2013-14 MLB Hot Stove thread

What a mess of a rule. This is only going to create controversial calls in an effort to stem the tide of an occasional injury at home plate. Stupid rule.

 

A long feature on concussions in MLB, in general, and it touches on the new rule: http://grantland.com/features/mlb-catcher-concussions-home-plate-collisions-rule/

 

I'll wait until the regular season to believe it, but at least one player -- Oakland's Brandon Moss -- is working on his bunting as a way to counteract the shift. By the sounds of it, he actually looks pretty good, and with the shift he faces all he has to is keep it far enough from the pitcher and he's on.

http://www.mercurynews.com/athletics/ci_25224167/slugger-brandon-moss-ready-play-small-ball-this

 

I got through about 3/4 of the story and what I didn't see there were any statistics on catcher concussions caused by collisions at the plate. They mentioned Mauer, but that was it.

This still seems like a solution without a problem and, unfortunately, the rule as written is going to cause more griping about bad umpiring because it leaves a lot open to interpretation.

 

Halos sign Trout for $1 million this season.

Sets up nicely for a blockbuster extension next year.

 

Mets send Jon Niese back to New York for an MRI on his shoulder. Uh oh:

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/26/mets-send-jon-niese-to-new-york-for-mri-on-sore-shoulder/

 

Not a good omen for your supposed opening day starter. This is going to be another long season. I hope the kids can play and there's hope for next year.

 

A blockbuster extension April 3, you mean.

Contracts signed before opening day count for 2014 luxury tax purposes. After that, they don't count until 2015. Trout's boost would be offset by Vernon Wells coming off the books.

 

Actually, now that Trout's salary is set for 2014, they can announce the long-term deal (which will start in 2015) at any time now and it won't count toward the luxury tax this year.

 

No MRI machines in Florida?