I know this is baseball, but Bill Walton is a national treasure.
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I heard him do guest color commentary at a Chicago White Sox game either last year or the year before and the guy is just as awful if not more when it comes to baseball. Some people may like him but I've always found him hard to listen to because he always rambles on about nothing do with what he's supposed to be commentating on.Comment -
After suffering a twisted knee early in camp, Yasmani Grandal played in his first game of the spring today. Grandal was in the White Sox lineup as a DH, and it isn’t yet known when he might return to his usual spot at catcher. Grandal told reporters (including NBC Sports Chicago’s Vinnie Duber) that he is focused on his catching preparation, saying “right now, repetition behind the plate is probably No. 1. I could (not) care less if I start off the season hitting or not. I know the bat is going to come through at some point, and once that happens, then it’s a done deal.”
Given the length of time between now and Opening Day, it doesn’t seem like Grandal will require any sort of injured list trip to allow him another week to get fully ready. With James McCann now signed with the Mets, Chicago’s backup catching options include the inexperienced Zack Collins and veteran Jonathan Lucroy (in camp on a minor league deal), and Grandal is expected to take more of the catching load in 2021.
More on some injury situations from around the league…
- Brandon Belt’s readiness for the Giants’ opener is more of a question, as he got a late start on Spring Training and still hasn’t played in any games. Belt told reporters (including Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle) that he spent several weeks recovering first from a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and then a case of mono almost immediately afterwards. Beyond these twin illnesses, Belt’s readiness for Opening Day was already a bit up in the air due to his heel surgery from last October. While Belt is a major contributor to the Giants’ offense, the team at least has quite a bit of first base depth — Darin Ruf, Wilmer Flores, Austin Slater, Tommy La Stella, or even Buster Posey — to fill the gap until Belt is ready to play.
- Brad Miller was a late scratch from today’s Phillies lineup after suffering a ribcage injury during a running drill. Manager Joe Girardi told NBC Sports’ Jim Salisbury and other reporters that Miller suffered a “tweak” and will get further testing done to determine the extent of the injury. There certainly appears to be some concern that Miller has hurt his oblique, which would require at least a few weeks out of action and an IL stint. After initially playing for the Phillies in 2019, Miller spent last season with the Cardinals before signing a one-year, $3.5MM deal this winter to return to Philadelphia. The 31-year Miller brings both multi-positional value and a solid bat (.247/.343/.510 with 20 home runs over 341 plate appearances in 2019-20) to the roster, making him a difficult player to replace for the Phils if indeed Miller does end up on the IL.
- Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama left tonight’s game with a tight left hamstring and will be re-evaluated tomorrow. In his first MLB season, Akiyama hit .245/.357/.297 in 183 PA, though he hit significantly better in September and October once he became more adjusted to Major League pitching. Between this improved bat and some solid glovework, Akiyama was being counted on for at least a big part-time role in Cincinnati’s outfield, though those plans could be altered should his hamstring injury prove serious.
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You jabronis got me doing more research.
I place a premium on drafting multi position eligible players for many reasons.
I hate combing the waiver wires to replace an injured starter.
The more versatile players you have on your roster, the better.
You know, guys you can plug in anywhere instead of being pigeon holed to just one and only one position.
Here's some very valuable mid round two or three way players.
Tommy Edman is 2B 3B OF eligible.
You can plug him in at 2B, 3B, CI, MI, and DH/Util
Extremely valuable.
Dozier too
1B, 3B, OF eligible.
Austin Riley too.
I look for IF/OF eligible players later in the draft that can do something well, like a SB, hit for power, anything that contributes.
And there are like ten such players that I don't have time to break down in this post.Comment -
I haven't heard the word Jabroni's in a while.Comment -
So is Puig still a free agent?Comment -
New York Mets SS Luis Guillorme earns walk after 22-pitch at-bat
To say New York Mets shortstop Luis Guillorme earned his fifth-inning walk would be an understatement.
After going down 0-2 in the count to St. Louis Cardinals righty Jordan Hicks, Guillorme worked a 22-pitch at-bat to take a free path to first.
Guillorme fouled off 16 pitches, including nine straight before getting Ball 4, and it wasn't easy. He saw 10 pitches that were 99 mph or above throughout the at-bat, according to pitch-tracking data.
"It's pretty cool," Guillorme said. "I'm just happy I ended up with the walk because if I would've gotten out that would've been not fun for me. All that work for nothing. But, you know, it's pretty cool."
Hicks did everything he could to get the out, mixing in fastballs that clocked as high as 101.4 mph with sliders that ranged from 83.2 to 91.9 mph, and a couple of changeups.
It was a rude welcome back to the mound for Hicks, who was facing his first batter since 2019. The 24-year-old reliever had Tommy John surgery in 2019 and opted out of the 2020 season. Hicks was removed after the Guillorme at-bat.
The inning didn't go much better for the rest of the Cardinals pitching staff, as the next two batters after Guillorme were hit, as was a third batter in a five-run fifth for the MetsComment -
22 pitch at bat, that’s cya later after one batter for most relievers!Comment -
6:24PM: Franco and the Orioles are in the final stages of a contract, Heyman tweets.
12:19PM: The Orioles are working on a deal with free agent third baseman Maikel Franco, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link). The deal is not yet finalized, Heyman adds. The Orioles have put an offer on the table, per Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter).
Franco would make a logical roster fit for the O’s, so it’s hardly surprising the sides are in discussions. Currently, Baltimore is slated to turn to Rio Ruiz at the hot corner. The 27-year-old Ruiz has just a .229/.299/.393 line across 617 plate appearances (84 wRC+) over the past two seasons. He has shown roughly league average power (21 home runs, .164 ISO), but his on-base deficiencies and slightly below-average defensive ratings at third have left him hovering just above replacement level overall.
It’s reasonable to expect Franco to offer an upgrade on that production. The former Phillies’ top prospect showed flashes of promise in Philadelphia but never amounted to expectations. After being cut loose by the Phillies, though, Franco posted a decent season with the Royals in 2020. He played in all sixty of Kansas City’s games (starting 51) and hit .278/.321/.457. As with Ruiz, low walk rates and batting averages on balls in play have led to on-base deficiencies. Franco, though, strikes out less often and has hit for a little more power than the O’s current third baseman.
Even amidst a full rebuild, there’s value for the Orioles in making improvements at the margins of the roster. Barring an unexpected breakout in 2021, it’d be hard to imagine Franco commanding a huge trade return. Still, should he sign, Franco would be a viable candidate to be flipped for something of future value at the deadline. Non-tendered by the Royals last fall, he’d surely come at a low cost.
The Orioles should have little problem fitting Franco onto the books if a deal ultimately comes together. Currently, Cot’s Baseball Contracts projects Baltimore to field a $56.5MM payroll in 2021, one of the five lowest marks in the sport. Franco would join shortstop Freddy Galvis (one year, $1.5MM) as Baltimore’s only major league free agent signees of the winter.Comment -
These sexual assault allegations will haunt him.
He already has a reputation as being 'difficult' not to mention he's 30 years old now.
I don't think there's a team out there that will give him another shot.
This isn't a Matt Harvey type who also is trying to figure things out, getting another look see this time from Balt. Unlike Puig Harvey (and others) kept their noses clean.Comment -
Puig won’t be missed. He is an ahole.Comment -
What you all think about Trevor Bauer's behavior and uniform violation?Comment -
Puig will be playing over in Japan probably.Comment -
The Mariners aren’t favorites to push for a playoff spot in 2021, but if they’re in contention during the season, making a deal for a controllable starting pitcher is “definitely” something they would consider, general manager Jerry Dipoto told MLB Network Radio on Monday. Dipoto, who’s never shy about making trades, said Seattle would “jump at” the chance to better its rotation if the opportunity presents itself. The Mariners are slated to begin the season with Marco Gonzales, James Paxton, Yusei Kikuchi and Justus Sheffield as locks in a southpaw-heavy group of six, while righty Chris Flexen will take up a spot and Nick Margevicius and Justin Dunn are competing for the last position.
- Giants left-hander Alex Wood is dealing with a stiff back and will visit a spine specialist, Kerry Crowley of NBC Sports Bay Area tweets. It’s troubling news for Wood, whom injuries have slowed in the past, including during the previous two seasons. Wood threw just 35 2/3 innings as a Red in 2019 while battling back problems and then totaled only 12 2/3 frames last year as a Dodger on account of shoulder issues. The Giants nonetheless signed Wood to a $3MM guarantee, and if he’s healthy, he’s expected to occupy a spot in their rotation. For now, though, it looks as if the Giants’ season-opening starting staff will consist of Kevin Gausman, Johnny Cueto, Anthony DeSclafani, Aaron Sanchez and Logan Webb.
- More unwelcome news for the Giants’ pitching staff, per Crowley, who reports that right-hander Dedniel Nunez sprained the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow and will go for a second opinion. San Francisco took the 24-year-old from the Mets in last December’s Rule 5 Draft, but the Giants could elect to cut ties with Nunez in the event of a serious injury.
- Outfielder/infielder Jorge Mateo is in good position to earn a roster spot with the Padres, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com writes. Mateo, who’s competing against Brian O’Grady and Jorge Ona for a bench role, joined the Padres in a trade with the Athletics last June and went on to make his major league debut. The former top 100 prospect hit a weak .154/.185/.269 without a home run during that stretch, however, and with no minor league options remaining, it could be a make-or-break spring training if he’s going to stick with the Padres.
- The Angels announced that righty Felix Pena departed their game Monday with right hamstring irritation. There haven’t been further updates on Pena’s status. Since his first year with the Angels in 2018, Pena has eaten up plenty of innings (215 2/3) and pitched to a 4.34 ERA. He finished third among Angels relievers with 26 2/3 frames last year.
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I'm pumped, pumped I tell you.
I'm ready!
Look at this (yeah, yeah, it's spring training, I don't care)
Whit 2 hits
Dozier 2 hits
Sal Perez 2 hits.
The Duff Man
4 inning start, 0 runs, 0 hits, 4 K's
The Duff Man, oooh yeah.
Greg Holland 1 inning of scoreless relief of Duffy.
I'm ready, let's go!
Oh, Michael Taylor .412 this spring and playing that elite outfield defense.
Mike Minor very sharp too this spring.
Let's go already !!!!!Comment -
Ol' Nasher might be setting himself up for a massive letdown...I'm pumped, pumped I tell you.
I'm ready!
Look at this (yeah, yeah, it's spring training, I don't care)
Whit 2 hits
Dozier 2 hits
Sal Perez 2 hits.
The Duff Man
4 inning start, 0 runs, 0 hits, 4 K's
The Duff Man, oooh yeah.
Greg Holland 1 inning of scoreless relief of Duffy.
I'm ready, let's go!
Oh, Michael Taylor .412 this spring and playing that elite outfield defense.
Mike Minor very sharp too this spring.
Let's go already !!!!!
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I know, I know.
KC goes as far as the pitching goes.
KC can rake with any other team, pitching? Hold your breath.
I love bench manager Matheny, he's a players manager, baseball smart, takes no shit, took the Cards to multiple playoffs, and he's a former catcher. Reminds me of Joe Torre.
You know how I feel about the GM Moore.
The new ownership is great.
Oliveras got sent down to Omaha to get everyday at bats.
Michael Taylor clearly outplayed him for the outfield job.
Pitching wins though, that's still a big if.
If offense wins KC will be right there.Comment -
let's get pumped!Comment -
It just doesn’t feel like Spring Training though if Rick Porcello isn’t serving up bombs.Comment -
Everybody fired up for their teams right now, love spring training optimism! (Except Pirates)Comment