MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

[DirtBallNation]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

Pirates 2022-23 OFF-SEASON UPDATE

As I previously mentioned, we signed Nola to front our rotation which is a huge piece of the direction we are moving. Along with that, the Pirates front office made some huge deals to hopefully solidify the starting lineup AND rotation.


The first trade they made was with the defending champs LA Angels. Although it may seem like a surprise for the Angels to be parting with key pieces after a World Series title, they were lacking in the future/young talent department, so they got young players back to hopefully solidify not only the present, but future.

PIRATES AQUIRE WARD, CANNING IN OFF SEASON TRADE:
Pirates acquired Outfielder Taylor Ward and Starting Pitcher Griffin Canning from the LA Angels In return for young and promising players. Pittsburgh sent second baseman Rodolfo Castro, Outfielder Tucupita Marcano and Outfielder Jack Suwinski.
The Angels giving up Ward may raise a lot of question for fans, but Ward, 29, mention he wanted to get closer to his home of Ohio plus it sounds like this deal will entail a Trade and sign for the Left fielder. Ward, coming off a career year of .275/.365/.896, while hitting 33 HRs and driving in 102 RBIs, is looking to cash in on the big year, the pirates had a large hole in the outfield and seems to be able to fit the role of a cornerstone player for the pirates for the coming years.

Canning, 26, looked to be the odd man out of the angels rotation for 2023 was also included in the deal, which was also an area where the Pirates needed help coming into the new campaign.

Pirates Receive:
Taylor Ward
Griffin Canning

Angels Receive:
Rodolfo Castro
Tucupita Marcano
Jack Suwinski


Our second and Final trade of the off-season, was with the New York Mets. With the Mets having a stacked lineup, they were sort of lacking in the depth/farm department this year. The pirates and Mets struck a deal sending Luis Guillorme and Jordan Westburg to Pittsburgh in return for outfielder Cal Mitchell, Shortstop Liover Pegeuro and outfielder Zach Matson.

Guillorme seemed to be blocked to get quality play time with the Mets with having a lot of talent around him. Luis seems like he will fill into the Pirates roster as a full time DH/Platoon at second if needed. The Mets were lacking depth in the outfield so that’s where Mitchell comes in. Peguero was sent as a highly touted prospect - with the Buckos signing young star Oneil Cruz to a 10 year deal, that leaves no place for Liover to go.

These conclude the off-season moves.. up next will be the spring training preview

[DirtBallNation]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

Pirates 2023 Spring Training Preview

Pitching:
Rotation-

Aaron Nola
Nathan Eovaldi
Griffin Canning
Mitch Keller
Roansy Contreras/Yonny Chirinos/JT Brubaker

Bullpen-
LRP
Zach Thompson
Contreras/Chirinos/Brubaker
MRP
Robert Stephenson
Yerry De Los Santos (was VERY good in 2022)
Marlin Garcia
Andrew Chafin
Trevor Rosenthal (FA signing)

Setup-
Ken Giles (2.97ERA, 23 holds and 2/7 Saves/Save ops - may be slotted as closer if Bednar struggles)

Closer-
David Bednar (43/49 for saves last year, hope he can get consistent and stay consistent)

Reserves that may be fighting for a roster spot:
Duane Underwood Jr
Vince Velasquez
Johan Oviedo
Will Crowe

OFFENSE:

C - Tyler Heineman/Henry Davis*/Endy Rodriguez
1B - Ji-Man Choi/Carlos Santana
2B - Nick Madrigal/Luis Guillorme/Ji-Hwan Bae
3B - Ke’Bryan Hayes/Josh VanMeter
SS - Oneil Cruz/J-H Bae
LF - Taylor Ward/Miguel Andujar/Ryan Vilade
CF - Brian Reynolds/Daz Cameron
RF - Alex Verdugo/Milt Lolich

This lineup looks like it can be capable of putting together a special season, we just have to put it together!

