Official Spring Training 2021 GDT/discussion thread

[Krylian]

Baseball just has too many players tied to their organizations. Like it's not even close in comparison to other sports. Cut the draft to single digit rounds and have only 1 affiliated minor league team.

 

Flame away lol.

 

So 17 year olds that are signed out of Latin American should play with 24 year old AAA calibre players? Makes sense. Sign me up.

[wilko]

So 17 year olds that are signed out of Latin American should play with 24 year old AAA calibre players? Makes sense. Sign me up.

 

Fit in or f*** off!

[Jays24]

So 17 year olds that are signed out of Latin American should play with 24 year old AAA calibre players? Makes sense. Sign me up.

 

How are all other sports surviving when most of them involve actual physical contact, which is far worse in regards to age discrepancies. Players who aren't good enough will play in college or other leagues until they're good enough to get drafted/signed.

 

Baseball has far too much access fat and it's just a matter of time before it gets trimmed.

[King]

How are all other sports surviving when most of them involve actual physical contact, which is far worse in regards to age discrepancies. Players who aren't good enough will play in college or other leagues until they're good enough to get drafted/signed.

 

Baseball has far too much access fat and it's just a matter of time before it gets trimmed.

 

Are you aware that the draft was 5 rounds last summer and MiLB cut like, a solid quarter of its teams, or are you just living under a rock?

[Jays24]

Are you aware that the draft was 5 rounds last summer and MiLB cut like, a solid quarter of its teams, or are you just living under a rock?

 

Oh I know but the draft revision was temporary because of COVID. I'm saying the minor league system will get cut even more drastically eventually and the draft will be revised with it permanently.

[Krylian]

How are all other sports surviving when most of them involve actual physical contact, which is far worse in regards to age discrepancies. Players who aren't good enough will play in college or other leagues until they're good enough to get drafted/signed.

 

Baseball has far too much access fat and it's just a matter of time before it gets trimmed.

 

They just did trim it. I think we lost 2 teams (Lansing & Bluefield if I'm not mistaken).

 

And if you want to compare to other sports, hockey has several developmental leagues around the world where young players can develop and hone their craft. Basketball as the G-League...and if it's financially viable, I think they could absolutely add to it. Basketball is already huge and is still growing in popularity...they could certainly add another round or two to the NBA draft and add another level to their "minor league" developmental league.

 

Really this all comes down to money...that's the bottom line. If it isn't making any then it's hard to justify its existence, but from a purely 'love of the game' standpoint, how can multiple leagues catering to young athletes trying to chase their dream and improve their game be seen as a bad thing?

[Jays24]

They just did trim it. I think we lost 2 teams (Lansing & Bluefield if I'm not mistaken).

 

And if you want to compare to other sports, hockey has several developmental leagues around the world where young players can develop and hone their craft. Basketball as the G-League...and if it's financially viable, I think they could absolutely add to it. Basketball is already huge and is still growing in popularity...they could certainly add another round or two to the NBA draft and add another level to their "minor league" developmental league.

 

Really this all comes down to money...that's the bottom line. If it isn't making any then it's hard to justify its existence, but from a purely 'love of the game' standpoint, how can multiple leagues catering to young athletes trying to chase their dream and improve their game be seen as a bad thing?

 

I wasn't saying to scrap all minor league teams but am expecting the MLB to continue its downsizing. The amount of players showing up to spring training is ridiculous and not sustainable financially. I think having 1 or at most 2 minor league affiliates will be happening in our near future.

 

I am speaking from a pure financial standpoint and that typically contradicts the "love for the game" argument but like you said, money will always win.

 

Basketball has the G League but the NBA team can only have the rights to 2 players. Rest of the players are considered free agents even though they're playing for your affiliate team. Not a fan of that model and think it's better if all rights of players on the affiliate team are "owned" by the big league team.

[jerb]

[Spanky__99]

Are you aware that the draft was 5 rounds last summer and MiLB cut like, a solid quarter of its teams, or are you just living under a rock?

