MLB 2014 season thread

New Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg has quite the red-ass for Jimmy Rollins. Benched three days in a row, and now, according to Olney, "sources indicate that some in influential positions in the organization want Rollins to be a leader by investing himself more thoroughly in daily work and setting a strong example for others. If Rollins isn't going to do that, the sentiment of some is that the team would be better off moving him as soon as possible."

Problem: Rollins has full veto power over trades, and with 434 PAs his $11 million option for 2015 vests.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10626431/jimmy-rollins-philadelphia-phillies-lead-face-trade-sources

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10626431/jimmy-rollins-philadelphia-phillies-lead-face-trade-sources

 

As talented as the Tigers have been, I was stunned thinking about how they entrusted the closing the last few years to Rodney, Benoit, and Valverde. Damn and they had $$ too.

Now with Nathan, their leads should be more secure, right?

 

Aroldis Chapman was hit in the face by a line drive off the bat of Salvador Perez last night. He has fractures to his nose and his left eye.

They also cancelled the rest of the game after that. I know it's an exhibition, but it still seems a little strange to do so for an on-field incident. They don't end games if hitters get beaned.

 

After watching clip, it seemed like the right thing to do. It was 6th inning of an
exhibition game and doubt anyone was in mood to resume. Probably took a fair amount of time to handle the emergency and road team wanted to get back
on the bus. Also would have had to warm up other pitchers they might not have planned on using.

 

Jose Iglesias probably out for season with stress fractures in both legs. Tigers decline to comment on free agent Stephen Drew. Knowing the Tigers, they might just give it a whirl without a shortstop.

http://www.freep.com/article/20140320/SPORTS02/303200107/detroit-tigers-jose-iglesias-shin-injury

 

Chapman will have a plate inserted above his eye, and will be out a minimum of 6-8 weeks, per MLB Network.

 

6-8 weeks I would think MONTHS would be more like it.

 

Yeah, that sounds optimistic. Alex Cobb missed two months last year, and he had a concussion and a lacerated ear, but no fractures.

 

Maybe they can just sow his feet to his knees like this guy:

 

That's a great, great man right there.

 

Will this be the thread for the entire season?