2021 Spring Training Discussion

[notin]

People have been underestimating COVID-19 from the get-go. One more month of mitigation and we're good! Yeah right...

 

Let's not go too far down this road for obvious reasons...

[oldtimer]

Was a month really going to make a huge difference, though?

 

With a million a day being vaccinated, that's roughly 30 million more people vaccinated per month. By April 1 there could be 70 million and a delay to May would see 100 million unless the vaccination rate rate picks up, which is likely. Not enough for herd immunity but with precautions, a significant number, particularly those of us who are older. My wife and I were finally able to get our first this morning so there is light at the end of this pandemic tunnel.

[mvp 78]

If they really want to keep everyone safe, have no season at all. One more month is a tiny adjustment.

 

NBA, NHL and NFL are all having seasons, why not MLB?

[moonslav59]

NBA, NHL and NFL are all having seasons, why not MLB?

 

MLB cancelled their season?

[mvp 78]

MLB cancelled their season?

 

Why would the delay Spring Training? Doesn't make sense to me.

[moonslav59]

Why would the delay Spring Training? Doesn't make sense to me.

 

I guess the hope is COVID improves by fall and more fans can come to the games, more people are vaccinated, including players, umps and coaches.

 

I get the reasoning, but they don't have to push back the start dates. I doubt the schedule is shortened, except by maybe in season issues arising.

[Bellhorn04]

NBA, NHL and NFL are all having seasons, why not MLB?

 

And MLB already had a 60 game regular season and an extra-long postseason...

[mvp 78]

I guess the hope is COVID improves by fall and more fans can come to the games, more people are vaccinated, including players, umps and coaches.

 

I get the reasoning, but they don't have to push back the start dates. I doubt the schedule is shortened, except by maybe in season issues arising.

 

Again, the only reason the season was delayed last year was because of local ordinances that forbid gatherings of 20+ people. That's not the case now.

[mvp 78]

And MLB already had a 60 game regular season and an extra-long postseason...

 

If they can have the Super Bowl go on as scheduled, they can allow for Spring Training with reduced attendance.

[moonslav59]

Again, the only reason the season was delayed last year was because of local ordinances that forbid gatherings of 20+ people. That's not the case now.

 

Yes, I get that, but having games in front of 6,000 fans instead of 20,000 to 40,000 is a big difference.

 

You have to see why the owners would rather play 25 of their games in October rather than April.

 

I can also see why the players don't want to change anything.

[Elktonnick]

"There is no guarantee a delay of one month would be enough to improve the players’ chances of staying safe or ensure they would get the vaccine. But many team employees, at the executive level and below, are nervous about reporting in two weeks to Florida and Arizona, where the rates of infection are declining but remain high. Those employees express particular concern for the safety of older coaches, managers, umpires and staffers who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.

 

For now, however, all systems are go. Even though the government recommended against it." By Ken Rosenthal Feb 3, 2021 The Athletic

 

 

The season will go ahead as planned. However the onus is now on the player's association. If there is an outbreak and anyone gets really sick and games get cancelled they can not blame the owners.

 

IMO it was a dumb move by the players because they were going to get paid for 162 games even though they were only going to play 154. Moreover expanded playoffs and universal DH probably means a chance for more FAs getting jobs and more players earning extra bucks. Once again I think the palyers union is cutting off its nose to spite its face.

 

BTW I guess the Player's Union doesn't believe in following the science.

[mvp 78]

"There is no guarantee a delay of one month would be enough to improve the players’ chances of staying safe or ensure they would get the vaccine. But many team employees, at the executive level and below, are nervous about reporting in two weeks to Florida and Arizona, where the rates of infection are declining but remain high. Those employees express particular concern for the safety of older coaches, managers, umpires and staffers who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.

 

For now, however, all systems are go. Even though the government recommended against it." By Ken Rosenthal Feb 3, 2021 The Athletic

 

 

The season will go ahead as planned. However the onus is now on the player's association. If there is an outbreak and anyone gets really sick and games get cancelled they can not blame the owners.

 

IMO it was a dumb move by the players because they were going to get paid for 162 games even though they were only going to play 154. Moreover expanded playoffs and universal DH probably means a chance for more FAs getting jobs and more players earning extra bucks. Once again I think the palyers union is cutting off its nose to spite its face.

 

BTW I guess the Player's Union doesn't believe in following the science.

 

Universal DH and expanded playoffs creates exactly 0 new jobs.

[moonslav59]

"There is no guarantee a delay of one month would be enough to improve the players’ chances of staying safe or ensure they would get the vaccine. But many team employees, at the executive level and below, are nervous about reporting in two weeks to Florida and Arizona, where the rates of infection are declining but remain high. Those employees express particular concern for the safety of older coaches, managers, umpires and staffers who are more vulnerable to COVID-19.

 

For now, however, all systems are go. Even though the government recommended against it." By Ken Rosenthal Feb 3, 2021 The Athletic

 

 

The season will go ahead as planned. However the onus is now on the player's association. If there is an outbreak and anyone gets really sick and games get cancelled they can not blame the owners.

