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Post by m1keyboots on Jul 9, 2019 11:57:22 GMT -5
Considering how thin the system is.. I'm for standing pat regardless, unless some really decent reliever is available dirt cheap. IMO, Boyd isn't any better than brian Johnson, who is a sub 5th starter himself and expect boyd to revert to reallity at any moment. If have to, let Wright go a few starts until his knee falls off. This is an older comment so if you've been bombarded with comments that don't agree i apologize. Imo Boyd and Brian are much different pitchers. Boyd has an elite out pitch and the ability to miss bats. He's also playing with a poor defense behind him and although it's in a pitchers park at this point I'd say they're all hitters parks. I can't say I'd be willing to give up some A-listers to get him, but I'd offer he's far better than an number 5. On a better team with a little more seasoning he looks pretty good long term. Lefty with an elite (or close to it this year) breaking pitch aren't that easy to come by.
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Post by m1keyboots on Jul 5, 2019 19:23:54 GMT -5
Great thread and I suppose the answers may change depending on need following this postseason. For right now though I'd think Casas and Hernandez are "untouchable". Casas for obvious reasons and all the time they've put into a lefty arm like Darwinzon. I do imagine both of them could go for a certain type of pitcher.
Someone else mentioned it before, but I don't think Durran is untouchable, I don't think a guy like Mata is, or Dalbec.
It really all depends on circumstance. If the big league squad doesn't make a run many of those guys are untouchable imo.
I'm really excited about a guy like Darwinzon though. We've got some pretty good lefties and he could chose which to learn from at this point. There's three styles between them and three or even four great offspeed pitches to copy/learn/tweak into his own.
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Post by m1keyboots on May 4, 2019 21:00:14 GMT -5
Because, in college when he went to the college world series, he was spraying line drives/gappers all over the place. That was his scouting report. So, if you're talking about the small amount of time he took adjusting to wooden bats in Mil idk what to tell you. After that he was a lefty playing in Fenway. This was also after they changed the bats the first time. So he wasn't hitting missles off the handle like 90s college ball (lol) Also Jacoby had a lot of leverage in his swing even early. Which may be a separator. However feet of lightening has a better name than even Jacoby I don't know what to tell you but in the first 2 years of Jarren vs the first two years of Jacoby, same ages, same levels, Jarren is out powering Jacoby. Better IsoP, it's just the facts. It wasn't until Jacoby reached Portland that he showed any power. For kicks, I watched the three hits from yesterday's game. First inning vs RHP Ball. foul,foul. single. The single was a Baltimore chop that came down near the second base bag. 90% of the players in the majors would have beaten it out. Third inning vs RHP foul,foul,ball,foul,triple. The triple was a line drive to the base of the wall between the right fielder and center fielder. It would have taken a major league outfielder with the ability to not use a cutoff man from the warning track to keep him at second. They tried a relay and he went in standing up. ninth inning vs LHP swinging strike, foul tip, ball, foul, double. The double was a hard hit ball down the third base line. They would have had to been playing the line against a left handed batter to get to that. It wasn't close. ADD: For those of you with MiLB, the triple is worth a look, note how fast and sharp he rounds second base. It's almost like there was no speed drop there. . Maybe we misunderstood each other I was only talking about why he may have been rated higher coming out of college. From a power standpoint. One had like 40 doubles and 20 home runs in his college career one had 20 doubles and two. Don't get me wrong we would all love if he keeps this up until the end of time. However I'm reading his Bapip is basically an area code around here (571) While I'm not saying it's a mirage, I will say water is a little wet.
