Less than a month ago, MLB and the Players Association were very far apart in their competitive balance tax (CBT), minimum salary, and pre-arbitration bonus pool demands.
The season looked doomed.
Now, in mid-March, we have our first set of spring training games.
It still feels like a dream to many, but baseball is finally back in our lives: the two sides left their differences behind and finally approved a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), guaranteeing MLB seasons until 2026.
There are four scheduled games for Thusday: Minnesota Twins – Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox – Chicago Cubs (two games), and Arizona Diamondbacks – Colorado Rockies.
Bobby Dalbec Hit The First Homer Of The Spring
In the Twins – Red Sox matchup, Bobby Dalbec hit the first home run by a major leaguer since Freddie Freeman knocked one out in Game 6 of the 2021 World Series.
It was a high, towering, fly ball to left field against right-hander Cole Sands in the first inning that put the game 2-0 in favor of the Red Sox.
The first homer of Spring Training belongs to Bobby Dalbec! pic.twitter.com/ZGlBh3atmw
— MLB (@MLB) March 17, 2022
At last check, Boston was ahead 12-1 against the Twins.
The Red Sox will look to repeat last season’s success in 2022, as they advanced to the American League Championship Series.
The Twins, meanwhile, will try to return to the top position after several injuries and underperforming players derailed their 2021 campaign.
Dalbec, as of now, is the Red Sox’s starting first baseman.
He hit .240/.298/.494 in 2021 as a whole, but was much better in the second half and the organization seems to trust him.
He will need to cut his strikeouts somewhat to fully reach his potential, but is a future middle-of-the-order stalwart.
It’s definitely good to watch and analyze games rather than CBA discussions, that’s for sure.
NEXT: Giants Made Sure To Beef Up Their Starting Rotation
