MLB: 2013 Pre-Season Thread

Waitsian

Coeus wrote: »

King Felix has become the highest paid pitcher in baseball...

Does anyone else find these wages distasteful? As much as I love watching the very best play the game I love, no-one 'deserves' that amount of money to earn a living.

I think wages are completely over the top now in a multitude of sports.

jack presley

mod9maple wrote: »

Does anyone else find these wages distasteful? As much as I love watching the very best play the game I love, no-one 'deserves' that amount of money to earn a living.

I think wages are completely over the top now in a multitude of sports.

Mark Texeria came out and said as much in the past day or so. Not about Felix in particular but baseball players in general.

Coeus

jack presley wrote: »

Mark Texeria came out and said as much in the past day or so. Not about Felix in particular but baseball players in general.

Yes its an obscene amount of money some of these guys are paid, but I guess as long as people pay to go see games or pay to watch at home then most owners will be compelled to put the best product they can on the field. I can see Kershaw and Verlander getting more when they get their contracts extended so who knows where it will stop.

Coeus

8-10 wrote: »

Bought tickets to 6 games today, including 2 interleague games which will be a first for me. Have another 8 planned, waiting on Phillies single-game tickets on sale next week.

Even got myself a Field Box ticket, Row B, for Red Sox v Phillies at Fenway. Cannot wait.

Nice one, I take it you live stateside. What other games you going to see?

brilliantboy

jack presley wrote: »

Mark Texeria came out and said as much in the past day or so. Not about Felix in particular but baseball players in general.

Heh Teixeira is one of the last guys I would expect to hear that from given that he's been so talented at milking every cent he can since he was drafted.
Ridiculous sums of money are spent on baseball players for sure, but that's the nature of the world, ridiculous sums of money get spent on things that ridiculous sums of money shouldn't be spent on.

I'm happy the Felix deal is done. When you consider what some other players that don't even approach Felix's talent are making, it's not a bad deal.
He's still only 26, one of the best 3-4 pitchers in baseball, cy young, perfect game... I just hope to f**k he stays healthy

rockonollie

mod9maple wrote: »

Does anyone else find these wages distasteful? As much as I love watching the very best play the game I love, no-one 'deserves' that amount of money to earn a living.

I think wages are completely over the top now in a multitude of sports.

They are.....but who's going to the be the first GM to cut salaries.....he'll be the one to find his team dead last....

Sadly it's the downside to free agency.....if you aren't willing to pay, somebody else will

8-10

Coeus wrote: »

Nice one, I take it you live stateside. What other games you going to see?

Nope, haven't lived there in about 18months but go back for work now and then and planning a few holiday trips too.

Will be at home games for Blue Jays, Red Sox and Phillies (all cities I worked/studied in previously so they're the easiest for me to stay in). Should see Mets, Nats, Rangers, Angels and Marlins. Outside chance of me getting Yankees v Red Sox tickets in NY start of June if I have the money to spend.

COYW

8-10 wrote: »

Outside chance of me getting Yankees v Red Sox tickets in NY start of June if I have the money to spend.

If you are in NY the day before the game, go up to the ticket office at the ball park and you will get single returns. Otherwise, try a certain ticket booth (**) in Times Square and you will get a single there for definite.

(**) Not sure the mod will like me for posting the name of a glorified ticket touting agency.

MoyVilla9

Yankees tickets are easy enough to come across in regular season. I went to Yankees-Red Sox on a Sunday night last summer for around $25

Coeus

8-10 wrote: »

Nope, haven't lived there in about 18months but go back for work now and then and planning a few holiday trips too.

Will be at home games for Blue Jays, Red Sox and Phillies (all cities I worked/studied in previously so they're the easiest for me to stay in). Should see Mets, Nats, Rangers, Angels and Marlins. Outside chance of me getting Yankees v Red Sox tickets in NY start of June if I have the money to spend.

Cool...Have been to Rodgers, Fenway and Citizens and seen the rest of those teams except for the Angels. Some of those teams are going to be really good this year so lots to look forward to...

COYW

MoyVilla9 wrote: »

Yankees tickets are easy enough to come across in regular season. I went to Yankees-Red Sox on a Sunday night last summer for around $25

Which one was that? They were really hard to get when I was there but that was a few years ago when the Sox were good.

MoyVilla9

COYW wrote: »

Which one was that? They were really hard to get when I was there but that was a few years ago when the Sox were good.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1303661-yankees-red-sox-ichiro-homers-twice-hiroki-kuroda-dominates-bostin-in-4-1-win

This was the game. Due to Boston being awful I'm sure they were a little easier to come across.

