2015-2016 MLB Hot Stove thread

[BishopMVP]

And for the record, I completely believe Gordon gave KC a (slight) hometown discount because he likes the town, thinks the team is good, seems like a good guy, whatever. But unless you're his agent and the ink isn't dry yet you don't need to sell me on there being multiple teams offering $20m+ for 5+ years. It's a good deal for a good player.

[cuervo72]

Nats fans seem really really happy about acquiring...Ben Revere? I mean, I guess he's fast and all but a leadoff hitter with a .328 lifetime OBP and 4 lifetime HR? Ok, whatever.

[claphamsa]

woo a 5th OF!

[claphamsa]

WOA! thats all we got for storen? I mean...maybe if it had been papelbon....but thats horible

[JonInMiddleGA]

woo a 5th OF!

The articles I've seen are penciling him in as the starter ... but maybe that's what you meant ;)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

32 days until pitchers and catchers report. Amazing how short the offseason feels when your team plays until early November. I'm ready!

[stevew]

Gotta love Baltimore paying Chris Davis for an extra 14 years after his contract expires.

[Shkspr]

Gotta love Baltimore paying Chris Davis for an extra 14 years after his contract expires.

In fairness, that's a more favorable way of describing the contract than "18 years after his bat expires."

[ISiddiqui]

Looks like the Tigers got Justin Upton for six years and a little over $130 million, with an opt out after 2 years. Cespedes still sits out there... I think the chances he signs back with the Mets have just increased.

[Atocep]

Looks like the Tigers got Justin Upton for six years and a little over $130 million, with an opt out after 2 years. Cespedes still sits out there... I think the chances he signs back with the Mets have just increased.

I'd take him at the 5/90 that the Orioles had offered. Anything more than that, no thanks.

[lighthousekeeper]

So with the Beachy and Maeda signings, there will be 9 starting pitchers on the Dodgers active roster. I think 6 of those would have to stay on the active roster or face waivers (and it would be difficult to demote Bolsinger or Wood based on 2015 performance).

Kershaw
Anderson
Kazmir
Ryu
Maeda
Beachy
Wood
Bolsinger
Montas


It will be interesting to see how they juggle things.

Throw Joe Blanton onto the pile now ($4M guarantee). If it sounds like I'm jealous of the Dodger's vast pile of money, it's because I am.

[PilotMan]

I could do more for the Dodgers than Blanton ever could.

[Logan]

I'd take him at the 5/90 that the Orioles had offered. Anything more than that, no thanks.

I think you would need to kick in about $50 million of that for the Wilpons to actually be interested.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I could do more for the Dodgers than Blanton ever could.

He was a big help for the Royals last year.

[Atocep]

I think you would need to kick in about $50 million of that for the Wilpons to actually be interested.

No doubt. It's going to be interesting to see how/if the Wilpons loosen the purse strings since the rumor is the Mets are expecting to be profitable again sometime this year.

[BishopMVP]

He was a big help for the Royals last year.Did he start multiple games against them?

[PilotMan]

He was a big help for the Royals last year.

I saw his numbers from last year, but I can't get over his awful 2012-2013 and being completely out of baseball in 2014. Last year might be a better idea of how he'll do, but I'll believe it when I see it. Until then, he's a guy with a 6.00 ERA, who has a major gopher ball problem.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I saw his numbers from last year, but I can't get over his awful 2012-2013 and being completely out of baseball in 2014. Last year might be a better idea of how he'll do, but I'll believe it when I see it. Until then, he's a guy with a 6.00 ERA, who has a major gopher ball problem.

He had some interviews while in KC where he mentioned that he was just totally burned out and needed the mental break. It certainly seemed like the time off helped his focus.

[ISiddiqui]

Great news for cord-cutting viewers:

MLB Settles Suit Over Lack of TV Package Choice, Will Expand Menu - NBC News (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/mlb-settles-suit-over-lack-tv-package-choice-will-expand-n499911)

Just as a trial was to begin, Major League Baseball and its fans reached agreement Tuesday to expand the menu of online packages for televised games.

