With a gaping chasm at first base in 2020 and the impending retirement of 2019 incumbent Ryan Zimmerman, the Washigton Nationals traded away a pitcher (Wil Crowe) and a prospect (Eddie Yean) to acquire 2019 N.L. All-Star Josh Bell from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Both RHPs had been named to the 2021 NationalsProspects.com Watchlist and were …
Today is the beginning of Festivus, a time for the airing of grievances, but really hasn’t that been a leitmotif for 2020? But it’s roughly a midpoint in the year-end holidays, with Chanukah and Solstice past us, Christmas, Boxing Day, and Kwanzaa coming soon, and let’s not forget the unveiling of the 2021 Banished Words …
As the worst year in nearly 15 centuries comes to a close, it’s time to look forward to what 2021 might bring. Unlike far too many Americans—but fortunately, not a majority—I know the calendar changing to 2021 won’t magically make 2020 go away. If anything, the next six months are probably going to be harder …
A full-fledged press release may come later on, but yesterday the Washington Post reported on the full-season manager lineup for 2021: Rochester (AAA) – Matt LeCroy Harrisburg (AA) – Tripp Keister Wilmington (A+) – Tommy Shields Fredericksburg (A-) – Mario Lisson LeCroy returns to the managerial ranks after spending 2020 as “quality control coordinator.” This …
This is it, for better or worse (probably worse). It’s the earliest release since 2012, arguably because I’m pretty damn sure we’re back to a wait-and-see mode for another 10-12 weeks at least. Let’s see if I can address the changes made (or suggested) since last month: • Added Israel Pineda to the C’s – …
As noted in the comments, the Rule 5 draft came and went without a single player coming to or going from the Nationals organization. No married or divorced players, either.
I’d been waiting to finalize the 2021 Watchlist until this, so that’ll probably be my next post. But after that? Yikes.
Perhaps we’ll still be talking about the aftershocks of the MLB takeover. Field of Schemes notes that the 18 SOL teams were recipients of $249MM in public funding. As previously noted, there may be cause for lawsuits, but will there be the stomach to pursue them in the current climate?
Otherwise, I think we’re looking at another long, cold, slow winter.
The months of wondering are over. The Wilmington Blue Rocks will become the newest Nats franchisee, joining the ‘Burgs (Harris and Frederick) and newcomer Rochester for the new world order: AAA – Rochester (new for 2021, formerly Fresno) AA – Harrisburg (same since 2005) High-A – Wilmington (new for 2021) Low-A – Fredericksburg (High-A affiliate …
At some point today, MLB is expected to announce The 120. As predicted in the comments, the announcements will be made ahead of the actual Player Development Licenses being issued, which Baseball America likens to buying a house sight unseen. Per Ballpark Digest, the announcements are expected to be thirty short, two-graf releases detailing the …
Sorry, but multiple sources are now saying that tomorrow will be the reveal of the Final 120 for minor-league baseball. I’m not sure this would be such a big deal if it weren’t for the dearth of any other real news on the minor-league front. The Rule 5 draft? Please. About the only thing anyone …
Yeah, I know: We’re still hung up on how MLB will divide its newly acquired fiefdom into 120 teams… As noted in the comments, the new prevailing wisdom is that we’ll know on Tuesday even if we have no hamburger today. And if you’re having hard time with this hurry-up-and-wait, Ballpark Digest points out how …