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thesportssoundoff · 5 years ago

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10 Under The Radar Free Agent Options (for when the Yankees decide to get cheap again)

With free agency getting closer and closer, Yankees fans are dreaming about Thanksgiving dinners headlined by Gerritt Cole signings, Anthony Rendon level flirtations and a Francisco Lindor level trade. The reality figures to be a TOUCH smaller than that unfortunately. The Yankees may make one big move and go "all in" but the idea that they're going to open the floodgates and turn into the Yankees who spent to win in the mid 2000s is probably off base. What's most likely is that they'll make a big splash early (Paxton in 2018, Stanton in 2017) and then calmly tiptoe through the offseason making sound decisions and occasionally flirting with a big name here or there. Remember that the Yankees two best signings, at least offensively, were financially sound and prudent depth moves that paid off big time in the long run with Gardner (1/10) and DJ LeMahieu (2/24). The Yankees do not have a bushel of needs to be filled outside of a starter, maybe another bullpen arm and some sort of solution on the infield. They do have some wants though and maybe these players will prove to be affordable wants who wind up filling needs down the line.

1. Cole Hamels, Chicago Cubs Will be 36

7-7 3.81 ERA 141.2 innings pitched 117 ERA+ 1.391 WHIP 9 H/9 3.6 BB/9 9.1 K/9

Why: Was apparently the back up option if the Yankees couldn't secure a deal with Toronto for J.A. Happ in 2018. Hamels has a proven playoff pedigree, has the prototypical fifth starter make up (gritty innings eater who survives with declining stuff) and the Yankees tend to prioritize left handed pitching given that the Redsox tend to be historically loaded up on lefties. The Yankees just lost CC Sabathia who clearly had a role as a veteran left hander who was capable of getting a competitive start each time out. Seems open and receptive to a one year deal.

Why Not: I mean they DID choose J.A Happ over him for a reason. Hamels, like Happ, was somewhat inconsistent in the juiced ball era with elevated contact rates (despite a lower home run per 9 innings than the four years prior) and elevated walk rates. Hamels has not thrown for 200 innings since 2016 and went for under 150 innings pitched in two of the last three seasons. Soft tossing (by today's standards) flyball pitchers tend to not do so hot in Yankee stadium.

2. 1B Eric Thames, Milwaukee Brewers Will Be 33

.247/.346/.505 25 HR 61 RBI 51 BB 140 K's 117 OPS+

Why: The Yankees have a potential opening for a platoon 1B who can mash righties and Thames had that going for him (.254/.348/.529 slugging for a 131+ OPS). He's got a sweet swing for NYS and would help balance a Yankees line up in serious need of a masher from the left side. Veteran lefty pop for a small fee would be insanely valuable for a Yankees team in need of more power from that side (with Didi likely gone). Has made spot appearances as an outfielder as well.

Why Not: Is he too much of a three outcome hitter (K, BB or HR) for a team loaded up with three outcome hitters? A nonstarter vs left handed pitching limits his appeal. Not a good fielder in the slightest. A poor defensive fit for 1st base or the outfield so he values more as a lefty DH type. Isn't this Mike Ford's job to be for a smidgen of the price?

3. (S)RP Drew Pomeranz, Milwaukee Brewers Will Be 31

2-10 4.85 ERA 104.2 innings pitched 88 ERA+ 1.433 WHIP 9.1 H/9 3.8 BB/9 11.9 K/9

Why: Completely rebuilt himself as a specialist out of the Brewers bullpen, racking up a cool .141 average against and a sparkling 2.39 ERA out of the pen. Could be a lefty specialist weapon to save the likes of Britton from making an early appearance. Reinvted himself in Milwaukee as a power pitcher out of the bullpen and curtailed his walk rate with a new pitch mix. Has been AT TIMES a successful starting pitcher in a pinch.

Why Not: Are you willing to invest 5-10 million dollars on 32 some odd innings of work? Has struggled in the past with walks although it was slightly less of an issue as a bullpen piece. Pomeranz has a continued issue with home runs even out of the bullpen (17 home runs in 77 innings as a starter, 4 in 26 innings as a bullpen arm).

4. C Alex Avila, Arizona Diamondbacks Will Be 33

.207/.353/.421 9 HR 24 RBI 36 BB 88 K's 100 OPS+

Why: Avila is an established name at catcher who has settled into a back up catcher role. Big OPB bat with a 17% walk rate last year for the D-Backs. Another lefty who hits righties well (near .800 OPS). Could provide a reliable back up and a mentor for Gary Sanchez. Not Sanchez-esque with his arm strength but has proven to be tough to run on.

Why Not: Has been on a steady decline since around 2016 both on offense and defense. Doesn't hit for much power or average. A step down from former back up Austin Romine.

5. IF Wilmer Flores, Arizona Diamonds Will Be 28

.317/.361/.487 9 HR 37 RBI 31 BB 15 K's 118 OPS+

Why: Across the last two seasons, he's played 2nd, 3rd and 1st. Has played shortstop in the past as well. Coming off a career year in Arizona with a career high 118 OPS+, average and slugging. A high contact hitter who could potentially alleviate the overreliance on mashers/deepen the line up at the bottom of the order. Already used to the platoon infielder role with limited starts so there wouldn't be an adjustment period. Also let's not forget that Flores was a Met for five seasons and understands the demands of playing baseball in NYC.

Why Not: Has not played shortstop since 2016 and that would probably be the only spot he would see consistent time at. Flores has not been as good defensively as he was in the past and may be on the decline from a defensive standpoint. How much of his offense is courtesy of the juiced ball era and if they deaden the balls, will he turn back into a below average hitter?

6. IF Eric Sogard, Tampa Bay Rays Will Be 34

.290/.353/.437 13 HR 40 RBI 38 BB 63 K's 116 OPS+

Why: Another versatile all contact bat who can pinch hit across a variety of locations. Could provide a more experienced version of Tyler Wade in terms of versatility and the ability to play for contact. Was really good with consistent playing time for the Rays. He's coming off his career best offensive season which when combined with his versatility and ability to chip in at a number of spots, the Yankees would be wise to poke around. Also it's another lefty bat who could balance this lineup that right now features righties Giancarlo Stanton, DJ, Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres and Gary Sanchez.

Why Not: Primarily a contact guy with a career high 13 HRs this season. He doesn't hit for much power and doesn't really walk much either, painting a similar picture to what the Yankees have with Thairo Estrada. He's never been necessarily reliable for a full season. He might actually go from affordable to expensive for his skill set given that bad teams are going to try to sign him so they can flip him in July.

7. SP Brett Anderson, Oakland A's Will Be 32

13-9 3.89 ERA 176 innings pitched 1.307 WHIP 9.3 H/9 2.5 BB/9 4.6 K/9

Why: If the Yankees are god fearing about flyball contact then a guy with top 10 groundball rates might be of great interest to them. A left handed pitcher who could bounce between a long relief role or a spot starter job for this team. He had a 3.22 ERA away from Oakland so maybe leaving the Coliseum can further unlock Anderson's value.

Why Not: Always be wary of the dudes who are coming off career years that aren't THAT impressive. As such, Anderson with his somewhat questionable stuff coming off a career year might be a risky venture. His 176 innings were a career high and he's been oft injured since 2016. Is he any better than J.A. Happ as a #5 guy? Do you want to progress stop on Jordan Montgomery?

