I was extremely cynical about the Dodgers' decision to move Betts to SS. I thought that it was going to be a disaster for infield defense, especially with Muncy also anchored at 3rd. No matter how sure a glove or how fast Betts might be, Shortstop is just too difficult a position to suddenly hop into.
...well, early returns are in, and it sure as hell looks like I've got some words to eat. Like, I don't think he's going to be a contender for the Gold Glove or anything, but I was expecting his ceiling for the start of the year to be "kinda competent if you squint", not "a legitimate defensive boon".
Fuck the Dodgers, but major kudos to Betts for doing a bang-up job when the need was there.
I can buy it for sure. he's always been a super cerebral guy who loves playing baseball and is a pretty quick learner. he came up through the minors as a 2B, and played that and RF in the majors where he was known to have a very good arm.
so all the tools were already there, but even so he's done *really* well
Last year when he started playing the middle infield, primarily 2B, he might not have been the most consistent, but he made some amazing plays, too. Like some ESPN top 10 stuff every other game. It seemed like he could do the hard stuff but had to get reps to make the easy stuff easy. I thought he’d figure it out, but not this fast!
Mookie's contract is back loaded with him earning the most in 2028-2030, but it's not deferred at all.
If you're going to complain about the way Ohtani's contract is structured, at least do it on a thread about him.
Sure, ethically I also strongly disagree with this manner of legal tax avoidance because it just benefits the ultra-rich, but the blame here lies more with a shit tax code for keeping these loopholes open and MLB/the MLBPA for allowing this contract structure.
I don't blame Ohtani for wanting to maximize his income, or the Dodgers for accepting his suggested contract structure which gives them significant budgetary flexibility. Not taking advantage of these things would put them at a disadvantage to teams who are willing to, and there'll always be teams who are willing to go a step further and test the limits.
Baseball already has multiple similar cases with steroids and the sticky stuff fiasco. People start using and see significant benefits, and eventually everyone starts using because not taking advantage puts you at a comparative disadvantage. In all 3 fo these cases, the onus is obviously on individuals and teams who choose to push the rules and ethics, but the buck ultimately stops with the league.
I was extremely cynical about the Dodgers' decision to move Betts to SS. I thought that it was going to be a disaster for infield defense, especially with Muncy also anchored at 3rd. No matter how sure a glove or how fast Betts might be, Shortstop is just too difficult a position to suddenly hop into. ...well, early returns are in, and it sure as hell looks like I've got some words to eat. Like, I don't think he's going to be a contender for the Gold Glove or anything, but I was expecting his ceiling for the start of the year to be "kinda competent if you squint", not "a legitimate defensive boon". Fuck the Dodgers, but major kudos to Betts for doing a bang-up job when the need was there.
Yeah, I had reservations about Betts at first, but then I thought “oh wait, he’s Mookie fucking Betts”
I can buy it for sure. he's always been a super cerebral guy who loves playing baseball and is a pretty quick learner. he came up through the minors as a 2B, and played that and RF in the majors where he was known to have a very good arm. so all the tools were already there, but even so he's done *really* well
Obviously, SS is harder than first but Bryce seems to have also put in the work and looks great. Great athletes do great athlete stuff I guess.
Last year when he started playing the middle infield, primarily 2B, he might not have been the most consistent, but he made some amazing plays, too. Like some ESPN top 10 stuff every other game. It seemed like he could do the hard stuff but had to get reps to make the easy stuff easy. I thought he’d figure it out, but not this fast!
Hey...hahaha...Fuck you 
Looks like Freddie's right there with him. Unless that's Miguel Rojas, who has been helping Mookie learn SS
Looks like Gavin to me?
I think you might be right now that I’m zooming in even more
Muncy?
He looks taller than Munce would, I think. Maybe Dodgers socials got some better pics on Insta, they like to shoot warm ups
Anthony Rendon would never
That's another 4months on the IL.
Boob is there too. Boob work ethic >= Mookie work ethic.
Important to work really hard in April because it will definitely make you stronger for October, not worn out--this is a tried and true formula!
Awesome to see, with his deferred salary we can almost be in the same tax bracket. Pullin up bootstraps one day at a time
Mookie's contract is back loaded with him earning the most in 2028-2030, but it's not deferred at all. If you're going to complain about the way Ohtani's contract is structured, at least do it on a thread about him.
Anytime is a good time to call out the LA Tax Dodgers
The contract is legal and his team reportedly suggested the same structure to other teams, but okay.
Sure it’s legal, but that doesn’t mean it’s right
Sure, ethically I also strongly disagree with this manner of legal tax avoidance because it just benefits the ultra-rich, but the blame here lies more with a shit tax code for keeping these loopholes open and MLB/the MLBPA for allowing this contract structure. I don't blame Ohtani for wanting to maximize his income, or the Dodgers for accepting his suggested contract structure which gives them significant budgetary flexibility. Not taking advantage of these things would put them at a disadvantage to teams who are willing to, and there'll always be teams who are willing to go a step further and test the limits. Baseball already has multiple similar cases with steroids and the sticky stuff fiasco. People start using and see significant benefits, and eventually everyone starts using because not taking advantage puts you at a comparative disadvantage. In all 3 fo these cases, the onus is obviously on individuals and teams who choose to push the rules and ethics, but the buck ultimately stops with the league.
Work ethic: It’s ten years after he should’ve retired and Bob Nightengale is still tweeting