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Friday, March 10, 2023

Spring training OMNICHATTER 2023

A general thread for lesser controversies arising over the next few weeks.

sanny manguillen Posted: March 10, 2023 at 09:03 PM | 164 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: omnichatter

Reader Comments and Retorts

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101. The Yankee Clapper Posted: March 20, 2023 at 11:10 PM (#6120882)

. . . but this isn't just want so many MLB players WANT, this is what they NEED.

Position players seem all in, but elite American pitchers still seem reluctant. That may be somewhat understandable - facing those fearsome lineups in games that count for something is a lot different than the normal spring training preparation. Still, other countries seem to have overcome such reluctance.

102. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: March 20, 2023 at 11:14 PM (#6120883)

That was awesome.

103. The Duke Posted: March 20, 2023 at 11:37 PM (#6120887)

I don't know what to make of Arozarena. He plays at such a high level under the bright lights. Hitting, running, fielding. Has there been anyone that young who has done what he has in the big games ? He could put Beltran to shame if he keeps getting chances

104. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: March 21, 2023 at 12:01 AM (#6120890)

Position players seem all in, but elite American pitchers still seem reluctant

Didn't Kershaw want to pitch but there was some insurance issue(how effing American is that?)

If they want this thing to be huge then you need to force MLB teams to release their players for international duty the way FIFA does with football.

105. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 12:43 AM (#6120891)

Although unconfirmed by the 34-year-old himself, speculation has swirled in recent days that Kershaw’s cause of withdrawal was a result of being unable to secure an insurance policy for his WBC play. That is presumed to stem from Kershaw’s history of back injuries and significant left elbow trouble that surfaced in 2021.

Linky.

106. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: March 21, 2023 at 01:14 AM (#6120894)

Kershaw is 35. A lock for the HOF and has earned $274 million so far. At one point does the athlete just say, you know what, f*ck it, I'm playing because I just want to.

107. cardsfanboy

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 11:11 AM (#6120934)

How does Tyler O’Neill look? He was a really fun player two years ago and struggle last year. Hope he can get back to the 2021 version.

Looked good in the Classic, struggled a bit in spring training, but only 14 at bats in spring training vs 13 in the classic where he went 8 for 13 with 5 walks. The team has consistently stated that they like how he's looked and adjusted this spring, and the reporters keep saying nice things about his performance. Opening roster looks to be O'Neil in center, Lars in right and Walker in left with Carlson as the fourth. DeJong's injury helps clear the bench, they'll still have one more starting ready player than they can find room for on opening day though(between Donovan, Gorman and Edman up the middle), but at least don't have to go through the motions with giving DeJong a spot.

108. Howie Menckel Posted: March 21, 2023 at 02:21 PM (#6120948)

from The Athletic, about a meeting to review possible new rules tweaks:

"... players and the union have continued to express various concerns publicly and privately. Among them:

That the 15-second pitch timer is too constricting with no one on base.
That hitters should get slightly more time and shouldn’t need to be in the box and “alert to the pitcher” with eight seconds left on the timer.
That players who are involved in a defensive play to end one half-inning should get extra time if they are leading off the next half-inning.
That hitters should be allowed more than one timeout per plate appearance.

109. Howie Menckel Posted: March 21, 2023 at 06:42 PM (#6120976)

what sayeth BBTF?

"Major League Baseball owners have cut a deal with a casino giant to provide free broadcasts of all minor league games this season — a bid to lure more viewers to the sport as rampant cord-cutting continues to shrink its audience, The Post has learned.

MLB sold the broadcasts rights to all 120 minor league teams — from the Class A Savannah Sand Gnats to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes — to casino operator Bally’s Corp., which will offer the free streams on its Bally Live app, according to two sources.

Last season, fans who wanted to catch a glimpse of rising stars like Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe or Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez had to pay a $29.99-a-year premium to watch them on MLB’s At Bat Live app.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred pitched the deal — for an undisclosed amount – as a way to increase the reach of the minor league broadcasts, according to a presentation shared with MLB owners."

110. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: March 21, 2023 at 06:56 PM (#6120977)

Kershaw is 35. A lock for the HOF and has earned $274 million so far. At one point does the athlete just
say, you know what, f*ck it, I'm playing because I just want to.

According to the article in that link, it's the Dodgers who required the insurance for him to play (presumably this is in his contract), and they were unwilling to waive the requirement. I guess he could have still said "f*ck it" and taken the risk that an injury would void his contract.

111. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 07:11 PM (#6120979)

Watching Trout and Ohtani carrying their country's flags as they led their respective teams onto the field for pre-game intros has me hyped more than any World Series game I can remember in 20 years.

112. Booey Posted: March 21, 2023 at 07:46 PM (#6120980)

#111 - Cuz no World Series game in the last 20 years has featured any players from your team! ;-D

113. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 07:47 PM (#6120981)

TREA TURNER!

114. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 07:48 PM (#6120982)

#111 - Cuz no World Series game in the last 20 years has featured any players from your team! ;-D

I often say that I root for one team and against the 29 others.

115. Booey Posted: March 21, 2023 at 07:53 PM (#6120983)

Turner is on fire. Do they issue tournament MVP's?

116. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 07:56 PM (#6120984)

Yes.

117. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 08:00 PM (#6120985)

Murakami hit that a ton.

118. My name is Votto, and I love to get Moppo Posted: March 21, 2023 at 08:10 PM (#6120986)

I love the contrast in physiques between Murakama and the Japanese shortstop.

119. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 08:11 PM (#6120987)

There's no way Murakami's only 215 pounds.

120. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 08:12 PM (#6120988)

Aaron Loup is the tenth member of the Angel's big league roster to participate in the WBC.

121. Joyful Calculus Instructor Posted: March 21, 2023 at 08:58 PM (#6120990)

Awful at bat from Captain Trout

122. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:03 PM (#6120991)

Takahashi had something to do with that.

123. vortex of dissipation Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:08 PM (#6120993)

One thing that I haven't heard the US broadcasters mention (although I may have missed it), is that Japan is without their #1 closer, Ryoji Kuribayashi, who withdrew because of an injury. His jersey is hanging in the Japanese dugout. That might impact how Japan handles the last couple of innings in a tight game.

124. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:21 PM (#6120996)

Ohtani getting loose.

125. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:22 PM (#6120998)

#123: Thanks, I didn't know that!

126. Tulo's Fishy Mullet (mrams) Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:30 PM (#6121000)

Can they show the basatard who is working his lungs out blowing that horn in the building?

127. Tulo's Fishy Mullet (mrams) Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:31 PM (#6121001)

right on cue. Thank you FS1. There's a whole quartet.

128. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:42 PM (#6121002)

Adam has lost the strike zone completely.

129. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:45 PM (#6121003)

... and he gets out of it.

130. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 09:54 PM (#6121004)

Oh man. 1st and 2nd, and USA gets nothing. That was rough.

131. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:09 PM (#6121006)

Future Red Sox star Yoshida GIDP, so far Ofer today, BA down to .409. Japan clinging to the 3-1 lead, need 5 outs to claim the title.

132. Snowboy Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:16 PM (#6121008)

Schwarbird de-cloaking!

133. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:16 PM (#6121009)

Schwarbird takes flight, pegs one back, 3-2 now

134. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:16 PM (#6121010)

Japan hold power threat T. Turner to a single, tying run on.

135. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:36 PM (#6121011)

Trout vs. Ohtani.

The tears, they won't stop.

136. Starring Bradley Scotchman as RMc Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:41 PM (#6121012)

Anything but that.

137. Starring Bradley Scotchman as RMc Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:44 PM (#6121013)

Hell of a game!

138. The Duke Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:48 PM (#6121014)

Ohtani strikes out Trout for the win ? Rigged!!!

139. Jay Seaver Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:51 PM (#6121015)

https://twitter.com/Angels/status/1638368802865020928?s=20

140. frannyzoo Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:52 PM (#6121016)

In soccer/football lingo, club baseball has now been usurped by nation/state baseball. And I'm totally down with that.

Bring on equivalents to Champions' League and other club variants, but the "World Series" is gonna now be a real world series.

As for MLB, being pegged to something like English Premier League or La Liga isn't that bad. Those leagues are doing all right.

141. Snowboy Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:53 PM (#6121017)

Both teams, USA & Japan, played well.
That was a good game to watch.
Congrats!

142. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:54 PM (#6121018)

You couldn't script that any better. Ohtani throwing 100mph gas and getting Trout on strikes for the final out. What an incredible tournament. MLB really needs to get onto the clubs and allow anyone to play who wants to play.

143. Howie Menckel Posted: March 21, 2023 at 10:56 PM (#6121019)

THE MIGHTY TROUT HAS STRUCK OUT

I mainly only follow the NL, and I think that Ohtani and Trout are perfect players, of course.

and yes, the pitcher "wins" a head-to-head battle the majority of the time.

that said, I thought the odds of Trout whiffing there were unbelievably high.

is that unfair of me - or did those who follow those two far more closely kind of also "see it coming?"

thanks, I'll hang up and wait for your response......

144. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 11:00 PM (#6121020)

Ohtani for the tournament:
33 PAs, .435/.606/.739, 4 doubles, 1 HR
9.2 IP, 1.86 ERA, 11 Ks. 0.72 WHIP

145. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 21, 2023 at 11:04 PM (#6121021)

that said, I thought the odds of Trout whiffing there were unbelievably high.
is that unfair of me - or did those who follow those two far more closely kind of also "see it coming?"

I would have bet money on it. Trout strikes out a fair amount. Ohtani strikes out a ton of guys, and it's the very first time Trout's faced Ohtani.

146. vortex of dissipation Posted: March 21, 2023 at 11:06 PM (#6121022)

In soccer/football lingo, club baseball has now been usurped by nation/state baseball. And I'm totally down with that.

