With Spring Training now partially underway, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:
1. Padres camp to open:
The Dodgers kicked off Spring Training for their club ahead of the rest of the league yesterday as they look to prepare for the Seoul Series, when the Dodgers and Padres will kick off the 2024 regular season with a two-game set in South Korea starting on March 20. This weekend, San Diego will follow suit and open camp early to give their players a chance to get a head start on their spring preparations. The 60-day injured list will also become available to the Padres once camp officially opens, and while the club does have at least one player who could make use of it, the club still has four open spots on its 40-man roster for the time being.
2. Signings to be made official:
The Brewers agreed to terms with catcher Gary Sanchez on a one-year deal earlier this week in a move that will give the club a strong tandem behind the plate between Sanchez and 2024 All-Star William Contreras. Once the agreement becomes official, the Brewers will have to clear space on their 40-man roster. This could be accomplished simply by designating a player for assignment, though teams will occasionally attempt to work out a minor trade to clear roster space instead, thereby recouping some value while still freeing up a roster spot.
Sanchez’s signing isn’t the only one that needs to be made official around the league. The Rays’ deal with Phil Maton, the Dodgers’ newest pact with Clayton Kershaw, and the Blue Jays’ agreement with Yariel Rodriguez all have yet to be made official and will also require corresponding moves. Rodriguez has reportedly been delayed by visa issues. The Dodgers can simply put a player such as Tony Gonsolin on the 60-day IL to make room for Kershaw when necessary (and place Kershaw himself on the 60-day IL if/when another spot is needed for future moves), and the Rays have a similar path to clear space for Maton should they wait until camp opens next week to make his deal official. Any of Shane McClanahan (Tommy John surgery), Drew Rasmussen (flexor surgery) or Jeffrey Springs (Tommy John surgery) could open the season on Tampa Bay’s 60-day IL.
3. Sanchez throwing for teams:
Right-hander Aaron Sanchez is throwing a bullpen for interested teams today, according to a report from Robert Murray of FanSided. A former All-Star, Sanchez posted a 3.01 ERA and 3.98 FIP across his first four seasons in the majors but has struggled to a 5.40 ERA and 4.82 FIP since the start of the 2018 season amid battles with injuries, culminating in him not appearing in the majors at all last year as he split time between the Twins’ and Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliates. Sanchez is still just 31 years old and flashed big league caliber production as recently as the 2021 season, when he pitched to a 3.06 ERA in 35 1/3 innings with the Giants. Given his relative youth and previous success, it wouldn’t be a shock to see a pitching-needy club like the Padres take a flier on the right-hander this spring, though he’ll presumably be limited to minor league offers.
Anyone know if MLB.tv will be free for T mobile users again this year?
@LambchoP
Last year, it was announced that they would provide it through 2028.
theverge.com/2023/4/6/23672572/t-mobile-mlb-tv-fre…
cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/t-mobile-custo…
Great news indeed as there’s no way I’d pay to see the Sox in 24. To other T-Mobile subscribers: they likely will make us wait until the Tuesday before opening day and make sure you have their Tuesday app downloaded.
You got more whine than a BevMo, OIC. You don’t like a free website? Then pay for it.
“You don’t like a free website?”…OIC must be new to the USA and doesn’t know free media(radio, Television & internet)in America has always been supported and paid for with ads. He’s complaining when there’s an ad free option.
A whole lot of primetime guys unsigned going into spring training. Many players and agents overvaluing their worth apparently.
I’m sure the Bally’s fiasco that MLB has let fester isn’t helping either.
Well, my Pads aren’t shopping at the top of the list so scratch another “interested” team off. $21M and change to last through October and shimmy under the CBT … we’re going to see a couple Claims and very affordable signings to round out the Pad’s 40 Man. Maybe a rookie like Marsey (AFL MVP) cracks the roster, but I suspect another SP and OF will be brought in. How cheap can we get Cueto?
MarSEE oh say can yo see.
They can at least 8 Cuetos for $21M, toss in a Sanchez or two
Autocorrect to a family pet name haha
I think 10 -15 ish mil plus incentives adds Profar; Cueto / Lauer; Votto and Cooper.
That would fill out the roster on the cheap with some upside vets that might give a Sanchez performance for 2-3 months while waiting for the guys on the farm.
Bingo, LTC. That’s my (general) hope as well.
They plan to fill two outfield spots with rookies.
I could be way off, but I think Mercado wins the LF job. Whatever happens, I hope every MLB player has a safe ST!
