No wind tonight.@NickSwisher pic.twitter.com/IZlJh2ub5n
— Houston Astros (@astros) February 17, 2023
bearkatag15 said:Source: Astros prospect Forrest Whitley added a splitter to his arsenal this offseason, dropping his changeup in the process.
— Kenny Van Doren (@thevandalorian) February 17, 2023
It’s something to look out for this spring, but there’s no guarantee Houston has him stick to the change.
Rob Manfred: "For there to be serious talk about realignment, it would be done in the context of expansion. You almost have to talk about some realignment in the context of expansion...if you went to 32 you'd at least have to talk about getting geographic"
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 16, 2023
Give me a division with Detroit, Minnesota and Arlingtonbearkatag15 said:Rob Manfred: "For there to be serious talk about realignment, it would be done in the context of expansion. You almost have to talk about some realignment in the context of expansion...if you went to 32 you'd at least have to talk about getting geographic"
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 16, 2023
Geography seems likely to play a role in realignment
#⃣2⃣2⃣ on our #Top100RightNow is @Twins SS Carlos Correa! https://t.co/gEFgjEdMHe pic.twitter.com/debojQy5pQ
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 17, 2023
redline248 said:Give me a division with Detroit, Minnesota and Arlingtonbearkatag15 said:Rob Manfred: "For there to be serious talk about realignment, it would be done in the context of expansion. You almost have to talk about some realignment in the context of expansion...if you went to 32 you'd at least have to talk about getting geographic"
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 16, 2023
Geography seems likely to play a role in realignment
These two stole a combined 665 bases in their Big League careers!
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 16, 2023
Harold Reynolds and @rajai11davis discuss how they expect bigger bases will impact the running game in 2023.
📺 MLB Tonight: What's New in 2023 - tonight at 7pm ET pic.twitter.com/FLLwxfSJni
MLB Network's top players in 2023 (from 100-20)
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) February 17, 2023
Astros:
#23: Jose Altuve
#24: Alex Bregman
#30: Kyle Tucker
#40: Jose Abreu
#56: Framber Valdez
#64: Jeremy Peña
Curious how they define getting him out. If pitcher throws to first and runner takes off and they throw him out first to second is that counted as an out? Or a balk because they didn't get him going back to first?McInnis said:
So that video explained something I hadn't understood about the two pickoff try limit. The pitcher can try a third time but if he doesn't get the runner then it's like a balk. I was thinking after the second try it would practically be like a free base, but not exactly. This should mostly put an end to pitchers stalling while they figure out what they want to do. I'm thinking this won't be a bad thing.
Yes, but about 3 inches. Same with 3rd to home. 1dt to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd is about 4.5 inches closer. But that almost puts the fielders closer together on their throws to those bases.Bag said:
question:
The bases are bigger, but does that mean the distance between Homeplate and 1st is now shorter? If so that is a way bigger deal than stealing bases
seems like a solution in search of a problem. This + outlawing the shift will mean a pretty healthy jump in runs, not sure I am a fan tbhFarmer1906 said:Yes, but about 3 inches. Same with 3rd to home. 1dt to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd is about 4.5 inches closer. But that almost puts the fielders closer together on their throws to those bases.Bag said:
question:
The bases are bigger, but does that mean the distance between Homeplate and 1st is now shorter? If so that is a way bigger deal than stealing bases
If expansion occurs some realignment will be necessary, however does anyone really want Manfred to be the commissioner in charge when it happens?bearkatag15 said:Rob Manfred: "For there to be serious talk about realignment, it would be done in the context of expansion. You almost have to talk about some realignment in the context of expansion...if you went to 32 you'd at least have to talk about getting geographic"
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 16, 2023
Geography seems likely to play a role in realignment
Does anyone really want him to be commissioner right now?jkag89 said:If expansion occurs some realignment will be necessary, however does anyone really want Manfred to be the commissioner in charge when it happens?bearkatag15 said:Rob Manfred: "For there to be serious talk about realignment, it would be done in the context of expansion. You almost have to talk about some realignment in the context of expansion...if you went to 32 you'd at least have to talk about getting geographic"
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) February 16, 2023
Geography seems likely to play a role in realignment
New addition to the lobby of the @astros spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla. pic.twitter.com/HkCzC7GoEG
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 17, 2023
Technically, when a runner goes toward 2nd on a throw over it is scored as picked off. I would assume that means the pitcher is safe from a balk, but who knows?MaxPower said:Curious how they define getting him out. If pitcher throws to first and runner takes off and they throw him out first to second is that counted as an out? Or a balk because they didn't get him going back to first?McInnis said:
So that video explained something I hadn't understood about the two pickoff try limit. The pitcher can try a third time but if he doesn't get the runner then it's like a balk. I was thinking after the second try it would practically be like a free base, but not exactly. This should mostly put an end to pitchers stalling while they figure out what they want to do. I'm thinking this won't be a bad thing.
this would be an out.Quote:
Curious how they define getting him out. If pitcher throws to first and runner takes off and they throw him out first to second is that counted as an out?
Difference between "discussing" and throwing an actual # out there as was reported on twitter.Farmer1906 said:#Astros GM Dana Brown said he has discussed long-term contracts with the agents for Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez in recent weeks. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 16, 2023
Didn't Framber's agent just say this wasn't true?
I'm thinking I will be at that series as wellThe Porkchop Express said:
Just bought my tix for Astros @ Braves in late April. First time seeing the good guys on the road in 16 friggin years.
Maybe, but I think Framber's agent was pretty clear.AustinCountyAg said:Difference between "discussing" and throwing an actual # out there as was reported on twitter.Farmer1906 said:#Astros GM Dana Brown said he has discussed long-term contracts with the agents for Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez in recent weeks. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 16, 2023
Didn't Framber's agent just say this wasn't true?
I'm sure Dana's version of "discussing" is putting a feeler out to the agents saying we'd love to get a deal done. what about yall?
Quote:
"I haven't even had a conversation with (general manager Dana Brown) with respect to Framber Valdez. There are no negotiations. Whatever conversations that do exist will not be handled in the press."
that quote is from before Dana made his quote yesterdayFarmer1906 said:Maybe, but I think Framber's agent was pretty clear.AustinCountyAg said:Difference between "discussing" and throwing an actual # out there as was reported on twitter.Farmer1906 said:#Astros GM Dana Brown said he has discussed long-term contracts with the agents for Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez in recent weeks. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 16, 2023
Didn't Framber's agent just say this wasn't true?
I'm sure Dana's version of "discussing" is putting a feeler out to the agents saying we'd love to get a deal done. what about yall?Quote:
"I haven't even had a conversation with (general manager Dana Brown) with respect to Framber Valdez. There are no negotiations. Whatever conversations that do exist will not be handled in the press."
True, there is a small window of time between them.AustinCountyAg said:that quote is from before Dana made his quote yesterdayFarmer1906 said:Maybe, but I think Framber's agent was pretty clear.AustinCountyAg said:Difference between "discussing" and throwing an actual # out there as was reported on twitter.Farmer1906 said:#Astros GM Dana Brown said he has discussed long-term contracts with the agents for Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez in recent weeks. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 16, 2023
Didn't Framber's agent just say this wasn't true?
I'm sure Dana's version of "discussing" is putting a feeler out to the agents saying we'd love to get a deal done. what about yall?Quote:
"I haven't even had a conversation with (general manager Dana Brown) with respect to Framber Valdez. There are no negotiations. Whatever conversations that do exist will not be handled in the press."
Agreed. It's been a long five years.Harry Dunne said:
I watched him pitch for Corpus in 2017 and at he looked so good the time I thought he'd probably be on the 2018 playoff roster.
I hope he stays healthy and puts it all together this year. Just pitching a few innings in the majors would have to be considered a victory at this point.
I think that would have to be the case or else after the second attempt, if the pitcher throws to first then the runner could automatically head to second base. But it's baseball so who knows?redline248 said:Technically, when a runner goes toward 2nd on a throw over it is scored as picked off. I would assume that means the pitcher is safe from a balk, but who knows?MaxPower said:Curious how they define getting him out. If pitcher throws to first and runner takes off and they throw him out first to second is that counted as an out? Or a balk because they didn't get him going back to first?McInnis said:
So that video explained something I hadn't understood about the two pickoff try limit. The pitcher can try a third time but if he doesn't get the runner then it's like a balk. I was thinking after the second try it would practically be like a free base, but not exactly. This should mostly put an end to pitchers stalling while they figure out what they want to do. I'm thinking this won't be a bad thing.
In reality I bet we see very, very few 3rd attempts. Teams won't risk giving up that base.