MLB Weekly Update - 2/5/21
Ladies and Gentleman...baseball is OFFICIALLY back for the 2021 season! The calendar has turned to February and that means that Spring Training is dawning. On February 17th, pitchers and catchers report and the sweet sound of gloves popping and bats cracking will fill our hearts with joy once again. This past week also saw the biggest trade of the offseason so far so let’s get into it.
Spring Training is a time of year that baseball fans everywhere collectively rejoice. It means that winter is almost over and that the new baseball season is about to take off. We see players with their new teams for the first time, every team has a clean slate, and the hopes of every team winning a World Series is at its peak. This will be the first time in a couple years I won’t be a part of Spring Training and although I will miss the hustle and bustle of being an Athletic Trainer there, I am looking forward to enjoying this year’s season as a fan like I used to. Before I get into the big trade I mentioned earlier, I want to go over what the 2021 MLB season will look like.
On Monday, the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) rejected MLB’s offer to delay the start of the season to April 28 (Spring Training starting March 22) and a 154-game schedule where salaries would be paid for a full 162-game season. In the short-term, that means that everything will start on time. Spring Training will begin in a couple weeks, the season will begin on April 1 and we’ll have a full 162-game schedule. There are still a lot of long-term decisions yet to be decided like will we see expanded playoffs? Is the universal DH here to stay? What will the health and safety protocols look like? But for the 2021 season, expect baseball to look like it did in 2019 - pitchers hit in the NL, 10 team postseason, and full travel schedule. When the new CBA will be negotiated for 2022, we may see the return of some of the temporary 2020 rules.
What about fans in the stands? That will be up to local governments and rules to dictate. Arizona and Florida are already selling tickets for their Spring Training games for some teams in limited capacity. One thing is for sure, teams and MLB will do everything in their power to get fans in the seats. They cannot afford another season with that kind of loss.
In other news - the biggest trade of the offseason went down last week between the Colorado Rockies and the St. Louis Cardinals. The Rockies traded away their mega-star third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals for left-hander Austin Gomber and four minor league prospects. I mean, wow! It’s not too surprising that Arenado was traded but considering the Rockies signed him to an 8-year extension two years ago and how competitive this team was in 2017, it’s eye-opening to say the least. Arenado is a Top 5 talent in the league. He has proven that for years both at the plate and on defense. But he was playing in Colorado, an organization that doesn’t have nearly the commitment to winning as the St. Louis Cardinals do. The Cardinals desperately need more offense, they were the worst run-scoring team to make the postseason last year. Adding Arenado should help. A couple of things to consider, Arenado is coming off a shoulder injury that did dampen his production last season and he also has an opt-out after 2021 and 2022. This has the potential though, to be a franchise changing move for St. Louis.
A bunch of free agents also made deals last week - Former Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons signed a 1-year $10.5 million deal with the Minnesota Twins. Former Dodgers slugger Joc Pederson signed a 1-year $7 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. The Philadelphia Phillies brought back their shortstop Didi Gregorius with a 2-year $28 million deal. Pitcher Chris Archer is going back to his old stomping grounds with the Tampa Bay Rays on a 1-year $6.5 million deal. 41-year-old Nelson Cruz brings his boomstick back to Minnesota on a 1-year $13 million contract. Kolten Wong, who I guess wasn’t impressed with the Arenado trade, leaves St. Louis to sign a 2-year $18 million deal with division rival Milwaukee Brewers.
Put away those winter coats and bring out the old ball cap. Baseball is right around the corner, and it’s back in full bloom! Keep looking out for more weekly MLB Updates right here at TLDR.