8. IF/OF Ben Zobrist, Chicago Cubs Will Be 39

Why: A reliable professional hitter who doesn't K much and draws plenty of walks. Outside of one season, he's played in 125 games or more for eight straight seasons.

Why Not: Approaching 40 years of age off a shortened season and has an OPS+ under 100 in 2 of the past three years. You figure at some point he is bound to decline and lose value. While he's versatile, it is worth noting that Zobrist doesn't play SS or CF aka the two spots the Yankees figure to have the most available PT at.

9. IF Brad Miller, Philadelphia Phillies Will Be 30

.260/.329/.565 13 HR 25 RBI 15 BB 45 K;s 125 OPS+

Why: A super versatile handyman who can play across a variety of spots. Has seen time at shortstop where the Yankees could use some help. Coming off a really great September where maybe something unlocked for him offensively.

Why Not: I mean the Yankees had him once. He was in their farm system as a veteran hand in case of emergency to start 2019 and then they dealt him away once Gio Urshela proved to be legitimate. He's a career journeyman type who bounces around and is wholly unreliable to stick. Most of his damage as a hitter was done in September (.327/.339/.800 (!) with 8 HRs) so he's probably just riding a hot streak as a hitter. Has been all downhill offensively since 2016 when he hit 30 home runs for Tampa.

10. IF Brock Holt, Boston Red Sox Will Be 32

.297/.369/.402 3 HR 31 RBI 28 BB 57 K's 101 OPS+

Why: Another chess piece who plays a variety of spots and another left handed bat who can add some depth to a righty happy Yankees lineup. A consistent .275 to .290-ish hitter if batting average is your deal. Lauded in Boston for being a big community guy and clubhouse glue type.

Why Not: You probably have to pay a Yankees tax to get him to leave Boston. Has truly no pop whatsoever and in terms of impact, he's a long ways away from his cameo as an All Star back in 2016. Has had issues with injuries recently.

#Yankees #MLB #Thames #Hamels #Anderson #under the radar

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wineschool-blog · 3 years ago

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Sommelier Courses in America

https://j.mp/3gqHy1C The world of wine is wonderful. Sommelier training opens opportunities in all sectors, from the hospitality industry to retail, from education to marketing, from distribution to production. Wine jobs are not only appealing, but they’re lucrative too. Wine professionals, like any other specialists, need credentials and constant knowledge updates. The wine world comprises dozens of countries, hundreds of wine regions, and thousands of grape varieties. The laws, the climate, the soil types, and the people, all form part of a wine specialist’s knowledge. Table of contentsGetting Wine CertifiedWine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)National Wine School (NWS)Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS)Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW)Wine Scholar Guild (WSG)The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) Getting Wine Certified If you want to get your foot in the door, you’ll need to hit the books and find the right association, school, or study program to help you in your learning, but also to vouch for you. These are the most important wine education and certification programs; find out which one is for you. Our preference for wine certification is well known: we love the programs coming out of the National Wine School, so we are 100% biased. If you want a neutral source for information, we recommend either the Sommeliers Choice Awards or SOMM. The Top Three Sommelier Programs The essential wine and sommelier programs in the United States. These companies are the main certification bodies for the wine trade. You typically have to attend classes at a local wine school or attend a virtual wine course to earn these certifications. These three programs are very different in their approach to wine education, but also their student base. We recommend considering both when choosing which of these programs you would be more comfortable in. Someone who feels at home at CMS would not be a good fit for the NWS, and a WSET person may feel at home at NWS, but definitely not the CMS. Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) The Wine & Spirit Education Trust, or WSET, is based in the UK but now runs pay-to-play franchises across the globe. You can take any of their courses in any major city in the US and other countries. The basics of a WSET class are fairly simple: a PowerPoint presentation in a rented room, plus a wine tasting. WSET is very methodical; they offer programs on different specialties like wine, spirits, sake. Advancing from levels one through four in most programs, the difficulty increases dramatically. A level four Wine Diploma is one of the most coveted and hard to get certifications in the industry. Wine regions, tasting, and a strong focus on the business side of wine, WSET is great for someone looking towards restaurant employment. Wine School Snapshot Graduating L3 WSET Class National Wine School (NWS) The only major wine school founded in the United States, the NWS offers a uniquely American liberal arts perspective. Unlike WSET or CMS, the programs are designed for the entire wine industry, not just restaurants. The wine trade is very different in the states than in other countries. Working in restaurants isn’t as lucrative nor as respected as it is in Europe. Unlike other wine programs, the focus is not on restaurant employment. NWS expects their students will work in many parts of the wine trade, including winemakers, wine educators, and importers, and their curriculum reflects those realities. We think the National Wine School is the best option for someone looking to learn about wine. The school attracts a diverse student base and offers programs that are engaging to people from all walks of life. The Wine School of Philadelphia will not offer either WSET or CMS programs due to their —what’s the best way to say this?– narrow view of both wine and students. We are far from alone in this move. Wine School Snapshot Graduating L3 NWS Class Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) Serious allegations of racism, cheating, and sexual assaults have been leveled at members of its board of directors. These allegations have been covered in detail by the New York Times. The program is exclusively for people in the restaurant industry. The Court of Master Sommeliers is a sommelier certification program based in the UK, now with a big branch in the US. There are four levels to accomplish before becoming one of the few Master Sommeliers in the world. There are just over 400 wine professionals with this high title. Founded in 1977, it had a big boom after the SOMM documentary was released in 2013. The organization focuses strongly on wine service in restaurant scenarios and on deductive wine tasting, a skill that enables sommeliers to not only assess the quality of any wine but to identify its vintage, grape variety, and provenance. Wine School Snapshot Graduating CMS L4 Class The Other Sommelier Programs Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) The Master of Wine qualification is gained after a challenging three-year program organized by the Institute of Masters of Wine. Founded in 1955, the organization requires students to know everything there is to know about wine and write appropriately about it. A series of essays and exams take the students to their limits, becoming some of the better-prepared professionals in the industry. To start the program, students must already have wide experience in the field, high qualifications like the level four WSET diploma, and a Master of Wine sponsorship. Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) The Wine Scholar Guild is an approachable study program provider. The ability to study traditionally in a classroom or online allows students to tackle the Wine Scholar Guild programs in their own time from anywhere in the world. Specializations in important wine-producing countries like France, Spain, and Italy make this organization an ideal way to stand out from other professionals. Master-level programs include a regional approach to most French wine regions, from Champagne to Bordeaux. Immersion trips that include high-end tasting in the heart of the wine country and mentorship from highly trained professionals complete the learning experience. The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) Established in 1982, the International Sommelier Guild offers an extensive wine education program through third-party schools in the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and many other countries. Standardized, relevant textbooks and a complete curriculum fed by ISG instructors are powerful tools to certify capable sommeliers. Different levels lead students to a very high proficiency level, including a teacher program that helps grow the guild’s reach. A new online learning platform will help the International Sommelier Guild have an even broader reach. If you want to become a certified sommelier or simply wish to increase your wine expertise, these are the most popular organizations worldwide. As long as you have a passion for wine and a commitment to keep on learning, you’ll find any goal achievable and any certification level within reach. Welcome to the wine world, an ever-growing community of wine lovers. Wine Courses L1 Online Wine Certification Core (L2/L3) wine Courses Advanced (L4) wine Programs Wine Education Articles What is a Supertaster Wine & Health through the Ages What is Terroir? The Big Money Wine Myth Growing Grapes without Irrigation History of Wine Sommelier Classes What are Tannins? Wine Blogs By Keith Wallace https://j.mp/3gqHy1C

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pttedu · 4 months ago

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youtube

In this uplifting episode, join us as PTTI Founder Sherman McLeod sits down with Brandon—an inspiring PTTI alumnus—to explore the transformative power of positivity. From wrenches to wisdom, they delve into life coaching, resilience, and the art of seeking light even in the darkest corners.

