apparently the kid has a few physical issues...but according to the article I read they were documented and the teams all knew about his PRP injection in the elbow and some other issues. Plus he had to no doubt take a physical. Personally I think this kid is going to bomb. He will end up not being either the hitter or the pitcher everybody thinks he is because he's going to try and do both rather than just focus on whatever it is that he is best at doing. MLB is not Japan.
Tigers traded Ian Kinzler, a 4 time All Star, to the Angels for LA's #20 and #24 rated prospects. Don't think fans will be beating down the doors to visit Comerica this year. Marlins and Tigers fans should form a support group re these fire sales.
Mike Ilitch really wanted to win a WS before he died. He agreed to some long term contracts that mortgaged the future. The future is here.
Angels really making moves, besides Kinzler they just pickd up Cozart from the Reds not to mention Ohtani the Japanese player and the AL West is going to be really tough.
The Dodgers got Matt Kemp for the purpose of cutting him. They traded 4 players who were going to be cut anyway: Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy and Charlie Culberson. This is a huge salary dump by the Dodgers and drops them below the luxury tax limit, which will allow them to sign either Cain from Kansas City or McCutcheon from Pittsburgh. It's a salary dump.
:idea: The Dodgers have a lot of players who simply lost their jobs to younger players. Another factor is all the Dodgers like Kike Hernandez, Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor who play multiple positions. They can often fill holes in the lineup just by moving people around...
Well the Astros made a possibly great move, getting Cole from the Pirates. He's young and has overall a good record since coming up to the bigs. Last season his ERA was over 4, but he was healthy and made 33 starts and was 12-12. But the previous years he was a mainstay of their playoff teams. Astros didn't really give up anything meaningful so I like this deal a lot.
And the trucks pull out; 72 tubs of bubble gum, 144 boxes of sunflower seeds, and 864 dozen baseballs.
Sid, I try to stay out of these arguments...so many more important things to worry about though this one is surely a symbol of so many other things we choose to dwell on. I love Chief Wahoo...I am one of those who associates that logo/caricature with fond memories of my childhood and going to baseball games with my Dad. I'm an adult (sort of)...but I feel like a kid who lost his Teddy Bear. I have known for years that he was going to leave. They chose a "phasing out" pattern that began with the "Block C" on the cap rather than have a sudden removal of the logo. I feel that was a wise way to do it. I have this feeling that it's too bad that people have to be offended so easily...that some folks are just looking for reasons to be offended or be a victim. And then it's a shame that other people with no skin in the game jump on the bandwagon...it would be one thing if they did it only to support Native Americans and to reject racism...but I have this itchy feeling that they do it Just. To. Be. Annoying. At the same time, even though the people donning the Wahoo caps are merely rooting for their baseball team and showing pride in their city and history...if the logo is truly offensive to even a minority of American Indians, and if it makes them feel belittled, then I suppose it's best to remove it. I don't know if MLB threatened the Tribe with removal of the 2019 All Star game or not (they deny doing so) but their is no doubt that all the caterwauling about the logo would have been a severe distraction for MLB, the Cleveland Indians organization, and the City of Cleveland and the show they hope to put on.
So how would you like to have Marlin or Pirate season tickets? Yankees got a great player in Stanton if he can stay healthy.
Stu, thanks for your comments. My feelings are similar to yours. I give Indians management a lot of credit for how they've handled this years-long issue. Their timing is perfect as it related to the All-Star game. It certainly will neutralize/silence those who non-Native Americans who are offended.
Regarding Stanton... Big mistake on part of Yankees...he is going to interrupt the "chemistry" that NY has built up..everything from being tough to get along with to "aches and pains"
You can have Ellsbury back if it will help. And you better fortify that Green Monster because these guys are going to tear it down.
I see a couple of agents are upset with the slow pace of free agency movement this off season. Saying it smells like collusion among the owners. Suggest there might be retaliation from the players, even a boycott of Spring Training. Bunch of babies IMHO. http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22300069/agent-says-fight-brewing-slow-mlb-free-agent-market
:!: :idea: Some teams, like the Dodgers, are maxed out for this year and CAN'T bid on free agents! If the Dodgers exceed $197 million for the third year in a row, they will face a salary + fines of more than half a BILLION dollars, as well as loss of top draft picks!