# MLB Spring Training 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 25, 2018, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569 "2018-02-25T21:14:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2018, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/61 "2018-03-07T21:33:52Z")
Sabathia has pitched 3317 MLB innings and zero in relief, so we don’t have to worry about that. (His lone relief appearance was in the postseason.) ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/62 "2018-03-08T01:21:08Z")
I wonder if there’s an actual rule against having a player on the 25-man drive the cart onto the field… ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/63 "2018-03-08T02:28:03Z")
I found a [surprisingly in-depth](http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12568605/mlb-mlb-bring-back-bullpen-carts) (relative to the topic) article from 2015 about the pros, cons, and reaction to the idea of bringing back bullpen carts. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/64 "2018-03-08T18:07:45Z")
Yay, [Ichiro gets a one-year deal with Seattle.](http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22678294/seattle-mariners-bring-back-ichiro-suzuki-1-year-deal) I thought he might be one of the forced retirements. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/65 "2018-03-08T18:38:27Z")
He still might be, but now he’ll retire as a Mariner. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/66 "2018-03-08T19:19:29Z")
It won’t be a full retirement. His former team in Japan, Orix Buffaloes, wanted him this year. Ichiro is determined to play until he’s 50 and he just might. Asked what he would do after his baseball career is over, Ichiro replied: > [@](#): > > I think I’ll just die. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/67 "2018-03-08T19:45:41Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I don’t know, I thought the bullpen carts were kind of cute and if they go faster than the pitcher can trot in, actually would save time. Didn’t the Yankees use an actual car painted in pinstripes? The grounds crew must have loved that. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/68 "2018-03-08T21:57:52Z")
Let’s hope this isn’t too serious: > **[Cubs second baseman Javy Baez leaves game with hamstring 'tightness'](https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-gold-glove-candidate-second-baseman-javy-baez-leaves-game-with-injury/)** > > It is unclear how much time Baez might miss. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2018, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/69 "2018-03-08T23:56:49Z")
Really great Ichiro profile in ESPN: > **[Ichiro's return to Seattle won't resolve the battle raging within him](https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/22624561/ichiro-suzuki-return-seattle-mariners-resolve-internal-battle)** > > How five days in February reveal what Seattle's signing of Ichiro cannot. The future Hall of Famer is haunted by the life he can't escape. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/70 "2018-03-09T00:16:58Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Really great Ichiro profile in ESPN: > > [Ichiro Suzuki's return to the Seattle Mariners won't resolve his internal battle](http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/22624561/ichiro-suzuki-return-seattle-mariners-resolve-internal-battle) He doesn’t sound like a happy guy. That’s too bad. Baseball should be fun. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2018, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/71 "2018-03-10T23:45:21Z")
Lance Lynn signs with Twins, a one-year deal worth $12 million. Twins will be setting their own record for spending, around $130m. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/72 "2018-03-11T15:19:08Z")
Disappointed that my favorite Yankee prospect, Clint Frazier, suffered a brain injury in a collision with the outfield wall. Still foggy over a week later, has the good sense not to drive, gets the names of his cats wrong. Pretty scary shit. That’s the sort of thing that can end a career before it begins. I don’t think he could have cracked the outfield as it was but damn that’s a bad break for him. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/73 "2018-03-11T15:29:19Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Disappointed that my favorite Yankee prospect, Clint Frazier, suffered a brain injury in a collision with the outfield wall. Still foggy over a week later, has the good sense not to drive, gets the names of his cats wrong. Pretty scary shit. That’s the sort of thing that can end a career before it begins. I don’t think he could have cracked the outfield as it was but damn that’s a bad break for him. He is very likely to recover thankfully but yeah, this is a tough break for the kid. So is the inability to move Ellsbury. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/74 "2018-03-11T15:43:28Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > He is very likely to recover thankfully but yeah, this is a tough break for the kid. So is the inability to move Ellsbury. At some point in the summer, Hicks will get an oblique strain and Ellsbury will start in center. He’ll play great for a couple of weeks and fans will start to think that Ells is finally playing up to his contract. Then he’ll get hurt, Hicks will come back, and we’ll do it all again in 2019. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/75 "2018-03-11T15:46:31Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > At some point in the summer, Hicks will get an oblique strain and Ellsbury will start in center. He’ll play great for a couple of weeks and fans will start to think that Ells is finally playing up to his contract. Then he’ll get hurt, Hicks will come back, and we’ll do it all again in 2019. True enough. We might trade Hicks before Ells. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2018, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/76 "2018-03-11T22:14:14Z")
Jake Arrieta signs with the Phillies for 3 years, 75 million. Wow. > **[Jake Arrieta agrees to 3-year, $75 million contract with Phillies: report](https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/jake-arrieta-contract-phillies-mlb-free-agency-2018/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Arrieta&utm_term=SPORTS_YES)** > > The ex-Cubs pitcher is reportedly joining the Phillies after a lengthy offseason search. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/77 "2018-03-12T00:17:09Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Jake Arrieta signs with the Phillies for 3 years, 75 million. Wow. > [https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/jake-arrieta-contract-phillies-mlb-free-agency-2018/?utm\_source=Sailthru&utm\_medium=email&utm\_campaign=Arrieta&utm\_term=SPORTS\_YES](https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/jake-arrieta-contract-phillies-mlb-free-agency-2018/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Arrieta&utm_term=SPORTS_YES) … Complicated contract according to Heyman: > [@Jon Heyman](#): > > Arrieta will earn $30 million in 2018, $25 million in 2019 and $20 million in 2020. The right-hander has the option to opt-out after the 2019 season, but the contract also allows the Phillies to void that potential opt-out clause in the form of a two-year extension for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In that event, Arrieta would earn $20 million per season for those two years, with incentives that could drive it up to $25 million per season. All told, the final deal could wind up being for five years and between $125 and $135 million. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/78 "2018-03-12T01:06:33Z")
I have the feeling that Philadelphia will regret that signing. I like Arietta, but not for Philly. Wrigley ends up being essentially neutral, despite its reputation for being a batter-friendly park. Philadelphia is a band box, and Arietta is on the decline. Good thing it’s only a 3-year deal. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/79 "2018-03-12T01:37:24Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > He doesn’t sound like a happy guy. That’s too bad. Baseball should be fun. Wow. I knew that he was intense and meticulous, but I didn’t realize quite how obsessive he is (to the point where I wonder if he has OCD). Even more than extremely competitive guys like Michael Jordan or Brett Favre, the article makes it sound like Ichiro will really be at loose ends when he finally can’t play any more. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569/80 "2018-03-12T04:53:12Z")
Yeah, it will be tuff on Bartolo Colón also. They both love to play. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2018/809569.md?page=5)