Hot Stove League '07-'08

[cryptique]

Ah, I see. I tend to agree with this. However, doesn't holding even one person accountable make a difference?

We'll see what happens to the other players whose names surface from the Mitchell investigation. Bonds is under indictment for perjury and obstruction of justice, but I haven't heard any talk of punishment for him based on his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

 

If those other players start getting banned from the game, then yeah, maybe it'll make a difference. But I don't think Selig is the right commissioner for that sort of action. (Just another reason on top of the already huge stack of reasons that Selig needs to go.)

 

How about I would bet my life on it.

I would too.

[bobbob1313]

The Red Sox and Mike Lowell have agreed to a three-year deal that will keep the World Series MVP in Boston, according to baseball sources close to the negotiations. Sources indicate that the three year deal is worth in the $36-$38 million range.

 

Good on you, Mikey.

 

Thats a lot of money for a guy whose gonna hit like 50 home runs over the course of the contract, but I'm a fan of him, so I'm happy for him.

[Twisted Acres]

wow, some hefty activity today. Glad that Lowell gets to bask in the afterglow of a world championship for a few years. Always hated when players leave their team right after winning a WS.

 

Does this open a full-time spot at SS for super-sub Macier Izturis in Anaheim?

[Lammycat]

Bonds being tried for perjury doesn't show the other players anything except that on the off chance you are brought before a grand jury (which likely won't happen to 99.9% of players), you shouldn't lie. If he tells the truth to the grand jury and says he used, you know what his penalties are? Nothing.

Bonds being tried for lying about breaking set rules in the game is relevant. I believe it tells other players that MLB continuing to look the other way will no longer be an option. It tells players that no one person, no matter how great of a player, is above the game. It tells players that you cannot, in fact, cheat and get away with it.

 

Continuing to allow Bonds to laugh in the face of the game is the problem that MLB is trying to right. Doing nothing in regards to him would be a step backwards.

[bobbob1313]

wow, some hefty activity today. Glad that Lowell gets to bask in the afterglow of a world championship for a few years. Always hated when players leave their team right after winning a WS.

 

Does this open a full-time spot at SS for super-sub Macier Izturis in Anaheim?

 

I think it opens them for trading for Cabrera (the good one). They'll be more willing to part with some pitching now with Garland.

 

Bonds being tried for lying about breaking set rules in the game is relevant. I believe it tells other players that MLB continuing to look the other way will no longer be an option. It tells players that no one person, no matter how great of a player, is above the game. It tells players that you cannot, in fact, cheat and get away with it.

 

Continuing to allow Bonds to laugh in the face of the game is the problem that MLB is trying to right. Doing nothing in regards to him would be a step backwards.

 

I disagree that this says anything to any players. MLB is still doing nothing about it, so they face no real threat of getting punished, short of the absolutely slim to none chance that the government gets involved. I bet every player who was considering taking them or is currently taking them won't think twice about Bonds getting tried for perjury. Like I said, if he had just said "yeah, I used steroids" on the grand jury, nothing would have happened. So really, there is nothing any player has to fear.

 

He is not being tried for lying about the game. He is being tried for lying about recieving and taking steroids from BALCO.

[Spawn's dad]

How is holding the key figure in the steroids mess accountable not doing something?

 

But he's not 'the key' figure. He's being made out to be the key figure by virtue of

his accomplishments. Is someone who took as much shit but didn't break any records

less guilty?

 

No one is saying Bonds shouldn't be held accountable, but so should everyone else

and that isn't happening yet. Until that happens it's a mission to get one guy and that's

hard to play off as fair.

[ZenLunatic]

I think will all the hatred and embarrasement in public about steriod use in baseball, this will deter young players from making the wrong decision. The consequences of getting caught just isnt worth it. Thats what all this does. As overly done as it is, it is doing good.

[Lammycat]

We've yet to see his punishment (if he is actually convicted of the charges), though. It's entirely possible that MLB hands down a punishment because of the perjury/obstruction charges. If he is convicted, it could be an opportunity for MLB to show some balls and deal out a stiff penalty to Bonds. It's too early to tell what the outcome and punishments will be, but doing nothing is not a better solution.

 

 

I'm glad BOS was able to keep Lowell at a reasonable, yet high, price. They also didn't have to give up young talent (Lester, Buccholz, etc.).

[ZenLunatic]

But he's not 'the key' figure. He's being made out to be the key figure by virtue of

his accomplishments. Is someone who took as much shit but didn't break any records

less guilty?

 

No one is saying Bonds shouldn't be held accountable, but so should everyone else

and that isn't happening yet. Until that happens it's a mission to get one guy and that's

hard to play off as fair.

 

Yeah, I agree.

[Spawn's dad]

I think will all the hatred and embarrasement in public about steriod use in baseball, this will deter young players from making the wrong decision. The consequences of getting caught just isnt worth it. Thats what all this does. As overly done as it is, it is doing good.

