The Reds are considering moving Dan Straily into their rotation, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes. “We’ll have to take a look at Dan Straily with the job that he’s done. Unfortunately, we’ve had to utilize him in some games that have gotten out of control early,” says manager Bryan Price. “He’s done a really nice job managing those opportunities. So we’ll see how it goes.” Straily, who arrived near the beginning of the season on a waiver claim from the Padres, has fared well thus far in long relief (allowing three runs and four walks while striking out eight in 8 1/3 innings so far), and the Reds’ rotation has put pressure on the team’s bullpen so far with a number of short starts. The Reds are also dealing with a variety of rotation injuries, although one of their injured pitchers, Jon Moscot, will return Sunday to pitch against the Cardinals. Here’s more from around the game.
- Reliever Carson Smith appears to be getting closer to joining the Red Sox, writes WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford. Smith, who’s had a right flexor mass strain in his elbow, hasn’t yet made his debut with his new club after arriving via an offseason trade with the Mariners. But manager John Farrell says Smith threw 35 pitches of live batting practice today without incident, and could appear in an extended spring training game by next weekend. That could put him in position to join the Red Sox’ bullpen by the end of the month.
- Players union head Tony Clark is frustrated that the lack of opportunities for former players, and especially minority players, to find jobs with teams, the AP reports. Clark would like MLB to start a program to prepare players for careers after their playing careers are over. The program would include college scholarships for minor-leaguers, a database of minority players, and a coaching school, as well as courses about baseball analytics and business practices. It would be funded by taxes on international amateur signing bonuses. Part of Clark’s concern arises from a change in MLB front offices, which are suddenly heavily populated by graduates of Ivy League schools who might have perspectives that are similar to one another. Increasing front-office focus on analytics could also potentially decrease opportunities for former players to have jobs within the game. “Diversity offers a different vantage point, different experiences, different realizations that inevitably can help move the industry forward, “says Clark. “… [I]t simply suggests our industry has missed opportunities as the result of the backgrounds and engagements therein being so similar.”
Can you imagine if an exec in the 1980s suggested creating a minority player database? Oh how the world has changed.
I usually side with the players union 100% but not sure on this one. They’re bummed that people already in the 1% in terms of earning power don’t have prolonged job opportunities? I see no problem with favoring analytics over playing experience. Building a successful franchise and playing high level baseball are very different things.
The average major league career is just short of 6 years, at league minimum for over half that time. Take away taxes, agent fees, trainers, and what’s left isn’t really a lot.
A person who has no college education and no marketable skills other then a company softball ringer isn’t likely to be able to provide much for a family. Setting up an industry training program for the 95% of players who do not make it makes sense.
Depends on your definition of “not much” I suppose. I agree with providing some education opportunities and trying to set players up for success post baseball. That being said the game of baseball has changed and has become more analytical. If a team wants to hire more ivy league college grads than former players then they have every right to. This is America, they can hire whoever they want within legal limits. They have no duty to hire retired players over anyone else.
Even at the league minimum that’s ~3 million dollars, comfortably beyond an average individual’s career earnings. And that’s assuming no bump in arbitration. Doesn’t seem like something the player’s Union needs to prioritize. Just my two cents.
Maybe Clark should be addressing the corrupt leadership and bribery heavy ways in which they are ran rather than MLB to find better paying jobs and better overall ways of life for ALL of the people of said countries..
Am sure some have gotten better since visited while in the USN nearly 40y ago, but probably not by much as long as bribery is the prime way of getting influence and many still live well below poverty and live on next to nothing in many of those same countries..
Maybe Clark finds it easier to confront (supposedly) rich US owners than confront an actual problem? Sounds familiar does it not?
Great idea Tony…….why doesn’t the MLBPA fund these programs instead of adding more taxes. These programs would benefit PLAYERS…why shouldn’t the PLAYERS pay for it?
They are not adding more taxes, they would be using the penalties/taxed incurred from over spending on international signings.