Slow offseason could benefit Colorado in search for starting second baseman | Mile High Sports
The Colorado Rockies have recently been connected to second baseman Brian Dozier, though are said to be wary of a commitment due to payroll concerns. The fact that Dozier’s name has surfaced and not DJ LeMahieu’s or Jed Lowrie’s is probably because Dozier is more willing to accept a one-year deal. As was the case last offseason, players such as Mike Moustakas and Logan Morrison had to settle for one-year pacts after initially seeking more. Such may also end up being the case for a player like LeMahieu. If that ends happening, Aniello Piro of Mile High Sports argues that bringing LeMahieu back into the fold would be of most importance to the Rockies.
Of course, with the young talents of Ryan McMahon, Garrett Hampson and eventually Brendan Rodgers on hand, there is certainly an argument to be made that the Rockies have no need for signing a second baseman from outside of the organization. It should probably come as no surprise, however, that the Rockies’ organization is not comfortable with handing the reins over to younger players. This has become the norm with General Manager Jeff Bridich at the helm.
The Physics of a Bad Hop | The Hardball Times
Speaking of LeMahieu, Rockies fans have gotten to know his impeccable defense at second base over the past several years. Using video from a play that LeMahieu once made as an example, David Kagan of The Hardball Times discusses the physics that are at play when an infielder experiences a bad hop.
I’m three years removed from Calculus I and hope never to see another mathematics course in my life so the equations in this article are a bit daunting for me, but perhaps you will enjoy them! And even you’re just as interested in physics as I am, you can still relive our old friend LeMahieu making one of his patented dazzling defensive plays.
MLB Sees Record Revenues Of $10.3 Billion For 2018 | Forbes
Major League Baseball hit record revenues in 2018, reports Maury Brown for Forbes. This isn’t even accounting for the $2.58 billion BAMTech sale. Maybe there’ll finally be enough to pay the minor-leaguers!
Troy Tulowitzki says it would be ‘awesome’ if the Yankees signed Manny Machado | Pinstripe Alley
Let’s check in on the latest from everyone’s favorite New York Yankee, Troy Tulowitzki. Tulowitzki is a prime example of a “stopgap” option for the Yankees, writes Tyler Norton of Pinstripe Alley. When Didi Gregorius returns, he’s going to be playing shortstop. And if the Yankees happen to sign Manny Machado, Tulowitzki will see his playing time take an even greater hit. For his part, Tulowitzki says he would welcome Machado to the Bronx with open arms, saying that he signed with the Yankees “to be with the best players.”
Assigning the best remaining MLB free agents to new teams | SB Nation MLB
While has hasn’t always been accurate in his predictions (such as the Jonathan Lucroy to the Rockies prediction from last offseason), Grant Brisbee assigns MLB’s free agents to new teams in the style only he can.
There should be a free agent signing period | Beyond the Box Score
I, for one, am absolutely writhing in desperation for the free agent market to heat up. Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Dallas Keuchel, Craig Kimbrel, Yasmani Grandal and A.J. Pollock are all still out there. But this seems to be the new normal for free agency, with signings increasingly taking until February to come together. Matt Provenzano of Beyond the Box Score proposes that there be a signing period for Major League Baseball’s free agents à la the NBA.
“It’s complicated”: Diving into Bryce Harper’s coquetry and the Nationals’ end game | The Athletic ($)
Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic likens the relationship between Harper and the Washington Nationals to that of a complicated high school romance.
Giants, Crew have talked Bumgarner trade | MLB.com
The San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers have had “substantive communication” about a Madison Bumgarner trade, reports Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com. Having Bumgarner out of the National League West would be a welcome transaction for the Rockies, though they certainly wouldn’t want to face him on the Brew Crew in the postseason if there is to be a National League Division Series rematch.