Now that pitchers and catchers have reported (even if late), it is time for the work to begin.
Diamondbacks News
The Diamondbacks’ Shifting Outfield Plans for 2025
If all goes according to plan, the Diamondbacks might just bring back the No Fly Zone.
Diamondbacks Officially Ink Graveman
The Diamondbacks have officially inked a one-year, make-good deal with former White Sox reliever, Kendall Graveman. The Pit’s initial reporting of the mostly (likely) nothing burger of a deal can be found here.
What Position Player Slots are Up for Grabs?
With Eugenio Suarez still in the fold, the Diamondbacks are, for once, entering the season without a need to suss out a new solution for third base. In fact, outside the pitching staff, it is only the roles of backup catcher and utility infielder that really need any evaluating. Adrian Del Castillo and Jose Herrera are the likely candidates to spell Moreno. The utility infield position is a wide-open competition of of various profiles, ranging from the boom/bust bat of Blaze Alexander, to the glove-first super-utility Garrett Hampson.
Other Baseball News
Ichiro Suzuki to Donate Personal Collection to Cooperstown
One of the biggest class-acts to ever lace them up continues to be so after retirement.
Dodgers Re-Sign Clayton Kershaw
Yet another completely unsurprising signing by the Dodgers, the future Hall-of-Famer returns to the only team he has ever pitched for on a deal that guarantees him $7.5 million as a bas and contains escalators that could take the deal to $16 million. Of course, in order to reach those escalators, he’ll have to get healthy first. The storied, oft-injured lefty will begin the season on the 60-day IL.
Friedman Envisions 5-Man Rotation Until Ohtani’s Return to Mound
It might almost be a good thing that the Dodger rotation features so many injury-prone starters. As it stands, the team will likely transition to a 6-man rotation when Ohtani returns to pitching. But then they’ll still need to find room for Kershaw when he comes off the 60-day IL. Oh, to have the Dodgers’ form of selection problems.
Red Sox to Sign Alex Bregman
The contract is a 3-year/$120 million pact. However, the salary structure, signing bonus, and deferrals drop the obvious $40 million AAV down to $31.7 million for competitive balance purposes.
Marcus Stroman Rejoins Yankees
After missing the first two days of training camp, Marcus Stroman has reported to spring training for the New York Yankees, with some pointed comments and a chip on his shoulder.
Marcus Stroman Refuses Bullpen Role
With six weeks to go before the season begins, cold weather performances, and off-season softened bodies, there is a very real possibility that this will be a non-issue by Opening Day. Still, the dysfunction already brewing in the Bronx is something to keep an eye on.
The Seven College Baseball Teams to Keep an Eye On
Oregon State brings one of the most exciting teams they have ever assembled – a fairly commendable feat given their extreme success as a program over the last 20 years. Too bad the ridiculous realignment of teams has deprived ASU and UofA of the opportunity to pit themselves against the Ducks, who are trying to make a name for themselves as the most dominant college baseball program in the west.