My first idea this week was to tell you about the new rules regarding the ban on sticky products and the impact this could have on match results as well as the number of injuries. However, several interesting texts on the subject have already been written, including that of the colleague Mathieu Boulay of the Journal de Montréal. And since there are too many question marks at this time to be able to form an opinion on this subject, we will talk about it a little later in the summer. But one thing is certain, it is the time is really good to change the rules and impose suspensions, in the middle of the season!
So here are some notes and thoughts from the last few days in Major League Baseball!
– The Diamondbacks broke a mediocrity record with a 23rd straight road loss. This organization will undertake, in the coming weeks, a big cleaning to replenish the coffers at the level of young quality players. However, much of the household will be done without CEO Mike Hazen, who has had to return home to take care of his family as his wife battles brain cancer.
– The Blue Jays have acquired right-hander Jacob Barnes from the New York Mets in return for a minor league player. It is not a surprise since the club of Charlie Montoyo knows a lot of boredom on the mound, especially in relief. The question is how aggressive the Jays will be in the trading market, with a club of around .500 and plenty of injuries returning soon. And don’t expect miracles from Barnes, as his career earned-run average is 4.53.
– Shortstop Trevor Story has announced his colors, as he has publicly stated that he will not be signing a new contract with the Colorado Rockies. Which means that there is a very good chance that it will be traded by the end of July, especially since the Rockies have already been rebuilding for a few months, that is to say since the departure of Nolan Arenado. last winter. The Rockies can probably get some good hopes in return from their inter player, the only problem is that good arms are much more in demand than position players.
– Xander Boagerts of the Red Sox signed a 6-year, $ 120 million deal with the Red Sox in 2019. The 28-year-old shortstop, however, did mention in a Boston-area radio interview that he fully intended to use his escape clause to get out of his contract after the 2022 season. With his consistency and the numbers he’s been putting on the board for a few years, Bogaerts is certainly worth more than $ 20 million in today’s major league baseball market. He could probably fetch between $ 30 million and $ 35 million a season, based on new contracts from players like Francisco Lindor and Fernando Tatis Jr. But I’m really not convinced that’s with the ‘Red Stockings’, that he’s going to get the jackpot.
– I’m not the biggest fan of the all-star game and the home run competition. I’ve always thought that a break for star players would be more beneficial in such a long and grueling season. But when Shohei Ohtani announced he was going to enter the contest, interest certainly spiked among baseball fans in general. Especially since the game will be in Colorado, a place where the ball travels more than at any other stadium. And with the possible addition of Fernando Tatis Jr and a few other young stars, Major League Baseball could break ratings records. The circuit competition will take place on July 12 and the All-Star Game the following day, still in Colorado.
– 23-year-old right-hander Matt Manning made his Detroit Tigers debut last Thursday night. The Tigers’ first-round pick in 2016, Manning started relatively well, giving up two earned runs in five innings, but his team still lost 7-5 to the Los Angeles Angels. If the Blue Jays and White Sox appear to be destined to be the best teams in the American League in the next five or six years, the Tigers could also be part of the discussion. With the emergence of other young pitchers like Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, the Tigers are likely to be solid on the mound for quite a while.
– The major baseball collective agreement expires at the end of the season, more precisely in December 2021. Obviously, the important points will relate, as is often the case, to money and revenue sharing. But other points are likely to stir up passions, such as hitter of choice in both leagues and adding playoff teams, as was the case in 2020. As the relationship is already strained between major league baseball and the players’ association, it is to be hoped that negotiations will begin soon between the 2 parties, because the possibility of a work stoppage in 2022 could hover much earlier than expected.
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