As we celebrate the return of baseball, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on today:
1. Baseball is back!
Finally, baseball games are set to return to our TV screens and radios. Just two games are on the docket today: the Rangers against the Royals at 2:05pm CT, and the Mariners against the Padres at 2:10pm CT. Left-hander Daniel Lynch is known to be starting the spring opener for the Royals, while lefty Robbie Ray takes the mound for Seattle against right-hander Nick Martinez of the Padres. Of course, given these are the first games of the spring and players are still getting stretched out, it’s likely said starts will only last an inning or two. The rest of the league will begin playing spring games over the weekend, with full slates of games on both Saturday and Sunday.
2. Are spring extensions on the way?
As is often the case during spring training, rumors regarding potential extension discussions have bubbled up across baseball in recent weeks. Most recently, rumors have indicated the Pirates and Bryan Reynolds may soon resume talks while Tim Anderson hopes to get something done to stay on the south side of Chicago. Those aren’t the only extension-related rumors percolating, however, as the Phillies have reportedly exchanged offers with the camp of ace Aaron Nola, new Astros GM Dana Brown hopes to extend more players even after signing Cristian Javier, and Brewers shortstop Willy Adames recently discussed his hopes to stay in Milwaukee long term.
3. Offseason in Review series continues
MLBTR’s annual Offseason in Review series will continue later today, as MLBTR’s Steve Adams recaps the Athletics’ winter and hosts an A’s-centric chat at 2pm CT. If you’re unable to make the chat, you can submit a question in advance. This comes on the heels of Darragh McDonald kicking off this year’s OiR series with a look back at the Pirates’ offseason yesterday. You can check out the transcript from Darragh’s Pirates chat if you missed it, and be sure to check back this afternoon for the A’s installments.
Rangers against the Royals: Looks like a preview of the 2023 ALCS.
Not quite. It’s more like a flashback to 2015.
Waiting for the Mets fans to complain that Texas has guaranteed over the next 10 years what the Mets will pay the next 1.5 years in 321…
It will be nice to see some games, even if we’re just talkin bout practice as Mr. Iverson might say.
Wooooooot baseball is back!!! Best time of the year! Good luck to all teams!! I see the playoff teams being:
Al
West Astros
East blue jays
Central white Sox
Wc Yankees
Wc rays
Wc Indians
Nl
West dodgers
Center cards
East braves
Wc Mets
Wc Phillies
Wc Padres
Nice. What about awards? MVP, RoY, Cy?
I’ll try at the awards
Al
Mvp: trout
Roy: Hunter brown (I think he’s eligible)
Cy: Cole
NL
MVP: Pete Alonso
ROY: I’m going to go with some random dodger nobody has ever heard of
CY: Nola
LOL re: Dodger comment. Ryan Pepiot, c’mon down! Though Vargas could have a spot Day 1.
AL:
MVP: Jose Ramirez
RoY: Hunter Brown
Cy: Dylan Cease
NL:
MVP: Acuña (wee bit biased, but this is the year — though bigger bases will look like donuts to a fat kid for him)
RoY: Jordan Walker (if it’s not LAD, STL another that consistently gets most out of youngbloods)
Cy: Zac Gallen (he’s been putting it altogether…and will make MIA ask “what if” they had a tandem of Alcantara/Gallen)
I totally agree with your picks. I would have given Ramirez – who, being one of the top three players in bb (Trout, Ohtani) – is still overlooked by some.
Miami and the Cardinals wonder what if on Sandy and Zac.
Run – even with Alcantara and Gallen, they’d still stink. And then they wouldn’t have Jizzholm.
I completely forgot Gallen was a STL until after I made that post, so thanks for the reminder.
Sure, they’d still be bad and need a lot more, but IMHO, Gallen is light years ahead of Jazz, about to make a position change. They’d have 2 of the top SPs in the league under control for at least a few years — and the better they are, the less premium offense they’d need either from the farm or FA. They’d stink, but stink a lot less. Gallen would be a nice air freshener for that franchise.
Impressive that the Indians are going to make the playoffs while not even being a team
Indians spiders jokers… You obviously know who I meant. Sorry I’ve watched baseball way before the PC crowd whined to change teams. Indians and redskins nothing racist about it
Not politically correct or whining. It’s just about not being ignorant. Would you appreciate it if someone called you Chinese? I’m assuming you’re not since you tag yourself as Latino. I do like your predictions but the White Sox pick is pretty bold. Not sure if they are better than the Twins or the Guardians. Padres might finally overtake the Dodgers. And hard to see Jays over Yanks for the division. Overall I think your picks are solid but I think seeding will be alot different.
You can call me anything you’d like. I’m actually not Latino this is a reference to Eddie Guerrero. What is racist about Indians?
He assumed your race… how racist.
Other than Indians are people in/from India…
Redskins, yes. Indians, no. What’s offensive about the word Indians? Braves, too. It’s like TB being called the Devil Rays. That’s the name of the fish but some people apparently think Satan is the Rays’ first baseman. Too bad ownership caved on that one. Maybe Cleveland should go back to their original name: the Blues. Although the Crayola company might take offense at that
Nothing racist about it other than the overt racism
If you think the word Indians is racist you are too soft for life and should go hide under a rock til your passing day. What’s next people are going to start whining about teams colors “oh the packers wearing green hurts my feelings we need to change it immediately!!!” Give me a break
Crazy that some people are still going on about this. Wouldn’t go so far as to call it racist but maybe a bit insensitive. Certainly no I’ll intent but is it really necessary to still have a team name after a nationality of people? That would be like having the New York Jews, the Miami Hispanics, the Chicago Asians, and the Minnesota Caucasians.
I see nothing wrong with the name Guardians.
That’s a little different. Calling a team the Miami Hispanics seems a little wrong unless the rule is only Hispanic players allowed which then has a bunch more issues. The worst was changing the devil rays to the rays that was completely ridiculous.
No racism or insensitivity were behind the name. The name was in homage to Louis Sockalexis, the first Native American player in MLB history. However things like that don’t matter to the woke agenda that just want things changed to whatever they like because they want it that way
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Indians_name_and_logo_controversy
It won’t make you woke to learn. I promise.
I never understood why people got upset over someone naming a football team after a potato…
I understand the “controversy” however, the name was never meant in disrespect to Native Americans or anyone else. Caving to the nonsense of 2020 is all this ends up being. Daniel Snyder was already embroiled in multiple scandals and sought pacification through the name change, which didn’t magically wipe the slate clean as he thought it would. The Braves, Chiefs, even Rangers and Cowboys have been/are subjects to scrutiny about changing their names because they are supposedly “offensive” in some way or another
Rsox — Gotcha. Only things that are offensive to you are offensive (like woke-ism).
Your right to be offended, is not a universal right.
How did you earn your right to be offended, or is it a blood-line’s thing?
Actually very little truly offends me. If i don’t like something i don’t watch it/hear it/read it. I don’t make demands to change things or tear down statues or demand a syrup company change its name because someone found it offensive (without actually knowing the remarkable story behind it)
Once again, they remain eternally butt hurt about the Indians and the Redskins, but NEVER a single word about the Hornets becoming the Pelicans.
EVER.
And then they think their racism isn’t blinking red light with an alarm siren blaring obvious.
To be fair, i think the Pelicans are a bad name for a team too however so was the Bobcats so it was really lose/lose on that one
Nothing racist about the word Indians. Again I’ll try to explain this to you. It’s about ignorantly labeling a group of people something they are not that’s offensive. Why don’t you have a conversation about with a native American and ask them if they appreciate or find it offensive. Especially when you throw in a logo Chief Wahoo clearly not from India. Not sure why people (baby boomers) want to hold onto this garbage. And then call it politically correct. And I don’t hide under a rock. I’ve been to 35 countries. Currently sending you a message from Saigon brother. Look it up on a map.
