MLBits: Diamondbacks’ Big New TV Deal, Profar Out, Odor Odor, Absurd Facial Hair, More

Feb 19, 2015

The latest from around baseball as Spring Training finally, officially gets underway …

The biggest news in baseball right now, at least as it pertains to an important story in the Cubs’ world, is the new television deal for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cubs are obviously in the process of securing their own long-term deal (which would likely not kick in until after 2019), and the deals other teams are able to get in this period of changing consumer habits will be instructive – or at least probably more instructive than, for example, the monster deal the Dodgers got a couple years ago (and have not actually been able to get onto their fans’ TV screens). The Diamondbacks’ new deal is reportedly worth more than $1 billion, and at least $90 million annually over 15 to 20 years – the details aren’t out yet. But, even at $100 million per year, it’s a huge bump from the $30ish million the Diamondbacks were at previously, and will allow them to get payroll significantly over the $100 million mark regularly, if ownership is inclined.

(Presently, the Cubs’ mix of TV deals is believed to net the team about $60 to $70 million annually, though that should be ticking up a bit in the coming years. In that context, the D-Backs’ new deal may not sound like much, but keep in mind that it will reportedly at least triple what they were taking home before (and also, sometimes these deals are super complicated, and much of the value to the team is not actually included in the annual payout – there are potentially revenue-sharing options and equity stakes involved, too) On the balance, I think this looks like good news for the Cubs, especially when you consider that the D-Backs are getting this long-term deal despite the increasing instability in the traditional RSN model.)

You’ve got to feel for Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar. The former top prospect (like, Kris Bryant/Byron Buxton/Addison Russell-level top prospect) might miss yet another season after it was revealed that he needs shoulder surgery. Profar, who turns 22 tomorrow, missed the 2014 season with shoulder problems, and hasn’t been able to live up to the hype of his prospect days. I’m not saying that’s a reminder about anything in particular, but, well, it’s kind of a reminder about some things.

At least the Rangers have 21-year-old Rougned Odor ready to go at second base. And, if Rougned Odor doesn’t work out, the Rangers could always fall back on Rougned Odor:

The Rangers have signed Rougned Odor's younger brother. He is also an infielder, and he is also named Rougned Odor. pic.twitter.com/GRX7JvRRz2
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) February 19, 2015

If you’re looking for a good long read, here are a couple: from Colin Anderle on whether tracking pitch counts is a useful idea, and from J.R. Moehringer on Alex Rodriguez’s year off from baseball. That latter one is a real study in human empathy (not sympathy, mind you, but just empathy).

Sahadev Sharma’s latest at BP is a deep look at the White Sox, with a particular focus on how and why PECOTA is so down (still) on Jeff Samardzija.

The Tampa Bay Rays are the early leader in awesomely absurd giveaways this season:

https://twitter.com/CorkGaines/status/568427449769267201

And Danny Espinosa is the early leader in absurdly awesome new Spring arrival facial hair:

Danny Espinosa was one of the first position players in camp. His Fu Manchu has also reported. And it is glorious. pic.twitter.com/8K9EwJDQd6
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 19, 2015

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

Interesting Night from Fill-In, Multi-Inning Closer Keegan Thompson

We are still less than a year removed from a time when Keegan Thompson was expected to be a critical part of the Chicago Cubs' bullpen. He had been so good transitioning into a multi-inning role in 2021 and 2022...

Brett Taylor

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 16, 2024: Studs and Duds of the Week

With no minor league action on Mondays, I figured we would use Tuesdays to highlight some of the best and worst performances on the Cubs farm over the last week. Triple-A Iowa Cubs Studs & Duds of the Week Luis...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Nico Hoerner’s Extremely High Hit and Two Even Higher Ones in Recent Memory

By now you've seen Nico Hoerner's jarringly-high game-winning hit from last night's game against the Diamondbacks, and I've kinda been chuckling about it all morning. I thought Sarah Langs offered some fun context for just how high that pitch was:...

Brett Taylor

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

NO WAY! Michael Busch Ties Cubs HR History with Yet ANOTHER Home Run

Coming into tonight's game, Michael Busch had homered in four straight contests. The streak was notable enough for all the obvious reasons, but it was especially interesting because all four long balls came with two strikes and all four came...

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

STUD: Nico Hoerner Won That Game for the Cubs With Sheer Will

In a game where a rookie pitching prospect makes the best start of his career, a key set-up man has a bounceback performance after a rough start to his season, and a formerly dominant reliever toiling away in Triple-A comes...

Michael Cerami

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Luck Turning? 10% and 100-Win Pace, Neris Bounces Back, Madrigal for Morel, and Other Cubs Bullets

I won't say the Cubs luck has finally turned — not one day after they lost Seiya Suzuki to an oblique injury (while still playing without Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon, and Julian Merryweather) — buuuuuuuuut that's two wins in a...

