Outside The Confines: Baseball for my eyes

*puts Do Not Disturb, I’m Watching Baseball sign in OTC window*

taps sign

But if you want to know the biggest stories we’re going to dive into in today’s links, they are the extension of Manny Machado (surprise, $350 million will change your tune about free agency pretty quickly); a very, very, very stupid way to end a game (and you thought it was bad to balk in a winning run?); and some early season bad blood between managers and umpires (who knew the ump show also had a pre-season?).

We’re getting into midseason form very early this year.

On to today’s links.

• This is incredibly stupid and I genuinely giggled.

• Free agency, shmee agency, Manny Machado and the Padres appear to have agreed on an 11-year, $350 million extension. Story by AJ Cassavell.
• On that front, the MLBPA are saying “heck no” to the suggestion of a salary cap. Shocking. Story by Nick Selbe.
• Tom Verducci believes that Aaron Judge may well have a historical encore season this year.
• Speaking of Judge, he still savors the early cheers of spring training, even now. Story by Marly Rivera.
• Jay Jaffe looks at some pitchers who are struggling to adapt to the new pitch clock.
• Dan Gartland helps explain that new pitch clock for anyone having issues figuring out what’s going on.
• Think YOU hate the pitch clock? What if a violation was what caused the end of your game? (AP)
• Jayson Stark has a little more detail on that brutal game ending. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• And if you don’t want to read and just want to watch...

• Emma Baccellieri tries to determine how hitters are dealing with the new clock.
• Ben Clemens tries his hand at predicting some possible sleeper candidates for the coming season.
• Speaking of under the radar picks, MLB dot com has some dark horse candidates to make the Opening Day roster for each team.
• Mike McDaniel looks at what might be the earliest ump show of a new baseball year as the Cards’ manager shares his real thoughts on C.B. Bucknor.
• Here’s a little insight into how that went down.

• Esteban Rivera looks at how Luke Voit might be able to prove himself with the Brewers.
• A Rays prospect retired Justin Turner... and then asked for his autograph. Story by Dawn Klemish.
• Andrew Baggerly speaks to Buster Posey about his new investor role with the Giants. (The Athletic subscription required.)
• The Marlins surprised Sandy Alcantara with a pre-game Cy Young Award ceremony. Story by Christina De Nicola.
• You know, this probably IS the best way to pick up a language quickly.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.