Click here to read a transcript of Tuesday’s chat with MLBTR’s Steve Adams.
Headlines
- Angels, Kyle Hendricks Agree To One-Year Deal
- Cards Moving Willson Contreras To First Base; Contreras Unlikely To Waive No-Trade Clause
- Mookie Betts Likely Moving Back To Infield
- Guardians Re-Sign Austin Hedges To One-Year Deal
- Willy Adames Reportedly Willing To Move Off Shortstop
- Padres Announce Contract Extension With Manager Mike Shildt
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Everybody else pumped for some MEANINGFUL BASEBALL TONIGHT?!? Let’s go! It’s baseball season!!!!
Meaningful baseball doesn’t start until March 28th.
Meaningful MLB ball starts 3/28, as for the WBC I’m super stoked! I hope they can adjust future years to not impact the MLB season/Spring Training (maybe a February tournament? Or at least directly lead into ST?) and I hope everybody can stay healthy in this year’s iteration! Go Team USA
One thing I missed in the chat, and, it’s minor anyways, but….
Last night Boston quietly cut ties with AAA catcher Kole Cottam, a 2018 4th rounder, while JT dominated their news cycle. Given the state of flux, and, lack of depth on the team, it’s surprising they gave up on him after he had only 14 AAA games under his belt.
I suspect hed never be an all-star, but, able bodies in case of injury isn’t exactly a strong point in the org….
Cottam asked to be released and they accommodated him. The Red Sox have McGuire, Wong, Alfaro, Hernandez and Stephen Scott at catcher.
Scott doesn’t have experience at catcher yet. He is NO depth at the position.
His scouting report:
“Long-term, best suited for a utility defensive role. Began catching full-time in 2022. Played catcher, first base, and corner outfield in 2021, and a role in that vein (think Stephen Vogt) may be his best MLB fit. Caught some in college and began working out at the position before games in his 2019 pro debut. First began catching in pro games in 2021. Lacks mobility and clearly looks like someone who just started playing the position behind the plate. Receiving is a work in progress and is still getting comfortable blocking balls in the dirt.”
Hernandez: also not an option to call up from a depth perspective.
His scouting report:
“Does not look comfortable behind the plate. Does not move well and really struggles with framing and receiving. Not a natural catcher, struggles with his glove position and getting down quickly to block balls in the dirt. Lack of mobility limits potential for improvement in the future. Potential below-average defensive profile.”
As of right now you’re likely to see spanky Mcguire as starter, Wong optioned to AAA to start due to lost time from the injury and a complete lack of other depth choices, and Alfaro getting the tandem spot in Boston backing up spanky.
Then you hope they can handle it and nothing goes awry or you’ll need another catcher.
I think they will figure something out.
so many annoyed with the fact games are going to finish 15-30 minutes less than before.
btw arguing the game is for taking the kiddos? if that is the case, I guarantee you as a father, my kid would be more interested if the game was 25 minutes shorter.
I agree completely. Like those 15-30 minutes are so rich in memorable experience that they’ll be so sorely missed. Ridiculous. Do people realize they used a pitch clock in the minors last season and the positive response from players and coaches, and not just fans, was universal.
Average game time in the 1960’s-70′ was around 2:30. The average game time was never as high as 3 hours until 2012, and hasn’t averaged less since then.
I’m guessing the pitch clock opponents never had Cory Gearrin on their team. Baseball might have a casual pace, but watching a pitcher hold the ball, and hold the ball some more, thinking it was some sort of advantage isn’t what baseball was meant to be.
I think the reason the Cubs would move Happ at the deadline has MORE to do with how the guys re doing in the high minors than whatever the Cubs record is Steve but solid chat. I was at my yearly checkup and wasn’t here but just trying to make sure I can last through the exciting times ahead. To those of you that hate me, Sorry to say it’s looking like I’m good.
That’s wonderful news Unc, stay blessed dude!
Thanks man. It’s probably a good thing there isn’t a thumbs down anymore. Back at ya!
I wouldn’t label Miles Mikolas a “command specialist”. It makes him sound like Jaime Moyer. Mikolas has good velocity and secondary pitches good enough to generate swing and miss K’s. But he takes a more efficient approach. Pitching in front of the Cards’ defense, he’ll take weak contact and save his bullets. That’s why he was able to pitch so many innings last season compared to average starters. It isn’t a question of stuff, but a different approach. But you would have to watch the games to know that and these writers don’t find the Cardinals very interesting.
I remember an announcer once coined Kevin Slowey a command specialist. John King and Dennis Santana, on the other hand, are guys I would coin blown save specialists. Each type has a use for certain teams.
I couldn’t ask…but I want to ask…..
IF they make so much money from “streaming rights” and local broadcasting
..THEN WHY does it cost so much to attend a game and get decent seating?
Am I just too cheap?
Shouldn’t hotdogs cost less?
How much does Billy C pay for those awesome seats…? and is it a tax write off?
“The answer to all your questions is: Money.” – Don Ohlmeyer