Michael Weiner thinks the current MLB schedule sucks, according to a tweet by CBS Sports’ Danny Knobler.
The head of the Major League Baseball Player’s Association said it will be a big topic during the next collective-bargaining agreement.
But what makes the schedule suck?
Most fans can rattle off at least five things wrong with the schedule in its current makeup.
Here’s a look at five problems with the current schedule and solutions for them.
Alex Rodriguez is set to rejoin the New York Yankees after his 20-game rehab assignment. But is the ensuing media circus going to collapse the sturdy clubhouse?
According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, the PED suspension appeals could extend into the offseason.
Michael Weiner, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Assn., said Tuesday he does not know how many players might be affected but that no suspensions are imminent.
For Rodriguez, that means he’ll likely be getting back on the field in the Bronx. Unless of course, he has a mysterious injury that forces him to the disabled list.
If not, Rodriguez is going to face the impending media circus, which is not something the Yankees need to be dealing with again.
History
The Yankees already faced this once with Rodriguez after he admitted to PED use in 2009.
His teammates stood behind him, believing he was a changed man and that he only took PEDs during the times he admitted to using them.
They dealt with the media as well, answering questions about how they would support Rodriguez during this time.
It was old then, and it’s going to be old now.
Same Story, Different Year
Rodriguez is once again involved in another PED scandal and he’s going to face questions once again.
His teammates will be faced with those same questions as well.
Focus won’t be a word that can be used around the Yankees clubhouse. The story will continue to drag on, and until there is a full resolution (players suspended, exonerated, etc.), it’s going to hang around.
What if the Yankees make the playoffs? Will that be a distraction?
The Yankees have a good clubhouse, especially when Derek Jeter gets back in the lineup. There’s leadership all around and there are certain ways things are done.
Rodriguez has been nothing but a distraction for the Yankees ever since he admitted to PED use while with the Texas Rangers.
From his shaky performance late last year to asking for a fan’s number during Game 1 of the ALCS, somehow A-Rod is always at the center of some controversy—be it on or off the field.
It’s no wonder the Yankees explored ways to void his contract.
What to Do
Suspensions aren’t imminent, as the appeals process will still likely have to happen. So A-Rod would be able to return once his rehab assignment is up.
While there’s no question it can’t get any worse for the Yankees at third base this year, bringing back Rodriguez is a big mistake.
Despite what general manager Brian Cashman is saying in public, it’s obvious the Yankees would prefer not to have Rodriguez in uniform and under contract.
Rodriguez may have a little bit still left in the tank, but he’s a clubhouse cancer.
Until he’s with another ballclub, the Yankees are going to have to continually answer questions about him and what he is or isn’t doing.
The best bet would be to let him go back on the disabled list and for the Yankees to hope and pray they can get rid of him somehow in the offseason.
A-Rod is not good for the game of baseball. And he’s not good for the New York Yankees.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
Another Cuban pitcher is on the market as right-hander Dalier Hinojosa has been cleared to sign with an MLB team, according to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez:
Sanchez brings a lot to the table and will no doubt garner a lot of interest from clubs.
According to Sanchez, “Hinojosa, 27, throws a fastball in the low-to-mid 90s, and his repertoire also features a slider, a curve, a two-seam fastball and a changeup.”
Being 27, his value could take a hit, especially if he’s still a few years away from being ready for the big leagues.
But he does have something to his credit that not many pitchers can claim.
Two Perfect Games
One thing Hinojosa has over any Cuban player looking to sign with MLB is that he already has a perfect game to his credit. In fact, he has two, both of which came in 2010.
According to the International Baseball Federation, Hinojosa recorded perfect games in international competition against Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.
Some people will point to the fact that Hinojosa only threw 12 combined innings in those games (due to the mercy rule). Others will point to the level of competition Hinojosa faced.
However, to throw a perfect game twice at any level is an accomplishment within itself.
If it was so easy, then we would have seen stud high-school pitching prospects throwing perfect games against far inferior teams.
