Baseball’s saga/drama/soap opera continued this week as the owners rejected the players’ proposal last Sunday and stated that they wouldn’t be making a counter offer. Three days later, the Presidents of Baseball Operations for Milwaukee and Cincinnati both expressed optimism that an agreement would be reached.
At least, the leaks to the media have source names this time. Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of June 8th
This year’s annual draft of amateur players will take place this week on June 10th and 11th. Those aspiring to a career as a major league baseball player have long looked forward to this ritual, this baseball right of passage. Even if a player went undrafted, he could still look forward to the possibility of being signed in the days following the draft. But, this year MLB has found reason to shorten the draft and restrict the signing of non-drafted free agents. Continue reading Some MLB Draft History
Jim Salisbury finally put a figure to the number of Phillies’ minor leaguers released last week. He reported that 27 players had been released but didn’t report any names. Later on Monday, players’ names began showing up on the various affiliates’ transaction lists.
The 2020 June Amateur Draft is approaching. The first round will be held on June 10th. ESPN will have live coverage of the two days of the five round draft. If you were making the selection for the Phillies with the 15th pick in the first round, who would you select? Continue reading Pick 1-15, Who Do You Select?
The MLBPA responded to MLB’s proposal regarding the start of the 2020 season Sunday afternoon. MLB called the players’ proposal “a non-starter”. So, the ball’s back in the owners’ court.
If MLB decides to expand the number of teams in order to recoup some of their losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a few interesting topics to explore. Two would be which cities would receive franchises and who would teams protect in the resulting expansion draft. Continue reading What if There is Expansion?
Happy Memorial Day! I hope everyone continues to be well. This is week eleven of my self-imposed quarantine. I began “shelter-in-place” on Friday, March 13th. Since then I have ventured out thrice. Once to visit the local market, and twice to pick up prescriptions. On all three occasions, I drove past the Carpenter Complex, stopping twice to talk to the security guard while maintaining proper social distancing. Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of May 25th
I hope everyone continues to be well. This is week ten of my self-quarantine.
For weeks now, the owners have been negotiating through the media with leaks by anonymous sources. They have determined what the solution should be without talking to the MLBPA, and have painted the players in a negative fashion.
When they finally notified the MLBPA, public opinion was already set. Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of May 18th
I hope everyone continues to be well. This is week nine of my self-quarantine. I am a longer-haired, bearded mess. I am growing accustomed to not going outside. I am sleeping later because I am staying up later. If baseball were to return to Clearwater, I think would have difficulty getting back on my regular baseball schedule. Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of May 11th
I hope everyone continues to be well. This is week eighth of my self-quarantine. I am a long-haired, bearded mess. Florida opened pools last Thursday. Beaches open Monday. Restaurants can open at 25% capacity indoors, six-foot distancing outside. I’m still not going out for the foreseeable future. My wife and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary on the 1st and the 24th anniversary of the night we met on the 4th (Springfield Inn, Sea Isle City, NJ). We’ll venture out to celebrate when it is safer for people at risk like the two of us. Continue reading Open Discussion: Week of May 4th
Phuture Phillies 