MLB 2014 season thread

Reportedly, it was 6 years, $144 million.

 

Rangers 2B Jurickson Profar, last year's No. 1 overall prospect, out 10-12 weeks with torn muscle in throwing shoulder:

http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2014/03/texas-rangers-to-be-without-jurickson-profar-at-least-10-weeks-due-to-muscle-tear.html/

 

Ian Kinsler's voodoo doll works!

 

From your mouth to God's ears, though half of Nathan's value could come from his being unable to pitch against the Tigers (career 1.44 ERA in 61 appearances).

The thing about Benoit is that he was surprisingly good last year until October rolled around. He was never supposed to be the ninth-inning guy last year anyway. They were going to hand the keys to chubby Venezuelan Bruce Rondon, but he couldn't throw strikes in Lakeland. They tried again to get him up to speed and, out of nowhere, the Tigers announced late this week that he needs a Tommy John. So, at this point, who the hell knows. I think Joba might be pitching the seventh or eighth and I'm sure that's going to go well.

Tiger fans have gotten really good at panicking the last 7 1/2 years or so. Yeah, they're down a young setup guy, a platoon outfielder and neckless hero of the 2012-13 Caribbean Winter League (Andy Dirks) and a really good defensive shortstop. It's a long season. They'll figure something out, and when you've got three of the best arms and one of the best bats in baseball, you've got some margin for error.

 

Hey, they won a World Series in '68 having the center fielder play shortstop.

 

Tigers acquire SS Alex Gonzalez from the Orioles for Stephen Lombardozzi.

https://twitter.com/Orioles/status/448089366741925888

So if you're keeping track, that's two relievers and a 37-year-old non-roster invitee for Doug Fister.

 

Sounds like the Hoey trade from a few years ago. O's got Hardy and the Twins got junked.

 

Aroldis Chapman Instagramed a photo of his stapled-up head:

http://media.kansascity.com/smedia/2014/03/21/15/44/qa2dY.Em.81.jpeg

(In deference to the squeamish, I linked it rather than embedded it, though it's really not that bad).

 

I saw that pic (don't need to see it again) and I'm not sure what the surgery was...I mean, wasn't he hit in the face? Did they peel his skin all the way off from the top of his head?

 

Fracture was right above his eye, I believe. I think that's SOP for a skull/facial fracture, though I could be wrong.

Better to have a long jagged scar across the top of your head like Chapman or AJ McCarron, than one right across your face like Michael K. Williams.

 

Yes. Doctors put a plate in his head to stabilize the fracture.

 

Marlins president and Survivor cast-off David Samson continues to be too fucking smart for this game and this world. He has identified what the Marlins truly need: to play faster.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10666381/david-samson-wants-miami-marlins-play-faster-games

"My hope is that we lower our average game time from last year to this year, and that we have the highest-percentage decrease of any team," he said.

Never mind they were the second-fastest team in the majors in 2013. There's important work to be done here!