Baseball

[Pablo Diablo]

Bonds started taking after the Sosa and McGwire HR chase got more attention than the other great season he was having. He was already a HoF player at that point.
Clemens also probably was a HoF before he started taking.

Either way just because they are two of the most linked unless you refuse to accept anyone from this time period before drug testing started then you have to let the two of them in.

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Also Halladay's wife saying Doc is going to go in without any team on his cap is very disappointing.

[Bagel]

Disappointing to me, too. When I think back of the team Halladay had the biggest impact with it was, by far, with Toronto.

[Pablo Diablo]

Still going to Cooperstown for the ceremony mind.

[Fro]

He should defintiely go in as a blue jay, did she give reasoning? I forget if he had a contentious departure from Toronto.

[_me]

He should defintiely go in as a blue jay, did she give reasoning? I forget if he had a contentious departure from Toronto.

I would imagine it is just that his most famous moments were with the Phillies. But I agree he should be a Jay.

[Morrison]

He should defintiely go in as a blue jay, did she give reasoning? I forget if he had a contentious departure from Toronto.

I would imagine it is just that his most famous moments were with the Phillies. But I agree he should be a Jay.

he asked specifically to be traded to philly so he could get an opportunity in the postseason. i imagine there's a level of respect there from the family for giving him that chance.

[Pablo Diablo]

Having slept on it the reason why I'm so disappointed is because the Jays only have one player in the hall with our cap (Alomar). It had always seemed like a lock that Doc would go in as one and now that he's not the Jays will likely stay at just the one. I know there are teams that don't have any so I guess I should be glad we have the one but still.

[Kneeneighbor]

He literally signed a contract with Toronto so he could retire as a Blue Jay.

[NWo4LifeOr2Years]

I would put Shoeless Joe in before Pete Rose, and well before Clemens and Bonds.

I am glad that Clemens and Bonds have to keep waiting.

I am happy about Mussina, but kind of surprised because I always thought of him as belonging in the Hall of Very Very Good.

Please explain your logic of why a guy who admitted throwing the championship of his sport, sold out his teammates should be in before a guy who hustled his whole career and threw down some bets FOR his team winning as manager. Never a word on his most excellent playing career. (Joe Jackson and Pete Rose in case history alludes you)

[3puppies]

Shoeless Joe admitted to having heard about the his teammates' plan to get paid to throw the championship, but he never admitted to throwing it himself. His own performance in the series was unquestionable.

Pete Rose was a great ballplayer, but it was because of the Black Sox scandal that it was made crystal clear to all baseball players that they were expressly forbidden to gamble, in any way, on baseball games. In that respect, I think Joe was stuck in an impossible situation beyond his control.

Pete Rose had the ability to alter the outcome of a game, as a manager. Betting FOR his own team on some games, and NOT betting on them in on other games, could tip off those who he bet with, that he may not have been trying to win every game.

I would have less a problem if they let Pete Rose in posthumously, but only if they would let Shoeless Joe in first (or perhaps at the same time)

I like Bob Costas' longtime suggestion that since the HOF is also a museum, they should have a plaque that describes the changes in the game, and how the eras are not comparable. The change in the pitching mound after 1968 had its desired affect, and the ignoring of the rampant use of steroids by many players from the 90's to the early 2000's, is also immeasurable. This would allow them to honor the on-field accomplishments of some of the game's great players.

[Honey_Badger]

Pete Rose is scum.

[Fro]

Pete Rose is scum.

seems harsh. just for betting on his own team?

if he bet against his own team I'd agree.

[Honey_Badger]

seems harsh. just for betting on his own team?

if he bet against his own team I'd agree.

Have you ever read up on this? https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...=.a937d9c70e20

Great guy, he is. I live in Cincinnati, so it's a pretty common topic of discussion here, one that is firmly two sides with no gray area.

[Kneeneighbor]

So if you bet on your own team 3 times a week and do not bet on them the other 3 times what does that mean @Fro?

Any time he doesn't bet it opens up the questions that maybe he gave his better player the day off that day or maybe he left his best arm in the pen for someone else.