#technical school in philadelphia #best trade schools in philadelphia #types of skilled trades in philadelphia #certification training Institute in powelton Village #technician training institute in Darby PA #top paying skilled trades jobs in philadelphia #philadelphia training center #trade school in south philadelphia west #technical colleges in philadelphia #technician training institute in Audubon NJ #Youtube

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pttiedu · 1 year ago

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PTTI, your gateway to excellence in skilled trades. Where your journey begins with the best mentors and hands-on training. Discover the path to a successful career in the trades at PTTI today!

#philadelphia tech schools #tech schools in philadelphia #skilled trade school in philadelphia #technical institutes in philadelphia #tech institutes in philadelphia #technical schools in philadelphia #technical programs in philadelphia #skilled trades programs in philadelphia #top paying skilled trades jobs in philadelphia

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childsound56-blog · 5 years ago

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The Linc - T.J. Yeldon listed among potential Eagles free agent targets

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links ...

Three free agents who make sense for the Eagles, version 3.0 - PhillyVoice The last time we looked at three free agents who make sense for the Eagles, we included Falcons running back Tevin Coleman, who is a good receiver, and who has low mileage because he was used as a complementary back alongside Devonta Freeman. T.J. Yeldon was used similarly in Jacksonville, playing behind Leonard Fournette. Yeldon is a bigger back, and has similar measurables to Jay Ajayi, at 6’1, 223. In 3rd- and 4th-and-short situations over his career, Yeldon has 22 carries for 90 yards (12 first downs) and 3 TDs. That’s a small sample size for a back who has been in the league for four years, but it’s certainly a major step up from what Josh Adams provided in 2018. He also has 9 catches for 69 yards (8 first downs) in those short yardage situations.

Adam Schefter discusses Eagles’ interest in Le’Veon Bell, Nick Foles’ next team, and more - BGN With Howie Roseman clearing up at least $19.2 million in cap space this week, some are wondering if the Eagles are gearing up to pursue the top free agent running back on the market: Le’Veon Bell. Schefter made it sound like Philly isn’t the front-runner for his services, however.

The Kist & Solak Show #82: Howie & The Combine - BGN Radio Michael Kist and Benjamin Solak get you all caught up on Howie Roseman’s wheelings and dealings, including extending Jason Kelce/Isaac Seumalo and restructuring Lane Johnson! Then, it’s all about the 2019 NFL Combine recap baby! Powered by SB Nation and Bleeding Green Nation.

Big Names - Iggles Blitz Would a veteran like Glover Quin have interest in coming to Philly as a role player? There are a slew of younger players who might have to take a lesser role due to a flooded market. Tre Boston has played for three teams in three years, but he’s been productive for all of them. Jimmie Ward has the kind of versatility and coverage skills the Eagles seem to like. Ha-Ha Clinton Dix and Landon Collins once looked like stars in the making. You wonder if they would sign one of those guys to a short deal. Is there any way they Eagles could sign Eric Weddle and make McLeod the #3 safety? That would be interesting to be sure. Weddle is versatile a playmaker. It would be fun to see him in midnight green.

2020 Compensatory Picks Potential - Over The Cap By declining a $20 million option on Nick Foles, he should enter the pool of UFAs eligible to become compensatory free agents, and any quarterback capable of getting a starter level deal will be securely in the 3rd round range of the formula. But it doesn’t end there: the Eagles also have Ronald Darby, Jordan Hicks, Jay Ajayi, and Corey Graham hitting the market—as well as Golden Tate, who they acquired in a trade with the possible intention of getting back draft capital via compensatory picks. If the Eagles don’t plan on keeping some of these players, look for them to pull out all options available to make sure they get comp picks for them, given that they’ve proven themselves devoted to that cause last offseason. Potential: Very High

Replacing Nick Foles: Meet the candidate(s) to be Eagles’ backup QB - ESPN If the Eagles are serious about giving Sudfeld a chance to win the job -- and the belief here is they are -- that would seemingly have an impact on whom they bring in. It’s difficult to envision Teddy Bridgewater or Ryan Tannehill (if he shakes loose from the Dolphins) serving as potential third-stringers, right? The same might be said for Case Keenum or Tyrod Taylor assuming their market holds up. Can the Eagles catch someone such as Blake Bortles on the rebound? Otherwise, the QBs who fit the bill -- ones who bring experience and could be pegged for the No. 2 or No. 3 spot -- are along the lines of Matt Cassel, Josh McCown, and perhaps Ryan Fitzpatrick -- depending on his demands/mindset.

Who are the biggest bargains on the Eagles’ roster? - NBCSP How is a $6.7 million average salary a bargain? Because there are 23 quarterbacks who are earning more than Carson Wentz. At some point, the Eagles will give Wentz a deal in the $30 million-per-year ballpark, but until that happens his cheap-o rookie QB deal gives the Eagles flexibility to add crucial parts around him so once he does sign that max deal the Eagles have a team capable of challenging for a championship.

The 20 players most likely to be the Eagles’ first draft pick - The Athletic 1. Christian Wilkins (Clemson defensive tackle). As a reminder, this does not mean Wilkins is who I think will sit atop the Eagles’ board. It’s who I think is most likely to be their first pick … which probably means there’s like a five-percent chance he’s the guy. Let’s start with the bad: He’s almost 24. Wonder if the Eagles will ask him if he feels bad about the baby boomers ruining America for the rest of us. Otherwise, he seems like an ideal fit. He played on the edge at times earlier in his Clemson career (during the Carter administration) before transitioning inside, where he projects at the next level. At 6-3, 315 pounds, his combine performance was pedestrian, which could help push him further down the board on draft day. He ranks atop this list because he checks every box. He profiles as an instant-impact player at a position of short- and long-term need that Roseman has historically considered worthy of a first-round investment. Depending on how things break on draft day, he could very well slide into range for the Eagles. And he’s almost eligible for social security.

NFL Draft Big Board: The Post-Combine Top 100 - Sports Illustrated 12. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson. Height: 6’ 31⁄4” | Weight: 315 poundsAn electric athlete at 300-plus pounds, Wilkins was considered a team leader on a dominant Clemson defense and should immediately provide an interior disruptor who can wreck the backfield. He has some limits against the run, but that’s a trade off most teams can live with.

