SPRING TRAINING NEWS/RUMORS Thread

not a fan of the WBC or ben verlander per se, but this is awesome

@BenVerlander
Absolutely incredible.

In his final game with the Czechia National Team, Ondřej Satoria, an electrian by trade, shutout Samurai Japan, the best team in the world, in his 4.2 IP.

This is the World Baseball Classic. This is Baseball.

Video HERE​

 

I sorta get it. He was a big signing, it's a long season, and he needs to be given a chance to work through whatever is preventing him from realizing his potential. He's obviously got the tools to excel - it's just a matter of figuring it out. Yoshi improved significantly from year 1 to 2 in MLB, so Roki may should too. But yeah, if walks and lack of swings-and-misses continue to be the outcome, he's going to develop confidence issues and then this may drag on. I don't have a problem with him as a starter on day one, as long as there's a plan in place including a deadline where he gets bumped to the pen or AAA if his struggles persist.

Edit: Additional thought - it also depends on the health and effectiveness of the rest of the rotation. If Snell is back and (assuming Ryan gets the 6th spot out of ST) Stone is pitching well in AAA or long relief, it's going to be really difficult to continue seeing Sasaki go out and get drilled every sixth game.

 

i get it
i was referring more to roberts’ stubbornness/inflexibility
that said, his insistence on sticking with guys through their struggles (taylor, conforto) seems to have endeared him as a player’s manager to his team
they seem to genuinely like and trust him
and although i don’t oftenalways agree with him, the results the past two seasons pretty much render any displeasure i have irrelevant
as for roki, i just wonder if forcing him back into a starter’s role is the best idea — especially given his success as a reliever in the postseason
it’s not like the team is hurting for SP even if snell starts the season on the shelf
i don’t disagree with giving him a little rope, but i worry about what failure might do to his psyche
he’s not as mature as shohei or yama
idk, i guess they could use him as somewhat of an opener, and keep extending him (no ED) if he shows progress

 

not sure if anyone saw what happened, but raleigh refused to shake (m’s teammate) arozarena’s hand during a game
some side with raleigh, some with arozarena… the only thing that appears certain is that they’re both douchebags
go mariners lol


@Masterflip_
Randy Arozarena just went off on Cal Raleigh;

(Translated and written by Master Flip)

How do you think I should respond to Cal Raleigh? How should I put it to him? I want to say it in four languages.

First in Spanish: The only thing he should be thankful for is having such great parents. He’s very well educated, thank God. I was lucky enough to see them a few days ago at the hotel. They came over to greet me, gave me a big hug, and were genuinely proud to see me again.

After that, I want to give it to him straight Cuban style: What he has to do is fuck off!

Mexican style: Go to hell!

And in English: That fake ass “good to see you” he hit me with? He can shove it straight up his ass. I’m out.

 

and a sound argument it could be

 

Exactly how I feel.

 

against white sox scrubs but still…


@FabianArdaya · 26m
Roki Sasaki today on a back field against White Sox minor leaguers:

• 4 IP
• 1 H
• 0 R
• 1 HBP
• 9 Ks
• 59 pitches
• 40 strikes (17 swings and misses)

Let up a leadoff hit, then struck out seven in a row. Spammed his forkball to a lot of hitters who couldn’t touch it.

 

@HyeseongKimMuse
Hyeseong Kim’s hand injury, which appeared to be relatively minor, is “not anything of concern,” per @ByJackHarris. Good news!

 

If no walks, that's noteworthy... scrubs or not!

 

confirmed
0 walks


@SleeperDodgers
Roki Sasaki’s line against the White Sox minor leaguers:
4 IP
1 H
0 R
0 BB (1 HBP)
9 K
59 P — 40 S 17 whiffs

 

I'll take that, even against minor leaguers, because last year he didn't fare well as a starter in OKC against minor leaguers.

 

@billplunkettocr · 20m
#Dodgers Dave Roberts was in the dugout for Cactus League game and didn't see Roki Sasaki's outing on the back fields. Said he was told Sasaki was "electric ... Couldn't have asked for a better day."

 

@BNightengale
USA catcher Cal Raleigh on ignoring Seattle teammate Randy Arozarena’s fist pump walking to the plate for Team Mexico, tells Mariners reporters: ‘ There's no beef. I love Randy. Like I said, when we're back in Seattle, he's my brother. He's family."​

obviously hasn’t heard arozarena’s rant yet