MLB Mailbag: Bryce Harper or Rockies? Does José Abreu require a holiday?

As constantly, this is not made complex. You, the enthusiastic reader, ask concerns about baseball. I, a big kid who earns a living writing and discussing this dumb sport, response stated concerns, while attempting to both notify and amuse you at the same time.

Make good sense? Let's dive in.

Can you discuss thePhiladelphia vs. Colorado scrum?– Bill

The realities.

Rockies pitcher Jake Bird tossed a scoreless seventh inning versus the Phillies in the series ending on Sunday afternoon. The very first out of the inning began a questionable play including a double play turn at 2nd that the Phillies were not allowed to challenge due to the fact that plate umpire Ryan Wills stated they took too long pondering. As Bird retired Bryson Stott on a flyout to left for the 3rd out, he turned towards the Phillies dugout and said some NSFW unrepeatables prior to clapping his glove at his challengers.

Bryce Harper, delicate surgically fixed elbow and all, took Bird's habits as taunting, and rushed out of the dugout to face the Rockies reducer. A lot of common baseball fake-fighting took place: half-hearted pressing, a lot of hold-me-backs, some come-at-mes and a lot of shouting. One locked-in lip-reader on Twitter deduced that at one point Harper shrieked, “You're a loser f– ing company, every among you” towards the Rockies.

Now, the analysis.

Please understand that this is among my preferred minutes of the MLB season up until now. Here are 3 reasons.

1. Bryce Harper still has the fire in him

Back in his Nationals days, Harper was thought about a firebrand, a young hothead who could not manage his feelings. That's a simplistic story, however there's no doubt that Harper, now 30, has actually relaxed given that signing his big-money handle Philly. This was a great dosage of the old Bryce, considers a'bulging, mop of hair all over the location, anger in his soul. Made me feel young once again simply seeing it.

2. This is Jake Bird now, permanently

Jake Bird is a 27-year-old reducer in his 2nd MLB season with Colorado. Far this year, he has actually been quite strong for the last-place Rockies. For Mr. Bird, this is his tradition: Man Who Chirped At Bryce Harper. What an inequality, huh? Rockies person versus face of a baseballing generation. I understand who I got.

3. A loser company

Harper is more than simply a terrific player, this person understands ball, views ball, thinks of ball and speak about ball. A couple of weeks earlier, I existed when a Mariners press reporter asked Harper about Jarred Kelenic and Harper mentioned particular mechanical modifications about a gamer he had (1) never ever fulfilled or engaged with (2) had 573 profession MLB at-bats and (3) played in a various league 2,000 miles throughout the nation. He takes note.

When Harper calls the Rockies a “loser company,” he is not doing so as an insult, however rather, as a declaration of reality. The large presence of the Colorado Rockies bugs this Cooperstown-bound male. As a male crazily devoted to the pursuit of quality, it irks Harper to the core that this purple and black monolith of mediocrity is permitted to indulge its averageness every year after year. Therefore, he shared his ideas. No notes.

What does José Abreu require to do to begin in fact striking?? Go on a month-long trip? Start consuming breakfast for supper?– Natalie

If I were Abreu, I would merely get in a time maker and return to 2014, or perhaps 2022. If you're reading this, you understand that Abreu, who signed a three-year, $58.5 million handle Houston over the winter season, has actually been even worse than a razor scooter to the shin. His OPS begins with a 5. He has absolutely no crowning achievement. He has, sadly, appeared like a 36-year-old very first baseman.

Chandler Rome of The Athletic just recently composed a story loaded with anecdotes about how Abreu, regardless of his April has a hard time, wishes to remain in the lineup every day and is working insanely difficult to determine what's incorrect. Yes, I do believe Abreu requires to go on trip. His shockingly bad start isn't almost the aging curve. Man might utilize a psychological reset. I hear the Great Smoky Mountains are simply fantastic this time of year.

The length of time ought toGunnar Henderson be permitted to battle prior to he returns to AAA for a reset? And the length of time should Jordan Westburg continue to generate AAA prior to he goes to Baltimore?– Ray

Henderson, who was typically thought about the sport's No. 1 possibility heading into this season, has actually had rather a strange start to 2023. He is seldom swinging, especially at pitches outside the zone (great!). When he provides at pitches in the zone, he's swinging and missing out on a load (bad!). That 2nd thing isn't a death sentence– Matt Olson, Brent Rooker, Randy Arozarena and Aaron Judge all swing and miss out on regularly in the zone than Henderson– however it's definitely not assisting the child's sluggish start.

I do not believe Henderson has anything delegated find out at Triple-A. The only method he ends up being a much better huge leaguer is by making modifications versus big-league quality pitching. And due to the fact that Henderson is strolling a lot, his total offending worth has an extremely high flooring, which becomes part of why the Orioles are still penciling him into the lineup every day.

Let's discuss Westburg, who has a 1.021 OPS and 11 homers in Triple-A Norfolk. He must most likely currently be up as the daily 2nd baseman, however clever veteran Adam Frazier has actually done simply enough to keep his task with the reliable Ramón Urías on the IL … in the meantime. At some time the Orioles will press Frazier to the bench and send out Terrin Vavra to Triple-A and call-up Westburg. When? I'll think if not by the end of this month then by the middle of June.

To the MLB rulebook! Here are a couple of pertinent passages.

3.03 (a) All gamers on a group will use uniforms similar in color, trim and design, and all gamers' uniforms will consist of very little six-inch numbers on their backs.

3.03 (c) No gamer whose uniform does not adhere to that of his colleagues will be allowed to take part in a video game.

Jim is right that, regardless of the phrasing of these “baseball laws,” gamers do make changes or supplements to their uniforms for the function of separating look. Examples consist of arm sleeves, eye-black, sock height, even the curvedness of a hat brim, and so on, and so on.

While hats are not particularly discussed in the rulebook, their addition is most likely indicated by the word “uniform.” I emailed an MLB authorities about this with the subject line “A Dumb Question” and they stated they presume that the hat would become part of the uniform which not using it would make a gamer topic to discipline.

That's not conclusive enough for me, due to the fact that the phrasing is so unclear. It's worth keeping in mind that in college and expert softball, there is no basic headwear. Some gamers use hats, some visors, some headbands, some have absolutely nothing on their heads at all. MLB needs to do this too. We require a trailblazing hero to head out there hatless.

Jake Mintzthe louder half of @CespedesBBQ is a baseball author for FOX Sports. He played college baseball, improperly in the beginning, then effectively, extremely quickly. Jake resides in New York City where he coaches Little League and flights his bike, in some cases at the very same time. Follow him on Twitter at @Jake_Mintz