This is a new feature for BN, highlighting some of the more interesting/funny/whatever non-Cubs stories from around baseball. The Cubs are a baseball team, after all, so, in theory, you’re all baseball fans. Sometimes I think we can get a little tunnel vision when following the Cubs, so it’s nice to break it up with some stuff from around the rest of baseball. (You may vaguely recognize this feature as the MLBullets from BCB that I did last year. I parted amicably with BCB in December, and figured I’d let them keep the “MLBullets” name since it became a thing there.)
The White Sox and lefty ace Chris Sale agreed to terms on a five-year, $35.5 million extension, which includes a $12.5 million team option for 2018 and a $13.5 million option for 2019. The guaranteed years break down thusly:Â $850,000 in 2013, $3.5 million in 2014, $6 million in 2015, $9.15 million in 2016 and $12 million in 2017, plus a $1 million buyout on each of his option years, if they’re declined. Sale was set to be arbitration-eligible for the first time in 2014, so the White Sox are giving Sale relatively healthy sums for his arbitration years, and then get one free agent year guaranteed at $12 million. It’s not a super cheap deal (though definitely team-friendly, as these pre-arb extensions always are), so the primary benefits to the White Sox here are (1) cost certainty, and (2) those option years. If Sale stays on track as a true ace (and stays healthy … ), then the later years of the deal, which would otherwise have come at an extreme price in free agency, will look resplendent on the payroll. For what it’s worth, although Sale has been the more successful pitcher (and is younger), a Jeff Samardzija extension would probably be a bit pricier, given his extra year of service time.
Sources tell The Big Lead that Keith Olbermann is flirting with a return to ESPN. The two sides have had a considerably frosty relationship over the years since Olbermann left abruptly in 1997, so him coming back would be something of a surprise. Then again, if you follow his Internetting at all, you know that he’s been injecting himself into baseball discussions quite a bit more over the past few months – he’s long maintained an MLBlog (“Baseball Nerd”), but the activity there has ticked up considerably in recent weeks. I’m thinking we’re going to see Olbermann coming back to ESPN, and he’s going to have a heavy baseball lean. Just a guess.
Speaking of national baseball coverage, a great deal of it is shifting onto cable, thanks to Fox’s creation of Fox Sports 1, a network clearly designed to compete with ESPN. Most of Fox’s baseball coverage, including all of the playoffs short of the World Series, will be shifted to Fox Sports 1 beginning in 2014.
Remember the classic episode of ‘The Simpsons’ in which Mr. Burns, in order to win a bet with a rival company executive, brings in a group of ringers for his company softball team? (If you listen to the BN Podcast, you’d recognize the outro music from the episode – one of the best songs ever.) Well, Jonah Keri decided to assemble today’s version of the ringer softball team, together with the hilarious ways they are ultimately unable to play (as in the episode). It is hilariously awesome, and requires your reading immediately. A sample player’s story – Bryce Harper: “Reacting to Harper’s famous retort to an overzealous reporter, Krusty sues the Nationals star for copyright infringement, arguing that the phrase ‘Klown Kwestion’ is his own intellectual property. Seeking damages totaling $100 million, Krusty hires the most ruthless lawyer in town. With Lionel Hutz no longer around to work on contingency (RIP), Harper decides to defend himself. The case gets tied up for more than a year, forcing Harper to miss the game.”
Not terribly surprisingly, Mariano Rivera is soon expected to announce that he’ll retire after 2013, which will allow him to do the farewell tour thing that served Chipper Jones well last year. Rivera has been insanely, ridiculous good, so it should be a charitable farewell.
Speaking of which, even before the rash of injuries befell them, I was thinking the aging Yankees were going to be in for a surprisingly tough 2013/2014 stretch. Many folks seem to agree, including Ken Rosenthal, who focuses a bit more on what happens after 2013. Rany Jazayerli has a more comprehensive take, and really takes a fine tooth comb to the issues facing the Yankees, both in 2013, and beyond.
Speaking of injury woes, Rafael Furcal is out for 2013, as he’s going to have Tommy John surgery. The Cardinals look likely to replace him in the lineup with a combination of glove-heavy Pete Kozma, and … RONNY CEDENO! Look for Cedeno to finally fulfill the promise of his 2006 Venezuelan Winter League performance.
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.
No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...
CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...
Happy Mother's Day to the mothers among you, and to the mothers in my life! I'll be doing some extra family stuff today, so I'm gonna cruise through these Bullets ... Up front, because this was certainly the thing most...
The Sunday TBD has been D'd, and it's going to be Kyle Hendricks coming back an outing early. Instead of making another rehab start at Iowa, Hendricks is going to be activated from the IL to rejoin the rotation tomorrow:...
The Cubs came within 90 feet of keeping that ridiculous game going. No dice. Stupid game. Early on, it just kinda seemed like the Cubs might lose a perfectly normal - bad, but normal - game. Justin Steele did not...
CUBS LINEUP — After a little tease yesterday, Seiya Suzuki is actually, officially in the Cubs lineup today. And he'll be greeted with a tough matchup against the top pitching prospect in Major League Baseball. Welcome back! Chicago Cubs Lineup:...
Today the Chicago Cubs placed reliever Yency Almonte on the Injured List with a right shoulder strain. Jose Cuas has been recalled from Iowa to take his place in the bullpen. Almonte, together with Mark Leiter Jr., had been performing...
How did I not know that the Aurora Borealis was going to be visible last night?!?!? I woke up this morning to all these awesome pictures from friends and other people in the area, and I'm MISERABLE ABOUT IT. With...
In 2015, Kyle Schwarber hit a monster home run onto the top of the right field scoreboard at Wrigley Field, where it stayed for the remainder of the postseason. Watching the game live, I remember thinking "Dang, he got all...
Usually, I like to use this space to celebrate a great game from a top Cubs prospect, but sometimes, it's important to note when the other thing happens. Last night, Cade Horton had his very first really bad start. He...
I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...
No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...
Two of the league's top power hitters meet Sunday when the Atlanta Braves (24-12) and New York Mets (18-20) take the field at 7:10 PM ET, live on ESPN. Marcell Ozuna has 12 home runs for the Braves (-124 favorites...
The NBA Draft Lottery has arrived. Despite the lackluster nature of this year's prospect pool, this remains a highly-anticipated day for teams around the league. The truth of the matter is that the opportunity to snag a high pick is...
CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...
It's Mother's Day today. And while my mother passed away in 2017, I try to use this day to remember and honor her memory. Do something nice for the moms in your life today. You only get one. Chicago Bears...
Player props are listed for Pascal Siakam and Jalen Brunson, among others, when the Indiana Pacers host the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday at 3:30 PM ET.How to Watch Pacers vs. KnicksDate: Sunday, May 12, 2024Time: 3:30...
Following a stretch of four consecutive wins, the Atlanta Braves (24-12) play the New York Mets (18-20) at 7:10 PM ET on Sunday.The Braves will give the nod to Bryce Elder (1-1) against the Mets and Luis Severino (2-2).Braves vs....
The Colorado Avalanche are -135 on the moneyline versus the Dallas Stars (+114) on Monday, with this matchup taking place at Ball Arena in Denver.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Avalanche vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Avalanche (-135)Underdog: Stars (+114)Total: 6.5Best Avalanche...
If there was an Equipment Manager of the Year award, I think my aunt might deserve it. Having to leave at about 5 a.m. to drive to my sibling's college graduation on Saturday, I may have kinda sorta broken my...
NEWSLETTER
This is a new feature for BN, highlighting some of the more interesting/funny/whatever non-Cubs stories from around baseball. The Cubs are a baseball team, after all, so, in theory, you’re all baseball fans. Sometimes I think we can get a little tunnel vision when following the Cubs, so it’s nice to break it up with some stuff from around the rest of baseball. (You may vaguely recognize this feature as the MLBullets from BCB that I did last year. I parted amicably with BCB in December, and figured I’d let them keep the “MLBullets” name since it became a thing there.)
