2021 MLB Non-Phillies News/Notes

[bkox]

The Cleveland Indians will be changing their name to the Cleveland Guardians

[Philsmania]

The Cleveland Indians will be changing their name to the Cleveland Guardians

I was hoping they would pick Spiders even though the 1899 Spiders were arguably the worst team in ML history (20-134)

[DurhamBull]

I like Spiders too, but something tells me that in 1899 they weren’t as big on mascots.

[zambonir]

I think there were trademark and merch issues that could have easily been resolved with time and money, but they didn't want to.

[el-pietro]

I'd have bought a Spiders cap immediately if the art work was well done. Though I appreciate many people have an automatic aversion to Spiders. Guardians is fine, its not any worse than the Phillies. Just not very interesting to me as an outsider.

[Taudawg]

Guardians doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.

[xogfog]

What exactly are they guarding?

[xogfog]

Interesting idea:

MLB to test electronic device for catcher signals

[bkox]

What exactly are they guarding?

has something to do with a bridge in Cleveland near the stadium.

[rkeden]

If you think the Phils problems will be solved by the trading deadline, I have a bridge to sell you in Cleveland. Unfortunately, I can't, because it is being guarded.

[bkox]

The Guardians nickname refers to statues just outside the stadium on the Hope Memorial Bridge. The 43-foot "Guardians of Traffic" have stood for nearly 100 years and are meant to symbolize progress and transportation.

Where does the Cleveland Guardians nickname come from?

[flyers19rw]

You can keep the bridge but I wouldn't mind extracting Ramierez, Bieber and Plesac from Cleveland.

[zambonir]

Mets’ agreement with Kumar Rocker suddenly in jeopardy

[andyb]

In other vaccine news, Yelich tests positive but was fully vaccinated. Jace Peterson also on IL because of contact tracing. It is really the contact tracing that kills teams. We know the Delta variant can infect (though rarely seriously) fully vaccinated people. But if much of your clubhouse is unvaccinated teams could easily lose multiple players from one positive test.

[bkox]

Stephen Strasburg will undergo neurogenic thoracic outlet surgery to repair the nerve issue that has hurt his neck this summer. The Nationals hope he’ll be ready by spring training next year.

— Maria Torres ( @maria_torres3 ) July 27, 2021

So far Stras has been paid $70M of that contract he signed after 2019 and has made 7 starts with a 7.21ERA.

Thoracic Outlet surgery is hard to rebound from. Nats still owe $175M

[Philsmania]

[quote="bkox, post:417, topic:52127, full:true"]

Stephen Strasburg will undergo neurogenic thoracic outlet surgery to repair the nerve issue that has hurt his neck this summer. The Nationals hope he’ll be ready by spring training next year.

— Maria Torres ( @maria_torres3 ) July 27, 2021

So far Stras has been paid $70M of that contract he signed after 2019 and has made 7 starts with a 7.21ERA.

Thoracic Outlet surgery is hard to rebound from. Nats still owe $175M
[/quote]

Somewhat reminiscent of the Phillies and Dykstra after 1993. Giles was so grateful for and awed by Dykstra's '93 season that he lavished that contract on him despite his age and injury history. Likewise, the Lerners were probably similarly swayed after the Nats' 2019 title.

[andyb]

When we were discussing big contracts like Harper's I noted that an opt out could be an advantage for the signing team as well as the player. A player might sign for a bit less if they are given an opt out. But then could leave if they have a couple of good years and become more expensive.

A team needs to be willing to let the player leave when their performance gives them a contract which is no longer a discount but an overpay. I hope Stras comes back because that would be good for baseball. Just not having much hope that he'll ever be more than 80% of what he was. He does have 4 pitches at least, so from an arsenel standpoint he has a better chance than most if he loses some more velocity.

[bkox]

Terry Francona will step away from managerial duties for the remainder of the 2021 season to focus on his health and recovery.

DeMarlo Hale will assume managerial duties for the rest of the season. pic.twitter.com/wDO9xRVuya

— Cleveland Indians ( @Indians ) July 29, 2021

[bkox]

Mariners reliever Hector Santiago has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for exogenous Testosterone, a performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program

— Ryan Divish ( @RyanDivish ) July 30, 2021

[bkox]

MLB announces Nationals infielder Starlin Castro suspended 30 games without pay and fined an undisclosed amount for violating league’s joint domestic violence policy.

— Ken Rosenthal ( @Ken_Rosenthal ) July 30, 2021

Nats have a zero tolerance policy. They say Castro will be released when the suspension is over. https://t.co/KxvV6jT6gw

— Jon Heyman ( @JonHeyman ) July 30, 2021