MLB: ***2026 MLB Season Thread***

Randomly thought of a Dodger great when I read that some Yank kid was tearing up the fall league with stolen bases.

Here's the stolen base guy when I was a kid.

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I miss the stolen base! I mean a few guys do it...but more need to! Put pressure on the defense! When he was playing I had such a love/hate fandom with Rickey Henderson! I always cheered against him but always watched him play! That guy...if you walked him...he basically just hit a triple! So you groove one to him to get ahead in the count...and he hits it out of the park! Anyway...back on point...I MISS the stolen base being more prevalent in baseball!
 
…..lAnd, not thinking they can afford Soto with their current salary, "afford" meaning I don't think owner boy will spend the money after shelling out for Judge and keeping Cole. Probably build a team good enough to make the wildcard, maybe.
How much more is ‘owner boy’ suppose to shell out?
 
Interesting take on fall league and Rule 5 Draft vs 40 man rosters with some players highlighted. Some of them might make the 40-man or, if not, get drafted by another organization.

The Arizona Fall League provides more than just an opportunity to see some of the game’s top prospects in one spot. It’s also the final place certain Minor Leaguers can prove they are deserving of a 40-man roster spot ahead of the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline. - MLB.com

 
It's like Japan is their personal developmental league. How big will their salary have to be to add Soto and every top player in Japan? The luxury tax will be huge.
They're basically owned by an investment group. They will have long sold and moved on by the time the real bills come due.
 
Yankees Spring Training Field:



Wow. I hate Tropicana Field but didn't realize how long the roof repairs would take. Seems half the time I tune into a game there the catwalks or speakers hanging from the ceiling come into play. The stadium sucks. And, sadly, it's almost empty with no fans.
 
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Wow. I hate Tropicana Field but didn't realize how long the rood repairs would take. Seems half the time I tune into a game there the catwalks or speakers hanging from the ceiling come into play. The stadium sucks. And, sadly, it's almost empty with no fans.
Yep length of time and then the cost of the roof as well when you hope to be in a new stadium by 2028. Doesn't make financial sense to fix it.
 
Anoterh article from MLB on Rule 5 draft and 40 man rosters. List's all Top 100 prospects curretnly eleigible for the draft by team. Might be interesting to look you teams players. Article notes there are few players on the draft list than most years. Deadline is the 19th.

 
I miss the stolen base! I mean a few guys do it...but more need to! Put pressure on the defense! When he was playing I had such a love/hate fandom with Rickey Henderson! I always cheered against him but always watched him play! That guy...if you walked him...he basically just hit a triple! So you groove one to him to get ahead in the count...and he hits it out of the park! Anyway...back on point...I MISS the stolen base being more prevalent in baseball!
You are in luck! Stolen base numbers have increased with the larger bases and recent rule change putting limits on pickoff attempts.
 
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You are in luck! Stolen base numbers have increased with the larger bases and recent rule change putting limits on pickoff attempts.
I don't mind the new rules at all...I am less enamored with the recent style of play and the way players are developed...but...that is just me as I grow old! LOL!
 
Everyone in baseball reporting seems to think Soto will sign within the next week, maybe this weekend.

No idea where he ends up. Seems the final suitors are the NY teams, Dodgers, Red Sox and Blue Jays. Think the Met's have the most cash to spare/spend if it's just money. Dodgers got a huge break from Otani deferring most of his pay so maybe they can afford Soto even with them spending crazy amounts of money already on next year.