casimir

Helluva first round.

That was a fun one to watch if one had a nonPurdue rooting interest.

Volume shooters.

Detroit Tigers vs St. Louis Cardinals Watch: Cardinals - Bally Sports Midwest Listen: Cardinals - KMOX 1120 AM/98.7 FM, Cardinals Radio Network

I'm calling victory.

The magic number to clinch 14% odds for the top pick is now 6.

Yeah, I would think that its a combination of rules changes having an effect on the running game. For all of Manfred's warts, I think he deserves credit for putting forth some good rules changes that will benefit the game. And its not just the actual rues changes themselves, but also trying out rules changes in the minors to see how they might play out during a season. So there's the practical application of the rules and seeing what works and what doesn't and what might need to be tweaked. But the younger players in MLB may have already been exposed to these rules, and so they're already in tune with how these rules work.

Is Cisnero bolted down to Detroit?

I thought it was so fans had something to buy tickets for and watch on TV?

Matt Manning on the bump today. He was vocal about the coaching/development changes that have been made with the new front office. He's probably due a good outing to show those changes are benefitting him.

New York Yankees vs Detroit Tigers Watch: Tigers - Bally Sports Detroit Listen: Tigers - WXYT 1270, Yankees - WFAN 660/101.9 FM

Has Team Venezuela returned Cabrera back to the Tigers yet?

Looks like Bey is shooting less, too. It could be he’s a better player with less usage. It could be he’s on a better team and he’s getting better looks because he’s lower on the priority list to defend. And, sure, it could be better coaching, too.

There absolutely needs to be more action and/or a quicker flow to the game. I don’t like the shift rules. I think teams should be allowed to place the 7 non battery defenders wherever they so choose. But I understand the intent behind it. The pitch clock was needed, although I wonder if it might become a detriment in late & high leverage situations. I’d hate to see an otherwise clean playoff game come down to a 9th inning clock violation. I didn’t think the bigger bases would lead to more base running. It’s only a few inches. I would like to know what players/coaches think about it. Is the increased action due to the bigger bases or are there other variables more at play here? What do I know, the increase might be mostly due to bigger bases. It just doesn’t seem likely to me.

You know, there are a couple of other variables that need to be considered. The shortened spring training last season and the WBC this season. Maybe they factor in, maybe they don’t, I’m not sure. But I would guess the former to some extent.

Yup. This team is doomed. The elimination number is practically counting down before they leave Lakeland.

Ain't a lot of position players on the 40 that have proven much more than each other. And there are a lot of puzzle pieces to sort through, some of whom which have minor league options which will factor into the decisions as tiebreakers or maybe more than that.

Hmmm...... You know, it might be just as simple as that. There's one spot available for a nondefense hitter. If Cabrera is not on the injured list, Carpenter is in Toledo.

You're a lot of fun. 😆

I agree with you on both. I kind of went with the floor for Vierling as a platoon OF vs LHPs and left it there. I think he'll be used more, certainly as a defensive replacement for Baddoo/Carpenter when necessary. I had forgotten that he was injured and don't recall the outlook. That sucks. As far as the IF, I wouldn't be shocked if Schoop were released based on poor spring training performance. It's a shame, he came into camp in really improved shape, and it'd be nice to see him bounce back at the plate and show that last season's defense wasn't a fluke (although I suspect it was helped a lot by the shift and his arm). But I assume he makes the team although I don't think he really adds to the versatility that is needed. This team needs Tony Phillips.

I don't know the whole story, and I am completely unqualified to be a basketball GM. But with what I know about it, I wouldn't touch Miller in the draft. The risk doesn't seem worth the reward. Trade out if it, let another GM rolls the bones on Miller. Maybe I'm wrong about that. The Pistons are an awfully young team. The decision making by Miller leading up to the murder, while he may not have pulled the trigger, there were opportunities for him to duck out of the issue and not be associated with it, and maybe it ultimately wouldn't have gone down at all. I'm not sure I want that kind of decision making and off court mess around the rest of the team. Sure, they ain't all choir boys. But why bring that into the fold?

For the most part. Baez, Greene, Torkelson, and MeadowsA are probably starting everyday heading out of camp. Ignoring C, that leaves 3 defensive positions and DH to fill from among 13 position players on the roster - the 4 starters mentioned above - 2 catchers = 7 players. One of those bodies will be Cabrera, and we know his limitations, but let's be generous and call him an everyday DH to begin the season. They're down to 3 defensive positions from among 6 players. It seems likely that Maton and Vierling are making the club. A LHH IF (that can cover all IF spots) and a RHH OF (that can cover all OF spots) are fits for the above. Now, whether they play everyday or not, that's another question. I think it stands to reason that at least they get playing time in a traditional platoon play, Maton vs RHPs (likely at 3B) and Vierling vs LHPs (could be any OF position). Down to 4 players. Let's say Schoop makes the team. He's the starting 2B, at least for April. Down to 3 players needed. 10 position players on the roster, technically each starting spot could be filled and there's a backup C. And if they go with Rogers as the backup C, that probably allows more LF team for Haase, which would factor into things a little. So, while starting spots are technically covered, there's still Cabrera included as an everyday starter, which seems a stretch. They could throw anyone into that DH role to give Cabrera a day off, but who backfills that defensive position. Baddoo and Carpenter aren't very versatile defensively. Carpenter seems to be relegated to poor fielding LF. Baddoo has lesser fielding foibles, but his arm shouldn't be in RF. I guess with Vierling on the roster they could use him in RF to spell MeadowsA, so maybe that isn't an issue. But if they both make the roster, that leaves only one spot for a backup IF. That seems a little thin, although with Maton being able to move around, maybe not so much. Ultimately, I think where I am going is that the roster might not be deep enough for it to carry all three of Cabrera, Baddoo, and Carpenter at the same time. I do think there will be a constant shuttle from Detroit to Toledo involving pitchers based on availability and usage and performance. I'm not so sure we see that with position players, although maybe they intertwine at times when the schedule allows (going from 13 pitchers to 12 pitchers to add another position player for a spell). I don't know. There's still 2 weeks to go. Still time for a trade (seems unlikely) or for an injury (not rooting for it) to factor into this.

It appears Rogers is to be ready to go north. I was wary that he might have had a longer climb to get into game speed given how much time he lost and how catching is literally involved in every pitch of the game.