Baseball 2022 - The Season is a-Go! ⚾

[jmyrlefuller]

Here is your thread for baseball chat for the 2022 season.

MLB official site:
https://mlb.com/

Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Major_League_Baseball_season

[jmyrlefuller]

Unlocked: MLB, players strike labor deal that will enable full 2022 baseball season

https://sports.yahoo.com/unlocked-mlb-players-strike-labor-deal-that-will-enable-full-2022-baseball-season-202026338.html

[DCPatriot]

Son just called me to tell me a full 162 game schedule will be played, season opens a week later than scheduled.

Also said that "The Shift" is hereby outlawed.

Punch n' Judy hitters everywhere are ecstatic!   

[Polly Ticks]

[Polly Ticks]

Also, we need to re-sign this guy ASAP.

[GrouchoTex]

Cool, let the games begin.

[cato potatoe]

Braves will start Matt Olson at first for the next 2 years, after which there is hope he may cut them a hometown discount.  This also frees up some cash for Soler, Rosario, and maybe another starting pitcher.  Freeman apparently was asking too much.

[Polly Ticks]

Braves will start Matt Olson at first for the next 2 years, after which there is hope he may cut them a hometown discount.  This also frees up some cash for Soler, Rosario, and maybe another starting pitcher.  Freeman apparently was asking too much.

 

Tomorrow, I will be excited about Matt Olson.
Today, I am heartbroken. I'll always be a Freddie Fan, no matter where he goes.

[cato potatoe]

Today, I am heartbroken. I'll always be a Freddie Fan, no matter where he goes.

Understood ... but, it was inevitable.  If Freddie wanted to stay in ATL, he would have made it happen earlier, like Chipper Jones.  If he wanted to pay 13.3% state income taxes for the privilege of living in a hellscape, he would negotiate a deal with LA.

[catfish1957]

Cool, let the games begin.

Saw where Crain is negotiating resigning Correa......   $300M just won't buy you what it used to.   

[GrouchoTex]

Saw where Crain is negotiating resigning Correa......   $300M just won't buy you what it used to.   

Yep! I don't have the details, but I've heard the same.
I lot of Houston fans are upset that Correa may go, but I saw Jeremy Pena in Sugar Land last year.
I ain't worried.

[DefiantMassRINO]

WTF is about having a designated hitter in the National League?  Is that because great National League pitchers who move to the American League get slapped around the ball park?

[catfish1957]

Yep! I don't have the details, but I've heard the same.
I lot of Houston fans are upset that Correa may go, but I saw Jeremy Pena in Sugar Land last year.
I ain't worried.

Don't watch the team like I used to, but that $300M over that supposed 10 years  is going to create some shitty salary cap issues, when Alvarez and Tucker become FA eligible.

[catfish1957]

WTF is about having a designated hitter in the National League?  Is that because great National League pitchers who move to the American League get slapped around the ball park?

The DH is just first  of about a dozen reasons why the Commissioners and Owners have been hell bent on destroyng the game the past 50 years.

At least they shit canned the "imaginery ghost runner garbage in extra innings., and 7 inning double headers.

Manfred and Selig are/were about as competent for baseball as Biden is as POTUS

[AllThatJazzZ]

Tomorrow, I will be excited about Matt Olson.
Today, I am heartbroken. I'll always be a Freddie Fan, no matter where he goes.

@Polly Ticks

I'm so sorry. I don't know where or why "there's no crying in baseball" got started, but I'm not going to abide by it. I would be so heartbroken if Altuve were to leave Houston.

[catfish1957]

Yep! I don't have the details, but I've heard the same.
I lot of Houston fans are upset that Correa may go, but I saw Jeremy Pena in Sugar Land last year.
I ain't worried.

Correa to the Twins for 3/$105M.  They can keep him and his showboating.

[cato potatoe]

Pointless move by the Twins.  The contract will span over a rebuilding period, and Houston gets their overall #3 draft pick. 

[Polly Ticks]

Happy Opening Day!!!



(although I kind of object to this graphic from MLB because the WORLD SERIES CHAMPION BRAVES are not represented for some stupid reason...)

[catfish1957]

Happy Opening Day!!!



(although I kind of object to this graphic from MLB because the WORLD SERIES CHAMPION BRAVES are not represented for some stupid reason...)

This used to be a really exciting time of the year for me.  From wokeness, to stupid tinkering of the game, my team's cheating......   

I really don't care if they play or not.

[catfish1957]

Son just called me to tell me a full 162 game schedule will be played, season opens a week later than scheduled.

Also said that "The Shift" is hereby outlawed.

Punch n' Judy hitters everywhere are ecstatic!   

Too bad they didn't have that crazy shift during Tony Gwynn's career.  We would have gotten another .400 season.   

[AllThatJazzZ]

Happy Opening Day!!!



(although I kind of object to this graphic from MLB because the WORLD SERIES CHAMPION BRAVES are not represented for some stupid reason...)

Same to you! We start out with 9 games on the road. No me gusta. BTW, my Stros aren't represented in that graphic either. Boo!

Time for the game. Later!

[GrouchoTex]

Astros win their 10th straight opener, tying a MLB record, 3-1 over Ohtani and the Angels.

[Polly Ticks]

[AllThatJazzZ]

Beautiful!!

[AllThatJazzZ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By9R3oOCC3s

[jmyrlefuller]

Happy Bobby Bonilla Day everyone!

[Polly Ticks]

Happy Bobby Bonilla Day everyone!

[DCPatriot]

The NATIONALS' Juan Soto has refused a 15yr/$450M offer.

Who can blame him?

They let:

1) Bryce Harper
2) Anthony Rendon
3) Trey Turner
4) Max Scherzer
and
5) Kyle Schwarber

all leave

Is it the lack of a DOME?  I realize the Summers are horrid!

My prediction is that he's going to become a NEW YORK YANKEE! 

Personally, don't think any "position" player is worth $450M...which is about $47K per PA (plate appearance)

[Polly Ticks]

 
Just amazing.

[DCPatriot]

 
Just amazing.

To me, his body is like a Japanese Ken Griffey, Jr.. 
Bat speed and arm/leg whip are 2nd to none.

[Polly Ticks]

To me, his body is like a Japanese Ken Griffey, Jr.. 
Bat speed and arm/leg whip are 2nd to none.

I can see that.
He's super fun to watch, in any case. 

[GrouchoTex]

The NATIONALS' Juan Soto has refused a 15yr/$450M offer.

Who can blame him?

They let:

1) Bryce Harper
2) Anthony Rendon
3) Trey Turner
4) Max Scherzer
and
5) Kyle Schwarber

all leave

Is it the lack of a DOME?  I realize the Summers are horrid!

My prediction is that he's going to become a NEW YORK YANKEE! 

Personally, don't think any "position" player is worth $450M...which is about $47K per PA (plate appearance)

Rumblings here that he may be an an orange uniform....

[DCPatriot]

Rumblings here that he may be an an orange uniform....

@GrouchoTex

LOL!  Who in the world are you going to throw 'Our' way in any deal?

But, he'd be a hoot in that dome!   I can still 'see' him hit it onto the railroad tracks in Left Field...OPPOSITE FIELD!! 

[GrouchoTex]

@GrouchoTex

LOL!  Who in the world are you going to throw 'Our' way in any deal?

But, he'd be a hoot in that dome!   I can still 'see' him hit it onto the railroad tracks in Left Field...OPPOSITE FIELD!!

There are some Triple A players that could be up now, but the roster is pretty crowded.
Heck, they Have 6 starters up now, and Lance McCullers Jr. set to come back.

[catfish1957]

There are some Triple A players that could be up now, but the roster is pretty crowded.
Heck, they Have 6 starters up now, and Lance McCullers Jr. set to come back.

We didn't get caught overpaying for Correa.  Guy's agent is Bora$$.    I'd pass.  Geez the guy is hitting .250 this year. He not worth anywhere near 450 million freaking dollars, or depleting the farm.

Let the yanquis overpay.

[GrouchoTex]

We didn't get caught overpaying for Correa.  Guy's agent is Bora$$.    I'd pass.  Geez the guy is hitting .250 this year. He not worth anywhere near 450 million freaking dollars, or depleting the farm.

Let the yanquis overpay.

I don't believe the Astros would offer more than 25m/5years, anyway., but that is still pretty high, but similar to what they offered Correa.
The thing is, Brantley is done, in my opinion.
Mid 30's and has hurt his shoulder a 3rd time, one that has had surgery twice already.
You never know, though.
Look at Verlander, 39 and coming off of Tommy John surgery.
Tucker, Siri,  McCormick, and Meyers are the outfield choices as of now.
Tucker is solid, an all-star.
The others have to prove themselves a bit more at the MLB level.
We'll see, but I wouldn't be shocked if the Astros go after a big bat outfielder for the playoff push.
If Yordan Alvarez comes back healthy, and one of the younger guys steps up, that would be the best scenario.

[cato potatoe]

We didn't get caught overpaying for Correa.

Jeremy Pena has a higher WAR thus far. 

[catfish1957]

Jeremy Pena has a higher WAR thus far.

Amazing isn't it. 

My biggest worry is paying Tucker, and some of those great young arms. Click is really going to have make some tough decisions in about 4 years.

[DCPatriot]

Supposedly the St. Louis Cards have jumped to the front of the line trying to put something together for Juan Soto AND Patrick Corbin's useless, bloated contract.

I can understand why the Lerner Family ownership is not quick to pay any one player that kind of money after what they got back on their investment in both Stephen Strasburg and now Patrick Corbin.

They convinced them the rotation needed a Southpaw with a good slider/curveball.

Currently, he's 4-13 with an ERA of 6.02. 

[jmyrlefuller]

Meanwhile in DC, in the annual Congressional Baseball Game, the GOP whalloped the Democrats 10-0. (Unexpectedly, I might add.)