[Fro]

Have you ever read up on this? https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...=.a937d9c70e20

Great guy, he is. I live in Cincinnati, so it's a pretty common topic of discussion here, one that is firmly two sides with no gray area.

no I was not aware of this. that's not good.

So if you bet on your own team 3 times a week and do not bet on them the other 3 times what does that mean @Fro?

Any time he doesn't bet it opens up the questions that maybe he gave his better player the day off that day or maybe he left his best arm in the pen for someone else.

yea that's fair and I'm not saying it should be allowed. I think banning him from baseball was the right move but I think it's lasted long enough. don't let him be employed by the MLB or a team mind you, but I would let him in the hall. let him make appearances at games at such.

[Honey_Badger]

He comes to plenty of Reds games. It’s funny, he was interviewed by Fox Sports Ohio during a game and tried to make a bet with the interviewer that Billy Hamilton would steal second base. He doesn’t learn. He hasn’t changed. He is still a scheming, nasty fella who should never be permitted into the Hall. We have to draw a line somewhere. I’d put Bonds in the Hall WAY before I put Rose in.

[Randolph]

I respect any man who can take a Tombstone Piledriver as well as he did.

[Fro]

He comes to plenty of Reds games. It’s funny, he was interviewed by Fox Sports Ohio during a game and tried to make a bet with the interviewer that Billy Hamilton would steal second base. He doesn’t learn. He hasn’t changed. He is still a scheming, nasty fella who should never be permitted into the Hall. We have to draw a line somewhere. I’d put Bonds in the Hall WAY before I put Rose in.

ok fine u changed my mind

[3puppies]

I respect any man who can take a Tombstone Piledriver as well as he did.

Well, he did get into the Hall of Fame for that. Maybe not the Baseball HOF, but the WWE HOF has its own share of undeserving pretenders.

[Kneeneighbor]

You mean like KoKo B Ware and the Godfather?

[Rancid_Planet]

Pete Rose will go in just as soon as he dies.

[3puppies]

You mean like KoKo B Ware and the Godfather?

I meant more like Drew Carey, Kid Rock, Arnold Schwarzenegger. At least Pete Rose appeared in the WWE several times, and wasn't there to promote something else.

I was never a huge fan of Koko D Ware myself, but back when I was in college, I rented an apartment and he was my landlady's absolute favorite. She regularly went to the Garden to see the matches, and she brought a Koko sign with her, which he autographed, and he even gave her a feather. She was a sweet older woman who told me her daughter "thinks that wrestling is all fake, but I know it is real!" Bless her heart.

[NWo4LifeOr2Years]

So I stopped by to visit my dad after the surgeons today . He's 80 and I asked his opinion of the HoF voting and of course he was on board with Mariano and Haladay (Martyrdom always = elevaltion to legendary status in whatever field the deceased was in, whether Doc may have taken a few years to get in if alive)....
He wasn't down with Martinez and especially Messina but the funniest part was when I asked him about Harold Baines. He had no idea Baines had been let in and could not believe it nor understand "what the hell Harold Baines ever did to get elected to the Hall of Fame. They're getting a little carried away watering down the criteria here."

I must say for a change I agree 100% with my father..

[BigAl]

Just got my Spring Training tickets for a couple games in March. Seeing the Mets vs Marlins and Yankees vs Astros. Can't wait.

[Bagel]

Sounds awesome. Do you take a yearly visit for the games?

[BigAl]

We've gone down three of the last four years. For my money I'd rather see a spring training game than a regular season, I think. The atmosphere is so much more relaxed and the seats are better.

[Bagel]

http://www.floridagrapefruitleague.com/

Check that link, if you haven't seen it yet. They do a really nice job with the ST booklets and schedules and I've gotten them the past five years (they're free). I haven't been for ST in about 8 or 9 years myself but we mostly went over to Clearwater/St. Pete area I believe it was. Phillies, Yanks. Enjoy the atmosphere a lot more than the regular season games as well.

[BigAl]

We're in the West Palm/Jupiter area so we're not that far from where you were. You really can't beat it.

[Pablo Diablo]

There could be some huge changes coming to the league as early as this coming season

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/2...ges-alter-game

[BigAl]

I like the idea of starting a man on 2nd for extra inning games. I wouldn't mind starting the 11th inning with men on base and a 1-1 count on the batter, just to speed things up.

