In Denver, Hunter Robinson wrote although "nothing has been confirmed" regarding the Rockies' 25th anniversary celebrations, promotional items around the anniversary "will be in heavy rotation" this season. There is the "possibility of a '25th' T-shirt day," where on the 25th of each month, there will be a "special promotional T-shirt." Also, the Rockies had fans "vote on the all-time 25-man roster," and players from that list will "make scheduled appearances throughout the season" (DENVER POST, 3/28). Meanwhile, in Colorado Springs, Paul Klee writes the Rockies are "operating like they expect to reach the postseason for a second straight year, even if that's never happened before." This "feels like a big year" for a franchise that has "never been set up for sustained success like they are right now" (Colorado Springs GAZETTE, 3/29).
FINDING THEIR ACE: In L.A., Jeff Miller wrote Billy Eppler's third winter as Angels GM "was his finest," highlighted by re-signing LF Justin Upton, signing 3B Zack Cozart and trading for 2B Ian Kinsler. These moves "directly addressed areas of annual and abundant concern." He also "secured one of the most fascinating players ever to enter" MLB in Japanese P/OF Shohei Ohtani. This offseason alone "might be reason enough to celebrate Eppler's hiring as a success." The Angels are "considered to be one healthy rotation away from standing as legitimate wild-card contenders" (L.A. TIMES, 3/26).
PROFIT MARGIN: In Detroit, Bill Shea wrote the business strategy being sold to Tigers fans, corporate sponsors and media is that the club is "reducing payroll now in a bid to rebuild with inexpensive young talent that will be developed internally as the foundation of a competitive team in a few years." Bolstering that effort is "investment in advanced analytics and scouting." Shea: "The business plan, on paper, makes sense." But one can "reasonably argue that baseball owners are sitting on enormous sums of cash, and that basically tanking now to improve later is nothing more than a way to maintain profitable business on the cheap" (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 3/28).
TAKE A FREE RIDE: In Seattle, Daniel DeMay wrote getting to and from Safeco Field "can be a joyless pain," but the Mariners and Sound Transit "partnered up to make that transit even easier." Beginning today, anyone with a "valid Mariners ticket can ride Link light rail on game days free of charge." The free rides will "keep up through June 3, and fans can either show a paper ticket or a digital ticket in place of paying a fare" (SEATTLEPI.com, 3/28).
