MLB Off-Topic

[ShowTyme15]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

In regards to the A's and relocation. Here in Vegas there have been rumblings about the A's moving here eventually as well. It's come up in conversations regarding the Raiders and the Stadium.

[Bard]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Martin just played SS not too long ago in this same exact position (WBC)...what's the big deal? He has played there before in his life, it isn't so crazy really.

[AC]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Catching might be inherently more dangerous but playing out of position, I would argue, increases his chances of getting hurt rather than simply playing his normal position.

How do you define dangerous as anything other than an increased chance of getting hurt?

[Master Live 013]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

How do you define dangerous as anything other than an increased chance of getting hurt?

Right, chances of getting hurt in general (more dangerous): Martin playing out of position (SS)>Martin playing his regular position.

Regularly: chances of getting hurt: Any regular catcher>Any regular SS.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

With all the Bautista back to the Jays news coming, finally hearing first real bit of positive news for Jays in months, now I'm really starting to get excited for ST even more than before. Actually tuning into MLBN and partially wanting it to be March already.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

^ In somewhat related news, Phillies sign Michael Saunders.

Too bad, I was hoping the Giants would pull for him.

[Speedy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

If a team moves, I bet it will be the Rays before the A's.

Frankly, the Rays need to move...a new stadium will not help that situation just like it hasn't for Miami (who was good last year and still was 26th in total attendance and barely averaged filling up 57% of their stadium last year).

[Redacted01]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Frankly, the Rays need to move...a new stadium will not help that situation just like it hasn't for Miami (who was good last year and still was 26th in total attendance and barely averaged filling up 57% of their stadium last year).

The Indians were 28th in attendance and were in the World Series. There is just no hope for getting fans to show up in some places. Doesn't mean you need to move all of them.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Frankly, the Rays need to move...a new stadium will not help that situation just like it hasn't for Miami (who was good last year and still was 26th in total attendance and barely averaged filling up 57% of their stadium last year).

Not to mention that Rays in Tampa hurts not just them,but other teams too. When teams play the Rays, it's not exactly a must see matchup by any means.

Biasedly I'd hope Montreal is the destination they relocate to, but the attendance there would be great. Fans traveling to Boston and New York and Toronto to games and vice-versa.

[Master Live 013]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Martin just played SS not too long ago in this same exact position (WBC)...what's the big deal? He has played there before in his life, it isn't so crazy really.

As for this, here is Russell Martin's history in the World Baseball Classic:

• 2006: Did not play.
• 2009: Play two games, at catcher.
• 2013: Then this happened:

Morneau baffled by Martin's Classic withdrawal

(An excerpt from the article):

Russell Martin's last-minute decision to withdraw from the upcoming World Baseball Classic has left Team Canada with a major void in the heart of its lineup.

Martin announced on Sunday that he was no longer willing to take part in the tournament. The news came as a major surprise to Baseball Canada and the teammates he was set to join in less than two weeks.


Team Canada first baseman Justin Morneau appeared disappointed with the turn of events and admitted that it's a major blow to the club's chances in a group that also includes the United States, Italy and Mexico.


"With so many left-handed hitters, it obviously affects the balance of our lineup," Morneau said during an interview with the Canadian media prior to Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays. "He's an established Major League hitter that has had some success.


"Obviously, we're going to miss him, but we're going to have somebody there who wants to be there and is going to be honored to put the jersey on and be a part of it. Whoever's there will have to find a way to get it done."


Martin's decision to withdraw has less to do with not wanting to play for Canada and more to do with a bizarre desire to play shortstop. He expressed his interest in playing up the middle during the offseason and reiterated that request again this spring.


The 30-year-old has played a handful of games at third base and second base during his Major League career, but never shortstop. Despite that, he began taking ground balls there during the spring in an attempt to prepare for the tournament.


That plan came to screeching halt when both the Pirates and Baseball Canada indicated they were not comfortable with the idea. The whole process has left his would-be teammates on Team Canada rather confused.


"It's kind of hard for me to understand," Morneau said. "Obviously, if you want to learn your pitching staff, new team, it's important as a catcher to learn those guys and he signed [in Pittsburgh] for two years.


"If that was the case, I think we'd all be fine with it. But the desire to play a new position is kind of what has everybody wondering what the decision-making process was behind that. When we get there, we'll be there with everybody who wants to be there and with somebody who's capable of playing shortstop."


"I don't know what he was thinking," Morneau said when asked about the odd timing of Martin's decision to withdraw. "If he wanted to get down in camp and see how his body reacted to catching or whatever it was, obviously he was the No. 1 option for a reason, but the timing of it is a little difficult with trying to find someone to replace him.


"Everyone knows catchers are very hard to find, so that's part of it, but I think he waited as long as he could to see if it was possible and it didn't work out for him."

[PhilliesFan13]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Edinson Volquez's 25 year old brother was stabbed and killed today in the Dominican Republic. That is awful.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Operation Sports mobile app

[SPTO]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Edinson Volquez's 25 year old brother was stabbed and killed today in the Dominican Republic. That is awful.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Operation Sports mobile app

Terrible.....



In lighter news, Matt Garza got himself TORCHED on Twitter for "mansplaining". I won't post a link to the article I read as it has political undertones but i'm sure you can find the story easily enough.

[Master Live 013]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Bagwell, Raines and Pudge Rodriguez are the Class of 2017.

[AC]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Right, chances of getting hurt in general (more dangerous): Martin playing out of position (SS)>Martin playing his regular position.

Regularly: chances of getting hurt: Any regular catcher>Any regular SS.

This makes less than no sense. Is a third baseman more likely to get hurt playing first?

[Jr.]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

This makes less than no sense. Is a third baseman more likely to get hurt playing first?

If they don't know how to work around 1st base when the throw is coming, then yes, very much so.