Weeks will back up Cano.
M's got him dirt cheap, good insurance policy.
M's got him dirt cheap, good insurance policy.
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MLB strike zone under scrutiny
With offense on the decline and strikeouts at an all-time high, Major League Baseball is looking into shrinking the strike zone, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.
Any formal rules change would have to be approved by baseball's Playing Rules Committee. The committee will monitor the strike zone this season and potentially look to implement changes in 2016 at the earliest, Yahoo! reports.
Over the past five seasons, the strike zone has expanded about 40 square inches, from 435 square inches in 2009 to 475 square inches in 2014, according to research conducted by Hardball Times writer Jon Roegele.Comment -
don't mess with the strike zoneComment -
hi I n[quote=jjgold;5683305]I win again like usual
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[quote=Whippit;7921056]miami won't lose a single eastern conference game through end of season[/quote]Comment -
Although Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro would not reveal the four teams that made an offer for pitcher Cole Hamels, the Red Sox were reportedly one of the teams, a source told The Boston Globe.
The Phillies are targeting minor-league prospects for Hamels, with reports indicating the Red Sox are unwilling to trade their top prospects. Hamels went 9-9 with a 2.46 ERA in 2014 and is due $96 million over the next four seasons.Comment -
Damn, that's a lot of money! Wouldn't mind him throwing for the Pirates this year, but doubt this will happen...
Although Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro would not reveal the four teams that made an offer for pitcher Cole Hamels, the Red Sox were reportedly one of the teams, a source told The Boston Globe.
The Phillies are targeting minor-league prospects for Hamels, with reports indicating the Red Sox are unwilling to trade their top prospects. Hamels went 9-9 with a 2.46 ERA in 2014 and is due $96 million over the next four seasons.Comment -
Hamels is going to be sticking around Philadelphia for a while. We are going to get more rumors around mid season and he probably won't be moved.
Although Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro would not reveal the four teams that made an offer for pitcher Cole Hamels, the Red Sox were reportedly one of the teams, a source told The Boston Globe.
The Phillies are targeting minor-league prospects for Hamels, with reports indicating the Red Sox are unwilling to trade their top prospects. Hamels went 9-9 with a 2.46 ERA in 2014 and is due $96 million over the next four seasons.Comment -
are the phillies trying to package Hamels and Howard together?Comment -
There is always someone in the upper commissioner office that what to fuk with things.
Leave well-enough alone...Comment -
Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire believes outfielder Yasiel Puig is "an MVP candidate from day one," the Los Angeles Times reports.
McGwire also added that consistency is the only obstacle for Puig to win multiple MVP awards.
"If we can put a full season together and if that lull toward the end of the season is not there — he has a big September, big playoffs — there's no question he's going to have several MVPs," McGwire said.
The outfielder faded a bit in the final two months of the 2014 season, entering August with a .319/.406/.552 line.
"He's had such great first halves, first three-quarters of the season, and things have tailed off toward the end of the season," McGwire added. "We have to work on something like that."
McGwire expressed uncertainty about where Puig would hit in the lineup, saying, "I like him at the top of the lineup to set the tone, and I like him in a RBI situation."
Puig completed his first full major-league season last year after making his big-league debut in June of the previous season. He hit .296/.382/.480 with 16 home runs, 69 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 558 at-bats in 2014.
Puig is really talented, but I don't know if he will ever get his head straightened out. If he ever does he will be an absolute superstar.Comment -
NEW YORK -- Scratch three more numbers off the list for the backs of New York Yankees uniforms this season. Or any other season.
The Yankees announced on Monday that they will retire the uniform numbers of Bernie Williams (51), Jorge Posada (20) and Andy Pettitte (46) in pregame ceremonies at Yankee Stadium this season. In addition, Willie Randolph, a member of the Yankees' 1977 and 1978 world championship teams, will be honored with a plaque in Monument Park.
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If they keep this up...Their future players will be wearing numbers in the 60's, 70's, & 80'sComment -
Pirates infielder Pedro Alvarez will start camp in the mix at first base after struggling defensively at third base last season, committing 25 errors in 99 games. He'll just need to be adequate defensively at first base due to his offensive strength, the Associated Press reports.
