Quote from 84padres on February 19, 2021, 2:56 pm

 

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 19, 2021, 2:20 pm

Tyson Ross signs with the Rangers.

 

I wish him well, always liked him but couldn't get healthy

Quote from fenn68 on March 8, 2021, 1:49 pm

Sometimes I just shake my head on the thinking of some MLB players.

Apparetnly during ST Cleveland’s Ramirez and Franmil Reyes went out to a restaurant for dinner and Reyes went out for a haircut. This after all the intense instruction on health protocols that prohibits those activities.

Did they know it was a violation .. YES ... since they turned themselves in.

Now they get suspended for COVID evaluation ... but this is ST with 3 weeks to go and in ST they don’t get paid so no financial loss to them (maybe the per diem). So, two guys who say that they don’t really care about your rules and the penalty is not playing in meaningless ST games that are boring earns them two vacation days.

Go Team!

Quote from Brian Connelly on March 12, 2021, 6:20 am

Angels right-hander Gerardo Reyes will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the 2021 season,

Came to Pads in Wil Myers trade with Jose Castillo.  Weird they both need TJ within weeks of each other.  Traded to Angels for Jason Castro last deadline.

Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2021, 6:39 am

Minor Leagues will be testing rule changes during 2021 ... probably a precursor to CBA negotiations next winter and implementation for 2022.

MLB wants more “action” to return to the game ... apparently 2020 delivered the LOWEST hits / game and SB in a half of century. To that end:

AAA: increase the size of the base for 15 inch square to 18 inch square. Sounds small but apparently will benefit baserunners being successful.

AA: all four INF need to have feet on the dirt and if that is workable in the 2nd half move to requiring two on the left side and two on the right side. Goal is to benefit hitters .. more hits / baserunners. Alternatively, infielders will need to be better defensively (range).

A+: need to step off rubber to make a pick-off ... max two pick-off attempts if runners on base (unless successful) ... would bring base stealing back (really don’t like this one).

A: on field timers ... pitch clock, inning breaks, pitching changes ... plus ball-strike assist for umpires.

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Seems somewhat beneficial to the Padres who have really built with athletes for defense and speed for base stealing. Plus, a bigger focus on contact / line-drive hitters play into these potential changes ... fly ball hitters may suffer a bit.

 

Quote from MrPadre19 on March 12, 2021, 12:03 pm

I agree with the electronic strike zone more than the other changes.

That is designed to "get it right" while the others are to either speed up the game or change the amount of action(offense)

I don't like rules that change the way the game is played.....like the 3 batter rule but do like those that make it more accurate,like instant replay for example.

Changing the size of the bases isn't too much of a change so I could live with it.

 

 

Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2021, 12:19 pm

100% behind the electronic strike zone ... agree getting it “right” is the objective. Puts the pitchers and hitters up against each other without the third wheel umpire that varies his calls and makes them part of the game. That consistency should help most of the pitchers and hitters ... with a few exceptions that get the benefit of “wide strike zones”.

Personally, will “love” eliminating the on-going second guessing the call (complete with fake outrage) by almost every radio / tv broadcaster. Maybe they will need to get their act upgraded with more interesting commentary. Gotten to the point that every close pitch is in question ... not going to change anything but just the repetition cuts into the entertainment value.

Probably the most value comes for the betting aspect ... the gamblers will not get games lost by a bad umpire call. MLB (as with all sports) want to make a product reliable for betting purposes ... get more fans involved ... make more money.

Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2021, 12:33 pm

I have been converted to the 4 man on the INF dirt rule. Maybe forced but does take baseball back to “the way it was” and will add offense to a sport that needs offense to improve fan engagement. Sort of this year’s version of lowering the mound in the 60’s. Almost every other sport has made competitive rule changes ..... 24 second clock / no zone defenses in basketball ... unlimited substitutions in football in the 50-60s / annual rule modifications annually .... offsides rule in hockey. Baseball as usual is late to the party of satisfying mass fans need for entertainment ... and subsequently make more profit.

The idea of the players changing to “beat the shift” is not turning into reality on the field. Players just don’t get paid for a slap singles so go the route of swinging for the fences ... more Ks, lower on base.

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Quote from 3fingersplit on March 12, 2021, 12:35 pm

The one I am curious about is the base size only because how many bang bang plays we see every year at first base and if the runner hits the front of the bag it can be an eyelash difference but now with the bag actually 1.5 inches closer to home plate I honestly believe the amount of runners beating a throw will go up or the amount of challenges will go up....really doesn't sound like alot but will be curious to see

Quote from fenn68 on March 12, 2021, 1:42 pm

Quote from 3fingersplit on March 12, 2021, 12:35 pm

The one I am curious about is the base size only because how many bang bang plays we see every year at first base and if the runner hits the front of the bag it can be an eyelash difference but now with the bag actually 1.5 inches closer to home plate I honestly believe the amount of runners beating a throw will go up or the amount of challenges will go up....really doesn't sound like alot but will be curious to see

Also heard commentary that the 3 inch larger base will (may) reduce some injuries caused by runners catching the edges causing sprained ankles / trips plus a bit more space between the first baseman's foot and the landing spot for the runner ... a bit more safety. I speculate that the players' feet are much bigger on average that when the 15 inch base was prescribed ... so a bigger base might work better.

Have heard the 15 to 18 inch square change may also come with a reduction in the "slickness" of the surface to create a better grip for both the hands and spikes. On the other had, have not heard any change to the height of the base ... don't know when the current height was mandated but a higher base combined with less slick surface could reduce those annoying over slides leading to outs.