Is this the most *back* baseball has ever been? I was tempted to say so, but the return from both World Wars surely out rank it. Does the 1998 post steroids home run chase eclipse it too?
Taking the day and my glove over to a buddies house. Baseball, BBQ, and beers. What a great day in the life.
Man that’s a great question. Yeah, probably not as back as those times but a great WBC, rule changes that are generally liked and a normal spring. Love it!
Seeing the White Sox taking a small set back huh. I’m leaning a little bit the other way. La Russia was just such a turd there that I actually can see Grifol having a positive impact. They have the top level pitching….IF…they can actually be healthy which is the big question for them. They scare me a little bit….but third is probably right on.
Here’s my opening day rant for the day. Lol. The rule changes…….I’m glad everyone likes them, but even if they didn’t. It irritates me a little that it took so long to get them. Now everyone likes them when they fought them for so long. I understand people don’t like change….but can we auto balls and strike calls…or at least a challenge system on balls and strikes already. Hopefully these changes lead to more and baseball isn’t so resistant to making the game better and more watchable. Maybe people enjoy watching players get thrown out…or argue with umpires…but auto balls and strikes would take care of any and all of that. You would literally HAVE TO TRY to get thrown out after that with auto calls and challenges in place. Next year right????
I would imagine you’ll see some version of an ABS next year. It’s in AAA this year which is the step they feel is necessary before bringing something to the big leagues. I weirdly actually agree with it then on that. But yes, it’s coming in some form and probably next year.
Oh good. If it is in AAA then it is just around the corner. I don’t care if you still have an umpire behind the plate but at least have a challenge system. It would literally take 10 seconds to challenge and have an answer on that. The “umpires zone” needs to be a thing of the past. We have a way to solve it…use it! Glad to hear it’s just around the corner.
They’re splitting it up, which is weird, but half the series will be a fully automated system where the umpire gets the call in an earpiece and then relays it. The other half is a challenge system where teams get three (I think) per game but only lose it if they’re wrong. And the challenge has to come from the pitcher, catcher or batter.
There was an interesting article yesterday on The Athletic by Evan Drelich regarding this. He had the transcript of Rob Manfred talking about it recently. It sounded like Manfred is in favor of the ABS in a more limited form (just used for challenges, not calling every single pitch). The point he made that I found interesting, is that the biggest potential problem with going to a full ABS is that current players (i.e. hitters) aren't taught how (or capable of) hitting the pitches on the absolute corners of the zone, and human umpires know this and don't call those often as strikes, whereas the "robo ump" would, since it would technically be a strike. As someone who already thinks hitters are playing in a uniquely difficult time to hit (with velocity where it is, always fresh relievers coming in, etc.), it definitely gave me pause as far as implementing the ABS on every pitch.
Just signed up for your substack, can't wait for baseball to start. Looking forward to reading your insights on the Royals and baseball in general this season.
David, the royals traded Lovelady for cash? Only cash? Surely he could have gotten more or am I overstating his value? I’m bummed not because they made a move…but because I thought he still had options left and they could have gotten more than cash for him. Maybe his beef was with more than just Eldred. If JBJ is in the starting opening day lineup……Picollo has to go. Lol.
I am a big Lovelady fan and I understand what it represents, but I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as it probably seems, especially if his velocity really isn’t coming back.
Yeah, it’s probably my Royals colored glasses overstating his value. If his velocity isn’t coming back so be it. It’s not the trade….its the return. You can’t get a lower level lottery ticket at least?
He's a middle reliever. I think they did him wrong for years, but it's also a middle reliever. Agreed on a lottery ticket, but also I'm kind of whatever on that.
Yeah but David, he was the secret weapon to this bullpen still being good after they trade 5 relievers this season for cash……….
JK, it’s not a big deal. I just see the Rays and Indians get lottery tickets in these deals all the time….thought it was going more that direction. But, on a scale of 1-10 it’s probably a 1 at most. Onward we go!
oh well, I'm taking my son to a dental appointment this afternoon, but I warned him that coming home I'd have the radio on all the way. I asked him if he'd want to go to Opening Day and we'd reschedule the dentist...but...he's autistic and insisted on the dentist.
I'm excited for the start of the season. More excited than last year which could have been better if it had not been tainted with the owner's lockout.
There was going to be a decent player moved off the 40, so the Lovelady thing shouldn't have been as shocking to me as it was. I had thought maybe Castillo or Heasley, but like you said, middle releiver..with a velo drop. Cant afford to trade starting depth. I'd prefer a lottery ticket in return, but I get it.
Is this the most *back* baseball has ever been? I was tempted to say so, but the return from both World Wars surely out rank it. Does the 1998 post steroids home run chase eclipse it too?
Taking the day and my glove over to a buddies house. Baseball, BBQ, and beers. What a great day in the life.
Man that’s a great question. Yeah, probably not as back as those times but a great WBC, rule changes that are generally liked and a normal spring. Love it!
