In L.A., Bill Shaikin noted Dodgers fan group Pantone 294 has "secured hundreds of tickets to the Angels' home opener" against the Astros, where they will be "booing the Astros" for their involvement in the sign-stealing scandal. Pantone 294 co-Owner Desiree Garcia said that the Angels agreed to "sell the group a block of as many as 800 tickets" for the April 3 game. The group "regularly arranges trips for Dodgers games in Anaheim." Garcia said that after the L.A. Times wrote about the group's "interest in bringing Dodgers fans to jeer the Astros in Anaheim," the Angels "reached out and invited Pantone 294" (L.A. TIMES, 1/26).
OVERLY CONFIDENT? In Boston, Dan Shaughnessy wrote every day, there "seems to be another Red Sox person or media report expressing confidence" that MLB's investigation into alleged sign-stealing in '18 "will not result in significant punishment." Shaughnessy: "Where is all this confidence coming from, considering that they are all talking about an investigation that has yet to be completed? ... Is it possible that the Sox agreed to part ways with [former manager Alex Cora] in exchange for absolution regarding allegations against them?" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/26).
FLEXIBLE CREW: In Milwaukee, Tom Haudricourt notes the Brewers have had "considerable cost-cutting involved in the comings and goings of players." The Brewers' projected '20 payroll "currently stands" at about $90M, "down from the club-record level" of $125M going into the '19 season. Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio said of the team's payroll flexibility after trimming player salaries, "Your payroll is fluid. To take something from accounting, a balance sheet is a snapshot in time; a cash-flow statement is fluid. Our payroll is fluid; at this moment, it is what it is. Because it's not at the same level as it was at, at the start of last season, we can increase should we want to" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/27).
