The hot stove part of the season has begun as Rangers get themselves a short stop/second baseman. Texas Rangers reach deals with Marcus Semien, Jon Gray, sources say (espn.com) Its a start.
1/2 a billion in 48 hours, the Rangers said they would be spenders this winter and at least they were, now is it money well spent, well, these are all older payers so that is yet to be seen.
and the Rangers say they still have enough to chase after Kershaw if he doesn't re-up with the Dodgers (which will likely be a reduction due to age and injury).
The old adage says to build your team to be strong up the middle (C, 2B, SS, CF) - and the Rangers certainly got much stronger at 2B and SS. Interesting that they were able to pull these deals off ahead of the probable lockout.
Yeah, glad to see they went after defense but the rangers never keep or acquire pitching and championships cant be won without them. Need more than one pitcher too, one ace pitcher isn't going to get it done.
^Good point. If you look at the Rangers Minor League rosters, there are a bunch of pitching prospects - what stage of development for each is the big question. However...they also have a glut of very good middle infield prospects that are now (a) blocked by Simeon and Seager and (b) available as trade bait for pitching during the season. We'll have to see how that develops. These moves won't get the Rangers to "contender" status this season - but definitely a step in the right direction.
Pitchers and catchers are supposed to report on 17 February. I do not see anything to suggest the lockout will be over by then.
^And it's been very quiet so far. I assume talks are going on - hope we hear some news soon. There are still several free agents out there waiting to find the right deal for next season.
At least they are going to talk - probably each blaming the other, but it is a start: MLB, MLBPA set for Thu. bargaining session
They need to get their rear ends in gear. I am trying to plan our annual visit for my wife and kids to her sister/thier Aunt in Phoenix where I just happen to get to slip away to a spring training game or three and this is messing with our plans.
Apparently progress, if it's coming at all, is coming in very small steps. MLB lockout progress? Negotiations pick up steam with union proposal (msn.com). Sounds like the players made the first big move (or started caving in to the owners). Spring Training startup is in jeopardy.
It is a start, but I would make any non-refundable reservations in Florida or Arizona yet. If the Players come out of tomorrow's meeting showing indignation at the Owner's response, the Season Start will be in jeopardy.
Haven't seen any reports of progress from the last meetings. Spring Training is in jeopardy - if they don't reach an agreement in the next couple of days, they will have to delay the start of Spring Training - and who knows how that would ripple into the start of the season.
Spot on HHD. I was very disappointed when the players did not back off their demand for FA after 2 years in the league.
Viper, the players and the owners are beginning to make me think of them as the old story of two guys is a rowboat, surrounded by sharks, while the waves are swamping the boat - one guy says "Haha - your half of the boat is going to sink first!"
Looking more and more like there will be no Arizona trip this year. Start of spring training in jeopardy after unproductive bargaining session, per reports
Not looking good - MLB lockout updates: Spring training likely to be delayed as Tuesday negotiations go nowhere (yahoo.com). Doesn't sound like either side is willing to budge much - could be a while before we see baseball again.
I am afraid nothing is going to happen until the owners start having to return money and the players lose game checks.
Well...pitchers and catchers were supposed to report to Spring Training this week. So, the lockout is already beginning to pinch., I wonder when the players and the owners will wake up to reality.
This is why I stopped watching major league sports. Millionaires fighting with billionaires over more money while eliminating the working stiffs from seeing games in person because of bloated prices to pay them off.
At some point the lack of a pay check is going to start biting at the bottom and work its way up. Same for the owners, but most, if not all, are a long way from the soup line.
MLB has now cancelled spring training games through March 4. On time start of season will soon be in jeopardy.
^Just saw that on the Sports news. If they don't agree pretty quickly, regular season start will be pushed back - and the owners have already said that if the season starts late, games will be eliminated in favor of a shortened regular season.