 

lol... rekt.

[Eat My Shatkins]

Merry Spring Training Eve everyone

[jerb]

[Spanky__99]

He looks a lot smaller than last year, good for him.

[Deadpool]

I wasn't saying to scrap all minor league teams but am expecting the MLB to continue its downsizing. The amount of players showing up to spring training is ridiculous and not sustainable financially. I think having 1 or at most 2 minor league affiliates will be happening in our near future.

 

I am speaking from a pure financial standpoint and that typically contradicts the "love for the game" argument but like you said, money will always win.

 

Basketball has the G League but the NBA team can only have the rights to 2 players. Rest of the players are considered free agents even though they're playing for your affiliate team. Not a fan of that model and think it's better if all rights of players on the affiliate team are "owned" by the big league team.

 

[Citation needed]

[Jays24]

[Citation needed]

 

I debated putting that in there tbh because i have nothing but trying to use my own logic here. MLB teams are subsidizing all these minor league teams and after a point, the ROI probably isn't worth it. It's why we saw cuts during the pandemic and when the league realizes it did nothing but save money for them, they might push for more of that in the next CBA. Let's see...

[Deadpool]

I debated putting that in there tbh because i have nothing but trying to use my own logic here. MLB teams are subsidizing all these minor league teams and after a point, the ROI probably isn't worth it. It's why we saw cuts during the pandemic and when the league realizes it did nothing but save money for them, they might push for more of that in the next CBA. Let's see...

 

You don't think that having somewhere for future assets to develop is a good use of team finances?

 

"There was a once in a century plague that severely restricted most businesses, and therefore cuts were made" isn't really a strong argument that cuts needed to be made in a normal environment.

[Jays24]

You don't think that having somewhere for future assets to develop is a good use of team finances?

 

"There was a once in a century plague that severely restricted most businesses, and therefore cuts were made" isn't really a strong argument that cuts needed to be made in a normal environment.

 

 

It's the level that baseball uses developmental leagues in comparison to other professional leagues that makes it stand out. Of course having multiple minor league teams is great to have but it's a major luxury considering majority of the players don't even sniff the big leagues.

 

I dont understand what makes baseball so special where they need to have this system other than its just how it was. I think it's inevitable for the minor league system to see a major overhaul soon.

 

The once in a lifetime pandemic will have impacts to all facets of our lives long after its gone. Companies have realized alternative ways of saving money that just won't go away after seeing it can work (e.g. working virtually more if possible).

[Spanky__99]

It's the level that baseball uses developmental leagues in comparison to other professional leagues that makes it stand out. Of course having multiple minor league teams is great to have but it's a major luxury considering majority of the players don't even sniff the big leagues.

 

I dont understand what makes baseball so special where they need to have this system other than its just how it was. I think it's inevitable for the minor league system to see a major overhaul soon.

 

The once in a lifetime pandemic will have changes that stay long after its done with companies realizing alternative ways of saving money (e.g. working virtually more if possible).

 

Might as well have a draft of 2 rounds, and then what? Cap it at 24 yrs old from this imaginary players playland... maybe prospects are born like storks dropping off your baby.

 

Yay! Give me a break, lol

[Spanky__99]

Also other leagues have deep prospect depth, far more than you obviously realize.

[King]

Having precisely *one* minor league affiliate has to be one of the worst ideas I've ever heard.

 

Good luck sorting out playing time to your 40-man roster guys in AAA, oh and your guys signed on minor league contracts as depth, and then all your top prospects from the draft and IFA class.

 

It does not make sense. There is a *huge* gap in talent level between the Dominican Summer League and AAA. The levels exist for a reason.

 

Sorry Jays24, but these arguments seem unfounded and silly. Baseball is its own sport, why does it matter what the NBA does for it's development league? The minor league system worked fine, and it will continue to work fine.

 

Do you even like baseball?

 

Maybe hockey would be improved from using the ECHL as an actual affiliate rather than just a place where prospects go to die? Maybe having playing time for all the players in your system is a good thing.

