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Happy Wednesday everyone! We’ve had real baseball on our screens, complete with curmudgeon announcers griping about players with too many chains, and hot Tigers’ prospects missing some routine fly balls (both Max Clark, sorry Max). But more important than any of that: we have been able to see and hear the Tigers play, which means we are getting our first real look of what this year’s team might look like, and also it means we are getting ever closer to Opening Day.
Between us and that magical day, though, there is still the World Baseball Classic, and Tarik Skubal surprised many by announcing he would only make one start for Team USA. He shared his reasoning (we’ll get into it below) and it doesn’t make us any less excited about watching that one start.
We’ve got that and other baseball tidbits below, so let’s just get right into today’s news.
Detroit Tigers News
- Don’t count on Tarik Skubal being on the mound for the finals in the WBC.
- Tarik Skubal got into why he would only have one start at the WBC, and it’s primarily so he can be on site with the Tigers during Spring Training so he can be with the team as they gear up for the regular season. Here’s a quote from Kyle Koster’s reporting:
“That was the communication I had with those guys [Team USA]. There’s some risk obviously, and I’m trying to do both things, trying to pitch for Team USA, but also I understand I need to be here with these guys and get ready for the season.”
One could certainly read between those lines and suggest that Skubal also isn’t willing to risk an injury when this season will be his way to guarantee a massive free agency deal in 2027. Seems like he’s playing it smart and safe.
- Paws really digging up the embarrassing teenage year photos here….
- Getting hyped for this guy’s debut.
- Mmmm baseball.
- The word for the “foam” part is “crema” guys, if you want to get really high-brow about it.
AL Central News
- Tyler Kepner explores how the Guardians are finding and defining their current identity. (The Athletic)
MLB News
- Jay Jaffe shares a tribute to the late Bill Mazeroski.
- What, exactly, do Angels fans want?
- How much are teams paying for each win?
- A deep dive into how the Brewers’ social media team managed to make it look like one young pitcher has the deadliest aim in baseball.
- These 10 players could be poised for major rebounds this season.
- A few prospects who are already impressing early in Spring Training.
- After three surgeries, one player literally wrote the book on getting through Tommy John surgery.
- Jeff Kent is still holding a grudge against Alex Rodriguez.
- Pete Crow-Armstrong has some salty feelings about the fake fans he’s seen at Dodgers games.
- The Yankees Spring Training roster is so big it’s hard to fit in one photo.
- Bryce Harper is singing the praises of top Pirates’ prospect Konnor Griffin.
- Here’s every MLB player who will appear in the WBC.
- Are these the best shortstops in baseball?
- Rangers top prospect Sebastian Walcott will miss up to six months after undergoing surgery.
- Things are looking good for the Rays’ new stadium as Flordian government officials approve land for stadium use.
- Which pitchers will benefit the most from the new ABS? ($)
- A candid chat with Bryce Harper. ($)
- Gotta love a solid 80-grade baseball name.
- Never considered that before…
- Chris Sale isn’t going anywhere just yet.