Spring training news thread

Red(s)HawksFan · Mar 23, 2015

MakMan44 said:
This is absolutely an issue though with the current agreement though. It's not like this is the first time it's come up.

It's only an "issue" now because a potential "superstar" player is affected. Who before Bryant was this ever an "issue" for?

The team can do what they want. And I can't see this being such a major issue that the PA makes it a sticking point during the next CBA negotiations.

jon abbey · Mar 23, 2015

Red(s)HawksFan said:
It's only an "issue" now because a potential "superstar" player is affected. Who before Bryant was this ever an "issue" for?

Mike Trout, George Springer, to name two major ones in the last three seasons.

It's different for Boras clients because teams know there's close to no chance they can get them to sign a long-term deal before hitting free agency, so the extra year of team control is a no-brainer.

Red(s)HawksFan · Mar 23, 2015

jon abbey said:
Mike Trout, George Springer, to name two major ones in the last three seasons.

It's different for Boras clients because teams know there's close to no chance they can get them to sign a long-term deal before hitting free agency, so the extra year of team control is a no-brainer.

Trout wasn't a matter of manipulating service time since he'd been called up the previous year and played in 40 games. His clock was started and the 3.5 weeks he was in AAA in April 2012 didn't save the Angels anything. As I recall, the Angels at the time had a full and expensive outfield including Vernon Wells and Bobby Abreu (who was eventually cut to bring Trout up) and Trout also missed time in spring training with an illness. They sent him down to start the year to give the vets a chance to play, not as an overt attempt to extend his clock.

MakMan44 · Mar 23, 2015

Polanco, last season, was a huge one. It turns out he wasn't ready, but it was a pretty big story all season.

In fact, I'm a little surprised you're surprised it's an issue. This isn't new, it's been a story every other season or so.

MakMan44 · Mar 23, 2015

glennhoffmania said:
It's definitely an issue. That doesn't mean Boras going nuts in the media is the way to handle it though. If Bryant's spring numbers in 25 ABs were shit we'd be hearing from Boras about how exhibition numbers don't mean anything. Until the system is changed Chicago can do whatever they want, and there's no way in hell Boras would win if he files a grievance.

Agreed all around. Is it really surprising this is the way Boras handled it though?

Red(s)HawksFan · Mar 23, 2015

MakMan44 said:
Polanco, last season, was a huge one. It turns out he wasn't ready, but it was a pretty big story all season.

In fact, I'm a little surprised you're surprised it's an issue. This isn't new, it's been a story every other season or so.

I'm not really surprised that it's an issue. More disputing that it's a big issue. Okay, it comes up with various prospects so it isn't new. Still think it's only headline news now because it's a Boras client. There were no threats of lawsuits or national writers (like Rosenthal) calling for the union to step in and file grievances for Springer or Polanco or JBJ (who was activated on Opening Day). It'll blow over whenever Bryant gets the call, and if the Cubs miss the post-season by a game, the debate will become a matter of whether Bryant would have made the difference (a la Trout in 2012). Doubtful anything actually gets changed.

MakMan44 · Mar 23, 2015

Fair points all around. I hope they change it more because I'm tired of it being brought up nearly every year, than thinking it's a big issue.

RedOctober3829 · Mar 23, 2015

Jack Magruder ‏@JackMagruder 13s13 seconds ago
#Dbacks Allen Webster hits Justin Turner in the fifth and is ejected. Turner was hit in the first, after Trumbo was hit and warnings issued

glennhoffmania · Mar 24, 2015

Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier has signed a four-year contract worth $20 million, the team announced Tuesday.

The deal, which runs through 2018, does not include any option years. Dozier would have been eligible for arbitration after this season.

Dozier already was under contract for this year at $590,000 in the major leagues and $324,000 in the minors. The new deal calls for $2 million this season, $3 million in 2016, $6 million in 2017 and $9 million in 2018.

Link

santadevil · Mar 24, 2015

RedOctober3829 said:
Jack Magruder ‏@JackMagruder 13s13 seconds ago
#Dbacks Allen Webster hits Justin Turner in the fifth and is ejected. Turner was hit in the first, after Trumbo was hit and warnings issued

I love the quote in the ESPN article from Justin Turner, who was hit twice in the game by Diamondback pitchers.
"They were like, 'Come on. Let's go. That's too many pitches up and in.' You can't really say anything when your guy doesn't know where it's going either."

I guess Justin Turner isn't a big fan of potential teammate of Chris Anderson.

Deathofthebambino · Mar 24, 2015

1-3 today with bomb No. 9 for Bryant, off Pomeranz. Just outrageous. Other than Trout, I don't think I can remember ever being this excited to watch a rookie begin their career, probably dating back to Griffey Jr.

glennhoffmania · Mar 27, 2015

Boras really needs to shut up.

"The opiate of player control cannot supersede the greater importance of MLB's integrity and brand, which says that this is where the best players play. You can't have that," Boras said in a phone interview with CBSSports.com. "Clearly, there's an obligation to put the best players in the big leagues."

"They haven't won for 100 years, and they should start trying to win today," Boras said. "Cubs fans are paying the third-highest ticket prices. They are paying for the team to win today. They don't pay to see the club do business."

Yes, because someone who invests millions of dollars in a team should have zero business concerns.

"He's out-performing superstars in spring training. The performance is so obvious," Boras said of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 draft. "This guy's a slugger. This guy's a prolific power hitter. He has the chance to hit 25 or 30 home runs."

