2013-14 MLB Hot Stove thread

I look forward to seeing his rehab starts in Biloxi in 2015 and beyond.

 

The 613.8-Foot Home Run

http://www.sfgate.com/sports/shea/article/PCL-legend-Sheridan-s-613-8-foot-home-run-5175501.php

Fun Sunday read from SF Chronicle about a guy named Neill Sheridan, who had one major league at-bat (struck out looking) but a long minor league career. According to legend, in 1953 he hit a home run during a PCL game in Sacramento that broke a car window across the street, and the "testimonials" and "scientific survey" measured the home run at 613.8 feet, which would only make it the longest home run ever.

I like the story because it doesn't even try to weigh the seriousness of the claim and instead just treats it as a good piece of baseball lore. And there's this:

At first, the bigger story was Sheridan racing an Arabian horse earlier that evening, filling in for a teammate scheduled to participate in the publicity stunt who wasn't feeling good. It was a zig-zag course, and each contestant took a turn. Sheridan posted the better time.

 

Braves have agreed on a two-year extension with Jason Heyward --- 2 years, $13.3 million total

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/04/braves-jason-heyward-reach-a-two-year-deal-avoiding-arbitration/

They have also agreed on a multi-year deal with Freddie Freeman, rumored to be in the 8-year, $125 million range.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24429863/braves-freddie-freeman-agree-to-contract-extension

They'll probably still go to arbitration with Kimbrel, but otherwise, a pretty good day.

 

Interesting the Braves are dropping the "file and trial" arbitration strategy.

 

Not to nit pick, but a football field is 120 yards, 360 feet, so two football fields would be 720 feet.

 

They're not. "File and Trial" is for one-year deals. Multi-year extensions don't qualify.

 

Sure, that's a good way for Frank Wren to explain it. But "file-and-trial" is the term given to clubs (I think Miami employed the strategy first) that refuse to negotiate with players who file for arbitration. I don't think there's ever been an "unless we negotiate a multi-year" exception among the file-and-trial teams until Wren invented it today. In my view, the Braves blinked.

Wren was pretty clear in mid-January without suggesting any exceptions:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/01/braves-will-go-to-arbitration-hearings-with-kimbrel-freeman-heyward.html

 

Bronson Arroyo to the D-backs for 2 years, $19 million, plus an option, per Jon Heyman on Twitter ...

 

He'll be useful. Nothing more, but useful's OK.

 

Happy Truck Day!

 

Bought my opening day tickets yesterday!