Potential Suitors
According to Sanchez, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are among the teams interested in Hinojosa.
The Dodgers interest is obvious considering the reasons given for their interest in Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez in a story I wrote Monday.
If the Dodgers lose out on Gonzalez, don’t be surprised to see them go hard at Hinojosa. They’re looking to pair a fellow countryman with Yasiel Puig, giving the team an even larger fan base.
The Cubs and the Red Sox have interest as well, as they look to shore up their pitching staffs for 2014 and beyond.
The Yankees are an interesting case considering they’re trying to drop payroll. But if they can get Hinojosa at a decent rate, they’ll no doubt be looking to add him.
The Los Angeles Angels are another team I’d look at as trying to add Hinojosa. With a relatively weak pitching staff after their top two, the Angels will look to make strides in that department.
I don’t believe Hinojosa signs before Gonzalez as his price will be driven up by teams who lose out on Gonzalez.
More will be known about Hinojosa when he throws for scouts, but there’s no doubt there’s talent there.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
The Boston Red Sox have a lot of flaws in their bullpen.
However, things got worse when the Red Sox received word on Tuesday that reliever Andrew Miller would be having season-ending surgery.
According to Alex Speier of WEEI.com, the Red Sox shaky bullpen went from bad to worse as it already ranks 26th in the majors with a 4.30 ERA.
So what should the Red Sox do?
Who is on the trade market they can go after?
Yasiel Puig is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
At least that’s what ESPN and many Los Angeles Dodgers fans think.
After the announcement of the all-star rosters, the final vote players were announced with Puig going up against four others.
But the Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays have joined forces to help ensure Puig doesn’t win the final vote. The Braves are pushing for their fans to vote for not only Freddie Freeman, but also for Toronto’s Steve Delbar. The Blue Jays have agreed to do the same.
So far it’s worked.
As of Tuesday morning, both players were leading their respective leagues in the final votes, with the results being revealed Thursday at 4 p.m.
This is occurring despite the fact that ESPN and MLB are pushing for Puig to get the vote because they think he deserves it.
It’s angered a lot of fans and had former Braves player Chipper Jones putting his two cents in on Twitter:
The fact remains that Puig doesn’t deserve the nod over everyone else.
Bryce Harper’s Classy Move
Last year, Bryce Harper pulled off one of the classiest moves when it came to the final vote. Pitted against Jones, Harper said he’d vote for Jones, according to the USA Today’s Gabe Lacques.
Harper knew he’d have more opportunities, saying Jones deserved it more than he did. Luckily for the two, injuries helped them both to Kansas City.
This year, the same holds true for Puig.
While he’s been exciting, he’s only been in the big leagues for a little more than a month.
He has 33 games under his belt and has been a one-month phenom. But that doesn’t mean he deserves to go to the All-Star game.
The PR Push
Luckily for Freeman, both Atlanta’s and Toronto’s PR departments have been pushing for fans to vote for him.
In fact, it was such a good move that the Tigers and Giants decided to team up to help their candidates as well. Hunter Pence is getting support from Detroit fans, while Joaquin Benoit is getting backing from San Francisco fans.
However, they got started a day later than the Braves and Blue Jays, which could mean all the difference in the world.
But the real race comes down to Freeman and Puig.
Both fanbases think their guy is more deserving, and one set of fans will cry foul when the winning player is revealed.
Whether it’s ESPN’s and MLB’s push for Puig or the Blue Jays teaming up with the Braves to push Freeman, it’s clear that inn the end someone is going to lose out.
But you have to admit, the Blue Jays and Braves made a great move in response to ESPN.
It will be interesting to see what the fans decide.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
As the season gets closer to the postseason stretch run, the return of Brian Wilson is going to pique the interest of many MLB contenders.
Teams aware that Brian Wilson could audition for scouts around Aug. 1. He’s been working out in Hawaii.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 9, 2013
Wilson was once one of the best closers in baseball, saving 163 games between 2008-11.
