Spring Training camps will be opening soon and rosters are getting some remakes. Astros signed one of those hot shot Japanese pitchers, who some have compared to World Series MVP, Yamamoto. Good start. HOUSTON -- Tatsuya Imai made his intentions clear with his first few words during an introductory news conference with the Houston Astros on Monday. The Japanese right-hander smiled before reading a prepared message in English from his phone. "What's up H-town?" he said. "I am Tatsuya Imai and I'm ready to chase a world championship. Let's go, Houston." The Astros and Imai agreed to a $54 million, three-year contract last week, bolstering a rotation searching for reinforcements after ace Framber Valdez became a free agent and appears unlikely to return.
Is this related to signing Kyle Tucker to a ridiculous $240 million 4-year contract. I question whether he's worth the $22 million the Cubs offered him. Heck, what do I know? I'm guessing his agent has blackmail-worthy information on the Dodgers' owners.
Dodgers payroll for 26 is 413M. My poverty franchise’s is 131M. I suspect the small and mid market franchises will be pushing very hard for a hard cap after the CBA ends this year. No other pro league had this level of competitive financial imbalance.
Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones are you newest members of the HOF. Beltran overcame being one of the leaders of the Astros scandal.
In a historical context, apparently MLB and sportswriters don't consider it a disqualifying scandal. I don't have a problem with either choice. IMO, while neither would be considered among the "greatest ever" they both represent long-term, consistently high-level performance.
It's not always about getting the biggest contract. Nice to see a professional player who loves his team and his city. It was José Ramírez who pushed for Guardians contract extension – Terry Pluto
Don't quite understand the concept of rigged pitches. But I guess FamDuel and other betting sites have prop bets on pitches and some how this guy worked with outside betters to help them win those prop bets. Indicted Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase is accused of throwing suspicious pitches to benefit bettors in at least 48 games over two years, significantly more than was initially revealed by federal prosecutors, according to a court document filed Thursday. Federal prosecutors listed nine games in which Clase allegedly threw rigged pitches in the indictment unsealed in November, but teammate and alleged co-conspirator Luis Ortiz's attorney wrote in a filing that the government is accusing Clase of manipulating his performance in dozens of games. Guardians' Clase allegedly rigged pitches in 48 games, document says
Venezuela had 25 or 27 guys w major league experience. I think about 10 were former all stars. The team was packed.
I lied. Only 9 all stars. Ronald Acuña Jr. Salvador Pérez Luis Arráez Willson Contreras William Contreras Andrés Giménez Eugenio Suárez Gleyber Torres Pablo López
Fun fact tonight for those of you that are interested. AJ Blubaugh, reliever for the Houston Astros pitched tonight against his hometown team, the Cleveland Guardians! AJ pitched 2 scoreless innings. He continues to shine in a bullpen full of opportunities. I’ll add my interview I did with him back in April when he came home to pitch in Cleveland! Enjoy all and hope you’re all well!
Also fun fact for Guardians rookie Travis Bazzana who was the number one pick for CLE in 2024! Bazzana just the 4th CLE rookie since 1901 to have 2+ HR, 4+ Hits and 5+ RBI in a single game. Also: Oscar Gonzalez 9/9/22 4H, 2HR, 5RB Ben Broussard 7/11/03 4H, 2HR, 5RBI Hal Trosky 4/24/34 4H, 2HR, 6RBI
Kid, since you're a Guardians fan, can you believe they're battling the White Sox for 1st in the ALC? The White Sox! Cleveland currently is a game ahead in 1st. I'm a lifelong Cubs and NL fan, but I'm slightly partial to the White Sox because, 1) their SS (Montgomery) is a former great HS athlete from Indiana, and 2) my first-ever MLB game was at Comiskey back in the days of Minoso, Carrasquel, Nellie Fox et al, and 3) I saw one of my 2 WS games there (new field) in 2005 when the Sox beat the then NL Astros. P.S. The Indians were the first AL team I rooted for, in the '54 World Series. I was 10 years old. I hated the Giants, although I liked Willie Mays. Unfortunately, the Giants swept Cleveland 4-0.
That’s awesome! Montgomery is a sharp player. I like him. Sox have blown away expectations. Meanwhile the Tigers are sinking and I love it lol