Now Warming Up…

Let's start with the Opener.

***We celebrate those who gave their lives this Memorial Day, so we can enjoy freedoms that include our beloved baseball.  We salute their service and sacrifice.  Memorial Day also opens the unofficial trade season, as teams start to understand what type of team they have, what they may need, or even give up.  Recently, the Pirates' GM, Ben Cherington, stated that Paul Skenes may be the only one in Pittsburgh unavailable through trade.  Understandably, trading young, dominant, controllable starting pitching seems ridiculous.  There isn’t a world where I would trade him either, at least now.  Despite the logic, what would a return look like for Skenes today?  Top prospects and quality major leaguers, at a minimum.  Draft picks, mascots, hot dog vendors, perhaps.  What do you think?

Now to the Set Up Man.

***The Colorado Rockies are making the 2024 Chicago White Sox season look, well, at least better than they are currently. They have the worst record in MLB over the first 50 games in over 100 years! At 8-42, they are mired with poor pitching, hitting, and defense so far in 2025.  Things have gone precipitously downward after the decision to trade fan-favorite Nolan Arenado while signing Kris Bryant, who has been injured more than not for the Rockies.  Bryant’s back injury makes his 7-year/$182 million contract an albatross for Colorado.  The toughest GM spot in MLB is with the Rockies, and trying to figure out quality pitching, elevation, and road/home offensive splits.  Overhauls are even more difficult without veritable trade chips.

Now the Closer.

***What is your favorite MLB ballpark food?  Nowadays, teams are offering creative and unique options.  I will always defer to the classic hot dog with mustard/onions/kraut. Now, let’s not get crazy with the idea of ketchup on any hot dog.  If Mommy put ketchup on it when you were a toddler, I can let that slide. Traditionalist here.  So, what’s up with your favorite?

 “If hot dogs consumed in major league ballparks were laid end to end, they would stretch from Yankee Stadium in New York City to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.”- Anonymous and unconfirmed.