40 thoughts on “November 14, 2016: Pledge. Not just a household cleaner.”

  1. Oh son of a gun. I just had a sizeable LTE written out and managed to delete it.

    Short version: I'm looking for some sort of engaging project or leisure activity to take on this winter. I usually have a few hours after the kids go to bed where Philosofette is working. Not looking for something like writing, more like... wood working or an epic video game (well, computer game, given my set up). I dunno. Thoughts?

    1. A FEW HOURS! I'm as likely to spend a few hours playing whack-a-mole with ours. Pardon my weeping.
      Maybe they need some good farm chores.

      1. I usually have a few hours after the boy goes to bed (just the one), but that's more a testament to how late I stay up rather than how early he goes to bed. Thankfully, once he's down, he tends to stay down.

        1. But do you have a self-cleaning house or something? I spend waaaaay too much time after my kids are asleep washing dishes, doing laundry, paying bills, and the like.

          1. It's complicated, since we're still living with the in-laws, and will be through the winter. Dishes I got. Laundry too, sometimes. But other cleaning is less so, since I just get in the way? Without regard to ir, I can usually eke out an hour or two, even with that stuff.

  2. Attention Board Game Folk:

    Linds and I are hoping to get a board game for my brother and his girlfriend for Christmas, since we know they like to play. Unfortunately, we don't have the first idea what they own.

    What games have come out recently enough that they're unlikely to have already been purchased that are completely, mind-blowingly awesome?

    1. What sorts of games do they enjoy playing? Are then into more of the thematic style games? Then I might suggest the new Mansions of Madness 2nd edition. Are they more into the strategic type of game? Terraforming Mars has been a hit among many people. Are they into the more casual type of games? Maybe the latest Codenames Pictures? Also, Scythe is starting to hit board game retail stores, and that's a big favorite of mine.

      If you go to boardgamegeek.com, there's a list on the left sidebar called "The Hotness" that lists the biggest buzzy games being talked about on the site.

    2. Also, this reminds me that I need to work on a board game post for the pledge drive. I haven't forgotten HJ, I just have had other things going on.

      1. No worries, you guys.

        Also, everyone, come one come all, you have something you want to post, any little thing at all, just let me know. Anyone is quite welcome.

  3. Wanted to say thanks again for the congrats yesterday here. I was running quite a bit so wasn't around the internet as much as I might on a typical Sunday afternoon. In addition to being engaged, we have also made an offer on a home, so a lot is happening.

    The other thing I think is cool was the ask itself. My boys (9 and 7) both insisted on being a part of it despite the fact that neither really understood why an official ask was necessary. The oldest was the photographer and the youngest serenaded us with some strumming on the guitar.

    1. Ah, another single WGOMer bites the dust. Are there any of us left? Congrats. I saw the pics in Facebook and noticed your son with a guitar.

  4. As a WGOM note, I mentioned it here, but it deserves more fanfare. meat has joined past luminaries such as the Painter, the Professor, and the hitman in putting his feet up on the porch railing and sipping down a mint julep. We honor and give thanks to meat for his service and wish him luck in his new role as the WGOM's Cajun Cooking & Coaching Consultant.

  5. Jeremy Hellickson should immediately fire his agent. Or his agent should immediately quit representing Hellickson. It just depends on who ultimately made a moronic decision. It looked like Hellickson, going into his age 30 season, was going to be the top free agent starting pitcher this offseason, or at least near the top of the free agent list. However, he gave that up by signing a qualifying offer from the Phillies for 1 year and $17M. I mean, he literally just gave away tens of millions in guaranteed money to go back with the Phillies for 1 more year. Wow.

    On the opposite end were the Mets, who were stupid enough to give the same offer to Neil Walker, who's season was cut short by back surgery. Second base is a position that players often have early and rapid declines. Walker will be going into his age 31 season and, oh yeah, did I mention he just had back surgery. Now Walker has a guaranteed year of $17M and the opportunity to show he's completely healthy before going back into free agency next year.

    The also means the Mets won't be looking to trade for someone like Brian Dozier, but it takes Walker off the market for other teams that might be looking for a second baseman.

    1. I forgot to mention that Fangraphs shows that Hellickson gave the Phillies $25M worth of value last year. So he took $17M for next year with no guarantees after that. Just stupid.

      1. Or that first round pick was too much.

        1. I don't buy it. The starting pitching free agent market is practically bare. From CSN Philly:

          Last winter, Mike Leake got a five-year, $80 million contract from the Cardinals. J.A. Happ signed for three years, $36 million with the Blue Jays. Hellickson's price tag is probably somewhere in between, perhaps something like four years, $60 million. If you're Jeremy Hellickson and agent Scott Boras and you're offered something in that range, why on Earth would you say, "Nah, let's take the $17 million and figure it out from there?" Especially considering next winter's free-agent starting pitching class is much stronger.

          Have to say, though, I'm very surprised his agent is Scott Boras. This really has to be Hellickson's decision. $17M is more than twice what he made last year and more than he's made his entire career thus far, but he appears to be leaving $40M. I would be astounded if he couldn't easily get $34M or more over 3 or more years even with the draft pick. Teams understand reducing risk and signing a free agent below market value now should certainly outweigh losing a first-round pick that probably wouldn't provide value for 3-4 years down the road, if at all, especially for a draft pick in the last half of the first round.

              1. I wasn't saying it was a wise financial decision, but who knows what motivates people to do the things they do.

  6. My last employer was acquired this year and is closing out their 401(K) so I have until the end of the month to move my funds. I can either move it into my current employer's 401(K) where I'll be fully vested by the 25th, or start an IRA with it. I'm looking for any advice anybody might have on which is the better option.

    1. I'm facing a very similar scenario. I'm considering either topping off my Roth, starting a traditional IRA or opening a Deferred Compensation Plan through my current employer with has a match (albeit a small one). Tomorrow, I'll be reaching out to the administrator of my Roth and 529 to see what he'd recommend and will share what I learn.

    2. Depending on the flexibility of your choices with your current employer, I would lean IRA. As I may have mentioned once or twice, I favor no-load index funds with low fees.

      1. I do like the idea of an IRA because it gives me a second fund that's more flexible than the 401(K). Might come in handy for tax evasion mitigation strategy.

    1. I like that they've made expanding the analytics department more of a priority than player acquisition for a couple of reasons. One, it shows long-term thinking, and two, it recognizes the reality that unless they decide to trade Dozier, there's really not much they can do in the player acquisition line this year. The only way they'd get a top free agent is to overpay, and other than their young players they don't have anyone else to trade that people would want (maybe Ervin Santana, but I don't see him bringing a huge return). So, it makes sense to position yourself for the future and understand that there's no quick fix for this team.

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