2025 Major League Baseball Thread

[Ray O. Blu]

I guess a hand-written apology by Alex Rodriguez is supposed to make it feel more personal or something?
It was obviously scripted to hit all the key points by his lawyers.

He'd make a decent third base coach at this point in his career.

[Navster]

I'm very interested to see how he plays after all of this, love him or hate he's still a pretty decent player that can help the Yanks a lot, and they sure need it...

How do you feel about his return Walrus?

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by Ray O. Blu

I guess a hand-written apology by Alex Rodriguez is supposed to make it feel more personal or something?
It was obviously scripted to hit all the key points by his lawyers.

He'd make a decent third base coach at this point in his career.

I have to imagine this didn't make the Yankees happy. They wanted him to apologize publicly and take questions from reporters, not release a statement.

[sycro]

3 new rule changes to help speed up games:

Managers must challenge replays from dugout.
Batters must keep one foot in box unless an established exception occurs.
Play to resume promptly once broadcast returns from commercial break.

[Navster]

Originally Posted by sycro

3 new rule changes to help speed up games:

Managers must challenge replays from dugout.
Batters must keep one foot in box unless an established exception occurs.
Play to resume promptly once broadcast returns from commercial break.

I like them, but they better not mess with pitchers and time limit in between pitches...

[sycro]

The Braves have "traded" BJ Upton for Melvin Upton Jr. Hopefully he hits better using this name.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by Navster

I like them, but they better not mess with pitchers and time limit in between pitches...

Pitchers don't adhere to them anyways. There's already a 12 second rule in place.

[fatediesel]

I've got my spring training tickets bought. During the winter my parents live in the Scottsdale area so I go down every March for a couple spring training games. I'm a Cubs fan but my parents have become Diamondbacks fans so we're going to see both of their games. Next Friday, March 6 we're going to a Diamondbacks-A's game and then Saturday we're going to a Cubs-Rockies game. Then I'm going to head down again in early April and go to a Cubs-Diamondbacks spring training game at Chase Field and then go to opening day for the Diamondbacks-Giants. It'll be the fifth straight year I go to Diamondbacks opening day and the third time in four years the Diamondbacks open at home against the Giants.

[Navster]

California stars are dominating MLB merchandise sales

If you need more proof that California is the most interesting state in baseball these days, consider this: The top five merchandise movers in all of MLB play for California-based teams, according to new data from Fanatics.com, the top online retailer for sports merchandise.

Couple that with the fact that four out of the five California MLB teams made the playoffs in 2014, and the sunny West Coast is doing quite well on the diamond these days. Even the San Diego Padres bumped up their Q rating this offseason.
Fanatics' list isn't limited to just jersey sales, but all MLB licensed merchandise. Here's the top five:

1. Madison Bumgarner
2. Mike Trout
3. Buster Posey
4. Clayton Kershaw
5. Yasiel Puig

That's the two reigning MVPs, the World Series MVP, a former MVP and arguably the most interesting new player of the past two seasons. Not a bad collection of talent playing up and down the state, even if it has the highest income-tax rate in the land.

2 giants in the top 5

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-bi...225342566.html

[fatediesel]

Josh Hamilton reportedly had a cocaine relapse and is meeting with MLB to discuss disciplinary action:

Hamilton would technically be a first-time offender at the major-league level since his previous brushes occurred while the minors, and could be treated as such. First-time offenders by rule are put into a program and subject to increased testing, though Hamilton already is tested three times a week, according to reports. However, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reported that it is "unlikely" Hamilton would be treated as strictly a first-time offender, and Jon Morosi of FoxSports.com reported that new commissioner Rob Manfred may have some discretion based on Hamilton's past minor-league incidents and ex-commissioner Bud Selig's decision to reinstate him after many minor-league suspensions.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-...olving-cocaine

[Navster]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

Josh Hamilton reportedly had a cocaine relapse and is meeting with MLB to discuss disciplinary action:



http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-...olving-cocaine

I feel for the guy, its been all downhill since he left Texas

[sycro]

Stupid Spring Training injuries have started.

Chris Sale: out 3 weeks with a fractured right foot. Cause? Landing awkwardly while getting off the back of his truck.

Michael Saunders: torn meniscus, and knee surgery will have him out until the ASG. Cause? Jammed his foot into a sprinkler head while shagging fly balls.

Roland Bellisario: out at least 2 weeks with a fractured shoulder. Cause? Hurt it getting out of a swimming pool last month, and never had it checked out.

[JackKnightStarman]

Originally Posted by Navster

California stars are dominating MLB merchandise sales



2 giants in the top 5

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-bi...225342566.html

DOesn't hurt that the top three are from the East Coast though...

[Edword]

Originally Posted by Navster

I feel for the guy, its been all downhill since he left Texas

Even before he left Texas.

[Navster]

Few more weeks guys, im excited for some baseball

[Bizdady]

Time to request opening day off!!

[Show spoiler]

[Navster]

Hunter Pence broke his forearm and is expected to be out 6-8 weeks

[Navster]

Major props to Cubs Pitcher, Corey Black's msg to Hunter Pence after breaking his arm with a hit by pitch...

Lost for words. Hope you heal fast @hunterpence hitting someone is never a good feeling. Hurting someone is even worse.
— Corey Black (@CblackCHC) March 6, 2015

And Hunters response...

@CblackCHC It happens my friend. Thanks for the concern, it's a part of the game we love. No slowing down!
— Hunter Pence (@hunterpence) March 6, 2015

Very classy by both sides

[sycro]

Never forget.

[DamageINC]

The Pence injury is devastating for the Giants, IMO. Not only for the time missed, but it happened so early in the spring i think it could take another couple of weeks (at least) playing in live games before he starts to find his swing and time live pitching.

Couple that with very questionable starting pitching and it could be a long year. Wouldn't surprise me if SF finished 3rd in the west. Then again, they continue to shock me with championships. I didn't think SF would do much last year, either.

Been a miserable off-season and spring so far for SF.