Cueto Mercado tomato tomahto. I thought the focus was on adding a decent young/cheap/controllable SP via trade but now I’m doubting.
Rocky Hill Market that only sells tomatillos haha
Sorry we’re all out Castillos today, can I interest you in some Ryu bulgogi?
Brew I’m actually big on the idea of Ryu but not sure of what his cost might be so I’m looking cheaper but I’m for it.
LT yeah I agree for budget reasons I’d rather see them trade for a younger controllable cheaper SP with immediate upside, parting with a few prospects. They need to compete this year and they might not be quite there until they solidify SP on something more than hoping Avila, Brito, Vasquez or a long-shot emerges.
I’m also wondering if they’ll finish last in NL west in Slg%,
Dodgers will probably just buy up Bellinger, Snell and Montgomery soon. It would be a fitting end to the offseason.
I’m liking your post just because of how much I like John Olerud. Such an underrated player and a great guy. He’s such a likable guy he spurned the Mets to go sign with the Mariners and we forgave him for it! ‘99 team was my favorite over ‘00 due to the presence of him and Rickey.
“I had a teammate that used to wear a helmet at first base…” is still one of the greatest Rickey stories ever!
How could you not love that guy?
.398 career OBP
Nice guy and he could rake.
“I’m sure the Bally’s fiasco”..This might not have been the best year to opt out of a guaranteed contract. At least a couple relievers opted out, to only later sign lesser value deals.
Those Sanchezes are Dirty.
Stashing away TJ recovering hurlers is a thing. Because there’s so many now. Crazy. Sad.
The expectation is for everyone to throw a fastball in the upper 90s and breaking balls with crazy spin/movement. The human body generally can’t do that for long without breaking down.
Those regular season games on March 20th and 21st between SD & LA will be at 6 AM ET. The rest of the league begins their regular season on March 28th this year.
I think you guys are missing the point. He’s clearly clamoring for additional ads to be added. I think this guy’s got A.D.D.
Bridge over river Kwaing bridges at every stop is what done Bauer in. No one has anyone’s back after that.
Article should read
‘Dodgers all in for 2024 while Padres set to punt 2024 season’
Here’s comes towin to drag us all down again… it’s called a CBT reset, tow. We’ve discussed this.
Im just glad the prevention fence project on the ‘Nado Bridge is well under way
The CBT does not change the fact.
A) The Padres haven’t spent the mythical 20 million available.
B) This team hasn’t filled holes at lf,cf,one more starter, 1b and dh.
C) The Padres are projected to finish in fourth place.
Other than that everything is fine.
And I’d retort that you don’t seem to understand A, your theory is B and C is a falsehood. But happy Spring Training, tow! Keep the faith buddy
Payroll is down 100 MILLION DOLLARS?
This team was 3rd in payroll and now.in the teens in payroll.
This team has not honored Peter Seidler the way they have handled this offseason.
I love how everyone in the division who isn’t the dodgers is ‘fighting for fourth place’ except the rockies
Since the last Pads appearance in the Fall Classic (’98) the NL West has been in the NLCS 19 times. Competition breeds success.
“It’s called a CBT reset”..Towin sounds like he doesn’t really understand baseball at a very high level…..He’s among the spoiled entitled crowd, that thinks everytime his team doesn’t sign every expensive free agent, the owner must be “cheap” or “punting” on the upcoming season.
“The CBT does not change”….Projections are like but-holes; Everybody has one and they’re almost always full of shick. Considering how poorly the Juan Soto experiment played out, I think the Pads did quite well this off-season in trading Soto for some young pitching. Considering that everyone knew they had to trade Soto, they got a pretty good haul from the Yankees. I would bet you the Pads do better this year than last.
War.
Pads lost:
Soto
Hader
Wacha
Lugo
Martinez
Sanchez
Grisham
Replaced with…some pitching.
Live in your delusion, I’ll live in reality.
Entitled because I want my team to win?
This is sports.
I want my team to be the 27′ Yankees.
Nothing entitled about wanting to win.
And, yes this team is punting.
When you replace all-stars with rookies, you are punting.
I don’t understand bait and switch?
Padres hinted at nearly a 200 million dollar payroll this year.
The Padres have not re-invested the money saved on trading Soto back into player personell.
Padres raised 2024 ticket prices significantly.
Padres are losing all the ‘good faith’ built up over the last few years.