"He's not the first player and he's not the last player that will go through a struggle," Pirates genearl manager Neal Huntington said. "He's not going to be the first and the last to come out of that struggle. We need to get him back to hitting balls in the seats."
Alvarez hit 36 home runs in 2013 while making his first appearance in the All-Star Game. His bat cooled off amid his defensive issues last season, and he hit just .231/.312/.405 with 18 home runs and 56 RBI in 398 at-bats. It's possible he platoons with Corey Hart at first base this season, though manager Clint Hurdle indicated in December that the plan was to use Alvarez every day at first base.Comment -
Pablo Sandoval doesn't appear to have lost any weight this offseason. (Boston.com)Pitchers and catchers are officially reporting to spring training across Florida and Arizona this week, but many players are already in camp working out. One such player: new Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval. He's already in Fort Myers with his new teammates.
Based on the above photo from Boston.com's Steve Silva, Sandoval is definitely not in the best shape of his life. He's battled weight issues his entire career, that's no secret, but most years with the Giants he reported to camp having lost several pounds. Last winter it was 42 pounds.
Sandoval's a big dude, that's just his physique, and it hasn't stopped him from becoming a fantastic major league player. That said, his weight will always be a concern, especially as he gets older and the pounds don't come off as easily as they once did.
I'm guessing more than one team backed away from Sandoval as a free agent this offseason due to his weight. He's already won his World Series rings, and now that he's got his massive $95 million contract. Motivation to stay in shape may be an issue.Comment -
oh yeah, that might be too fatComment -
This is ridiculous.!!! For the money these guys make. Stay the fuk in shape. Pablo Sandoval doesn't appear to have lost any weight this offseason. (Boston.com)Pitchers and catchers are officially reporting to spring training across Florida and Arizona this week, but many players are already in camp working out. One such player: new Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval. He's already in Fort Myers with his new teammates.
Based on the above photo from Boston.com's Steve Silva, Sandoval is definitely not in the best shape of his life. He's battled weight issues his entire career, that's no secret, but most years with the Giants he reported to camp having lost several pounds. Last winter it was 42 pounds.
Sandoval's a big dude, that's just his physique, and it hasn't stopped him from becoming a fantastic major league player. That said, his weight will always be a concern, especially as he gets older and the pounds don't come off as easily as they once did.
I'm guessing more than one team backed away from Sandoval as a free agent this offseason due to his weight. He's already won his World Series rings, and now that he's got his massive $95 million contract. Motivation to stay in shape may be an issue.
Once your playing days are over then go at it......Comment -
Well, it's quite clear Panda didn't miss many meals this off season!
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TV Deal
Diamondbacks: They have a TV deal with Fox Sports Southwest worth more than $1 billion, reports azcentral.com. The report further notes that discussions have been for 15 or 20 years, so this isn't a ridiculous windfall. Still, it appears to be more than three times what the D-Backs' current TV deal pays, so perhaps they'll grab some extra payroll space in the next several seasons. We've seen it happen with more than a handful of other teams.
Injury updates
Giants: Tim Hudson is behind in his rehab from offseason ankle surgery, per manager Bruce Bochy (Chris Haft on Twitter).
Red Sox: Per this piece in WEEI.com, Shane Victorino is motivated and says he's 100 percent healthy.
Reds: Homer Bailey is behind in his rehab from offseason forearm surgery, but he's confident that he'll make it up before the season begins (cincinnati.com).
Tigers: Miguel Cabrera could be ready sometime around opening day, so that's probably good news. Even if he falls behind, it should only be a few games. He's coming off offseason ankle surgery.
Roster moves, salary updates, etc.
Orioles: They are on the verge of signing infielder Everth Cabrera to a one-year deal, reports the Baltimore Sun.
Rockies: The club defeated Wilin Rosario in his arbitration case. He'll make $2.8M this season instead of the $3.3M he was seeking (Jon Heyman).
Royals: The club agreed to a two-year, $13.9M deal instead of hitting arbitration (Jon Heyman). Hosmer still has one more arbitration year after this deal before hitting free agency.
Reports, rumors and speculation
Braves/Red Sox: A report has indicated that the Braves have strong interest in Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.
