2013 Baseball Season/Off-Season Discussion

[tim_m]

What's everyone's thoughts on banning collisions at the plate? I understand what they're trying to do but not allowing the catcher to block the plate seriously undermines his ability to get the runner out. Not to mention, it could result in other injuries to the arm. If you can't stand in front of the plate or just in front of it you're going to have catchers sticking their arms out in harms way with guys barreling down at full speed.

I'm not sure, they're going to have to define the parameters of the rule before I give my 2 cents.

Looks like we'll find out in Janurary. I just think its going to lead to different kinds of injuries. If you can't block the plate how are you going to tag the runner? By reaching out obviously.

[pilferk]

Question on free agent draft pick compensation --- say a team signs a free agent and, as a result, forfeits its first round draft pick to the free agent's prior team... what happens if the team signs a 2nd free agent?  What compensation does the prior team of the 2nd free agent get?

For this purpose, I'm assuming (1) both free agents are Type A players, (2) who received qualifying offers from their prior teams and (3) the signing team is not a bottom 10 team with 1st round protection. 

You give up subsequent picks, or subsequent years picks, depending on what you have in your "pick bank".

[pilferk]

Looks like we'll find out in Janurary. I just think its going to lead to different kinds of injuries. If you can't block the plate how are you going to tag the runner? By reaching out obviously.

Catcher will still be able to "block" the plate, I think.  Or, rather, they'll be able to block the plate like a second baseman can "block" second.  They can be in or around the plate, so they can tag the runner.  What they won't be able to do is SIT ON the plate, impeding the runners ability to slide into home.

Runner HAS to slide into home, though.  No coming in straight up and down, to bowl over the catcher (just like that's not allowed on the base paths).

Looks like the onus of the rule is going to be mostly on the runner, and they will be held responsible for any contact at the plate....as long as the catcher isn't literally sitting on top of home.

[GeorgeSteele]

Question on free agent draft pick compensation --- say a team signs a free agent and, as a result, forfeits its first round draft pick to the free agent's prior team... what happens if the team signs a 2nd free agent?  What compensation does the prior team of the 2nd free agent get?

For this purpose, I'm assuming (1) both free agents are Type A players, (2) who received qualifying offers from their prior teams and (3) the signing team is not a bottom 10 team with 1st round protection. 

You give up subsequent picks, or subsequent years picks, depending on what you have in your "pick bank".

Thanks pilf.  So if Seattle had signed another Type A free agent before signing Cano, the Yankees would only get Seattle's 2nd round pick or following year's 1st round pick (or worse if Seattle's pick bank is further depleted)?  Doesn't seem fair that the prior team would get less compensation in that case.

[pilferk]

Question on free agent draft pick compensation --- say a team signs a free agent and, as a result, forfeits its first round draft pick to the free agent's prior team... what happens if the team signs a 2nd free agent?  What compensation does the prior team of the 2nd free agent get?

For this purpose, I'm assuming (1) both free agents are Type A players, (2) who received qualifying offers from their prior teams and (3) the signing team is not a bottom 10 team with 1st round protection. 

You give up subsequent picks, or subsequent years picks, depending on what you have in your "pick bank".

Thanks pilf.  So if Seattle had signed another Type A free agent before signing Cano, the Yankees would only get Seattle's 2nd round pick or following year's 1st round pick (or worse if Seattle's pick bank is further depleted)?  Doesn't seem fair that the prior team would get less compensation in that case.

Pretty much.  I believe the rule stipulates it has to be a 1st, 2nd, or comp round pick.

And they go in "order".  So the first person you sign, you ship off your earliest first round pick, etc, etc.

[pilferk]

It's officially official:

By the beginning of next season, Yankee Stadium's address will be East 161st Street & Rivera Avenue.

At some point over the next 90 days or so, they will be renaming a little over one block of River Ave, in NYC, to Rivera Ave.



http://www.pinstripealley.com/yankees-news/2013/12/12/5202940/river-rivera-ave-mo-mariano-yankees

[tim_m]

Looks like we'll find out in Janurary. I just think its going to lead to different kinds of injuries. If you can't block the plate how are you going to tag the runner? By reaching out obviously.

Catcher will still be able to "block" the plate, I think.  Or, rather, they'll be able to block the plate like a second baseman can "block" second.  They can be in or around the plate, so they can tag the runner.  What they won't be able to do is SIT ON the plate, impeding the runners ability to slide into home.

Runner HAS to slide into home, though.  No coming in straight up and down, to bowl over the catcher (just like that's not allowed on the base paths).

Looks like the onus of the rule is going to be mostly on the runner, and they will be held responsible for any contact at the plate....as long as the catcher isn't literally sitting on top of home.

