Quote of the Week
“ If you're using an opener in my game, I'm walking right out of the ballpark. ”
– Madison Bumgarner, Giants pitcher
This Week in Baseball
Unsigned of the Times...
Baseball's pitchers and catchers have reported to camp, but the two best free agents in the last decade still haven't signed deals. The latest rumors have Bryce Harper going to the Giants or Phillies and Manny Machado going to the Padres. The White Sox must be thinking, "What are we chopped liver?" It turns out that the White Sox may indeed be chopped liver.
Players Strike Back...
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright became the latest player to voice his concern over the slow free agent market and even forecast a players strike. “Unless something changes, there's going to be a strike, 100 percent," Wainwright said. Strangely he had no comment on the nearly $200 million owed to Albert Pujols and Chris Davis.
CC You Later...
Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia announced he plans to retire after the 2019 season, which would be his 19th year in the league. At times during his career he was one of the most dominant pitchers in the game and of late had become more of an innings-eater and out of respect for him we will not make any "eater" jokes.
Shohei Time...
Angels manager Brad Ausmus didn't have an exact date for the return of star Shohei Ohtani, but he said that Ohtani probably will be ready to play in a game sometime in May. If you're not familiar with "manager speak," this means Ohtani might be ready in June and July is a possibility, but don't rule out August.
Hail Mary...
Oklahoma quarterback and Athletics draftee Kyler Murray announced that he will fully commit to an NFL career and at least put on hold his interest in baseball. Maybe he wants the immediate superstardom that football provides. Maybe he just loves football more than baseball. Or maybe this decision is just a concussion symptom.
On the Air
“ Whenever I go to Vegas next and get in trouble with the law, I'm just going to say I'm there to meet with Bryce Harper. ”
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Episode 94: J.T. Realmuto Finally Traded; Bryce Harper-Giants Meeting; Shohei Ohtani Timeline; RIP Frank Robinson; Epic Starting Nine; El Chapo; Katy Perry Shoes
First and foremost, the first domino of the hot stove season’s big-three finally falls: J.T. Realmuto is headed to Philly! Episode 94 of Foul Territory: A Baseball Podcast—the Jose Mesa edition—takes a look at the impact the J.T. Realmuto trade …
Going Deep
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My Love Letter to You, Baseball
This time of year has people feeling a certain way: Love is in the air. Some like to celebrate with fancy dinners, proposals, gorgeous flowers or other gestures dictated by a date on the calendar. Not me. Not this year. …
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James Paxton Can Be Difference Maker for Yankees
It’s almost easy to forget. But one of the Yankees’ biggest offseason acquisitions happened way back in November: the trade for lefty pitcher James Paxton from the Mariners. The Yankees rotation was the shakiest part of a team that won …
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What Is Happening with Craig Kimbrel?
This baseball offseason was supposed to be the record-setting cash grab and talent redistribution that only comes around once a decade. Yet here we all are, a few days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to camps, and we still …
Off Base
