MLB News & Notes (other than Cubs or Sox)

[chshdsck]

https://twitter.com/StoolFrederic/status...2295445509

[1060Ivy]

Nationals sign Blanton to 1 year $4 MM deal.


No clue if Joe has anything left in his arm after Miggy's grand slam and his 75 appearances last year.


http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18788...-nationals

[Kid]

http://twitter.com/JMastrodonato/status/...6326576128

[Butcher]

http://twitter.com/JMastrodonato/status/...6326576128

 

That doesn't sound good. That Sale trade is looking pretty huge now.

[funkster]

Yikes. Not signing Price looking huger. Another move I'm glad the FO didn't make.

[rok]

I wouldn't be shocked if Sale were to come down with something down the road as well.

[Butcher]

I wouldn't be shocked if Sale were to come down with something down the road as well.

 

His herky-jerky mechanics and his meth addict frame can't be helping his elbow all that much.

[rok]

Plus, you know he's going to go balls out in an attempt to prove his worth to the Red Sox after giving up so many top prospects to acquire him. Maximum effort + goofy mechanics are a recipe for disaster.

[Butcher]

Unfortunately it didn't happen in 2016 with the White Sox.

 

But he's still a douche.

[rok]

Here is a summary of pace of play rule changes coming this season:

http://www.fanragsports.com/news/mlb-mlb...nges-2017/

* The start of a no-pitch intentional walk, allowing the defensive teams manager to signal a decision to the home plate umpire to intentionally walk the batter. Following the signal of the managers intention, the umpire will immediately award first base to the batter.

* A 30-second limit for a manager to decide whether to challenge a play and invoke replay review.

* When a manager has exhausted his challenges for the game, Crew Chiefs may now invoke replay review for non-home run calls beginning in the eighth inning instead of the seventh inning.

* A conditional two-minute guideline for Replay Officials to render a decision on a replay review, allowing various exceptions.

* A prohibition on the use of any markers on the field that could create a tangible reference system for fielders.

* An addition to Rule 5.07 formalizes an umpire interpretation by stipulating that a pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch. If there is at least one runner on base, then such an action will be called as a balk under Rule 6.02(a). If the bases are unoccupied, then it will be considered an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02( b ).

* An amendment to Rule 5.03 requires base coaches to position themselves behind the line of the coach's box closest to home plate and the front line that runs parallel to the foul line prior to each pitch. Once a ball is put in play, a base coach is allowed to leave the coach's box to signal a player so long as the coach does not interfere with play.

[Butcher]

All of the pitching changes (and commercial breaks that go along with them) are really what's lengthening the games. But they can't turn down the extra revenue that provides, so they're adding a bunch of meaningless rules that won't make a difference? Silly.

[rok]

Pitching changes and excessive mound visits are killing the pace of the game. I'd be ok limiting both (impose time or per inning limits), but only in a way that doesn't tie the managers' or players' hands in any meaningful way. Haven't figured that part out yet.

[mrfelina]

Here is a summary of pace of play rule changes coming this season:

<a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.fanragsports.com/news/mlb-mlbpa-officially-announce-pace-play-changes-2017/" title="External link">http://www.fanragsports.com/news/mlb-mlbpa-officially-announce-pace-play-changes-2017/</a>

 


 

 

 

I just read that one change that's going to be talked about for '18 is raising the bottom of the strike zone?

 

Wow...that one bothers me.  If that one ever passes, it's going to have a negative effect on some pitchers.  I'm guessing Lester and Hendricks might have a problem with this.

 

Never heard they were considering that.  Kind of fucked up. 

 

Rightly or wrongly, I always thought the AL had a higher strike zone and have always preferred the lower one.

[Brock]

"A prohibition on the use of any markers on the field that could create a tangible reference system for fielders."


Huh?

[Butcher]

"A prohibition on the use of any markers on the field that could create a tangible reference system for fielders."


Huh?

 

You know how the Dodgers use laser pointers on the field to help align their defense? I'm guessing that's what they're talking about.