Padres won’t open the books to fans and instead ask fans to ‘trust us’.
Padres have replaced All-Stars, an Ace and mid rotation pitchers with rookies and question marks.
The last time we spoke, tow, it was $25M and they signed Wandy. A move you seemed to like. It addressed the LHRP and came relatively cheap. Bullpen looks pretty solid, no? Perhaps the biggest reason we missed the ’23 Playoffs, yes?
Prior to that signing, even I mentioned to “be patient” and you have maintained the same “not spending so they must be punting” mantra. While I understand your frustration to a degree, it truly has become insufferable to another extent. Yes, it’s a little bit of a reset year (literally come CBT talk…)
I ain’t buying the negativity, especially since SPRING TRAINING hasn’t even started in earnest. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- when I take my seat on our Petco Opening Day then I feel confident that I will be watching a Wild Card team take the field in our home Browns. Relax with the Kool-aid!
You are welcome to your view.
This team is worse than the 82 and 80 squad last year
Wild card is a stretch.
76 wins give or take and I’d take the under.
Here’s some realty: even with all of the players that you listed that were lost in the offseason, there is still A LOT of talent on this team.
Not discounting Tatis, Manny, Bogarts, Kim all of whose talent speaks for itself.
Musgrove and Darvish are coming off injuries. If either of them go down…
The rotation is:
King
Avilla
Waldon and
?
?
The pen is fine.
Soto was arguably the hottest hitter on the team.
Grisham was a gold glove CF with some power.
Cronenworth is a question mark.
Campusano, can he stay healthy?
There is no DH/natural first baseman.
No bench depth.
All those holes puts pressure on the vets to overperform leading to…injuries.
This team lacks depth.
Hoping for health and amazing years from the rookies is a stretch.
This team does not have the depth to compete for a wild card.
Gentlemen’s bet! I’ll take the over! Aloha bra
Take the over. Not saying you shouldn’t. I’ll take the under.
The moves, to this point, haven’t improved on an 82-80 club.
Too many holes and not enough depth.
I’ll stick with the under.
it is important to ote that according to fangraphs projections right now as constructed, the gap between 2nd place and 4th place in the division is roughly 5 games and BP has the padres and giants flipped – all to say it would only take 1 signing or 1 or 2 players outperforming – or a player under performing to totally change that math
I would just like to congratulate towinagain on finally making it over on to the side of rational thinking Pobres fans. They are a minor league team & their attempts to ‘compete’ over the last few years was all a short sighted gimmick aimed at galvanizing a fanbase & community into being what they’ve never been. Supporters of Los Pobres.
I’m glad you’ve realized this & abandoned trying to place blame on MLB & stopped with the asinine ball manipulation commentary
And all of Bush, Hamilton, Bradley and Chapman were actually arrested (even though Chapman’s was for speeding, but still).
If he’s really looking to sign a 1yr vet minimum deal with incentives, as reported, it really is hard to believe a team like the Pirates (or any team looking to flip him at the deadline) wouldn’t give him a shot. He is arrogant, that seems to be settled information. He’s also been cleared and served his punishment. No doubt he’s being blackballed at this point, but it is a privilege to play in the MLB – one he may have lost.
A playoff bound team (or a team on the cusp of the playoffs) looking to add at the deadline for their postseason run probably wouldn’t want the Bauer distraction at that stage.
Another deathly dull day on the FA front? When’s a big shoe going to drop – Bueller? Bueller?
Boras probably has very good offers for both good (but not great) players Bellinger & Chapman. That is on him thinking the slow play will get someone to go way overboard.
That can work to a degree for his starting pitchers, but not non-superstar position players.
Wow I heard Josh Hader’s interview yesterday and it confirmed everything we thought. He said he could have helped win more games last year, he just didn’t want to. If it were the playoffs he would actually play then. So glad he is off the Padres.
Maybe he’ll grow as a teammate later in his career. At least he seemed to have matured after all his youthful racist, homophobic, and misogynistic proclamations, so there’s hope.
I believe the Astros will regret giving Hader 5 years or signing him at all. When relievers are elite they tend to be overworked and can fade and decline very quickly. I remember how quickly Dellin Betances went from elite late game reliever to being out of baseball.
I’d keep Pressly and Abreu around, just saying.
I don’t think you have to worry about him being overworked. He will just refuse to pitch.
Wacha was signed after the start of Spring Training, and Padres camp opens earlier than normal. Preller’s still on (his) schedule.
Just sayin’ …..