This offseason has come to be known for a total lack of action and the debates over the causes of said lack of action. It’s going to be known as the catalyst for what most foresee as major changes in the way MLB compensates its players in the next CBA, and it seemingly started a renewed interest in salary structures among MLB players. We’ve started to see some big players sign in recent weeks, but A) there are still some left on the market and B) even after everyone signs the legacy for this winter is set. We’ll remember the 2017-2018 winter for a long time, and its not really for a good reason.
Shohei Ohtani debuted on Saturday
Sunday morning’s Say Hey, Baseball includes the debut of baseball’s newest superstar, paying minor leaguers a fair wage, and just another Yankees slugger.
Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images
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Because of everything that’s happened this winter, it’s easy to forget that this wasn’t always the story of the offseason. Once upon time, it was all about Shohei Ohtani. For the first time in I don’t even know how long, there was a legitimate superstar talent who was attainable for literally every team in baseball. It was a circus around the baseball world, and it absolutely should have been. Ohtani had every team fill out a questionnaire, and there were takes. Then he narrowed his down, and the world waited in suspense to see where he’d sign before finally picking the Angels. Ohtani and Mike Trout on the same team. My god!
Now, it’s spring training and we got our first glimpse of Ohtani on Saturday afternoon in Arizona. His performance on the mound wasn’t great, but there were flashes. He hit 97 and showed off some impressive stuff, but also lost his command at times and allowed a homer to Keon Broxton. None of that matters, though. It’s his first spring training starts. The results don’t matter. What matters is that he’s here, and we get to easily watch him. For a long time, Ohtani was something of a mythical figure who we dreamt of but had a hard time actually watching. Now, we can flip on MLBTV and watch every moment, and it’s wildly exciting.
- It’s time for the Cardinals to pay their minor leaguers a living wage. Well, every team, really.
- Victor Robles is one of the very best prospects in baseball, and in the Grapefruit League opener he showed off one of the reasons why.
- The Yankees haven’t brought in much depth for first base, which shows how much confidence they have in Greg Bird. Because if there’s one thing the Yankees need it’s another great power bat.
- Speaking of AL East power bats, the Red Sox still haven’t finalized their deal with J.D. Martinez. So, uh, yeah, that’s a thing.
- Josh Donaldson is one of the big free agents that makes up next year’s much-hyped class, but he’s also the most likely to sign an extension. What could his future performance look like?
- Chris Archer is one of the few Rays homegrown good players remaining (for now), but what would it take for him to become a legitimate star?
- Joey Votto talked about hitting the other day, and it was as awesome as it sounds.
- The Mets signing Jason Vargas wasn’t the sexiest move, but it could help stabilize a rotation with big upside but bigger question marks.
- Meanwhile, the Tigers grabbed Francisco Liriano, though his eventual role is unknown at this time.
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