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Post by m1keyboots on May 4, 2019 20:44:25 GMT -5
It's not entirely sustainable of course, but I take back everything I said about Michael chavis not being a possible reliable bat. he's been murdering pitches, and some good ones at that. Off of some good pitching
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Post by m1keyboots on Apr 30, 2019 17:06:58 GMT -5
They are similar, but Ellsbury hit the ball with an authority at this point in his development that Duran does not. Duran looks like he might have the physical tools to get there with some adjustments, but that's no guarantee. That said, Ellsbury also has (had?) a 30+ bWAR career and had two season when he got MVP votes, so there's a lot of space for Duran to be Ellsbury-lite and still very productive. Based on ? Can you explain then why Duran is out IsoPing Jacoby at every level ? Jacoby had a .119 IsoP at Salem. Jarren has a .159 IsoP. I see posts saying he hits infield singles and goes opposite field yet that's not at all what I've seen in the limited looks I've seen on MilB. I've only seen line drives and hard grounders to all fields. I'm really curious where that's coming from. Because, in college when he went to the college world series, he was spraying line drives/gappers all over the place. That was his scouting report. So, if you're talking about the small amount of time he took adjusting to wooden bats in Mil idk what to tell you. After that he was a lefty playing in Fenway. This was also after they changed the bats the first time. So he wasn't hitting missles off the handle like 90s college ball (lol) Also Jacoby had a lot of leverage in his swing even early. Which may be a separator. However feet of lightening has a better name than even Jacoby
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Post by m1keyboots on Apr 27, 2019 10:14:02 GMT -5
It's April and our light hitting gold glove center fielder is slumping again. Time to move a legit defensive presence at short with a unproven bat, to left to make room. Why does it sound familiar?
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Post by m1keyboots on Apr 10, 2019 17:19:56 GMT -5
I'm going to go ahead and call him "Pies de Relampago".
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Post by m1keyboots on Apr 9, 2019 15:25:05 GMT -5
You should follow games more closely then. Vazquez was 14th of 117 catchers last season defensively according to BP. To be honest after the start of his career I'm quite surprised he's not still cream of the crop when it comes to framing. Although I do understand he was part of the beginning of that trend, and he in many ways still is "cream of the crop" I like Vazquez, really grateful we have a player like that. Glad he's going to be around (hopefully) for a few years. Gotta have trust with pitchers, and seems like a future coach in some capacity as well.
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Post by m1keyboots on Apr 4, 2019 14:33:19 GMT -5
The better half asked today "but the minor leagues start later, and even some of them start later than those, right? Right??". "Why can't they start later so less people get hurt".
I almost dropped to a knee right there.
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Post by m1keyboots on Apr 4, 2019 13:01:21 GMT -5
Here's to hoping the Sixers don't get a shot at "breaking that curse" that now everyone is making a big deal. This time, they're a year older with Jimmy Butler, and Tobias Harris. I don't post on this thread, because I'm too rabid a basketball fan.
Please, please let the Sixers lose to the Heat right away.
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Post by m1keyboots on Apr 4, 2019 12:51:53 GMT -5
Bogaerts is divisive among the fanbase? That would mean there are clear groups who think differently completely, about Xander. I thought the groups were "he's fine" and "wish he could have a little more range". I guess I was really wrong lol. If this is the case, then I'm genuinely surprised and would like to know if that's the way it is. This isn't a challenge to you, maybe just because where I live the shortstops are bad on the teams. That's why people like Xander more universally outside of Boston's fanbase? Idk I don't see the passivity we saw from Manny. And we all know no matter how it looks, to play MLB you have to be super focused at shortstop. I can't really remember him making that many errors besides at 3rd, and he showed pretty good body language then, and he was 19 years old I think 20?. Idk. If it's about looking at 3 called strikes I'm not sure what to say apart from sorry you saw that from Manny first. Maybe, you're conflating the two now because of that?. Idk apart from that I don't see many similarities and Manny and Xander. If he is divisive it's a bummer to hear. I guess we should ask him to switch hit Not divisive meaning people think he sucks, but I don't think his greatness is properly appreciated. I'm not arguing something scientific or anything, just stuff I notice from the gameday threads, Red Sox blogs or even this very thread in that you don't have a colossal freakout. Maybe it's because this core has so many great players, but Xander isn't as fiercely lauded as Mookie and to me at least a part of that is due to their difference in personality. Don't take my word for it though, I'm far from an expert and