Can Ohtani and the Dodgers pass the all-time wins record in 2024?
USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale shares his thoughts on Shohei Ohtani in LA and if the Dodgers can set the all-time single-season win record.
Sports Seriously
PHOENIX − They were the late arrivals to the party.
The ones who held out, signing after the start of spring training, or in some cases, even after it ended.
Now, here they are, trying to get acclimated into the mainstream of a major league season, and so far, it’s a little rougher than they ever envisioned.
Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, who signed a two-year, $62 million contract with the San Francisco Giants on March 18, didn’t pitch a single inning in the minors before making his Giants debut on April 8.
So much for good first impressions.
Snell’s start to the season has been disastrous.
He has made three starts, and has been terrible in each of them. He is 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA, failing to last even five innings in any outing, while giving up 23 baserunners in 11 ⅔ innings. The Giants have been outscored 34-6 in his three starts.
While no one in the Giants organization is saying the decision to sign Snell was a mistake, it’s easy to question whether they should have permitted him to open the year in the major leagues without making at least a few minor-league starts.
“It was definitely an option, but I don’t think I needed it,” Snell told reporters after his latest debacle Friday. “I still don’t think I need it. I’ve just got to get better with sequencing. The stuff is there, so it’s all sequencing and pitching like I know I can. Once I start doing that, then the what-ifs and all that will fade. …
“The more I get in the zone, the more I have better sequencing and understanding hitters, then the outcomes will be better. In a month, two months from now, we’ll be talking about other things.”
Teammate Matt Chapman, who didn’t sign until March but at least played in 11 spring training games, also is off to a slow start. He’s hitting .205 with a .676 OPS in the other 20 games.
Slugger J.D. Martinez, who signed a one-year, $12 million contract March 23 with the New York Mets, still hasn’t played because of lower back tightness.
Outfielder Tommy Pham, who signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox this week that will pay him $3 million in the big leagues, made his season debut Saturday night in Charlotte.
When you’re a late signee and don’t have a full spring, the adjustment is real, Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger says.
Bellinger, who signed a three-year, $80 million contract on Feb. 25, is also off to something of a slow start, hitting .218 with a .714 OPS. He says the adjustment would be even more difficult if he was trying to get acclimated to a new team. He proved last season to the Cubs and their fans what he can do – batting .307 with 26 homers, 97 RBI and an .881 OPS – but just had trouble convincing the front office and the rest of baseball that he could do it again.
Bellinger and agent Scott Boras were seeking at least $100 million more than he eventually received, but the Cubs held their ground and eventually got him when every other suitor faded away.
“It’s tough when you’re starting behind everyone else,’’ Bellinger tells USA TODAY Sports. “I always did as much preparation as I could during the winter, but the game itself is difficult. You just do what you can to make the adjustments.
“April is always hit or miss. It’s a crazy month. Some guys come out hot, some don’t. I’ve got to make that adjustment. It’s a hard game.”
And even though Bellinger didn’t get the contract he desired and he can hit the free-agent market again after the season, he’s not blaming Boras or anyone else.
“I got a lot of people asking,” Bellinger says, “but I’m not leaving him.”
Veteran starter Jordan Montgomery, who also was hoping to cash in after his fabulous season but wound up receiving only a one-year,…
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