The deal came weeks after baseball's lawyers told a judge that for the first time the league was going to let fans buy single-team online TV packages. In the past, viewers who didn't live in their favored teams' home markets had to buy access to every single televised MLB game.

According to lawyers for fans who filed the class-action lawsuit in 2012, MLB will offer unbundled Internet packages for the next five years, including single-team packages for $84.99 next season. They said that's a 23 percent drop from the cheapest version previously available.

[BishopMVP]

Great news for cord-cutting viewers:

MLB Settles Suit Over Lack of TV Package Choice, Will Expand Menu - NBC News (http://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/mlb-settles-suit-over-lack-tv-package-choice-will-expand-n499911)I'd quibble with "great" news - sounds like MLB can/will charge whatever they want for single-team packages, so I'm guessing it'll be at the same price as an all-30 team package within 2 years.

[Butter]

Still hasn't addressed this local market blackout BS.

[ISiddiqui]

I'd quibble with "great" news - sounds like MLB can/will charge whatever they want for single-team packages, so I'm guessing it'll be at the same price as an all-30 team package within 2 years.

Yeah, but if it deals with local market blackout (as Butter_of_69 alluded to) then it'll be fantastic. It's not the price that is at issue... it's watching local games without cable.

[PilotMan]

I'd quibble with "great" news - sounds like MLB can/will charge whatever they want for single-team packages, so I'm guessing it'll be at the same price as an all-30 team package within 2 years.

Supposedly it's going to be the starting rate for 5 years.

[claphamsa]

Yeah, but if it deals with local market blackout (as Butter_of_69 alluded to) then it'll be fantastic. It's not the price that is at issue... it's watching local games without cable.

yep, that was the issue for me for years...i need to learn to VPN :)

[BishopMVP]

yep, that was the issue for me for years...i need to learn to VPN :)Is that something you can use an anonymizer like TOR for? I've always considered using that stuff, but never had a real reason to so I've never bothered looking into it.

[PilotMan]

I used Avast VPN last year ($40/yr) to great effect at home or on the road.

[ISiddiqui]

Oh that Yankees luck...

Aroldis Chapman will not face charges from domestic dispute (http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14620135/aroldis-chapman-not-face-charges-domestic-dispute)

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Beginning to sound like this may be the last year for pitchers hitting in the National League.

Commissioner Rob Manfred says National League teams might move toward designated hitter (http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14621054/commissioner-rob-manfred-says-national-league-teams-move-designated-hitter)

[Peregrine]

Beginning to sound like this may be the last year for pitchers hitting in the National League.

Commissioner Rob Manfred says National League teams might move toward designated hitter (http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14621054/commissioner-rob-manfred-says-national-league-teams-move-designated-hitter)

I'm sorry, I know I'm a purist but as a lifelong NL fan this just sucks.

[Logan]

Very happy to have Cespedes back.

[stevew]

Seems like a good deal for both parties. Higher AAV but only 3 years with opt out after 1

[Vince, Pt. II]

I'm sorry, I know I'm a purist but as a lifelong NL fan this just sucks.

+1. Watching Madison Bumgarner do his thing at the plate doesn't help my opinion any.

[Peregrine]

And frankly the argument for the DH that pitchers wouldn't get hurt trying to hit is garbage. Should we ban them from pitching also - I hear the majority of pitching injuries occur while pitching.

[Toddzilla]

I read an interesting article that proposes that both leagues adopt the DH but for starting pitchers only. When a reliever comes in, he has to bat and the DH is removed.

[BillJasper]

I'm sorry, I know I'm a purist but as a lifelong NL fan this just sucks.

I'm a purist as well. But as pitcher salary's have skyrocketed, I always figured it was just a matter of time before the NL owners didn't want their $30 million dollar a year investments standing in the batters box facing 95MPH fastballs.

[JPhillips]

I'm a purist as well. But as pitcher salary's have skyrocketed, I always figured it was just a matter of time before the NL owners didn't want their $30 million dollar a year investments standing in the batters box facing 95MPH fastballs.

So instead they'll pay 20 mil to a DH to protect the 30 mil pitcher.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

+1. Watching Madison Bumgarner do his thing at the plate doesn't help my opinion any.

There is no rule saying the pitcher can't bat. The DH is totally optional in the American League. If you have a good hitting pitcher, he can still bat.

[BillJasper]

So instead they'll pay 20 mil to a DH to protect the 30 mil pitcher.

I honestly think $30 million for a pitcher or $20 million for a DH is pretty dumb to begin with. Just musing on the owner's logic.

[EagleFan]

Going to sound like cranky old guy but DH may be the last straw for me. Interleague play all the time was enough of a joke.

[panerd]

There is no rule saying the pitcher can't bat. The DH is totally optional in the American League. If you have a good hitting pitcher, he can still bat.

So I was unfamiliar with this until now. If you had Madison Bumgarner or another solid hitter could you keep your DH still but in the place of a .200 hitting shortstop?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

So I was unfamiliar with this until now. If you had Madison Bumgarner or another solid hitter could you keep your DH still but in the place of a .200 hitting shortstop?

In Major League Baseball, the designated hitter is a hitter who does not play a position, but instead fills in the batting order for the pitcher. The DH may only be used for the pitcher (and not any other position player), as stated in Rule 6.10. Use of the DH is optional, but must be determined prior to the start of the game. If a team does not begin a game with a DH, the pitcher (or a pinch-hitter) must bat for the entire game.

The designated hitter may be replaced as DH only by a player who has not entered the game. If a pinch hitter bats for, or a pinch runner runs for, the DH, that pinch-hitter or pinch-runner becomes the DH.

The designated hitter can be moved to a fielding position during the game. If the DH is moved to another position, his team forfeits the role of the designated hitter, and the pitcher or another player (the latter possible only in case of a multiple substitution) would bat in the spot of the position player replaced by the former DH. If the designated hitter is moved to pitcher, any subsequent pitcher (or pinch-hitter thereof) would bat should that spot in the batting order come up again (except for a further multiple substitution). Likewise, if a pinch-hitter bats for a non-pitcher, and then remains in the game as the pitcher, the team would forfeit the use of the DH for the remainder of the game, and the player who was DH would become a position player (or exit the game.)

Unlike other positions, the DH is "locked" into the batting order. No multiple substitution may be made to alter the batting rotation of the DH. In other words, a double switch involving the DH and a position player is not legal. For example, if the DH is batting fourth and the catcher is batting eighth, the manager cannot replace both players so as to have the new catcher bat fourth and the new DH bat eighth. Once a team loses its DH under any of the scenarios discussed in the previous paragraph, the double switch becomes fully available, and may well be used via necessity, should the former DH be replaced in the lineup.

Designated hitter - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_hitter)

[Atocep]

Watching Bartolo Colon hit is worth the price of admission.

[ISiddiqui]

I honestly think $30 million for a pitcher or $20 million for a DH is pretty dumb to begin with. Just musing on the owner's logic.

Why? As revenues rise, the players should share in that. Nothing wrong with that.

Going to sound like cranky old guy but DH may be the last straw for me.

Same here. I'd be really disappointed.

[jbergey22]

I read an interesting article that proposes that both leagues adopt the DH but for starting pitchers only. When a reliever comes in, he has to bat and the DH is removed.

This idea sounds very interesting.

As far as adding DH in the NL I cant stand the idea.

[jbergey22]

There is no rule saying the pitcher can't bat. The DH is totally optional in the American League. If you have a good hitting pitcher, he can still bat.

Happens all the time!

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Happens all the time!

Of course it doesn't, but if these NL idiots really want to pay good money to see their pitchers hit, they have every right to continue to do so.

[MrBug708]

Of course it doesn't, but if these NL idiots really want to pay good money to see their pitchers hit, they have every right to continue to do so.

Idiots. Nice.

[BillJasper]

Why? As revenues rise, the players should share in that. Nothing wrong with that.