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Xander Bogearts MVP is wild
Can You Preview The Cactus League Playoffs
Seeing the White Sox taking a small set back huh. I’m leaning a little bit the other way. La Russia was just such a turd there that I actually can see Grifol having a positive impact. They have the top level pitching….IF…they can actually be healthy which is the big question for them. They scare me a little bit….but third is probably right on.
Here’s my opening day rant for the day. Lol. The rule changes…….I’m glad everyone likes them, but even if they didn’t. It irritates me a little that it took so long to get them. Now everyone likes them when they fought them for so long. I understand people don’t like change….but can we auto balls and strike calls…or at least a challenge system on balls and strikes already. Hopefully these changes lead to more and baseball isn’t so resistant to making the game better and more watchable. Maybe people enjoy watching players get thrown out…or argue with umpires…but auto balls and strikes would take care of any and all of that. You would literally HAVE TO TRY to get thrown out after that with auto calls and challenges in place. Next year right????
I would imagine you’ll see some version of an ABS next year. It’s in AAA this year which is the step they feel is necessary before bringing something to the big leagues. I weirdly actually agree with it then on that. But yes, it’s coming in some form and probably next year.
Oh good. If it is in AAA then it is just around the corner. I don’t care if you still have an umpire behind the plate but at least have a challenge system. It would literally take 10 seconds to challenge and have an answer on that. The “umpires zone” needs to be a thing of the past. We have a way to solve it…use it! Glad to hear it’s just around the corner.
They’re splitting it up, which is weird, but half the series will be a fully automated system where the umpire gets the call in an earpiece and then relays it. The other half is a challenge system where teams get three (I think) per game but only lose it if they’re wrong. And the challenge has to come from the pitcher, catcher or batter.
There was an interesting article yesterday on The Athletic by Evan Drelich regarding this. He had the transcript of Rob Manfred talking about it recently. It sounded like Manfred is in favor of the ABS in a more limited form (just used for challenges, not calling every single pitch). The point he made that I found interesting, is that the biggest potential problem with going to a full ABS is that current players (i.e. hitters) aren't taught how (or capable of) hitting the pitches on the absolute corners of the zone, and human umpires know this and don't call those often as strikes, whereas the "robo ump" would, since it would technically be a strike. As someone who already thinks hitters are playing in a uniquely difficult time to hit (with velocity where it is, always fresh relievers coming in, etc.), it definitely gave me pause as far as implementing the ABS on every pitch.
I thought that was interesting too, though I also don't fully understand why they can't program it to call it without those corners he mentioned.
Just signed up for your substack, can't wait for baseball to start. Looking forward to reading your insights on the Royals and baseball in general this season.
Thanks so much for subscribing! I'm glad you're here!
Happy Opening Day! Great stuff as always.
Thank you!
David, the royals traded Lovelady for cash? Only cash? Surely he could have gotten more or am I overstating his value? I’m bummed not because they made a move…but because I thought he still had options left and they could have gotten more than cash for him. Maybe his beef was with more than just Eldred. If JBJ is in the starting opening day lineup……Picollo has to go. Lol.
If you had to trade him to open up a spot…whatever….but you’re not even going to get a lower level arm back that doesn’t take up a spot?
If adding Chapman made you have to trade Lovelady for cash…then I now hate the Chapman signing. Lol.
I am a big Lovelady fan and I understand what it represents, but I don’t think it’s as big of a deal as it probably seems, especially if his velocity really isn’t coming back.
I'm getting a bit concerned with what seems to be a trend of trades for cash..hopefully it's just my ownership fears and unfounded.
I wouldn't worry about it.
Yeah, it’s probably my Royals colored glasses overstating his value. If his velocity isn’t coming back so be it. It’s not the trade….its the return. You can’t get a lower level lottery ticket at least?
He's a middle reliever. I think they did him wrong for years, but it's also a middle reliever. Agreed on a lottery ticket, but also I'm kind of whatever on that.
Yeah but David, he was the secret weapon to this bullpen still being good after they trade 5 relievers this season for cash……….
JK, it’s not a big deal. I just see the Rays and Indians get lottery tickets in these deals all the time….thought it was going more that direction. But, on a scale of 1-10 it’s probably a 1 at most. Onward we go!
oh well, I'm taking my son to a dental appointment this afternoon, but I warned him that coming home I'd have the radio on all the way. I asked him if he'd want to go to Opening Day and we'd reschedule the dentist...but...he's autistic and insisted on the dentist.
I'm excited for the start of the season. More excited than last year which could have been better if it had not been tainted with the owner's lockout.
Yep, the lockout just destroyed what should have been a super exciting spring and start to the season. Glad you'll get to listen at least!
Well, I think that lineup is exactly how I would have set it. Maybe flip MJ and Vinnie..but I really like it. Let's play already!
There was going to be a decent player moved off the 40, so the Lovelady thing shouldn't have been as shocking to me as it was. I had thought maybe Castillo or Heasley, but like you said, middle releiver..with a velo drop. Cant afford to trade starting depth. I'd prefer a lottery ticket in return, but I get it.
I just asked a buddy if the Royals are out of the playoffs yet....
Royals batters with 11 K's on opening day. Ouch. That stings a little....
Not sure what is worse 11 strikeouts or 2 hits on opening day.