TEMPE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — There was no “Take Me to the Ball Game” at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Monday. It was quiet except for some traffic noise on I-10. Despite the MLB lockout, stadium manager Jerry Hall says they’re ready for spring training.

“It’s something that we’ve been stepping up for months and months,” he told Arizona’s Family on Monday. “And you know we’re just sitting and waiting now. So it was tough. »

This is Hall’s 16th spring training season. The dugout in Tempe is empty and the concession stands are closed for now, but Hall says it takes a lot of work to prepare for that first pitch. Between 8 and 10 gardeners help prepare the ground. They actually started preparing in November and Monday would have been Game 2 for the Los Angeles Angels. Even on a Monday, Hall thinks they could have sold around 5,000 tickets.

Hall says ongoing negotiations mean up to 45 part-time workers are on hold and there are dozens of volunteers also waiting to pick up tickets and more. He says they had a staff meeting to prepare just in case. The waiting game hasn’t stopped true baseball fans, however. Steve Henson is from Michigan and had tickets to the games this week. He came by just to see what the stadium looked like.

“He looks too gorgeous to even play baseball,” Henson said. “Grass almost looks like it’s not real.”

As the lockdown continues, it seems many can still agree that spring training has something special, from the atmosphere to the weather. “Everyone expects them to be good this year and we’re going to have a winning season,” Hall said. “And that’s where it starts. Right here.”

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MLB | Marc Feinsand: About a week ago, MLB announced the postponement of spring training games until March 5. As CBA negotiations continue in Jupiter, Fla., the league has announced that exhibition games will not be played until March 8 at the earliest.

Despite the approach of an agreement on a proposed amateur lottery after a face-to-face meeting between MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and labor leader Tony Clark, progress on fundamental economic issues has been minimal and an agreement will not does not seem close to being concluded. They will meet today with the late February deadline looming to avoid regular season cancellations.

NJ Advance Media | mike rosenstein: MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reminded us of what we now know: that the Yankees “brought in Carlos Correa” before the lockout. He says, however, that “the probability is unclear because it looked like Seager was higher on the wish list, and Correa was looking for even more dollars than Seager got ($330 million to $325 million). dollar).”

One part is clear, however: there will be plenty of competitors for Correa’s services. Heyman listed the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, San Francisco Giants, Cardinals of St. Louisand Boston Red Sox as potential suitors. Some of them will surely end up making a lot of noise for nothing, but someone is going to pay for the talented shortstop.

NJ Advance Media | Brendan Kuty: 2009 World Series champion Nick Swisher shared his thoughts on top shortstop prospect Anthony Volpe during an appearance on WFAN. “Everything this kid has, I’m in love,” he told Sweeny Murti. “His way of approaching the game. The way he’s just a little kid. The way he wants to improve every day. All of these things you’re talking about are absolutely brilliant.

Almost every prospect publication (including FanGraphs, Baseball America, and Baseball Prospectus) has listed Volpe as the Yankees’ top prospect and one of baseball’s top 20 young talents.

FanGraphs | Eric Longenhagen, Kevin Goldstein and Tess Taruskin: The folks at FanGraphs do a great job tracking and evaluating leads. They’ve already released their Top 100 list and their review of the Yankees’ best minor leaguers. However, another recent article focused on trying to determine which prospects can make the 2023 Top 100 list.

They named Trey Sweeney, Roderick Arias, Everson Pereira and Ken Waldichuk in their report, so it’s refreshing to know that the Yankees have more players who could be considered top 100 prospects in a year (apart from just Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza, and Jason Dominguez).

Of Sweeney, they said the team’s first 2021 draft pick “covers the whole plate and has enough power to be dangerous.”

New York Daily News | Deesha Thosar: The New York fooddespite having more openings in their throwing depth than in the roster, would have “saved” free agent first baseman and potential Yankees target Freddie Freeman before the lockout.

Freeman could be an option for the Yankees if they decide to spend big on a first sack, but there’s a bigger need for the shortstop. The 2020 NL MVP has hit 31 homers and scored 120 times in 2021.

