I'm indifferent to the shift, don't really care one way or another. I understand why they would be interested in eliminating it.

redline248 said:

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...and as to baseball falling behind, I put that more on the league's terrible marketing and obstacles to viewing. There is no reason a fan in Texas should have to use a VPN or illegal stream to watch the Astros or Rangers. Yet, that is the case for a lot of households, if not the majority of them.

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Uhh....yeah....who would do such a thing......

I'm against limiting the shift from rules, but what would Tucker's BA look like if they do outlaw the shift. Of course, the Dodgers will also score 10 runs per game.

Ag_07 said:

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My whole deal is where do you draw the line?

If you're going to outlaw shifts shouldn't you also outlaw outfielders lining up to close a gap or eliminate no doubles alignment? How about just a coach waving over a guy to play left CF instead of straight up? I don't see a difference between either of those and an infield shift.

The lines are blurred and for me it just doesn't make any sense to make shifts against the rules but allow for other defensive alignments.

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Apparently you have to draw the lines where there are literal lines on the field. This rule for example does not "take it back to the way things was" it actually appears to ban the second baseman and shortstop from playing deep (ie beyond the 95 foot radius infield dirt or outfield stripe) which has always been relatively common, especially at second base.

IMO, there is also the little problem with the fact that the shortstop is not an infielder, but an outfielder that was shifted to the infield (ie short), so really this is just typical old people deciding that "the game was better" at whatever arbitrary point and absolutely is not some BS "white knights saving the popularity of baseball"

Does the reverse apply as well? Like the rare occasion when you bring in an OF in the 9th and the bases loaded to have 5 infielders? Will that be outlawed as well? If they try to outlaw shifts it just opens up Pandora's box.

redline248 said:

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...and as to baseball falling behind, I put that more on the league's terrible marketing and obstacles to viewing. There is no reason a fan in Texas should have to use a VPN or illegal stream to watch the Astros or Rangers. Yet, that is the case for a lot of households, if not the majority of them.

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things are the way they are to protect the cable/satellite providers. they want you to sign up for cable or satellite to get the games

superaggie73 said:

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Does the reverse apply as well? Like the rare occasion when you bring in an OF in the 9th and the bases loaded to have 5 infielders? Will that be outlawed as well? If they try to outlaw shifts it just opens up Pandora's box.

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I dont see how you could possibly justify allowing that if you arent allowing infielders to play outfield. However, at first it would probably not technically be banned by the rules and it will start the faux outrage whining up to ten (especially if, god forbid, it involves a game with like the red sox or yankees, etc) and soon there will be all kind of "positioning" schemes that have to be banned.

Never too early for a pitcher update!

Cishek - After getting hit hard in his first outing, he's looked very good in his last two with 6 K / 1 BB over 2.2 innings and allowed only 1 H / 0 ER

Pete Solomon - Had his first spring outing last night and I think it was his first outing since coming back from TJ surgery. Struck out 3 and walked none in 2 innings. Gave up one hit, no runs.

Tyler Ivey - New delivery seems to be working. Given up 1 H and 0 ER over 4 innings. Struck out 6, walked 3.

Raley, Pressley, Javier, J Smith, Paredes. B Taylor and Scrubb have yet to give up a run.

07ag said:

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redline248 said:

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...and as to baseball falling behind, I put that more on the league's terrible marketing and obstacles to viewing. There is no reason a fan in Texas should have to use a VPN or illegal stream to watch the Astros or Rangers. Yet, that is the case for a lot of households, if not the majority of them.

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things are the way they are to protect the cable/satellite providers. they want you to sign up for cable or satellite to get the games

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Things are they way they are to protect baseball's significant rights fees paid by regional and national networks. Broadcast territories do that. MLB sets these rules, not the regional networks or cable/satellite companies. Using a VPN to get around paying for an RSN is stealing.

The shift is annoying but I dont think it's killing the game or needs to be corrected

JJxvi said:

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superaggie73 said:

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Does the reverse apply as well? Like the rare occasion when you bring in an OF in the 9th and the bases loaded to have 5 infielders? Will that be outlawed as well? If they try to outlaw shifts it just opens up Pandora's box.

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I dont see how you could possibly justify allowing that if you arent allowing infielders to play outfield. However, at first it would probably not technically be banned by the rules and it will start the faux outrage whining up to ten (especially if, god forbid, it involves a game with like the red sox or yankees, etc) and soon there will be all kind of "positioning" schemes that have to be banned.

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Hence the reason they are testing it first in the minor leagues.

If y'all have a sub to The Athletic, check out this story about Greinke. They asked 15 catchers that caught him throughout his career about funny stories about him.

https://theathletic.com/2414947/2021/03/12/zack-greinke-catchers-oral-history/

Anyway around the paywall?

Bregman getting a lot of respect.

n_touch said:

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Anyway around the paywall?

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sign up for the subscription? You get a 7 day free trial you can cancel

I'd love to be the bookie collecting EASY money from idiots betting Torres will win MVP

Looks like we're the underdog here.

The more I think about it, the more I think the As going to give us a dogfight this year. We're going to need 95+.

Jeff and his obsession with Jed is gone.

This article is so damn good

Interview with Reddick about his free agency. His part starts at about 23:30.

Dude really wants a job. He even throws $2M out there as a number he'd play for.

https://www.wsn.com/podcast/wise-kracks-ep-34/

Farmer1906 said:

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Looks like we're the underdog here.

The more I think about it, the more I think the As going to give us a dogfight this year. We're going to need 95+.

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Funny...the team that hasn't won a postseason game in 17 years is ranked 2nd in chances to win the AL. Who comes up with this stuff?

n_touch said:

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Anyway around the paywall?

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Before I subscribed I could read 3 per month for free, but no idea if that's still in place.

You're in a bad spot in life if Canseco is taking shots at you.

Interesting thought... Maybe trade him for some salary relief and outfield prospects?