2019 NFL free agency: Safeties no longer forgotten, the rise of the slot receiver and more insider notes - CBS Sports I continue to hear the Jags remain somewhat split on what to pay Nick Foles, and that Tom Coughlin remains very intrigued by some quarterbacks in this draft. Will Foles get the $20M he had in hand on the Eagles’ team option (which he paid $2M to get out of)? Does anyone besides Jacksonville have even lukewarm interest in him as a starter? And could they get Case Keenum on the cheap once Denver cuts him? Not sure this is the slam dunk everyone seems to think. Teddy Bridgewater, still just 26, could have something to say about all of this in the end. Ultimately, I expect Foles does go to the Jags – on Coughlin’s terms – and if the Cardinals take Kyler Murray as everyone expects and deal Josh Rosen to Washington, the Dolphins would be foolish not to strongly consider Bridgewater then. Question is, if I am Bridgewater, am I better off going back to New Orleans behind Drew Brees – who can’t play forever – than I am possibly getting broken in half by a bad, rebuilding/tanking Fins team that may just want to take a QB at the top of the 2020 draft, anyway?

Nick Foles probably won’t get $20 million per season - Big Cat Country I do not think Foles is going to get a deal in the $20 million range because frankly there isn’t the market for that. That could be what Foles’ agent is going to try to get him, because I do not think Foles himself is going to be looking for a monster deal, since that’s what agents do... but the market just isn’t there.

NFL Rumors: Redskins inquired about QB Teddy Bridgewater at the Combine - Hogs Haven Is he a potential starter for any team besides the Redskins? It’s possible, but Washington does seem like his best chance at this point. How much will a QB like Bridgewater cost? His career was derailed by injury, and now he’s been playing a backup role.

McShay: Giants in “tough spot” to get a quarterback in 2019 NFL Draft - Big Blue View “If you’re the Giants you’re really in a tough spot. You’re sitting there saying one of these guys could fall to us but if we wait until draft day all of a sudden two teams could jump us,” McShay said.

Do the New York Giants actually have a plan? - SB Nation The New York Giants had until Tuesday to give Landon Collins the franchise or transition tag to make sure he’s on the roster for another year. They opted against it, and now the path is clear for the three-time Pro Bowl safety to hit the free agency market. He’s already said his goodbyes. When Collins inevitably signs elsewhere, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. will be the only player drafted by the Giants between 2008 and 2015 who is still on the team’s roster. That dearth of good drafting left the roster in serious need of a boost. In December 2017, the Giants hired Dave Gettleman as general manager to get the franchise back on track. But a little over a year into his rebuild, it’s hard to see what exactly his plan is for the team.

Setting the Market for the NFL’s Five Most Interesting Free Agent Position Groups - The Ringer This spring may not see a blockbuster deal like Kirk Cousins’s or massive contracts for multiple superstars, but at positions like pass rusher, QB, safety, offensive line, and running back, there will be plenty of options for teams to consider

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Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2019/3/7/18254453/eagles-news-t-j-yeldon-listed-among-potential-philadelphia-free-agent-targets-running-back-jaguars

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reportfruit8-blog · 5 years ago

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MLB Bullets reaches a milestone

Good morning. It kind of stinks that I can’t cheer for Daniel Vogelbach tonight or last night. Also, Vogy has a higher OPS than Mike Trout at the moment, so maybe all those trade suggestions around here weren’t all that crazy after all?

Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia recorded his 3000th strikeout last night when he fanned his former teammate John Ryan Murphy. Sabathia talked about the achievement after the game.

Sabathia’s family was on hand for the occasion.

Sabathia was the 17th pitcher in major league history to strike out 3000 and David Adler has details on all of them.

Jon Tyler looks back at Sabathia’s career and his legacy going forward.

Mike Axisa examines Sabathia’s chances for enshrinement in Cooperstown. I think Axisa is a little too pessimistic here. I agree Sabathia probably won’t go in on the first ballot, but I find it hard to believe he won’t be voted in pretty quickly thereafter.

Before I move on to other topics, I want you to take a look at Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill writing about his son Brooks, who was born with severe health problems and died about a month after his birth. Hill wants everyone to know about the love and the pain his family went through and also about a new fund he’s started to pay for research into genetic disorders.

Dayn Perry looks back at the best and the worst of the first month of MLB in 2019.

Also an ESPN.com roundtable discussion of the winners and losers in April.

Tom Verducci takes a look at the trends in MLB so far this year.

Pete Blackburn looks back at the poor first month of the defending World Series champion Red Sox.

Marc Topkin lists ten reasons the Rays have the best record in baseball.

Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow speaks with David Laurila about his cutter and how he’s been having so much success with it.

Dan Szymborski evaluates six hitters off to poor starts and their likelihood of turning things around going forward.

Gabe Lacques notes a trend in baseball that no one in MLB likes to see—attendance is continuing to drop. Except in Philadelphia. (Actually, only 12 of 30 teams are down, but the teams that are down are really down and the teams that are up are barely up.)

Phillies fans booed outfielder Bryce Harper. Harper said he agreed with them.

Richard Justice has seven “bold” predictions for May.

Marc Carig has a fascinating history of the term “Red Ass” in baseball. (The Athletic sub. req.) It all started one road trip in 1910 when the Cardinals forgot their trousers. So they ended up taking the field by just painting their whole lower half red. Fans of other teams mocked and laughed at the Cardinals and they got angry, which is how the term started. (Maybe not, but if you don’t have an Athletic subscription, you’ll never know if I’m lying.)

Blue Jays rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. played on the road for the first time in his career, and wouldn’t you just know it was in Anaheim? (They couldn’t arrange Montreal.) Tim Brown writes about the homecoming for Vlad Jr. and how Angels fans let him know just how much they loved his father. As Brown writes “But you know that.”

Michael Baumann examines how the careers of other “top prospects in baseball” have gone.

White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson isn’t happy about his recent suspension or the lack of diversity in the league office.

The Atlantic League got its first taste of the new “no shifts” rule that MLB is paying them to experiment with and the first time didn’t go very well. The umpires didn’t get the rule right, for one.

The Marlins sent outfielder Lewis Brinson down to the minors. Brinson was supposed to be the prize return in the Christian Yelich trade.

The Mariners demoted outfielder Mallex Smith, whom they got from the Rays this offseason for Mike Zunino.

The Dodgers got bad news as outfielder A.J. Pollock might need elbow surgery.

The Nationals put third baseman Anthony Rendon on the IL after he was hit in the elbow with a pitch last week that he’s unsuccessfully been trying to play through.

Ichiro Suzuki will serve as an instructor for the Mariners at the major league and Triple-A level.

Ben Lindbergh praises the hitting skill of the Twins’ Willians Astudillo and also how he’s a marketer’s dream for Minnesota and MLB.

Nick Piecoro details how every tattoo on the body of Diamondbacks reliever Yoan Lopez tells the story of his life.

A profile of White Sox scout John Kazanas and a look at how a baseball scout goes about his job.

Blue Jays teenage rookie Elvis Luciano got his first major league win and his teammates celebrated by pouring pretty much any disgusting thing they could find on him. I shouldn’t say that. Ballplayers could find a lot more disgusting things to pour on another ballplayer. They kept it gross, but at least it was PG.

And finally, Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig is apparently no longer the Wild Horse. Or at least, he’s taken to wearing mermaid costumes.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.