[Kneeneighbor]

I think all of the extra inning ideas are beyond stupid. No one is going to sit through the first 10 inning of a tie game and go, damn I wish this would wrap up. Those people have already checked out. The people who watch 9 innings are not getting bored in the 10th.

The only argument against it is it messes with your bullpen usage. But the response to that is dont change pitchers every other batter and you will be fine. Or if its that devastating then just concede the game and put a position player into pitch. (No one would do that which tells you it doesnt change much besides the next game)

[Fro]

I don't see that "man on 2nd" extra innings rule mentioned in the article, but I'm in favor of it. Extra inning games are so fucking long. Do NOT start the count at 1-1, that would be too weird. But at the start of the 11th, put the last batter to record an out on 1st base. At the start of the 12th and all future innings, put the last batter to record an out on 2nd base. That's how I'd do it.

In regard to the changes mentioned in the article, without going into them one by one I will say I'm glad they're looking to make these types of changes. The game could use some tweaking.

[BigAl]

The extra inning rule was one that started in MiLB last year, it wasn't in that article. I read somewhere that MLB is considering trying it at some point to see the effect it would have on the game.

[Pablo Diablo]

I'm good with the extra inning rule being in the minors and in exhibition games. There is no need for those games to go very long because they truly don't matter and no need to use up pitcher's arms for meaningless games. But I never want to see this in the big leagues.

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I think the minimum of 3 batter rule is the more out there one.

[BigAl]

RIP Frank Robinson.

[BigAl]

The Realmuto trade saga is finally over as he's been traded to the Phillies.

[Honey_Badger]

Great trade for the Phillies. Much needed upgrade. One last thing for them to do, and that's sign Harper.

[3puppies]

RIP Frank Robinson.

Very sad to hear this. More people should know about him.

I heard an interview from the head of the Negro League museum who told the story about how competitive Frank Robinson, and all the black ballplayers were, because they knew they had to be better than the white players in order to keep their job. Frank would say

"If Henry (Aaron) went out and hit a home run, I went out and hit a home run. So Henry went out and hit two home runs. And I went and hit two home runs. Then Henry went and hit three home runs. And I had hit two home runs....."

But my favorite was the old Lite beer commercial with Brooks Robinson - they were not identical twins
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...04CD&FORM=VIRE

[BigAl]

Machado to the Padres for 10 years/$300 million. He can opt out after the 5th year but I can't imagine he would ever do that. Unless he starts hitting .400 a year with 60+ homers and 150 RBIs he's probably not going to make more than $30 million a season.

[Fro]

good for machado. enjoy wealth and obscurity. as a Padre there's a strong chance I will never see him play baseball again.

[hithit]

good for machado. enjoy wealth and obscurity. as a Padre there's a strong chance I will never see him play baseball again.

You do realize SD has a wealth of young talent about ready for the majors and will probably be a very good, competitive team here in the very near future?

[Fro]

No but I'll take your word for it.

I think 300/10 for Machado is perfectly reasonable given that he's only 26. When Pujols signed his deal with the Angels (254 million) he was already 32. Those are the ones that are just guaranteed to suck in the second half of the deal. Machado and Harper hitting free agency this young.... give them all the money and all the years. It's a good score by San Diego. And it's nice to see him not land in a major market/high spending team like Boston/New York/LA/Chicago. The NBA, this is not.

[PurePlayer]

You do realize SD has a wealth of young talent about ready for the majors and will probably be a very good, competitive team here in the very near future?

you can't guarantee that the prospects will pan out though. Their farm system is incredible based on all reports and stats out there but doesn't mean anything until it actually happens

[soxfanatic]

It is one less team out there that is purely in it for the revenue and not actually trying to compete, so that is good.

MLB has a lot of problems, with one of their biggest problems being that a lot of teams right now are trying to "rebuild", which is not good for the sport.

[Mr. Boombastic]

I guess the Padres haven't really done much in their history. 5 playoff appearances in 50 years of existence and two World Series ass kickings so they may as well go all in and hope for the best, but have any of these mega contracts actually worked out?

A Rod, Pujols, Cabrera, and Cano's mega deals (all over 10 years 200 million dollars) turned into pretty big albatross' for their teams in the long term.

[Bagel]

Excited to see what Tatis and Urias can do. But not too optimistic about them signing Machado, the current roster, etc. They got Hosmer last year and he's alright but I think a bad fit for the ballpark. There's another one they got from Boston in the Kimbrel trade who was highly regarded and I'm forgetting his name. Prediction is they end up in 4th place this year.

[PurePlayer]

I guess the Padres haven't really done much in their history. 5 playoff appearances in 50 years of existence and two World Series ass kickings so they may as well go all in and hope for the best, but have any of these mega contracts actually worked out?

A Rod, Pujols, Cabrera, and Cano's mega deals (all over 10 years 200 million dollars) turned into pretty big albatross' for their teams in the long term.

I think the A-Rod contract ended up working out no? Typically the ones that sign big deals when they are 30 or older don't end up working. Both of these guys are in their prime.

[Mr. Boombastic]

I think the A-Rod contract ended up working out no? Typically the ones that sign big deals when they are 30 or older don't end up working. Both of these guys are in their prime.

Maybe A-Rods first 10 year contract with the Rangers, but he technically didn't fulfill that contract as he opted out of it and signed a 2nd 10 year deal worth 275 million with the Yankees that was a pretty big disaster. The Yankees were basically begging him to retire to get out of it by the end of it, because he could no longer play defense and was a fairly mediocre hitter.

[hithit]

you can't guarantee that the prospects will pan out though. Their farm system is incredible based on all reports and stats out there but doesn't mean anything until it actually happens

Oh I understand that completely. But, with a system as loaded as that the chances are far greater that they will pan out than be busts.

[BigAl]

Rockies extend Arenado for 8 years, $260,000,000 and he can opt out after the 2021 season ends, when he'll still be only 30 years old.

[Morrison]

Rockies extend Arenado for 8 years, $260,000,000 and he can opt out after the 2021 season ends, when he'll still be only 30 years old.

and now that three year opt out clause seems like its going to be another sticking point in harper negotiations.

i wont pretend to know the in's and out's of the business side of baseball but ffs. spending all this time trying to get a team to pay you $330 million but now wanting the opportunity to opt out after only three years just sounds fucking lame.

[BigAl]

and now that three year opt out clause seems like its going to be another sticking point in harper negotiations.

i wont pretend to know the in's and out's of the business side of baseball but ffs. spending all this time trying to get a team to pay you $330 million but now wanting the opportunity to opt out after only three years just sounds fucking lame.

It's a ridiculous request I think. These dudes are basically saying "hey, I want you to pay me an ungodly amount of money buuuuuuut I want to have the option to ask for more money in a few years or find a better team to play for." If you want to take $300 million to join a perennial losing team like Machado did, don't be upset when the team is still awful in a few years. I know the Padres have a very good farm system with some highly regarded prospects but there's no guarantee those guys pan out.

[Fro]

yea and also I'm not sure what to feel about this notion by players over the last few years that they're getting screwed in free agency. I don't disagree that the system is broken somewhat in that teams would rather stock up on draft picks and young cheap talent before going after any big free agents, but part of that is because free agent all star players are making SO much money. 30 million a season is a fuck ton for a team with 25 roster spots (as compared to 30 million a season in the NBA with only 12 roster spots and 5 starters). So idk, I'm conflicted on how to feel about this. I don't want to "side with ownership" since that's probably not right but I struggle to feel bad for the likes of Bryce Harper who has already turned down a $300 million offer.

I don't think it's mutually exclusive that teams like the Marlins are bad for baseball AND star players are getting paid plenty.

[PurePlayer]

and now that three year opt out clause seems like its going to be another sticking point in harper negotiations.

i wont pretend to know the in's and out's of the business side of baseball but ffs. spending all this time trying to get a team to pay you $330 million but now wanting the opportunity to opt out after only three years just sounds fucking lame.

I heard that is not actually the issue from guys like Jayston Stark and other reporters. There are reports that the Phillies aren't even offering him higher than what Machado got. It's hard to choose what to believe anymore.

