Spaceman Spiff

Yep, Machado does have a higher career WAR...and SS/3B > Outfielder. But Harper has one "Daaaaaaamn, he did THAT!" season, and as good as Manny is, Manny hasn't done that. IMO, if Harper gets more than Manny just did, it's cause a team is gambling on him for 3 or 4 more of those types of seasons. That's why these two are so valuable, it's rare to see guys this young hit the FA market BEFORE hitting their primes. Ultimately, I agree with you, Machado has had a more valuable career thus far. I think that Harper shoe has to drop by Friday at this point.

Nothing he says now can be believed, really. Other than a sincere apology which probably means he's sorry he got busted.

I feel this. More excited about this year, too. I just hope some of the young players step up. Happy for Manny, happy for San Diego. I think the Padres just picked up a few more fans in the mid-Atlantic region.

Ridiculous speed at the bottom of the lineup is nice, but a lineup is structured so your better hitters get more at bats, not less. I'd imagine that they do that to get his feet wet to a certain extent but if he's got a high OBP later on in the summer they're limiting themselves if they're limiting the amount of at bats he gets. It's nice if he can turn the lineup over but that'll be tricky, especially if they bat the pitcher 8th ahead of him. It's why they'd put Willie Mays in the leadoff slot in all-star games. Wanted to get him up as much as possible.

Manny's better, but not as marketable. I think Harper gets more.

Thanks, TTB! For the record I only posted it here when I went to CNN.com and it was splashed on the front page and figured it was good tailgate fodder as I said in the OP (where I also said that I hoped this wasn't true). Didn't know I was a right-wing guy. Guess I need to step up my Trump-bashing game so I can fit in with everyone else.

Wait, how can they be NOT anti-Trump then. Sounds like an oxymoron to me.

@CRobi21 I can't look at J Cole without thinking of the dude from counting crows.

The passing is the best thing about this game.

Didn't know that it got pulled back. But I can't imagine that the Nats would let the Phillies swipe him away like that without putting that offer back on the table. If he was going somewhere like San Diego, fine. But in the division? Can't imagine they'd let him go.

I hope so. I don't want him to leave. EDIT: I don't want him to leave, but only if it means they can keep Turner, Rendon, Soto, Robles and others. If he walks and goes to Philly but the Nats end up re-signing the other guys, it'll be worth it.

I thought the Nats offered 10/300? Looks like Harper didn't wanna stay in Washington.

Thanks for clearing it up, I'd read the story but only briefly, didn't remember those details.

What tipped you guys off that his story was fishy? I didn't see anything fishy, then again I wasn't looking at it through a cynical lens.

I'd only heard of this guy after his attack, but in the words of The Dude, "New **** has come to light!" https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/16/entertainment/jussie-smollett-attack/index.html I figured this would be prime Tailgate fodder. I hope he didn't orchestrate this attack. That would be ****ed up on a lot of different levels.

Russell Westbrook is looking like one of Mike Tyson's hype men circa 1990. Diallo did well in an otherwise lackluster competition.

Wow, so you can jump over anyone and get a 50? I'm gonna use a trampoline and jump over Muggsy Bogues.

You can't jump over d-wade after Diallo jumped over Shaq.

Jumping over Shaq, I dig it.

That Dennis Smith Jr. dunk was pretty nice.

How the hell is that a 42?

That was pretty good, but only a 50 cause the rest have been subpar. Nice Larry Johnson jersey though. what the **** is this ****

Complete ass tonite. That Dennis Smith Jr. dunk was nice but it took him forever.

That first one was terrible.

Oh Shaq.... And then Kenny Smith not letting it go...