this could be me creating narratives where there isn't one. But I do think he's underrated. Xander is very professional, while Manny certainly could have done better at many things in that area. But you know, he put in far more effort than most people realize. You don't become one of if not the best RH hitter from your generation if you don't try hard, and I'm sure Manny did it. I see some unpretentious nature about them that may rub people wrong, it's a side effect of having a more laid back personality (granted, Manny was a more extrovert character than Bogaerts, but the body language is similar). Your mistakes will get extrapolated and conflated with lack of effort. You'd never call Mookie or Benny lazy, but people might be more willing to do that with Xander. Point is, he isn't IMO as unanimously considered great as other Red Sox greats. Hey if that's the explanation that's what it is. I may have grown up with a different understanding of divisive. Meaning, Xander has divided fans. Xander has divided fans on the definition of "divisive". He's very good. He's not the hitter, baserunner, or fielder that Mookie is, he's not a left-handed college star, like Beni or a gold Glover like JBJ. He brings different things to the table though. 7-9 years ago Xander was BIG NEWS. Someone said something great on MLB Network "you never notice Bogaerts is there at short". It's a good description he doesn't bring attention onto hims. He may not have "lived up to lofty exp." And that could be why some ppl more willing to turn on him? I'll still never understand the Manny-Xander comparison and you'll never find a bigger Manny apologist that me. If you saw XB slump his shoulders, or some sort of body language, then you saw it. I just think that comparison is a reach. It may sound combative but for me he always does the next right thing. I do understand Boston Sports Writers can be babbling, insatiable whiners. So, I can see what you're saying about someone having an issue with Bogaerts. Hopefully everyone sees that first prober story, chuckles at it, and sets it down. Like you (or no if that's the case) I know all about terrible behavior after striking out. Or booting a grounder, maybe airmailing cutoff throws. I haven't seen it once from Bogaerts. Maybe some pitchers, maybe Devers. Maybe Swihart. Edit :for horrendous grammar.
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Post by m1keyboots on Apr 3, 2019 15:21:48 GMT -5
"Goofy looking? What are you looking at? I love this kid. He is super intelligent, and IS a very nice looking gentleman. I only wish our whole roster was Xander like He has a calm and very laid back demeanor, he doesn't look like Mookie or JBJ in that you see the sheer unadulterated intense focus in their eyes. It's a personality thing and by no means I meant it as a criticism, Xander is probably my favorite Red Sox player. This may sound weird, but I see some idealized version of Manny Ramirez in him, the good kind of goofy. Fun kind of goofy, never crossing the unprofessional line. However it's something to consider in why it seems frustrating when he takes a bad AB (and I posted that still thinking about his 3 called strikes AB to end the game) or make an error, his body language suggests low effort and that's why he'll always be kind of divisive among the fanbase. Not to me though, I love his game and we're lucky to have him for his peak. Bogaerts is divisive among the fanbase? That would mean there are clear groups who think differently completely, about Xander. I thought the groups were "he's fine" and "wish he could have a little more range". I guess I was really wrong lol. If this is the case, then I'm genuinely surprised and would like to know if that's the way it is. This isn't a challenge to you, maybe just because where I live the shortstops are bad on the teams. That's why people like Xander more universally outside of Boston's fanbase? Idk I don't see the passivity we saw from Manny. And we all know no matter how it looks, to play MLB you have to be super focused at shortstop. I can't really remember him making that many errors besides at 3rd, and he showed pretty good body language then, and he was 19 years old I think 20?. Idk. If it's about looking at 3 called strikes I'm not sure what to say apart from sorry you saw that from Manny first. Maybe, you're conflating the two now because of that?. Idk apart from that I don't see many similarities and Manny and Xander. If he is divisive it's a bummer to hear. I guess we should ask him to switch hit
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Post by m1keyboots on Apr 2, 2019 11:46:29 GMT -5
I have to admit, checking the thread a couple days ago and even now I did not imagine that people would ever have a problem with the money or the contract. I know, I know. :/
An A level baseball player, by all accounts and A+ level man, brother, son and teammate. Signed for what would be a discount on the open market even today. Less than he'd receive in FA despite the drought. Signed for less for all the right reasons. Never has a bad word to say about the fan base or the writers are coaches or anything really. Living his dream as he described it. Not taking more than what he needed (and wanted), and is grateful all the time. I'll say it, in case no one else has. What more could you expect from an elite level, homegrown athlete? Celibacy? Have him turn lefty?
Some still find problems with it. I think it's misplaced Mookie frustration. For me and most other people it feels good to have some guys who so obviously care about winning and comraderie. It's all what we enjoyed about baseball and per his talent, he took less money to keep it that way.
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Post by m1keyboots on Apr 1, 2019 14:16:14 GMT -5
Like everyone else has said, I think this is a great deal and love that it puts Bogaerts in a position to be a lifetime Red Sox. I think one great residual is that it makes me more optimistic about JD sticking around. Both are represented by Boras. Must drive Boras a little bit nuts when Sox players tell him that they love it here and just get me a fair deal so I can stay. Is Tek the first one way back when? They are, at the same time, gambling a little on themselves. It's a good deal for both sides in a way with the opt-out. It is representative of ability to sign other players. Mookie maybe FA, maybe resign Beni in a year? I remain hopeful for more offense from Xander, and that is mighty greedy. Edit for spelling
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Post by m1keyboots on Mar 20, 2019 13:49:23 GMT -5
Swihart should have been traded for something a couple years ago. He's likely a good catcher he's just obviously not the red sox favorite "good" catcher and unfortunately for Swihart fans, that's all that matters in the end. This is my problem with the catching situation - if by "good" you mean above average then probably none of our options are good to start the season. Leon and Vazquez very likely never get to good, Swihart could get there but needs playing time. Last year was very frustrating at the catching position and, if Swihart doesn't turn into that good player, then it's likely to be a point of frustration for the foreseeable future. It just doesn't seem like a good team building move to ditch a high upside player for the sake of keeping two below-average, minimal upside catchers. Keep either Vazquez or Leon for the stability and Swihart for the upside. Keeping Leon and Vazquez just seems like you're locking in a below average output for the next 2-4 years and I don't know why the team would do that. Yeah, that's what I meant. I think there is some "good"Ness in what CV and Leon bring. The handling of staff, the ability to at times be good throwers and for the most part CV can put the bat on the ball and Leon is Leon Swihart hasnt really shown anything, but for being a quick catcher. This isn't a slight on him, he hasn't had a shot. However after winning the world series with CV/Leon and their production I think it's fine to keep both for a couple years. I was just hoping the cries for the purging of say our catchers, or center fielder, for more offense. It's always more offense. Luckily the bosox know the game is about more.
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Post by m1keyboots on Feb 26, 2019 11:32:01 GMT -5
Soxjim, I agree with a lot of your assessment. It’s obviously hard to expect a similar year from Mookie, but I did see one article that showed he had a very large reduction in his dependency on backspin, which correlates with an *unliklihood* of negative regression (in other words, since backspin helps distance, players in the highest backspin %iles are likelier to regress production-wise; Mookie OTOH has results from improved barreling and hard contact). And JDM might not put up the same numbers, but he’s been at this level, or close, for a while. There’s no indicator that he’s going to backslide significantly. JBJ made a real swing change, worked on it extensively in the off-season, and it coincided with much-improved results. That’s a big positive indicator. Pearce replaces Hanley, which is a plus. Holt had a bat/swing/approach change, sellingbout for some power, with positive results (and which matters given Pedroia’s health). And I think you’re right in that it’s fair to predict improvement from both Beni (poor second half, still very young), and Devers (major issues with selectivity, but pretty solid IsoP and IsoD even so, and he’s SUPER young). As you say, all teams go through slumps, and the Sox has some meh offensive stretches last year. But they didn’t lose 3 in a row until what, August against TB? I see just as many signs of the offense being slightly better (and that’s not even addressing the horrible year offensively all-around at C) as being any worse. You're spot on. To be honest for myself I wouldn't mind at all if Mookie had another 2017 with that defense and baserunning. I can't make myself too greedy and expect Mookie to be that good all the time. It darn near looked like he had extra feet between him and the pitcher
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Post by m1keyboots on Feb 26, 2019 11:29:10 GMT -5
I think the defensive value, leadership among players that he's grown in the system with and trust among those veteran pitchers, combined with the ability to hit and run make CV more valuable than Swihart could ever be save for a 15-15 season.