I did hear the same thing yesterday morning about the opt out but then reports disputed it so who knows.

[PurePlayer]

It's a ridiculous request I think. These dudes are basically saying "hey, I want you to pay me an ungodly amount of money buuuuuuut I want to have the option to ask for more money in a few years or find a better team to play for." If you want to take $300 million to join a perennial losing team like Machado did, don't be upset when the team is still awful in a few years. I know the Padres have a very good farm system with some highly regarded prospects but there's no guarantee those guys pan out.

I'm pretty sure most long term deals like this do have an opt out. Machado and Arenado both have opt outs in their contracts. I think it's just normal procedure to have it as lame as it might be.

Either way, 3 years of Harper in his prime is better than zero years. And if he decides he wants to leave after those 3 years, at least the Phillies can use that money elsewhere when FA actually become available. It looks pretty dry the next two years besides Trout.

[BigAl]

yea and also I'm not sure what to feel about this notion by players over the last few years that they're getting screwed in free agency. I don't disagree that the system is broken somewhat in that teams would rather stock up on draft picks and young cheap talent before going after any big free agents, but part of that is because free agent all star players are making SO much money. 30 million a season is a fuck ton for a team with 25 roster spots (as compared to 30 million a season in the NBA with only 12 roster spots and 5 starters). So idk, I'm conflicted on how to feel about this. I don't want to "side with ownership" since that's probably not right but I struggle to feel bad for the likes of Bryce Harper who has already turned down a $300 million offer.

I don't think it's mutually exclusive that teams like the Marlins are bad for baseball AND star players are getting paid plenty.

Spot on. This sums up how I feel as well, especially in regards to Harper turning down that $300 million because he wanted more money. I'm all for players trying to get as much as they can and I'm also all for owners/GMs/stat guys running the numbers and determining that much money for one player doesn't make sense for their team's chances. However, I don't really want to hear players say they're getting screwed in free agency when teams have started to realize the decade-long contract isn't the best idea in the world.

But like you said Fro, the idea that the Marlins are bad for baseball AND star players are getting paid enough aren't mutually exclusive.

[BigAl]

I'm pretty sure most long term deals like this do have an opt out. Machado and Arenado both have opt outs in their contracts. I think it's just normal procedure to have it as lame as it might be.

Either way, 3 years of Harper in his prime is better than zero years. And if he decides he wants to leave after those 3 years, at least the Phillies can use that money elsewhere when FA actually become available. It looks pretty dry the next two years besides Trout.

Do they? I honestly don't know much about the ins and outs of contracts, I just thought they were an added incentive offered to some players. But yeah, I get what you're saying about having three years of Harper in his prime being great for a team and I don't disagree.

[PurePlayer]

Do they? I honestly don't know much about the ins and outs of contracts, I just thought they were an added incentive offered to some players. But yeah, I get what you're saying about having three years of Harper in his prime being great for a team and I don't disagree.

I don't know how early of an opt out is in these long contracts but I believe A-Rod's was 7 years into his 10? He then signed another 10 year deal with the Yanks at age 32.

[BigAl]

Is there ever a buy out option for teams to get rid of guys or is that generally unheard of in baseball contracts? I know they can send a guy down to the minors and he'd be a free agent if he refuses the assignment like Harvey did for the the Mets last season.

[Kneeneighbor]

There is but it is usually only in the last year of a deal.

[Torn]

Is there ever a buy out option for teams to get rid of guys or is that generally unheard of in baseball contracts? I know they can send a guy down to the minors and he'd be a free agent if he refuses the assignment like Harvey did for the the Mets last season.

Money is guaranteed so he still gets paid if that happens. You can DFA someone at any time but you are always gonna be on the hook for their salary.

The closest to I think what you are suggesting is a club option at the end of the contract which usually has a buyout attached, for example Bumgarner this year had a 12m club option which was exercised, if the team decided they wanted to cut ties they would still pay 1.5m.

[Kneeneighbor]

Harper to the Phillies.

[TimeSplitter]

13 years, $330 million. Front loaded, no deferrals, no trade clause.

[BigAl]

13 years, $330 million, no opt-out clauses. 13 years!! Dude will be 39 when his contract is up.

