# MLB: Spring Training 2024
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963
**Category:** The Game Room
**Tags:** baseball-mlb
**Created:** [February 22, 2024, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963 "2024-02-22T22:06:30Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/21 "2024-02-25T00:38:23Z")
To be fair, Contreras ended up with a 124 OPS+ and 3.4 WAR last year. That’s not very far from his last Cubs season.
And for reference, Yan Gomes was 93 OPS+ and 1.7 WAR.
Contreras was not at all the primary issue with the Cards last year. Still kinda pissed they didn’t got for Murphy, but not gonna cry too much about it.
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### Author:  [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/22 "2024-02-25T00:48:23Z")
I watched most of the Mariners / White Sox spring training game this afternoon. The new jerseys look terrible, especially from the back: the numbers are tiny, and the names are, too. Not only is it nearly impossible to read a player’s name unless the camera is focused on him, but they just look like something printed up at Dick’s Sporting Goods, for a rec-league softball team.
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### Author:  [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/23 "2024-02-25T00:54:55Z")
Well, according to [this report (among others)](https://larrybrownsports.com/baseball/cardinals-removed-willson-contreras-catcher-reason/617076), he was having real issues with the pitching staff. He’d call for a pitch, even if the pitcher didn’t throw that particular pitch.
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/24 "2024-02-25T01:05:19Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#):
>
> Not only is it nearly impossible to read a player’s name unless the camera is focused on him, but they just look like something printed up at Dick’s Sporting Goods, for a rec-league softball team.
Players hate them too, especially the pants.
> **[MLB Players Complain New Uniforms Have 'See-Through' Pants](https://people.com/new-mlb-uniforms-criticized-by-players-being-see-through-8599457)**
>
> The new uniforms — designed by Nike and manufactured by Fanatics — feature a more breathable and stretchy fabric. But they have also drawn complaints from Major League Baseball players for being "see-through."
The MLB insists that the pants haven’t changed. Umm, sure, everybody is hallucinating, as are cameras.
> **[MLB officials insist fabric on pants has not changed this season](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/mlb/article-13120953/MLB-officials-insist-fabric-nearly-uniform-pants-NOT-changed-season-fans-continue-poke-fun-new-jerseys-produced-Nike-Fanatics-players-say-HATE-new-design.html)**
>
> The latest batch of uniforms for MLB have both players and fans mocking and criticizing Nike and Fanatics for their production - especially when it comes to the bottoms.
It’s really bad.
> One player in particular had the outline of his testicles showing through these pants in a truly embarrassing moment. Others have had cameras capture clothing they were wearing under their uniform both on the field and during team picture day.
How the hell did those uniforms get approved?!
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### Author:  [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/25 "2024-02-25T02:01:11Z")
> [@Atamasama](#):
>
> One player in particular had the outline of his testicles showing through these pants in a truly embarrassing moment.
I thought MLB players all wore cups, but Googling tells me that many, if not most, do not. Most catchers and first baseman, but very few outfielders. Still, the ‘outline of his testicles’ seems unlikely. Commando baseball players?
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/26 "2024-02-25T02:35:34Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#):
>
> Still, the ‘outline of his testicles’ seems unlikely. Commando baseball players?
You can see for yourself if you want, the pic is in this article. I won’t link to the photo directly.
> **[The Great MLB Uniform Disaster of 2024 Gets More Insane With Every Passing...](https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3504669/the-great-mlb-uniform-disaster-of-2024-gets-more-insane-with-every-passing-hour-as-we-now-have-players-dick-and-balls-visible-from-their-see-through-pants)**
>
> Mary DeCicco. Getty Images.Just when it seemed impossible for the MLB uniform disaster to get worse, it did. I suppose if you root for chaos and men in see through pants then this new development jus...
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### Author:  [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/27 "2024-02-25T04:00:14Z")
The Yankees won 22-10 today. That’s it, get the rings ready.
