Juan Soto, Padre

[Natsinpwc]

i'm talking about baseball stars that draw fans into the park, not national media stars. I agree with your earlier point about spending and competition, i'm just saying that the truly successful teams are ones that grow their own stars.

The Cards are interesting because they have several good homegrown players and then traded for their two every day stars.  If you have a glut of everyday players you will win and that will draw fans. Stars can help sell tickets but don’t have to have.  But depends on the definition also.

[HalfSmokes]

I think other sports with a total lack of parity are fine because people root for the stars as much as the team. kids seem fine being Luka or Giannis fans rather than caring about the local team. Baseball just doesn’t have that level of star, so when you team is hopeless there isn’t much pulling you in.

[UMDNats]

Ohtani is the only guy in baseball I can see moving someone from a "I'm not going to the game today" to "Yeah I'll go"

[imref]

Last 10 games: .143   .318   .229, 2 for 16 so far in September (5 games).

This is really odd.

[imref]

Ohtani is the only guy in baseball I can see moving someone from a "I'm not going to the game today" to "Yeah I'll go"

Max or deGrom pitching.

[Natsinpwc]

Last 10 games: .143   .318   .229, 2 for 16 so far in September (5 games).

This is really odd.

May be hurting. Or just pressing.

[Senatorswin]

No, thats bad for baseball. That means ownership groups spending less money.

If owners start spending less possibly they would stop trying to make up for their spending by passing it on to the fan trying to go to a game.

[imref]

Soto just came out of the game after getting beaned in the shoulder during his AB in the 5th, he was 0-1.

[nfotiu]

.107/.286/.107 in September.

His .727 OPS for the Padres isn't quite a disaster, but his .218 avg/.345 slg is about what we're getting from Robles.

[imref]

.107/.286/.107 in September.

His .727 OPS for the Padres isn't quite a disaster, but his .218 avg/.345 slg is about what we're getting from Robles.

so is the issue the hitting coach or analytics?

[UMDNats]

A .727 OPS from a guy you acquired in "the biggest trade in baseball history" is absolutely, 100% a disaster. Tough scene for Juan. Maybe Scott can fudge the numbers when he demands $500 million.

[Natsinpwc]

so is the issue the hitting coach or analytics?

It’s called a slump.

[imref]

It’s called a slump.

3 for his last 39 over his last 12 games: .077 / .280 / .077

I'm starting to think he's hurt.

[Smithian]

Running out of time for a hot streak that would pull him up to a .900 OPS on the season.

If he expects to be an all time great, .850 OPS isn't getting it done as a subpar corner outfield glove. I think he is a safe bet to crank out major numbers next couple seasons, but this season is looking more like a step back.

[Five Banners]

Running out of time for a hot streak that would pull him up to a .900 OPS on the season.

If he expects to be an all time great, .850 OPS isn't getting it done as a subpar corner outfield glove. I think he is a safe bet to crank out major numbers next couple seasons, but this season is looking more like a step back.

The guy’s still young, just moved across the country mid-season, but his tools I don’t think vanished overnight. Give him a full spring training, I would think the production can return.

[Natsinpwc]

Running out of time for a hot streak that would pull him up to a .900 OPS on the season.

If he expects to be an all time great, .850 OPS isn't getting it done as a subpar corner outfield glove. I think he is a safe bet to crank out major numbers next couple seasons, but this season is looking more like a step back.

I think he will be fine also.  The pressure of being a focal point is getting to him. Six of Harper’s first eight seasons were with an OPS under .900. And then .962, 1.044, and .950 the past three years. He has figured out how to use his good eye to keep the OBP high but also to maximize power when he does get pitches to hit. Still years to go before Soto reaches his prime and figures it all out.

[nfotiu]

Running out of time for a hot streak that would pull him up to a .900 OPS on the season.

If he expects to be an all time great, .850 OPS isn't getting it done as a subpar corner outfield glove. I think he is a safe bet to crank out major numbers next couple seasons, but this season is looking more like a step back.

Especially since that OPS is propped up by a .400 OBP.   .450 slugging percentage is very pedestrian.

[Natsinpwc]

3 for his last 39 over his last 12 games: .077 / .280 / .077

I'm starting to think he's hurt.

Could be a factor also. If I recall he missed some games for a back issue.

[dracnal]

I wonder if he's simply pressing instead of just relaxing and doing his normal batting things. He's young and just turned down literally life changing money - not just for him, but his entire family, should he choose to help them - so he's got to be feeling a lot of pressure to perform in a way that justifies walking away from being set for life.

[imref]

I wonder if he's simply pressing instead of just relaxing and doing his normal batting things. He's young and just turned down literally life changing money - not just for him, but his entire family, should he choose to help them - so he's got to be feeling a lot of pressure to perform in a way that justifies walking away from being set for life.

he's making $17 million this year, he probably makes another $40 million or more over his next two trips through arbitration. He's already set.

[Natsinpwc]

he's making $17 million this year, he probably makes another $40 million or more over his next two trips through arbitration. He's already set.

Made $8.5 million last year also. That’s more than I made over my entire career. I guess it’s all relative. And once you get up there you want even more.

[rileyn]

If he rakes in the postseason and SD advances, this horrid stretch will be forgotten.  If he doesn't rake.......

[Natsinpwc]

If he rakes in the postseason and SD advances, this horrid stretch will be forgotten.  If he doesn't rake.......

Then he has two more years to regain form and will be only 26 heading into free agency with his prime years ahead of him.

[Five Banners]

Then he has two more years to regain form and will be only 26 heading into free agency with his prime years ahead of him.

Not a nightmare

[nfotiu]

Then he has two more years to regain form and will be only 26 heading into free agency with his prime years ahead of him.

He definitely has a chance to regain form and be a 500 million dollar player again, but I think it has moved from "sure thing" to probable and could go down to questionable if he slumps through the end of the year or if his back really is a long term concern.