Gotta wonder if the Mets still view themselves as the NL East favorites, haha.

[Bagel]

Mets may as well wear your avatar on their jersey this season

[BigAl]

If there’s anything that should represent the Mets this season, it’s a piece of undercooked chicken that would give somebody food poisoning.

[Kneeneighbor]

13 years, $330 million, no opt-out clauses. 13 years!! Dude will be 39 when his contract is up.

Gotta wonder if the Mets still view themselves as the NL East favorites, haha.

Sounds like it is heavily front loaded. Won't be to crippling at the end.

[TimeSplitter]

Yeah, 30 this year (20 is a signing bonus) and then 26 for nine years, and 22 for the last three. Not a bad deal. Just read an ESPN article about it, and his reason for a lack of opt-outs makes a ton of sense.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/2...-deal-phillies

[Honey_Badger]

Bryce will win a WS with Philly. If the back-half of their rotation pitches above average this year, it may be sooner than later. Realmuto, Harper and Hoskins are going to make a sick 2-3-4 or 3-4-5 in that lineup.

[BigAl]

MLB is planning a change to the All-Star voting, possibly to start this year:

An All-Star Election Day has been discussed but never implemented. Under the proposed plan, starting this year the standard online voting would take place. Upon its completion, the top three vote-getters at each position in each league would be on the ballot on Election Day, and whichever players received the most votes on that single day would determine the All-Star starters, according to sources.

The parties see Election Day as an opportunity to better engage fans and bring more excitement to the All-Star voting process -- and encourage an uptick in social media activity surrounding the game.

Would this make you more or less likely to vote in either the online voting or the one day "Election Day" voting? I don't think I've ever done an All-Star vote before and this probably won't entice me to start but seems like kind of a cool idea. I'm sure some fans will be excited to have an impact on the game by choosing its starters.

[Fro]

Don't fans already have an impact on the game by choosing its starters?

[3puppies]

The Red Sox Alex Wright earned an 80 game suspension for PEDs.

"We couldn't figure out how this substance got into my body," Wright told Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. "But at the end of the day, it's my responsibility. ... It falls on me. ... I know the truth. People close to me know I wouldn't intentionally do this. ... Unfortunately, sometimes things get into your system."

[Morrison]

DAS WUNDERKIND.

[Fro]

The Red Sox Alex Wright earned an 80 game suspension for PEDs.

"Wright says he has no idea how substance got into system but said he respects testing program and accepts responsibility."

Will a professional sports player ever admit they simply used PEDs? This act where every player who gets busted says they don't know how it happened and it must have been from some vitamin drink or whatever is so tired. I get why they do it, it's simply better for them to deny knowingly doing PEDs even when they're caught and honestly that's what I would do too, but it would be so refreshing for a guy to just ADMIT IT. This goes for football too.

[3puppies]

I agree that its a tired response, but I suspect that both the team and the agent are both telling the player that this is how they should spin it.

[Fro]

The Red Sox bullpen will be an adventure this year. Craig Kimbrel is still a free agent but it appears unlikely they will re-sign him. I am still riding the high of a World Series victory so I am not yet ready to worry but it will be a shame if they miss an opportunity to repeat because their bullpen is just a mess this year. It would be good to strike while Mookie and Xander are still on their rookie deals/arbitration.

I mean last year people thought it would be their downfall and they proved them wrong, but removing the closer from that group and trying again is risky business.

[Chris Scott]

Not kept up properly this season off season but how are Dodgers looking and whats expected from them this season?

[Atty]

I'd say they did very well overall. It'll be a different team that will be great depending on health. Clayton's the obvious worry right now and AJ Pollock is made out of glass. If they stay healthy, they could be better than last year.

Clearing up the outfield logjam should really help guys settle into their roles. Too many cooks out there last year. Corey Seager being healthy will be huge.

[3puppies]

I am devastated to read that Tom Seaver has been diagnosed with dementia, and is retiring from public life.

Before Brady, he was the original Tom Terrific

[BigAl]

Very sad about Tom Terrific. I enjoyed when he would stop by the booth during games.