It’s unclear if the Mets will pursue Freeman now after going on a pre-lockdown shopping spree late last year, but with Steve Cohen, you should never rule them out.

What had become increasingly inevitable was made official this week as Major League Baseball announced it had delayed the start of spring training games until at least early March due to the ongoing lockdown.

For the Los Angeles Dodgers, that meant canceling their first seven Cactus League games. As it stands, they won’t play their first spring training game of 2022 until a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers on March 5.

“We regret that, with no collective agreement in place, we have had to postpone the start of spring training games to Saturday March 5th at the earliest. All 30 clubs are united in their strong desire to bring players back to the field and fans back to the stands,” MLB said in its statement.

“The clubs have adopted a uniform policy which provides a full refund option to fans who have purchased tickets from the club for any spring training matches which are not taking place. We are committed to reaching a fair agreement for each party.

“Owners’ Negotiating Committee members will join an in-person meeting with the Players Association on Monday and will stay every day for the next week to negotiate and work hard to start the season on time.”

MLB hasn’t provided many details on how to get a refund, but presumably it will be a similar process once the 2020 spring training games were canceled due to the pandemic. coronavirus (COVID-19).

Fans who purchased tickets through Camelback Ranch or Dodgers.com were automatically refunded to the credit card originally used. This included single game tickets, season ticket packages and groups or suites.

Meanwhile, all customers who purchased Camelback Ranch tickets with cash were required to complete a “Refund Form for Cash Payments” document. The completed form had to be submitted, along with the physical game tickets, and mailed to Camelback Ranch Tickets via US Mail to receive a refund check.

Fans who purchased tickets from other sources and third-party vendors (StubHub, Vivid Seats, etc.) were asked to submit refund requests through the original point of purchase.

Turner and Bellinger think they can navigate shortened spring training

With the start of spring training officially postponed, Justin Turner is confident he can handle it as long as it doesn’t affect the regular season.

“Hopefully we can have a full regular season and maybe a bit shortened spring training,” he said. “Honestly, I’m not going to complain about a short spring training, but I hope to have 162 (games) complete.”

Taking a similar stance to Turner, Cody Bellinger also opines that he wouldn’t need the prototypical length of spring training.

“I always thought spring was a little too long. In terms of player position, different from a pitcher, I imagine,” he said during an appearance at the Justin Turner Golf Classic.

“I don’t know how pitchers do, especially if you’re on the East Coast and it’s cold outside. Personally, I would say a month. A little less than a month. Like I said, working in Arizona, you can go up against guys, see bullpen.

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With the implementation of a Universal DH increasingly likely, NBC Sports’ Alex Pavlovic took a look to how Gabe Kapler’s Giants might handle the new position after the lockout. Pavlovic extrapolates from the team’s use of the DH position in interleague play and in 2020 that the team would rather use the DH position as a chance to bolster the roster attack, not give a quasi-off day to a player in a regular position. As a result, the resurgence Darin Ruf could see his playing time increase as his defensive limitations have prevented him from being a true mainstay in Kapler’s starting card.

With lots of payroll flexibility and a few Kris Bryant and Buster Posey-sized holes in the lineup, however, the possibility remains that the Giants splurge on a big bat to take the lion’s share of DH reps. Pavlovic speculates that free agents Kyle Schwarber Where Joc Pederson could fill the new position, due to their generally high numbers with the advantage of the peloton and connections to the team’s senior executives. If the team passes on either left-handed batter, as well as their Seiya Suzuki pursuit or a Bryant reunion, a right-handed power bat could be signed to claim the DH spot. Nelson Cruz and Nick Castellanos remain open market options for a team looking to maintain their strong offensive performance in 2021, with the advantage of the DH position eliminating the need for either to adapt in Oracle’s vast outfield Park.

Some baseball news from across the league…

• Braves Hall of Fame third baseman and site friend chipper jones appeared on the Dukes & Bell podcast to offer some commentary on the other brave Freddie Freemanextended stay in the free agent market. Jones posits that Freeman is “probably a little frustrated [an extension wasn’t reached] at spring training last year” and acknowledges (correctly) that non-Atlanta teams also court the first baseman. Of note, however, for Atlanta fans is Chipper’s comment that he and Freeman often talked about the latter’s place in Atlanta history and how his potentially retired number would slip between the Atlanta icons. Dale Murphy and Bobby Cox.
• Count Arizona city managers as another group taking issue with baseball’s delayed start to spring training. Bill Shakin of the Los Angeles Times documents how the MLB lockdown has negatively impacted Cactus League baseball host cities, which are already reeling from limited tourism revenue in recent years due to the pandemic. Sites like Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers’ $300 million spring training stadium in Glendale, are leased to MLB teams for $1 a year on the understanding that the teams will boost tourism in the area. However, due to the clauses of the lease contracts signed by the teams, a certain number of home games must be played during spring training without incurring a legal penalty. The wording of these clauses meant that the pandemic and other ‘force majeure’ events have spared teams any legal action taken by host cities in recent years, but teams not reaching this threshold of play due to the lockdown. league-induced avoidable may not offer the same protection. It seems unlikely that the Dodgers and a handful of other teams will be kicked out of their Cactus League homes, but a lawsuit by Arizona towns seeking to recover lost funds from the hospitality industry could soon be the next scenario. legal thing to follow for baseball fans.

As you may have noticed if you’ve been surfing FanGraphs while relaxing on the weekend – or recuperating after shoveling snow in the northeast – the ZiPS projections have now been populated in the projecting part of the construction site.

There will be several updates to these projections this spring because, well, there’s a whole heap left over from the offseason, way more than usual when ZiPS hits the database. While I’m more cautiously optimistic than most of my colleagues about the future of the 2022 season, the baseball landscape right now is less about fans huddled around an abstract burning stove and more about death by death. warmth of the universe. With no MLBPA members signed, traded, or even recognized on official MLB channels, baseball has almost entered a state of thermodynamic equilibrium.

While this is bad for the game and anyone who loves it, it does at least make depth charts less volatile and provide a good opportunity to run mid-lockout leaderboards. These are obviously a far cry from the final preseason projections, but they do give some insight into where baseball is right now. Which teams are fit and which still have work to do?
Let’s forget the eternal emptiness that beckons us and come to some projections!

The methodology I use here is not identical to the one we use in our projected ranking, so naturally there will be significant differences in the results. So how does ZiPS calculate the season? First to 99th percentile projections are stored in ZiPS for each player they project. I start by creating a generalized depth chart, using our depth charts as an initial starting point. Since these are my curated screenings, I then make changes based on my personal feelings on who will receive playing time, filtered by arbitrary fantasy my logic and reasoning. ZiPS then generates one million versions of each team in Monte Carlo fashion. Computational algorithms, that is – nobody dresses in a tuxedo and plays baccarat like James Bond.

Once done, ZiPS applies another set of algorithms with a generalized injury risk distribution, which changes the selected base AP/IP for each player. It should be noted that the upper percentile projections already have more playing time than the lower percentile projections before this step. ZiPS then automatically “fills in” the playing time of the next players on the list (proportionally) to get a full list of appearances and innings. For example, here are two simulations of Texas Rangers shortstop results:

The result is a million different rosters for each team and an associated winning percentage for each of those million teams. After applying the new strength of schedule calculations based on the other 29 teams, I’m left with the standings for each of the millions of seasons. It’s actually a lot less complex than it looks.

We’ll consider the National League today, with the American League to follow tomorrow. First up: the NL East.

As I expected when discussing Atlanta projections, the Braves show up in ZiPS as a slight favorite, even with the built-in assumption that Freddie Freeman will go to free agency. His still likely return would put a few more games between the Braves and the Mets, though that return isn’t certain until there’s a signed contract to that effect. The Mets, meanwhile, have some holes in them, but they probably underperformed their abilities as a group in 2021 and are close enough that hopefully – I know, that’s not a typical phenomenon. of the Mets – they can catch the Braves, especially in the Freeman- less scenario.