Tell us you’re a pc crybaby without telling us you’re a pc crybaby. Give it a rest you tried to make a point and failed miserably. Indians devil rays redskins braves chop all of that is not racist. Go ask a Native American you say, and they would say who the hell cares what a sports team is called. Seriously grow a pair and try to live your life like a big boy
The best part of your rant is whining that the Indians logo isn’t from India. Ignorant much? Because all Indians live in India right? You’d do a lot better to just read the comments and not post moving forward
Whining. No that’s what you do. Oh is that why they protested at the stadium because they don’t care. And yeah big fail. It’s only a success if you are 50 and up and can only name call baby and PC and woke and soft. I’m just trying to help you grow a tiny amount.I bet you you wouldn’t have a “pair” to insult me face to face brother. Just go to your hole in the wall bar and drown yourself in booze with your loser buddies like you have been for the last 30 years and cry about the woke crowd actually trying to improve our sad ignorant culture. Stay “asleep” until you pass.
No it wasnt
Intent is irrelevant (though it’s funny how Indians were never consulted when these names were first picked). Braves is racist. Chiefs is racist. The chop is extremely racist. The Texas Rangers (law enforcement, not baseball) have an extensive history of racism with a dash of genocide sprinkled in.
Damn Rsox you just fall for any stupid legend dont you? First you parrot the nonsense about the Indians name being in honor of Louis Sockalexis and then bring up the “remarkable story” of Aunt Jemima. Is the remarkable story that white people thought the “mammy” stereotype was good fun? Because that’s the history behind it.
If they cannot be referred to as “member of [tribal nation]”, American Indian is the preferred term for a large percentage of native/indigenous people. You’re not helping anyone with this “Indians are from India” argument
It’s just baseball talk why do you get so angry? If you really want to meet face to face I’m in Los Angeles you can often find me at angel games (really nice stadium). You’re really not good at guessing either, I haven’t been to a bar in a few years , 420 is more my thing. Glad to see that being woken up makes you feel like an American hero. You sound like a complete pu$$y
Whatever tough guy. Not sure what’s smaller. Your dick or your brain. They both seem tiny.And no I think I will pass on the invitation to watch the Angels with you. I’m too intimidated by you. Smoke some green crack. And have a good day. Sorry for trying to help you.
Hey mauried this is me calling you out. You ran your mouth and wanted to meet face to face so I called you out. Then you backtracked and you want to talk about my d*ck. Then you got scared and blocked me. So nice to put a coward in his place from time to time. You thought you were a tough guy I called you out and you put your tail between your legs and ran. Keyboard warrior strikes again. What a pu$$y
I didn’t block you.
Sorry for the PC crowd I meant the guardians
Stupidest name for a team I’ve ever heard.
The Guardians naming their team after a revered local icon is stupid?
Yes
People are being really ridiculous about the name change.
Miami’s winning the NL East.
@heat i like most of your predictions but for the nle i can see the jays winning it but can see tb or nyy winning it to, and if balt can repeat what they did after the a.s. break they can be a dark horse to win the ale but i’m picking nyy to win the east only because nyy, tor, and tb are so close to each other but choosing nyy until someone dethrones them
the alc i disagree with i think it’s a 2 team race with cle and min with the edge to cle, they seem to be most well rounded where as minn are top heavy and rely to much on there big stars. cws don’t impress me much and see the as a 80 to 85 team
nlc i agree with only because i’m guilty of homerism but i’m not going to count out the brew or cubs, brew have a lights out pitching staff and if yelich’s is heathy and can bounce back there going to be fought to beat. the cubs imo have quietly improved themselves while getting bad contracts off the books and if some of the kids take a step up i could see them surprising mil and stl for the nlc.
nle and nlw much of the same but going with lad and atl until someone dethrones them hard to pick against them, even thou i feel that nym and sd are just as good
nlw is hands down hou but i feel that sea and tex isn’t going to make it easy
Brodie…..in your last part, I think you meant ALW. Not NLW.
i meant alw my bad lol, not sure why i put nlw down
Count out the cubs.
@avenger i would love to count out the cubs but the way they played in the second half has me keeping my eyes on them as a dark horse. as much as i love my birds but there are question marks, and unless the brew can hit better than last year i don’t see them winning even with that staff. unfortunately the nlc is a weak division and if things break right for the cubs i can see them sneaking in, then again they could also stumble out of the gate some of the kids regress and the wheels fall off
I’m a Tigers fan, but I can see Seattle getting in.
Interesting who do they beat out? I don’t see the Astros losing the west so it comes down to the wild card
Those are good picks. If I could change one, I’d put either the Indians or Twins winning the ALC with the other one possibly being the wc if the Orioles don’t get it
We might be sleeping on the white Sox. They have a lot of talent just never seem to put it together.
Red Sox dare playing too tonight, against a college team though… game will be broadcast on NESN.
Yep the annual game vs the Northeastern University Huskies. First time they have played each other since 2020 as the Sox look for their 18th straight win since the teams started playing each other at the start of spring training in 2004.
Cora isn’t taking it easy on them either as Rafael Devers, Kiki Hernandez, Alex Verdugo, Masataka Yoshida, and Tristan Casas are all in the lineup, as are a couple of guys on the bubble in Jarren Duran and Jorge Alfaro.
We’ve made it folks!
Been a great off season here at MLBTR. Thanks to the staff for all the great content.
Not if you’re a Tigers fan, lol. Just a few updates on our pitchers missing most if not the entire season. I’m kidding of course. It’s not MLBTR’s fault that they’ve been about as inactive as you can be. Particularly on offense. Where they were especially horrible.
I have two close friends who grew up in Detroit. When they lived here I’d usually take them when the Tigers were in town.
So I tend to root for them. Would be great to see them competing again.
Just wanna see what it looks like.
LF-Meadows (3)
CF-Greene (1)
RF-Baddoo (9)
3B-Maton (8)
SS-Baez (4)
2B-Schoop (2)
1B-Torkelson (6)
C-Rogers/Haase (7)
DH-Cabrera (5)
Meh…
Hey could be a lot worse man. What are your thoughts on torkelson think he’ll show his potential this year ?
He can’t be worse. He’s too good not to figure it out eventually.
At the moment, according to Baseball Prospectus, these are the teams making it to the playoffs.
AL
#1 Seed: New York Yankees
#2 Seed: Houston Astros
#3 Seed: Minnesota Twins
WC1: Toronto Blue Jays
WC2: Cleveland Indians
WC3: LA Angels
NL
#1 Seed: Los Angeles Dodgers
#2 Seed: New York Mets
#3 Seed: Milwaukee Brewers
WC1: San Diego Padres
WC2: Atlanta Braves
WC3: Philadelphia Phillies
+1 for the Indians 🙂
Not sure how the Yankees beat out the Astros for the number one 1 spot. Their pitching got better but their offense still needs help
And so it begins! The long road to October. Well, November….
Eventually, December.
But whatever, hope springs eternal unless you are a Pirates fan.
Good luck to one and all, may the best team bring home the hardware!
Yeet!
Forget about predictions. The biggest story around baseball right now is “Will your favorite team have a TV channel on Opening Day?”
According to Sports Business Journal, Warner Bros. Discovery has told all the teams carried by AT&T SportsNet to take back their TV rights by March 31, otherwise that division will be put into a Chapter 7 liquidation. That is in addition to the financial problems and anticipated Chapter 11 filing by Diamond Sports Group.
Interesting. Do you have a link to where you read this? Would be a good read
“Baseball can’t be dying, they are making record TV revenue!!!”
A house of cards built on a bubble, but sure, doing swell.