My own hangup. It has never felt right to pay people that much money to play a game.

[jbergey22]

Of course it doesn't, but if these NL idiots really want to pay good money to see their pitchers hit, they have every right to continue to do so.

Baseball is a thinking persons game. The National League end of game strategy and even early game strategy options are far more interesting than watching a 240 pound linebacker swing for the fences IMO.

The managers of a NL team have numerous decisions each game that can decide the game. An AL manager has to set the lineup and decide when to make a pitching change. Pretty basic stuff. Uninteresting.

[rowech]

Baseball is a thinking persons game. The National League end of game strategy and even early game strategy options are far more interesting than watching a 240 pound linebacker swing for the fences IMO.

The managers of a NL team have numerous decisions each game that can decide the game. An AL manager has to set the lineup and decide when to make a pitching change. Pretty basic stuff. Uninteresting.

I used to feel this way but anymore starting pitchers only bat twice in the gsme and relievers never pitch more than one inning so double switched aren't even as common as they used to be.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Baseball is a thinking persons game. The National League end of game strategy and even early game strategy options are far more interesting than watching a 240 pound linebacker swing for the fences IMO.

The managers of a NL team have numerous decisions each game that can decide the game. An AL manager has to set the lineup and decide when to make a pitching change. Pretty basic stuff. Uninteresting.

Couldn't disagree more. Especially after the last season where the Royals for the first time in a couple decades had a legitimate DH.

We went to two of the Royals/Cards games in STL this past year. I felt like I was at a NFL game. With the inning breaks and all the pitching change commercial breaks, it was awful. I guess I should correct myself. It was great the night we were in the suite and I got a free beer/nacho at every break. It sucked when I was sitting in the regular seats in the other game and was nearly falling asleep with nothing to drink.

[JPhillips]

Luckily 538 has looked at this. Interleague games in NL parks are indeed longer, from 13-15 seconds longer. I can see how that, spread over nine innings, would make the game intolerable.

[MrBug708]

I watched a Royals game on tv last year. They lost. They must suck. Because I base my opinions on how I feel and a totally random snapshot based on nothing but baseless assertions

[JonInMiddleGA]

The DH is an abomination, plain & simple. Always has been, always will be.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I watched a Royals game on tv last year. They lost. They must suck. Because I base my opinions on how I feel and a totally random snapshot based on nothing but baseless assertions

It's understandable that you lost interest. The west coast fans had nothing to root for after the LDS rounds.

[MrBug708]

I knew what it was like to be a Missouri fan I guess. With more success.

If you are going to troll l, pick more than the stupid my team won so I'll act like an asshat, routine.

But I get it, you aren't used to winning so class isn't to be expected

[Fonzie]

Of course it doesn't, but if these NL idiots really want to pay good money to see their pitchers hit, they have every right to continue to do so.

Name calling? Really?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Name calling? Really?

He was trolling. That's Mr. Bug's thing. That's fine. Just don't pretend to want a legitimate discussion if you do so.

[jbergey22]

He was trolling. That's Mr. Bug's thing. That's fine. Just don't pretend to want a legitimate discussion if you do so.

Some people still like the traditional aspect in baseball and dont need it turned into an arcade game. The "true" game gets ruined because our society has no patience and needs instant gratification. Apparently all sports need to be high scoring or Americans dont have the attention span to watch. Its annoying! Make defense harder and make offense easier is the American sports motto.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Some people still like the traditional aspect in baseball and dont need it turned into an arcade game. The "true" game gets ruined because our society has no patience and needs instant gratification. Apparently all sports need to be high scoring or Americans dont have the attention span to watch. Its annoying! Make defense harder and make offense easier is the American sports motto.

You don't need the pitcher hitting to suppress your way into a 'good game'. There's plenty of pitching duels in the AL and they're even more impressive because they're facing the best batters in the world, not eight batters and a guy who doesn't have a clue how to handle a piece of wood.

[jbergey22]

You don't need the pitcher hitting to suppress your way into a 'good game'. There's plenty of pitching duels in the AL and they're even more impressive because they're facing the best batters in the world, not eight batters and a guy who doesn't have a clue how to handle a piece of wood.