That's kind of what I thought, too. I've seen World Cups. I've seen the Olympics. The 2023 World Baseball Classic was, from start to finish, the most enjoyable International sports event I've ever seen.

147. Howie Menckel Posted: March 21, 2023 at 11:17 PM (#6121023)

I would have bet money on it.

thanks!

had no dog in the hunt, but it was a cool showdown. I just couldn't see Trout winning it....

That's kind of what I thought, too. I've seen World Cups. I've seen the Olympics. The 2023 World Baseball Classic was, from start to finish, the most enjoyable International sports event I've ever seen.

somebody here doesn't Believe in Miracles !
:)

EDIT: Oh, the whole saga. yes, that's pretty fair - although the World Cup soccer this year didn't suck, either.

148. cardsfanboy

Posted: March 22, 2023 at 09:13 AM (#6121040)

although the World Cup soccer this year didn't suck, either.

Weren't there something like two ridiculously bad calls that went the way of the "home" team and changed the course of the game and tournament?

149. Snowboy Posted: March 23, 2023 at 02:06 PM (#6121173)

Phillies 1B Rhys Hoskins goes down with apparent left knee injury.
Is carted off the field.

150. The Duke Posted: March 24, 2023 at 02:20 PM (#6121279)

All the roster cuts are happening - will be some interesting players on the market soon.

151. Howie Menckel Posted: March 24, 2023 at 08:24 PM (#6121313)

Jayson Stark
@jaysonst
·
3h
See where Francisco Lindor was playing, right behind the 2B bag?

That’s not legal now with these shift rules.

So why was he there? Because the Mets thought the Rays were also positioned illegally the inning before.

So Lindor decided to make a point.

Baseball! (In 2023!)

152. The Duke Posted: March 25, 2023 at 12:09 PM (#6121344)

Hiura getting waived/cut. Gotta think someone will try to rehabilitate him. Seems like a good prospect for the Reds

153. The Mighty Quintana Posted: March 25, 2023 at 12:56 PM (#6121346)

Red Sox would also be a good landing place for Hiura. He has some Arroyo similarities...

154. The Duke Posted: March 25, 2023 at 10:16 PM (#6121357)

Cardinals select Jordan Walker. Old guys Votto and wainwright look to be on the Roger Clemens plan. Moustakas makes the Rockies roster - I predict Moose has a huge year for the Rockies.

Let's get the party started

155. cardsfanboy

Posted: March 26, 2023 at 02:00 PM (#6121372)

2nd to last spring training game is not pretty, 23-1 Astros over the Cardinals.

156. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 26, 2023 at 04:41 PM (#6121384)

Anthony Volpe made the Yankees Opening Day roster.

157. The Yankee Clapper Posted: March 26, 2023 at 06:26 PM (#6121402)

Volpe has his own thread. Perhaps the first of many? He’s the starting shortstop, not just on the roster. Pretty good for age 21. So far.

158. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 26, 2023 at 09:32 PM (#6121413)

Kershaw looks as good as ever.

159. Hombre Brotani

Posted: March 26, 2023 at 10:32 PM (#6121417)

Kershaw 6 IP, 3 hits, 0 walks, 7 Ks (struck out Trout 3 times). 74 pitches. Two timer violations.

160. The Honorable Ardo Posted: March 27, 2023 at 10:42 PM (#6121549)

Kershaw 6 IP, 3 hits, 0 walks, 7 Ks

The USA could've used this guy in the WBC final. Just sayin'.

161. The Duke Posted: March 28, 2023 at 11:02 AM (#6121589)

Injuries across the league seem way lower than normal, especially pitching injuries. Wainwright and Votto are out but they are old men. A couple TJS for more minor players. It seems like everyone came through Spring intact except maybe the Phillies.

162. You can keep your massive haul Posted: March 28, 2023 at 02:07 PM (#6121607)

Triston McKenzie out 8 weeks :(

163. Der-K's enjoying the new boygenius album. Posted: March 28, 2023 at 03:36 PM (#6121613)

(in honor of the WBC content upthread)

Yariel Rodriguez has left Chunichi, is looking for an MLB contract. He was brilliant in the pen last year, his first really good season as a pro. Francys Romero (who reports on Cuban baseball) speculates that Rodriguez could get 5/50 as a starter ... but I'm not sure that a rotation gig is in his future but - moreso - I don't think he can just leave the Dragons (with whom he was playing with the permission of the Cuban gov't) unilaterally. Also don't think Chunichi releases him (both because they wouldn't want to but also they don't want to lose access to Cuban players).
Reliant on a fb (mid-to-upper 90s)/slider combo.

164. The Duke Posted: March 28, 2023 at 05:08 PM (#6121632)

Keston Hiura and his $2 million salary will head to AAA. Will he be the highest paid minor leaguer this year ?

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Spring training OMNICHATTER 2023

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