8-10

MoyVilla9 wrote: »

Yankees tickets are easy enough to come across in regular season. I went to Yankees-Red Sox on a Sunday night last summer for around $25

Thanks everyone for the tips, ill make sure I get there. Bizarrely I've never seen Yankees play at home. My ex used to work for them and all, my weirdest ever present was when she gave me a bat signed by Jim Leyritz!

jack presley

Bit of a snag with the King Felix deal

http://tracking.si.com/2013/02/10/felix-hernandez-extension-elbow-injury/?sct=hp_t2_a12&eref=sihp

Would you take the chance?

Raif Severance

jack presley wrote: »

Bit of a snag with the King Felix deal

http://tracking.si.com/2013/02/10/felix-hernandez-extension-elbow-injury/?sct=hp_t2_a12&eref=sihp

Would you take the chance?

I'll have him in Boston in a Heartbeat. Just don't know what Players we could Trade to entice Seattle TBH.

jack presley

Raif Severance wrote: »

I'll have him in Boston in a heartbeat

Yeah me too. Unfortunately the Mets will have to do with Shaun Marcum as their star acquisition pitcher

rockonollie

Scott Hairston has signed with the Cubs......Tony Compana DFA, can't imagine him clearing waivers, will make a good bench player/backup OF for someone

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

Scott Hairston has signed with the Cubs......Tony Compana DFA, can't imagine him clearing waivers, will make a good bench player/backup OF for someone

If they can get him cheap, I'm sure the Mets will be interested as they've been signing everyone else's offcasts this offseason.

BigBadRob83

Michael Bourn finally signed, going to the Indians.
Can't believe he lasted this long, even with the draft pick compensation

rockonollie

With Bourn signed, that now gives the Indians the freedom to shop Drew Stubbs......Mets, Cubs and several others still need to find a centerfielder.

Coeus

BigBadRob83 wrote: »

Michael Bourn finally signed, going to the Indians.
Can't believe he lasted this long, even with the draft pick compensation

The Indians dont lose their 1st round pick as they pick in the top 10 and those picks are protected. I think they will lose a pick to the Braves but from a later round as the Indians 2nd round pick is gone to the Yankees for the Swisher signing.

The Mets will pick 11th so could potentially have lost their pick to the Braves if they signed him. Thing is the Mets should have had 10th pick but because the Pirates couldn't sign their 1st pick from last years draft, they got a compensation pick ahead of the Mets in this years draft pushing the Mets back to 11th. This is why the Mets filed their grievence and got screwed while they waited for the outcome, its not the Mets fault the Pirates couldn't get their guy signed. The Mets situation tell you how important 1st rounders are regarded these days to a teams future...

jack presley

Coeus wrote: »

The Indians dont lose their 1st round pick as they pick in the top 10 and those picks are protected. I think they will lose a pick to the Braves but from a later round as the Indians 2nd round pick is gone to the Yankees for the Swisher signing.

The Mets will pick 11th so could potentially have lost their pick to the Braves if they signed him. Thing is the Mets should have had 10th pick but because the Pirates couldn't sign their 1st pick from last years draft, they got a compensation pick ahead of the Mets in this years draft pushing the Mets back to 11th. This is why the Mets filed their grievence and got screwed while they waited for the outcome, its not the Mets fault the Pirates couldn't get their guy signed. The Mets situation tell you how important 1st rounders are regarded these days to a teams future...

On one hand I'm disappointed he didn't end up at CitiField. Not because he was going to be a great addition but because the Mets have no one else to play the outfield and will probably end up adding some off cast from a team that dumps a player before Spring training ends.

On the other hand, I'm glad they didn't give him $48 over 4 years which is way too much for him. As for the 11th pick, obviously I'm glad the Mets will still have it now but they'd better use it wisely having come out and stated that they weren't going to give it up. I read during the week a list of the 11th pick over the past 10-15 years or so and quite a few of them haven't made it so its no sure thing

Coeus

jack presley wrote: »

On one hand I'm disappointed he didn't end up at CitiField. Not because he was going to be a great addition but because the Mets have no one else to play the outfield and will probably end up adding some off cast from a team that dumps a player before Spring training ends.

On the other hand, I'm glad they didn't give him $48 over 4 years which is way too much for him. As for the 11th pick, obviously I'm glad the Mets will still have it now but they'd better use it wisely having come out and stated that they weren't going to give it up. I read during the week a list of the 11th pick over the past 10-15 years or so and quite a few of them haven't made it so its no sure thing

The MLB draft of all drafts can be so hit and miss. Some number 1 picks have been complete busts. Still if a guy like Mike Trout can be drafted with pick 25 and Albert Pujols in the 13th round then there is hope if your GM and his scouting team know what they are doing. Sandy Alderson is a good guy to have in that respect. He has started by restocking the farm, drafting well will be the next step. It will be a long season for the Mets as the NL East will be tough but there is always hope when you look at where the Nats were a few years ago.

jack presley

Spring Training schedule on MLB.TV is up. First game being broadcast on Saturday week.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/broadcasts/spring_mlbtv.jsp

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

With Bourn signed, that now gives the Indians the freedom to shop Drew Stubbs......Mets, Cubs and several others still need to find a centerfielder.