Why not DH for the crappy hitting SS or the catcher with a great glove that hits 230 also?

Why not change the NBA to old style Iowa girls HS 3 on 3 basketball with 3 players that only play offense and 3 players the never cross half court that only play defense? Lets just cover up a players flaws and pretend they dont exist so we can see more offense.

The best hitter of all time started out as a pitcher. If a team wants to spend the time and resources teaching their pitchers to be decent with the bat they have the athletic ability to do so. All of them great Braves teams of the 90s had pitchers that could do good things with the bat. Of course, all of the pitchers had great focus and mental preparation. Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz..... The organization should spend more time teaching these pitchers how to be effective with the bat rather than taking the auto out.

[MrBug708]

He was trolling. That's Mr. Bug's thing. That's fine. Just don't pretend to want a legitimate discussion if you do so.

I can never tell if you are intenationally being obtuse or not. He was calling you out for name calling NL fans for being idiots. Where you proceeded to being intellectually dishonest and assigned my name to a comment where you responded to someone else. I'm just waiting for you to drop a "my dad can beat your dad up" troll hack job

But it's part for course for you. The other sports threads are refreshingly nice without your awful takes. It's a shame the Royals had to be good where now the rest of us have to sit through your "hot takes" where you assign random anecdotal stories and pass it off as some revelation. Like you did with how you attended an NL game and it was boring. I'm assuming it's safe to say you didn't watch a Royals road WS game ? Well you probably did but that raises that whole intellectual dishonesty thing. Again.

And I'm glad you reacted how you did. Now you know how we feel on your opinions.*

*sorry to speak for all fans

[MrBug708]

Why not DH for the crappy hitting SS or the catcher with a great glove that hits 230 also?

Why not change the NBA to old style Iowa girls HS 3 on 3 basketball with 3 players that only play offense and 3 players the never cross half court that only play defense? Lets just cover up a players flaws and pretend they dont exist so we can see more offense.

The best hitter of all time started out as a pitcher. If a team wants to spend the time and resources teaching their pitchers to be decent with the bat they have the athletic ability to do so. All of them great Braves teams of the 90s had pitchers that could do good things with the bat. Of course, all of them pitchers had great focus and mental preparation. Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz..... The organization should spend more time teaching these pitchers how to be effective with the bat rather than taking the auto out.

Really just need the homerun derby to decide it all.

[PilotMan]

The DH is so stupid. Yeah, let's let a guy play who isn't really playing.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

The organization should spend more time teaching these pitchers how to be effective with the bat rather than taking the auto out.

That's never going to happen. The cost/benefit simply isn't there in the NL. They're left to watch poor hitters at the bottom of the lineup as long as the DH isn't implemented.

[AENeuman]

Why not DH for the crappy hitting SS or the catcher with a great glove that hits 230 also?

Why not change the NBA to old style Iowa girls HS 3 on 3 basketball with 3 players that only play offense and 3 players the never cross half court that only play defense? Lets just cover up a players flaws and pretend they dont exist so we can see more offense.

The best hitter of all time started out as a pitcher. If a team wants to spend the time and resources teaching their pitchers to be decent with the bat they have the athletic ability to do so. All of them great Braves teams of the 90s had pitchers that could do good things with the bat. Of course, all of the pitchers had great focus and mental preparation. Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz..... The organization should spend more time teaching these pitchers how to be effective with the bat rather than taking the auto out.

Very well said.

[jbergey22]

That's never going to happen. The cost/benefit simply isn't there in the NL. They're left to watch poor hitters at the bottom of the lineup as long as the DH isn't implemented.

As a Royals fan you should know better than anyone how something like this that has been overlooked can turn around a franchise. The Royals have found cost cutting ways(good defensive players, overlooked flyball pitchers) that were undervalued to help them win. Certainly there must be some value in either training pitchers to be more effective hitters or signing pitchers that are better with the bat as teams dont seem to want to focus on this.

