Category: MLB

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Oakland Mayor’s office talks continue on A’s Coliseum extension; A’s officials look forward to more talks on April 2

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Oakland A’s team president David Kaval meets with the media before the A’s and Milwaukee Brewers pre season game at Las Vegas Ballpark on Fri Mar 8, 2024 (photo by the Nevada Independent)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s office said that will not discuss anything further regarding talks between the Mayor’s office and the Oakland A’s officials but did say that they will continue talking regarding the lease extension.

#2 The A’s said the talks were positive and an extension is something they will continue to discuss with the City and plan to meet with the City and Coliseum on April 2. The Oakland Soul and Oakland Roots soccer teams will meet with the Coliseum Authority on Friday to discuss playing at the Coliseum in 2025-26.

#2 According to sports commentator Damon Amendolara saying the A’s moving to Vegas doesn’t fix the A’s problem. It only spoils another good market. DA was saying that he was in town last month for the Super Bowl and said that Vegas is a great sports town but in talking with Vegas fans about the A’s they didn’t want this team to come but they wanted an expansion team.

#3 Last week March 8th and 9th VIPs in a roped off area in front of the first base dugout at Las Vegas Ballpark during batting practice before the exhibition game before the Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland A’s in Las Vegas. Those invited in the roped off area were state and local lawmakers, labor leaders, and anyone responsible for helping make the A’s legislation or otherwise making it possible in getting the public money for the A’s Las Vegas ballpark. Those VIPs were given the opportunity to speak with A’s president David Kaval and team owner John Fisher.

#4 The A’s weekend in Las Vegas gave Fisher the opportunity meet with not only Las Vegas residents and VIPs but also to answer questions from the media which is very rare since Fisher is noted for not giving too many interviews. Fisher was thrilled to be in Vegas the future home of the A’s and wanted to express how pleased he was about the A’s future ballpark for 2028.

#5 Schools over Stadiums is appealing the public funding for the A’s ballpark. They will be in Nevada Appeals Court in April to get approval for the language to go on a petition that will stop the public funding of the A’s Tropicana ballpark. Once they win appeal they will circulate the petition in four Nevada districts and need over 102,000 signatures before June 1st. If that is accomplished they can get the initiative on the Nov 2024 ballot. If the voters vote to stop the public funding for the A’s ballpark in Vegas that should stop the A’s move to Vegas. That unless the A’s can get private money $380 million worth for the missing public funding share.

Join Jerry for the Oakland A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s officials meeting with Oakland Coliseum Joint Authority today

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Oakland Alameda County Coliseum will the Oakland A’s play their interim years from 2025-27 there before moving to Las Vegas in 2028? ( photo by Flickr Shawn Clover)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Oakland A’s officials are meeting today with the Oakland Coliseum Join Authority in trying to get the A’s an extension for the 2025-2027.

#2 The City of Oakland is asking for the team colors and an expansion team how practical do you see that happening.

#3 The Tropicana is closing April 2024 and Bally’s wants to demo the Tropicana in April 2025 to start construction for the ball park and the new Tropicana Plaza.

#4 John Fisher A’s owner has is working on getting $500 million for his family to help pay for his share of the construction costs.

#5 The A’s team president David Kaval compared the move to the Brooklyn Dodgers moving to Los Angeles. Fans said that the move does not compare with the fans in LA where they were thrilled to get the Dodgers. The Vegas fans have been mediocre about the A’s coming judging from interviews from the local and Bay Area media.

Join Daniel Dullum for the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports with Jessica Kwong: Yanks Cole doubtful for opening day; Ex-Met Strawberry recovering from heart attack; plus more news

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New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole walks to the field to face the Toronto Blue Jays in pre season baseball on Fri Mar 1, 2024 in Tampa Bay Fla (AP News photo)

Headline Sports With Jessica Kwong:

#1 New York Yankees pitching ace Gerrit Cole is having elbow problems and it’s reported he’s doubtful for opening day. Cole went under an MRI on Monday and his prognosis has not been determined. Yankees manager Aaron Boone has not determined who will start for the opener on Thu Mar 28th he’s looking at Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman, or Nestor Cortes.

