‘Pitchers and catchers report’ feels a little different this February than in previous years, but even in these strange times in which we live, Spring Training is a special time.
It officially begins with the first date of the pitcher and catcher report. So as players begin to infiltrate camps in Florida and Arizona, we need to assess the eight biggest storylines of spring.
Game of Thrones
To the number of health and safety measures players, coaches and staff had to comply with during the shortened 2020 season, we are adding a new code of conduct that includes contact detection devices and a brush quarantine during spring training. Attendance at exhibitions will be restricted and access restricted.
On the field, this spring is a time for the National League throwers to pick up a bat again with the expectation that the universal designated heat rule will no longer apply (unless MLB and the MLB Players’ Association re-issue the issue bring the table before Opening day). Florida teams are playing a more scheduled schedule than in recent years, and managers may agree to shorten exhibition games if nine innings are not deemed necessary.
So, like so much else in our world, Spring Training is going to look a lot different this year.
2. Stretched thin?
Injuries – especially yard injuries – are an unfortunate, unavoidable side effect of the good Jump Exercise vibe. But teams are teaming up for more than the usual number of poor arms this spring, simply because of how the 2020 schedule has been improved by switching off mid-spring and lifting mid-summer.
Forwards will stretch in preparation for a 162-game season on the heels of an unprecedented 60-game season (Astros left Framber Valdez’s 94 2/3 regular season and post-season innings were the most in MLB), and each team has its own approach.
Those who successfully navigate this challenge and set up camp with something that looks full of power will be so much better positioned for the regular season.
3. Too many arms?
No team looks better equipped to handle the above than the Dodgers, who have already expanded their already deep lineup of weapons with the signing of Trevor Bauer. And if health does work together, the defending World Series champions will make difficult decisions to make.
Julio Urías, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin all deserve the opportunity to get started, but there is only so much space in the inn. Is LA putting one of the arms in the spot, or are May and Gonsolin now bound to Triple-A after their strong rookie seasons? Is David Price being finalized? Does Bauer get his wish to start every fourth day? (The last one seems rather dubious.)
4. New treasures along the Treasure Coast
There’s a lot of star power running in the Cardinals ‘clubhouse in Jupiter, Florida, and the Mets’ clubhouse in Port St. Lucie. Nolan Arenado has been the top player of NL by BWAR for the past seven seasons. Francisco Lindor is MLB’s best shortstop, by bWAR, over the last six. It’s a big deal for even one player of this type of caliber to fit in with a new group, let alone two, and both Arenado and Lindor bring guidance along with their gloves and wood.
Of course, if the injury is not maintained, the success of the blockbusters will not be determined by the outcomes of the Grapefruit League. But for the respective fan bosses, the first images of Lindor and Arenado playing baseballs and taking BP into their new unit will be a big thrill. And due to the scheduled Grapefruit League schedule, the Cards and Mets will face each other in six of their 24 games, so these two stars will see each other in March.
5. Meet the new boss
In some cases, the new boss is the same as the old boss. Alex Cora regains the reins of the Red Sox after a year in exile exile, and the primary organizational goal is to get the pitching, which now includes Garrett Richards in the rotation, and Adam Ottavino in the bull, back on track.
And Terry Francona is returning to the tribe after missing most of 2020 – including the AL Wild Card series – due to health issues. Francona is a well-known face in Goodyear, Ariz., But his club in Cleveland looks very different (and younger) with Lindor, Carlos Carrasco and Carlos Santana gone. There are many options to sort through in midfield, shortstop and first base.
The only two legally new appointments are in the AL Central. AJ Hinch takes over an increasingly interesting Tigers team with rising rotational talent. But the biggest management story of the spring is in Glendale, Ariz., Where 76-year-old Tony La Russa will work with the White Sox again almost a decade after his “retirement” and seven years after his inauguration into the Hall of Fame. . How will he join the young and upbeat Sox?
6. The bounce back
Spring Training is a time for players returning from an injury to get their groove back.
This is what the Yankees are hoping for new additions Corey Kluber, who threw just one innings last year due to a shoulder problem, and Jameson Taillon, who threw zero due to his recovery after the Tommy John operation. The Nationals hope the second year of Stephen Strasburg’s mega-expansion goes much better than the first, when carpal tunnel surgery limited him to five overs. Astros striker Yordan Alvarez returns from major knee surgery, Cardinals right-hand man Miles Mikolas from forearm, Braves judge Mike Soroka returns from a terrible Achilles injury and new Blue Jays reliever Kirby Yates will return be of an elbow procedure.
7. Youth service will be served
The lack of a Minor League season in 2020 has dramatically changed the development path for many prospects. And it is clear that the terms of service were known to affect the schedules for the promotion of players. But there are many young players who are highly regarded, who may find themselves on the opening day list if they get through the camp.
Cristian Pache of Atlanta (number 12 overall prospect, per MLB pipeline) could take advantage of the Braves’ midfield career after catching four batsmen in the 2020 regular season and showing a brilliant defense in the post-season. White Vox, first baseman Andrew Vaughn (No. 14 overall) and his power play can be applied in the DH role. Pirates, third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes (No. 9), Cardinals fielder Dylan Carlson (No. 13) and Twins forward Alex Kirilloff (No. 26) should all have a place in the Open Day lineup.
Meanwhile, a bunch of throwers from the Top 100 prospects list are lined up in roster spots or they could claim one if injuries or performance requires it, including the Blue Jays ‘Nate Pearson (number 10 overall), the Tigers’ Casey Mize (no. 11) and Tarik Skubal (No. 24), the Marlins’ Sixto Sanchez (No. 15), the Rays’ Luis Patiño (No. 19), the Mariners’ Logan Gilbert (No. 33), the White Sox’s Michael Kopech (39), the Astros ‘Forrest Whitley (No. 41), the Phillies’ Spencer Howard (No. 42), the Indians ‘Triston McKenzie (No. 51) and the Yankees’ Clarke Schmidt (No. 88).
8. Free agency is not over!
Let’s not forget that as we write this, three members of our top 25 free agent list – Jackie Bradley Jr., Jake Odorizzi and Taijuan Walker – are still available. The same goes for Trevor Rosenthal, Rick Porcello, other pickups and numerous role players or useful pieces (Yasiel Puig, anyone?).
Thus, clubs that experience injuries or unforeseen circumstances have options. And of course, the trade market can penetrate again, especially late in the camp. This may not necessarily mean that a crisis is going on in Kris Bryant, but it does mean that the transaction thread is still very open to business.
And luckily it’s also Spring Camps.