Source: https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2019/5/1/18525046/mlb-bullets-cc-sabathia-yankees-rich-hill-vladimir-guerrero-jr

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protierras · 6 years ago

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Keg choose the ‘Month stands again sparked significant reaction Jacob Evans Jersey

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wineschool-blog · 3 years ago

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Sommelier Courses in America

https://j.mp/3gqHy1C Sommelier Courses in America - Keith Wallace - The world of wine is wonderful. Sommelier training opens opportunities in all sectors, from the hospitality industry to retail, from education to marketing, from distribution to production. Wine jobs are not only appealing, but they’re lucrative too. Wine professionals, like any other specialists, need credentials and constant knowledge updates. The wine world comprises dozens of countries, hundreds of wine regions, and thousands of grape varieties. The laws, the climate, the soil types, and the people, all form part of a wine specialist’s knowledge. Table of contentsGetting Wine CertifiedWine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)National Wine School (NWS)Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS)Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW)Wine Scholar Guild (WSG)The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) Getting Wine Certified If you want to get your foot in the door, you’ll need to hit the books and find the right association, school, or study program to help you in your learning, but also to vouch for you. These are the most important wine education and certification programs; find out which one is for you. Our preference for wine certification is well known: we love the programs coming out of the National Wine School, so we are 100% biased. If you want a neutral source for information, we recommend either the Sommeliers Choice Awards or SOMM. The Top Three Sommelier Programs The essential wine and sommelier programs in the United States. These companies are the main certification bodies for the wine trade. You typically have to attend classes at a local wine school or attend a virtual wine course to earn these certifications. These three programs are very different in their approach to wine education, but also their student base. We recommend considering both when choosing which of these programs you would be more comfortable in. Someone who feels at home at CMS would not be a good fit for the NWS, and a WSET person may feel at home at NWS, but definitely not the CMS. Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) The Wine & Spirit Education Trust, or WSET, is based in the UK but now runs pay-to-play franchises across the globe. You can take any of their courses in any major city in the US and other countries. The basics of a WSET class are fairly simple: a PowerPoint presentation in a rented room, plus a wine tasting. WSET is very methodical; they offer programs on different specialties like wine, spirits, sake. Advancing from levels one through four in most programs, the difficulty increases dramatically. A level four Wine Diploma is one of the most coveted and hard to get certifications in the industry. Wine regions, tasting, and a strong focus on the business side of wine, WSET is great for someone looking towards restaurant employment. Wine School Snapshot Graduating L3 WSET Class National Wine School (NWS) The only major wine school founded in the United States, the NWS offers a uniquely American liberal arts perspective. Unlike WSET or CMS, the programs are designed for the entire wine industry, not just restaurants. The wine trade is very different in the states than in other countries. Working in restaurants isn’t as lucrative nor as respected as it is in Europe. Unlike other wine programs, the focus is not on restaurant employment. NWS expects their students will work in many parts of the wine trade, including winemakers, wine educators, and importers, and their curriculum reflects those realities. We think the National Wine School is the best option for someone looking to learn about wine. The school attracts a diverse student base and offers programs that are engaging to people from all walks of life. The Wine School of Philadelphia will not offer either WSET or CMS programs due to their —what’s the best way to say this?– narrow view of both wine and students. We are far from alone in this move. Wine School Snapshot Graduating L3 NWS Class Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) Serious allegations of racism, cheating, and sexual assaults have been leveled at members of its board of directors. These allegations have been covered in detail by the New York Times. The program is exclusively for people in the restaurant industry. The Court of Master Sommeliers is a sommelier certification program based in the UK, now with a big branch in the US. There are four levels to accomplish before becoming one of the few Master Sommeliers in the world. There are just over 400 wine professionals with this high title. Founded in 1977, it had a big boom after the SOMM documentary was released in 2013. The organization focuses strongly on wine service in restaurant scenarios and on deductive wine tasting, a skill that enables sommeliers to not only assess the quality of any wine but to identify its vintage, grape variety, and provenance. Wine School Snapshot Graduating CMS L4 Class The Other Sommelier Programs Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) The Master of Wine qualification is gained after a challenging three-year program organized by the Institute of Masters of Wine. Founded in 1955, the organization requires students to know everything there is to know about wine and write appropriately about it. A series of essays and exams take the students to their limits, becoming some of the better-prepared professionals in the industry. To start the program, students must already have wide experience in the field, high qualifications like the level four WSET diploma, and a Master of Wine sponsorship. Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) The Wine Scholar Guild is an approachable study program provider. The ability to study traditionally in a classroom or online allows students to tackle the Wine Scholar Guild programs in their own time from anywhere in the world. Specializations in important wine-producing countries like France, Spain, and Italy make this organization an ideal way to stand out from other professionals. Master-level programs include a regional approach to most French wine regions, from Champagne to Bordeaux. Immersion trips that include high-end tasting in the heart of the wine country and mentorship from highly trained professionals complete the learning experience. The International Sommelier Guild (ISG) Established in 1982, the International Sommelier Guild offers an extensive wine education program through third-party schools in the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and many other countries. Standardized, relevant textbooks and a complete curriculum fed by ISG instructors are powerful tools to certify capable sommeliers. Different levels lead students to a very high proficiency level, including a teacher program that helps grow the guild’s reach. A new online learning platform will help the International Sommelier Guild have an even broader reach. If you want to become a certified sommelier or simply wish to increase your wine expertise, these are the most popular organizations worldwide. As long as you have a passion for wine and a commitment to keep on learning, you’ll find any goal achievable and any certification level within reach. Welcome to the wine world, an ever-growing community of wine lovers. Wine Courses L1 Online Wine Certification Core (L2/L3) wine Courses Advanced (L4) wine Programs Wine Education Articles What is a Supertaster Wine & Health through the Ages What is Terroir? The Big Money Wine Myth Growing Grapes without Irrigation History of Wine Sommelier Classes What are Tannins? Wine Blogs - https://j.mp/3gqHy1C

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apscufku · 6 years ago

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PA Promise reintroduced at press conference in Pennsylvania State Capitol.

Representatives and senators from Pennsylvania met on Wednesday, January 30th, at the state capitol to reintroduce the PA Promise legislation. The event was held at 9:30 A.M and consisted of several speakers including public officials, and representatives from universities in the state.

First to speak was Senator Vincent Hughes who represents the 7th district. Senator Hughes stated, “Pennsylvania college students need a new deal when it comes to college and affordability.” referencing the troubling financial climate that the Pennsylvania higher education system is facing.

Currently, Pennsylvania is ranked 47th in the country for support for college funding, and 50th in higher education due to the debt amounts. Since 2000, tuition and fees have seen a 50% increase. “There is $1.5 trillion in student debt nationally. This is unacceptable.” Says Senator Hughes

In the state of Pennsylvania, student loan debt is $1.3 trillion collectively. The average rate of student loan debt per student is currently $36,193. On top of these statistics, students are also facing living difficulties while trying to get their degrees.

Ken Mash, the APSCUF president, also spoke at the event. Mash pointed out that the cost of living for college students has increased 50% since 2000.“Some students are working 2 or 3 jobs, skipping sleep, and taking on crushing loans,” says Mash, “ Not every student can be a superhero.”

“56% of students at The Community College of Philadelphia are food insecure, and 19% are homeless.” says Senator Hughes. This lack of basic living amenities also extends to Temple University. 36% of students find themselves food insecure, 34% are housing insecure, and 7% are homeless.

