Andrew Baggarly

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Andrew Baggarly

Welcome to Part 2 of the spring training edition of the San Francisco Giants Mailbagg. You can find Part 1 here. And if you missed my announcement from yesterday, here it is:My editors were kind enough to approve my request for a 12-week leave of absence so I can pursue a few #lifegoals. This means you won't see my byline for a couple of months. I apologize in advance to those of you who look forward to reading my Giants coverage.

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Andrew Baggarly

Welcome to this spring training edition of the Giants Mailbagg. We put out a call for questions and y'all did not disappoint. Let's get right to them. I plan to be at the Great American Smallpark on March 27. Besides eating as much Skyline Chili as possible, do you have any recommendations for food or any Cincinnati experiences that are can't-miss? Thanks, Baggs. Looking forward to another season of your coverage. - Raymond P.

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Andrew Baggarly

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Spring training takes place in February and March, but every major-league camp will have a few mayflies fluttering about. There's the non-roster invitee who plays out of his mind. Or the organizational player who comes to camp throwing cheddar. Or the sleeper prospect who hits like Ty Cobb in exhibition games. Every so often, one of those out-of-nowhere Cactus League developments will become the origin story for an All-Star career.

1 month ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Andrew Baggarly

Starting Pitchers (5)Pitcher attrition and injuries are a part of every spring, especially for a group that has some mileage. And the Giants aren’t at the bubble-wrap stage in camp quite yet. But it’s been smooth sailing thus far with their forecasted top four starters.Webb is getting the results that eluded him last year in spring training. Ray struck out six of 10 batters he faced in his last appearance while SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Andrew Baggarly

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - It's considered bad form to ask a major-league manager or baseball executive to project their Opening Day roster in the first week of March. They are still evaluating players in camp. They haven't made more than the first wave of cuts. They have three more weeks to give slow starters a chance to find their footing or injured guys an opportunity to get on the field. But mostly there's this: They are as superstitious as their players.