Swihart should have been traded for something a couple years ago. He's likely a good catcher he's just obviously not the red sox favorite "good" catcher and unfortunately for Swihart fans, that's all that matters in the end.
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Post by m1keyboots on Dec 2, 2018 4:40:12 GMT -5
This is entirely 100% speculative, but occasionally I wonder if Mookie thinks about the treatment Adam Jones got from the right field fans in Fenway, and thinks about the fact that he plays right in front of those same fans, and wonders if Boston is really the place he wants to spend his whole career. I worry about that too. The sad part is, I think it happens everywhere (I’ve spent plenty of time in Atlanta, Houston, Palo Alto, central Maine), and I think it’s a “story” because it’s Boston. But you’re absolutely right, I can’t imagine that NOT being something in the back of his mind. I don't like much adding onto a long thread, but I will. having been to Fenway many times much like a lot of us I think we can all say there are some downsides to Fenway Park and the city when it comes to baseball and players wanting to stay there.the team does have the fact that many of the core players grew up in the system with him, but mentor David Price won't be around for too much longer, and neither will JD Martinez if we're talking terms of lifetime contract. mookie has already said many times he does not want to be in the spotlight, and Boston seems to be a city that eats players alive who do not relish the spotlight God forbid they do something wrong. for goodness sakes nomar garciaparra save somebody's life in the harbor and to this day they are still sections who boo him ;/At least he doesn't have Boras
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Post by m1keyboots on Dec 1, 2018 8:48:30 GMT -5
This is really old, but cutters never hurt at least the way I was shown. It's a simply manipulation of the middle finger and you're throwing a fastball. Where as the curve obviously you're snapping as soon as the release occurs. When my elbow has ached I can feel pain trying to throw curves. Anecdotal and pointless but still There are a lot of factors here, including arm fitness and neuromuscular control. Once you get to the major league level, it seems to be velocity more than anything else contributes most to elbow and shoulder stress, followed by sliders (which cutters are a variant of). There is a lot of good information here: www.drivelinebaseball.com/2017/02/fastballs-offspeed-pitches-comparative-relative-elbow-stress/Also a common theme being screwballs and splitters thrown incorrectly do much damage. However the overwhelming theme from ML pitchers seems to be throwing hard is what hurts. However throwing 91 yo sliders can't be good. When i watch Sherzer I can only cringe at the player he may be in 3 years.
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Post by m1keyboots on Sept 11, 2018 9:31:32 GMT -5
What's crazy is Jose Ramirez is still going bonkers with the counting stats. The man will end up at a 40-35 season with 100/100 rbi-runs scored and close to 40 doubles with good defense at several positions for a first place club. I STILL feel Lindor is more valuable. There really are 3 legit MVP candidates this year and when people force Bregman and his insane stats at home in the second half into the discussion along with Lindor, JD, and obviously the incomparable Mike Trout the field is crazy for the MVP. Still feel like Mooks deserves it more though changes the game more than anyone in every facet of the game
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Post by m1keyboots on Sept 11, 2018 9:25:49 GMT -5
I don't think his elbow will let him throw the curve anymore, at least not consistently. I haven't followed him too closely so maybe someone can confirm, but I would guess that his bad streak to start the season had to do with the transition to where he is now. I know I watched at least one game early in the season where he wouldn't throw his curve and he only had two pitches that game. Was a "bend but don't break" kind of performance. Where he is now seems to be a recipe to dominate and I'd be thrilled if he's this kind of pitcher for the next 4+ years. It's weird to say this, but his tenure with the Sox has been oddly perfect. He hasn't been so good that there's any real concern of him opting out of his contract, particularly with the elbow issue, but there's reason to believe that he could live up to his contract if this new version is here to stay and he doesn't need his curve to dominate. From what I remember, cutters are a lot harder on an elbow than a curve. This is really old, but cutters never hurt at least the way I was shown. It's a simply manipulation of the middle finger and you're throwing a fastball. Where as the curve obviously you're snapping as soon as the release occurs. When my elbow has ached I can feel pain trying to throw curves. Anecdotal and pointless but still
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Post by m1keyboots on Aug 28, 2018 12:47:50 GMT -5
It may have been nothing more than re-working the pitch mix and fine-tuning the command of those pitches. He doesn't throw 96-97 anymore but he can still clock it in at 93-94, and the cutter and the change are very effective playing off each other. BR has him at 3.7 wins above average so far. That's just about good enough to make his pay grade for the year, and it isn't over yet. Nice recovery. I like the new David Price. Tosses the cutter anywhere from 87-92. It seems like ppl cannot pick up the change up and his fastball which he sinks also can have a tiny cut at 92-94. I used to worry that he never broke out the curve but when people are looking silly swinging at cutters it's pretty satisfying. The 97mph Price we signed was never going to last and even now it seems like some people will never be satisfied with DP. The Bosox aren't where they are without him though. Those 3 huge starts one being against the Yankees where the Sox went 16 and 2...That was bug time pitching. It also seems like he's well liked in the clubhouse. Everything certain* media members would not have you believe. When Mookie and Benny are pointing directly at DP after big moments it's obvious hes looked at as a leader, at least among the younger guys.
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Post by m1keyboots on Aug 28, 2018 12:33:57 GMT -5
Can't imagine they call Chavis up for such a limited role when he's likely starting 2019 in AAA no matter what barring multiple significant injury issues. But who knows? Devil's advocate: If he gets five plate appearances in the month, that's five more than he'd have gotten if they didn't call him up, he won't burn an option, and he's getting added to the 40-man anyway. Not totally dissimilar from Moncada in 2016 - I didn't think he was quite ready either, and it didn't really change his 2017 path. As long as they don't, like, name Chavis the starting third baseman and then realize two days later that was an awful idea. With the success Chavis having after that 80 game, comparing to what (methinks) happened to Moncadas confidence, idk. I guess if we're just bringing up guys bc we can in September without consequence then cool. Question: can he even play in MLB the same year after a suspension is up, sort of like Cano cannot play in the playoffs?
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Post by m1keyboots on Aug 22, 2018 8:57:24 GMT -5
Tzu-Wei Lin & Bobby Poyner & a PTBNL or cash for Will Smith I'm not sure if Poyner would be enough to get a proven lefty closer in the tough NL West when they know we need lefty help. Also there are a lot of other teams that can offer better deals. I sure do like the thought process though! I'm just not sure how his stuff would play against the Indians and Yanks. That low 90s fastball and low 80s slider doesn't jump out at you. This Melanson constantly in question and Strickland still working his way back (his rise would be what gets us Smith) a lot of things have to go right. I was kind of hoping for a guy like Jose Alvarado or maybe even Amir Garrett no matter the cost with him.
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Post by m1keyboots on Aug 15, 2018 6:39:29 GMT -5
People are unhappy with this version of Kimbrel. 2017 Kimbrel was almost a year of death. When does that happen?
Picky picky. Michael liske the posters who threw Porcello undet the bus after Toronto IMO
I love this staff. Knock wood
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