#2 Former New York Mets outfielder Darryl Strawberry is recovering from a heart attack he suffered on Monday a day before his 62nd birthday. Met’s spokesman Jay Horwitz said that Strawberry is resting comfortably at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital in St Charles MO.

#3 New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge underwent an MRI in his abdominal area tests showed there was no structural damage. Judge has not swung a bat yet but plans to towards the end of this week. Judge has participated in six Grapefruit League games so far. Judge struck out twice last Sunday in his most recent game.

#4 Boston Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito who pitched only two spring training games had to undergo right elbow surgery. Giolito had to travel to Alabama to get a second opinion from Dr. Jeffery R Dugas. Sox manager Alex Cora said he doesn’t know the extent of it yet but he’ll find out more soon. This is Giolito’s second major elbow surgery which was for Tommy John surgery Aug 31, 2021.

#5 San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Cobb says his mind is not on his hip anymore. He says his arm feels good and said overall his pitching session was good. Cobb threw 32 pitches saying he felt tired but normal. This was Cobb’s second hip surgery. Manager Bob Melvin said that Cobb looks game ready and his recovery is remarkable.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s meeting with Coliseum officials still waiting to be put on the docket

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The Tropicana Hotel and Casino in discussions with the Oakland A’s and the Hotel’s umbrella parent company Gaming and Leisure Properties are hoping to get A’s owner John Fisher’s financial obligation for the construction share settled. The Tropicana will stop taking reservations after the first week of April in preparation of demoing the hotel in April 2025. (photo by the Nevada Independent)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 No date mentioned yet when Oakland A’s team president David Kaval and other A’s officials plan to meet with the Oakland Coliseum Joint Powers to discuss the A’s extension beyond the 2024 season.

#2 The Oakland Roots and Oakland Ballers have expressed serious interest in playing at the Coliseum in 2025 and beyond if the A’s end up playing in Sacramento or Salt Lake City. There is still time to figure this out but the A’s do have first choice if they do plan to extend the lease after this season.

#3 In an interview with NBC Sports California A’s manager Mark Kotsay said he would never tell his player’s what to say when they are questioned by the media about the move to Las Vegas or the stadium designs or whether they prefer Vegas or Oakland.

#4 A’s owner John Fisher financing for Tropicana park: Fisher’s part of the construction costs are as follows, the A’s need construction plans and a timeline for the FAA as the park’s lighting and layout will front the Las Vegas Airport, private financing and development plans, a lease agreement, and a benefits package to present to the Las Vegas community.

#5 Amaury in your view are the A’s any closer to moving to Las Vegas than they were when the Nevada State Legislature had approved the public funding back in June. Do you see any road blocks here in March that could interfere with the A’s leaving Oakland?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants release J.D. Davis to clear 3B job for Chapman

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Former San Francisco Giants third baseman JD Davis rounds the bases during an exhibition game against the Texas Rangers in Scottsdale AZ on Fri Mar 1, 2024. Davis was released by the Giants on Mon Mar 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants released third-baseman J.D. Davis to clear the way for the recently-signed Matt Chapman to be the team’s everyday third-baseman.

This move was inevitable after the Giants signed Matt Chapman to be their everyday third-baseman on March 3. The Giants placed Davis on waivers on Saturday, and then outright released him Monday. This was despite the fact that Davis was 6-for-15, hitting .400, this spring.

There was also some drama between the Giants and Davis over the off-season. Davis took the Giants to arbitration, and while the Giants offered him $6.55 million for the 2024 Season, Davis was awarded $6.9 million by the three-person arbitration panel.

“We negotiate[ed] all of our arbitration cases in good faith, and tried to reach an agreement with all of our arbitration-eligible players, [Davis] included,” said Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi. “Sometimes it happens; sometimes it doesn’t.”

