MLB - NEWS & NOTES

The 50 mil includes his existing salary for 2019 and an option for 2023, though. If he rebounds to anything even remotely resembling what he was with the A's the Reds will get a steal. Even if he's just a mid-rotation guy that's below market rate at $10MM per.

 

big IF after the last 2 seasons?

 

I don't think he was bad as he's been made out to be. Certainly he wasn't as good as he'd been in Oakland, but he was really only truly awful for the first half of last year. He pitched better in the second half. I think there's a decent chance he'll bounce back.

 

The Reds have been busy and should have a decent, competitive team this season... I like the Sony signing.

 

Braves re-sign Nick Markakis to 1-year deal...

Good move by Atlanta... he hit well for them.

 

Report: Rangers sign Zach McAllister to one-year, $1 million deal
The Rangers have reportedly inked veteran pitcher Zach McAllister to a one-year, $1 million contract. He will likely open the season in the bullpen.

 

Phils were interested in him, so I'm surprised he went for such low money.

 

MLB proposes putting the disabled list back at 15 games...

One of the changes brought forth by the 2016 Collective Bargaining Agreement was the reduction of the minimum disabled list stay from 15 days to ten days. At the time this seemed like a win-win. If they only faced being out ten days rather than 15, players would be under less pressure to play through an injury. Likewise, teams would be less likely to play shorthanded while injuries were assessed.

Then a funny thing happened: teams began to use the DL as a means of cycling pitchers on and off the roster, allowing them to bring in fresh arms with greater frequency. The result: a significant increase in the amount of players used, particularly relief pitchers. Bullpenning strategies that have developed over the past couple of years have been greatly aided by a shorter DL stay. Such strategies, in turn, have contributed to a reduction in offense.

Which leads to today’s report from Ronald Blum of the Associated Press:

Major League Baseball has proposed going back to a 15-day disabled list and increasing the time optioned players usually must spend in the minor leagues, a person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press, moves aimed at reducing the use of relief pitchers and reviving offense.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the plans were not publicly announced.

It’s a balance, I suppose. Will such a thing encourage teams trying to get guys to play through injuries more than it’ll help revive offense and suppress pitching dominance? I dunno. I don’t suspect anyone can say they know for sure. I do know that some of the injuries for which guys have been DL’d in recent years have seemed . . . less than ominous sounding. A lot of “finger contusions” just after a couple of extra inning games and a stretch of ten games without a day off.

Sorry, I realize we have a reputation for having sharp opinions on this sort of thing, but I’m having a hard time developing one here. If I had to choose I’d say it’s worth going back to the 15-day if, for no other reason, than to stop front offices from taking advantage of something designed to deal with injuries to gain a competitive advantage. (NBC's, HBT)

 

Report: Marco Estrada signs with the Athletics...


Oliver Perez re-signs with the Indians
Perez is still effective heading into his 17th big league season...

 

read that teams will not pony up the 8-10 years machado and harper wants and now reality is setting in for those guys on what to do now and who to sign with on a shorter term deal. interesting ??

 

Todays MLB is cheapening up. A lot of teams are trending towards player development instead of forking out big bucks and long term deals to FA's.

 

While their revenues keeping going up and up. But the players are "overpaid." SMH.

 

a fake twitter account had the Phillies signing Harper last night. damn it. got my hopes up for nothing. Padres seem big on Machado now. ugh.

 

1st pitch, Game 2, Yankees and Reds World Series...

 

I think Harper and Machado will go unsigned till way into spring training. No team is willing to drop 10 year plus deals anymore. Not after the Albert Pujols disaster of a deal or the Arod deal. Teams are trying to go 6 or less these days and the players don't want to sign short deals because they are already losing their young years to club control and arbitration years as it is.

I think eventually they will both get signed but it will be for 6 years max at around 200 mil

 

Pujols was 6 years older than Harper and Machado are now though.

A significant work stoppage is coming to MLB. Book it.

 

Marlins sign Neil Walker to 1-year deal... $2M