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### Author:  [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/28 "2024-02-25T10:16:30Z")
Spencer Jones hit a monster dinger in that game. I can’t wait to see how he does at AAA. A lot of hype around this guy:
> He advertised the power, but it’s the speed they can’t get over. The center fielder was clocked at 11 seconds going home to third, bettered in the majors by just Corbin Carroll, Elly De La Cruz and Jose Siri, according to The Athletic.
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### Author:  [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/29 "2024-02-25T13:47:32Z")
Cubs sign Bellinger. [3 years, $80 million](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39596106/cody-bellinger-cubs-agree-3-year-80-million-deal).
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/30 "2024-02-25T14:59:10Z")
How is his fielding? A big lefty centerfielder the flew under my radar is a pretty exciting prospect.
The Yankees Site said it was a 470’ homer.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/31 "2024-02-25T15:11:24Z")
Padres are off to a roaring start, I see.
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### Author:  [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/32 "2024-02-25T15:36:45Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#):
>
> Spencer Jones hit a monster dinger in that game. I can’t wait to see how he does at AAA. A lot of hype around this guy:
>
> > He advertised the power, but it’s the speed they can’t get over. The center fielder was clocked at 11 seconds going home to third, bettered in the majors by just Corbin Carroll, Elly De La Cruz and Jose Siri, according to The Athletic.
I doubt he will start at AAA. He only had 17 games at AA. The Yankees are over stacked in the outfield now. They have Judge, Soto, Verdugo, Grisham and a newly slim Stanton. Dominguez is due back in a couple of months. They are in no hurry to start Jones major league clock. When they invited Dominguez to Spring Training they sent him back to AA.
I’m hoping he’s back in AA. That’s my ballpark. I’ve seen Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells and Jasson Dominguez play there lately.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/33 "2024-02-25T15:40:26Z")
I still haven’t been there since the Yanks took it over. Only time I was there was when Sparky Lyle was the owner of the team. I need to go this year. My brother now lives nearby as an added incentive.
I agree, Jones will almost surely start at AA, but hopefully push himself up to AAA part way through the season.
I wouldn’t count on Stanton for much in the OF. I’ll be overjoyed if he can stay healthy as DH and actually hit.
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### Author:  [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/34 "2024-02-25T16:37:55Z")
The problem is Stanton hits much better when he’s playing in the field. When he’s not injured he isn’t a bad fielder and has a cannon for an arm. He’s 20 lbs lighter and worked on his flexibility and overall fitness to attempt to stay durable.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/35 "2024-02-25T16:41:18Z")
All true, but when you put him in the field, he breaks down even faster.
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### Author:  [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/36 "2024-02-25T17:47:33Z")
I saw Jones play probably close to 20 games in CF last year (in A ball, Hudson Valley), and the kindest descriptor of his fielding I would use is “confused.”
He seemed to have a lot of trouble finding appropriate routes to fly balls, he did a fair amount of blind leaping (and coming up empty) at balls hit over his head, and I remember at least two or three singles that bounced in front of him and got past him somehow with the runner ending up on third.
I think his arm was pretty good though.
I’m not a talent evaluator by any stretch, just a longtime fan, so what the Yankees think is way more important than what I think. But I’ve seen a lot of guys play CF over the years and his defense sure seemed noticeably wanting.
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### Author:  [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)
#### Post date: [February 25, 2024, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/37 "2024-02-25T18:13:27Z")
Unless something goes really wrong with Dominguez, Jones will not be in center by the time he gets to the majors.
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### Author:  [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/38 "2024-02-27T22:27:46Z")
White Sox pitcher [Jesse Scholtens](https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/mlb/chicago-white-sox/white-sox-news/white-sox-pitcher-jesse-scholtens-tears-ucl-needs-tommy-john-surgery/542935/) has suffered a torn UCL, and will be having Tommy John surgery.
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### Author:  [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2024, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/39 "2024-02-27T22:34:04Z")
Nats prospects Wood, House, and Hassell III put on a show against the Astros today.
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### Author:  [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2024, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-spring-training-2024/997963/40 "2024-02-27T22:42:53Z")
The Soto trade is starting to look a lot better. I wonder how the Padres feel, having given up these guys for basically no return.
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