Michael Cerami

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The Cardinals Couldn’t Challenge a Play Because a Security Guard Got in the Way

Although challenges have become a staple of Major League Baseball, the league is still working on the optimal timing. The timing of doing the whole "hang on a minute, we're checking" thing, the timing of when you've got to signal...

Brett Taylor

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Win an Extra-Innings Thriller in Arizona

Although you'd always love to see more offense throughout a game, it's hard to argue with a thrilling, come-from-behind, late-innings, then-extra-innings win. That's what the Chicago Cubs pulled off last night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with a great performance from...

Brett Taylor

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 2 – April 15, 2024

Un-be-lievable. That game went from snooze-fest to nail-biter in a HURRY. And I don't think I'm too far off base saying the Cubs got pretty lucky in that one. Not only were they able to tie the game in the...

Michael Cerami

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Diamondbacks – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs are opening up a new series tonight in Arizona, and they'll do it without their ace, Justin Steele, their No. 3, Jameson Taillon, one of their top relievers, Julian Merryweather, and, their most important hitter....

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Bulls Depth Takes Another Hit with Onuralp Bitim Ruled Out for Postseason

Another Chicago Bulls player has suffered a season-ending injury. The team announced on Tuesday that Onuralp Bitim has suffered a detached retina in his right eye and is now out for the remainder of the postseason. He now joins Zach...

Elias Schuster

Apr 16, 2024

Picks

Mariners vs. Reds Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The Seattle Mariners (7-10), led by the red-hot Jorge Polanco and his two-game homer streak, are -130 favorites to pick up a win over the Cincinnati Reds (9-7) Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET, live from T-Mobile Park and broadcast on...

Data Skrive

Apr 16, 2024

Picks

Cardinals vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The St. Louis Cardinals (8-9) are set to take on the Oakland Athletics (7-10) Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET, airing on BSMW. The Cardinals are listed as -148 favorites by oddsmakers, while the underdog Athletics have +124 odds for the...

Data Skrive

Apr 16, 2024

Picks

Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks (8-9) hope to avoid an upset as -124 favorites when they take on Michael Busch (homers in five straight contests) and the Chicago Cubs (10-6). First pitch is at 9:40 PM ET on Tuesday, live from Chase...

Data Skrive

Apr 16, 2024

Picks

Dodgers vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Will Smith, batting .369 this season, leads the Los Angeles Dodgers (11-8) into a matchup with one of the league's other top hitters, Jesse Winker (.354 AVG) and the Washington Nationals (7-9). Smith and the Dodgers are -276 favorites on...

Data Skrive

Apr 16, 2024

Washington Commanders 7-Round Mock Draft

Chicago Bears

The Washington Commanders Are Hosting a Pre-Draft QB Group Date

The MMQB's Albert Breer shares an anecdote about the Washington Commanders pre-draft process. Washington, which holds the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is hosting a bunch of quarterbacks for top-30 visits this week. Together. In the same place....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 16, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Mariners vs. Reds Probable Starting Pitchers – April 16

The Cincinnati Reds (9-7) face off against the Seattle Mariners (7-10) on the road on Tuesday beginning at 9:40 PM ET.The Mariners will give the nod to Logan Gilbert and the Reds will turn to Hunter Greene (0-1, 4.86 ERA).Mariners...

Matt Rooney

Apr 16, 2024

NHL Picks

Stars vs. Blues Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues face off on Wednesday at American Airlines Center in Dallas, and the oddsmakers give a big edge to the home team (-225) over the visitor (+185).Stars vs. Blues Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Stars (-225)Underdog:...

Brian Twining

Apr 16, 2024

NHL Picks

Oilers vs. Coyotes Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Wednesday, April 17, 2024

The Edmonton Oilers are at the Arizona Coyotes on April 17 at 10:00 PM ET, and have been made -205 favorites, with the home team a heavy underdog at +170.Oilers vs. Coyotes Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-205)Underdog: Coyotes (+170)Total: 6.5Best...

Brian Twining

Apr 16, 2024

MLB Prop Bets

Cardinals vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – April 16

The St. Louis Cardinals (8-9) visit the Oakland Athletics (7-10) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Tuesday, beginning at 9:40 PM ET.The probable starters are Lance Lynn for the Cardinals and JP Sears (1-1) for the Athletics.Cardinals vs. Athletics Pitcher Matchup...

Matt Rooney

Apr 16, 2024

MLBits: Diamondbacks’ Big New TV Deal, Profar Out, Odor Odor, Absurd Facial Hair, More

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular