Cubs Bullpen After Davis, Sano Investigation, Historical Memories, and Other Bullets

Dec 30, 2017

I gotta do some serious shoveling today. Grumble.

Snow. I mean the snow. Outside. I have to shovel lots of snow outside.

Wade Davis is moving on, netting a huge three-year deal from the Rockies (still not a single four-plus-year deal in free agency yet), and the Cubs will continue to consider ways to add to the bullpen. Brandon Morrow is currently slated to be the closer if no other sure-fire option comes into the mix (which I am not expecting at this point). I’m good with Morrow closing, so long as the Cubs are careful about his usage, and so long as the Cubs add at least one more quality relief arm before the winter is up. Yes, you’d love to have a sure-fire elite closer at the back, but if the Cubs can at least have four or five very good high-leverage options, you can at least realistically hope that the back-end will sort itself out. Maybe just be prepared for some bumps in April and May …

Farewell to Davis – it was one year, but it was a very good one:

Thank you to Wade Davis for a dominant and record-setting 2017!

Congrats, @Rockies! You got a great one. pic.twitter.com/XjQHLfNJi5

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) December 29, 2017

We said all year that the peripherals were taking a bit of a turn, and, given his usage and his age (now 32), it was hard to envision giving him a monster contract. In that way, I’m not “sad” to see him get paid elsewhere, and that contract could turn into a dog for the Rockies. But I understand their approach, and respect them rolling the dice on a different kind of strategy given their unique ballpark situation.

The Padres are getting the band back together, bringing Tyson Ross and Chris Young (the pitcher) back on minor league deals to compete for a rotation spot (Lin). It was a very rough 2017 for Ross, who tried to come back from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery with the Rangers, but he managed just 49.0 woeful innings. Remember when the Cubs didn’t land him and instead opted for Brett Anderson on a similar reclamation type deal? Neither one worked out, which, well, is kinda the baseline on deals like that. You take a cheap swing knowing it probably won’t work out – hoping that it might, because of the outsized value if it does.

Yikes on the Miguel Sano investigation, as Jeff Passan immediately found teammates and ex-teammates willing to offer their perspective that he was not respectful of women:

"A ticking time bomb": How the Miguel Sano allegations are only the beginning for a sporting culture that marries money, power and privilege in all the worst ways. Column: https://t.co/jStRPHuMe2 pic.twitter.com/Z0PqZJjVlg
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 29, 2017

This is not the first time these kinds of allegations have entered the baseball sphere, and they won’t be the last time. From a human perspective, you say: good that women are finding the courage to share their stories, because I can only imagine what the sports world has been like for them since the inception of women covering sports. From a Cubs/baseball perspective, you say: hopefully the organization continues its work with young players to develop them not only as ballplayers, but good people who are respectful and kind. And, of course, you hope the organization continues to do good work on the information-gathering side, taking character into account when bringing them aboard in the first place.

Sam Miller put together the “single memory” that defines every season since 1903, which featured the first World Series. The Cubs show up more than a few times, including the 116-win 1906 team (they were a lot of fun to watch, eh?), Merkle’s Boner in 1908, Wrigley Field opening in 1914, the Billy Goat Curse in 1945, and, of course, the 2016 World Championship to end all World Championships. It’s a fascinating list, if for no other reason than the historical context it places on certain things (the first ever night game was in 1935, Joe Nuxhall appeared in the big leagues at age 15 in 1944 because of the war, the expansion Mets lost 120 games in 1962, etc.).

Whoopsiedoodle:

Wake Davietta. pic.twitter.com/bsPBmxsqVJ

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) December 29, 2017

I do remember it, and I very much enjoy it every time:

Remember Yoenis Cespedes’ “Are You Kidding Me?!” Throw from the Outfield? https://t.co/uay16IlFa0 pic.twitter.com/cHXllQgCQR

— Baseball is Fun (@flippingbats) December 29, 2017

Take advantage, my good chums:

I come bearing DEALS. It's the end-of-year clearance at the Cubs Shop, which means a ton of awesome stuff is dirt cheap. Treat yourself and support BN in the process here: https://t.co/jb2ooOzyIP pic.twitter.com/ZaM2IpaCrU
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) December 30, 2017

Over at The Ten-Yard Line, we’re tracking the Bears’ front office plans and the coaching search – among the latest items:

Obsessive Head Coach Watch: Shurmur Isn’t a Sexy Option, But He Could Be a Good One https://t.co/LNzlqo4u6a pic.twitter.com/sp3uh2Zy36
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 29, 2017

Report: Ryan Pace Expected to Get Contract Extension with New Coach https://t.co/Qqmhxgsold pic.twitter.com/Og7uIVqlVc

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 29, 2017

written by

Brett Taylor

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

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: What a Mess of a Lineup

CUBS LINEUP — The NL Central standings are a mess. The Cubs and Reds (both 31-33) are tied for second. But then so are the Cardinals (30-32), who have the same winning percentage, albeit with one fewer win and loss....

Michael Cerami

Jun 08, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Steele Was Great, Two Key Cubs Are Day-to-Day, I-Cubs Get Homer Happy, South Bend Walk-Off, and Other Cubs Bullets

[ankin_law] The two bigger kiddos have performances all weekend, so that's going to be a lot of fun. Busy. Extremely busy. But fun. Justin Steele was really good last night, and if not for a dropped third strike that Miguel...

