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NL Notes: Giants, Chipper, Freeman, Cactus League

By Sean Bavazzano | February 16, 2022 at 7:04pm CDT

With the implementation of a universal DH growing in likelihood, NBC Sports’ Alex Pavlovic took a look at how Gabe Kapler’s Giants might handle the new position after the lockout. Pavlovic extrapolates from the team’s usage of the DH position in interleague play and in 2020 that the team would prefer to use the DH spot as a chance to bolster the lineup’s offense, not to give a quasi-off day to a regular position player. Accordingly, the resurgent Darin Ruf could see his playing time increase as his defensive limitations have limited him from being a true mainstay in Kapler’s starting lineup card.

With plenty of payroll maneuverability and a few Kris Bryant and Buster Posey-sized holes in the lineup, however, the possibility remains that the Giants splurge on a big bat to take the lion’s share of DH reps. Pavlovic speculates that free agents Kyle Schwarber or Joc Pederson could slot into the new position, owing to their typically strong numbers with the platoon advantage and ties to the team’s top executives. Should the team pass on either left-handed hitter, as well as come up short on their Seiya Suzuki pursuit or a Bryant reunion, a right-handed power bat could be signed to claim the DH spot. Nelson Cruz and Nick Castellanos remain open-market options for a team looking to keep its strong offensive performance in 2021 going, with the benefit of the DH position negating the need for either to suit up in the spacious Oracle Park outfield.

Some more baseball news from around the league…

  • Braves Hall of Fame third baseman and friend of the site Chipper Jones appeared on the Dukes & Bell podcast to offer some input on fellow Brave Freddie Freeman’s prolonged stay on the free agent market. Jones posits that Freeman is “probably a little frustrated [an extension wasn’t reached] in Spring Training last year” and acknowledges (correctly) that non-Atlanta teams are courting the first baseman as well. Of note to Atlanta fans however is Chipper’s comment that he and Freeman have often talked about the latter’s place in Atlanta history, and how his potentially-retired number would slide between Atlanta icons Dale Murphy and Bobby Cox.
  • Count Arizona city managers as another group taking issue with baseball’s delayed start to spring training. Bill Shakin of the Los Angeles Times documents how the MLB lockout has negatively impacted the host cities of baseball’s Cactus League, who are already reeling from limited tourism revenue the past few years due to the pandemic. Sites like Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers’ $300MM spring training ballpark in Glendale, are leased out to MLB teams for $1 a year with the express understanding that teams will drive tourism in the area. Due to clauses in the lease agreements signed by teams however, a certain number of home games are required to be played during spring training without the incurrence of legal penalty. The language of these clauses meant that the pandemic and other “acts of God” spared teams from any legal recourse being taken by host cities in recent years, but teams falling short of that game threshold due to the avoidable, league-induced lockout may not provide the same protection. It seems unlikely for the Dodgers and a handful of other teams to be kicked out of their Cactus League homes, but a lawsuit from Arizona cities looking to recoup lost hospitality industry funds may soon be the next legal storyline for baseball fans to follow.
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Atlanta Braves San Francisco Giants Spring Training Chipper Jones Freddie Freeman

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View Comments (18)

Comments

  1. DarkSide830

    1 year ago

    maybe people will start realizing that their local politicians letting teams use 300 million dollar facilities for free in their towns is a little too nice a deal…

    Reply
    • GareBear

      1 year ago

      What is their to complain about though for ST venues like this? Typically it is a huge tourist boon. Florida and Arizona are two of the states with the wealthiest populations so it is not necessarily hurting the individuals in exchange for the windfall revenue and infrastructure that comes with a well funded local government. I go to AZ every summer and used to live In South Fl and the revenues generated in the area was great for government and local shops. It actually works out well for Spring Training sites due to being great places to vacation anyways.

      Reply
      • nitnontu

        1 year ago

        I think you’re both correct. It seems like this kind of spending by local governments on sports and other entertainment venues can wind up being good investments as often as bad ones

        Reply
      • gbs42

        1 year ago

        What is the likelihood a community will recoup $300M in taxes to offset the stadium cost just by hosting spring training games? Pretty much zero.

        Reply
        • andyhighroller

          1 year ago

          Well there’s also hotel rooms/air bnb’s/rentals/groceries/etc when going to spring training. Probably not $300m but not an insignificant amount, plus there’s a hand in the pot of everything the team does using the name of the city.
          Other revenue like advertisements on/in the stadium has a bit that also goes to the city. Jerseys are nearly $200, food+drinks+parking are all expensive at ballparks for a reason as well.

          Plus all the other things teams do as representatives for the city. Mayor of LA probably knows LeBron‍♂️

          Again, you are correct in that it’s not close to $300m, but it’s also not an insignificance to have a team.

    • lemonlyman

      1 year ago

      Yeah if one city stops another will just step up in their place. They are great deals for the cities, however, they clearly come with some risks.

      Reply
    • Cosmo2

      1 year ago

      I think people have realized this forever. Just very little we can do about it.

      Reply
  2. bravesnation nc

    1 year ago

    I am hoping Chipper stays in Freddie’s ear about remaining a Brave. Deal could have been done last Spring Training but didn’t get resolved for whatever reason. AA needs to be on a plane to wherever Freeman is as soon as this labor agreement mess is resolved and transport Freddie and family to Cooltoday in Fl.

    Reply
    • *

      1 year ago

      I agree with you NC….but I think his number already has a place between Dale and Bobby, regardless if he resigns.

      Reply
    • inkstainedscribe

      1 year ago

      If Freddie is determined to get six guaranteed years, he may be walking. I’d hate it, but that may be the result.

      Five years with an achievable option year should be on the table, but I’m not sure AA will do that.

      Reply
    • andyhighroller

      1 year ago

      He sure is a damn good ball player. I’m sure he’ll be a fantastic pickup wherever he decides to go.

      I worry he might not get the contract he deserves on the market as he is older, but I have a feeling he’s gonna be one of those guys that’s hitting .290 with 20+HR into his late 30’s.

      Reply
  3. swarley 4

    1 year ago

    Camelback Ranch is also the White Sox spring training facility

    Reply
    • 5TUNT1N

      1 year ago

      Good call! Went the first or second season it was opened in 2014! And got a ball signed by Paul Konerko before he retired! Super fun trip my dad and I went (as giants fans scouting the dodgers and the new park). After that him and I went to opening day and World Series Game 5 (the last game played at home that season) I also went to an NLDS game by myself on a whim one night cuz I found a nose bleed ticket cheap haha! Great memories with my dad supporting our team all season and even pre and post! With the best outcome you could expect in sports! Missed the darn parade though! All three times!!

      Reply
      • tedtheodorelogan

        1 year ago

        The midgets at Giligan’s are probably hurting without the extra tips right now.

        Reply
  4. Pete'sView

    1 year ago

    Giants need for an everyday RH bat is paramount (along with another #2 or #3 rotation arm). As much as Schwarber would make any lineup stronger, Giants still have Belt, LaMont Wade , and even LaStella as potential LH DHs.

    Therefore, Suzuki and/or Story (maybe even Castellanos) make the most sense . . . assuming there’s a season.

    Reply
  5. terrymesmer

    1 year ago

    > limitations have limited him

    You don’t say!

    Reply
    • Hörst deVurmehr

      1 year ago

      Exactly, just like freedom ain’t free!

      Reply
      • Not a clever name

        1 year ago

        It cost a buck O five.

        Reply

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