So the next time one of his players has a shitty month and the GM points to that as a reason to pay him less, I guess Boras can't use the sample size argument.

"Even if [starting Bryant in the minors is] in the best interests of the Cubs, that doesn't mean it's in the best interest of the league," Boras said. "Everyone else is going to be rightly wondering why the best player isn't out there."

So the Cubs should do what Boras thinks is best for MLB, not what's best for the Cubs.

MakMan44 · Mar 27, 2015

Bryant isn't the only prospect that's been doing amazing too. I get that Boras should advocate for his client, but I find his argument becomes sort of bullshit when he doesn't even mention a guy like Carlos Rondon.

rotundlio · Mar 28, 2015

Here it is from the gorilla's mouth. Pretty interesting video, I think—lots of familiar names. Not real illuminating, though. I think in his heart of hearts Theo would quite like to burst out and proclaim they need the year of control.

Zach McAllister of the Indians struck out nine across five today. This is significant, as he's now likely to gain the rotation. Quite aside from being the Platonic ideal of replacement level, McAllister is infinitely more valuable out of the pen. They've optioned Danny Salazar (3.13 SIERA, 12% swinging strike rate) to accommodate him. Salazar needs to improve his "consistency," so... R.I.P. Originally I had Cleveland winning it all, but now I'm just hurt and confused.

Jaime García was scratched today. This could fling open the door for Baby Pedro and his outlier arsenal score. The Cards rotation is so stacked that I'll be drafting whichever one secures the fifth spot.

Bryant had four hits. That isn't news. Russell Wilson went yard in BP.... That isn't either. Votto struck out and the Luddite voice of the Reds said something to the effect of, "...and he'd tell you that strikeout was better than an RBI!" It pleases me greatly how no one within a stone's throw of that organization can appreciate Joey Votto.

Victor Sánchez passed away. Very sad.

RedOctober3829 · Mar 30, 2015

Cubs have sent Kris Bryant to the minor league camp. He'll be starting the season in the minor leagues which is the smart thing to do.

Al Zarilla · Mar 31, 2015

Barry Zito is pitching for the A's today. I haven't kept up with the A's this spring. Anybody know if he has a chance at making the team?

Lars The Wanderer · Mar 31, 2015

Giants DFA former 1st rounder Gary Brown. Matt Duffy makes the 25 man.

ScubaSteveAvery · Mar 31, 2015

soxhop411 said:
@JamesWagnerWP: Anthony Rendon getting second opinion from Dr. James Andrews today.

Rendon now getting a third opinion on his knee. No surgery recommended by the first two doctors, but nobody can explain the extended period of soreness.

nvalvo · Apr 2, 2015

Coco Crisp having surgery for bone chips in his elbow, expected to be out for two months.

Another possible OF trade partner?

Frank Fenway · Apr 2, 2015

nvalvo said:
Coco Crisp having surgery for bone chips in his elbow, expected to be out for two months.

Another possible OF trade partner?

Red Sox West always wants to trade

Darnell's Son · Apr 2, 2015

Frank said:
Red Sox West always wants to trade

But they'll want Bryce Brentz and he'll hit 25 HR for them.

kenneycb · Apr 3, 2015

Darnell's Son said:
But they'll want Bryce Brentz and he'll hit 25 HR for them.

In the PCL.

E5 Yaz · Apr 3, 2015

Bob Nightengale @BNightengale · 5m5 minutes ago

Jarred Cosart cleared by #MLB on allegations he bet on baseball,but fined for placing bets with book makers on other sports

Red(s)HawksFan · Apr 3, 2015

MLB Communications @MLB_PR
Twins pitcher Ervin Santana has received an 80-game suspension without pay after testing positive for Stanozolol.

Can't imagine this makes the Twins too happy.

Ed Hillel · Apr 4, 2015

E5 Yaz said:
Bob Nightengale @BNightengalehttps://twitter.com/BNightengalehttps://twitter.com/BNightengale · 5m5 minutes ago

Jarred Cosart cleared by #MLB on allegations he bet on baseball,but fined for placing bets with book makers on other sports

You can't bet on other sports? Gateway betting type of thing?

Red(s)HawksFan · Apr 4, 2015

Ed Hillel said:
You can't bet on other sports? Gateway betting type of thing?

It wasn't strictly the betting that he was fined for, it was for placing bets with illegal bookmakers. I believe any MLB player can walk into a sports book in Vegas and bet on the Super Bowl and there'd be no repercussions from the league.

Yahoo story

In a statement, MLB said: "Major League Baseball has completed its investigation into Jarred Cosart's possible connection to sports-related gambling. The investigation did not reveal any evidence to suggest that Cosart, who fully cooperated with the investigation, bet on baseball. Cosart has received an undisclosed fine for violations of Major League Rule 21(d)(3) that were revealed during the investigation. Major League Rule 21(d)(3) prohibits players from placing bets with illegal book makers, or agents for illegal book makers. This rule is strictly enforced and applies to gambling with illegal bookmakers on any sport or event."

SemperFidelisSox · Apr 4, 2015

50,000 at Olympic Stadium today.

The Rays will be lucky to get 30,000 on Opening Day.

mabrowndog · Apr 4, 2015

SemperFidelisSox said:
50,000 at Olympic Stadium today.

The Rays will be lucky to get 30,000 on Opening Day.

... and 12,000 on any other day against a team not named the Red Sox or Yankees.

Spring training news thread

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