200 Edition Mailbag PART 1
Edition #197
Well, folks?
We’re (almost) 200 editions in Sports Square.
About 2-3 weeks ago, I began taking questions for a Sports Square mailbag, diving deep into several sports. We got a lot of questions to get to, so let’s get rolling!! We’re going to do part 1 and part 2.
REASON FOR PART 1 AND PART 2:
With the Blake Snell signing headlining November 25th in the MLB, and some timely MLB questions related to free agency in here, I split apart these two sections.
Angus Merry: Where is Soto going?
The Soto case really is a mystery, because even with the Mets being favorites, and the A’s being least favorites, anything can happen.
The Mets are willing to offer him quite a bit of money more than any other team, but the Dodgers or the Yankees are the most championship-ready.
Here’s the catch, though. Unlike Ohtani, Soto already has a championship on his belt, meaning that he might just go for the money. The New York Mets are a team that can compete for a championship soon, as well as have the flexibility to offer money to superstars like Soto. The Dodgers, who just signed Blake Snell to a 5-year deal, can definitely spend, but $186 million + another 700? We all know Soto doesn’t prefer the West Coast as well. Give me the Mets.
So, 12 years, $650 million. The Yankees are going to try. Even the Dodgers will ($550 million). Don’t forget about the Red Sox. David Ortiz will try to bring him there, and Rafael Devers's influence is even more impactful.
(MLB The Show has him going to the Royals.)
Should the NBA keep the In-Season Tournament? Any details about it? || Rylan Hurlbut
Yes! Please keep the NBA In-Season Tournament.
In all sports, there are 3 types of fans. Advanced fans are people who watch every/almost every game (of their team, or in the NBA), and keep track of all the stats in their head. Fans are people who don’t watch every single game, but they do keep track of how the team/NBA is doing. The other type of people are the people who don’t care, and tune in during the NBA Finals.
Right before the NBA In-Season Tournament started last year, I actually went ahead and asked fans on social media and in person about the regular season in the NBA. Around 67% of people I asked said that 82 regular season games are way too long, and they would never watch every single game. Why? Because there is no sort of competition involved, and even though they’re fighting for the first seed, unless you’re in April or May, there’s always the next game to clinch a spot, or to make your mark.
It really helps the NBA landscape on the business side of things.
Jacob Sutton: Current number of threes being shot by teams at the NBA level: good or bad for the game?
You tell me, Jacob? What do people like the most in any sport?
A scoring frenzy.
That’s why I think defense is the most underrated part of any sport. We all say, “Offense wins games. Defense wins championships,” but in reality, it’s the opposite.
I think this is really good, not just for us fans, but for the NBA. A scoring frenzy gets us all hyped up (good for us), and then gets the NBA hyped up because of great ticket sales for following games, or viewership sales.
That being said, no one expected the 3-point game to go up so much, so quickly. But, with the game being how it is right now, it is so valuable to get as many 3-point attempts up, as over the last 20 years, NBA players have averaged more points off three-point shots. 100 mid-range jumpers will provide 79 points on average, while 100 above-the-break 3s would provide 105, according to a source.
The Leadoff Baseball Report: What do you think Ohtani's career is going to be like once he's done pitching? Like he's getting older and has already had 2 TJ's. How long until he's done pitching? After that will he move to OF or maybe even First Base or do you think he'll be a full time DH?
If this is what you’re thinking: Ohtani won’t be able to go with the two-way game any longer, then you and I are thinking along the same lines.
But, you’re wrong.
There’s a reason the Dodgers gave him $700 million. Not just to hit, but to pitch, which was a huge part of the contract. The Dodgers needed a pitcher and were in a dire situation. Yeah, I get the fact that Soto is going to get the same contract, and he’s probably going to only be a hitter as well.
But, you’re not even factoring in Ohtani.
This is a guy that’s been training to be a pitcher and a hitter his whole life. This is what he spent years working towards and dreaming about. Is he going to give it up just because the Dodgers say so? No!
Now, if the change happens, it depends on if they sign Soto this offseason (most likely not). If Soto signs with the Dodgers, Ohtani’s going to the outfield, and because of Juan’s defense, he’ll be a DH. Ohtani can resign from his pitcher duties whenever. If Soto doesn't sign with LA, and the Dodgers resign Teoscar Hernandez, Ohtani will not move from the pitcher position until Teoscar leaves LAD or retires. Then he’ll become whatever he wants. Outfielder or DH.
Not a first baseman, though. The Dodgers have too many great catchers in the farm system that have to be used, and once Freddie Freeman retires, Dalton Rushing is going to be that guy.
Elliot Ralder: Is Saquon Barkley really the best running back in the NFL?
Lol. The fact that I’m writing this right after Saquon’s 255-yard game against the Rams, gives me so many details to prove it true.
But, I honestly don’t know.
The reason why Saquon is looking so good right now is because the Eagles are letting him succeed. The Eagles have always been a rush-heavy offense, but this year, they let him fly. His RB skills are no doubt on another level.
On the other hand, you have Derrick Henry, who’s a power back. A north and south back. But, the most important detail is that Henry is giving competition to a 27-year-old, as a 31-year-old! When you’re 31, especially at the running back position, first thing, how have you survived that many years? That many hits!?
The second thing is, you’re not going to survive any longer, so enjoy your time.
I think the 27-31 factor is the only reason why I’m in a dilemma right now. So, let’s see how things play as the weeks chug along, and we’ll get an answer by then.
I have more than 5 left for part 2. Please share this with everyone you know, and don’t be afraid to respond to my thoughts in the comments below. Any other questions you’d like to add? The comments section is right there for you.
Thanks for reading and being part of the Sports Square community. Part 2 is coming ASAP.
Great take on Soto! Thanks for the shout-out.