Get Ready for Metal Detectors at Ballparks and Other Bullets

closed circuit camerasHow’s (Tanaka) everyone (Tanaka) doing (Tanaka) this (Tanaka) morning (Tanaka)? Anything (Tanaka) particular (Tanaka) on (Tanaka) your (Tanaka) mind (Tanaka)?

  • Prepare yourself for scanning. The Associated Press reports that MLB has instructed its teams to plan to have metal detector screening – either the walk-through kind, or the hand-held kind – in place by the start of the 2015 season. The mandates emanates from MLB’s work with the Department of Homeland security to standardize the protections in place for fans at the ballpark. From a purely personal perspective, I say: “whatever.” I’m never going to bring anything unlawful to a ballpark, and when I’m going somewhere that I’ll be surrounded by tens of thousands of people I don’t know, a little extra security isn’t going to bother me. That said, it’s kind of sad that this is a reality. I don’t know if that’s a criticism of the decision, or a commentary on where we are as a society. But I’m sure that it’s sad.
  • Patrick Mooney writes about the Masahiro Tanaka pursuit as laid against the Anibal Sanchez context (read it, if you can stomach it). Loved this quote that Mooney got from Theo Epstein, summing up the nature of free agency right now: “There was tremendous financial escalation in the marketplace this year. And when you are in a position to acquire those household names, usually it’s long contracts with very significant dollars and clubs are really hoping for a pay-off in the first few years of the contract. Teams that are right on the cusp of playoff contention [look at] the two- or three- or four-win impact that player might make. [And] sometimes those wins mean even more to that team that’s right on the cusp. So you’re competing against teams that have maybe more payroll flexibility and with a more immediate need for impact.” Epstein says a bit more, which is worth a look. The upshot, though, is something we’ve said around here for a while: when teams sign 30-plus-year-old free agents to nine figure contracts, they’re hoping to recoup most of that value within the first few years of the deal. Given the Cubs’ situation, many of the biggest deals this offseason wouldn’t have made sense in that context. Yes, I still believe in the “you have to sign them when they’re available” mantra, but you also have to consider the reality of aging curves. (And I still really like the starting pitching market next offseason …. )
  • Bud Selig has won the first Bud Selig Leadership Award. The Bleacher Nation Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cubs Coverage and General Awesomeness goes to …
  • A profile on Cubs third base prospect Kris Bryant, who will start the year at AA after a showing in Spring Training.
  • Grant Brisbee with some of the most controversial calls in baseball history … that still wouldn’t be reviewed/overturned under the new instant replay system.
  • The Cubs are selling multi-packs of tickets again this year, which go on sale this Friday. The packs come in 6, 10, and 14-game varieties, with a bunch of options to choose from in each pack.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Cubs Roster Moves: Wisdom and Taillon Are Back, Wesneski and Mastrobuoni Are Out

    Even with tonight's rainout, the Chicago Cubs are still making some roster moves. When Patrick Wisdom was removed (perfectly healthy) from the I-Cubs game in the 4th inning on Wednesday, we had an idea of what was coming next. When...

    Tonight’s Cubs-Marlins Game Has Been Postponed

    The weather wasn't going to cooperate for Jameson Taillon's season debut, and tonight's Cubs-Marlins tilt has been postponed. The game will instead be part of a split-doubleheader this Saturday, with the first game at 1:20pm CT and the second at...

    MLBits: Paul Skenes Could Make His MLB Debut Any Day (But Probably Won’t), Red-Hot Orioles, Houck’s Maddux, More

    If you're into tracking young pitchers with star potential like I am—as I watch Jack Leiter's debut while typing this column—then you're probably itching to see Pirates top prospect Paul Skenes make his way to Pittsburgh sooner than later. While...

    Back to Wrigley: Cubs vs Marlins – Series Preview

    Cubs vs Marlins — Whew! The Cubs got through their first West Coast road trip of the year, and did so with a winning record (5-4) against the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks. They definitely let a couple games slip out...

