MLB 2014

[rah]

I think with spring training 30 days out, a new thread is appropriate.

AROD is suing.

The hall of fame voting is coming under fire.

Cub fans are looking forward to another year of losing.

All is right in the world of Baseball.

[OzzyKP]

I saw Joba, which, whatever. Have there been other moves other than the Fister and Fielder deals?

Super late response, but think of changes by position from opening day 2013. Iglesias replaces Peralta, Kinsler replaces Infante, Cabrera (at first) replaces Fielder, and Castellanos replaces Cabrera. Completely new infield.

Lombardozi replaces Ramon Santiago, and Raja Davis replaces Avasail Garcia in the left field platoon. Smyly replaces Fister in the rotation, Joba replaces him, and Joe Nathan replaces Joaquin Benoit. Plus Veras and Dotel are gone, we have some other new relievers besides Joba who I don't even remember.

And to top it all off we have Brad Asumus replacing Jim Leyland (and other coaching changes).

Even the players who are back and playing the same position in the field are going to be moved in the lineup (Jackson, Hunter). Even the strategy has changed, we're gonna see a bunch of stealing this year, the Tigers never steal. This is a HUGE change in just one season.

[SlowwHand]

I was sorry to see Kinsler go. I guess circumstances of the team in general made it necessary. He's a good addition.

[Ben Kenobi]

http://mlb.si.com/2013/12/09/roy-halladay-blue-jays-phillies-retire/

Didn't see this reported here.

Roy Halladay, the Sandy Koufax of the Blue Jays has retired. This was a very sad day.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Well, darn... the Yankees won the bidding for Tanaka:

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/10331816/masahiro-tanaka-new-york-yankees-agree-seven-year-155-million-deal

Tanaka, 25, went 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA in the Japanese League last season and is considered by many to be a top-of-the-rotation starter.

7 years, $155 mil - which may not be that much of an overpay here.

[H Tower]

*Opening Day bump*

Ok, now back to to talking Football 24/7/365

[Imran Siddiqui]

Blowing leads in the first game of the season?! This is going to be a long year (again).

[H Tower]

I think Lovie Smith is moonlighting as the Cubs replay assistant. 0-1 on challenges, and 0-2 in replay decisions.

[rah]

Or as their coach. Good defense and no offense.

[H Tower]

The Chicago Cubs are on the same page this year.

http://msn.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/chicago-cubs-outfielder-junior-lake-wears-wrong-jersey-against-pirates-photo-040314

[Imran Siddiqui]

But picture ever, LOLz:

[Demonbinder]

Cubs offer Samardzija 5 years at $85 mil. but he turns it down with no counter-offer.

It looks like they have good hitters in the minors to be promoted over the next couple of years but doesn't look like too many starters down there. They keep drafting pitchers, but not much luck there, at least for now. How much longer do we have to wait?

[-Jrabbit]

Samardzija will be traded. He's at or near the top of the list of available starters.
Signing him would have made him more trade-friendly, not more likely to stay.
Cubs are hoping for a bidding war.

No-hitter for Kershaw! First of 2014...

[EPW]

[Imran Siddiqui]

Whoa. Best team in baseball got much better (well at least for this year)! Looks like Beane is going for the big prize this year!