 

are you high?

[bobbob1313]

We've yet to see his punishment (if he is actually convicted of the charges), though. It's entirely possible that MLB hands down a punishment because of the perjury/obstruction charges. If he is convicted, it could be an opportunity for MLB to show some balls and deal out a stiff penalty to Bonds. It's too early to tell what the outcome and punishments will be, but doing nothing is not a better solution.

 

That still isn't a penalty for steroid use.

[Lammycat]

nm

[bobbob1313]

nm

 

Huh?

 

Is it a penalty for steroid use? As far as I know, the court trial has nothing to do with either MLB or the fact that he used steroids. They offered him immunity if he had said he used steroids. The trouble is coming from lying to a grand jury.

[ZenLunatic]

are you high?

 

you dont agree? Who would be stupid enough to use steriods right now?

Dont you think steriod use has gone down?

[Lammycat]

That still isn't a penalty for steroid use.

I think it would be implicit that cheating by using banned substances results in punishment whether he was being tried for using steroids or lying about using steroids.

[ction]

Who would be stupid enough to use steriods right now?

 

I would bet that a lot of people are. Not my life, and I'm not 100% sure, but still...

[ZenLunatic]

I would bet that a lot of people are. Not my life, and I'm not 100% sure, but still...

 

I really doubt this. I think it would be stupidest thing a baseball player can do. You'd have to a nutcase to do it.

[bobbob1313]

I think it would be implicit that cheating by using banned substances results in punishment whether he was being tried for using steroids or lying about using steroids.

 

I just can't see how him being in trouble for something that has nothing to do with whether or not he used steroids and has nothing to do with MLB can be seen as a deterent for future players, unless they themselves are working under the assumption that they will be brought before a grand jury and then will lie to said grand jury and then fail a steroid test and then be tried with perjury. If I'm a player and I was going to take steroids, this doesn't make me think twice. If this is the only way you can get in trouble, then I'm taking my chances.

[Spawn's dad]

you dont agree? Who would be stupid enough to use steriods right now?

Dont you think steriod use has gone down?

 

That you're high? No, I absolutely agree with that. However, PED usage has gone up continually over the years. And since what historical peroid have youngins had the foward thinking to worry about stuff like the future?

[cryptique]

you dont agree? Who would be stupid enough to use steriods right now?

Dont you think steriod use has gone down?

The punishments handed out so far for steroid use haven't been all that severe. No real deterrent, I would think.

 

Here's a list. I don't see a lot of deterrent there.

[tongue-tied lightning]

the Angels have been trying to pry Tejada from Baltimore for awhile now. If he isn't on the steroid list maybe he

becomes an Angel.

 

Angels need bats ! Cabrara & Tejada would fit in well.

[Lammycat]

But he's not 'the key' figure. He's being made out to be the key figure by virtue of

his accomplishments. Is someone who took as much shit but didn't break any records

less guilty?

 

No one is saying Bonds shouldn't be held accountable, but so should everyone else

and that isn't happening yet. Until that happens it's a mission to get one guy and that's

hard to play off as fair.

Sure he's the key figure. He broke the record under false pretenses. He helped create the circus that surrounds himself.

 

No one is less guilty if proven to have cheated. I don't know of any documents or books stating that Joe Average Baseball player used steroids, but if there was proof he did he should get the same treatment as Bonds. You can't convict people due to suspicion. Bonds has been tried in public opinion because there is evidence that he cheated. Why should he be given a break- because other players may have cheated and got away with it? Horse shit.

 

Again, I don't see the alternative of doing nothing as a better solution.

 

The punishments handed out so far for steroid use haven't been all that severe. No real deterrent, I would think.

 

Here's a list. I don't see a lot of deterrent there.

Certainly a big part of the problem. Lifetime ban from the game should be the punishment.

[ZenLunatic]

The punishments handed out so far for steroid use haven't been all that severe. No real deterrent, I would think.

 

Here's a list. I don't see a lot of deterrent there.

 

 

I'm talking about the public humilation of all your stats being tainted and all the fans seeing you as a cheater and fake if anything decent is accomplished. That is the deterrent. Exactly what alot of people on this board thinks of anyone who gets caught. They will be go from hero to zero instantly, no thought required.

[Oil Can Boyd]

"Mike Lowell and the Boston Red Sox are on the verge of finalizing a three-year, $37.5 million deal, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports."

 

ESPN

[Lammycat]

"Mike Lowell and the Boston Red Sox are on the verge of finalizing a three-year, $37.5 million deal, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports."

 

ESPN

$12.5/yr is a decent deal. A little steep but it'll be good to have him in a BOS uniform for a few more years. Good deal on the Sox sticking to their agenda with a 3-yr. contract, too.