đź•› Spring Training begins

Dodgers kick off spring training, new pants are see-through, and more!

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Grand Slam Newsletter
February 23, 2024

Today we cover:

  • đź•› Today marks the first day of spring training

  • đź‘– New uniform pants are see-through

  • 🎵 Nashville is ready for a team

  • ✍️ Contracts signings

  • And More!

First day of Spring Training

Today marked the first game of Spring Training when the Los Angeles Dodgers took on the San Diego Padres. It didn’t take very long for the Dodgers to put the game out of reach for the Padres. In the first inning, 8 runs put them ahead in what would be a 14-1 game.

Despite the high score, only two innings had runs for the Dodgers where they racked up the other 6 runs in the 6th inning. The Padres got their only run in the 4th inning when Jake Cronenworth hit a home run out of right field.

Notable in this game was Dodger Gavin Lux, who had suffered a serious knee injury during last year’s spring training in February 2023 and made his first return in Thursday’s game. In making the return to the exact field the injury occurred he was just happy to be active and playing again.

“I would say like 95% of the days it feels pretty good”

MLB wants minimum wage exemption

According to new reporting from Axios, MLB wants Arizona officials to grant them an exemption to the state’s minimum wage law.

Nashville is readying for a team

According to a recent article from The Tennessean, the city of Nashville is getting ready to jump if the MLB ever decides to add more teams to the league. Nearing completion is a real estate study by Mortenson on what would be required to successfully host a team.

San Antonio another option for expansion

Another area often considered prime for an MLB expansion is the San Antonio/Austin area. Home to over 5 million people, it has many attractive qualities in a growing area. It is one of the largest areas without a team currently and baseball would add to the portfolio of nearby professional sports teams. Story.

New MLB uniform pants are see through

The New MLB uniforms are running into more issues and having a worsening reception as the days go on. Originally, fans were critiquing the look of the smaller names and cheapened amateurish appearance. Now, the MLB Player’s Association is involved as more players express their dissatisfaction and raise functional issues. The pants the players are supposed to wear in-game have been compared to being as thin as tissue paper and one ply toilet paper.

The design this year was intentionally new and different in an effort to use a more breathable and athletic material. The new material - called Nike Vapor Premier - is supposed to provide “25% more stretch and allows the jersey to dry 28% faster, with moisture-wicking Dri-Fit ADV technology to help ensure athletes stay cool all game long.” according to Nike and the MLB. Nike designed the uniforms and Fanatics is the manufacturer, so the issue likely falls on Nike but both companies are being blamed in the whirlwind.

In other news…

  • Tigers Sign Gio Urshela to a 1 year $1.5 Million guaranteed contract

  • Mitch Keller agrees to 5-year extension with Pittsburgh Pirates at $77 Million

  • Marlins sign free agent Tim Anderson to a 1 year $5 Million contract