2019-2020 MLB Non-Phillies News/Notes Discussion

andyb 2019-06-20 22:54:40 UTC #261

I can't imagine the player's association will (or should) like this:

New stadiums in each city. And each only gets a partial season? The cities should not go along with that.

zambonir 2019-06-20 22:57:35 UTC #262

The mayor of St. Pete isn't having it.

julio 2019-06-20 22:59:27 UTC #263

If the Rays want to absorb the full cost of new facilities, Montreal might be OK with it. St. Pete's mayor, as noted, has killed the idea, presumably through 2027.

BostonRoss 2019-06-21 03:36:35 UTC #264

I cant imagine it would happen, but I always liked the idea of the Rays moving to Montreal and the Marlins playing half of their games in the Tampa area. They could be the Florida Marlins again.

zambonir 2019-06-24 04:47:41 UTC #265

We sure as heck better beat the Mets because they are in worse shape than we are.

fish 2019-06-24 13:58:17 UTC #266

Jean Segura falls asleep at short while a fist fight between Mets at second base erupts as both team's dugouts shout to try to get their attention that the ball is still live. Followed by 8 home runs allowed combined in the 8th and 9th by the bullpens. Might be a race to fire managers to get to Joe Girardi.

andyb 2019-06-25 17:41:33 UTC #267

They really need to deaden the ball back to behave like the older balls did. I don't care if technically these balls are legal. They have changed the game and certainly have the capability to change it back.

flyers19rw 2019-06-25 21:25:48 UTC #268

If the stitches are raised on the balls and they also are less polished, the pitchers will have better ability to get the ball to move on a consistent basis. Additionally, the game ought to give the inside pitch back to the pitchers. Hitters stand on top of the plate with no fear since they’re loaded with body armor to protect them from the pain of getting hit.

el-pietro 2019-06-26 08:35:36 UTC #269

If they fix the ball we might see virtually all offense disappear. They need to do something to limit strikeouts at the same time such as reducing the strike-zone or pushing the mound back.

bkeich 2019-06-26 13:18:40 UTC #270

I agree they need to find a way to reduce strikeouts, but some of it is offensive theory. The fact that there were analysis that showed (i still think incorrectly) that strikeouts are not particularly worse than any other form of out has caused teams to teach hitters to swing hard at every pitch and no longer just "try to make contact" when you have 2 strikes. That is partly because error rates are so low now, but also because the belief is that you can't just "put it in play", that the hitter has to do something with the ball. Having stats like exit velocity, etc. just makes it worse.

I doubt Pete Rose or Tony Gwynn ever hit a ball with high exit velocity. They just learned how to hit a ball 130-160 feet and get it over the infield. That skill is gone.

jimbomill 2019-06-26 16:43:12 UTC #271

Sadly, that seems to be the case.

Lawman 2019-07-01 18:01:54 UTC #272

Happy Bobby Bonilla day.

bkox 2019-07-02 17:56:31 UTC #273

Kinda amazing that the two players who kept the baseball world captivated all winter and then signed for a combined $630 million, both miss making the All Star team

gmwannabe 2019-07-09 01:57:02 UTC #274

just watching the home run derby. man it looks like Vlad Jr. could be a bruising fullback for Dougie P. i didn't realize his body size. he already looks like Cabrera. but still would love to have him at CBP playing 3rd. ortiz is a little taller, but is that what he looks like also.
gm

bkox 2019-07-11 01:31:28 UTC #275

Lawman 2019-07-11 12:46:07 UTC #276

This concept is.....interesting.

bkeich 2019-07-11 14:22:16 UTC #277

What I couldn’t figure out is if the hitter tries it (ie ball hits the ground, hitter runs) and they don’t make it, are they out or do they get to contribute their AB? I assume out or there is no downside to trying and it would greatly extend the length of a game.

How will it be determined, is there going to be a line they cross? Just making a move in the umps opinion? (That would be way to strict I fear)

My initial thought is I hate the idea, but honestly, maybe it is not so bad upon consideration. I always thought it was an oddity if the game that the catcher has no real penalty for missing the ball with no one on base.

I like that Baseball is trying new things that could add excitement to the game.

bkox 2019-07-11 17:22:00 UTC #278

I agree. It could add some excitement and even bring the element of speed back into the game. IMO the 80s were such an exciting baseball time. You had one or two players that started off the season flirting with 61 HRs.. but you also had a dozen or more players who could steal 50+ bags a season. The running redbirds of the 80s were a fun successful team and rarely had a player with more than 20 or so HRs

I know analytics say SBs are bad.. but they made the game more fun. I was so hoping that Billy Hamilton would have good offensive skills because I wanted to see someone make a run at 100 again.

Lucky_Beagle 2019-07-11 17:37:39 UTC #279

Will it be a "force" out or a tag out type of play? I hate the idea as listed. It basically lets a guy try to get to first base on a wild pitch (passed ball) I would rather see a play in which the batter can take off running to first and try to beat the throw to first from the catcher provided he immediately tried on the pitch. Once the ball bounces hits the ground or gets past the catcher he is not permitted to try.

phillychuck 2019-07-11 19:48:30 UTC #280

Let's be sure wee are being correct here--analytics say CSs are bad, not SBs. a 67% SB rate vs CS is about neutral; anything better than that is positive analytically (and more positive when used intelligently by situation). Most of the Running Redbirds were way over 67%. As were Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, and Chase Utley back in their heyday.