Nathan Warren is an English education major at Millersville University. He works 18 hours a week, while balancing 5 classes. “I’m worrying every day if I can afford my way through graduation,” states Warren. “Even then, I’m surrounded by the reality that I will be in debt for life.”

In addition to work and school, Warren is also disabled. He experiences full body pains and a great deal of fatigue. Yet, he is expected to financially support himself by paying his rent to keep the heat on in his apartment, and make sure tuition is paid until he graduates.

Warren says that he is also a member of the Pennsylvania Student Power Network (PASPN) that runs statewide, centralized in Philadelphia. Recently, PASPN has brought much attention towards student loan debt and rising tuition costs.

“Students shouldn’t feel financially burdened by college.” says Patrick Barfield of Penn State University. “Parents shouldn’t have to take out a second mortgage to send their children to college.” which is becoming common practice during this financial climate.

Back in September, members of the organization stood ground at the office of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, where they demanded loan cancellation as well as affordable college. Pennsylvania currently has the highest student debt rates in the country.

The PA Promise would not only aim to make college more affordable, but it would also help adults go back to school, inmates get an education, and drastically reduce the amount of debt acquired at state-related colleges such as the University of Pittsburgh and Temple University.

Rural communities will see more educational opportunities. They will be able to attend community colleges that aren’t otherwise supported by the state. Students will be able to attend these community colleges with the same benefits as state recognized community colleges. The hopes of this is that the job market improves as well as the quality of life in these communities.

The bill will also fund trade skills and apprenticeships for students that choose to go the vocational route. It will award grants which could make these programs free for students. In turn, the job market could see a significant bump.

Representative James R. Roebuck asked how we are supposed to give people jobs when less than half of adults have a college education in a market that is demanding of a higher education? 60% of jobs in Pennsylvania require a higher education. Only 40% of adults in PA have education beyond high school.

Rep. Roebuck stated that the PA Promise was an “Opportunity for business” and that the state would be able to introduce highly skilled individuals to the workforce. “ The PA Promise is a step toward correcting Pennsylvania students’ enormous student debt.”

The PA Promise legislation is beginning to make waves once again. On March 27th, a rally will be held at the state capitol. Students, faculty, and staff from state related and state system schools are welcomed to attend to show their support for a groundbreaking bill that could change the pace of education forever.

Watch the Press conference video here

#postbyxiana #affordablecollege #papromise

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itsfinancethings · 5 years ago

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Nerida Brownlee and her husband have three children under 3 years old. When they were told to work from home, the Philadelphia couple had what they thought was a long and careful conversation with their nanny about whether she was comfortable still looking after their 8-month-old twins and 2-year-old son. They all agreed to minimize their contact with people outside their two families, to practice self-quarantine and careful hygiene and for her drive to work. They’d already spent so much time together, it seemed like a safe option.

Nevertheless, one working day later, their nanny texted them to say she was quitting.

“She had watched the news, and she was very worried,” says Brownlee, who works for an international human rights nonprofit. “I totally understand her decision. She probably didn’t have the heart to actually say it to me.” Brownlee intends to call her and tell her she will keep paying her, in the hope that she will come back when she feels it’s safe to do so, but in the meantime, she has to scramble to find a way to get her work done.

Liliana Maslog is a nanny, part of a nanny-share program that has her looking after toddlers from two different families in Mt. Pleasant, N.Y. On Mar. 12, as it became clear that the virus was spreading very swiftly, one of her families told her to stay at home the following week, but the other family still wanted her to work.

“I didn’t know what to do,” says Maslog, who has a 7-year-old child of her own, whose school is now closed. Her husband is an assistant building manager and cannot work from home. Having worried about it all weekend, she resolved to tell the other family that she couldn’t come in, even if that meant she would not get paid. But they called Sunday night and said they’d changed their minds and she should stay home and they would pay her.

Parents and childcare workers are facing this dilemma across the country, especially now that many districts are closing schools. Many parents simply cannot stay home. But there are also genuine questions about whether they can ask other people to look after their children, when all efforts are being made to limit contagion. In one of the series of cascading dominoes that are toppling the norms of 21st century life as people have known it, parents are now scrambling to find a way to work, while childcare workers have to face the question of whether they can work safely—or afford not to work.

Childcare in the U.S. has always been a very haphazard business, with parents sewing together whatever crazy quilt they can to cover their needs, and childcare workers living very insecure lives, both financially and in the arrangements they have made to have their own children cared for. Childcare centers are high-risk, low-revenue businesses, often just one small misfortune away from not being able to operate.

A huge disruptive force like a pandemic can wreak havoc in solid well-run businesses—like, say, the New York Stock Exchange. Its effect on people’s precarious childcare arrangements can be catastrophic. “We’ve never had this before,” says Maslog, who has been a professional nanny for 18 years. “There’s no system or arrangement to tell us what to do. ”

Jessica, who did not give her full name in fear of losing her job, works for a childcare center in Fairfield, Conn. Her employer is open and still accepting children. She took Monday off but was told to report for work on Tuesday, or risk not being paid. “Last week I was a little more comfortable with working,” she says. “But now I’m very much back and forth.” She decided not to go in.

Childcare work is very hands-on. There is no social distancing with small children and none with toddlers. “When I’m feeding the child, I’m touching all the things in their lunchboxes,” Jessica notes. She’s worried about her susceptibility to the virus. “A lot of the parents work in New York City, and they go in on the train,” she notes. Some of them have a history of bringing children in with illnesses. But she’s also worried about the children and their parents too. She lives with 20-something sons, who are doing their own version of social distancing. She would hate to infect anybody else.

About half the parents at the center where Jessica works have stopped sending their children in, she says, but the center is staying open. Because it’s so hard for childcare centers to turn a profit, she thinks her employers may need to keep the center open in order to avoid offering refunds. She keeps asking: “What’s the right thing to do for me? And for others?”

Meanwhile, in the small town of Montpelier, Ind., Kali Matheney would love for the childcare center where she works to be open, because it’s her only source of income. But once the local school closed down, the church-based childcare center next door closed as well. Matheney, who has a 2-year-old son, is still doing respite care for a child with special needs, but her family is having to get by mostly on her husband’s income from his shifts at a local factory.

“We just won’t have any leftover money from our budget,” says Matheney. “Without allowing for extra saving we can get by.”

Audrey Toda, an ob-gyn from Woodside, Calif., has been relying on the Bright Horizons childcare center at her husband’s pharmaceutical office to look after their 7-month-old and 4-year-old while they work. But it is closing as of March 17, and neither she nor her husband can do their work from home. Their fallback position has always been Toda’s parents.

“But my parents are in their 70s and I’m trying to protect them,” says Toda. (The virus has been much more deadly among those in their 70s and 80s.) In the interim, her 30-year-old brother-in-law is stepping in to help.

Parents say their plans change hourly, as a new development arises. On March 16, San Francisco and most of the Bay Area announced that all residents should shelter-in-place—that is, stay home unless absolutely necessary. Only nannies who are needed for healthcare reasons are allowed to work. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has suggested he is considering a similar measure, so many more parents could soon be winging it on their own.

So far, parents have discovered, flexibility is the key skill they’ve needed. Brownlee and her husband thought they might take the children for three hours each, but that plan fell apart on the first day. Now she’s trying to get three hours of work done in the morning, another four between the hours of 8 p.m. and midnight, and to squeeze some of the simpler tasks in between.

