Sports Time Radio

For just the ninth time since Hall of Fame voting started and for the first time since 2013 no one was elected into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

In their 9th year on the ballot Curt Schilling, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens where the top three vote getters, but none of them received the required 75% of the votes to be elected. Schilling received 71.1%, Bonds received 61.8% and Clemens received 61.6% of the vote. No one else received 60% of the vote while Mark Buehrle was the most voted for newcomer on the ballot as he got 11% of the vote.

Now Schilling, Bonds and Clemens have one more year to be voted in before it become an issue for the Hall of Fame Veteran’s committee to decide if they belong in the Hall of Fame or not.

Now it’s understandable why voters may have some issues with voting for Bonds or Clemens and I’m in the camp of the shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame because they cheated, but Schilling seems to be a different story. I’m not completely sold on Curt Schilling being a Hall of Famer, but I don’t have a vote to make that decision. Schilling has been trending up in the voting and looks like a good bet to make it into the Hall of Fame next year, but Schilling unsurprisingly had something to say about that. Here’s a quote from a post he put up on his Facebook page.

“I will not participate in the final year of voting. I am requesting to be removed from the ballot. I’ll defer to the veterans committee and men whose opinions actually matter and who are in a position to actually judge a player. I don’t think I’m a hall of famer as I’ve often stated but if former players think I am then I’ll accept that with honor”.

Now Schilling doesn’t have the power to opt out of being on the ballot, but you do have to wonder if his statement will prevent people for voting for him next time around. It’s also possible and from someone like Schilling this wouldn’t be a surprise that he’s using reverse psychology on the voters.

What do you think about no one being elected to the baseball Hall of Fame? Also how do you feel about Schilling? Is he a Hall of Famer in your opinion?

It looks like the Major League Baseball free agent market is finally picking up. After J.T. Realmuto signed a big deal to remain with the Philadelphia Phillies. There where three middle infielder and another catcher signed overnight.

First the catcher. It’s being reported that Wilson Ramos will be joining the Detroit Tigers on a one year $2 million dollar deal. After Realmuto; Ramos was the youngest of the everyday catchers left o the free agent market. Ramos spent the last two seasons with the New York Mets, but once they signed free agent James McCann it was clear Ramos would need to find a new team and it looks like he did.

Onto the infielders. Two now former Oakland A’s have found new homes. First Marcus Semien signed a one year deal to join the Toronto Blue Jays. Semien will get $18.1 million dollars for the 2021 season. Semien had been the A’s starting shortstop since they acquired him from the Chicago White Sox six years ago. Now there have been some questions about Semien’s defense at the shortstop position, but it’s unclear if that’s where the Blue Jays plan to use him at. Remember Bo Bichette is the Blue Jays shortstop; so maybe Semien will find playing time at 2nd or 3rd base. Will have to see what the Blue Jays decide to do with their infield.

Tommy LaStella was the other now former A’s player to sign with another team yesterday. LaStella is joining the San Francisco Giants on a what is being reported as a three year deal. The financial terms of this deal have not yet been released. LaStella has been mostly used as a utility player in his career and while he’ll supply the Giants with some flexibility his primary position for them appears to be 2nd base. LaStella was a highly sought after free agent this off season, but it’s the Giants that are going to end up with him.

And then last, but not least Andrelton Simmons will be leaving the Los Angeles Angels as he signed a one year $10.5 million dollar deal to join the Minnesota Twins. Simons should step right in as the Twins starting shortstop which will allow Jorge Polanco to return to a utilityman role. Simmons has always been one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball and he has 4 Gold Gloves, 1 Platinum Glove and a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year award to prove it, but as his career has went on his offense has improved making him an all around player.

Which of these signings do you like best and why?

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