Odds and Ends

2024 Elections and Beyond

I provided some more election thoughts, including what the Democrats should do in the future. A major concern is not the Democrats. 

It is how non-Democrats (we can toss in media institutions) accept Trump as credible. Once you do that, it's like he wins half the battle. 

Democrats should not rest on nail-biters. Any long-term solution includes obtaining some additional support in red states and a more than trivial non-Democratic contingent. The added bit about an Obama speech, which partially talks about coalitions with those we disagree with, factors in.

Mets

The current big story is a battle to see who will sign Juan Soto, who is asking some ridiculous amount of money. I realize that is how it goes. Studs get the big bucks. Figure the Yankees need him to stay more. 

My thought has always been that I am fine with him staying with the Yankees. The team needs too many parts to focus too much on a gigantic long-term contract. Plus, philosophically, such contracts bother me. I grant for the billionaire owner it is "only money," but I hold to that. 

Meanwhile, they are filling in details ala 2023/4 with two reclamation project type starters, one who is a reliever that they plan to convert to a starter. The latest Yankee cast-off with Severino going to the As.  

Last season's results suggest we should trust the process. I'm betting they sign a reliable starter, find a good reliever or two, and the betting man (woman) would say Alonso stays. They signed a reliable outfielder who is a cheaper version of another they have. If Soto isn't signed, figure they find a more reasonable big bat, which would be my preference. 

Jets/Giants 

The NY/NJ teams have a combined 5-21 record. 

They both had a shot to at least go into overtime today in the final seconds. The Giants' comeback was stopped when a mid-range field goal was blocked. 

The Jets for the second time at the end of a half screwed up and set up a chance for Miami to get a long FG. The Dolphins won the toss and scored the touchdown.  The Jets' defense failed when it mattered.

The first time, Rodgers failed on a third down throw, leaving time on the clock for the FG. The big blemish the second time was a special team's failure. 

I'm at the point where I basically want both teams to lose. I am actively negative about the Jets and Rodgers. It would be nice, I guess if the Giants and their backup QB (Tommy Cutlets is not playing now) have a mercy win. They had a shot today. 

The postgame report for the Giants game was sympathetic. They don't have much talent on the field with their injuries. The defense played well. The backup (Drew Lock) started slow but kicked into gear late. He might be "the best shot to win," but he is not showing too much really for Tommy Cutlets fans. 

The Jets also had various good things happen but they keep on finding ways to lose. Okay. So, Rodgers played well overall (with key questionable plays) today. Finally. Who cares? 

He showed he is not the long-term answer. Put in the backup and show a message to the team that they are not just doing the same old, same old. They might even win a game or two still. The Jaguars, for instance, are not good. But, that's not the point. 

The team has the talent, I guess, that they might have won a handful of more games if they played better. The Giants are more of a mess. Someone flew a plane over the stadium with a message saying just that.  

Both lost a lot this season.