Giants: To open the season, Tim Lincecum will be the fifth starter with Ryan Vogelsong and Yusmeiro Petit available out of the bullpen or as injury replacement starters. Take note of the Hudson mention above here.
Marlins: They won't be adding a reliever, says beat writer Joe Frisaro.
Yoan Moncada: His agent is hopeful that a deal will soon be in place for the Cuban infielder.
Phillies: Cole Hamels is ready to be traded -- though he isn't specifically asking for one -- as he's said he wants to win again.
Red Sox: They are reportedly discussing an extension with manager John Farrell.
Yankees: According to pitching coach Larry Rothschild, the club could go with a six-man rotation early in the season.Comment -
I think Jackie Bradley, Jr. would be a nice fit in Atlanta.
Timmay as the fifth starter for the Giants. It'll be interesting to see how he does this year. I'll be rooting for him!Comment -
very optimistic article on Jung-Ho Kang on fangraphs
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I would have put a weight provision in Panda'a contract, where he has to come to Spring Training at a certain weight or less in order to get a roster bonus.Comment -
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Friday morning was a good time to be around Gerrit Cole.
For Florida, it was cold, but the competitive fire that always smolders within Cole could warm up anyone who crossed his path.
A year-and-a-half, 41 starts, 21 wins and two instructive injuries into his Major League career, Cole is a different person in his third big league camp. The (Spring) Training wheels are off. Before, he had to be a sponge, listening to everything and watching everyone. Now he is watched by others.
"For the most part, this is really familiar to me now. I've done this a couple of times, and can prepare myself accordingly. It's easier to get into a routine," said Cole, after a Friday that included his favorite avocation -- batting, with others in his pitchers group.
At 24 and one lap into validating his overall No. 1 pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, Cole occupies a unique place on the Bucs' 2015 rotation.
He is the bridge between the current seasoned staff and the bright lights on the horizon. But you're not going to draw him into premature fantasies about being joined by Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon, the team's top two prospects, as the Pirates' "Three Pillars."
"It's fun to dream about that kind of stuff," Cole said. "But for now we have our horses in A.J. [Burnett] and Charlie [Morton] and Frankie [Liriano]. I'm probably more excited to go to battle with those guys, and whoever fills the fifth spot -- Vance [Worley] or Jeff [Locke]. I'm excited to work with this crew and try to get stuff done."
Cole retires 17th straight 9/23/14: Gerrit Cole strikes out Christian Bethancourt looking to retire his 17th straight batter and end the 7th inning
Spoken like a true … ace? That No. 1 status seems to be Cole's destiny, and his destination. Any offseason assessment of the Pirates' rotation included the caveat, "Cole is the one guy who could step up as an ace."
"It's a tremendous honor to be talked about in those terms, but that's something earned over time," Cole said. "I'm not quite there yet. Fortunately, I'm in a really great position to be able to pitch with guys I not only enjoy being around, but look up to as well. And they provide leadership -- because they've done it for so long."
If you think there is anything awkward about the reunion with Burnett -- whose final act of his first Buccos tenure was getting upset when Cole got the ball in Game 5 of the 2013 National League Division Series -- forget it. The two right-handers are locker room neighbors at Pirate City, and Burnett is a man after Cole's own fire.
"We never [talked about it]," Cole said. "Those type of situations bring up a lot of competitive juices. It's the postseason … everybody is excited, wants to get out there and compete, and help the team win. I really think that's where it all stemmed from."
Looking around the clubhouse, Cole could see a lot of familiar people anxious to help this team win.
"It's definitely a different scene with the roster being kinda set, barring any injuries or setbacks," said Cole. "We got a couple of battles, is all."Comment -
Major League Baseball has implemented significant pace-of-play rule changes for the 2015 season in an effort to speed up the game, it was announced Friday.
(1)The rules include mandating that managers stay in the dugout during replay challenges,(2) that hitters keep at least one foot in the batter's box during at-bats,(3) a prompt return to play after TV commercial breaks and timed pitching changes
"These changes represent a step forward in our efforts to streamline the pace of play," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "The most fundamental starting point for improving the pace of the average game involves getting into and out of breaks seamlessly. In addition, the batter's box rule will help speed up a basic action of the game."Comment -
I want to see a big year from ColeComment
