Spring Training Thread

[Donn Beach]

Teams here at spring training are trying to price them selves out of this world for tickets. The outfield lawn is running around $90 for most games and all others seats seem to have tripled over the last few years. My S.T. this year may be limited to the practice fields.

Spring training has always been about trying to make money. That was the reason teams began playing each other. It wasn't about training it was so they could sell tickets to it

[Donn Beach]

I wouldn't consider it selling low.

His salary ensures we'll find out one way or another whether he's hit the wall.

I think Robles/Julio/Raley/Donovan/Canzone++ mean we wouldnt miss Randy at all personally.

Trade him for a third baseman. Trade him for a lock down reliever. A prospect. Doesn't really matter. The problem with Randy is he'll be given at bats regardless of whether his .679 OPS in the second half is what we can expect or not. They'll squeeze that turnip like they always do.

I don't see how keeping him improves the lineup.

Yeah, you keep him and give him at bats to see if he turns around. For as bad as second half was he was nearly a 30-30 guy for the season. If he was actually blocking someone that be an issue but I don't see a reason for trading him for a reliever just to give his at bats to Robles and Raley.

His situation compared to teo Hernandez

Hernández had an underwhelming year in his only season with the Mariners in 2023. After being brought in to be a difference-making, middle-of-the-order bat, the slugger had a .258 batting average, .435 slugging percentage, .741 OPS and a 107 wRC+, which were well below the numbers he had in his two seasons prior with Toronto.

But after Hernández joined the Dodgers’ stacked lineup in 2024, he rebounded with a .272 average, .501 slugging percentage, .840 OPS and 132 wRC+ while earning an All-Star nod and Silver Slugger.

“He was hitting further down the line, and you get more of a look (at the pitcher before your turn to hit). You get pitched to a little bit differently. You get more pitches to hit,” Rowland-Smith said. “(Arozarena) needs pitches to hit, man. He’s a mistake hitter, that’s for sure, as opposed to being that guy in the leadoff spot where (pitchers are) gonna put more of a magnifying glass on you when they’re coming up with a plan throughout the day.”