2016 Random MLB News & Notes Thread

[CheezWizHed]

Frank Kaminsky Trolls Cubs Fans With Jersey Choice

 

Got to love Frank! Nice that even though he was from Chicago, he appeases Wisconsin fans by being a Chisox fan.

 

Earlier, I was joking with a Cubs fan that I purchased post-season tickets to all the Cubs game and sent them to Bartman. He had a very negative reaction.

[MadThinker88]

Someone needs to show up to Wrigley Field with a goat (or 3). Try proving they are NOT descendants of the infamous one from years ago..

 

Wonder if they are refused entry this time???

[reillymcshane]

Charlie Sheen wants to throw out a first pitch for the Indians at the World Series.

 

I have to admit, it would be pretty cool to start off one of the WS games in Cleveland with "Wild Thing" blaring and have the bullpen door open and Sheen walk out to the mound as Ricky Vaughn.

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17845705/actor-charlie-sheen-play-wild-thing-major-league-offers-throw-ceremonial-first-pitch-world-series

 

Sheen has, obviously, had some serious personal issues, so some might not like the idea of having him associated with the team. But I think it would be cool.

[dlk9s]

I could totally overlook the use of the racist logo, as a full-blown Ricky Vaughn entrance and first pitch would be the best thing ever to happen in the history of baseball.

[madbad2000]

I'm in favor of this. Lets also get Henry Rowengartner to throw out the first pitch if the Cubs unfortunately make the series.

[reillymcshane]

Charlie Sheen won't be happening:

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17849635/charlie-sheen-wild-thing-throw-ceremonial-first-pitch-world-series

 

MLB has said the decisions have already been made.

 

Sadness.

[LouisEly]

In a year where Donald Trump is on the presidential ballot, the only possible outcome of the baseball season could have been Cubs vs Indians.

 

Hell has officially frozen over.

[ewitkows]

Word of various potential changes in the MLB-MLBPA collective bargaining agreement has been trickling out of late, and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports on a series of new matters under consideration. In particular, she looks at discussions involving the cash flow to the Athletics.

 

Revenue sharing is the key topic of interest for Oakland, which has been allowed to participate in the system despite its large-market status because of its inability to find a new ballpark. The O.Co coliseum has allowed the team to continue receiving funds, which Slusser pegs at $34MM in 2016.

 

Some around the game — including rival teams and the union — believe that the A’s aren’t putting those funds to use as intended. Reduction or even elimination of Oakland’s participation has “definitely been a topic” of discussion, a union source tells Slusser.

 

The interplay with the longstanding stadium question is complicated, as the report details. There’s a concern in some quarters not only that the club isn’t funneling enough cash into player salaries, but also that the team has been slow to settle its ballpark situation. (Of course, there’s a counter-argument to be found as well.)

 

If the team ultimately has its revenue-sharing pipeline narrowed, with a resulting hit to profitability, sources tell Slusser that there could be ownership changes. That might involve a minority owner leaving or even a full-on sale of the organization, she suggests.

 

There are a variety of other possible changes being discussed that could have even wider-ranging impact, per the report. That includes the possibility of trimming the regular season down to 154 games and inserting more off-days.

 

Even more intriguingly, perhaps, there’s apparently at least some consideration being given to expanding rosters from 25 to 26 players. That would certainly reduce the need to utilize the 15-day DL, increase teams’ flexibility to carry more specialty players, and perhaps add to the frequency of reliever usage during the regular season. It would also seem likely to enhance the value of somewhat marginal roster pieces (lefty specialists, power bench bats, glove-first players) who might otherwise be without a spot, while perhaps increasing the viability of the Rule 5 draft and opening service-time opportunities for less-developed players who’d otherwise be left playing in the upper minors.

 

MLBTR contributor Ryan Spilborghs recently advocated for several such provisions, reasoning that both teams and players could benefit. The current grind is arguably too great, leading to injuries (and rushed returns) that can harm players’ earning capacities as well as the investments already made by organizations.

From mlbtraderumors. Interesting that they are looking at kicking the A's out from the revenue sharing.

[young guns]

If they are receiving revenue sharing because of their stadium, maybe the league should have just put it into a bank account every year and then they could have had enough money for a new stadium by now. Maybe all leagues should do this for all teams either with a general fund they use to build stadiums when teams need them or an individual fund for each team that they can draw on for upgrades or entirely new stadiums.

[logan82]

I thought teams that built new stadiums were the ones that benefited.

[Roderick]

http://thechive.com/2016/11/15/good-guy-indians-pitcher-helps-fan-with-math-homework-on-twitter-8-photos/

 

Pretty cool Bauer takes the time to help on homework on twitter

[reillymcshane]

http://thechive.com/2016/11/15/good-guy-indians-pitcher-helps-fan-with-math-homework-on-twitter-8-photos/

 

Pretty cool Bauer takes the time to help on homework on twitter

That was pretty awesome.

[LouisEly]

Pretty good salary dump by the Dodgers to unload Kendrick and his $10M salary for 2017. Now sitting at $171M committed for 2017, if they can move Puig and McCarthy to the Brewers they will be sitting at $152M.

 

The x-factor is going to be Grandal; MLBTradeRumors is estimating him at $5.3M in arby. I think that's a little low, but let's say $5.5M. If the Dodgers can get someone to take Arruebarrena off their hands ($5.5M) there is a chance that they could add Braun and still come in under the luxury tax limit, but that would likely mean neither Turner nor Jansen are back.

