2020-2021 Off-Season News, Notes and Discussion

[Bourgeois Zee]

Oh please, there’s going to be a season. If there isn’t MLB will look like even more of an embarrassing joke. NFL, NHL, NBA, MLS, EPL, etc are all playing. MLB is actually the most pandemic friendly. Very little contact and a lot of open air and space. That’s just an excuse by the owners for actively ruining the sport.

They may not have a season with spectators. (The beginning of the season almost assuredly won't start with fans in the seats.) They (The owners) are going to try to delay the season by any means necessary to limit payroll without fans. There are already rumors of owners unhappy with starting on time-- those whispers will become shouts as they get closer to Spring Training.

They'll look to cut costs in any way possible. (Cincinnati, among the most, I'd suspect.)

That may mean going into Spring Training will several open 40-man roster spots. (Krall will spin it as being "open" to what might be out there.)

[RedTeamGo!]

They may not have a season with spectators. (The beginning of the season almost assuredly won't start with fans in the seats.) They (The owners) are going to try to delay the season by any means necessary to limit payroll without fans. There are already rumors of owners unhappy with starting on time-- those whispers will become shouts as they get closer to Spring Training.

They'll look to cut costs in any way possible. (Cincinnati, among the most, I'd suspect.)

That may mean going into Spring Training will several open 40-man roster spots. (Krall will spin it as being "open" to what might be out there.)

You might be right, but I don’t think there is any legit excuse not to start on time outside of saving money. Why is it the owners in all sports don’t actively stop play over this issue but MLB owners want to?

Honestly, What is the difference?

[Bourgeois Zee]

You might be right, but I don’t think there is any legit excuse not to start on time outside of saving money. Why is it the owners in all sports don’t actively stop play over this issue but MLB owners want to?

Honestly, What is the difference?

Take your pick:
- The ability to control the commissioner's office and its message
- A lack of trust (and lack of ability) within the MLBPA
- Guaranteed contracts, but no payroll floor
- Lack of actual fans of the sport among the owners
- Lack of trust between owners and players

[RedTeamGo!]

Take your pick:
- The ability to control the commissioner's office and its message
- A lack of trust (and lack of ability) within the MLBPA
- Guaranteed contracts, but no payroll floor
- Lack of actual fans of the sport among the owners
- Lack of trust between owners and players

None of these are legit excuses

[M2]

Yeah there’s basically zero point in developing players like Castillo if you’re just going to trade him at his current salary level. He’s making nothing. He’s basically the best case scenario for prospects, you hope you get a guy who produces like an all star for what Castillo makes. The likelihood of you getting extra value there is very very slim.

Same honestly for trading Gray.

Agreed. If they're moving either of those two now, I question whether they'll ever have the capacity or will to build toward a sustained run.

[Bourgeois Zee]

None of these are legit excuses

What do you mean by "legit"?

Legally? Morally? Actual real life?

These are the reasons why MLB owners can do things differently than other leagues.

[Ron Madden]

Major League Baseball sent a detailed memo to its 30 teams Monday restricting access to their facilities and limiting voluntary workouts before the start of spring training, according to a copy of the document obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/4142122...mpression=true

[Kc61]

Baseball owners are likely waiting for more info on the shape of the season, and also waiting for FA prices to come down. So signings have been slow.

In other sports owners/GMs don’t have the luxury of waiting. Free agency is conducted in much more of a hurry. FA goes much slower in baseball, even pre-COVID, and current circumstances have slowed it down even more.

[HammerTime]

Baseball owners are likely waiting for more info on the shape of the season, and also waiting for FA prices to come down. So signings have been slow.

In other sports owners/GMs don’t have the luxury of waiting. Free agency is conducted in much more of a hurry. FA goes much slower in baseball, even pre-COVID, and current circumstances have slowed it down even more.

One of the many reasons baseball is dying. FA is a huge event in most of the other major sports.

[Kc61]

One of the many reasons baseball is dying. FA is a huge event in most of the other major sports.

We’ve had this discussion before. IMO other sports are better situated for a short FA signing period. NBA has salary slots - max, super max, mid-level exception, etc. NFL has a hard cap.

Probably would be objection to a short period for MLB free agency. Very much a “free market” system in which some participants likely use the passage of time as a strategy to drive salary up or pay less.

Certainly not impossible, would love to see MLB adopt a relatively brief FA period in the off-season.

[Coopdaddy67]

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan 9m
Reliever Blake Treinen and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a two-year deal for $17.5 million with a club option that’s worth $8 million, sources tell ESPN.

That's quite a bit of money for a guy that's basically been average over the past two years after an incredible 2018 season.

[Ron Madden]

Mark Feinsand
@Feinsand
Breakdown of Blake Treinen’s contract with the Dodgers, which guarantees $17.5 million and can be worth $24 million if third-year option is exercised:

Signing bonus: $4 million
2021: $6 million
2022: $6 million
2023: $8 million club option ($1.5 million buyout)

[Old school 1983]

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/01/05/u...rnd/index.html

[Edd Roush]

That's quite a bit of money for a guy that's basically been average over the past two years after an incredible 2018 season.

Average is actually quite generous for how he pitched in 2019. He did get back to his ground ball ways last year, but is it really a turn around after 25 2/3 innings? I am with you in being surprised by that dollar amount. Kinda hard to imagine Archie Bradley didn't have trade value seeing how much Treinen got.

[Ron Madden]

Bobby Nightengale @nightengalejr
Bryan Conger joins the #Reds as their minor league pitching coordinator. He was a MiLB coach for the Texas Rangers the last 2 years. Former head coach at Tarleton State.
Quote Tweet
BRYAN CONGER @BryanConger31
Excited to announce that I have accepted the Pitching Coordinator job with the Cincinnati Reds.

Thankful for everyone that has been a part of this journey. Can’t wait to get going. #Spincinnati