Due to a clause in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, the Giants will not have to pay Davis the $6.9 million that he won in arbitration. The clause stipulates that players are guaranteed the pay in negotiated contracts, but are not guaranteed the pay in contracts decided by arbitration until Opening Day.

With the release coming prior to Opening Day, the Giants will not have to pay Davis the $6.9 million, but they may have to pay him over $1.1 million in termination pay. The CBA states that termination pay applies to players who “failed to exhibit sufficient skill or competitive ability.” With Davis’ .400 spring thus far, the Giants stand a good chance of not having to pay Davis the $1.1 million-plus.

After Chapman signed with the Giants, it was speculated that Davis could have been traded, but with the Giants unable to find a suitable deal for him, they opted to release him instead.

The Giants acquired Davis from the New York Mets on Aug. 2, 2022 at the Trade Deadline in exchange for Darin Ruf. Davis hit .263 with eight home runs in 49 games for the Giants in 2022. He then hit .248 with 18 home runs last season, but he struck out 152 times.

Teams that are looking for a power bat could benefit from signing Davis, who will now become a free agent.

Other Notes:

With Opening Day in San Diego on March 28 now two and a half weeks away, the Giants are making cuts.

Among the cuts was Heliot Ramos, who at one point was not just one of the Giants’ top prospects, but one of the highest-ranked prospects throughout Baseball. However, Ramos has struggled mildly in recent years, especially over the last two seasons.

Ramos was called up by the Giants to start their second game of the 2022 Season against the Miami Marlins on April 9. Ramos went 2-for-3 in that game, and scored a run. However, over the rest of that stint, as well as three others later in the season, Ramos did not record another hit, and ended up hitting .100 in nine games.

Last season, Ramos saw a bit more time with the Giants, and he appeared in 25 games. However, his stats did not improve the way the Giants would have liked, as he hit .179.

Ramos came into camp this spring hoping to bounce back, and he hit a home run against Jordan Hicks in live batting practice. However, once games began, Ramos’ struggles continued, as he was just 2-for-16 in nine games.

The Giants have some competition for bullpen spots this spring. With Camilo Doval set to begin his third season as the Giants’ closer, as well as Taylor and Tyler Rogers set to precede Doval late in games, there are battles for other spots in the bullpen.

The Giants cut left-handed relief pitcher Erik Miller, who despite yet having to have his major league debut, was considered a candidate to make the team. Miller appeared in three games, and gave up four runs, but just one earned run in three innings.

Manager Bob Melvin has stated that he would like one more left-handed reliever to accompany Taylor Rogers in the bullpen. Ethan Small, who is on the 40-man roster, remains an option. Juan Sanchez, and the veteran Amir Garrett, who are in camp non-roster invitees, are also potential options.

While the Giants have not announced their rotation, Logan Webb is set to make his third-straight opening day start, and Kyle Harrison, the Giants’ top prospect, is set to be the number-two starter.

Webb and Harrison talked to NBC Sports Bay Area. The two starters discussed working out together over the off-season in Arizona, as well as how despite being two completely different pitchers, have the same attitude when they compete and take the mound.

With Jordan Hicks being transitioned from a reliever into a starter, and Alex Cobb and Robbie Ray not set to join the rotation until later in the season, Webb and Harrison are expected to be the Giants’ top two starters.

Harrison was called up late last season on Aug. 22, when the Giants were in Philadelphia. He gave up two earned runs over three and a third innings against the Phillies in his major league debut. That was followed by an 11-strikeout, six-and-a-third-inning shutout performance against the Cincinnati Reds in his home debut at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Aug. 28.

Harrison made five more starts for the Giants, including the final game of the season against the Dodgers on Oct. 1, in which he pitched five shutout innings, but also hit three Dodger batters.

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Dodgers Lux out for season replaced at second with Betts; Ex-Red Votto signs minor league deal with Blue Jays; plus more news

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Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mookie Betts (50) is moving to shortstop due to the season ending injury to shortstop Gavin Lux (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux has been struggling with shot hop throw to first place and then moved him to second base. Lux later torn his right ACL running bases on Feb 27 and had season ending surgery on Mar 7. Six time golden glover Mookie Betts will move from second base to shortstop. Manger Dave Roberts calls the move permanent.