 

IMO it was a dumb move by the players because they were going to get paid for 162 games even though they were only going to play 154. Moreover expanded playoffs and universal DH probably means a chance for more FAs getting jobs and more players earning extra bucks. Once again I think the palyers union is cutting off its nose to spite its face.

 

BTW I guess the Player's Union doesn't believe in following the science.

 

Agreed, and since the players are getting paid for 162 while playing 154, what's the issue with a few teams playing an extra round or playoffs?

 

Adding the DH should be something they want, too. It keeps older (higher paid) players in the league longer.

 

Yes, it seems to me, they missed a chance to get somethings they want anyway.

[notin]

Universal DH and expanded playoffs creates exactly 0 new jobs.

 

Universal DH does raise the pay grade of 15 existing ones...

[moonslav59]

Universal DH and expanded playoffs creates exactly 0 new jobs.

 

Yes, but my guess is they get paid more than most NL team's 26th men.

 

Most will be established vets making more money.

 

It will extend careers of several players, and most unions push to strengthen the position of their most senior members.

[Elktonnick]

Universal DH and expanded playoffs creates exactly 0 new jobs.

 

Once again you misconstrued what I wrote. What I wrote was that more Free Agents of whom there are current 149 were more likely getting signed next year if there were expanded playoffs and a universal dh not that more jobs per se would be created.

 

It is an irrefutable fact that the implementation of the DH extended some players careers. The dirty little secret is the player's association could care less about the lesser known free agents. If I were among those who doesn't get picked up next year because of the union's position I would not be very happy about it.

[moonslav59]

Once again you misconstrued what I wrote. What I wrote was that more Free Agents of whom there are current 149 were more likely getting signed next year if there were expanded playoffs and a universal dh not that more jobs per se would be created.

 

It is an irrefutable fact that the implementation of the DH extended some players careers. The dirty little secret is the player's association could care less about the lesser known free agents. If I were among those who doesn't get picked up next year because of the union's position I would not be very happy about it.

 

Long time vets that would DH would likely be paid more than young 26th men on NL rosters.

[notin]

Once again you misconstrued what I wrote. What I wrote was that more Free Agents of whom there are current 149 were more likely getting signed next year if there were expanded playoffs and a universal dh not that more jobs per se would be created.

 

It is an irrefutable fact that the implementation of the DH extended some players careers. The dirty little secret is the player's association could care less about the lesser known free agents. If I were among those who doesn't get picked up next year because of the union's position I would not be very happy about it.

 

 

That’s hardly a secret. As secrets go, it’s about as well known as Victoria’s...

[Elktonnick]

Nashville would be a true small market, as it ranks 36th among USA metropolitan areas. On it's own, only Milwaukee represents a smaller market with an MLB franchise. Charlotte, Portland, San Antonio and Sacramento are all larger markets, barring drastic changes fro the 2010 census, which is possible. I need more current data. And of course the Memphis metro area should be considered, which does make Nashville larger than Charlotte. (But Memphis is like 3 hours away, so it is not a given.)

 

Now a free stadium would be nice, although I hate when cities do that (and hate it more when teams hold them hostage for one).

 

Despite the obvious competition from the Yankees and Mets, they might have their best chance to carve out a fanbase in Brooklyn...

 

That’s hardly a secret. As secrets go, it’s about as well known as Victoria’s...

I was being sarcastic. The player's association is primarily interested in protecting the interests of the player's association. If actual players benefit that is purely accidental.

[mvp 78]

Happy Truck Day.

[notin]

I was being sarcastic. The player's association is primarily interested in protecting the interests of the player's association. If actual players benefit that is purely accidental.

 

Don't ruin one of my better metaphorical punchlines!!!

[Elktonnick]

Don't ruin one of my better metaphorical punchlines!!!

 

Sorry! I'll make it up to you ! Who's on first. What's on second.....

[mvp 78]

Happy Truck Day.

 

Truck is currently enroute to Jet Blue.

 

Honk. Honk.

[Thunder]

Truck is currently enroute to Jet Blue.

 

Honk. Honk.

 

We're shipping down to Flor'da woah-oh-oh

[notin]

We're shipping down to Flor'da woah-oh-oh

 

They’re just going to dump everything on mvp’s lawn....

[Kimmi]

Happy Truck Day.

 

!!!

 

It's officially baseball season!

[mvp 78]

They’re just going to dump everything on mvp’s lawn....

 

They’ll be picking the oak leaves out of their gear for the rest of the month.

[Elktonnick]

They’ll be picking the oak leaves out of their gear for the rest of the month.

 

Can anyone confirm the traffic report that the Red Sox truck.was pulled over for going too slow on I 95 through New York!

[oldtimer]

Can anyone confirm the traffic report that the Red Sox truck.was pulled over for going too slow on I 95 through New York!

 

They were probably stealing signs along the highway.

[notin]

Can anyone confirm the traffic report that the Red Sox truck.was pulled over for going too slow on I 95 through New York!

 

It wasn’t going to slow. It got injured and will spend the next 15 days on the IL...