[stevew]

No idea why the 25th guy on a NL team isn't someone who can pinch hit, play a few innings in the field on occasion and throw a few meaningless innings on occasion. Surely there have to be some AAAA type guys who could do this or work at it. Especially if they're left handed. Also why aren't AAAA guys trying the knuckleball more often?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Also why aren't AAAA guys trying the knuckleball more often?

Because there really aren't THAT many catchers who can handle it reliably for one thing.

[Sweed]

You don't need the pitcher hitting to suppress your way into a 'good game'. There's plenty of pitching duels in the AL and they're even more impressive because they're facing the best batters in the world, not eight batters and a guy who doesn't have a clue how to handle a piece of wood.

So why not advocate for MLB going to an NFL style game, IE an offense and a defense? You claim they are facing the best batters in the world, but are they? Have a whole offense made of only hitters and you will be right. But until that light hitting defensive wizard is replaced it's not true.

Defense suffers too by making all position players bat. Why must poor defenders spoil the game and take the field?

How many guys never get a chance to play in the show because all they have is a glove? How many Ozzies have we missed seeing over the years due to this stupid rule that position players have to bat?

As for me I prefer NO DH and am fine with each league having their own rule. If it were changed the AL should go back to no DH IMHO.

Others, like you, prefer the DH, fair enough. But if you support the DH then why not for all positions? I understand the argument will be pitchers are obviously poor hitters overall and need to be replaced in the lineup. What is the argument that supports a guy with the best glove in the world is never going to play because he has can't hit?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

So why not advocate for MLB going to an NFL style game, IE an offense and a defense? You claim they are facing the best batters in the world, but are they? Have a whole offense made of only hitters and you will be right. But until that light hitting defensive wizard is replaced it's not true.

Defense suffers too by making all position players bat. Why must poor defenders spoil the game and take the field?

How many guys never get a chance to play in the show because all they have is a glove? How many Ozzies have we missed seeing over the years due to this stupid rule that position players have to bat?

As for me I prefer NO DH and am fine with each league having their own rule. If it were changed the AL should go back to no DH IMHO.

Others, like you, prefer the DH, fair enough. But if you support the DH then why not for all positions? I understand the argument will be pitchers are obviously poor hitters overall and need to be replaced in the lineup. What is the argument that supports a guy with the best glove in the world is never going to play because he has can't hit?

I agree with your last comment. The current rule takes some of the strategy out of the DH rule. I'd prefer that the DH be for any one fielder, not just the pitcher. Then you can still have your good hitting pitcher in the lineup if you really want to do so without sacrificing the benefit of the DH in the lineup.

[JPhillips]

I'm supportive of allowing a pinch hitter for Billy Hamilton.

[jbergey22]

I agree with your last comment. The current rule takes some of the strategy out of the DH rule. I'd prefer that the DH be for any one fielder, not just the pitcher. Then you can still have your good hitting pitcher in the lineup if you really want to do so without sacrificing the benefit of the DH in the lineup.

The entire concept of the DH is rule is to eliminate strategy. Slow pitch softball could slowly phase out the need for any strategy and let us watch more runs/home runs.

[PilotMan]

I'm supportive of allowing a pinch hitter for Billy Hamilton.

I've read this twice today. Each time I laughed. :lol:

[lungs]

No idea why the 25th guy on a NL team isn't someone who can pinch hit, play a few innings in the field on occasion and throw a few meaningless innings on occasion. Surely there have to be some AAAA type guys who could do this or work at it. Especially if they're left handed. Also why aren't AAAA guys trying the knuckleball more often?

Brooks Kieschnick was a favorite of mine for a few years.

I'll come out on the side of the DH in the NL. The strategy angle is overrated IMO. I don't enjoy watching pitchers hit. I'm far from a traditionalist. My favorite NL team has a guy signed for the next five years that is already becoming a defensive liability. Yeah, bring on the DH, please.

