[El Nino]

What is this, backyard baseball??? Ghostie on 2nd! Fukk that noise.

[Cross]

Why would they make a rule change like that, ridiculous.

[EmpireMaker]

An unanticipated series of factors led starter Jason Hammel to sign with the Royals, as Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star writes. That included not only the fact that Hammel surprisingly reached and then remained on the open market, but also the untimely death of young Royals righty Yordano Ventura. First and foremost a human tragedy, Ventura’s passing also left the organization in need of another starter for the coming season — an uncomfortable situation which Hammel thoughtfully acknowledged in his introductory remarks. “I feel like I need to express my condolences to, first of all, Royals Nation and the Ventura family,” he said. “Just because, I truly feel that if that unfortunate passing doesn’t happen, you guys aren’t talking to me.”
Here are a few more notes on the free-agent market…

• Coco Crisp doesn’t have a job for the 2017 season yet, but he tells John Hickey of the San Jose Mercury News that he isn’t ready to retire and hopes to latch on with a club. “Physically, I’m good,” says Crisp. “There’s nothing that would keep my from playing. My neck feels better, my body feels good.” Crisp’s agent, Steve Comte, tells Hickey that he has spoken to multiple clubs and continues to do so in hopes of securing a new contract for the 37-year-old outfielder. Crisp hit .231/.302/.397 with 13 home runs (plus two in the playoffs) last season and could conceivably help a club as a fourth outfielder and veteran influence. He has struggled against lefties in recent years but has logged a respectable .236/.324/.368 slash against righties (96 wRC+).
• The Yankees discussed a potential Chris Carter trade with the Brewers before the slugger was non-tendered by Milwaukee, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. Had that deal come to fruition, the Yankees would likely have been on the hook for an arbitration salary near $8MM for Carter, who instead agreed to a one-year, $3.5MM free-agent deal with the Yanks earlier this week. Certainly, that could’ve had a trickle-down effect on the Yankees’ offseason, as those talks would’ve occurred prior to the Yankees’ signing of Matt Holliday to a one-year deal. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times spoke to Carter’s agent, Dave Stewart, who wouldn’t directly comment on how the Rays’ bid compared that of the Yankees (Twitter link), though Stewart did note that Carter “felt the opportunity was the same.”
• Topkin also tweets that the Rays are among the teams keeping tabs on free-agent outfielder Sam Fuld. The 35-year-old Fuld missed the 2016 season due to shoulder surgery and had a poor year at the plate in 2015 with the A’s, but he provided Oakland with solid defense and baserunning that season. Fuld can almost certainly be had on a minor league deal and would give Tampa Bay some depth behind current starters Colby Rasmus, Kevin Kiermaier and Steven Souza. Corey Dickerson figures to see some time in the outfield as well, and non-roster invitee could make the Rays’ roster as a right-handed-hitting complement to Rasmus. Utilityman Nick Franklin, too, could see some time in the outfield. None of those alternatives can play center field, though, so adding Fuld would give the Rays a veteran fourth outfielder while Mallex Smith gets some more work at Triple-A.
• The Nationals “checked in on” first baseman/outfielder Brandon Moss before he signed with the Royals, reports Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post. Moss would at least have represented a quality bench piece for the Nationals, whose depth is an issue, as FanGraphs’ Dave Cameron wrote last week. The lefty swinging Moss could theoretically have shared time (and provided insurance) for right-handed-hitting first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and left fielder Jayson Werth — a possibility that led MLBTR to guess that Moss would land in D.C. at the outset of the offseason.
• Thirteen teams attended the workout hosted by free agent lefty Jon Niese earlier today, reports ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link). The 30-year-old Niese, hoping to demonstrate his health for interested parties, threw a 40-pitch bullpen session for the scouts in attendance. Niese struggled through the worst season of his career in 2016 but was a solid fourth/fifth starter for the Mets for several years prior to the down season. He underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus late in the year.

[Otters27]

Runner on 2nd rule change will never make it to the majors. I'd hate to be a pitcher going into a runner on second every time there is extra innings.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Why would they make a rule change like that, ridiculous.

absolute joke, I can't see it happening

[Chi_archie]

Brian Wilson is planning a comeback as a knuckleballer. http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/1...-knuckleballer

oh please someone give him a chance

[BigSpoon]

I'd rather have ties than that stupid extra innings rule.

[koz-man]

Win total for defending champ Cubs set at 95.5; totals for all 30 teams released

The defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs have been projected for the most victories in 2017 as the first sportsbook posted season win totals for Major League Baseball teams.

For the 11th straight year, the Atlantis Casino in Reno, Nevada, is the first sportsbook with MLB season win totals, and it set the Cubs' number at 95.5 for betting that began Friday morning.

Team	Wins
Cubs	95.5
Indians	92.5
Dodgers	91.5
Nationals	90.5
Red Sox	90.5
Mets	89.5
Astros	87.5
Cardinals	87.5
Giants	87.5
Blue Jays	86.5
Rangers	86.5
Mariners	85.5
Pirates	85.5
Tigers	85.5
Orioles	84.5
Yankees	83.5
Royals	80.5
Rockies	79.5
Diamondbacks	78.5
Marlins	77.5
Angels	76.5
Rays	75.5
Reds	73.5
White Sox	73.5
Brewers	72.5
Phillies	72.5
Braves	71.5
Twins	70.5
Athletics	66.5
Padres	64.5

[Andy117]

Win total for defending champ Cubs set at 95.5; totals for all 30 teams released


The defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs have been projected for the most victories in 2017 as the first sportsbook posted season win totals for Major League Baseball teams.

For the 11th straight year, the Atlantis Casino in Reno, Nevada, is the first sportsbook with MLB season win totals, and it set the Cubs' number at 95.5 for betting that began Friday morning.

Team	Wins
Cubs	95.5
Indians	92.5
Dodgers	91.5
Nationals	90.5
Red Sox	90.5
Mets	89.5
Astros	87.5
Cardinals	87.5
Giants	87.5
Blue Jays	86.5
Rangers	86.5
Mariners	85.5
Pirates	85.5
Tigers	85.5
Orioles	84.5
Yankees	83.5
Royals	80.5
Rockies	79.5
Diamondbacks	78.5
Marlins	77.5
Angels	76.5
Rays	75.5
Reds	73.5
White Sox	73.5
Brewers	72.5
Phillies	72.5
Braves	71.5
Twins	70.5
Athletics	66.5
Padres	64.5

I like the Red Sox and Mets over & the Marlins under.

[yisman]

I'd rather have ties than that stupid extra innings rule.

EXACTLY

feel the same way about hockey and shootouts

[Cross]

I'll still take the over on cubs wins, starting a dynasty.

[EmpireMaker]

The Orioles have acquired right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from the Mets in exchange for cash and designated catcher Francisco Pena for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, per a team announcement. The move opens a spot on the Mets’ 40-man roster, which the team still needed to do in order to make the re-signing of Fernando Salas official.
The 23-year-old Ynoa made his MLB debut with the Mets this past season, tossing 18 1/3 innings with a 6.38 ERA. His 17-to-7 K/BB ratio, 49.2 percent ground-ball rate and average fastball velocity of 93.5 mph were all more encouraging numbers than the unsightly ERA in that small sample. In 154 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level this past season, Ynoa posted a 3.97 ERA with 4.5 K/9, 2.3 BB/9 and a 48.8 percent grounder rate.
Ynoa ranked among the Mets’ top 20 prospects each year from 2012-15, with BA’s most recent report calling him a “control artist” and a potential fourth starter if he can make improvements to his secondary offerings. Also noted, though, was that while Ynoa has a knack for throwing strikes, he doesn’t hit his spot within the zone often enough, so honing his command could also be an area of focus moving forward.
“Our scouts feel he can develop into a Major League starting pitcher by developing a consistent breaking pitch,” said Orioles GM Dan Duquette of the newly acquired Ynoa. “We look forward to his contributions to the Orioles this season and beyond.”
Ynoa will give the Orioles some much-needed rotation depth beyond the quintet of Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Wade Miley and Ubaldo Jimenez. He has a minor league option remaining, which was likely a key factor for the Orioles, as there doesn’t look to be an immediate spot in the rotation for Ynoa, barring a spring injury to one of the previously listed rotation members. The 154 innings that Ynoa threw at Triple-A last season represent his only experience at that level, so it seems likely that he’ll head to Norfolk to open the season for further development. Should things pan out for Ynoa, he’ll be under club control through the 2022 season in Baltimore.
Pena, 27, appeared in 14 games and hit .200/.238/.275 across 43 plate appearances for the Orioles last season. He was expected to compete with Caleb Joseph for the backup catcher role this spring and may still do so if he clears waivers. The defensive-minded backstop was out of minor league options, which undoubtedly played a role in the Orioles’ decision to designate him. In parts of four Triple-A seasons (1188 plate appearances), Pena has displayed good power but struggled to get on base, as evidenced by his .248/.294/.453 batting line. He’s thrown out 32 percent base base thieves in his minor league career and routinely draws considerably above-average framing grades from Baseball Prospectus.

[Otters27]

Like the Rockies over 79.5

[El Nino]

Dbacks under looks good for those that wish to tie up money for 9 months.

[Chi_archie]

players hate the long extra inning games I guess

[JAKEPEAVY21]

I'll still take the over on cubs wins, starting a dynasty.

gotta agree with that

[BigSpoon]

Dbacks under looks good for those that wish to tie up money for 9 months.

Yeah, the 78.5 total is surprisingly high.

[mr. leisure]

Dbacks under looks good for those that wish to tie up money for 9 months.

Like that 1 too

[koz-man]

Inside MLB's potential new strike zone


ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported Monday that MLB has submitted a formal proposal to the players’ union to raise the strike zone -- particularly, the bottom of the strike zone, by an estimated 2 inches.

Let’s take a look at what’s behind the potential change, which players and teams could be most affected, and what it could mean for baseball going forward.

The growing strike zone
It’s no surprise MLB is looking to raise the bottom of the strike zone. The MLB strikeout record has been broken for nine consecutive seasons, and the growth in the zone –- particularly the bottom of the zone -- is a big reason why.

Previous research by Jon Roegele of The Hardball Times has shown that the bottom of the strike zone began to expand in 2011. The frequency of pitches in that area has remained consistent across the league since then, but the results have shifted dramatically (see the graph below).

In 2011, 24 percent of taken pitches in the bottom 2 inches of the strike zone were called strikes; that number has grown to 50 percent in each of the past two seasons

[Andy117]

Inside MLB's potential new strike zone


ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported Monday that MLB has submitted a formal proposal to the players’ union to raise the strike zone -- particularly, the bottom of the strike zone, by an estimated 2 inches.

Let’s take a look at what’s behind the potential change, which players and teams could be most affected, and what it could mean for baseball going forward.

The growing strike zone
It’s no surprise MLB is looking to raise the bottom of the strike zone. The MLB strikeout record has been broken for nine consecutive seasons, and the growth in the zone –- particularly the bottom of the zone -- is a big reason why.

Previous research by Jon Roegele of The Hardball Times has shown that the bottom of the strike zone began to expand in 2011. The frequency of pitches in that area has remained consistent across the league since then, but the results have shifted dramatically (see the graph below).

In 2011, 24 percent of taken pitches in the bottom 2 inches of the strike zone were called strikes; that number has grown to 50 percent in each of the past two seasons

Messing with the strikezone doesn't mean a damn thing if they keep the same crew of umpires. Their inconsistency makes the change irrelevant.

[yisman]

not much accountability for the umps


free rein to blow calls

[EmpireMaker]

The strike zone is very subjective and it varies from ump to ump and sometimes from day to day with the same ump.

[El Nino]

The players union will submit their proposal, the umpires union will fight it, MLB can do what they want...the umps will too. Ain't nothing changing.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

according to sources, Brandon Phillips traded to Braves

[koz-man]

according to sources, Brandon Phillips traded to Braves

Yep..And the Reds got pretty much nothing in return. They will not release the 2 players names until they pass a physical.

[koz-man]

Jim Bowden ESPN Senior Writer

The Atlanta Braves have acquired second baseman Brandon Phillips from the Cincinnati Reds. For the Reds this was about giving him a graceful exit. They had no leverage so they didn't ask for much of anything in return.

The Braves became a good fit for Phillips and the Reds didn't want to stand in his way, although they could have. This trade was vastly preferable to a release after going through what would have been an awkward spring since Reds are committed to going with Jose Peraza and Dilson Herrera at second.

This trade is not a win for the Reds in terms of return which is close to nothing according to sources from both teams. Just avoiding tough times and getting on with with Reds rebuilding good enough reasons for them to make the trade.

For the Braves they get a gold glove second baseman who can still play and a solid place holder until Braves top prospect Ozzie Albies is ready in 2018.

The reason we are not releasing names of players going to Cincinnati is this deal has the final hurdle of a physical on Phillips and it's not a slam dunk at this point. Would not be fair to name the 2 other players if the physical doesn't pass and the trade falls through.

[Otters27]

Cubs should win 100 games. This year the pressure is off so they can play loose.

[mr. leisure]

Jim Bowden ESPN Senior Writer

The Atlanta Braves have acquired second baseman Brandon Phillips from the Cincinnati Reds. For the Reds this was about giving him a graceful exit. They had no leverage so they didn't ask for much of anything in return.

The Braves became a good fit for Phillips and the Reds didn't want to stand in his way, although they could have. This trade was vastly preferable to a release after going through what would have been an awkward spring since Reds are committed to going with Jose Peraza and Dilson Herrera at second.

This trade is not a win for the Reds in terms of return which is close to nothing according to sources from both teams. Just avoiding tough times and getting on with with Reds rebuilding good enough reasons for them to make the trade.

For the Braves they get a gold glove second baseman who can still play and a solid place holder until Braves top prospect Ozzie Albies is ready in 2018.

The reason we are not releasing names of players going to Cincinnati is this deal has the final hurdle of a physical on Phillips and it's not a slam dunk at this point. Would not be fair to name the 2 other players if the physical doesn't pass and the trade falls through.

Yep , the Reds got pretty much nothing .

[BigSpoon]

Joey Votto content to waste away the rest of his career with the Reds.

[Chi_archie]

Not q big Phillis fan

bye

[yisman]

Yep , the Reds got pretty much nothing .

Phillips doesn't really have any value.

[EmpireMaker]

• There weren’t many whispers about Brandon Phillips on the rumor mill this offseason, and according to C. Trent Rosencrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer (via Twitter), “the Braves were the only team that had any interest in Phillips whatsoever.” Given this limited market and the added complication of Phillips’ no-trade protection, it perhaps isn’t surprising that the Reds didn’t get much of a return in finally dealing Phillips to Atlanta.
• The biggest benefit for the Reds is that Jose Peraza and Dilson Herrera now have a clearer path towards regular playing time. Reds GM Dick Williams told Rosencrans (Twitter link) and other reporters that the two young infielders and veteran shortstop Zack Cozart will rotate the middle infield jobs during Spring Training. Cozart has himself been the subject of trade speculation, though those rumors have dried up since the Mariners (his most ardent suitor) addressed their shortstop need by acquiring Jean Segura from the Diamondbacks.
• Extension talks between Chris Tillman and the Orioles have been “nothing serious” thus far, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko reports. The two sides began preliminary talks back in December, though as of mid-January, Tillman said he hadn’t heard any details on negotiations from his agents. Kubatko wouldn’t be surprised if more substantial talks take place during Spring Training, as Tillman can become a free agent after the 2017 season.

[Otters27]

OK I get it. Reds wanted Herera and Peraza to get more real game reps in to develop.

[Chi_archie]

lets get some pitchers and catchers reporting!!!!

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Joey Votto content to waste away the rest of his career with the Reds.

he has more than 200 million reasons to be content