Beans

Dodgers are still $6M over the luxury tax, so they need to move Joc and his $9M arbitration salary before the season begins. Will be interesting to see if they give him away for a light return or are still able to find a fair deal out there. EDIT: Pederson is actually owed $7.75M (he lost his arbitration case Friday), and not sure how the $10M they sent to the Twins impacts their payroll (if anyone knows, please post).

At least there is talk of new rules coming soon. At the Owners’ meeting last Thursday, Manfred said “I think you should assume that before the season starts, we will have new guidelines with respect to the use of video equipment.” And then he added, “I think we have too much video available in real time right now.” I think it's going to limit who is allowed in the instant-reply review/video room (no players, probably) and what can be watched (nothing in real time, I bet).

God, I hope not.

Watching only a few minutes of that makes me want to call my brother... thanks for sharing, Bonesy!

No, it’s Luis Rojas (Alou)

Oh, well, then yea. That might do it. Imagine they can't work out a deal until next week, after the release of the commissioner's ruling on their 2018 cheating. It's expected to be a light punishment (because MLB couldn't find much evidence), but that would be the worst PR week possible for Boston

More than anything, they really just need to get under the luxury tax this year.

Felipe Alou's son is the new manager of the Mets.

Oh, I know, but they're collateral damage :-) f*** Boston!

I love seeing unfortunate things happen to the Red Sox

Here’s a link to a recent interview AJ Hinch did with MLB Tonight:

Please let’s keep this on topic.

What's really fascinating is that some random fan did it and not an actual journalist.

Come to think of it, sign stealing allegations have surrounded the Astros organization for years. In 2018, they were accused of clapping in the dugout to relay stolen signs, and in this past year's ALCS, the Yankees said they were whistling to do the same.

Found this in a recent article, too, but forgot to post it here: "The banging scheme peaked on Aug. 4, 2017. Adams recorded a season-high 54 bangs in a game the Astros won 16-7 over the Blue Jays that day. Houston broke the game open with a nine-run fourth inning. It was an extremely bad day for two Toronto pitchers in particular: Valdez and Bolsinger never again pitched in the big leagues after that day. Valdez spent 2018 and 2019 pitching in the Mexican League and Bolsinger made his way to Japan after the season. Maybe the days were numbered on their MLB careers anyway, but could you really blame them if they feel the Astros robbed them of their livelihood? I couldn't. Also, consider the situation. The Astros went into that Aug. 4 game with a 69-39 record and a 15-game lead in the AL West. The Blue Jays were 51-57 and in last place in the AL East. Against one of the league's worst teams and with a huge division lead, the Astros were still compelled to steal signs and get that unfair advantage. We will never know the full extent of the Astros cheating nor will we know how much it helped (or hurt), but it happened, and we now have more data on it than ever."

To your point earlier about the risk of surgery, the fact that Paxton is having microsurgery makes it a little different. First, it's just a small incision. Second, they do the work by imaging, so they're not going in there rattling around. It's not the same level of risk as more open surgery. I had a herniated disc before, not too long ago, ultimately from an athletic injury (hamstring) that I tried to play through. I was offered surgery or physio (and actually do the physio homework and finally stop athletic activity that aggravates it). I went for the latter and it cleared up in a few months. But I'm not an elite professional athlete, so not a good comp.

He's a Mexican with a ginger beard—what's not to like?

Ya, I’m happy they didn’t make any moves. There was less pressure this season not just because they’re the defending champs, but because through 51 games last year they were 36-15 and through 51 games this year they’re 37-14. They've got a lot of capital with the fans right now.

All the old Jays are coming together for our boy, Tony Fernandez...

Chaim Bloom did very well with his trade as Red Sox GM!

Quick update on our old favourite, Tony Fernandez: