Want to Dream About a Cubs Channel? And Other Bullets

kid-watching-tvOn the heels of yesterday noting how much I’m looking forward to watching the Olympics at Sochi, I think that goes double after reading hilarious (and depressing) accounts of what it’s like over there in terms of preparedness for the games and the influx of people. A pair of tweets from Tracy St. Clair and Dan Wetzel pretty much sums things up.

  • Want to dream about what a huge new TV deal would mean for the Cubs besides a dramatic increase in revenue? How about what the Dodgers will be doing on their new TV home this Spring: at SportsNet LA, the channel created by a partnership between the Dodgers and Time Warner, Dodgers fans will get to see every Dodgers Spring Training game during the day, and then an hour-long studio show on the Dodgers every night. That would be awesome, and I imagine the coverage only gets deeper during the season. The only rub? The network is still haggling with cable and satellite providers to actually carry the channel.
  • BP’s Ben Lindbergh dug into yesterday’s PECOTA projections reveal, and there are actually a few nice bright spots for the Cubs. Of the top six projected improvements in total value among offensive players, the Cubs have three: Starlin Castro (1), Darwin Barney (3), and Anthony Rizzo (6). Of course, in Castro’s and Barney’s cases, the big improvement comes in large part because of the depths to which they sunk in 2013. The Cubs also have the number six pitching improver (Edwin Jackson). The Cubs have none of the bottom offensive “decliners” from 2013 to 2014, and none of the bottom pitching decliners, either. So, the good news is that this roster is primed for positive regression. The bad news is that the roster is still, um, not great.
  • For the 2013 calendar year, per Baseball America, the Chicago Cubs spent more on international prospects than any team in baseball outside of the Texas Rangers. Note that the 2013 calendar year covers portions of two international signing periods, and, if memory serves, the Rangers spent a whole lot in the first half of 2013 (which was the end of the 2012-13 signing period), whereas the Cubs spent a whole lot once the 2013-14 period opened up on July 2.
  • Dave Cameron looks back at the time the Mariners traded one year of Ken Griffey, Jr. for four cost-controlled years of Mike Cameron and a handful of prospects (can you believe that was 14 years ago?). With a better understanding of player valuation, Cameron notes that the Mariners completely jacked the Reds. (And that’s considering the fact that Griffey wielded a no-trade clause that limited the Mariners’ options to pretty much just the Reds, and granting that it would have been a steal even if Griffey had been fantastic in that year with the Reds.) We simply think about things differently now.
  • … speaking of which, we think about the value of players like Mike Cameron differently now (above average bat playing excellent defense in center field), which makes me all the more giddy when I hear Cameron comps dropped on Albert Almora.
  • A couple guys in the Cleveland Indians analytics department discuss, generally, what they do (spoiler alert: they provide analysis for just about everything the baseball ops department does).
  • 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

    Cubs vs. Marlins Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Chicago Cubs (11-7) are set to take on the Miami Marlins (4-15) Friday at 2:20 PM ET, airing on BSFL. The Cubs are listed as -168 favorites by sportsbooks, while the underdog Marlins have +141 odds for the contest.Chicago's...

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 19, 2024

    In one of the 15 exciting matchups on the MLB schedule today, the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals take the field at Kauffman Stadium.MLB prop bets for today's games are available, so if you're interested in placing a...

    Cubs vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

    The Miami Marlins (4-15) kick off a four-game series on Friday against the Chicago Cubs (11-7). The matchup begins at 2:20 PM ET at Wrigley Field.The Cubs will call on Jameson Taillon against the Marlins and Andrew Jacob Puk (0-3).Cubs...

    Reds vs. Angels: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Friday, in a series opener at Great American Ball Park, Nick Lodolo starts for the Cincinnati Reds (9-9) versus Tyler Anderson and the Los Angeles Angels (9-10), with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out...

    Kings vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans take the court to start the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Kings are favored by 1.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 9:30 PM ET. The over/under...

    Nick Foligno Calls Out Blackhawks Teammates, Says Changes Are Needed

    The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...

    2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Mavs vs Clippers Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

    It's a first-round matchup with a history of fireworks! The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns once again in the NBA Playoffs. This year marks the third time in five years these two teams meet in the opening...

    2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Pacers vs Bucks Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

    The NBA Playoffs are here, and the Eastern Conference first-round ignites with a clash of styles. The Indiana Pacers, boasting the league's top-scoring offense, bring their high-octane attack to Milwaukee to face the experienced Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's status adds further...

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

    On Friday, Bryan Reynolds and the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) take on Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (10-10), with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET at PNC Park.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for TV...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Blue Jays: Live Stream or on TV

    Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (11-10) host George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) on Friday in a series opener, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need...

    more cubs news