2020 MLB Running Thread

That appears to be a 16-inch softball. You know, Chicago-sized.

 

Rest of Reds-Pirates series ppd. after positive test

Sunday's potential double-header between the Pirates and Reds is also cancelled. So far, it is only one member of the Reds who tested positive. Looks like MLB is still keeping open the possibility of the teams playing a doubleheader Monday, when both were supposed to be off.

When is the last time there wasn't at least one game postponed due to a positive test? The Cardinals had just returned to playing games yesterday.

 

lol Vin raves about Mattingly's 3 straight years of 200+ hits ... "the last Yankee to do that was Lou Gehrig."

Just before Mattingly hits into a 4-6-3.

Then watch Buckner hobble-run off the field.

 

I thought it’d be a lot worse. Still don’t understand why they are not bringing up the players from the backup training sites, though. That should be the protocol, that the other 30 come in and play when there’s an outbreak on the big club. Less of a farce than playing only 45 of 60 games.

 

First you have to sanitize the locker room, then you have to figure out who else on the big club may be infected (if anyone). Can’t just bring people up immediately.

 

Quarantine the entire big league team. Bring in an interim manager from the minors.

 

It is not really necessary to “sanitize.” COVID 19 is an airborne, not surface, transmitting disease.

I say: Play ball!

 

Rob Kaminsky, former Indians 1st round bonus baby from north Jersey, pitches a scoreless ninth for Cards in his debut vs. CWS. Got Abreu and Encarnacion, struck out Jimenez.

 

He had a better day than the fellow who gave up four straight “home runs”!

 

I don’t think there’s been one all-AL game postponed because of COVID. The only outbreaks are with NL teams in the Central and East.

 

Sources: Pitchers' actions caused rift in Indians

The Indians' situation with Plesac and Clevinger is really a mess. They both definitely screwed up big time and deserve to face consequences, it is interesting that the union is remaining quiet about them both being demoted. Clevinger is an established major leaguer, probably among the top 20 starting pitchers in MLB. If the Indians don't call him back for 20 days, they can delay free agency for him by a year due to his current service time. They also gain greater control of Plesac by keeping him down, but his situation offers less room for a grievance. Of course, that also hurts them during the current season.

On the other hand, they have players who insisted on a severe punishment, some even threatening to opt out for the season if Plesac and Clevinger were allowed to return. Clevinger didn't initially get caught, so he was on a team plane after sneaking out. He has teammates who rightfully claim that he violated their trust.

I'm not arguing against keeping them down. I always find it interesting how selective the MLBPA seems to be in deciding when to actually step up and protect players, and when it decides not to get involved.

 

I think their teammates are more mad about how Clevinger and Plesac responded to this than them actually doing it. You can't tell me every single player has gone back to the hotel and turned on Netflix and video games after every single game. I'm sure some of them have gone out, and definitely do at home. Clevinger and Plesac simply going out to deal isn't that risky of a move. But Clevinger kept quiet about his transgression after Plesac was shipped off. That allowed Clevinger to fly home with the team, which is what they avoided with Plesac. He also defended Plesac at a meeting about it, before the team found out he was involved. So he lied about it. Then Plesac put out an Instagram video where he blamed the media and called them evil and just making up headlines, all while driving around town with his seat belt on incorrectly. The brass definitely didn't like that; probably his teammates as well.

So it was more about their response than what they did. Plus that team loves Carlos Carrasco, who battled leukemia last year so would be in a higher-risk group. They probably feel protective of him.

Anyway, I would definitely bet on a grievance being filed. Don't know what the timeline is for filing it. If the CBA allows for filing a grievance months later, I could see them quietly filing it in, say, December. What they would want to gain is any lost pay or service time. Even filing it right this second doesn't get them back on the roster; doubt the grievance would be heard anytime soon. But they would want that money and service time back -- especially if they are down long enough to lose time toward free agency. I don't see how the Indians can argue the demotions aren't punitive. I don't think the CBA allows teams to send players to the minors as punishment.