MLB Roundup 1/17: Christian Yelich really, really wants out of Miami

Christian Yelich desperately wants out of Miami

Recently, the recent talk about organizations that are failing their fanbase has centered around the Pirates. There is good reason for this and they deserve just about every bit of criticism they get. However, don’t let that distract you from the dumpster fire that is the Marlins. They obviously went through a fire sale earlier this winter in trading two of their best players, Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna. With the way this situation has been handled, it seems as if Christian Yelich may be the next to go. He now holds the mantle as the team’s best player, and he is under a team-friendly deal through 2022. After everything that has happened, though, his relationship with the organization is irreparably broken. I certainly wouldn’t expect the Red Sox to get into the mix here, but whoever does trade for Yelich could possibly be a team that had a chance to go after J.D. Martinez.

A pitch clock is likely coming to MLB

We’ve heard about pace-of-play concerns around the league for a few years now. There are different views among fans on this issue — I think there are probably some concerns, personally — but it seems as if the league is determined to do something here. Implementing a pitch clock has always appeared to be the most likely scenario, but one assumed it would have to be discussed between the league and the union. Now, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal, Rob Manfred is prepared to unilaterally implement the clock. Even worse, the union may just let him do it. As far as the clock itself goes, I’m willing to give it a shot. I have found myself liking it a lot at minor-league games and while it could be different in the majors, it’s worth a try. That being said, the union is crazy for potentially letting Manfred do this on his own. I’ll let Craig Calcaterra explain that last point.

• I don’t really have a lot to add to this one, but Jeff Passan’s article on this slow offseason is a must-read. It really feels like we’re heading towards a work stoppage in a few years.