Goo article about Aroldis Chapman here. Thought you might like it.

http://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/features/story.aspx?ID=1885174

rockonollie

jack presley wrote: »

Goo article about Aroldis Chapman here. Thought you might like it.

http://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/features/story.aspx?ID=1885174

If you're intrigued by Aroldis, check out this blog post and video..... http://cincinnati.com/blogs/reds/2013/02/19/this-just-in-chapmans-got-good-stuff/

It's awesome that, when there isn't a crowd around, you can hear the pitches.

I still think that it's the wrong decision to move him to the rotation......I sincerly hope that i get proven wrong.

padraig_f

Good blog I came across last year, Joe Peta's Trading Bases.

He's doing 30 team previews in 30 days at the moment, good pre-season reading.

rockonollie

"Opening Day lineup" (spring training opening day that is).....interesting position choices for the Indians, obviously experimenting with swisher, if it works out, it gives them a much better defensive outfield.

Reds:
Shin-Soo Choo CF, Brandon Phillips 2B, Joey Votto 1B, Ryan Ludwick LF, Jay Bruce RF, Todd Fraizer 3B, Zack Cozart SS, Ryan Hanigan C, Miguel Olivo DH, (Pitcher Tony Cingrani)


Indians: Michael Bourn CF, Asdrubel Cabrera SS, Jason Kipnis 2B, Nick Swisher 1B, Michael Brantley LF, Carlos Santana C, Mark Reynolds DH, Lonnie Chisenhall 3B, Drew Stubbs RF. (Pitcher Giovanni Soto.)

rockonollie

I'm glad to see the Reds have come out swinging.......3 innings into spring training and they're average is 1.6 pitches per at-bat.....but it's produced 5 runs, so let's keep it up

Coeus

rockonollie wrote: »

"Opening Day lineup" (spring training opening day that is).....interesting position choices for the Indians, obviously experimenting with swisher, if it works out, it gives them a much better defensive outfield.

Reds:
Shin-Soo Choo CF, Brandon Phillips 2B, Joey Votto 1B, Ryan Ludwick LF, Jay Bruce RF, Todd Fraizer 3B, Zack Cozart SS, Ryan Hanigan C, Miguel Olivo DH, (Pitcher Tony Cingrani)


Indians: Michael Bourn CF, Asdrubel Cabrera SS, Jason Kipnis 2B, Nick Swisher 1B, Michael Brantley LF, Carlos Santana C, Mark Reynolds DH, Lonnie Chisenhall 3B, Drew Stubbs RF. (Pitcher Giovanni Soto.)

Pitchers aside these lineups are probably not far off the real opening day lineups.

Alot more frontline players in the starting lineups today than I expected.

rockonollie

Coeus wrote: »

Pitchers aside these lineups are probably not far off the real opening day lineups.

Alot more frontline players in the starting lineups today than I expected.

That's expected this season with the WBC breaking up spring training.....most managers and players want to get their innings in early with their teammates before players start to leave for the WBC

smackbunnybaby

any free mlb tv/network streaming in the pre-season?

jack presley

smackbunnybaby wrote: »

any free mlb tv/network streaming in the pre-season?

None today but I'm sure there will be as we get through March.

It's good having baseball back, even if it is only Spring training and by the time we get to the 5th/6th inning we're watching scrubs who we won't see again once April comes.

I remember a game last season where the commentators didn't know who a player was playing for the Cards in a spring training game so the caption just said 'minor league player'.

jack presley

I know it's only spring training but Jason Bay just hit a home run for the Mariners. If he turns good after stinking out for the Mets for the past 3 years, I'll go mad. Especially as the Mets are still paying him $15m

Coeus

jack presley wrote: »

None today but I'm sure there will be as we get through March.

It's good having baseball back, even if it is only Spring training and by the time we get to the 5th/6th inning we're watching scrubs who we won't see again once April comes.

I remember a game last season where the commentators didn't know who a player was playing for the Cards in a spring training game so the caption just said 'minor league player'.

Yea, I remember that guy. He is actually ranked as the Cards top prospect and should be promoted to the big show during the season
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130129&content_id=41247916&c_id=stl

smackbunnybaby

anyone here stream MLB TV through their Playstation/XBox (once I buy one :-) )?

Thinking of doing that this season. any issues?

rockonollie

Granderson out until May.....I blame the announcers, I was watching the game yesterday and they were talking about players that aren't expected to make the big league roster, and how you never know what could happen during spring training that may give you the opportunity to get that last roster spot........**PLUNK**

Dubliner28

Hi lads,

Just going of topic for a few moments, regarding tickets so the teams ship tickets to Ireland. Im heading to San Fran in August and want to catch a game.
Also where is the best position to watch a game? I had a look on the Giants site and there are tickets available in the upper reserve infield but its over the batters head.(no chance of catching a foul ball)

UCD AFC

smackbunnybaby wrote: »

anyone here stream MLB TV through their Playstation/XBox (once I buy one :-) )?

Thinking of doing that this season. any issues?

I bought a single month for the xbox during last summer and had no issues, was watching some games live some the next day

jack presley

Dubliner28 wrote: »

Hi lads,

Just going of topic for a few moments, regarding tickets so the teams ship tickets to Ireland. Im heading to San Fran in August and want to catch a game.
Also where is the best position to watch a game? I had a look on the Giants site and there are tickets available in the upper reserve infield but its over the batters head.(no chance of catching a foul ball)

Most clubs have the 'print at home' option so you get sent a pdf of your ticket as soon as you order. So no need to queue up or anything when you get there.

jack presley

I don't know how this affects ESPNA's baseball coverage but the line about BT running 'at least one ESPN channel' worries me a bit if all their ESPN content is on one channel.

http://www.btlife.bt.com/entertainment/bt-group-acquires-espns-uk-and-ireland-television-channels-business/

rockonollie

Reds signed Shin Soo-Choo to address their leadoff issues......update so far.....Choo has lead off in 3 of their 4 games, has reached base all 3 times, and has scored all 3 times........go reds!

Also.....update on the Joey Votto knee.......everyone can stop panicking.......Joey has just hit his first HR since surgery last June......opposite field and it still hasn't landed.

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

Reds signed Shin Soo-Choo to address their leadoff issues......update so far.....Choo has lead off in 3 of their 4 games, has reached base all 3 times, and has scored all 3 times........go reds!

Also.....update on the Joey Votto knee.......everyone can stop panicking.......Joey has just hit his first HR since surgery last June......opposite field and it still hasn't landed.

Are you seriously getting excited about player performances in late February or is the excitement of having baseball back just clouding your judgement?

Waitsian

jack presley wrote: »

Are you seriously getting excited about player performances in late February or is the excitement of having baseball back just clouding your judgement?

The letters 'SSS' spring to mind.

rockonollie

jack presley wrote: »

Are you seriously getting excited about player performances in late February or is the excitement of having baseball back just clouding your judgement?

I know it's only spring training.....but i'm happier to see guys getting good numbers, rather than not touching a ball all spring.

As far as Votto is concerned, it was no secret that after his injury, he didn't have the strength in his legs to hit the long ball......even in spring training, it's a huge relief, and achievement in his rehab to see him put one over the fence, especially to left field.

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

I know it's only spring training.....but i'm happier to see guys getting good numbers, rather than not touching a ball all spring.

As far as Votto is concerned, it was no secret that after his injury, he didn't have the strength in his legs to hit the long ball......even in spring training, it's a huge relief, and achievement in his rehab to see him put one over the fence, especially to left field.

Fair enough, but not only is it Spring Training, it's about 2-3 days into Spring Training games where pitchers are only feeling out their stuff or might be testing a new pitch or something and might be throwing all curves, or all fast balls etc.

Sure Ruben Tejada hit a home run off Stephen Strasburg on Saturday. If that happens at any time in the regular season, I will run around outside my house naked.

Footoo

rockonollie wrote: »

I know it's only spring training.....but i'm happier to see guys getting good numbers, rather than not touching a ball all spring.

As far as Votto is concerned, it was no secret that after his injury, he didn't have the strength in his legs to hit the long ball......even in spring training, it's a huge relief, and achievement in his rehab to see him put one over the fence, especially to left field.

As a Blue Jays fan who got excited by their spring training peformance last year, believe me when I say numbers in spring are completely and utterly meaningless

Dubliner28

jack presley wrote: »

Most clubs have the 'print at home' option so you get sent a pdf of your ticket as soon as you order. So no need to queue up or anything when you get there.

Thanks Jack for your help, just purchased two tickets Giants v Red Sox. Cant wait.

rockonollie

Reds today signed Mark Prior to a minor league contract.....the move baffles me.

He may have been a 1st round pick out of college, but hasn't pitched in the majors since 2006 and only has 35 minor league appearances since.

jack presley

rockonollie wrote: »

Reds today signed Mark Prior to a minor league contract.....the move baffles me.

He may have been a 1st round pick out of college, but hasn't pitched in the majors since 2006 and only has 35 minor league appearances since.

Minor league contract, nothing to lose. Won't cost the Reds a penny if he doesn't make the roster. Why not try him out?