    Taillon Coming Back, Busch’s Integrity and Success, Bad News for the White Sox, Wicks, Hendricks, and Other Cubs Bullets

    As the father of a toddler who was sick for an entire week — the same week Brett was out from his back surgery and the Cubs were playing almost exclusively late-night ballgames on the West Coast — I was...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 18, 2024: Caissie, Alcántara Go Yard, South Bend and Myrtle Beach Smoked, More

    Kevin Alcántara hit his first home run of the season for the Tennessee Smokies last night, and Owen Caissie hit his first Triple-A home run for the Iowa Cubs as Iowa and Tennessee secured victories. The same can't be said...

    Cody Bellinger Sticking With Scott Boras

    Given the way the offseason played out for super agent Scott Boras's top available clients - Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery - you wouldn't be shocked to see some unhappiness behind the scenes. Did Boras overplay...

    You’ll Be Even More Impressed with Hayden Wesneski, When You Hear What it Took to Get Him to Arizona

    Hayden Wesneski was the hero of yesterday's finale and series-win over the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming in to clean up Jordan Wicks' (little) mess in the 5th ... and then tossing 4 shutout innings to save an over-used bullpen and help...

    Offseason Cubs Target Robert Stephenson Now Out for the Year

    Hand up, I really wanted the Cubs to sign reliever Robert Stephenson this offseason. I felt like they could use one more impact arm (accurate), and I felt like Stephenson was one of the best available (about that ... )....

    Rays Closer Pete Fairbanks With a Wonderful and Brutally Honest Line About His Performance

    Rays closer Pete Fairbanks has been an extremely effective reliever the last four years, posting a 2.66 ERA from 2020 through 2023, with a 34.8% K rate and worth 4.1 WAR. But things have started out much more rough for...

    Latest News

    How to Watch Pirates vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    The Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8), with Quinn Priester on the mound, host the Boston Red Sox (10-10) who will counter with Brayan Bello, at 6:40 PM ET on Friday in a series opener.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading...

    Padres vs. Blue Jays: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Friday at 9:40 PM ET, Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (11-10) take on George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) at PETCO Park.The article below will give you everything you need to know to watch...

    Giants vs. Diamondbacks: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Blake Snell will take the ball for the San Francisco Giants (8-11) when they host starter Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:15 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading...

    Dodgers vs. Mets: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9), led by Mookie Betts, host Pete Alonso and the New York Mets (10-8) at 10:10 PM ET on Friday in a series opener.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to...

    Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Minnesota Twins will be hosting the Detroit Tigers for a three-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 8:10 PM ET on Friday, April 19.Twins vs. Tigers Series Info Tigers @ Twins Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:10...

    St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    In the opener of a three-game series, on Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET, the St. Louis Cardinals are hosting the Milwaukee Brewers.Cardinals vs. Brewers Series Info Brewers @ Cardinals Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET Cardinals...

    Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    On Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET, a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals and the visiting Baltimore Orioles will get underway.Royals vs. Orioles Series Info Orioles @ Royals Time: Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET Royals...

    Colorado Rockies vs. Seattle Mariners Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Seattle Mariners will be on the road, opening a three-game set against the Colorado Rockies on Friday, April 19 at 8:40 PM ET.Rockies vs. Mariners Series Info Mariners @ Rockies Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:40 PM ET Rockies...

    San Diego Padres vs. Toronto Blue Jays Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The San Diego Padres will be hosting the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 9:40 PM ET on Friday, April 19.Padres vs. Blue Jays Series Info Blue Jays @ Padres Time: Friday,...

    Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    In the opener of a three-game series, on Friday, April 19 at 10:10 PM ET, the Los Angeles Dodgers will host the New York Mets.Dodgers vs. Mets Series Info Mets @ Dodgers Time: Friday, April 19 at 10:10 PM ET...

    more cubs news