot more evidence than this Miami stuff for any of the players involved. It's a PR nightmare for everyone, but so far there's no meat there. Just names in a notebook.

[JeremyStrain]

They can't. The players association will burn down 245 Park Avenue before allowing MLB to "hammer" someone without a legally failed test.

Besides, they need a lot more evidence than this Miami stuff for any of the players involved. It's a PR nightmare for everyone, but so far there's no meat there. Just names in a notebook.

They have already said that they have grounds for suspension based on judgement of the commissioner in a case like this, even without proof of use.

I said that the union would never let it happen, but from what I hear MLB is looking to make an example out of a couple of these guys, and high profile guys that are once again dodging allegations are perfect targets for that (Braun/Arod).

[Stotle]

They have already said that they have grounds for suspension based on judgement of the commissioner in a case like this, even without proof of use.

I said that the union would never let it happen, but from what I hear MLB is looking to make an example out of a couple of these guys, and high profile guys that are once again dodging allegations are perfect targets for that (Braun/Arod).

No way the commissioner's office pisses off a bunch of owners by suspending their stars without a failed test.

[JeremyStrain]

No way the commissioner's office pisses off a bunch of owners by suspending their stars without a failed test.

That's exactly what I said at first, but I was pretty surprised how intense things are getting from someone I talked to. It wouldn't shock me to see a bounty-gate like scandal to erupt here.

[DJ MC]

That's exactly what I said at first, but I was pretty surprised how intense things are getting from someone I talked to. It wouldn't shock me to see a bounty-gate like scandal to erupt here.

Yeah, and look how that went down. All that ended up happening was a few lawyers earning some cash and a lot of people thinking Roger Goodell is a disgrace.

If I'm Major League Baseball, that's just about the last path I would want this situation to head down.

[JeremyStrain]

Yeah, and look how that went down. All that ended up happening was a few lawyers earning some cash and a lot of people thinking Roger Goodell is a disgrace.

If I'm Major League Baseball, that's just about the last path I would want this situation to head down.

I agree, hence my first opinion, but I hear they just may do it anyway. Pressure from outside the game supposedly. Certain groups are getting sick of hearing this like this surface after the money sunk into the original investigation.

[Stotle]

I agree, hence my first opinion, but I hear they just may do it anyway. Pressure from outside the game supposedly. Certain groups are getting sick of hearing this like this surface after the money sunk into the original investigation.

The MLBPA would explode if players were arbitrarily suspended without hard evidence of rule breaking.

[DJ MC]

I agree, hence my first opinion, but I hear they just may do it anyway. Pressure from outside the game supposedly. Certain groups are getting sick of hearing this like this surface after the money sunk into the original investigation.

Certain groups based about 40 miles south and with some fairly substantial clout when it comes to national issues?

[JeremyStrain]

Certain groups based about 40 miles south and with some fairly substantial clout when it comes to national issues?

Uh huh :/ I'm very interested to see how it all plays out.

[DJ MC]

Uh huh :/ I'm very interested to see how it all plays out.

Oh lord. I'm not usually one of those "Congress needs to stick to real issues and not sports" people, but dammit, this is one of those times.

Hell, if anything the system seems to be working, and baseball even has testing no one else does yet with the upcoming HGH blood tests. I know MLB can't really tell them to screw off, but if they did it would be great.

[JeremyStrain]

Oh lord. I'm not usually one of those "Congress needs to stick to real issues and not sports" people, but dammit, this is one of those times.

Hell, if anything the system seems to be working, and baseball even has testing no one else does yet with the upcoming HGH blood tests. I know MLB can't really tell them to screw off, but if they did it would be great.

Yeah, the only reason I consider it even feasible (I said the same things Nick did at first) that suspensions could happen is that people in DC have already made phone calls to put pressure on MLB. Someone I know high up in an org. said they were already having to fight over it.

[DJ MC]

Yeah, the only reason I consider it even feasible (I said the same things Nick did at first) that suspensions could happen is that people in DC have already made phone calls to put pressure on MLB. Someone I know high up in an org. said they were already having to fight over it.

I still don't see it as feasible because then the union fights MLB (and they'll win) and goes to the mattresses against Congress and everything just goes to hell.