[dragster646]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

The Nationals were swept by the Mets in their three game series. Game one saw the Nats come back time and time again, even taking the lead in the seventh after a Victor Robles home run...but James McCann would hit a grand slam in the 10th (his second home run of the game) to put the Mets up 10-6. Game two was all Mets, winning 10-5, although the Nationals scored late to make the final score less embarassing. Game three saw the Nationals take an early 2-0 lead but give it up later, losing 5-2.

To make things worse, Lane Thomas was injured in Game 1 and is expected to miss 1-2 months. This is his second extended stay on the IL this season, which is unfortunate because his defense has been stellar and he has had some key hits in big moments. Brady House, Joe Ross, and Luke Voit also were banged up during the series, but only House would miss a game; the rest are good to go.

On the other side of the diamond, the Mets really needed this sweep to stay in contention for a Wild Card spot. It is highly unlikely they can compete for the Division, as the Braves and Phillies are neck and neck and about 8 games ahead of the Mets. But the NL East is strong this year, minus the Nationals, and the Mets are just 4.5 games out of the second Wild Card position.

[LowerWolf]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

We took a mini two-game sweep from Toronto to push our record to 15-9. Bullpen is starting to settle in.

We continue to tinker with the bench. Looking for some left-handed pop, we signed Kyle Seager to a one-year, $2.7M deal. Seager hit 11 homers in 55 games with the Tigers in 2022. He'll be our primary left-handed pinch-hitter with Michael Chavis the primary right-handed bat off the bench.

To make room on the 26-man roster, we optioned Roman Quinn to Gwinnett. We tried to find a trade partner, but couldn't find a deal to our liking. He was 0-for-18 this season. But he still can be a valuable pinch-runner down the line. Third-base prospect Calvin Bonds was put on outright waivers to open a spot on the 40-man. We're hoping he clears waivers so we can keep him at Gwinnett.

Edit: And with Quinn going to AAA, that made Monte Harrison expendable. So we traded him to Houston for Garrett Stubbs. The Astros didn't have anybody other than Myles Straw to play CF and were carrying three catchers. We optioned Stubbs to Gwinnett, but he gives us another option if Austin Allen doesn't start hitting.

[Itsma806]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

2023 Arizona Diamondbacks 07/06-07/09

Overall Record:63-27 (1st NL West, 6.5 over LA Dodgers)

D-Backs split four game series with Giants

For the first time since late May, the Arizona Diamondbacks did not win a series. The last series that Arizona split was a four game set with the Phillies in which both teams won two games. Youd have to go back even further to a May 12th-14th series with Detroit to find the last series the team actually lost as Detroit took two out of three in that series.

Well they still havent lost one since May but they have now lost their consecutive series win streak (of 10) as the D-Backs split their most recent four game series with San Francisco.

The Giants really played the D-Backs well during this four game stretch as their pitching held Arizona's offense in check. Arizona didnt score more than four runs in a game in the series and that came only once, in their 4-2 game three victory. The rest of the three games saw Arizona fail to score more than two runs (9-1 loss in game 1, 2-0 victory in game 2 and a 4-2 loss in game 3.


Game one was the David Bote game for San Francisco as he went 2 for 3 with 4 RBI's. Arizona narrowly avoided the shutout when Josh Rojas hit a home run in the 9th inning to bring the final score to that 9-1 loss.

On a bright note, Ketel Marte and Carson Kelly continue to hit balls out of whatever park they visit. Kelly had two in the series which brought his total to 32 while Marte had one, bringing his total on the year to 31.

Arizona will now have a good chance to increase their NL West lead as they face off against the Dodgers (57-34) in another four game series. Arizona swept the last series with LA 3-0.

[Bgrd1080]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

VERDICT IS IN, JUDGE OUT REST OF SEASON

Well Yankee fans, sound the alarm. Remember September 23rd as the day the dream of number 28 took a major hit. The Yankees defeated The Red Sox 4-1 but Mr. 32 home runs, 85 RBI's, Aaron Judge has gone down with a broken shin and is out the remainder of the season. As Judge heads to the I.L., Ronald Guzman comes up from AAA to do his best to try and fill the shoes of Judge as a DH and platoon in RF. With 8 to play The Yankees are up 2.5 in the AL East. Hopefully that is enough of a gap to tinker with the lineup and find a consistent order with others ready to step up in time for the playoffs.

[Bgrd1080]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

***Double dip and playing catch up on updates.

YANKEES LIMP INTO PLAYOFFS

New York won the AL East for the 21st time but with Aaron Judge on the I.L and Isiah Kiner-Falefa joining him in the penultimate game of the season the team is not going in with momentum. A 91-71 finish gets them a matchup with The Chicago White Sox, while Houston awaits the winners of Baltimore and The LA Angels. Philly will play San Diego for the opportunity to head to Los Angeles and play The Dodgers. Atlanta hosts The Brewers.

One bright spot for New York is the arrival of Oswald Peraza, perhaps not on the terms they would have liked but none the less it will provide a jolt of excitement to the playoff roster as he hopes to fill in for IKF at short stop or maybe some time at 2nd.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

MAR 30- APR 2: PRESCOTT (0-4) @ FLAGSTAFF (4-0)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 9,577)

March 30: Hops 9, Hot Shots 5
March 31: Hops 5, Hot Shots 3
April 1: Hops 2, Hot Shots 1
April 2: Hops 4, Hot Shots 1

Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - Flagstaff opened the 2023 season with an impressive four game sweep of rival Prescott at AutoZone Park. The Hops outscored the Hot Shots 20-10 and already have a 2 1/2 game lead in the ML West after the opening weekend of play.

The Hops got the 2023 season off on the right foot as they hit four home runs in a 9-5 victory over Prescott. Shoe-Lace O’Tying tossed seven plus innings, allowing four runs to earn the victory.

Arturos Mardones blasted a two-run home run in the second to get the Hops going. Roberto Geronimo went 2 for 4 with a double and a three-run home run in the fifth.

Robbie Westbrook and Oscar Aleman also homered as the Hops won the season opener in front of a sold out crowd at AutoZone Park.

Ken Smith (0-1) took the loss for Prescott. He went 4.2 innings for the Hot Shots, allowing six runs on six hits.

On Friday evening the Hops batted around in the fourth inning, scoring five times, as they defeated Prescott 5-3.

The Hot Shots took an early lead on a solo home run from Juan Vargas, his second in two games to open the season. Harwill O’Kane then hit a solo home run to dead center in the second off of Ryan Pressley to put the visitors up 2-0.

Flagstaff would then score five times in the fourth, batting around. Oscar Aleman started it off with an RBI single, scoring Art Mason. Robbie Westbrook then lined a bases loaded single to score Leandro Lugo to tie the game at 2-2. Roberto Geronimo hit a sacrifice fly to left center, scoring Oscar Aleman. Rodney Millar then lined a two-run single to make it 5-3.

Ryan Pressley (1-0) picked up the win, pitching seven innings and allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out seven and did not issue a walk. Vic Miller pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to earned save number one on the season.

Kolby McAlister (0-1) took the loss for Prescott, lasting only 3.1 innings and allowing five runs on six hits. The Prescott bullpen would hold Flagstaff without a hit over the last four innings.

On Saturday evening the Hops rallied late, scoring runs in the seventh and eighth to defeat the Hot Shots 2-1. Rodney Millar’s first home run on the year tied it up in the seventh and Leandro Lugo’s RBI double in the eighth put them ahead.

Juro Yamagushi was very good in his Flagstaff debut. He tossed seven innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out four wand walking one. The lone run allowed was a first inning leadoff home run from Khris Kovach.

Aldo Osuna (1-0) picked up the win as he worked a scoreless eighth inning. Vic Miller picked up save number two with a 1-2-3 ninth.

In the finale, Emmitt Hampton doubled and homered, driving in two as the Hops completed the sweep with a 4-1 victory.

Flagstaff would garb a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth as Hampton launched a 450-foot bomb over the bleachers in right.

Donnie Roland would add a solo shot in the sixth, and Rodney Millar would tack on another run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Prescott’s lone run came on a solo home run from Josh Carroll to open the seventh.

Sam Herzog (1-0) would leave after giving up the solo homer to Carroll. He allowed the one run on three hits, striking out four and walking one.

William Chen (0-1) took the loss out of the bullpen for Prescott. He pitched two innings in relief of starter Powers, who left with a stiff shoulder, allowing two runs on two hits.

Flagstaff will finish off their opening home stand with a three game series with Salt Lake beginning tomorrow evening.

Around the League: St. George opened up the season with a 1-0 victory over Colorado Springs. Ryan Holland (1-0) tossed seven shutout innings as he outdueled Sam Gonzalez. Holland allowed just two hits and struck out eight in the victory. Mario Cardona homered in the fifth for the only run of the game.

Chase Ponder hit three home runs and drove in four as West Texas opened the season with a 10-6 victory over the defending champion San Antonio Javelinas.

Goodyear hit five home runs, including a two-run home run in the 11th from Dewayne Ross as they defeated Phoenix 8-6. Kenny James tied it in the bottom of the ninth with a solo home run for the Firebirds as they dropped to (0-2).

Yuma scored two in the eighth and three in the top of the ninth to rally to a 9-7 victory over Las Vegas for their first win of 2023. David Silva went 4 for 4 with a double, two home runs and four RBIs in the victory for the Dust Devils.

Albert Zambrano and Enos Webb each hit two-run home runs in the bottom of the eighth as Henderson got by Chandler 9-5.

Glendale scored 10 runs in the seventh inning in a 24-7 victory over San Diego. The Desert Dogs hit seven home runs including two each from Edward Hampton and Adrian Beltran. Hampton went 4 for 6 with two doubles and two home runs with six RBIs. Beltran went 3 for 5 with a double and two home runs with five RBIs.

<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52593856236_ec33d0304c_o.jpg" width="720" height="405" alt="Series1_23">
Emmitt Hampton started off his 2023 campaign in style with a double and home run on Sunday afternoon.

[Cohi]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

No he is still plugging along. I don't know about re-signing him. I am tempted, but we have other needs and while the universal DH gives him a spot, he does detract from giving guys a day off so I need to carry an additional positional player to help give guys days off over the course of a season. But its something I'm kicking around.

Gotta bring Pujols back and let him retire a cardinal. Question for you as well do you use api or do you call your own game when pitching on legend?

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

Gotta bring Pujols back and let him retire a cardinal. Question for you as well do you use api or do you call your own game when pitching on legend?

I call my own game.

But even with API off, if you pitch from behind the pitcher, you will see the catcher (AI) put down signals calling for pitches and location.

[bigjdotcom01]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

APRIL 3-5: SALT LAKE (1-5) @ FLAGSTAFF (6-1)
Stadium: AutoZone Park (Capacity: 9,577)

April 3: Hops 6, Chukars 5
April 4: Chukars 5, Hops 4
April 5: Hops 6, Chukars 4 (11)

Flagstaff, AZ (AP) - Flagstaff finished off their opening home stand of 2023 by taking two of three from Salt Lake to finish it at (6-1).

Flagstaff ran their winning streak to five games to open the season on Monday evening as they rallied for a 6-5 victory over Salt Lake. Josh Ortega homered twice and drove in four to help lead the way and keep the Chukars winless.

Flagstaff got off to a quick start as Art Mason homered to open the bottom of the first inning. It was his first on the young season.

The Chukars would tie it up in the top of the second on a Payne RBI double, scoring Sergio Pinto.

Josh Ortega would put the Hops up 3-1 in the third with a two-run home run, his first of the season.

Salt Lake would tie it up in the fifth on a Laughton Storey two-run home run to right. They would take the lead in the sixth on a J.P. Grant solo home run to center.

In the seventh, the Hops would strike for three. Oscar Aleman singled home Art Mason, who lead off the inning with a double. Josh Ortega then hit his second home run of the game. This two-run shot to left put the Hops up 6-4.

The Chukars would get a sacrifice fly from Sergio Pinto in the eighth to cut the lead to 6-5. But Vic Miller came on in the ninth to nail this one down and pick up his fourth save.

The Hops five game season opening win streak came to an end on Tuesday evening as Salt Lake rallied for a 5-4 victory. J.P. Grant homered twice to help lead the Chukars to their first win on the season.

Emmitt Hampton homered in the second to put Flagstaff in front 1-0. It was his second of the season. They would increase their lead to 2-0 in the fourth on a Robbie Westbrook RBI single that scored Roberto Geronimo.

Robby Payne would homer in the fifth off of Shoe-Lace O’Tying to get the Chukars on the board.

Art Mason would hit a long home run to right off of the scoreboard in the bottom half to make it 3-1 Flagstaff.

J.P. Grant’s first home run of the game in the top of the sixth cut it to 3-2. But Oscar Aleman would get that run back in the bottom half with an RBI single to make it 4-2.

Oliver Benedict came on to pitch the eighth and gave up a solo homer to J.P. Grant, his second on the evening to cut the lead to one run. Darnell McCloud would line a two-out double to left and the Hops brought in Aldo Osuna to face Rafael Geronimo. Geronimo would hit the first pitch that he saw, a hanging slider, deep over the wall in right to put Salt Lake up 5-4.

The Hops would load the bases with one-out in the ninth, but closer Emmitt Franco would get Art Mason to fly out to very short center, and Leandro Lugo to ground out to shortstop to end it.

Emmitt Hampton, making his second start of the season, went 4 for 4 with a double, home run and two runs scored in the loss. Also Osuna (0-1) would pick up the blown save and loss in this one, pitching just 1/3 of an inning and allowing one run on two hits.

In the finale, it was late inning drama for the Hops as Roberto Geronimo tied it in the ninth with a solo home run and Robbie Westbrook won it in the 11th with a walk-off three-run home run as the Hops won it 6-4.

Pablo Gomes has a game for the Chukars, going 4 for 5 with two doubles, a homer and two RBIs with three runs scored, but it wasn’t enough.

Robbie Westbrook drove in five runs, going 2 for 5 with a double and homer in the victory.

Roberto Geronimo dramatically tied it up in the ninth off of Chukars closer Emmitt Franco.

Salt Lake would take the lead in the 11th on a Derek Hills infield single off of Pedro Macias. But Deacon Bush could not get an out in the bottom half. He gave up singles to Donnie Roland and Emmitt Hampton and the three-run blast to Westbrook.

Flagstaff (6-1) will now head to Prescott (1-5) for a three game weekend series after having an off day tomorrow for their first road trip of the season.

Around the League: Matt Campbell tossed a complete game, striking out 11 as San Diego defeated Yuma 5-1 to improve to (3-2) on the young season. Chandler pounded out 18 hits and hit five home runs as they rallied late for a 14-11 victory over Long Beach. Stanton Brickman went 3 for 5 with two doubles, a home run and five RBIs in the win for the Chiefs.

Brian Song homered in the bottom of the ninth to help Phoenix walk it off against Scottsdale 3-2. It was the Firebirds first win on the season after starting the year with four losses. Carlos Villegas hit a pinch-hit, walk-off home run for West Texas as they defeated Henderson 3-2.

Quentin Henley homered twice and drove in four runs as West Texas defeated Henderson 8-7. Ryne Rodriguez tossed 7 2/3 innings of shutout baseball, striking out 13, as Rio Rancho defeated El Paso 4-0. Steve Fuzz hit a two-out grand slam in the bottom of the ninth to walk it off as Roswell stunned Albuquerque 4-3.

<img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52598168554_65cd7cf897_o.jpg" width="720" height="405" alt="Series2_22">
Robbie Westbrook celebrates his walk off win on Wednesday afternoon.

[dragster646]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

The Nationals managed to win one of their four games against the Phillies, albeit with some help from some lackluster Philadelphia defense. They would gift two runs to the Nationals on three errors, two by Johann Camargo. He would turn around and hit two home runs against the Nationals in the series finale the next day, regaining some credo with the Philly fans. The three losses were completely non-competitive, the Nationals lost games one and two 5-1 and 6-1 respectively, and lost the finale 8-1.

Some good news for the Nationals: Luis Garcia has come off the IL and is ready to return to the lineup. He had a strong start to the season but has missed the last two months and thus has only played in 47 games so far. To make room for him, Anibal Sanchez was sent to AAA, but to get there he will have to clear waivers. This may have been the last hurrah for the 38 year old veteran, who just couldn't find a consistent groove this season.

The Nationals (40-74) now go to Chicago to play the Cubs (47-65), which should be a nice change of pace after facing the Dodgers, Cardinals, Mets, and Phillies.

[Itsma806]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

2023 Arizona Diamondbacks 07/10-07/13

Overall Record:66-28 (1st NL West 8.5 over LA Dodgers)

D-Backs take series over Dodgers

The Arizona Diamondbacks took three out of four against their division rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Diamondbacks took the first two games of the series by the same score, 3-1. Both victories were thanks to complete games by Aaron Nola and Zac Gallen.

Madison Bumgarner had a strong start in game three which saw Arizona enter the 8th inning with a 2-1 lead but an uncharacteristic outing for Chad Green ended up giving the Dodgers the victory as he allowed a three run HR by Will Smith in that eigth inning. Cody Bellinger also added an RBI in the 9th to give LA the 5-2 victory.

Game four was all Arizona in a 10-1 victory that gave them the series victory.

Arizona will now stay at home to face the NL Central leading Milwaukee Brewers (53-41) for their last series before the All Star Break.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cubs sign Gary Sanchez 2 year deal

The Cubs have signed another missing piece as they added Gary Sanchez to the roster on a 2 year $10M deal. Sanchez will likely battle Yan Gomes for the everyday position providing no additional catches are acquired.

Sanchez played in just 8 games last year with the Twins due to a knee injury, but still possesses pop in his bat that will allow to him to DH if needed.

Sanchez joins Judge as former Yankees to sign with the Cubs this offseason.

Cardinals avoid arbitration with 3 players

The Cardinals have avoided arbitration hearings with 3 players thus far. Jack Flaherty, Harrison Bader, and Tommy Edman all agreed to one year deals. Bader and Flaherty are both free agents next year so neither was willing to sing a long term deal right now. Edman is under control 2 more seasons after this, but his struggles last year caused the Cardinals to halt on locking him up, which was the plan going into the 2022 season.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals sign Joey Gallo to one year deal

The Cardinals and Joey Gallo have agreed to a one year $18.5MM contract.

The 29 year old Gallo hit .250 with 27 homeruns and 71 RBI's with the Yankees last season. Gallo will most certainly be the DH in this lineup unless something extraordinary happens with the likes of Tyler O'Neill, Paul Goldschmidt, Dylan Carlson, or Nolan Arenado.

The Cardinals wanted/needed a left handed bat in the lineup and Gallo provides just that. He'll likely hit either 5th or 6th in the lineup behind the likes of Goldy and Arenado.

Big time signing for the Cardinals who bolster there lineup in a big way. Now, the chances of Albert Pujols resigning become slimmer, but there is always a chance I guess.

Big Time Free Agent Signings around the league

Catching up without going into long winded details:

Mariners signed Aaron Nola (6 year/$151.8MM)
Red Sox signed Noah Syndergaard (4 year/$62.8MM)
Braves signed Nathan Eovaldi (3 year/$59.4MM)
Braves signed Carlos Rodon (5 year/$134MM)
Mets signed Jameson Taillon (4 year/$46MM)
Yankees signed Seth Lugo (1 year $2.9M)
White Sox signed Luis Severino (3 year/$52.8M)
Astros signed Max Muncy (3 year/$48.9MM)
Tigers signed Willson Contreras (2 year/$17MM)
Angels signed Taylor Rogers (3 year/$25.8MM)
Mariners signed Chad Green (3 year/$17.7MM)
Cubs signed Sean Manaea (3 year/$44MM)
Reds signed Zach Eflin (3 year/$39.3MM)
Brewers signed Mike Clevinger (1 year/$12.5MM)


More to come as we approach the Rule 5 draft