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SEATTLE (AP) — ries champion Boston Red Sox take the field to begin the regular season Wilmer Difo Jersey , they’re already playing catch up in the American League race.No, really. The Red Sox are facing a two-game deficit in the AL standings heading into Thursday’s regular season opener against the unbeaten Seattle Mariners.Of course, this is all tongue in cheek, the result of the Mariners having already opened the season with a pair of victories over Oakland in Tokyo last week to open the season. It’s certainly going to be short-lived considering the expectations of both teams going into the opener.The Mariners are beginning what they hope is a relatively short rebuild to again be contenders. They’ve already reshuffled their roster since playing in Japan — Ichiro Suzuki retired at 45 after two hitless games in his homeland.AL MVP Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and the Red Sox are one of the heavy favorites in the AL. They know it and are embracing the expectations of trying to be the first repeat champions since the Yankees three straight titles from 1998-2000.“We have a good team. We’re very talented, everybody knows it,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We’re ready. We know what we’re going against. We know that repeating is not easy. We have the perfect group to stay focused and don’t listen to the noise and stay locked in. You guys saw it last year. It’s a testament to who they are. It’s not about Alex, the coaching staff, it’s the group. They’re very humble and hungry.”Fresh off a new $160 million, six-year contract, Chris Sale will get the opening day start for the Red Sox. On the cusp of his 30th birthday, Sale is coming off a career-low 158 innings pitched last season as he dealt with shoulder troubles.Sale has loved pitching against Seattle in the past. In 11 career appearances vs. the Mariners, he’s 6-1 with a 1.88 ERA. In his past three starts against Seattle, Sale has struck out 14, 11 and 13.Sale threw the final pitch of last season to win the World Series for Boston. Now he’ll throw the first pitch to begin their title defense.“Finishing that off, the parades, celebrations Brian Goodwin Jersey , all that, that was awesome,” Sale said. “But we have a new chapter in the book. We have to go do it again. Like I said we’re right at the forefront of something really important to us. It’s not going to be easy, it’s going to be a grind, but we’re up for it and excited for it.”The Red Sox, who posted a franchise-record 108 wins last year, will have to fend off the 100-win Yankees this season minus All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel, who became a free agent and hasn’t yet signed anywhere.Marco Gonzales will pitch his second opening day for Seattle after throwing six innings in Japan and earning the victory. Gonzales (1-0) was far from his best against Oakland in the first opener, but was able to make adjustments and settle down enough to keep the Mariners in the game.“He’s a really good competitor. He figured out a way to make it work and he learned a lot from that, so hopefully he can build upon that,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “I say that, and I hope he’s got his ‘A’ game, his ‘A’ stuff right out of the chute, but some nights you don’t have it, and you’ve got to still figure out a way and he did.”Gonzales said the scope of all that was happening in Japan and being out of the normal routine was a tough adjustment to make, but may have helped prepare him for the hoopla of a traditional opening day back home.“The one in Tokyo was something I will remember forever,” Gonzales said. “I will have some more family here on Thursday and some friends http://www.nationalsfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-adams-jersey , my grandparents and people that have been there for every step of the way since I’ve been able to walk to seen me throw a baseball. So it’s special to a lot of people. I’m trying to focus on making it a normal game but it’s been a collective effort throughout a lifetime for a lot of people and I’ve been at the forefront of that for sure but there have been a lot of people who have helped me along the way.” Jeff Bridich needs market value for an Arenado extension to be determined by Machado and Harper, but they aren’t signing, and time is running out"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Scaling the RocksPebble ReportRockpileRockies Game ThreadsRockies Fan ExperienceRockpileA free agent market in disarray has the Rockies and Nolan Arenado in limboNew,98commentsRockies news and links for Sunday, January 27, 2019MSTShareTweetShareShareA free agent market in disarray has the Rockies and Nolan Arenado in limboSaunders: Nolan Arenado’s $30 million bid contract is a line in the sand | Denver Post ($)It has been an interesting offseason, to say the least. Not because of the (Not) Hot Stove, but because Spring Training is weeks away and over one hundred free agents are still unsigned, including some of the biggest stars in the game. The Rockies are watching intently as guys like Manny Machado and Bryce Harper wait for fair deals, knowing it’ll set the precedent for their superstar entering free agency next year, Nolan Arenado.In this article, Patrick Saunders discusses the stale free agent market, Nolan’s contract status, and argues the apparent impasse between club and player isn’t just dollars and cents:In other words, owners and players are in a stare-down, and the future of the game is on the line. Is it collusion, or is it greedy athletes? Saunders believes Nolan is ready to play ball and sign a contract Brandon Kintzler Jersey , so it might just be market value that needs to “play out.” That’s fine, but his arbitration hearing is around the corner and arguing with Nolan about his value won’t help the situation. It’s time to commit big money to a long-term extension for Nado if the Rockies want him in purple pinstripes past 2019.Baseball’s new normal: An offseason in which the strategy is wait, wait, wait | ESPN.comJeff Passan, now with ESPN, doesn’t have much better news to offer. As he points out, the Washington Nationals spent more money on one player this offseason (Patrick Corbin) than 13 other teams have spent on free agents combined—and yes, the Rockies are one of those teams. This trend is accentuated this year, but it began last season. Is it the “new normal”?Another concerning trend Passan brings up is the length of contracts being handed out. Of the 83 players who have signed this offseason, only ten have committed to more than two years, and an incredible 53 of those 83 players are on one-year contracts. As a result, the free agent market will continue to be flooded with veterans who can’t find stable work for the foreseeable future—a “market-clogging cycle,” according to Passan, that’s here to stay.Despite big changes, Trevor Story confident in Colorado Rockies roster | Rox PileSo if the Rockies’ roster isn’t changing anytime soon, what can we make of it as it stands? Kevin Henry of Rox Pile had an exclusive chat with Trevor Story this past Friday, and the star shortstop is confident in their lineup’s ability to compete for a championship.Trevor knows the Rockies were eliminated from contention in disappointing fashion last season. It was one of the worst offensive series of the year and it came at the worst possible time. If the Rockies have any hope of returning to the Postseason for a third straight year Tanner Roark Jersey , Trevor will have to play a major role and may even need to improve upon his outstanding 2018 campaign.Sources: Padres in mix for Machado, Realmuto | MLB.comUnfortunately, the Rockies path to the Postseason may hit a speed bump from an unexpected source—the San Diego Padres. The Pads are already loaded with young talent, and Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com reports they are now interested in signing Manny Machado and trading for J.T. Realmuto.Supposedly, San Diego can toss their hat in the ring now that Machado’s price seems to be sinking, and have some of the very best prospect depth to work out a deal with Miami. A.J. Preller may very well be trying to put an end to the Padres 12-year Postseason drought, and other clubs should be taking note on his willingness to acquire talent.Colorado Rockies give back and get something in return in hospital visit | Rox PileOn Friday, Trevor Story, David Dahl, and Kyle Freeland all visited UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital to spread some joy and lift some spirits. Kevin Henry had the opportunity to talk to Story about the trip, a special fan they met there, and what they learned from the experience. The Rockies continue to do a fantastic job staying involved in their community and do their best to make a difference in the lives of their fans when the opportunity arises.Can Larry Walker make the jump to 2020 enshrinement? | Beyond the Box ScoreLastly, Devan Fink of Beyond the Box Score takes a closer look at Larry Walker’s Hall of Fame chances next year specifically through the lens of Edgar Martinez and Tim Raines’ similarly long path to Cooperstown. There’s good signs and bad signs, but luckily the 2020 ballot won’t be as crowded as it has been recently. Walker is trending upwards, but has many non-public voters to convince he deserves to be enshrined as the first player to represent the Colorado Rockies in the Hall.