However, elbow inflammation landed him on the disabled list late in 2011. In 2012, he underwent Tommy John surgery and was non-tendered by the Giants after the year.
Now, almost fully healed, Wilson is ready to make his return late in the year.
The biggest question is, which contenders could be interested in the right-hander?
Atlanta Braves
If the Braves haven’t made a move for bullpen help by the trading deadline, you can almost bet they’ll be in on Wilson.
Having lost Eric O’Flaherty and Jonny Venters for the rest of the season (and possibly most of next), Wilson could be someone the Braves use down the stretch.
The Braves currently have Jordan Walden as the only viable setup man for closer Craig Kimbrel.
Luis Avilan has filled in nicely with a 1.43 ERA and team-leading 13 holds, but the Braves need more in the bullpen.
They need somebody that can come in during the seventh or eighth to shut the door.
If Wilson proves to be throwing like he used to, it would be worth the risk for the Braves.
Detroit Tigers
We all know about the problems the Tigers have had closing games.
While some see the Tigers going after Jonathan Papelbon or John Axford, Wilson is a viable candidate for Detroit.
The biggest plus to signing Wilson would be that they wouldn’t have to give up any prospects, which is something they couldn’t get away with by trading for the other two.
Wilson would also come relatively cheap for the rest of the year. Papelbon will be owed $6.5 million for the last half of the year, while Axford will be owed $2.5 million.
The Tigers could offer Wilson $1 million to finish out the year and he’d likely take it. Not only because he knows he has to prove himself, but because he knows the Tigers have a great chance at winning the World Series.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals could always use bullpen help.
While Edward Mujica has done well closing games, it’s getting to him that’s been the problem.
While things have improved over the last month, St. Louis still needs the bullpen to be better.
Relievers currently have a 3.52 ERA and are allowing opponents a .247 batting average.
Teaming Wilson with Trevor Rosenthal would give the Cardinals a formidable back end for the stretch run.
Boston Red Sox
Like the Tigers, the Red Sox could use a closer.
As a relief corps, the Red Sox have 17 saves on the year with four of those coming from injured Joel Hanrahan.
Throw in the fact that Andrew Miller and Franklin Morales are also injured and you see the Red Sox need help.
In the playoffs, a strong bullpen is the key to any series. Of the four teams listed, Boston has the weakest bullpen and one of the weakest of all current contenders.
Likely Destination
Detroit seems to be the most logical choice for Wilson if the Tigers haven’t landed a closer by the deadline.
They have the biggest need at closer, with the Red Sox not far behind.
However, Wilson could surprise everyone and head back out West to pitch for a contender.
Had it not been for Tommy John surgery, that’s likely where he’d still be and likely where he wants to continue to be.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
With two days to go in the All-Star Game voting process, it’s time to go ahead and say it—the fan vote is flawed.
The most recent vote counts have been released by NBC Sports, and I’m troubled by some of the totals. And it most noticeably has to do with certain San Francisco Giants players.
The problem lies not only in the fan votes, but broadcasters, announcers and team websites saying to stuff the ballot box with that team’s players.
There are certain players who don’t deserve All-Star consideration. However, that team’s fans don’t seem to care.
Even as an Atlanta Braves fan, I couldn’t bring myself to vote for guys like Dan Uggla, B.J. Upton or Jason Heyward.
Although they’ve gotten better over the last few weeks, their first half doesn’t warrant them selection to the team.
Yet, the team website pushes for them to be voted in, as do announcers during the game.
This year, San Francisco fans have been the worst, as all eight starting offensive players have earned a significant amount of votes. Marco Scutaro is even within 269,000 votes from getting the start at second base (more on him later).
Of all the Giants players ranked on the list, only catcher Buster Posey (second: 4,674,847) and third baseman Pablo Sandoval (second: 3,610,096) are worthy of starting consideration.
Yet, multiple are still there.
Marco Scutaro
Scutaro is ranked third currently and has a chance to start the game. Really?
He’s batting .315 with two home runs and 18 RBI.
