The union is looking into setting up an independent Spring Training camp for all the free agents still out there.

Sources: MLBPA preparing to conduct spring training camps for free agents https://t.co/3PS3Qnf425 via @YahooSports

— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) February 8, 2018

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You're such a fucking weirdo
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Does the "T" stand for Tard, Tom?
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I think it was the right thing to do, but i don’t think it helps us sign anybody else.
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And you do?

How much time have you spent in a major league clubhouse?

Have you talked to managers about their philosophies? Interviewed players? Covered baseball for a national publication?

Are you friends with a handful of national baseball writers with whom you still speak?

Do you have friends who work with players daily, travel with a team, and get rings when that team wins pennants?

Were you in the Royals locker room after both the AlCS win and WS loss in 14?

...

But anyway, let's shift to a different question:

Was a key to the Royals run in 2014 and 2015 the chemistry and makeup of the team, the atmosphere, the way the team just kept grinding?

The answer is yes, it absolutely was.

Many major league teams now pooh-pooh the idea of chemistry and morale being key to success, but it was a linchpin for the Royals. It's something the front office preaches. Accountability. Family. Togetherness.

So yes, it did matter in the clubhouse that Perez was on a joke of a team friendly deal. He was starting to grumble a bit (even to the press). The fact the team took care of him when he had so vastly outplayed that deal was absolutely noticed. It was and is proof the Royals don't just speak about that stuff but really live up to it.

If they had continued to run Perez into the ground on that previous contract, it absolutely would have been a distraction in 2016 and 2017.

Also, the next time they have a young star they want to lock up early, that player will know if he outplays his deal to a ridiculous level, Moore will take care of him.
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Wow, did I call that or what? PB: always ahead of the curve
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Indeed. Good call.

Players and owners playing some chicken now. Both would be stupid to take this to a work stoppage.
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This would destroy the sport.
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They did these camps in the 90s iirc
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So is Luke Hochevar just donzo? Haven't heard anything about him. He was supposed to be ready for 2017 spring training...a year later, nohting.

And, not that I want him, but no Billy Butler news. I was hoping he'd catch on with someone. Instead, apparently done at age 30.:-)
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With power as cheap as it is, no one wants a no-power DH with a history of being a malcontent who won’t work out.

Mike Sweeney publicly ripping him to shreds dispelled any notion he’d be returning to KC, and no one else has seemed interested either.
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It appears Hochevar's rehab from his thoracic outlet surgery went off the rails.

Still a lot of unknowns with that surgery and not many guys who have come back "right" from it. Luke may be done.

Butler's career is over. Just not willing to put in the work to take care of himself.
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Prospectus has their proj out. 66-96, worst record in AL (Det 68, Balt 69).


Here's our proj lineup, position, % games at position, and WAR


1. Alshittys SS (90%), -0.2
2. Bonifacio RF (65%), -0.1
3. Gordon LF (75%), 0.5
4. Big Sal C (75%), 0.4
5. Soler DH (55%), 1.1
6. Dozier 3B (50%), -0.3
7. Orlando CF (50%), -0.8
8. Cuthbert 1B (45%), 0.5
9. Two-shit Whit (65%), 1.1


(Burns 20% CF, dozier gets some DH, soler gets some RF, Cuthbert some 3B butera some C etc)

Rotation
Kennedy -0.6, Duff 1.2, Hammel 0.1, Junis 0.1, Karns 1.5
Herrera 0.7
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