[JonInMiddleGA]

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says no foreseeable change to designated hitter rule coming (http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14643947/mlb-commissioner-rob-manfred-says-no-foreseeable-change-designated-hitter-rule-coming)

[frnk55]

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says no foreseeable change to designated hitter rule coming (http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14643947/mlb-commissioner-rob-manfred-says-no-foreseeable-change-designated-hitter-rule-coming)
Good! I think in a few years it will though. Just wait till the next pitcher gets hurt this year.

[stevew]

Greg Bird out for the year with a torn labrum

Bad for a guy that has a really good eye and some power and who I think will become a pretty great player.

Good from the standpoint of him basically having nowhere to play all season anyways.

Yankees better hope that Teix doesn't take his typical 1-2 month injury/slump break this season.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Sweet new billboard in KC. Getting fired up.

https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/t31.0-8/12615579_923246390337_8054567613344170612_o.jpg

[MrBug708]

Are the royals signing a Gatorade jug?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Are the royals signing a Gatorade jug?

As long as he's a team player.

[Arles]

Are the royals signing a Gatorade jug?
He does have a pretty good championship pedigree

[lighthousekeeper]

There a lot of players still unsigned with only 2 weeks or so until spring training begins. Yovanni Gallardo, Dexter Fowler, Ian Desmond, Tyler Clippard, Matt Latos, Lincecum, Rollins, Alex Rios. At least a couple of these late signing are probably going to end up as great bargains for some team.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Ouch. Thanks to ESPN moving the season opener, the Royals are now raising the flag before the first game and handing out the rings at the second game. Double the pain for the Mets.

Royals will raise World Series flag on opening night but won’t hand out rings | The Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article58197643.html)

[Logan]

I imagine they'll only be in pain if the KC stadium visiting clubhouse is subpar.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I imagine they'll only be in pain if the KC stadium visiting clubhouse is subpar.

It should be fine. The champagne bottles were emptied in the Mets' stadium visiting clubhouse.

[ISiddiqui]

More info on the repercussions of the settlement for the MLB.tv lawsuit:

MLB.tv's baseball subscription is $20 cheaper after lawsuit (http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/11/mlb-tv-subscription-changes-lawsuit/)
As part of the proposed settlement, the cost of a full MLB.tv subscription was reduced $20 down to $110/year for 2016. What's more, MLB can only raise the price of the service 3 percent per year through 2020.

agreeing to offer MLB.tv single-team packages priced at $85 a year.

As part of the settlement, the league has to work with television networks to reach an agreement that allows in-market streaming on MLB.tv before 2017. If a deal isn't done by then, the league is prohibited from raising subscription rates until 2020.

[claphamsa]

dont care so much about the rates...care about the fact i need to pay out the ass for cable to watch baseball!

[rowech]

dont care so much about the rates...care about the fact i need to pay out the ass for cable to watch baseball!

Why? Just get MLB.tv

[claphamsa]

Why? Just get MLB.tv

cant watch the local team then.

[Peregrine]

Sure you can - just get used to watching every game a day after it happens - a bit annoying but then you can watch all the games you want. That's what I do.

[korme]

Sure you can - just get used to watching every game a day after it happens - a bit annoying but then you can watch all the games you want. That's what I do.

ew

[JonInMiddleGA]

Jenrry Mejia of New York Mets suspended permanently by MLB for third positive PED test (http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14768114/jenrry-mejia-new-york-mets-suspended-permanently-mlb-third-positive-ped-test)

[JPhillips]

My lord, how dumb is this guy. Even if he wasn't as good without juice, he'd still collect a few million before failing out of the game. Now he'll be lucky to get a coaching job in the DSL.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I feel like we've been through this scenario before..........

Baseball Prospectus (http://www.baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/)

[JPhillips]

I'll take the under on Cincy's 74 wins.

[jbergey22]

I feel like we've been through this scenario before..........

Baseball Prospectus (http://www.baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/)

Based off statistics and formulas. Why would you expect a big change with much of the team the same?

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Based off statistics and formulas. Why would you expect a big change with much of the team the same?

I don't. Given the prediction of 76 wins by the computer just like last year, I expect 98 wins......just like last year.

