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Good morning afternoon, Athletics Nation!
We’ve officially begun 2021, but it’s not clear what the new year might look like in baseball. The coronavirus pandemic that interrupted and shortened the 2020 season is still ongoing, and perhaps even worsening. The vaccine has begun its rollout, but it will take a long time to get to everyone. Nobody knows precisely what the future holds.
For now, spring training is expected to start on time in Arizona and Florida, reports Evan Drellich of The Athletic, with normal report dates in mid-February. The Oakland A’s first Cactus League game is scheduled for Feb. 27, against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The situation could still change, but Drellich suggests the most likely way for any part of the schedule to be interrupted would be government action/shutdown of some kind to legally prevent it. Otherwise, the players’ firm stance is that they won’t shorten the season if it means another significant salary cut, and there doesn’t appear to be much the league can do about it without a mutual agreement.
However, while spring training is on track, it might not start early. The Cleveland Indians were informed to “hold off on early camp due to recent spike in number of new COVID 19 cases in Arizona,” reports Indians Prospective on Twitter. Indians Pro previously reported that the team was “set to open the 2021 Spring Training season in 4 waves. The first wave of 10 players will be [voluntarily] reporting on January 6th. Wave one will be tested on the 8th & begin workouts on the 11th. Everyone should be in camp by the final day of the month.”
Should we strap in for another labor battle between the players and owners this month? Will the situation resolve itself naturally, either positively (everything goes swimmingly as planned) or negatively (pandemic gets so much worse that the government has to shut down sports)? Stay tuned!
A’s Coverage
- Coffey: Why Dick Allen wore ‘Wampum’ on the back of his A’s jersey in his 1977 farewell ($$$)
- AN: Liam Hendriks posted historic FIP in 2020
MLB News & Interest
- Ghiroli: ‘I wish I had taken steroids’: How marijuana testing wrecked baseball careers ($$$)
- McGrath: As the Blue Jays exit Lansing, they leave a legacy of stars and relationships ($$$)
- Today in Baseball History
Best of Twitter
Every day is happy if it starts with a Reba photo
It’s the first Monday of 2021, so here’s a picture of Reba to help you through. #MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/NZ9D77gB5M
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) January 4, 2021
Congrats to Murphy!
Only one player was unanimously selected to the 2020 MLB Rookie All-Star Team by Baseball Digest and it’s this guy. Congrats, Murph! #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/7zgYKX9RvO
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) January 4, 2021
OK, time for sadder news
Liam Hendriks is visiting the Blue Jays complex today in Dunedin, Fla., source confirms @ShiDavidi report. The reliever is meeting with Jays president/CEO Mark Shapiro. Toronto is among teams in the mix for Hendriks, though the White Sox are believed to be serious about him, too.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 4, 2021
Dodgers have strong interest in free-agent reliever Liam Hendriks, according to league sources. Hendriks is visiting the Blue Jays complex in Dunedin today and is drawing interest from the White Sox, among others.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 4, 2021
Two more former A’s pitchers find new homes
Starter Daniel Gossett, who was drafted 10 years ago by the Boston #RedSox only to go to Clemson and pitch for the Oakland #A's,signs a minor-league contract with the Red Sox. He last pitched in the big leagues in 2018 before undergoing TJ surgery, and was released in July by A's
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 4, 2021
Per sources, Ross Detwiler’s 1 year deal with Miami is for $850,000. Also can make another $100,000 in performance bonuses.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) January 3, 2021
This offseason is so boring that even Giants news is interesting at this point
Giants sign a catcher, Curt Casali, one year, $1.5 million.
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) January 4, 2021
... also LOL
The Giants currently have four right-handed hitting catchers on their 40-man roster. Seems like a lot.
— Melissa Lockard (@melissalockard) January 4, 2021
Solid 12-season career for Hughes: 17.7 fWAR, 11.2 bWAR, 2009 ring (NYY), 2010 All-Star
Sincerest thanks pic.twitter.com/hxzDHGMTJH
— Phil Hughes (@PJHughes45) January 3, 2021
Pat Sajak nails it
Trashros got a shoutout tonight on Wheel of Fortune pic.twitter.com/GTdXshMuFf
— Jennifer (@jennifertru07) January 5, 2021
Dennis Eckersley Hall, or Coco Crisp Hall?
That’s pretty rad. Wish I had named one of my sons Rickey Henderson Lockard now. https://t.co/Ec1mMTmzfL
— Melissa Lockard (@melissalockard) January 5, 2021
It’s a Bay thing
Is Blake Snell secretly a bay boy? https://t.co/yEcY2jsAJL
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) January 3, 2021
