MLB Offseason Thread

[MichaelWinicki]

The cespedes contract is new news. I'm not doing anything wrong.

Agreed.

But I can see this thing spiraling.

You've made your point. They've made theirs. Let's move on.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Agreed.

But I can see this thing spiraling.

You've made your point. They've made theirs. Let's move on.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I see where MLB is going to discuss (for the 2017 season) upping the strike zone from the bottom of the knee to the top of the knee.

I'm big on this happening.

Strikeout numbers are beyond ridiculous at this point and walks have decreased accordingly, which has also driven down runs scored.

It would also help put more balls in play.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Houston signed Doug Fister to a one-year deal...

Very pleased with this.

Last year was an off-year for the guy as he was used somewhat irregularly by the Nationals, but he was solid for several years prior to that.

He gives the Astros 6 competent to very good arms for the starting rotation.

It gives the youngsters in the minors another year to grow.

It's not a big-name signing but it could be an important piece for Houston come this season.

Oh, and they did not have to give up their 1st round pick for him either.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think both the Yankees and Houston have had good offseasons. I'd rate both a solid "B".

I think Houston is the one to beat in the AL West. I don't know if the Yankees have the pitching to win the East, but they're a wild-card contender IMO.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Pitchers and catchers start reporting in 18 days.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Pitchers and catchers start reporting in 18 days.

 

[FloridaRob]

I see where MLB is going to discuss (for the 2017 season) upping the strike zone from the bottom of the knee to the top of the knee.

I'm big on this happening.

Strikeout numbers are beyond ridiculous at this point and walks have decreased accordingly, which has also driven down runs scored.

It would also help put more balls in play.

Leave the strike zone alone. Knees to the letters. If they cant hit that then they dont need to be playing in hte majors. The would be better getting the UMPIRES strike zone consistent. I would even put a chip in the ball and a radar at the plate for across the plate and let the umps call it between the knees and letters. Beats the heck out of strikes the umps are missing right down the middle but calling Greg Maddox strikes 6 inches off the plate

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Leave the strike zone alone. Knees to the letters. If they cant hit that then they dont need to be playing in hte majors. The would be better getting the UMPIRES strike zone consistent. I would even put a chip in the ball and a radar at the plate for across the plate and let the umps call it between the knees and letters. Beats the heck out of strikes the umps are missing right down the middle but calling Greg Maddox strikes 6 inches off the plate

Well in essence it would be knees to the letters, but it would be the upper part of the knee as opposed to the bottom of the knee... which is how it was prior to '96.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Leave the strike zone alone. Knees to the letters. If they cant hit that then they dont need to be playing in hte majors. The would be better getting the UMPIRES strike zone consistent. I would even put a chip in the ball and a radar at the plate for across the plate and let the umps call it between the knees and letters. Beats the heck out of strikes the umps are missing right down the middle but calling Greg Maddox strikes 6 inches off the plate

I dont think we would recognize the game if a consistent strike zone was called on a daily basis.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Well in essence it would be knees to the letters, but it would be the upper part of the knee as opposed to the bottom of the knee... which is how it was prior to '96.

You think it will really make a significant difference in the games?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

You think it will really make a significant difference in the games?

Oh yeah. guys that have been making a living on that low-strike, which is very difficult to drive with any authority, will become a harmless ball.

If will take away a few K's per game and it will generate a couple more walks per game... Not only will we see more base-runners, but with pitchers have to pitch-up more in the strike-zone you're going to see more contact all the way around.

I'm not against strikeouts. But let the guys that truly are strikeout artists like say a Nolan Ryan, or JR Richard get them. But to see every Tom, Dick or Harry average a strikeout per inning is way over the top.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

I'm not against strikeouts. But let the guys that truly are strikeout artists like say a Nolan Ryan, or JR Richard get them. But to see every Tom, Dick or Harry average a strikeout per inning is way over the top.

Yea, there's more appreciation for the true strikeout pitchers when they're the only ones that can really do it consistently. It does separate them.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Oh yeah. guys that have been making a living on that low-strike, which is very difficult to drive with any authority, will become a harmless ball.

If will take away a few K's per game and it will generate a couple more walks per game... Not only will we see more base-runners, but with pitchers have to pitch-up more in the strike-zone you're going to see more contact all the way around.

I'm not against strikeouts. But let the guys that truly are strikeout artists like say a Nolan Ryan, or JR Richard get them. But to see every Tom, Dick or Harry average a strikeout per inning is way over the top.

I guess some of it will depend on how umps call those balls/strikes even with a change.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I guess some of it will depend on how umps call those balls/strikes even with a change.

Of course.

But if the commissioner wants it to happen... it'll happen.

And the thing with baseball is, a slight change can have very noticeable results.

Obviously there are enough people associated with the management of baseball who dislike how the game is progressing that they are pushing for a change.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Yea, there's more appreciation for the true strikeout pitchers when they're the only ones that can really do it consistently. It does separate them.

It's become over-the-top. Just like when there were so many 40 & 50 homerun guys. It was ridiculous... Brady Anderson, 50 home-runs... really?

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

It's become over-the-top. Just like when there were so many 40 & 50 homerun guys. It was ridiculous... Brady Anderson, 50 home-runs... really?

C'mon man, you had to go there?

That was a great year with all of those lead off dingers. He was in the zone that season.

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

Of course.

But if the commissioner wants it to happen... it'll happen.

And the thing with baseball is, a slight change can have very noticeable results.

Obviously there are enough people associated with the management of baseball who dislike how the game is progressing that they are pushing for a change.

I wont disagree with you, but Im skeptical because Im not so sure the umps will call balls and strikes all that differently. I could very well be wrong on that, but would have to wait and see.

 

[TheKey]

My perscriptuon to fix baseball:

1. shotclock on pitches
2. on a full count, three consecutive foul balls puts you out
3. 80 games, not 180 or whatver it is
4. ban the in and out of the batterbox to adjust gloves after every pitch, you step in once, youre in for the entire at bat

 

[WPBCowboysFan]

My perscriptuon to fix baseball:

1. shotclock on pitches
2. on a full count, three consecutive foul balls puts you out
3. 80 games, not 180 or whatver it is
4. ban the in and out of the batterbox to adjust gloves after every pitch, you step in once, youre in for the entire at bat