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Good morning folks and happy Tuesday! I hope you’re all continuing to stay safe and finding ways to keep yourself sane during these trying times. Keeping up your routines is important, like your daily perusing of the links for instance! Let’s get to it.
In Mariners news...
- If you’re like Kristopher Negron, it’s time for some experimental hobbies — like cooking.
The first half of this onion dominated me.... but it doesn’t matter, get better. Made a mid crock pot adjustment and now it doesn’t stand a chance. #crockpotszn #DMGB pic.twitter.com/hq2iJUgxlx
— Kristopher Negrón (@KNegs17) March 16, 2020
Around the league...
- Kyle Glaser at Baseball America lists 15 players who were really impressing in spring training before things got shut down.
- Well, I suppose it’s time to turn our heads toward the upcoming MLB Draft. Keith Law at The Athletic writes up his top 30 list of prospects heading into the draft. ($) A good number of these players have already been covered in-depth by Kate, Joe, and the rest of the staff with profiles here, and now is as good a time as any to catch up on that reading.
- Ken Rosenthal provides some updates on how the league will proceed in these current conditions.
Key points from memo sent by Players Association to agents this morning:
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2020
1. Transaction/signing freeze under discussion, expected in “very near future.” To be lifted when camps reopen. PA wants to protect players with March opt-out clauses that have been effectively nullified.
2. To cover spring-training living allowances, players who return home or to club’s home city can get up to $1,100 per week through PA until 4/9 or until such a time clubs provide similar. Applies to players on 40-man roster players as of 3/13/20 and certain non-roster invitees.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2020
3. Talks with MLB continue on host of issues, including: Conditions for resumption of play; amended scheduling; player salaries; service time; contracts and transactions; core economics; amateur signings and potential adjustments for collectively bargained dates and deadlines.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2020
- Well, the “optimistic” timeline for the start of the season keeps getting pushed back. That said, who knows what things will look like when we get there — assuming we continue to follow all necessary precautions.
Nearly every day the MLB expected shutdown is pushed back farther. Not a good trend. I'm hearing July 4 now is best case scenario.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) March 16, 2020
- And due to the latest CDC guidelines, the season can’t possibly start before mid-May, with a possibility that the first several games could be played in front of no fans.
MLB announces it will follow new CDC guidelines restricting gatherings of 50+ people for 8 weeks, meaning start of season will be pushed back at least until mid-May. Per MLB, they “remain committed to playing as many games as possible when the season begins.”
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 16, 2020
- Former minor leaguer Eric Sim has started collecting gift card donations to send to players who are in need of meal money during the current shutdown of baseball activity.
- When baseball does return, David Schoenfield has a player on each team that we should appreciate watching more.
Anders’ picks...
- What else are sports fans supposed to do during these trying times?
Day 4 with no sports:
— CH IS☥MAS (@davdchristmas) March 15, 2020
Marble1 racing is intense! pic.twitter.com/StgO4fY8VG
- To all of you football fans out there, Tom Brady made a huge announcement early this morning by declaring he will not be returning to New England. This period in sports simply cannot get weird enough.
FOREVER A PATRIOT pic.twitter.com/QSBOJBs4uy
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 17, 2020
- My childhood senses are tingling.
But this is. pic.twitter.com/PlyHdzo2pM
— The Killers (@thekillers) March 16, 2020
- Working from home and need a way to keep yourself mentally sane? Spencer Hall at Banner Society has a guide for you.