1/Forgive the string, some thoughts on the Girardi firing: I feel like this is the movie project that has has gone through 2 directors and a lead actor who have all failed, but I put more weight on the directors. The Klentak/Dombrowski regimes gave Girardi a Frankenstein's 2/monster of stars but no depth, defense, quality bullpen or ready help from the farm system. The fervor to get back to the playoffs has led to franchise record spending (good for ownership), but lack of perspective of what was working elsewhere and addressing the deficiencies.

1/This is what I wrote at the end of the year on why I would give Wheeler the NL Cy Young, nothing has changed: "Here is another place in which I would put up a sign: “beWARe.” Because you know who is fifth in the NL in pitching WAR (Fangraphs)? That would be Jacob deGrom, who 2/pitched as many second-half 2021 innings as Jerry Koosman. DeGrom’s high WAR is part of what I will call “Rate World,” where the percentage performance is the star. And in “Rate World,” Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes is the NL Cy Young winner. Maybe the real world, too. This is one

1/Maddest Tommy Lasorda ever was at me story: He was so great with me during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney when he managed the team. I had gotten to know him well through Bobby Valentine when Bobby was managing the Mets. So Tommy was giving me extra time before and after games 2/I think this was a day before the US played Cuba in the gold medal game, he said, "so you know I don't get a gold medal if we win." I said, yes, it is not like rings in MLB, coaches don't get anything at the Olympics, just the athletes. Tommy is getting hot about how much

1/MLB put out a strongly worded statement in response to Justin Turner's actions following G6: “Immediately upon receiving notice from the laboratory of a positive test, protocols were triggered, leading to the removal of Justin Turner from last night’s game. Turner was placed 2/into isolation for the safety of those around him. However, following the Dodgers’ victory, it is clear that Turner chose to disregard the agreed-upon joint protocols and the instructions he was given regarding the safety and protection of others. While a desire to celebrate

1/nypost.com/2020/10/26/wor… In this column for Tuesday's paper, I wrote about the victory over finishing the season, but cautioned with these words:
"No bows yet. I talk to enough major league officials who still daily dread the email with COVID-19 test results, knowing just how 2/destructive even one positive would be before the finish line. MLB is trying to complete the 116th World Series with cases rising precipitously around the world and nationwide again. A curfew was put in place in El Paso, Texas, 600 miles across the state from Globe Life Field,

1/Boone did not want to give reasons for why he is going with Garcia in Game 2, so I will try to guess along: 1. Probably feels Cole will give length today and will have full bullpen available to help Garcia tomorrow. 2. Likes Tanaka in G3 that can be clinch, win-or-go-home or 2/break a 1-1 tie. 3. #Rays play a lot of quick switch in game with LH/RHs. So starting a RH who might only go 1 time through lineup, Boone will force Cash to decide if he is starting his heavy LH-hit lineup and then will flip to face perhaps Happ or Montgomery. My hunch, Boone

1/an unwritten rule is never tweet while on vacation. I will break that because of the stupidity surrounding the 3-0 grand slam by Fernando Tatis Jr. I will not reiterate points others have made well, but will throw one in that I have not seen. Baseball is a serial game, played 2/near daily (2020 proviso: except for when a pandemic prevents that). So what happens Monday, impacts Tuesday, etc., especially surrounding pitching usage. How many times have we seen a team with a big lead have it whittled late and still hang on to win but have to use or warm

1/On the 2d weekend of this MLB season, 20 percent of the teams are not playing. Manfred told Clark/PA that game could shut down if rampant cases do not stop. MLB faces 3 problems: 1) it might not be able to keep the virus from overwhelming teams. 2) competitive integrity already 2/an issue in a 60-game season becomes more so when teams have their number of games impacted, which players they have available and prep time to be ready to play once they return. 3) Injuries, especially for pitchers, already are worrisome. To continue to have clubs stop and

1/Forgive a string on the current state of the schedule. What exists today is a version that on Thursday was okayed by the union and has the #Yankees at #Nationals on 7/23. But now that version of the schedule is out with teams, who will provide feedback. 2/Keep in mind that in a standard yr an MLB sked is a Jenga game of moving parts with what facilities are available when, what do national TV partners need, following off day provisions in the CBA, etc. So imagine even with far fewer games the variables being weighed now.

1/ nypost.com/2020/06/15/rob… forgive a thread in conjunction with this column. We are in the player empowerment era and thinking players will -- or should -- just shut up and dribble or be grateful for what they make and just accept whatever is pushed on them is silly and wrong. 2/Will the NBA work out its issues and play? I don't know, but I think they have the best chance to get this right of any league because the players appear to believe Adam Silver cares about them, has their best interest at heart, understands that they are the game. For most of

1/Thx Jayson. Wondering if right offer now is ask players to pick: something like 56 Gs full prorated. Or 66/76 Gs with less prorated, but chance at each # of Gs if revenues are there this season to go over 100 pct prorated plus some future benefits to free agency/mimimum wage.

https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/1271440974015877120

2/This way if the principle is what is most vital, players get 100 pct prorated. But also offer a realistic pathway to at least 100 pct (maybe more) if the sides work together and can figure out a way to drive up revenues in a shortened season. Plus gain future perks

1/Some quick thoughts on #Yankees reaching agreement with Tulowitzki. They thought he looked athletic and healthy in workouts and see agreement as low-risk (MLB minimum)/potential high reward. Plan is for him to play SS. If he is even league avg and provides a bridge until 2/Gregorius returns, it would be a win for the NYY considering the low cost. Obviously the big question is what does this mean for Machado. It gives the NYY a bit more leverage if they are following their planned script - to offer fewer yrs/$ than #Phillies #Whitesox are likely

1/I’ll foolishly try this 1 last time: trades don’t get done quickly because all kinds of permutations are discussed and there are usually multiple teams involved and multiple voices in each organization. Maybe #Mets are about to trade Dunn, Kelenic, McNeil for a Happy Meal. 2/Players names get leaked for a variety of reasons, but not until a deal is done is it all understood. It is possible only 1 of those prospects are involved or 3 or none or there is a third team or other players. Also, the NYM know more about their prospects than all of us