If that's how it will be defined then i have no issue. I was concerned they wouldn't be allowed to block it at all and might just be trading one type of injury for another.

[tim_m]

It's officially official:

By the beginning of next season, Yankee Stadium's address will be East 161st Street & Rivera Avenue.

At some point over the next 90 days or so, they will be renaming a little over one block of River Ave, in NYC, to Rivera Ave.



http://www.pinstripealley.com/yankees-news/2013/12/12/5202940/river-rivera-ave-mo-mariano-yankees

Very cool i can see this happening for Jeter too.

[GeorgeSteele]

Mets improved by their current roster by adding Granderson and Colon, but overall, the team seems to be worse than last year.  Marlon Byrd but up some big numbers for the Mets last year, so it's no automatic by far that Granderson replaces that production.  As for Colon, good veteran pitcher, even though he is 90, but still a dropoff from Matt Harvey. 

[Malcolm]

I think it makes sense, theres no other contact in baseball,,,the few odd times it was entertaining but not worth someone getting hurt

[tim_m]

So Cano says the yankees disrespected him cause they wouldn't go to 10 yrs 235 million to keep. GTFO Cano.

[Falcon]

The Cards agree to 1 year deal with former Dodgers 2B Mark Ellis.

Good sign, it provides insurance to an inexperienced Kolten Wong at 2b, provides overall flexibility and strengthens the bench at the same time.

I like the Cards off season moves thus far.  They've improved at 3 positions and the bench while giving up none of their young cost controlled pitching, position players, high ceiling prospects or massively overpaying in $$/years to their FA signings. 

[tim_m]

Some signings today by the Yankees they signed Roberts to a 1 year deal to compete for the second baseman job and signed relief pitcher Thornton to a 2 year deal.

[faldor]

Some signings today by the Yankees they signed Roberts to a 1 year deal to compete for the second baseman job and signed relief pitcher Thornton to a 2 year deal.

Roberts was good when healthy, but he's never healthy these days, so that's a shot in the dark signing.  Thornton is ok, but not what he once was.  But he's lefty, and you can never have enough left handed relievers.  The Red Sox bullpen though wasn't exactly the deepest pen last year and he didn't pitch at all in the World Series.  Not even sure he pitched at all in the playoffs or if he was even on the roster.

[pilferk]

Some signings today by the Yankees they signed Roberts to a 1 year deal to compete for the second baseman job and signed relief pitcher Thornton to a 2 year deal.

Roberts was good when healthy, but he's never healthy these days, so that's a shot in the dark signing.  Thornton is ok, but not what he once was.  But he's lefty, and you can never have enough left handed relievers.  The Red Sox bullpen though wasn't exactly the deepest pen last year and he didn't pitch at all in the World Series.  Not even sure he pitched at all in the playoffs or if he was even on the roster.

Thornton will be their new LOOGY/lefty specialist, with the departure of Boone Logan.  Considering what Logan was paid....the Yankees seemingly got Thornton under market.  They have a couple of other in house options, though, so if he flubs, it won't cost them "much", and they have strong backups who could fill the role.  It's, like, the only thing they have in their farm system in abundance.

Roberts...we'll see. If healthy, he'll be serviceable if not better.  If not (and lately, that's been more the norm), we'll have the Yanks Youkalis situation again next year.  Roberts is not "the answer" at 2b....he's just another question mark.

[Falcon]

The 2014 HOF ballot bios are out and can be viewed here:

http://baseballhall.org/2014-BBWAA-Candidate-Bios

A BBWAA member can fill up to ten names on their ballots.

If we were voting, who would you guys put on your ballots?

[GeorgeSteele]

My HOF ballot:

Bonds
Clemens
Glavine
Maddux
Martinez
McGwire
Piazza
Raines
Sosa
Thomas

[Falcon]

My HOF ballot:

Bagwell
Biggio
Glavine
Maddux
Piazza
Raines
Thomas

[tim_m]

My HOF ballot:

Bagwell
Biggio
Glavine
Maddux
Piazza
Raines
Thomas

If it were up to me the first five make it without a doubt. If Glavine or Maddux or Piazza don't make it its a fucking joke.

[GeorgeSteele]

My HOF ballot:

Bagwell
Biggio
Glavine
Maddux
Piazza
Raines
Thomas

If it were up to me the first five make it without a doubt. If Glavine or Maddux or Piazza don't make it its a fucking joke.

Maddux is a definite, probably Glavine too but I'm not positive he'll get in 1st year.  Most voters seem to suspect Piazza of PEDs, so he's doubtful.