[Kneeneighbor]

Few new rule changes coming:

2019:
All Star Election Day
1 trade deadline
$1 Million to the Home Run Derby Winner

2020:
3 batter minimum for a pitcher unless the inning ends
26 man rosters

[BigAl]

I like the single trade deadline. Don't care too much about the All Star or Derby changes.

I also like the 3 batter minimum. Is there an estimate for how many minutes pitching changes add to a game or how much time this is expected to save?

[Pablo Diablo]

The 3 batter minimum and the 26 man roster (which is going to replace the bigger September rosters) seem like they're both to fix the same thing. Pitchers seeing less than 3 batters really becomes an issue for pace of play in September when teams have a thousand relievers and bring them in one batter after the other. If you're going to do the 26 man roster (which I think is good because it's unfair that some teams end up facing distant prospects while their rivals had to face the same team at full strength) then don't do the 3 batter minimum.

[BigAl]

Other changes coming in 2020:

- a study will be conducted to determine a maximum number of pitchers on a roster. MLB proposed 13 for April-August and 14 in September
- expanded rosters in September will be limited to 28 players
- players will be designated as either a Pitcher or a Position Player. Position Players will only be allowed to pitch in games in which their team is up or down by more than seven runs. Players can be designated as 2 Way Players if they pitch 20+ innings AND start 20+ games in the field or as a DH.

[Fro]

A look at how the usage of relief pitchers has risen in the last 50 years:



Pretty wild that in 1968 there was, on average, only 1 pitching change per game for both teams combined.

I'm in favor of the 3 batter rule. And to Pablo: while both of those changes are aimed at helping the same issue, neither of them will by themself fix it. So I'm fine with them enacting both rules. Both will help.

[Matthew]

pitch clock please

[Kneeneighbor]

Trout with a 12 year extension. $430 million.

[Honey_Badger]

Huge deal, wow.

Great for the Angels as an organization. Let's hope they can now build around Trout and make these next 12 years count. If they win a couple World Series Titles, hell, even one, then it will be worth it. If they come away with no titles, it will be a busted deal for the Angels.

That said, it's great for Trout.

[Kneeneighbor]

Another bad deal by LAA. Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, now Trout.

[Fro]

I don't see it as a bad deal. He's the best player and given what Bryce Harper and Machado got, this is good value. I would much rather have this deal than the Bryce deal.

[Kneeneighbor]

I would rather have neither.

[Honey_Badger]

Trout is potentially the greatest baseball player of all-time, not just this generation. I don't see how this is a bad deal at all. Trout has basically set the maximum ceiling for what a player should, and can, earn with this deal because no player will be worth more in the near future.

If the Angels can surround him with pieces, primarily pitching, they have a shot to be a solid baseball team for the next 12 years.

[PurePlayer]

I don't see it as a bad deal. He's the best player and given what Bryce Harper and Machado got, this is good value. I would much rather have this deal than the Bryce deal.

i think both deals are just fine. Bryce has a 12 million less AAV per year. trout is the better player, hence more money.

edit: In the end, if a team wins during that big contract that's all that really matters

[Kneeneighbor]

Good Bye Ichiro.

[Fro]

Good Bye Ichiro.

Legend of the game. One of the best of all time.

[LOCONUT]

The Goldberg of Baseball.

[Reveille]

Besides being 0-4 at the plate talk about a great way to go out? With your original team and in front of the fans in your home country?

That must have been a special moment for him.

[3puppies]

Truly a special talent, one of the all-time greats.

He had ten straight years with 200 hits. That record might never be touched, especially in today's game where strikeouts are not thought of as a bad thing.

The currently active streak of most straight 200 hit seasons - Zero.

[BigAl]

Our Mets spring training game got rained out unfortunately. The Yankees vs Astros was enjoyable. We sat about 5 rows from the field on the first base side. Got to see Torres and Andujar from the Yanks and pretty much the entire Astros starting infield and Springer. Man, I knew Altuve was short but seeing him live, he’s even shorter than I expected. Looked like me standing out there on second.

[BigAl]

deGrom signed to a 5 year extension, $137 million. He can opt out after 2022 and there’s a club option for 2024. Full no trade clause.

Glad they got it done.