Spring Training 2018 Thread

[Maxbialystock]

Just noticed the MLB forum was shut down too. it was really nice of MLB to not inform everyone and give them a little notice.

I see one person (jung) over here.

 

All hail, YOTN.

[cp176]

Come on boys a little love for our main man Brian Johnson.

[Spudboy]

Come on boys a little love for our main man Brian Johnson.

 

Hmm. Some people just want to complain.

 

I am hopeful Johnson throws some quality innings. I think that he can.

[cp176]

Hmm. Some people just want to complain.

 

I am hopeful Johnson throws some quality innings. I think that he can.

 

In all seriousness for a change, I really think that if everything in his life is good he really could be quite an addition to this team's pitching staff. He flat out knows how to pitch. We've all seen it. I'm really pulling for this guy. Plus - I was never really a "Yankme" hater until I started paying attention to Jackman's posts. I'm there now!

[Bellhorn04]

Come on boys a little love for our main man Brian Johnson.

 

Here's hoping! Nice job today for sure.

[Natick to NC]

Johnson really looked confident his FB looks really good this year

[Larry Cook]

Come on boys a little love for our main man Brian Johnson.

 

Nice game today. Command was excellent. Kept them off balance. Really moved the ball around the strike zone.

[jacksonianmarch]

In all seriousness for a change, I really think that if everything in his life is good he really could be quite an addition to this team's pitching staff. He flat out knows how to pitch. We've all seen it. I'm really pulling for this guy. Plus - I was never really a "Yankme" hater until I started paying attention to Jackman's posts. I'm there now!

 

Good. Things are much more lively and fun when both teams are good and there’s a good level of collegial animosity. Back a decade ago, the anger and vitriol was intense on here, but I think we can all have fun with this.

[cp176]

Good. Things are much more lively and fun when both teams are good and there’s a good level of collegial animosity. Back a decade ago, the anger and vitriol was intense on here, but I think we can all have fun with this.

 

I think that you are right of course. I'll try a little harder but I think that you know that it probably won't always seem like collegial animosity (lol). Two of the biggest and best markets for athletics on the planet. It is particularly good for ml baseball at this time. You said earlier in a post that players these days are different. I'm not sure that I totally believe this but I'm pretty sure that baseball fans have changed as the games have gotten longer - attention spans have gotten shorter. This rivalry promises to pump some life into the game. I said earlier that I am a Yankee hater but I'm really not sure of that. It's more of just a competitive thing for me. Now back in the 60s when the Yanks were really THE YANKS, yes I'm thinking that I hated what they were but I still loved watching the greatness that came with them. This could be a fun year to be a fan of baseball! - forgot to mention that some of my dislike for the Yankees came from the simple fact that until 67 we kind of sucked for quite some time. I was a second baseman and my choice of heroes when I first started playing was either Chuck Schilling or Bobbie Richardson. Mull that one over for a bit!

[Hugh2]

Years ago Johnson was pegged as a guy with a high floor who could be a #4 starter. Not the sexiest profile, but that's exactly what this team needs right now.

 

It would be really great to see that out of Johnson, for everything he's been going through and for what this team needs right now.

[cp176]

Years ago Johnson was pegged as a guy with a high floor who could be a #4 starter. Not the sexiest profile, but that's exactly what this team needs right now.

 

It would be really great to see that out of Johnson, for everything he's been going through and for what this team needs right now.

 

In those few games that we saw him pitch when things were good for him, I loved watching him. Not a power pitcher by any means. Just a guy who looked like he knew how to pitch. Great hook and great location. A pitcher like this is as much fun for me to watch as that big power armed throw it right by everybody kind of guy.

[jung]

Not sure how many people are watching today...However I am very happy to see the Sox taking some normal non-farrell era AB's this spring. Guys are swinging at good pitches early in counts and protecting late in counts...the way the game should be played.

 

Now I do think that both Martinez and Ramirez will not be able to stay out of this lineup for long because the power drop off will be significant without them. Our guys are generally either not large enough to be real power hitters or not large enough to be real LH power hitters in a ballpark with acres and acres in RF. That said I cannot tell you how many times I nearly went right off the cliff edge last year watching guys take good pitches early in counts and then swing out of their shoelaces late in counts...the absolute opposite of what they should have been doing.

[FredLynn]

Devin Marrero just traded to Arizona for a bag of golf balls and a 50 cent gift certificate to Popeye's chicken.....I mean, a player to be named later or cash.

[Natick to NC]

Xanderrrrrrr is baaaaaaaack !!!!!!! That swing looks like he did a few years ago looooooove it !!!!

[Natick to NC]

Why would any team not pitch Mitch slider after slider???! Man I hate this signing

[Natick to NC]

Dude ....Devin is a classsssss act ....freaking miss him already .

[Natick to NC]

Devin Marrero is the kind of player you keep track of ....don't rule out a return at the midway .

[Natick to NC]

Vazzzz looks like a 300 hitter ....I was way off on Vaz hit tool guy can rake to all fields...yeah Vaz just cost the team a run loafing it ...not good Edited March 24, 2018 by Natick to NC

[Natick to NC]

Nuneyyyyyyyy!!!! Picks him up !!!!

[Natick to NC]

Lineup is potent

[jung]

I would not exactly call what Vaz does raking but his swing is built to go the opposite field and he has learned to turn that into a major league career as a catcher who handles pitchers well, throws and receives the ball very well and no longer will hurt you from the plate as long as you don't expect too much. He no longer expects too much at the plate and that has helped him immensely. His hands are never and I do mean never inside the baseball swinging the bat. That will always limit what he can do at the plate.

 

Merrero might come back because this is really now bordering on a weak infield defensively and if we can afford the hole he represents in a lineup, somebody like him might be necessary...But I doubt it. He is way better off in the NL. Really always liked him and wish him well over there.

[Natick to NC]

Sam "Freaking " Travis is ballllllin out !!!!! DFA Hanley and JD

[Natick to NC]

Lovello looks like Mike mad dog Russo hitting

[Jasonbay44]

Why would any team not pitch Mitch slider after slider???! Man I hate this signing

 

I'm not a Moreland fan either, but having him as a bench player is great. He is one of the best, if not the best backup 1B in league.

[Larry Cook]

Is anybody else surprised at how well poyner has looked this spring? Or how bad Scott had looked this spring!

 

I know they sent Scott down to the minors last week.

 

So that means poyner gets a shot! Congrats to him!

[moonslav59]

Nice story with Poyner. I'm sure we'll be seeing guys like Scott, Maddox (DL), Thornburg (DL) and Elias called up at some point.

[cp176]

Cora has been talking about Poyner for a couple of weeks now. It's another good story and another possible option as well. I am a fan of Tommy Layne's as well.

[Natick to NC]

Is anybody else surprised at how well poyner has looked this spring? Or how bad Scott had looked this spring!

 

I know they sent Scott down to the minors last week.

 

So that means poyner gets a shot! Congrats to him!

To me Poyner made this team....No way no how you leave that kid off when we have a mash unit .

[Hugh2]

Is anyone still worried about Mookie????

[Spudboy]

Is anyone still worried about Mookie????

 

Nope.