Thread: Major League Baseball 2023 Season

Manny Machado, Padres agree to 11-year extension

The Padres have built a World Series contender around Manny Machado. Now, the superstar third baseman is set to stay put in San Diego for a long, long time.

Machado and the Padres have agreed on an 11-year extension worth $350 million, sources told MLB.com on Sunday. The deal begins this year, meaning Machado would be under contract through the 2033 season, when he will turn 41 years old. The team has not confirmed the deal, which includes a full no-trade clause and no opt-outs, per a source.

Machado had six years and $180 million remaining on the contract he signed with the Padres prior to the 2019 season. But he also had an opt-out clause in that deal, which he could’ve exercised following the ’23 season. This past offseason, he informed the Padres of his plan to opt out unless the two sides could agree on an extension.

Looking forward to Baseball season ramping up. My Mariners are going to surprise some people.

^ Sadly I think the Giants will be marginal. I see them as 3rd behind Dodgers and Padres. My prediction is 88 - 74. It will take 100 to win the west.

Originally Posted by Stumpy

Sadly I think the Giants will be marginal.

ESPN power rankings have the Giants 22nd out of 30.

The prevailing question surrounding the Giants seems obvious: Where, exactly, are they headed? They began this offseason in pursuit of a star, the type of player they can build their franchise around. But they missed out on Judge, couldn't agree with Correa and instead made moves along the margins once again, adding a couple of outfielders (Mitch Haniger and Michael Conforto) and a trio of pitchers (Sean Manaea, Ross Stripling and lefty reliever Taylor Rogers). The Giants don't seem anywhere near the Padres or the Dodgers at the moment, but they also have a mid-tier farm system. Just two years removed from a shocking 107-win season, they suddenly look like a team without clear direction. -- Gonzalez

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...-braves-padres

Fortunately, the Mariners fared a little bit better.

I agree on Giants assessment. I think the pitching rotation is pretty sound. But it's going to take a lot of key at bats to win games and just don't see where that will come from. But like any new season things happen and teams build momentum and run with it. But regardless I am a SF Giants fan through and through and will watch as many games as I can cussing and screaming. Haha

Orioles, Pirates play final half-inning without umpires after crew walks off

The Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates wanted to get more work in on Tuesday and to do so, they played a half-inning without umpires. That's because the umpiring crew left the field following the top of the ninth, after the Pirates had technically secured a 7-4 victory over the Orioles.

It should be noted that teams often negotiate the length of spring training games depending on the status of each club's pitching staff. On occasion, games will go longer or shorter than the regulation length, depending on whether or not clubs have additional pitchers they want to use in that particular game and on that particular day.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton and Orioles skipper Brandon Hyde agreed to play on so that Baltimore right-hander Ofreidy Gómez could throw an inning after making the trip to Bradenton. Hyde later told Nathan Ruiz of the Baltimore Sun that Major League Baseball had given them the go-ahead, but that the umpires weren't having it.

Originally Posted by Stumpy

But regardless I am a SF Giants fan through and through and will watch as many games as I can cussing and screaming.

So now you know how it feels to be a Mariners fan.

Ronny Mauricio gets shot with Mets in spring

Mauricio makes his mark for Mets in Spring Training

The Grapefruit League home run leader so far this spring? None other than Ronny Mauricio.

The Mets’ No. 6-ranked prospect went deep for the third time in four days on Wednesday, clubbing a pinch-hit homer in the ninth inning of their 8-4 win over the Marlins. That one traveled 413 feet, according to Statcast data, bringing Mauricio’s spring total to 1,276 feet -- nearly a quarter mile -- of homers.

“He’s, like a lot of our young players, off to a good start in the spring,” manager Buck Showalter said.

As a 21-year-old with no Triple-A experience, Mauricio is a long shot to challenge for a place on New York’s Opening Day roster -- particularly with Francisco Lindor entrenched at shortstop and another hot-hitting prospect, Brett Baty, ahead of him on the depth chart at third. But Mauricio’s hot start bodes well for his future, especially on the heels of a resurgent 2022 campaign and a Dominican Winter League MVP trophy.

Yankees Pitcher Records Fastest Strikeout You’ll Ever See

It didn’t take long for the pitch clock to become the story of spring training 2023. And while MLB’s latest (and seemingly most effective) attempt to increase pace of play will surely be a focal point all season, we’re still in the early stages of observing its direct impact on the game. Which brings us Thursday’s captivating, poetic, blink-and-you-might-miss-it plate appearance during a game between the Yankees and Pirates in Bradenton, Fla.

In the bottom of the second inning, Pittsburgh outfielder Tucupita Marcano stepped to the plate to face New York’s Wandy Peralta. And you didn’t need to be in line at the concessions stand or heading to the bathroom to miss what transpired: a three-pitch strikeout that took all of 20 seconds.

Behold, in all its glory: https://twitter.com/JomboyMedia/stat...75277598158848

Oldest MLB players in 2023

1. Rich Hill, LHP, Pirates (age 43)

2. Nelson Cruz, DH, Padres (age 42)

3. Adam Wainwright, RHP, Cardinals (age 41)

4. Justin Verlander, RHP, Mets (age 40)

5. Miguel Cabrera, DH, Tigers (age 39)

6. Jesse Chavez, RHP, Braves (age 39)

7. Joey Votto, 1B, Reds (age 39)

8. Zack Greinke, RHP, Royals (age 39)

9. Charlie Morton, RHP, Braves (age 39)

10. Craig Stammen, RHP, Padres (age 39)

Chris Flexen hopes to stay with Mariners amid trade rumors

Chris Flexen beamed after his Cactus League debut on Monday when he showed off an adorable picture of his new daughter, Stella, who had donned a bow intertwined with baseball seams and was displaying perhaps an even bigger grin than her dad in the moment.

Flexen and his wife, Raven, welcomed Stella in November, and her presence has led to a perspective shift on what’s important and a reprieve from angst and uncertainty as trade rumors swirl around the Mariners veteran.

Flexen is entering his third season in Seattle, but based on the Mariners' starting pitching depth and the fact that they shopped him and fellow starter Marco Gonzales ahead of last year’s Trade Deadline, he might be Seattle's clearest trade candidate. For the 28-year-old who resurrected his career here, it’s been an anxious process.

“I think putting it all away and not thinking about it is almost impossible,” Flexen said. “It's all over, especially with social media and everything. But for me personally, I try not to let it get to me and focus on what I need to focus on. And that's being ready to be the best self that I can be, and be[ing] ready to compete for this ballclub.”

Big statistics from 2023 Spring Training so far

These are the most eye-popping numbers so far this spring

Spring Training games mean the first look of the year at Statcast data for a lot of key players and top prospects, as many teams play in parks equipped with Hawk-Eye tracking.

After a week of action, there's already plenty worth highlighting. Here are 10 standout numbers from the first week of Spring Training games.

Jasson Domínguez, OF, Yankees: 109.7 mph, 420-foot HR

The 20-year-old switch-hitter, ranked MLB's No. 47 prospect, showed off his big-league-caliber exit velocity with a 109.7 mph, 420-foot homer to left-center field in his spring debut, turning around a fastball at the top of the zone from the right side of the plate.

Masyn Winn, SS, Cardinals: 99.9 mph infield assist

The Cards' 20-year-old shortstop prospect, ranked No. 50 overall by MLB Pipeline entering 2023, made headlines at last year's Futures Game when he uncorked a 100.5 mph throw from the infield. That was no fluke. On Thursday, he made a 99.9 mph throw from shortstop to first base.

The other 8 are in the link above