The Los Angeles Dodgers have reported to Dodger Stadium; or at least some of them have. There are some who have apparently tested positive for the coronavirus, while others (so far only David Price) has opted to sit out the 2020 season. I am perfectly comfortable with any player or management personnel deciding that it is in their best interests to opt out for the season. I just hope that…
Players are expected to report to camp beginning today and there are a couple of topics that have caught my attention. It has been close to 50 years since MLB moved from a four man rotation into the current five man rotation. However for 2020, in an abbreviated season, the six man rotation is being considered. There are now a couple of teams coming out indicating that they are going…
Media Questions for AF and Doc – The first several minutes were spent with respect to COVID-19. The Dodgers are still trying to understand all of the protocols. It is a brand new scenario, and they are all learning. A question with respect to how many Dodgers and staff have tested positive for COVID-19. AF indicated that there have been some, but none were considered serious, and that they will…
Well…MLB players are expected to report July 1 to their home fields for COVID-19 testing and to initiate ST 2.0. Camp is due to begin July 3. As is usually the case with “normal” ST, pitchers and catchers will report first, with position players due to follow. It is expected that the players will report to ST on a staggered basis, and that they would be on the field at…
I want to be clear from the start. I am now, and I always have been on the side of the players when it comes to salary. They are entitled to whatever they can get. Scott Boras and Gerrit Cole can convince NYY that Cole should be paid $324MM, and that becomes his Fair Market Value (FMV). But Scott has no right to dictate to the owners as a group…
Well I got my hopes up earlier in the week when Rob Manfred met face to face with Tony Clark and “reached a framework that could form the basis of an agreement” for a 2020 restart with full prorated play. On June 17, the twitter world was all abuzz about this pending “deal”. Jon Heyman Breaking: MLB and players union are closing in on an agreement to play the 2020…
With the 100th pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, The Los Angeles Dodgers select…Jake Vogel, CF, Huntington Beach High School, Huntington Beach, California. https://www.mlb.com/video/2020-draft-jake-vogel-of?t=mlb-draft “Now batting for your Los Angeles Dodgers, CF, Jake Vogel”. At least that is what his high school coach is hoping to hear. More players from California have gone on to play MLB than any other state, and in particular Southern California has been a gold…
Once again Billy Gasparino was following the recommendation of super scout Marty Lamb in drafting 1st round draft pick, Louisville RHP Bobby Miller. He was also responsible for scouting and drafting 2nd round pick, Landon Knack out of East Tennessee St. They were close to a third recommended player, Louisville OF, Zach Britton, but chose Carson Taylor instead. Britton went in the 6th round to Toronto. Marty Lamb has been…
The evening started with a couple of important comments. Per Rob Manfred – “We’re going to play Baseball in 2020” Announcement with all 30 GMs united in their support for Black Lives Matter. The united front was the brainchild of Theo Epstein. It is certainly a fantastic program in light of current events, but it needs to be more than just feel good platitudes in order for there to be…
Round 1 begins tonight at 4:00PM PT on MLB Network and ESPN. Rounds 2 – 5 begins Thursday at 2:00PM PT on MLB Netwok and ESPN2 We will be covering the draft in detail. I will be covering Day 1, while 2D2 will be covering Day 2. I will summarize the full draft, and Harold will follow up with an in-depth profile of the Dodgers #1 pick and perhaps others….