There will be stiffer penalties for slow play in the new CBA - MLB

Here’s an extended version of that AP story I linked this morning on some of the new details of the collective bargaining agreement. Here’s a fun one, highlighted by Alex Speier of WEEI:

The report says that slow-moving hitters and pitchers can be fined up to $10,000 for a sixth pace-of-game violation and beyond.

As Speier notes, Red Sox pitchers Jonathan Papelbon and Josh Beckett, were fined last year. Fun stuff in there about how Bobby Valentine, in his role of ESPN analyst, was critical of Beckett for his slow play last season. Seems like Valentine is going to back off a bit now that he, you know, is the manager.

And really, I don’t think $10,000 is going to change Beckett’s approach any if he truly thinks that that’s what makes him effective.

ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.

“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.

Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.