[cartman]

The Rangers are doing a pretty cool promotion this weekend. On Saturday, if you go to the ballpark and make a deposit on season tickets, you'll get three swings from home plate. If you hit a home run, you get the seats for free.

http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2016/02/16/164606362/texas-rangers-hold-swing-for-your-seats-event

[jbergey22]

The Rangers are doing a pretty cool promotion this weekend. On Saturday, if you go to the ballpark and make a deposit on season tickets, you'll get three swings from home plate. If you hit a home run, you get the seats for free.

http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2016/02/16/164606362/texas-rangers-hold-swing-for-your-seats-event

That is cool! Hopefully they dont bring out Yu.

[JPhillips]

The Rangers are doing a pretty cool promotion this weekend. On Saturday, if you go to the ballpark and make a deposit on season tickets, you'll get three swings from home plate. If you hit a home run, you get the seats for free.

http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2016/02/16/164606362/texas-rangers-hold-swing-for-your-seats-event

The Reds should do that, except if you hit a HR you get to start in LF.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The Reds should do that, except if you hit a HR you get to start in LF.

Hell, Braves might ought to let the hitters pick their position.

[claphamsa]

The Rangers are doing a pretty cool promotion this weekend. On Saturday, if you go to the ballpark and make a deposit on season tickets, you'll get three swings from home plate. If you hit a home run, you get the seats for free.

http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2016/02/16/164606362/texas-rangers-hold-swing-for-your-seats-event

nats did that this year....

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I just bought a half-page advertisement for our winery in the 2015 Royals Yearbook. Pretty excited that my business is going to be advertised in the Yearbook that celebrates their World Series win.

FWIW if anyone else is in a MLB market, the company that does the yearbooks for the teams can be talked WAY down from their advertised rate. :D

[PilotMan]

I just bought a half-page advertisement for our winery in the 2015 Royals Yearbook. Pretty excited that my business is going to be advertised in the Yearbook that celebrates their World Series win.

FWIW if anyone else is in a MLB market, the company that does the yearbooks for the teams can be talked WAY down from their advertised rate. :D

Post a pic for us once you get it in print.

[lighthousekeeper]

Jimmy Rollins goes from $11M per year to a minor league deal (though it probably includes some good money if he makes the roster).

[lighthousekeeper]

a little dated, but still a cool infrographic:

http://thumbnails.visually.netdna-cdn.com/baseballs-many-physical-dimensions_53344ca673751.png

[molson]

Pablo Sandoval looking good in preseason

Jared Carrabis on Twitter: "Welp. Here it is. Via the @BostonGlobe, the picture that everyone's going to be talking about tomorrow. https://t.co/FbWPrm8DfH" (https://twitter.com/Jared_Carrabis/status/701513212395651072)

[mckerney]

The Rangers are doing a pretty cool promotion this weekend. On Saturday, if you go to the ballpark and make a deposit on season tickets, you'll get three swings from home plate. If you hit a home run, you get the seats for free.

http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2016/02/16/164606362/texas-rangers-hold-swing-for-your-seats-event

Here's a Facebook video of the guy who won taking his swings. (https://www.facebook.com/Byron.Anderson19/videos/10100540795528776/)

[Butter]

I thought it was 3 swings, that looked like about 20.

[panerd]

So I never clicked on the link or read the fine print but I assume there is something stopping semi-pro guys from going and getting free tickets? I have a friend that didn't even play professionally that might be able to hit a batting practice homerun. A potential season ticket holder couldn't fund him to go hit a homerun for him? (I get that it is just the fun of being down on the field but free season tickets are big chunk of change)

[mckerney]

So I never clicked on the link or read the fine print but I assume there is something stopping semi-pro guys from going and getting free tickets? I have a friend that didn't even play professionally that might be able to hit a batting practice homerun. A potential season ticket holder couldn't fund him to go hit a homerun for him? (I get that it is just the fun of being down on the field but free season tickets are big chunk of change)

People who played professional or college baseball weren't eligible.