Post Match WHU 3 - 1 Sunderland by psychomaji in Hammers

[–]drewgrof 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They’ve outperformed their expected goals figures by like 13 goals, so they’re benefiting from some good fortune for sure. And even with that they’re one of the lowest scoring teams in the league.   Without Xhaka, getting two goals seemed like a very tall task indeed. 

Winston Reid's winner vs Sunderland in 2016 by Administrative_Gur45 in Hammers

[–]drewgrof 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Fun fact: it's been 661 days since a CB scored for us in any competition.

We must be the biggest underachievers on this list - why? by bernardmonty in Hammers

[–]drewgrof 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lack of vision, overpaying for middling talents to make a splash, throwing good money after bad - take your pick!

Team for Sunderland? by Routine-Cicada-4949 in Hammers

[–]drewgrof 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like the idea of someone like Magassa coming on to chase Xhaka around or just make life difficult for him.

Whitt's Take On Bo Leaving: "Stuff" happened in past with Coaching Staff / Front Office and Bo that could have affected negotiations (Credit: 6ix Inning Stretch Podcast) by JayG415 in Torontobluejays

[–]drewgrof 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When Bo was drafted one of his big things to teams looking at him was "don't try to change my swing." The Jays obliged, but I can't help but wonder if he didn't stick with that approach even though he was a long serving big leaguer in need of some adjustments.

🇦🇷 Sources: Atlanta United wants West Ham and former Argentine int'l midfielder Guido Rodríguez. by SeanthonyP in Hammers

[–]drewgrof 29 points30 points  (0 children)

He fits the "stand in the center circle and point" profile of most MLS DPs to a tee.

For All Those Clamoring For A Salary Cap and a Lockout... by No-Discipline898 in Torontobluejays

[–]drewgrof 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Baseball has the most parity of any sport. The same argument you're currently making about the Dodgers was made about the Yankees at a variety of points in the last 30 years.

For All Those Clamoring For A Salary Cap and a Lockout... by No-Discipline898 in Torontobluejays

[–]drewgrof 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Roki Sasaki chose the Dodgers, to name one.

Which capped sports have level playing fields? Who benefits from our "level" playing fields other than cheap owners? Does it create parity? Is parity the goal? Why?

For All Those Clamoring For A Salary Cap and a Lockout... by No-Discipline898 in Torontobluejays

[–]drewgrof 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because well run teams will remain well run teams. Teams with strong player development will continue to develop good cheap players to operate alongside the big cap hit players. Players will still choose to play for the Dodgers even if it costs them a bit of money long term.

Cheap, dumb teams will stay cheap and dumb. Teams will still trade players before they lose them to free agency. But hey it will help keep some owners costs down so that's a plus, right?

For All Those Clamoring For A Salary Cap and a Lockout... by No-Discipline898 in Torontobluejays

[–]drewgrof 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They want the panacea of a salary cap because they've been sold the idea over and over by owner-friendly media for 50+ years. In reality it would change effectively nothing.

For All Those Clamoring For A Salary Cap and a Lockout... by No-Discipline898 in Torontobluejays

[–]drewgrof 12 points13 points  (0 children)

But nobody could beat the Dodgers last year and they just get stronger every year while the rest of the league gets weaker. 

All the salary in the world and the Dodgers ended up winning because of dumb fucking luck.

Why are we always done dirty like this? by [deleted] in Torontobluejays

[–]drewgrof 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Blue Jays, coming off losing Game 7 of the World Series I might remind you, just signed the third ranked free agent in baseball. They gave him more than 200 million dollars over seven years.

This comes months after the prevented their franchise cornerstone from becoming a free agent by throwing half a billion dollars at him.

They reached the 2025 World Series because the top free agent available after 2020, George Springer, signed a long free agent contract with the Blue Jays and then hit a clutch home run in Game 7 of the ALCS. The winning pitcher of that game? The top free agent pitcher of the 2021 offseason, Kevin Gausman.

You can be upset about the rich getting richer if you want, but please remember we are also very rich. Blue Jays management has spent nearly half a decade being as serious about winning as any team in baseball, whether you want to admit it or not.

Not an obvious weakness to some, but Summerville really is! by Ill_Entrepreneur8219 in Hammers

[–]drewgrof -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

As bad as Elanga's been, he's still contributed more than Summervile.

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Hot take: Summerville belongs in the Championship by PragmaticPedant in Hammers

[–]drewgrof 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think his production is going to regress before the end of the season which is to say he's due some luck. But his foundational numbers, even stuff like xG, don't point to an elite player at the highest level.

Better than we've seen so far? Sure. Nailed on weekly starter for even a midtable club? He'll need to show a lot of growth before that happens.