 

Pretty huge if the Dodgers can get under the luxury tax and add Braun. If they can be creative with Jansen - not sure what the rules are for salary increases from one year to the next or over the life of a deal - they have another $29M coming off the books in 2018 with Crawford and Guerrero, and possibly another $15M if Ethier's option doesn't vest.

[LouisEly]

Didn't notice that Jaime Garcia, occasional Brewers-killer, was traded to the Braves yesterday.

 

Interesting who they got back. One was Luke Dykstra, he of the Lenny and Cutter family, who has one of the more interesting stat lines I've ever seen: in 2015 in 241 PAs he walked 8 times (3.3% BB rate) and struck out 16 times (6.6% K rate). I don't think I've ever seen both numbers so low.

 

The two pitchers they got back are decent too; Chris Ellis, who was a part of the Andrelton Simmons/Sean Newcomb deal, was considered the Angels #2 prospect at the time and a mid-rotation ceiling. He was moving through the minors quickly. John Gant put up good numbers as a 21/22 year old in 2014 and 2015 before missing time last year with an injury (assume, since he only pitched 109 innings and appears to have had a rehab outing in low-A) before being given a trial (perhaps too soon) in the majors.

 

Not a bad return for a guy with only one year and $12M left on his deal who arguably put up similar numbers as Garza last year.

[jerichoholicninja]

Didn't notice that Jaime Garcia, occasional Brewers-killer, was traded to the Braves yesterday.

 

Interesting who they got back. One was Luke Dykstra, he of the Lenny and Cutter family, who has one of the more interesting stat lines I've ever seen: in 2015 in 241 PAs he walked 8 times (3.3% BB rate) and struck out 16 times (6.6% K rate). I don't think I've ever seen both numbers so low.

 

The two pitchers they got back are decent too; Chris Ellis, who was a part of the Andrelton Simmons/Sean Newcomb deal, was considered the Angels #2 prospect at the time and a mid-rotation ceiling. He was moving through the minors quickly. John Gant put up good numbers as a 21/22 year old in 2014 and 2015 before missing time last year with an injury (assume, since he only pitched 109 innings and appears to have had a rehab outing in low-A) before being given a trial (perhaps too soon) in the majors.

 

Not a bad return for a guy with only one year and $12M left on his deal who arguably put up similar numbers as Garza last year.

 

Really confused by what the Braves are trying to do. They go hardcore rebuild for a year and now are signing/acquiring old average or worse players in Garcia, Colon, Dickey, and Sean Rodriguez. There were rumors they were trying to get Brian McCann and Braun and now Chris Sale. Even with 3 years of control of Sale I don't see any way he makes them a playoff team during that contract.

[reillymcshane]

Didn't notice that Jaime Garcia, occasional Brewers-killer, was traded to the Braves yesterday.

 

Interesting who they got back. One was Luke Dykstra, he of the Lenny and Cutter family, who has one of the more interesting stat lines I've ever seen: in 2015 in 241 PAs he walked 8 times (3.3% BB rate) and struck out 16 times (6.6% K rate). I don't think I've ever seen both numbers so low.

 

The two pitchers they got back are decent too; Chris Ellis, who was a part of the Andrelton Simmons/Sean Newcomb deal, was considered the Angels #2 prospect at the time and a mid-rotation ceiling. He was moving through the minors quickly. John Gant put up good numbers as a 21/22 year old in 2014 and 2015 before missing time last year with an injury (assume, since he only pitched 109 innings and appears to have had a rehab outing in low-A) before being given a trial (perhaps too soon) in the majors.

 

Not a bad return for a guy with only one year and $12M left on his deal who arguably put up similar numbers as Garza last year.

 

Really confused by what the Braves are trying to do. They go hardcore rebuild for a year and now are signing/acquiring old average or worse players in Garcia, Colon, Dickey, and Sean Rodriguez. There were rumors they were trying to get Brian McCann and Braun and now Chris Sale. Even with 3 years of control of Sale I don't see any way he makes them a playoff team during that contract.

 

Atlanta had the 2nd best OPS in the NL after the all star break last year. I think they have convinced themselves they poised to be better. They're pitching stunk however - hence all the signings. With the new stadium, they want to try and make a play for respectability. They have lots of young pitching - but most just isn't quite ready. So they plug in a bunch of guys on one year deals to fill the gap.

 

I think it's a recipe for disaster - but who knows.

[AKCheesehead]

I agree with Reilly. And it won't break my heart one little bit when it blows up in their face.

[LouisEly]

Homer Bailey had surgery to remove bone spurs in his elbow, will be shut down from throwing for 4-6 weeks, and will likely start the season on the DL.

 

Over the last two seasons he's pitched 34.1 innings... and been paid $28M. Since he pitched both seasons I don't know if the Reds can collect insurance. This year he's due $19M. At least Garza, according to Fangraphs, put up a combined 2.0 WAR over the last two seasons (I had to triple-check, but it's true).

 

I know Bailey has been more productive than Mark Rogers, but I would not want to be saddled with his contract and health right now. He's guaranteed another $68M. Maybe the Brewers dodged a bullet, and won by losing.

[MadThinker88]

I see that Jordan Walden has been cut loose by Atlanta from a minor league deal.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/02/braves-void-minor-league-deal-with-jordan-walden.html

 

I'm not suggesting a major league deal from Milwaukee (for Walden) in 2017, but I would not mind the Crew taking a flyer on a minor league deal. This would be a low cost chance and if successful, they might have an experienced option to add to the bullpen later in the season or even next year....

 

Thoughts??