MLB Offseason 2012

[Starbreaker]

I'm over Spring Training already. I understand the need for it, but the games are almost unwatchable and it just makes me long for games that matter.

[Alidar Jarok]

Eh, you'd have to be pretty desperate for baseball to watch Spring training games regularly. They're not like Football preseason games where all Football games are a scarce quantity. I think the fact that they're generally in places like Florida are a symbolic indication that they're not really designed for local fan spectator consumption. They're for the teams themselves.

I usually keep a vague account of my team's record as well as reports of promising players, but this is a time to watch Hockey and Basketball instead (hell, the NCAA Tournament is going to start soon, watch that).

[Use of Time]

Well baseball treats their pre-season in a different light. Football's pre-seaon gets players back into football shape, taking hits again etc. Basketball and Hockey just knocks the rust off and helps players get back in shape.

You need more of a sample size to judge talent in baseball especially for new players. So your spring training invitees are going to get a healthy dose of at bats especially if they are competing for a position. I think a month is about right to give playing time to your expected regulars and sharing some playing time with upcoming prospects. I agree as a fan it's pretty much unwatchable. The only time I remember getting excited for pre-season was so I could get a look at Jason Heyward back when he was coming up.

But like Alidar Jarok just said, there is plenty to watch right now. I've actually enjoyed the World Baseball Classic.

[Timby]

Mark Teixeira is out for 8 - 10 weeks with a wrist injury.

The Yankees' Opening Day lineup is going to be the saddest thing. And by saddest, I mean hilarious.

[Ar-Pharazon]

^ I guess we're gonna find out how good a manager Girardi really is (or isn't).

I mean, even when half a Cardinals team was on the DL, LaRussa had them in first place, or pretty close, most of the time. Irritating SOB, LaRussa, but a hella manager.

[Timby]

Ar-Pharazon wrote:

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^ I guess we're gonna find out how good a manager Girardi really is (or isn't).

I mean, even when half a Cardinals team was on the DL, LaRussa had them in first place, or pretty close, most of the time. Irritating SOB, LaRussa, but a hella manager.

The role of a manager is generally highly overrated, at least as far as it comes to wins and losses. La Russa's teams were generally competitive because of A) solid drafting and free agency signings, and especially in the case of the Cardinals, B) playing in a division that was and is weak as shit.

He also had this Albert Pujols for a long time.

[Samaritan]

I like The Indians i & The Nationals i .

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Mariano Rivera announced today that he's retiring after the end of the 2013 season.

[tomalak301]

Samaritan wrote:

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I like The Indians i & The Nationals i .

The Nationals were a fun team to watch last year. With the chains being taken off Strasberg now, I really do wonder how far they can go. I would love to see a Nationals/Giants NLCS. Still, if there was an east coast team I would pay attention to this year, it's the Nationals.

I figured I should do my postseason predictions. I'm not doing the awards.

AL East:

Rays
Yankees
Orioles
Blue Jays
Red Sox

AL Central:

Tigers
White Sox
Indians
Twins
Royals

AL West

LA Angels
Oakland A's
Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners
Astros (It's going to be weird thinking of Houston as an AL team)

NL West

San Francisco
LA Dodgers - This race for first is going to be a lot of fun
Arizona
San Diego
Colorado

NL Central

Cincy
Cardinals
Brewers
Pirates
Cubs

NL East

Nationals
Braves
Phils
Mets
Marlins

My pick for the World Series:

Nationals over the White Sox

[Tom Hendricks]

Mr. Laser Beam wrote:

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Mariano Rivera announced today that he's retiring after the end of the 2013 season.

Saw that today, sad to see a truly dominant pitcher go. Watching the game replays today, only the Yankees can have a sell out for a Spring Training game.

[bbailey861]

Does anyone have MLB Online Premium? Does it stream well in HD? The last few years I bought the Sportspac from our cableco but this year I am thinking of getting my fix from MLB. The idea of watching games on the phone when we are out and about or being able to stream it to the big screen is very appealing.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ I have had MLB.TV for a few years now and its quality has always been fine.

[Use of Time]

I've really miss the nightly coverage of the Braves on TBS. I end up shelling out over 100 bucks for MLB extra innings but I feel I get my money's worth as I watch just about every game. The only thing I don't like is that it gets blacked out every time Atlanta plays the Nationals which forces me to endure MASN (AKA Homer Central). I seriously can't stand F.P. Santangelo on the color commentary. I live in Virginia so this obviously won't be a problem for everybody.

[bbailey861]

Thanks all. I think I'll spring for the MLB coverage. All the Jays games are blacked out all across Canada, but that is of no matter. We have Rogers Sports Net (all 4 channels), and since Rogers owns the Jays all the games are covered on TV anyway. This'll allow us to watch every other game that is out there. Thanks again.

[Timby]

Oh, holy mother of fuck.

Jordany Valdespin exited Monday’s game after being hit in the groin area by a Justin Verlander fastball. Valdespin was squaring to bunt and just couldn’t get out of the way in time. He eventually got to his feet but was lifted for a pinch-runner. The Mets should update his status later Monday.

Valdespin says he is OK … Asked where he got hit: “My dick,” Valdespin said.

Hit a dinger off Verlander, he'll fastball you in the dick.