Now Warming Up…Spring Training MLB!                                                                 

Let's start with the Opener.

***MLB fans can practically hear the pop of the mitts and the crack of the bats as 2025 Spring Training is underway at sites all around Florida and Arizona. As always, there are a lot of interesting stories. Four ace-like pitchers are returning to the mound for their respective teams this spring: Jacob deGrom for the Rangers, Sandy Alcantara for the Marlins, Spencer Strider for the Braves, and Shane McClanahan for the Rays.  Strider seems poised to start the season on the DL, while the other three could pitch on Opening Day.  Which of these players will have the best season?  I will bet on deGrom, who has only pitched in nine games since signing with the Rangers.  Yet he is one of the most dominating pitchers I have seen when healthy.  The two pitching for the Florida teams could find themselves on the trading block if they come back from injury looking like their old selves.   Sandy is a slam-dunk to get traded as soon as he shows he is healthy. What do you think?

Now to the Set Up Man.

*** There is chatter in Boston after the signing of Alex Bregman to a three-year deal.  Bregman seems like the right fit for the Red Sox in so many ways.  Yet, the plus-defender at 3B seemingly was signed to man second base in Boston.  Rafael Devers, the extra-base-hitting-machine, stated already that the hot corner is his position. If Sox leadership signed Bregman to play 3B without having a conversation with Devers, this is a mess of their own making.  I would expect Devers to move to first, probably not as a DH, to help the team ultimately.  Bregman’s worth, in part, is found in his strong defense. Devers is signed for the next decade, so his move across the diamond should be even easier. 

Now the Closer.

***Across spring training this year, the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), presented by T-Mobile (its official name) will be used in place for approximately 60% of Spring Training games, as MLB uses the exhibition season to determine whether the system is suitable for the Major League level. Umpires will continue to call balls and strikes, but the hitter, pitcher or catcher can challenge the strike/ball call immediately after the umpire’s call.  Each team gets two challenges per game, but successful challenges are retained; A team only loses its challenge if the umpire’s call is confirmed. Previous studies in the minor leagues of this system show that each challenge increases the total time of a game by only 17 seconds. So, for a baseball traditionalist like me, I say, “Woah.  I thought ABS was a feature on my car!”  What do you think?

“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”

– Babe Ruth