[jerb]

[Orgfiller]

 

Pearson overdoing it a bit with the accessories lmao.

[Jays24]

Having precisely *one* minor league affiliate has to be one of the worst ideas I've ever heard.

 

Good luck sorting out playing time to your 40-man roster guys in AAA, oh and your guys signed on minor league contracts as depth, and then all your top prospects from the draft and IFA class.

 

It does not make sense. There is a *huge* gap in talent level between the Dominican Summer League and AAA. The levels exist for a reason.

 

Sorry Jays24, but these arguments seem unfounded and silly. Baseball is its own sport, why does it matter what the NBA does for it's development league? The minor league system worked fine, and it will continue to work fine.

 

Do you even like baseball?

 

Maybe hockey would be improved from using the ECHL as an actual affiliate rather than just a place where prospects go to die? Maybe having playing time for all the players in your system is a good thing.

 

Fair retort. My suggestion to like 1 or 2 minor league affiliations would require a major overhaul to everything done today and seems a bit far fetched.

 

And yes, I do love baseball and have spent most of my life defending it from everyone I know. I do acknowledge there are some improvements the sport can undertake to attract the younger fanbase and simplifying things can help with that. Maybe it's just my social circle but the sport seems to be diminishing amongst the younger crowd

[King]

Fair retort. My suggestion to like 1 or 2 minor league affiliations would require a major overhaul to everything done today and seems a bit far fetched.

 

And yes, I do love baseball and have spent most of my life defending it from everyone I know. I do acknowledge there are some improvements the sport can undertake to attract the younger fanbase. Maybe it's just my social circle but the sport seems to be diminishing amongst the younger crowd.

 

That's fair, as have I. I think we have all heard the "baseball is boring" arguments amongst family and friends. I have grown accustomed to it and stopped trying to argue it.

 

I feel like having minor league affiliates all across small town america is better for the sport than without though. An affordable and fun way to watch the game for families. I don't think reducing the minor leagues to one or two teams is going to help with that.

[Spanky__99]

That's fair, as have I. I think we have all heard the "baseball is boring" arguments amongst family and friends. I have grown accustomed to it and stopped trying to argue it.

 

I feel like having minor league affiliates all across small town america is better for the sport than without though. An affordable and fun way to watch the game for families. I don't think reducing the minor leagues to one or two teams is going to help with that.

 

I'll echo this King, thanks.

[jerb]

[Laika]

 

Who else thought this was thin Vlad for two seconds?

[M.E.]

I am very concerned about the SP's. I know this has been discussed at nausea, but to not really add a quality top end guy gives me concerns where I could have been full giddy if they had done it. Time will tell if the organization already has the depth to step up. Also, there are a few serviceable arms that could help on the FA market so hoping they get a deal done.

[Norman]

Blue jays have made a huge mistake not signing other starter or two.

They will be depending a lot more on they bullpen then they should be.

[dineke]

I would have liked them to sign bauer or paxton but the rest of the starting pitching market are gascans. Might as well see what the young guys can do now.

[Ray]

I would have liked them to sign bauer or paxton but the rest of the starting pitching market are gascans. Might as well see what the young guys can do now.

 

Odorizzi is a serviceable improvement on paper, but I also won't be surprised if they internally think a combination of Pearson, Kay, Merryweather, Zeuch, Thornton, Hatch can either replicate or exceed his production. So maybe they just don't think it's worth it to add anyone who's left?

 

We're in a great spot with our optionable pitching depth, it's just that a lot of them are unproven. Although most of them are also getting to the age now where they should be producing and aren't really all that 'young' anymore. Unless they make another move, they're probably banking on:

 

1. a couple bounce backs from the group of Ray, Stripling, Matz, Roark (very possible)

2. at least one breakout from their younger pitchers (also possible)

3. a combination of the over the top offense, sufficient starting pitching, and good bullpen keeping them afloat until the trade deadline where they'll look to add a true top of the rotation starter

 

So a lot of ifs there, but I could see it happening.