OFFICIAL 2023 MLB THREAD!!!!

**alias_rice** · 03-15-2023, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by ex-powderbroker

could be the end of the wbc

Because of a freak celebration injury? I doubt it. Totally sucks he got hurt though.

**ex-powderbroker** · 03-16-2023, 06:08 AM

if teams stop letting their players play it won’t be as interesting

**ötzi** · 03-16-2023, 07:04 AM

Solid take.

**BmillsSkier** · 03-16-2023, 07:08 AM

From all the interviews I’ve read of Latin players I pay attention to, to a man they all said they really wanted to play for their countries in the WBC as far back as last year.

Maybe the US players saw that and said sure, we’re in and the owners relented.

**ötzi** · 03-16-2023, 07:13 AM

I sure wouldn't want my star pitcher there if I was an owner.

**ötzi** · 03-16-2023, 07:19 AM

Maybe you need some help?

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...smid=url-share

sorry if paywalled

**BmillsSkier** · 03-16-2023, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by ötzi

I sure wouldn't want my star pitcher there if I was an owner.

Sure, but as they say, that's what insurance is for. Besides, guys get hurt in spring training all the time. I'd argue that the WBC is even better prep than a meaningless game in March in the desert with big leaguers playing against single A guys, so if they're gonna risk getting hurt why not have it happen in the WBC instead of there?

Originally Posted by ötzi

Maybe you need some help?

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...smid=url-share

sorry if paywalled

Yeah, even the headline is paywalled.

**ötzi** · 03-16-2023, 07:49 AM

Well it's in the wrong damn thread anyways. Yeesh.

**BmillsSkier** · 03-16-2023, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by ötzi

Well it's in the wrong damn thread anyways. Yeesh.

Get it together man

**ex-powderbroker** · 03-16-2023, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by BmillsSkier

Sure, but as they say, that's what insurance is for.

insurance doesn’t put up pennants

**BmillsSkier** · 03-16-2023, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by ex-powderbroker

insurance doesn’t put up pennants

No it doesn't.

There will always be this tension in sports. Is Olympic hockey better when the NHL guys are in or out?

For a sport that has a World Series that consists of teams from only two countries, and as one that champions a true world competition each year at the youth level, you'd think MLB would encourage its best and brightest to showcase their talents in this once every 4 years event for the good of the game.

Besides, I don't think using a Grammatica-type injury is the best argument to keep the big names at home in their padded boxes.

I didn't wake up this morning expecting to defend the WBC, but I guess here I am.

**ex-powderbroker** · 03-16-2023, 09:10 AM

and that’s what they’re doing now. doesn’t mean it will keep going if something happens like degrom’s arm falling off moments after signing a big contract. i don’t think all of the contracts are insured anyway, or sometimes it’s for specific things. and as much fun as the WBC is, personally I care more about MLB/ my team.

**BmillsSkier** · 03-16-2023, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by ex-powderbroker

personally I care more about MLB/ my team.

Same.

2 weeks till Opening Day!

**BmillsSkier** · 03-16-2023, 10:40 AM

Ohtani threw a 102mph strike today.

Fuck that guy is good at baseball.

A-a-Ron Judge MVP… pfft.

**Danno** · 03-16-2023, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by BmillsSkier

Ohtani threw a 102mph strike today.

Fuck that guy is good at baseball.

A-a-Ron Judge MVP… pfft.

now you've poked the ex-powderbroker!

**ex-powderbroker** · 03-16-2023, 12:16 PM

Not really, all Shohei has to do is to put up the same season and have no one else put up an even bigger one.

The award is his to lose!

Even better would be if Anaheim dropped him in RF. I wonder how many runners would test the arm?

- ETA -

Diaz is done for the season.

**Danno** · 03-16-2023, 12:23 PM

fuck that Diaz news

**Supermoon** · 03-16-2023, 12:31 PM

Mets Metsing early this year

**BmillsSkier** · 03-16-2023, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by ex-powderbroker

Not really, all Shohei has to do is to put up the same season and have no one else put up an even bigger one.

The award is his to lose!

Even better would be if Anaheim dropped him in RF. I wonder how many runners would test the arm?

- ETA -

Diaz is done for the season.

It would be fun as shit to see Ohtani play a game in right throwing laser rocket seeds into the infield.

That really sucks about Diaz.

**alias_rice** · 03-16-2023, 03:06 PM

More people watched Japan vs. Korea than have ever watched a World Series game. 30 million people watched Shohei take bp. Most of the Dominicans said the WBC means more than a WS. The atmosphere at a lot of these games is better than playoff games. Mike Trout said this was the most fun he’s had playing baseball in years. The more the game grows internationally, the more money the owners make. Even if it’s a side show here in the US, the owners will keep playing the long game. As shitty as that injury is, it won’t effect the WBC.

Anyone remember Paul George breaking his leg in a USA basketball game? It didn’t stop the NBA from participating.

**Danno** · 03-16-2023, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by Supermoon

Mets Metsing early this year

**BmillsSkier** · 03-16-2023, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by alias_rice

More people watched Japan vs. Korea than have ever watched a World Series game. 30 million people watched Shohei take bp. Most of the Dominicans said the WBC means more than a WS. The atmosphere at a lot of these games is better than playoff games. Mike Trout said this was the most fun he’s had playing baseball in years. The more the game grows internationally, the more money the owners make. Even if it’s a side show here in the US, the owners will keep playing the long game. As shitty as that injury is, it won’t effect the WBC.

Anyone remember Paul George breaking his leg in a USA basketball game? It didn’t stop the NBA from participating.

Those are some amazing stats/quotes. I’m stoked for it.

**ex-powderbroker** · 03-16-2023, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by alias_rice

More people watched Japan vs. Korea than have ever watched a World Series game. 30 million people watched Shohei take bp. Most of the Dominicans said the WBC means more than a WS. The atmosphere at a lot of these games is better than playoff games.

The WBC doesn't pay the bills and they may need some way of addressing that in the future. I don't think Diaz is big enough to kill it, but throw a Machado, Devers, or Judge on top. Are owners really going to allow their players to play? I am simply not sure because it is a lot of their money on the line. If they said to those same Dominican players, sure you can go but if you get hurt the contract is no longer guaranteed, would they go?

Originally Posted by alias_rice

Mike Trout said this was the most fun he’s had playing baseball in years.

I can barely enjoy the yanks beating the angels at this point

Originally Posted by alias_rice

Anyone remember Paul George breaking his leg in a USA basketball game?

**alias_rice** · 03-17-2023, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by ex-powderbroker

I can barely enjoy the yanks beating the angels at this point

The best thing that could come out of this tournament would be if playing meaningful baseball for the first time in a decade made Trout remember how fun it is. Then he could try to force his way out of Anaheim. MLB would be better if Trout was on the Dodgers with Shohei.