She recognizes she’s one of the lucky ones. Her employers understand the difficulty of the situation, and with some rearranging, she can work from home. She has a basement the kids can play in and she and her spouse are both home, so they can trade off easily. But it’s still a work in progress.

“I don’t even have it that difficult and I’m finding it impossible. I’m figuring out what can you do on your phone while you’re in a tent playing maracas,” she says. But not all work is so easily dispensed with. “The stuff I need to think about will have to come later.”

#IFTTT #Blogger

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yourflowerpatch2012-blog · 5 years ago

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Why are flowers so expensive?

Why does something you could just pluck out of the ground cost so much?

There are several reasons: flowers are delicate, high maintenance, perishable, difficult to grow, often imported and can cross continents as they make their way from field to florist.

So as 12 May approaches – Mother’s Day in nearly 100 countries – you may find yourself grumbling about how much a bouquet costs. But that price tag has to account for the house-of-cards nature of the product: the time and money farmers spend to hit holiday deadlines and the pressure for florists to match supply to demand, or lose out.

High-risk peaks

Perfect blooms are extremely fragile – both physically and from a business perspective.

And when it comes to flowers grown to hit holiday peaks, both farmers and florists face higher labour costs and financial risks. A big driver behind this is the fact that so many countries import their flowers.

According to research from Comtrade, the United Nations’ international trade database, global exports of cut flowers were worth $8.48bn in 2017, a 46% increase from 1995. (“Cut flowers” refers to flowers presented in bouquets, like roses, lilies, tulips and pansies.) The Netherlands was the top exporter, followed by developing countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya and Ethiopia. Ecuador and Colombia exported the most roses and carnations in 2018, Thailand topped the orchid trade while Colombia dominated with lilies and chrysanthemums.

Top importers are almost exclusively developed countries: the US, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Russia. Amy Stewart, author of Flower Confidential, a behind-the-curtain look at the industry, says almost all the blooms bought in the developed world are imported.

“They’re moving across continents and since they’re perishable, they have to be refrigerated as they travel, which is expensive. For florists, it can be risky, because they may order 10,000 tulips in hopes of selling them for a lone event on the calendar, like Mother’s Day. But if they don’t sell them all, the leftovers quickly die and become worthless. Part of what consumers are paying for is that risk.”

Labour surges

Hitting those peaks requires precision and skill. The flowers must be grown in such a way that they don’t develop diseases or funguses, which could potentially spread through entire crops.

Jeanie McKewan, who has been growing flowers for 13 years in the US states of Illinois and Wisconsin, points to insect damage as a big challenge, saying there’s a “zero tolerance” policy: “It is through constant vigilance and the use of integrated pest management that we keep the little buggers from getting the best of our crops,” she says.

Then the flowers have to bloom on schedule. In the case of Mother’s Day tulips planted in January or February, they have to bloom by early May in time to be picked and shipped.

Labour costs are already high – according to the 2012 US Agricultural Census, contract and hired labour accounted for 10% of total agricultural operating expenses in the US, but that number soared to 40% for greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production because of a tighter farm labour market and rising wages. Then you add extra costs for peaks.

McKewan hires extra hands during peak periods but says cutting flowers “requires experience and cannot be done by just any part-time employee”. Chris Drummond, a Philadelphia-based florist, says wages average around $13.25 (£10.16) per hour in the US. “In order to ramp up production to meet holiday demand, growers are required to pay far above that average,” he says.

In developed countries like the Netherlands or Germany, Stewart says that there are greenhouses with automated technology like sophisticated watering machines or robot transplanters and harvesters, where fewer workers are needed. But in poorer nations with cheaper labour, there’s less use of technology.

Then it’s time for shipping. While flowers are waiting on the runway or in the back of a lorry, temperatures can’t be too cold (for Valentine’s Day) or too hot (for Mother’s Day). When they arrive at the wholesaler, they must look perfect. That means no bug bites, no missing petals, no dead buds. Otherwise, they get thrown away. “It has to be flawless,” Stewart says.

Complicated logistics

Chris Drummond, the florist, estimates that the holiday volume “is usually nearly 20 times the everyday volume”. He says many farmers nurture flowers all year long to ensure enough blooms for the handful of holidays. During the other months on the farm, he says, flowers are sold at cost, below cost or discarded and turned into mulch.

“So, of course farm price increases as demand increases,” he says. “Consumers are paying a premium to make sure that grower is compensated for their expense and effort to maintain the plants year-round, thus ensuring the wide variety of flowers is available at each holiday.”

He highlights costs across the supply chain, saying industry participants must “rent temporary space, pay fuel surcharges, find space on airlines, hire independent drivers, find more refrigerated trucks, pay overtime to staff” and more. Roses flown from Bogota to Miami are hit with a 15-cent (£0.12) importer’s fee to clear customs and inspection. Domestic refrigerated shipping can vary, but that’s another eight cents (£0.06) per rose.

It also depends on what kind of flower you’re shipping – Drummond says 300 carnations can fit into the same box as 150 roses, so the transport price per stem is halved. Transit time from field to florist can be up to a week (though it can wildly vary depending on where the flowers are coming from), and the blooms must be carefully handled every step of the way.

Hans Larsen is a cut flower grower in the US state of Wisconsin and has run a flower farm with his wife since 1975. His biggest challenge? “Time. There is never enough time,” he says. “Between seeding, planting, harvesting, marketing, selling and accounting this job is basically five full-time jobs rolled into one low-paying job.”

He points to the fickle nature of what’s in fashion as an additional challenge: “Flower popularity is a lot like fashion as colour, shapes, textures change almost on the whim. Keeping up on social media and growing forums is must to understand it all. Dahlias are extremely popular at the moment as it photographs so well, and they have so many colours and shapes.”

Finally, it’s time to order that bouquet – but again this can ratchet up the price tag, because florists who are often highly trained will work their magic to deliver a professional, personalised display that will keep the customer coming back.

Stewart has a tip – don’t set out what you want in the bouquet but give the florist room to excel, and you’ll end up with better value for money. “It’s a far better thing to say, ‘You know, I want to get some flowers for my mum. She loves Italy, she goes to Tuscany all the time – I want something that looks like it came out of the Italian countryside,” she says.

Origin stories

Given the challenges, logistical demands and skill levels needed across the supply chain, it’s no wonder flowers cost as much as they do. But some within the industry say it’s a matter of getting consumers to realise the amount of work that goes into one bouquet.

Debra Prinzing, a former home and garden journalist in Seattle who’s an advocate for growing and selling local flowers, says shifts in the flower industry mirror the evolution of the food industry a few decades back. She gives the example of a chef sharing a colourful story about where the truffles in a particular dish came from; she wants people to prize flowers and their origin stories in the same way rather than seeing them as simple consumables.

“I think flowers have incredible value when you have that connection to a human farmer who grew them,” she says. And learning how to appreciate just how much time, effort and risk go into that special bouquet could help you better digest the cost.

“Those flowers have passed through more hands, maybe travelled through more countries, might have been talked about in more languages, might have been haggled over in more currencies, and are better traveled than you on your last summer vacation,” Stewart says. “It is so incredibly complex behind the scenes.”

https://yourflowerpatch.com/news-around-the-web/377-why-are-flowers-so-expensive

Source: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190507-why-are-flowers-so-expensive

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shortstruck83-blog · 5 years ago

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Eagles’ 7-Round NFL Mock Draft by fan vote

Is there anything more accurate than a March mock draft? I struggle to think of anything. What about a fan poll mock draft? Now we’re cooking with oil!

