The best part of WBC is watching the non-MLB players from places like Taiwan and Australia. Going forward the fewer MLB players the better. imo.

At a computer now so I can type this out and structure it a bit.

Bryant and Harper are exceptions to the rule. Basically players with less than 3 full years can have their contracts renewed by their team for the league minimum or more, and then players with more than 3-> less than 6 years control go through the arbitration process.

Some teams have policies or formulae that determine what the salary is for 0-3 guys, others just kind of pick and choose. Can be based on service time, performance, etc. Cubs gave Bryant 1.05MM because he was MVP last year, but they would have been entirely within their rights to renew his contract at $535k if they felt like it.

Teams will usually offer their players a contract and the player has the option to accept/reject, and they almost always accept since all rejecting does is silently protest and ask for more money, but at the end of the day the team has all the power. Mets just renewed Syndergaard's deal at $605k. He thought he deserved a bigger raise, so he didn't sign the contract that he was offered, so they just said OK, here you go have what we offered you.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba...icle-1.2988282

Eric Gagne on the mound! First pitch at 94.

Lol. According to Cliff Floyd, in regards to Dempster and Gagne having similar to velocities to the end of their careers, "you just have to thank the good Lord upstairs, because there's nothing you can do in the weight room...".

Getting ready for White Sox vs Rangers split squad. It's nice having friends with the Rangers and getting brought in through the clubhouse.

I like the other team.

Not a single team could give Pedro Alvarez a major league deal?

All you oldmanyellsatclouds that aren't watching the World Baseball Classic, y'all don't know what you're missing.

These games have been fantastic, way better than normal meaningless spring training games.

It's been incredible

Is this the WBC thread?

Yeah

I just don't see how a baseball fan could not be into this.

Do I care at all if the US farts again and loses to Canada. No, but I loooove all the action. I mean just watch the players and still tell me nobody cares. Loved the reaction from Nellie Cruz going down to first after his huge HR.

last night's US-DR game was incredible. Had some guys over for a few beers and video games and we ended up turning the game on in the 2nd inning. When it was 5-0 US someone said soemthing like "Ah well, this one's over, let's do something else." "Not so fast. DR coming back and making a game out of this one" I replied. And then some gentlemen hit the ball and ran in that direction and everyone was happy.

I actually like the mix. Having some MLB players / recognizable names makes it more interesting when the no-name players do well

Bautista's arm used to be so good. As awesome as that play at the plate was, 2 years ago he gets that to the plate on a rope instead of rolling it there.

In other news, we get a taste test of the runners on 1st and 2nd to start the top of the 11th rule

That's going to be such a common occurrence if that rule actually becomes standard. Bunt and then intentionally walk to load the bases with one out.

Could make for some seriously lopsided extra innings scores (like this).

Did they say how stats would work for the runner on 2nd? If he scores, does he get a Run? Does the pitcher get an ER?

It's obviously a huge advantage to the team batting second, but hilarious extra inning scores would definitely be the norm.

And I actually thought last night's lineup with Stanton 7th was bad

My God whoever is blowing that air horn or whatever needs to be punched in the face

I get why they would do this, and it certainly makes sense during spring training since guys aren't fully stretched out, but I don't like it.

that lineup is actually about as bad as possible. I'd believe you if you told me that it was upside down.

They got Crawford right

Who gets put on? The next two up? The last two outs?