Post by Erbes on Aug 19, 2014 10:21:32 GMT -5
Pulling it Out with Steve2!
Yeeeeee more interviewing done by the best interviewer in the league! From now on call me Elijah Lovejoy! Look him up ya bafoons! Read a book every once in awhile gosh. Anyways, time to sit down with the enigmatic Steve2. I hope he doesn't troll me in this interview!
1. I'm just going to jump right into the juicy stuff. You infamously failed to win the division in 2008 when Play decided to rebuild and the Reds (the Reds!) beat you out in what I believe was the last sim of the season for the crown. What went wrong? How did that make you feel? I mean you lost to stutter...
A lot of my guys just simply under performed...we won 95 that year...we were projected to win 102 that year so yeah...regardless, by far, my worst season here...and I still made the Playoffs. His team hit stride, and I think I had Prior out for that last sim, too. I wasn't around or I would have healed him which would've probably given me the division title. SO yes, losing the division title to Stutter was demoralizing, but at least I easily dismantled his team during the Playoffs. It's not like I lost to only Stutter by the way...Play was giving him advice throughout the year, and Spencer was practically doing his lineups, lol.
I think I counted 5 excuses in there! A new record! That's fine that you weren't around to heal Prior, but why was it so close to begin with lolololol? That was a hugely mismanaged season on your part. If I remember correctly the race was tight the entire season so that fact that you didn't reinforce your team at the deadline was weak sauce. I like Stutter minus the pot smoking and racial epithets he likes to impart on us every once in awhile, but he had no business winning that division. Lol I mean didn't coming in 2nd for 5 straight years suck? Shoulda went balls to wall when Play tore down his team.
2. Following up on that last question, it's a pretty well known fact that Play could win the NL Central whenever he decides to compete again. Knowing that your run at the top might only last one more season, what are you doing to ensure that you can compete for the wild card in years to come? Have you considered rebuilding as an alternate option?
I'm going to win the division title this year...after that, who knows? I frequently move pieces all the time. If I get good value, I'll pull the trigger on anything. Right now, I'd like to get 2 more cracks at a title, and then I'll probably just start rebuilding. I think we'll be a playoff team regardless of Play competing next year. Buerhle/Prior/Kusie/Bell is fabulous, and I think our hitting is solid. Play does have a TON of assets, and I think he'll start consolidating them soon so he can start winning.
Like I've said many times, I don't care about winning the division when Play is competing. As long as I make the Playoffs, I'm fine with that. I loved my Off-Season by the way. Got a lil bit younger, better, AND cut down payroll.
My prediction is that Play is going to come hard next season. He seems bored with rebuilding. Plus I think he just wants to shut you up. Probably not a good combination of factors for you lololol. I don't think you remember how dominate of a team Play can put together, especially with all of those assets. He's like the Nicki Minaj of assets. T and A bae. Anyways, I don't think the playoffs are given for you lol. It's pretty obvious the NL is a much better league right now and you're going to have to keep with the Braves, Giants, D'backs, and Padres. Not as easy as it sounds. Maybe that's your tragic flaw - you're too cocky. Too cocky when you thought you were being handed the division and now too cocky about getting the Wild Card. Also, who just backs down from a little competition. Play is going to feast.
3. While we're on the subject of Play, you seem to revere him as some sort of demigod; following him around like a little puppy. You're constantly quoting his comments, piggybacking off of his thoughts, etc. What makes him so attractive in your eyes? Is it a physical or emotional connection for you?
It can't be physical, lololol...anyway, it's just sooooooo fun to get Play riled up. That's really it.
For me it's physical for you to say lololol to that is a slap in the face to not only myself and Play, but also to Maya Angelou. Hope you're happy. Pretty positive that a lot of what you post on the boards you want to come off as trolling, but boy it does it come off as some serious shit. The stuff about Ashes was not classy at all. Iggy would have donkey punched you for sure.
4. The Pirates seem to always play second fiddle in this league regardless of the situation. First, it's the NL Central. Now it's the fact that you can't get past the Marlins in the playoffs. As the GM of the team, ie the person who puts together the lineups, rotations, makes all of the trades, how much blame should you assume for the inability to break through the glass ceiling that the Pirates find themselves under?
I'm obviously going to take 100%...like what? I don't really put too much onus on myself, though. I can't help it if guys underperform at the end of '08 or my 2 stud SPs get injured in the '09 NLCS...What can I do about that? Back to the initial point...I never cared about playing second fiddle to the Cubs since I was making the Playoffs regularly. If I wasn't winning the NL Wild Card, then yeah, that's obviously not good. I do want to beat Ashes' team, but it's just sooooo loaded. Hopefully I get another crack at it. We can go as far as we want with that pitching we possess. We are going to be on our 8th year of consecutive 90+ win seasons...In that market? I think I've done a hell of a job, and right now only a title is missing. Just gotta hope we can win in that crap-shoot.
I do think that the playoffs involve a whole lot of luck, but if there's a dominant team they usually come out on top. There's no reason not to think the Marlins aren't going to steam roll this year. Is your market that small? You made $91M last year. That seems like a lot for a 'small' market. People get tied up in this small market bullshit. Your revenues jumped $8M because you won the division. Winning leads to more revenues regardless of market size. I won the division in three straight years and the most I maxed out at in the 3rd year of winning was $103M. I have the biggest market. And I only made $12M more than you in your 1st year of winning. Market size is a fallacy.
5. There are some very interesting dynamics in the league, dynamics that really were apparent from day 1. The foursome of Shale-break-drowe-stutter comes to mind as the most egregious of these dynamics, and yet we're steadily seeing a changing of the guard when it comes to unbalanced trading with the deadly duo of Spencer and Nanz taking center stage. What are some of your thoughts on the recent trading (raping) between the Giants and Mariners? Does it compare to the heyday of break and Shale and drowe?
The trades that Spence and Nanz made were just awful...especially where Nanz never even confirmed the Rich Harden deal until a few days later. Obviously, I guess Nanz felt like he owed Spence since he would do his banks and lineups for him. However, I don't think anything compares to the Break/Shale/D-Rowe dynamic. D-Rowe was pretty much a farm system for Break. It was pathetic. Gotta go back to those old trade threads so I can read some of that crap again. You probably should've done a better job of stopping that BS, but it is what it is.
I remember when I wrote that article about all of the trades they had made up to a certain point. That was hilar. There's really no way to police it. We stopped a couple rapes, but when they post a new trade every day it gets to become too much of a burden and if they want to pass each others butt holes around who am I to stop it? As for Spence and Nanz, it's pretty whatever to me. Nanz is a shell of his former sexy self and that team was a financial mess. He was going on vaca and needed to fire sell in a couple of hours. Spence just happened to be a should to trade on. Any trade they did more than made up for the awful deal Spence took from you so I'm okay with the balance of it all.
6. You've been extremely outspoken against the 2nd PD reversal. Why is that? After pouring through my research, I have found that you have already used this so-called 'inflation mechanism'. How do you explain your hatred for it, but are okay using it at the same time? Seems contradictory to me.
So I'm not going to use a rule that benefits me because I don't like it?...um, lol. Stupid question.
Didn't think this was a stupid question at all. To me, by using the 2nd PD reversal, you've completely given up any say in the matter. Also, the 2nd PD reversal is such an inconsequential rule at this point. It's been used, what, 5 times? Also, I hate two faced scumbags.
7. We recently allowed a known cheater back into the league. First, was this a good move in your opinion? And second, are the Mets doomed to toil in mediocrity for all eternity because of something called karma? And lastly, will Shale gift him another superstar for pennies on the dollar?
I guess...he's active. He makes moves...doesn't sit on his team. I still think he's a joke for doing what he did, and I still believe we only let him back in because the activity at the time wasn't at its highest. I hope he toils in mediocrity, and regardless...he's not touching Ryan's team so he better hope he can win the Wild Card. He's made some questionable moves in my opinion. To the last part, who the hell knows. I'll say no, but you never know with Shale.
We needed an active owner and he was willing to take the penalties. I would have let him back way sooner, but that's just me. I don't take this as serious as other people, but I get their viewpoint. It seems like he's going to be extremely successful in toiling in mediocrity after those trades he may. Also, where has he been? Lol he made those trades and has kind of disappeared after he realized that his team was still horrible. Oh well. Cheaters gunna cheat and losers gunna cry.
8. Speaking of Shale, you seem to be especially harsh on him on the boards. We can all agree he's delusional and probably has no idea what he's doing when it comes to OOTP, but do you think you take it too far sometimes? Is this something you do to compensate for all the verbal beat downs you get from myself and Play?
Maybe, probably? I think we all do to be honest...I just wish he wouldn't say the shit he says when he talks about his team and makes comments like, "this is my division". Stupid. At least he is finally learning the hard way with the way his team is playing. LOL @ the 2nd question. I love the banter between Play and you with regards to me. You guys don't have an impact on how I post in this league.
I really wish Shale wouldn't be the punching bag of the league. He's very active and it sucks that he takes the brunt of everything. Now, on the other hand, he invites it in like the plague on a wooden ship in the 1600's. Like listening to rap doesn't make you hard dude. Sorry. I was a psych minor in college so trust me when I say that because Play beats the shit out of you verbally you feel like you need to pick on somebody else to build yourself back up. Just let it go baby bird.
9. What are some of the biggest surprises in the league so far? Rockies? Red Sox? Reds? Mets? Notice how all of the people who thought their teams were going to be good are friends?
True, lol. Reds suck...no surprise there. Stutter showcases every year he has no clue what he is doing. He needs hitting! Unfortunately, he's got nothing of worth in his farm. I thought Shale's teams were usually average, but yeah it's been a total surprise on how awful his team has been. Red Sox are fine...they'll start to take that division over. Dan is dumb for trying to win this year...he's sporting a $115M+ payroll...and he's 14 games back of a Playoff spot. Still don't get his logic. He's going to lose a ton of money this year. I'll say the the Mets have been the biggest surprise, though. A lot of his guys have underperformed. Another surprise is how well the O's have been doing. Jah had a very under the radar type Offseason.
People always underestimate Jah. Or I should say they underestimate an active Jah. The dude does know what he's doing when he wants to take part in the league. As for the Rockies, Reds, and Mets - it's not surprising to me that they're all losing. The Mets overestimated the talent they acquired, the Reds are run by Stutter, and Shale's team has been hanging on the edge of the cliff for 2-3 seasons now. And it's really not surprising that he's reluctant to deal dudes off. It's unbelievable, but it's not surprising. It'll be interesting to see what kind of return Shale gets for Hart from the Mets.
10. Try to remove bias from your answer to this question. I think it would be a fair estimate to say that at least 50% of the teams run a negative ledger by the end of the season, Pirates included, and end up having to trade for cash to cover their losses. Do you think we should institute a cash trade cap per season in the league?
I look at it this way, though. I'm a small market team. In order to really compete in this league, and to try to win championships...I'll need a payroll around $100M; give or take. I'm obviously going to be losing money because of my market size. 8 of my 14 years here I've been positive. Now looking deeper...I've been negative in 6 of my past 7 years...however, I've never eclipsed more than $10M in those seasons besides this past season. Compared to another small market team, that's not too egregious...look at Greeme's finances. He's probably the one that has benefited the most. He's lost basically $35M/Year these past 4 seasons...so I don't know. Do we really want to make it harder for some of the shitty markets like Tampa, Milwaukee, and Cincy to try and compete at payrolls that are north of $90M? Seems dumb. My answer is no. I can live with the rule, though. My team has been built properly. Some of the other markets would not be able to compete if we did this rule, though.
Ughhhhhh so sick of hearing the small market excuse!!!!! I already spelled that out for you so I'm not going to rehash it. I'm still very much in the air about this. It would be a good way to curb contracts, but then we would need some sort of compensation for teams who lose top FAs, and then it's like well who's a top FA and who isn't, and then it's like what's the compensation, and then it's like just this big whole mess. So I don't know what the right answer is at this point.
11. Let's play the game kill, marry, fuck. Your three options are: Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, and Kate Upton.
Kill- Nicki Minaj
Marry- Kate Upton
Fuck- Katy Perry
You racist POS! Kidding. So many people underestimate Nicki because they haven't seen her lately. She's a total fox. I'd marry Nicki, bang Katy, and kill Kate. Kate is super hot, but those tits are already sagging. Bad omen for the future.
12. How much longer do you think the Yankees' rebuild is going to last? Please round your answer down to the nearest decade.
Not too much longer, I sure as hell hope not. You have the best market, and your rebuild has already been too long. I like your bats, but you're going to need to acquire an Ace or get one VIA the draft. That's for sure. I'll say this decade...if not, you suck.
Oh I definitely suck. Here's to being terrible until 2017!!
