2022 MLB Season Thread

[Drake]

Marcel Ozuna trying to use his MLB ID to get out of a DUI. What a bozo.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...Rhcd6Lhw45vweO

[Drake]

Albert Pujols has climbed within 8 home runs of joining the 700 club, but he still plans to retire after the season.

He has 43 games left to join the 700 club. I'd love to see him do it.

[flamingred89]

Hit #693 tonight! And only a few feet away from a nother one as he hit an absolute laser off the wall. 4 hard hit balls tonight and absolutely mashing. At this point they gotta play him every game. Lefties, righties, at 1B, DH. It doesn't matter. The dude is killing it. And as a lifelong Pujols fan I'm loving every single second of it. Let's ####ing go.

[Drake]

@JeffPassan:
BREAKING: Star rookie Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners are finalizing a massive long-term contract extension, sources tell ESPN.

The structure of Julio Rodriguez's massive extension is very complicated, but the topline details, sources tell ESPN: $210 million guaranteed over 14 years with the ability to grow to well over $400M. Includes player and team options.

The great @JesseSanchezMLB was on the deal.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

That's kinda crazy.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1564456812467863555

[DoubleK]

Wow.

[transplant99]

White Sox manager Tony La Russa is out indefinitely as he undergoes medical tests in Arizona, according to the team on Wednesday.

La Russa, 77, missed Tuesday night's game against the Kansas City Royals after participating in regular pregame activities. Within an hour of first pitch, doctors advised him not to manage.

"We were trying to figure out what was going on," outfielder Andrew Vaughn said. "They mentioned a few things, maybe his heart, or something like that."

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...ource-confirms

[chummer]

So good-

https://twitter.com/user/status/1565150505994682369

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by transplant99

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...ource-confirms

Could it be the booze?

[MRCboicgy]

I had no idea that the worst umpire in the league was suing MLB for...checks notes... discrimination because he hasn't been given a WS gig


https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...ld-series-spot

[transplant99]

The Major League Baseball competition committee is set to vote Friday on rule changes that would begin in 2023 and include a first-ever pitch clock, the elimination of the shift, bigger bases and a limit to how many times a pitcher can disengage from the rubber, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The goal is to increase action on the field, quicken the pace and reduce the amount of time it takes to play a major league game. The rule changes are expected to pass and include the following:

A 15-second pitch clock with the bases empty and a 20-second clock with runners on

Two disengagements from the rubber -- including pickoff attempts -- per plate appearance

A requirement by hitters to be in the batter's box and "alert" with eight seconds to go on the clock. Hitters are allowed one timeout per plate appearance

Only two infielders will be allowed on each side of second base, with all four required to be on the dirt (or inner grass)

Infielders cannot position themselves on the outfield grass before the pitch is thrown

Bases will increase in size from 15 inches squared to 18

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...ay-sources-say

[Samonadreau]

^ Two pickoff attempts... be interesting to see if after two pickoffs the base runner takes a giant lead. What could the putcher even do about it.

[Drake]

^Manfred is a ####ing nightmare.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

^ Two pickoff attempts... be interesting to see if after two pickoffs the base runner takes a giant lead. What could the putcher even do about it.

If you look at the fine print, if you get him out you can still make a third pick-off attempt but it would create an interesting situation that's essentially an all or nothing play because if you don't get him out and he retreats back to first, he gets awarded second base.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Stupidest play of the year might be locked up here.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1568403763484065793

[Maritime Q-Scout]

The only issue I have is the pick off attempt. You'll get teams take huge leads and steal without any worry of getting caught. *If* they want that rule inplace there needs to be a maximum distance a leadoff can be after 2 pickoff attempts. But then you pick off twice to hold a runner in a hit and run situation even though they aren't a steal risk. Yeah... I straight up don't like that rule.

The rest I'm good with.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

#### it, I'm good with updating this sport. It's lagging behind others because it only still appeals to octogenarians. Gotta do what's necessary to keep it relevant, and pacing is really important for the generation of TikTok and whatever else the #### they're into these days.

The whole idea of watching a video longer than a minute is unappealing to the youngest two consumer generations. Whether or not I agree with it, this is necessary.

[Senator Clay Davis]

The thing about abolishing the shift is that it will almost certainly be a net negative from a pace of play perspective. Instead of having the guys who can only pull the ball into the shift being quick outs, they will get on base more, which while it may produce more action, will slow the game down. Baseball can't have it both ways here, as more offense generally means longer games. Quick outs are actually good for pace of play. Plus I don't like rewarding guys who simply can't learn to shorten up and go the other way. Pretty embarrassing for professionals.

But I've said this before, baseball needs to embrace the fact it can't appeal to young people, and these changes offer little to no chance it will improve, while risking alienating already dedicated fans. They are chasing fans that don't exist IMO. Or to put it another way, I think the only chance baseball can have at younger folks is to get the game under 2 hours, which is effectively impossible.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

More offense creates more intrigue and excitement. Longer time to throw a pitch adds nothing to the game. Endless throws to 1st base do even less. The changes are good.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Does it? The juiced ball years added more offense, and it made the game borderline unwatchable to see routine flyouts turn into homeruns. I also didn't say the pitch clock was a problem, it's easily the best of the rules. But 3-0 games general go faster, and sometimes much faster, than 8-7 games. But like I said, thinking you can rope young people in? Maybe change the schedule to have the season end in April? Because as long as the majority of the season is in summer when there is so much else to do for cheap/free, and the playoffs are during NFL season....yeah, young people will not just start flocking to baseball even with these changes.