This is easily the most disappointing season since 2008. Other than the step forward from Skubal and the emergence of Faedo, it's been one calamity after another
Saw an interesting article in the Freep about Carpenter. Robson was after to tweak his swing all last year. Carpenter didn't want to do it, but tried a couple of adjustments in the offseason and eventually spent a few days with Robson's hitting coach. The change in his swing seemed to result in a big power increase right away and its carried over into the season
One subtle but important point...I'm not concerned about legalized betting...I'm pretty Libertarian when it comes to what are traditionally considered "vices". My concern is with broadcasters running ads for gambling and then acting as touts to encourage people to gamble. You don't often hear them touting alcohol or weed right before an ad for beer. Part of being FCC licensed...IIRC...is serving the public good. Acting as a shill for gambling marks is a walking a bit of a line in my view....
I was waiting for someone to bring that one up...and while I agree that the concern I voiced is indeed the top of a slippery slope, I think the an addiciton to gambling is worse...possibly because I know people who have dealt with it and I don't really know anyone addicted to beer.
97.1 spends a lot of time discussing betting lines as a part of their broadcast (at least in the evening on my way home from work) and they run a ton of ads for casinos.
That seems like an unholy alliance....encouraging what becomes addictive behavior for many
Jalen Duren has the same 7-5 wingspan as Chet and is built like an actual athlete...scouts say he has some potential for some midrange offense to develop on top of the put backs and lobs. Maybe it's just me...but I would take him over Chet. Wouldn't mind him at 5...if the Blazers send us that 7 pick in a Grant deal, I would definitely take him then.
Shaedon Sharpe and Duren is my swing for the fences draft
Al Al has been a good soldier...give him the Devellano treatment. Slide him to the side with executive duties and make Epstein your GM in charge of personnel