The Marlins and Phillies project the same way, even though they are teams going in opposite directions. Miami’s pitching staff, especially the rotation, is already playoff-worthy. The offense is… not. But the Marlins have a long-term advantage that I’m not sure is there for the Phillies, a team that’s been content to just keep a .500ish roster together. The Marlins are still probably about a year away from making the Braves or Mets nervous about a stumble, but a 6% split chance isn’t a 0% chance.

The Nationals basically project themselves as a terrible team that benefits from the services of Juan Soto, which can make almost any team watchable. And in this case, it puts Washington just on the edge of playoff relevance if all goes well, rather than being a near-lost cause.

I’m actually slightly surprised the Cubs didn’t fare better in ZiPS’ predicted standings. Part of that is ZiPS being stronger on the Brewers rotation than I initially expected and part is the lockdown preventing the Reds from blowing their rotation. The Cardinals once again project themselves into that magical 88-92 winning zone they always seem to occupy, but the Brewers could have more of an advantage due to the presence of three starting pitchers who could be in the conversation of Cy Young. It also makes Milwaukee a dangerous October foe. ZiPS really like Aaron Ashby and if the Brewers commit to using him in the rotation (I don’t expect them to), they could catch St. Louis in the forecast.

St. Louis’s throwing isn’t quite as impressive, but ZiPS likes offense and defense enough to get the Cardinals the No. 1 spot. The Cubs still have holes, some of which likely won’t be addressed when the offseason resumes. Pirates don’t have much going for them in 2022 after Bryan Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayesbut they at least avoid the ignominy of a playoff probability that rounds to zero.

What particularly interests me is the relative weakness of the Dodgers and Padres compared to last year’s projections. Yes, both plan to remain great teams, but both have roster questions that have yet to be resolved this offseason. Los Angeles’ rotation looks more shaky than it has in years and unlike seasons past, there are plenty of scenarios projected in which it becomes an unimpressive group, at least enough to bring down the Dodgers in the peloton and sometimes even out of the playoffs. ZiPS remains bullish on San Diego’s pitching, but the team has real needs at first base, left field, right field and, assuming the next CBA works out as we expect, designated hitter. The team can still approach these positions, but that hasn’t happened yet.

Some may complain about Giants projection, but losing Buster Posey cuts some wins on the team’s prospects, just like Kevin Gausmandeparture to the vast cornfields of Canada. Alex Cobb was pretty solid for the Angels in 2021, but his health history is troubling. Like the Red Sox’s projection for the 2021 season, ZiPS sees a lot of variability in rotation based on health, enough to make the team more volatile overall than it otherwise would be.

The Diamondbacks plan to have a better season than 2021 is just regression to the mean. The good news for the Rockies is that they have almost no star players left to alienate, then trade or simply let walk with little or no compensation. I let you imagine what the bad news is.

The box office at Surprise Stadium, home of spring training for the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, will open for in-person ticket sales beginning Saturday, Feb. 5, at 8 a.m.

The 20th season of surprise spring training kicks off on Saturday, February 26 with the annual Surprise Sundancers charity game featuring homegrown teams – the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals.

The 2022 schedule features matches every day from February 26 to March 26, with a double header on February 28. The Surprise Stadium schedule also includes several visits from the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies.

Ticket office opening hours

Opening weekend:
Saturday February 5: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday February 6: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

February 7 – 17:
Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

February 18 – March 26:
Every day from 10 a.m. Closing times vary by event.

The Surprise Stadium match schedule is as follows:

* Denotes a premium game.
Dates, times and opponents are subject to change. Game times listed are Arizona time. All games are subject to dynamic pricing.

Single Match Tickets

Ticket prices range from $8 to $50. Choose from multiple seating options and experiences, including our Michelob Ultra Legends Deck, which offers specialty catering, a drink and a seat in our exclusive on-court pavilion for just $45. Learn more about the Michelob Ultra Legends deck here. To find your perfect seat, check out SurpriseStadium.com or visit the box office for all the details.

Buy your tickets before game day and save at least $2 per ticket.

Season promotions and special events

Sunday Funday Family Four Pack (every Sunday)

Spend your Sunday enjoying spring training at Surprise Stadium with family and friends with our Sunday Funday Family Four Pack for $44. That’s four lawn tickets, four drinks, four hot dogs and four popcorns.

Military and First Responder Appreciation Days (every Sunday)

In recognition of the courage and sacrifices of our nation’s military and first responders, Surprise Stadium is offering 50% off Sunday game tickets this season. This offer includes tickets in the following sections: Lower Baseline, Baseline, Lower Outfield and Outfield Reserved. There will be a special color presentation at each game on Sunday. Limit of 4 tickets per transaction. To receive the discounted rate, please present your military ID or proof of eligibility at the ticket counter or use the promo code “MILITAIRE” online. Tickets are based on availability.

20th Season Resident Appreciation Days: February 26 to March 13

Our residents are what make Surprise Stadium the #1 stadium in the entire Cactus League according to USA TODAY rankings! Surprise Stadium is pleased to offer a 20th season discount (two Baseline tickets for $20) to residents of Surprise, Sun City, El Mirage and Waddell. Verified by credit card billing zip code for online purchase or box office photo ID. Offer excludes matches on March 1, 5 and 9.

Kids Run the Bases (every Sunday)

After each Sunday game, the youngest Spring Training fans can enter the field! Each participant will receive a special prize!

University days

University students – spend your spring break at Surprise Stadium! From March 2-13, show your college ID for a $7 Outfield Reserved ticket (excludes March 5-9). Buy before game day and get a surprise limited edition 20th season stadium t-shirt for FREE!

Spring Training 5K & 1K presented by Palm Valley Pediatrics Dentistry & Orthodontics

Spring Training 5K & 1K, presented by Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, returns Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m.! Register before March 3 to take advantage of early bird rates of $30,5000 and $15,1000. Runners receive a voucher for a “buy one, get one free” lawn seat for the Milwaukee Brewers vs. Kansas City Royals game on March 4.

Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic

While you’re ordering Spring Training tickets, you can also get tickets for the 2022 Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic! The tournament will kick off with the Oregon State Beavers, New Mexico Lobos and Gonzaga Bulldogs Feb. 18-20, followed by a series featuring the Oregon State Beavers taking on the Xavier University Musketeers Feb. 24-26.

Tickets for the 2022 Spring Training Season and the Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic are available at SurpriseStadium.com and can also be purchased in person at the Surprise Stadium box office, 15850 N Bullard Ave., or by phone at 623.222.2222.

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CAST11 – Be curious.

major league baseball is on time. But Aaron Boone is not worried.

The MLB lockout threatens to delay the start of spring training, with teams due to report in less than a month.

Last week, the New York Yankees coach spoke with TMZ outside Los Angeles International Airport. Boone was asked if he was worried about spring training starting on time. His answer ? “I hope not.”

Boone was then asked about how he handled criticism last season, which ended in a wild card loss to the Boston Red Sox. “Keep grinding, baby,” Boone said.

And finally, TMZ asked if Boone had any advice for gamers during the lockdown. ” No. They’ll figure it out,” Boone said.

In October, the Yankees re-signed Boone, giving him a three-year contract through the 2024 season with a club option for 2025.

Boone led the Yankees to the playoffs in each of his first four seasons as skipper. According to the Yankees, Boone is only the second manager “to reach the playoffs in each of his first four managerial seasons, joining Mike Matheny (2012-15 with St. Louis, also four in a row). He is the third coach to make the playoffs in each of his first four seasons with the Yankees, joining Casey Stengel (first five from 1949-53) and Joe Torre (the first 12 from 1996 to 2007).

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Mike Rosenstein can be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.