Did you see this?
Our weekly look at some of the best and most interesting things I've seen over the last 7 days
WILL SHEFF FINALLY GET THE CALL?
The Athletic has a terrific piece about the complicated Hall of Fame case of 1997 Marlins World Series champion Gary Sheffield, who is in his final year of eligibility on the writers’ ballot.
NOT SO FAST, MY FRIENDS
It’s been more than 2 months since MLB owners approved the Athletics’ plan to abandon Oakland in favor of Las Vegas, but John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle writes they have yet to address several major issues with their plan.
They still have not released final ballpark renderings. They have yet to announce a plan to fully finance the project. And they have not said where they plan to play in 2025 when their Oakland lease expires but their proposed new ballpark would still not be ready.
CAREER TRANSITION
Fangraphs has the story of long-time big league utility man Charlie Culberson is trying to reinvent himself as a pitcher.
EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN
After the sweeper took MLB by storm in 2023, MLB.com projects what may be the “It” pitches of 2024.
HARD TO EXPLAIN
Bob Nightengale of USA Today explores the stunning lack of African-American catchers in MLB. The last African-American to be a regular behind the plate for any club: former Marlin Charles Johnson in 2004.
TRADING PLACES
Yesterday marked one year to the day the Marlins sent Pablo Lopez to the Twins in exchange for Luis Arraez. CBSSports.com looks back at the win-win deal. Of course, if Arraez is traded, as some reports indicate he may be…
TAKING AIM AT AN IMPROBABLE COMEBACK
Soon to be 47-years-old, one-time Marlin Fernando Rodney is looking to return to the major leagues for the first time since 2019.
WORKING HIS WAY UP
At one time, Grady Sizemore was on the shortlist of best all-around players in the game. But—as Ken Rosenthal writes—after his career was derailed by a series of injuries, he began the 2nd chapter of his baseball career as an intern, making $15 an hour.
While you’re here…
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I've watched the Dominican League on MLB.tv. Enjoyable to see baseball in December and January as I mentioned before, with lots of familiar names (including Rodney), and picking up a bit more Spanish. Wonder if any team will look at Canó again?
I figure SLC and the A's could be a winning combo. SLC fancies an expansion team, thus an A's interim home provides a trial run for all to see. Bigger park than the other MiLB considerations and lots of money there anxious to show major league bona fides. The park has stunning vistas, as well. I suppose the expansion issue also weirdly works against the A's if one considers something akin to a muddying-the-water rationale. If I had any input from SLC (city, expansion group, or sponsors), I am all in on the "trial run," since the city isn't usually considered a top-tier choice this time around.