#2 Charlie how surprised are you that former MVP and Cincinnati Red Joey Votto who pleaded with the Toronto Blue Jays to get another chance to play has agreed to a minor league deal to work his way back again. Votto is 40 and has played 17 seasons in the majors.

#3 Cincinnati Reds third baseman Noelvi Marte has been suspended for 80 games for PED use. Marte tested positive for Boldenone. Marte 22, hit .316 last season with three homers in 35 games. The Reds were counting on Marte’s services and this has to be a huge disappointment that he will miss half the season.

#4 The Baltimore Orioles are close to finalizing their sale to David Rubenstein who bought the Orioles from Peter Angelos for $1.725 billion. Angelos bought the Orioles in 1993 for $173 million.

#5 The Oakland A’s played two games in Las Vegas this past Friday and Saturday. How much were these two games showcasing the A’s before they move to Vegas in 2028? Both games at Las Vegas Ballpark were sold out. Our reporter Rich Perez said that close to 100 reporters had been credentialed and you safely bet there was no room in the pressbox. The A’s plan to hold these two games series every spring until they move there in 2028.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Rich Perez: A’s-Brewers exhibition a showcase for A’s future home in Vegas

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Oakland A’s owner John Fisher spoke with the media on Sat Mar 9, 2024 at Las Vegas Ballpark regarding the new Tropicana ballpark renderings which has been compared to an Armadillo or the Sydney Opera House (renderings courtesy of the Oakland A’s)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Rich:

#1 Rich, you’ve been all weekend at Las Vegas Ballpark talk about the sense the players get from being in Las Vegas away from their regular spring training facility in Mesa AZ?

#2 John Fisher the A’s owner addressed the media over the two game series in Las Vegas saying that in terms of the new ball park or the Sydney Opera House that Fisher wanted a park that would fit in with all the other innovations of the Las Vegas Strip.

#3 Bjarke Ingels Group is the A’s lead designer for the ball park and Fisher had walked with BIG Group around the Tropicana to get a idea and design of what would work on the nine acre space. Fisher said he’s thrilled with what they’ve come up with.

#4 The A’s once it’s done would have the largest scoreboard in Major League Baseball at 18,000 square feet which according to the rendering would be on the right hand side on the roof of home plate.

#5 Finally Rich talk about your experience over the last two days working with the A’s and Brewers at Las Vegas Ballpark and having to sit next to the dugout during this exhibition game which drew a lot of media to cover a series where the A’s could call their home in 2028.

Rich Perez covered the Oakland A’s and Milwaukee Brewers two game series at Las Vegas Ballpark on Mar 8th and 9th for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Rich Perez: Fans and players talk about Sydney Opera House model stadium at Las Vegas Ballpark at A’s exhibition game

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Las Vegas Ballpark the site of the two game series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland A’s in Las Vegas for Fri Mar 8, 2024 and Sat Mar 9, 2024 (Las Vegas Review Journal photo)

On the A’s podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 Rich, your podcasting and covering the Oakland A’s for us at Las Vegas Ballpark for tonight’s exhibition game vs. the Milwaukee Brewers. You had a chance to get down on the field and also around the ball park and ask how Nevadans feel about spending $380 million in public money for a new ballpark.

#2 Are people in Las Vegas where your at right now convinced that they’ll get a return for their public money on a ballpark that the A’s and the State of Nevada expect to sell out every event there for some 30 years so it will be paid off?

#3 Oakland A’s owner John Fisher says he’s secured half of the $1.5 billion of his share towards the construction costs of the ballpark. That would mean he still needs to find the other $500 million the clock has ran out and something needs to be decided on soon.

#4 Rich how much do you see of this hold up getting the funding and waiting for a design in the form of blueprints putting baseball and the A’s behind schedule.