Compare that to Cincinnati’s Brandon Phillips and St. Louis’ Matt Carpenter, and I cry foul if Scutaro is voted in.
Phillips is batting .272 with 11 home runs and 61 RBI, while Carpenter is batting .322 with seven home runs and 32 RBI.
Let’s not forget to mention that Carpenter only has four errors at second, while Phillips has six and Scutaro has nine. That means you can throw out the better defensive player argument.
There is no reason why Scutaro should be even close to Carpenter and Phillips, yet he is.
For announcers who continue to push for all of a certain team’s players to get voted in by the fans, maybe this will serve as a warning to encourage the best player to be voted in.
These same announcers who push for that will be the ones complaining if Scutaro gets the nod. Yet, they encourage it for other players.
Could you imagine if Yadier Molina wasn’t having as good of a season as Buster Posey? Giants announcers and fans would be up in arms about Molina leading the vote total.
Other Players
Brandon Belt ranks fourth (1,804,152) at first base and is batting .266 with nine home runs and 35 RBI. That’s not bad, but there are multiple players with less vote totals that are more deserving. Mainly Freddie Freeman with a .307 batting average, nine home runs and 53 RBI.
Brandon Crawford ranks second (2,383,248) at shortstop, with the injured Troy Tulowitzki leading the vote totals. Jean Segura ranks third.
If it becomes official that Tulowitzki won’t play, does that mean Crawford is going to get the start? He’s batting .267 with five home runs and 28 RBI.
Meanwhile, Segura is batting .325 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI. Tell me, who deserves the start there more?
Then there’s the outfield where the Giants have all three starters ranked in the top 13.
Hunter Pence ranks seventh (2,379,606), Angel Pagan ranks ninth (2,016,370) and Gregor Blanco ranks 13th (1,717,194).
Thankfully, none of the three will get the start or likely even make it to the game, but that vote total shows how bad the fan vote is.
Pagan is batting .262 with three home runs and 24 RBI and has only played in 46 games. Yet, he’s the ninth-best outfielder in the National League.
Then there’s Blanco, who is supposed to be a threat on the base paths but only has nine stolen bases (while being caught five times). He’s also batting .281 with 26 RBI. But is that worthy of getting 1.7 million votes?
I won’t say anything bad on Pence because he’s had a good season and has earned all of his votes.
But when you look at the other outfielders, there is no reason they should have as many votes as they do.
Bottom Line
The fan vote has been a great thing for baseball, but there are obviously some issues with it.
MLB has to do something to fix it, as “stuffing the ballot box” is wrong in so many ways.
While the game is a showcase for the fans, every year there are players in the game who don’t deserve to go, much less start.
It’s become a popularity contest, and when you have teams pushing for players (regardless or whether they deserve it or not), it puts a cloud over the game.
If the All-Star Game is going to truly feature the best players from the first half, then MLB has to get this under control.
After all, how would you feel if a player from your team deserved to start, but a less-deserving player earned the nod because his fans stuffed the ballot box?
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
Mark Appel will make his professional debut Friday for the Houston Astros Class-A short-season affiliate the Tri-City ValleyCats, according to Ken Schott of The Daily Gazette.
Appel was the No. 1 overall pick of the Astros in the 2013 MLB Draft and went 10-4 with a 2.12 ERA in his senior season at Stanford.
He will start against the Lowell Spinners, an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
So, what can we expect and what should we watch for in Appel‘s first start?
Not a Heavy Load
After having pitched 106.1 innings during the college season, don’t expect Appel to be throwing any complete games any time soon.
At most, expect him to throw four or five innings in his first start as he gets used to professional hitting. More likely is three innings or once through the lineup.
Among those players Appel could face are two 2013 draft picks, outfielder Forrest Allday (eighth round) and shortstop Carlos Asuaje (11th).
The Astros don’t want to overload Appel in his first start, especially considering the number of innings he’s already pitched this year.
Things to Watch
If you’re an Astros fan, the main thing you want to watch is how Appel reacts to his first bit of adversity. It may not come in the first start, but it will come eventually.