Utilizing The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine, I conducted a series of Twitter polls that begged the question, “Who should the Philadelphia Eagles draft?” I felt this was a perfect scheme to discuss potential targets while passing all the blame onto the voters. You’ll still shoot the messenger since you probably skipped this part.

Upset with the results? Please, be my guest and go through your own 7-round mock and post them in the comments. Enough chatter, the Eagles are on the clock!

FIRST ROUND - 25TH OVERALL

Off the Board: Clemson iDL Christian Wilkins, Clemson EDGE Clelin Ferrell, UF $ Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Washington State OT Andre Dillard

Available: Michigan LB Devin Bush Jr., Alabama RB Josh Jacobs, Delaware $ Nasir Adderley, Florida EDGE Jachai Polite

The Pick: Alabama RB Josh Jacobs (33%)

There are two types of people in this world. Those that don’t want to pay Le’Veon Bell a projected 4-year, $60M deal or draft a running back in round one. And those that do. If you’re a third type of person that believes one but not the other, you don’t count. Why? That doesn’t make any sense.

I don’t believe the Eagles will draft a running back in round one. If they did, it’s because the board fell like this. With no Wilkins or top tier offensive tackle it leaves a diminished group. If not a running back, you’re looking at top talent at the safety position. Is this the year the Eagles grab one? Or do they sign a veteran to be the third in their big dime/nickel packages? What about drafting a falling edge rusher that showed up to the Combine disgruntled and sloppy?

Jacobs is the most complete back in the class. Period. Inside, outside, receiving, blocking.. nobody possesses his well-rounded skill set. He can run you over and he can leave you looking for your jockstrap.

As the 2018 season unfolded, the Eagles’ running backs had people changing their definition of a “feature back” weekly. Josh Adams isn’t one. Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement aren’t either. Josh Jacobs? Yes. He’s a lot closer to being one than what the Eagles’ have been trotting out after Jay Ajayi went down.

SECOND ROUND - 53RD OVERALL

Off the Board: Notre Dame iDL Jerry Tillery, West Virginia OT Yodny Cajuste, Ohio State WR Parris Campbell, Clemson iDL Dexter Lawrence, etc.

Available: Virginia $ Juan Thornhill, Ohio State iDL Dre’Mont Jones, South Carolina WR Deebo Samuel, Maryland $ Darnell Savage Jr.

The Pick: Ohio State iDL Dre’Mont Jones (34%)

This was a close one, but Jones edged out Thornhill and the Eagles decide to beef up their interior. I use “beef up” loosely, as Jones isn’t going to be a plus in the run game early in his career. Freeze frame his first step and you’ll see a quick get off with awful pad level. That causes him to be moved and wash out of plays.

That first step does allow him to win as a pass rusher though. He also possesses good flexibility throughout his body and a decent toolbox of pass rush moves. He’ll be a situational player to start as he works the rest of his kinks out. Fixing his pad level will hide the warts in his game and keep him on the field in running situations. How long you’re willing to wait on that tweak is the question.

Jones came in at 40th overall in my pre-Combine big board and was my 5th ranked interior defensive tackle when I studied the group last month. This is solid value.

SECOND ROUND - 57TH OVERALL

Available: Virginia $ Juan Thornhill, Ohio State WR Terry McLaurin, Alabama State OT Tytus Howard, Alabama LB Mack Wilson

The Pick: Alabama LB Mack Wilson (39%)

Twitter polls are a flawed process. Thornhill was in the lead and then Jon Ledyard of The Draft Network retweets the poll and Mack Wilson takes a strong step forward. It’s okay, we’ll get a safety later. Wilson is an acceptable value here and currently sits as my LB3.

If I could trade Wilson for Devin Bush Jr. and Jacobs for Memphis running back Darrell Henderson… I’d consider it. Bush is a clear tier ahead of Wilson, who was clearly outplayed by his teammate Dylan Moses. New strategy: Draft Dylan Moses next year and prosper.

As a side note, don’t sleep on Terry McLaurin here. His teammate Parris Campbell is getting all the love after running a 4.31. Make no mistake, McLaurin has the far more complete route tree and 4.35 isn’t slow.

FOURTH ROUND - 127TH OVERALL

Available: Oregon EDGE Justin Hollins, Utah $ Marquise Blair, Oregon WR Dillon Mitchell, USC OT Chuma Edoga

The Pick: USC OT Chuma Edoga (43%)

I wrote about Edoga in my offensive tackle rankings, here’s what I had to say:

“...raised eyebrows at the Senior Bowl with superb athleticism and overall performance. There are inconsistencies in his game, but the more troubling aspect to Edoga will be under scrutiny at the Combine. His interviews will be important, as the word is evaluators are concerned about his character. If he lands with a coach that can get through to him, Edoga’s high ceiling will be within reach and worth an early investment.”

FOURTH ROUND - 138TH OVERALL

Available: Iowa EDGE Anthony Nelson, Colorado $ Evan Worthington, Notre Dame WR Miles Boykin, Ohio State CB Kendall Sheffield

The Pick: Notre Dame WR Miles Boykin (45%)

Boykin shredded Day 2 of the Combine. Coming in at 6’3 3/4” and 220 pounds, Boykin ran a 4.42 40-yard dash, hit 43 1/2” on the vert, and literally flew 11’8” on his broad jump (99th percentile). Those that raced to his film saw some of that explosiveness on film, but also saw a good deal of refinement needed. Might not contribute significant snaps in 2019, but he could also press some others out of a job in the future.

5TH ROUND - 163RD OVERALL

Available: Rutgers $ Saquan Hampton, LSU TE Foster Moreau, Boise State QB Brett Rypien, Syracuse iDL Chris Slayton

The Pick: Rutgers $ Saquan Hampton (32%)

I breezed through some Hampton tape in search for top safeties in this group. His physical/athletic profiles are his best assets right now. With more overall development needed, Hampton will have to earn his keep on special teams before cracking the “big nickel/dime” packages. Enticing tools with which to work if he can stick.

6TH ROUND - 197TH OVERALL

The Pick: USC EDGE Porter Gustin (28%)

Dealing with bicep, toe, and ankle injuries, Gustin has only played nine games in the last two years as a Trojan. That’s a shame, because he was off to a good start in 2018. In six games he racked up 7.5 sacks before shutting it down. Gustin is a throwback player and partial maniac that can hopefully stay on the field more than the trainers’ table.

6TH ROUND - 208TH OVERALL

The Pick: Penn State iOL Ryan Bates (27%)

If the Eagles’ are looking for more depth along the line they might as well bet on an athlete. Bates quietly put on a fantastic performance at the Combine. Bates has spent time at tackle and guard and represents the type of versatility and mobility the Eagles’ covet.

You can love or hate this draft, but at the end of the day the gentle readers did better than Todd McShay. It’s a low bar, but I’m proud of all of you.

Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2019/3/6/18253857/eagles-7-round-nfl-mock-draft-by-fan-vote-philadelphia-picks-2019-seven-twitter-josh-jacobs

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