#5 Your there in Las Vegas the Aviators ballpark although the players some of them anyway marvel at the artist renderings of the proposed Sydney Opera House ballpark some say this is just an idea but not the real thing?

Rich Perez is covering the Oakland A’s in Las Vegas for Fri Mar 9 and Sat Mar 10 for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s Relocaton podcast with Daniel Dullum: Kaval meets the media before A’s pre season game in Las Vegas

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Rendering of Las Vegas Tropicana ballpark part of the Armadillo series (renderings presented by the Oakland A’s)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel you had a chance to look at the future Las Vegas A’s Tropicana Ballpark which has been referenced as a Sydney Opera Place look a like or a Armadillo which Oakland A’s owner John Fisher seems to take as a compliment.

#2 It’s a multilayered roof which has area that look out from behind the home plate and the outfield window has a view of Las Vegas Blvd where you could see the New York New York casino and hotel.

#3 Ironically when Fisher gave comments about the Armadillo renderings he was speaking to the San Francisco Chronicle from his Jack London Square offices where the A’s dream of having a ballpark is all but dead once the A’s start play in Las Vegas in 2028.

#4 Fisher also said the financing has been figured out $380 million from the State of Nevada, $200 million will be money owed, and the Fisher Family will pay $500 million this would include equity investors. The catch could be whose going to be on the hook for the final $500 million. Could that come from another investor group or will Fisher have that unsolved for the rest of the baseball season?

#5 When you look at all of it Daniel and we’ve talked to fans and analysts like yourself it seems that Schools over Stadiums is a long shot but the last chance to get an initiative on the November ballot that would stop the public money for financing the Tropicana. The other is the lawsuit filed by Strong Public Schools who say the Nevada Legislature’s vote was suppose to be a two thirds vote not a majority vote.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Do you suffer from A’s fatigue?

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Former Oakland A’s pitcher Trevor May has been open being against the A’s leaving Oakland and also saying that A’s owner John Fisher should sell the team (AP News file photo)

Do you suffer from A’s fatigue?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

I know some A’s fans because they have told me they suffer from fatigue about the team’s current situation. What is fatigue? Fatigue is common, and one of the main components of fatigue is “burnout.” The constant talk about “they are leaving,” “no, they are staying,” “it is not over yet,” “sell the team,” they are heard all over the A’s fan-hood.

There is also “anxiety” about the Oakland-Las Vegas-Sacramento-Salt Lake City Athletics. Ex-A’s closer Trevor May has spoken publicly about his anxiety as a pitcher months before he blasted the Oakland A’s ownership.

Anxiety is very real, and although sports is just a part of life, which is meant for people to enjoy, some fans have worked themselves up with something of an obsession about their team potentially leaving Oakland, which creates a constant state of anxiety for uncertain things.

All the cities involved are trying to have the A’s play their games at their respective home parks; their elected officials and the teams that own the parks are all trying to get a piece of the A’s.

There are people on their podcasts in the Bay Area dedicating most of their time to the Oakland A’s saga, from local journalists to some other people outside the Bay Area like David Samson, once President of the Miami Marlins, on his top-rated podcast as he said: “Whether they were close or not, my view has always been that there is a deal to be done to keep the A’s in Oakland.”

He also says that he doesn’t believe the owners would force John Fisher to sell the team, so he doesn’t see a forced sale as an option.

Whatever your situation about the A’s, most things are not under your control. For example, if you do not have a vote in the City of Oakland or are not an executive of the Oakland A’s with the decision-making power to make something happen, you should not worry since you can’t control it anyway.

So what is the point of torturing yourself unless you are a masochist (enjoy experiments that give you pain)

Negotiations: The A’s and the City of Oakland are at an impasse. They have yet to agree to a lease extension beyond this 2024 season, during which they will play at the Oakland Coliseum.

This means that, as of today, it is still possible that this 2024 season will be the last time the Oakland A’s play at the Oakland Coliseum, which make 2024 a very historical year. But I will not let it worry me because I, just like you, cannot control the situation.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com