Hot Stove

This isn't a shot at you, TN. But we know the Hot Stove is winding down when Rickie Weeks signing with the M's rates mentioning...

True, particularly after the Shields signing, which I'm not a huge fan of. AAV is fine, but it's one year too long and the Pads aren't as close as they think they are.

Interesting. As I remember when KC traded for Shields read a lot they were not as close as .....

Interesting. As I remember when KC traded for Shields read a lot they were not as close as .....

Yeah, but it took KC two years to win with Shields, and they play in the weak AL Central without the Dodgers and Giants. SD only has one year of Upton, and his replacement (Renfroe) isn't in his class. So, unlike the Royals, the Padres only feasibly have a one-year window. As I showed in my last post, that window still probably won't be enough, as LA and SF have stronger teams.

Hmmm, interesting article on Yahoo discussing MLB possibly changing the strike zone in an effort to increase offense, Won't happen this year, but they are looking at the zone very closely this upcoming season with an eye towards moving the bottom of the zone up. the article also discusses how electronic strike zone indicators have trained the unps to be more consistent in recent years. Here's the whole thing:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--mlb-could-alter-strike-zone-as-response-to-declining-offense-232940947.html

Not sure how I feel about this, I kinda of like the trend in baseball right now moving towards players that have skills to hit to all fields, that can bunt and hit and run and bringing the stolen base back into the game. But i guess home runs sell tickets so we'll see what happens

Hmmm, interesting article on Yahoo discussing MLB possibly changing the strike zone in an effort to increase offense, Won't happen this year, but they are looking at the zone very closely this upcoming season with an eye towards moving the bottom of the zone up. the article also discusses how electronic strike zone indicators have trained the unps to be more consistent in recent years. Here's the whole thing:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--mlb-could-alter-strike-zone-as-response-to-declining-offense-232940947.html

Not sure how I feel about this, I kinda of like the trend in baseball right now moving towards players that have skills to hit to all fields, that can bunt and hit and run and bringing the stolen base back into the game. But i guess home runs sell tickets so we'll see what happens

I knew it would be something! They just can't stand a good pitcher's duel! OH well, I'll enjoy it while I can!

they need to leave the strike zone alone. The game now is good, a 25 hr season has value again ,and as stated before bunting , hit & run , and hitting to all fields is in again ,

they need to leave the strike zone alone. The game now is good, a 25 hr season has value again ,and as stated before bunting , hit & run , and hitting to all fields is in again ,

Totally agree, but you and I don't run the game.

According to the article/video the strike zone was changed in1996 because umpires were not calling low strikes as strikes. Then electronic monitoring exposed those umpires who were not following the prescribed rules. If I understood the article right that resulted in a significant lowering of the zone instead of merely correcting what were already bad calls. I would have no problem if they restored the strike zone to pre 1996 rules as long as umpires continue to be held accountable. I would also want them to have to call the high strike a strike. It has been my perception for quite some time that the called strike zone is basically just above the belt down.

The article if I understand correctly says current strike zone is being called at the hollow of the knee. If that is true I think that would be a tougher call for me if I was umping behind the plate. The kneecap itself would seem a natural and easy line of sight to call. But if the strike zone rule is amended I would want that upper part of zone addressed as well.

Bottom line I just want an official strike zone that is visually easy to identify what is and is not a strike and umpires held accountable for calling strikes accurately. My complaint watching games was always with one umpire having a big strike zone and another a small strike zone.

The current strike zone is ridiculously large and unevenly called. I have no problem if they make a reasonable adjustment. Yes Valen re: Shields, the Royals' trade for him was widely panned at the time but wound up working out. I still think the Padres' deal for Shields is unwise and for similar reasons. It could work out, but likely won't.