I’ll also be curious to see what his velocity is like and if he’s still averaging between 93-97 mph on his fastball.
Appel also hasn’t taken the mound in a game since May 24, so it will be interesting to see if there is any sort of drop off.
His slider and changeup will be something to watch as well. How does he handle those pitches? How does he mix them in with his fastball, knowing he has to use them more in college?
Predictions
Appel is going to give up at least a run or two as he adjusts to his new surroundings.
But he’ll also get a few strikeouts and show flashes of brilliance.
He’ll make another start or two for Tri-City and then move up to Class-A to end the season.
Other than that, don’t expect too much out of Appel for the rest of the year, as he still has a long career ahead of him. The Astros don’t need to rush things and can really get him going to start 2013.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
Alex Rodriguez is in the building.
A-Rod arrives at Charleston RiverDogs’ ballpark. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/d7I5TOyCKU
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) July 2, 2013
The New York Yankees‘ third baseman made his arrival in Charleston, where he’ll begin a rehab assignment with the Charleston RiverDogs, the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate.
The RiverDogs are hosting the Rome Braves in a series through Wednesday.
Lucas Sims, last year’s first-round pick of the Braves, tweeted his reaction to A-Rod starting his rehab while they were in town:
Alex Rodriguez is playing against us tomorrow in Charleston. That should be interesting.
— Lucas Sims (@LSims_) July 1, 2013
Prior to making it out to the ballpark, Rodriguez had lunch with Yankees teammate Eduardo Nunez at a restaurant called Fleet Landing:
Good lunch w/ @AROD in Charleston. Excited to get on the field today! pic.twitter.com/96I3YJm1zB
— Eduardo Nunez (@EduardoNunez15) July 2, 2013
After lunch, he arrived at the ballpark and spoke to the media at 3:50 p.m.:
A-Rod is in the building and talking with reporters. #chsnews pic.twitter.com/JsyftQEYvm
— Mount Pleasant Patch (@MtPlsntSCPatch) July 2, 2013
Here are multiple tweets from reporters covering the pregame presser:
A-Rod also said he will likely need the full 20-game rehab assignment before joining the #Yankees after the All-Star break.
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank2013) July 2, 2013
Arod says he will go to Lakeland after 2 games in Charleston
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 2, 2013
A-Rod says he still hasn’t heard from #MLB investigators in the Biogenesis but will let future comments come from the Commissioner’s office
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 2, 2013
ESPN plans to show each of Rodriguez’s rehab at-bats Tuesday night, angering some fans:
@SportsCenter is delirious if they think showing A-Rod’s rehab AB’s tonight will bring viewers. I’ll spend my time on @BleacherReport
— Matt Rhinesmith (@MattRhinesmith) July 2, 2013
I don’t even have a joke. This is the joke. RT @awfulannouncing SportsCenter will show all of A-Rod’s rehab at-bats live tonight.
— Chuck (@chuckweekend) July 2, 2013
While many fans don’t care, the story on Rodriguez is not going away and it’s something we all have to get used to.
Regardless, barring any setbacks, Rodriguez is going to spend 20 games rehabbing and be ready after the All-Star break to rejoin the depleted Yankees lineup.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
Carlos Marmol was a big distraction for the Chicago Cubs before being demoted Tuesday.
Despite the success he showed as the Cubs closer in 2010, Marmol started to show signs he couldn’t get the job done in 2011 when he had 10 blown saves.
The last two years have been much of the same, as fans were always on edge when he came into games.
Besides that, he was a distraction to his teammates:
Hoyer says marmol had become a distraction, “kind of a sideshow” for teammates.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) June 25, 2013
Whether it was a distraction of him constantly blowing leads or the lack of confidence teammates had in him, Marmol wasn’t good for the clubhouse.
No matter what happened, Marmol finally became more of a distraction than the Cubs wanted to deal with and he was demoted.
But Marmol hasn’t been the only distraction in Major League Baseball this season.
Here’s a look at five other players who are distractions to their teams.