Brett Taylor

Jun 08, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Reds 3, Cubs 2 – June 7, 2024

Teaser rally. Tying run stranded. Disappointment abounds. Justin Steele pitched quite well, and with a little defense, his line would look even better. It's nice to see him clicking again, though it doesn't much matter when the bats do next...

Brett Taylor

Jun 07, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Reds (6:10 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — Well ... the Cubs "easy" stretch in the schedule is not quite going how I envisioned. But they still have three games in Cincinnati to make up some ground. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for...

Michael Cerami

Jun 07, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Moves: Wicks Returns, Hodge to Iowa

Today the Chicago Cubs activated lefty Jordan Wicks from the Injured List (forearm), and sent reliever Porter Hodge to Triple-A Iowa. What's interesting about the timing here is that Jordan Wicks is not starting tonight. And he's not scheduled to...

Brett Taylor

Jun 07, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Elly’s Anniversary Blast, In the Weeds with Bat Tracking Data, Comparing Judge-Soto to Greats of the Past, More

MLB Notes — On the one-year anniversary of his Major League debut, Elly De La Cruz ripped a three-run home run that erased a 2-0 deficit for Cincinnati, who went on to beat the Cubs 8-4 on Thursday at Great...

Patrick K. Flowers

Jun 07, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | June 7, 2024: Jaxon Wiggins’ Strong Debut Leads Pelicans to Victory

CUBS PROSPECTS — Cubs second-rounder Jaxon Wiggins made his Myrtle Beach Pelicans debut on Thursday and looked excellent, as the Pelicans earned the only win for the Cubs down on the farm yesterday. That and more in today's Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Jun 07, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Attached to a Top Prospect in the 2025 International Class

The 2024 Dominican Summer League kicked off this week, which means many of the top prospects from the 2024 International Free Agent class are beginning their professional careers (including top Chicago Cubs signing Fernando Cruz). It's good timing, then, to...

Brett Taylor

Jun 07, 2024

Chicago Cubs

A Bit of Fun (Because We Need It), Amaya’s Development, Hodge’s Night, Edwards, Swanson, and Other Cubs Bullets

Surprise: the White Sox series did not magically fix all that ails the Cubs. They will have to fundamentally improve over a much, much, much longer trajectory for us to feel any kind of confidence that they can actually get...

Brett Taylor

Jun 07, 2024

Chicago Cubs

An Early Lead? Wha? Seiya Suzuki With the Two-Run Shot

Maybe it's just my damaged heart, but it feels like weeks since the Cubs took an early, multi-run lead in a game. Thank you, Miguel Amaya for the third inning single, and thank you, Seiya Suzuki for the following homer:

Brett Taylor

Jun 06, 2024

Picks

Astros vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, June 8, 2024

The Houston Astros (29-35), led by Yainer Diaz on a four-game home run streak, are -166 favorites on the moneyline to defeat the Los Angeles Angels (24-39). First pitch is set for 10:07 PM ET Saturday, live from Angel Stadium...

Data Skrive

Jun 08, 2024

Picks

Padres vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, June 8, 2024

Fernando Tatis Jr. (13 games) will look to add to his hitting streak when the San Diego Padres (33-34) and Arizona Diamondbacks (30-34) meet Saturday at 8:40 PM ET, live on SDPA from PETCO Park. Tatis and the Padres are...

Data Skrive

Jun 08, 2024

Picks

Saturday’s WNBA Picks and Predictions – June 8

In one of the two exciting matchups on the WNBA slate today, the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Sun square off at Mohegan Sun Arena.Scroll down and you'll find WNBA best bets for the contests on today's slate.WNBA picks...

Data Skrive

Jun 08, 2024

Picks

Astros vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – June 8

The Houston Astros (29-35) face off against the Los Angeles Angels (24-39) on Saturday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim at 10:07 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Astros will send Hunter Brown (1-5) to the mound, while...

Data Skrive

Jun 08, 2024

Picks

Sunday’s MLB Computer Picks & Best Bets – June 9

The MLB slate on Sunday, which includes the Los Angeles Dodgers versus the New York Yankees as one of 15 games, is sure to please. We offer best bets for every game below.MLB picks todayNew York Mets at Philadelphia PhilliesGame...

Data Skrive

Jun 08, 2024

Picks

Yankees vs. Dodgers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, June 8, 2024

Juan Soto, batting .318 this season, leads the New York Yankees (45-20) into a matchup with one of the league's other top hitters, Mookie Betts (.312 AVG) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (40-25). Soto and the Yankees are -123 favorites...

Data Skrive

Jun 08, 2024

Picks

Guardians vs. Marlins Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, June 8, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians (40-22) are set to take on the Miami Marlins (22-41) Saturday at 7:35 PM ET, airing on FOX. The Guardians are listed as -150 favorites by oddsmakers, while the underdog Marlins have +128 odds for the contest.Cleveland's...

Data Skrive

Jun 08, 2024

Picks

Padres vs. Diamondbacks Probable Starting Pitchers – June 8

The San Diego Padres (33-34) play at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks (30-34) on Saturday. The matchup is set to start at 8:40 PM ET.The Padres will look to Matt Waldron (3-5) versus the Diamondbacks and Ryne Nelson (3-4).Padres vs....

Data Skrive

Jun 08, 2024

Betting

Oilers vs Panthers Odds, Goal Props, and More for Stanley Cup Game 1

Tonight is the night! The Panthers and Oilers drop the puck in the Stanley Cup Final tonight at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers are making their second consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Final and look to...

Matt Rooney

Jun 08, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Bullpen After Davis, Sano Investigation, Historical Memories, and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular