Things are getting interesting!
Hello friends! Lots of little news bites to jump into today, but a couple of interesting ones to look out for in today’s links.
For starters, the Oakland… er, Sacramento… er… Las Vegas A’s are getting themselves geared up for the future, not just with contract extensions and deals, but also a new uniform patch that promotes their future in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, the future is looking a little uncertain in St. Petersburg as there is mounting pressure for Rays’ owner Stu Sternberg to sell the team to an interested group in Tampa. While nothing official has happened, eyes are on the Rays to see what the future might hold with new owners in place (and what it might mean for the team’s literal rebuild).
All of that is included in today’s links and much, much more.
- Jon Becker has a table for everything thing offseason if data is your jam.
- Michael Baumann takes a look at how many people are getting hit by pitches this Spring Training.
- Rookie Tigers’ pitcher Jackson Jobe has an incredibly confident quote about his abilities. Story by Blake Silverman.
- Who has been impressing the most in spring training (according to managers and GMs)? Story by Jim Bowden. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Future MLB hometown?
The stunning vision for the future home of MLB in Portland. The ballpark at Zidell Yards will be an iconic, world-class stadium and a jewel of Portland’s SW waterfront. See all the renderings & sign the petition to bring MLB to Portland at:https://t.co/u3zCFRgUZA pic.twitter.com/WYPix6FqmM
— Portland Diamond Project (@PDXDiamondProj) March 4, 2025
- Dan Lyons reports that the Mets were not the top offer Juan Soto received this offseason.
- Manny Randhawa looks at eight women makes waves in baseball today.
- Projected lineups for every team on Opening Day. (MLB)
- Karl Rasmussen reports that Gerrit Cole is looking for second opinions before resorting to Tommy John surgery.
- Which team did MLB players pick as their biggest surprise from spring? (MLB)
- Jeff Passam wonders what it means for MLB that two different teams are spending the 2025 season in minor league parks.
- Are the Rays on the cusp of being sold? It seems like the pressure might be on. Story by Evan Drellich. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- David Adler looks at some incredible new pitches we’ve seen this Spring Training.
- Bryan Hoch reports that injuries will test the Yankees’ lineup early.
- MLB stars play Pass the Phone.
- Tim Capurso shares that Barry Bonds admits Shohei Ohtani is one of the greats, but there’s a generational caveat.
- Blake Silverman shares that the A’s will add a Las Vegas-themed patch to their uniforms this season.
It’s not just a patch, it’s a promise. Las Vegas, we’re coming. pic.twitter.com/pbNBEpSyTf
— Athletics (@Athletics) March 8, 2025
- How Taylor Swift helped teach a Tigers’ prospect English. Story by Jason Beck.
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.