And one of the Democrats, Linda Sanchez, flipped the opposing team the bird. Classy. Especially since it's a charity game. But hey, considering there was an assassination attempt on Steve Scalise a few years back (who returned this year as lead-off batter), that's an improvement, I guess.

But you won't see the score in the headlines.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/2022-congressional-baseball-game-democratic-rep-linda-sanchez-flips-off-republican-lawmakers

Full game:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?521942-1/lawmakers-participate-congressional-baseball-game

[Polly Ticks]

Hopefully just the first of the Democrats' shellackings this year.

[DCPatriot]

@Bigun
@catfish1957
@Polly Ticks
@GrouchoTex
@jmyrlefuller


I understand why many of us have lowered our heads regarding professional sports in general, but
this trade of Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the Padres???

It...it...it...has me almost as excited as Chris Matthews' reaction to Barack Obama's winning the presidency.
But not as excited as Rachel Maddow vibrating 6 inches above her/his seat.

There are just a few major league teams that hold your attention on your TV screen.

The PADRES are now at the top of the list!  LOL!  Talk about "swagger"??

Who's going to pitch inside to Juan Soto?  LOL!  I'll bet we'll see a manager walk in a run rather than let him hit with the bases loaded.   

[AllThatJazzZ]

@catfish1957
@Bigun
@GrouchoTex

How do y'all feel about the trades the Astros made?

[catfish1957]

@catfish1957
@Bigun
@GrouchoTex

How do y'all feel about the trades the Astros made?

I think Brent Strom shared enough with his successors about how to tweak a pitcher who may have some very fixable glitches.

If they can tweak Will Smith (from the Braves) like I am hoping, the Astros wil end up with a lefty-righty closer set up never seen in  playoff history.  (Pressley-Smith).

And we all know the importance of that come October.

[Bigun]

@catfish1957
@Bigun
@GrouchoTex

How do y'all feel about the trades the Astros made?

I'm sorry @AllThatJazzZ but I don't feel anything at all. I haven't watched an inning of pro baseball or a down of pro football in quite a while and feel no need to do so ever again.

[GrouchoTex]

I think Brent Strom shared enough with his successors about how to tweak a pitcher who may have some very fixable glitches.

If they can tweak Will Smith (from the Braves) like I am hoping, the Astros wil end up with a lefty-righty closer set up never seen in  playoff history.  (Pressley-Smith).

And we all know the importance of that come October.

@AllThatJazzZ
I like them.
Vasquez will take the place of Jason Castro, who is out for the year. He's a solid veteran who can hit a bit better than our current crop of catchers.
Mancini is the same, a solid veteran who can DH, Play left Field, and 1st Base. Hate to say it, I love Yuli Gurriel, but father time may have caught up with him.
Will Smith gives us a left-handed arm out of the bullpen, which we haven't had all year.
I agree with @catfish1957, that the new pitching coach learned well from Brent Strom, and that will bode well for Will Smith, (not to be confused with the fresh Prince of Bel-Air).

[GrouchoTex]

@Bigun
@catfish1957
@Polly Ticks
@GrouchoTex
@jmyrlefuller


I understand why many of us have lowered our heads regarding professional sports in general, but
this trade of Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the Padres???

I thought that the Astros may go after Josh Bell, but Mancini wasn't a bad pick up for them at all.

It...it...it...has me almost as excited as Chris Matthews' reaction to Barack Obama's winning the presidency.
But not as excited as Rachel Maddow vibrating 6 inches above her/his seat.

There are just a few major league teams that hold your attention on your TV screen.

The PADRES are now at the top of the list!  LOL!  Talk about "swagger"??

Who's going to pitch inside to Juan Soto?  LOL!  I'll bet we'll see a manager walk in a run rather than let him hit with the bases loaded.   

[catfish1957]

Soto's a budding star, and has huge upside, but considering his present stats?

.246 at trade time and sub .900 OPS?

This could be a big overpayment considering what the Pads gave up.

[AllThatJazzZ]

I'm sorry @AllThatJazzZ but I don't feel anything at all. I haven't watched an inning of pro baseball or a down of pro football in quite a while and feel no need to do so ever again.

@Bigun
Apologies for the ping. I'll try to remember that you're the one who has sworn off baseball, but I can't promise you won't get pinged by me again. First, y'all all look similar on the message board, and, second, I'm old. So if I hit you up again, just consider that my advanced age is causing me to slip up every now and again. And again. And again.

[AllThatJazzZ]

I think Brent Strom shared enough with his successors about how to tweak a pitcher who may have some very fixable glitches.

If they can tweak Will Smith (from the Braves) like I am hoping, the Astros wil end up with a lefty-righty closer set up never seen in  playoff history.  (Pressley-Smith).

And we all know the importance of that come October.

@catfish1957
That's encouraging. I hope you're right. I don't have any familiarity with any of the new players, so that's why I was hoping to tap into the thoughts of someone who does.