A Minor League Signing, a Championship Game, a Kris Bryant Video, and Other Bullets

arizona cactusThe Wife is taking all three kiddos to a friend’s house for some play time, and I’ve been tasked with a very specific duty: clean my office. I’ll confess, it’s a bit of a wreck. Part of that is because it became a repository for crap that we didn’t want sitting out in the open in the rest of the house, but a big part of it is my life-long penchant for stacking things in “I will deal with that in a moment” piles. It’s become a bit overwhelming, particularly as the arrival of a new baby and the lengthy postseason run gave me reasons (mostly legitimate, and a little bit excuse-y) to put things off.

And now the chickens come home to roost.

[adinserter block=”1″]

  • A minor league signing to note, as the Cubs have inked a deal with righty Seth Frankoff, according to the man himself. Frankoff, 28, was a long-time A’s farmhand before latching on with the Dodgers last year. He spent most of last season in the bullpen, and most of his time at AA, posting a solid 21.9% K rate and a very solid 5.7% BB rate. What’s interesting is that Frankoff, who’d pitched exclusively in relief since 2012, began making starts for the Dodgers’ AA squad later in the year, and his results were pretty darn good. Given that turn, I can’t help but wonder if (1) he figured out/refined a new pitch, (2) he was one of the rare highly-sought-after minor league free agents, and (3) he will keep starting in the Cubs’ system. It’ll be interesting to see what the Cubs plan to do with him come Spring Training. At a minimum, he’s additional upper level depth, with the potential for some surprise upside. The one statistical concern you notice when reviewing his numbers? Three times Frankoff reached AAA, and all three times his strikeout rate plummeted.
  • The Arizona Fall League concludes today with a championship game between the Mesa Solar Sox (the team that features Cubs prospects) and the Surprise Saguaros. The game is at 2pm CT, and it will be shown on MLB Network and streamed on MLB.com. Missing Cubs-related baseball action? Well, there you go.
  • Speaking of the AFL, if you were wondering how Tim Tebow’s season wound up going, it went about as expected: extremely not well.
  • [adinserter block=”2″]

  • Kris Bryant is in a new Red Bull spot, going to work as the Cubs celebrate their World Series victory. The MVP even cracks a green apple – a nod to Harry Caray’s famous season wrap up in 1991 – while taking some swings at Wrigley Field:
  • Jeff Passan writes at length about the world of Cuban player defection and smuggling into the United States (Jorge Soler was recently named as a possible witness in a legal case about this very thing). Hopefully as relations between the US and Cuba continue to normalize in the coming years, these scary situation, rife with opportunism and fraud will fade.
  • A variety of outdoor sports game-type-stuff is a deal of the day at Amazon, some of which could make for solid holiday gifts. Amazon has also started its Countdown to Black Friday deals week, so there are lightning deals going on pretty much at all times in advance of Black Friday.
  • Also for the holidays, a certain ornament:
  • 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

    It’s Not Kyle Hendricks Last Chance (But…), Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...

    The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

    The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

    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...

    Latest News

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

    The Cincinnati Reds (9-9) hope to avoid their fourth straight defeat when they host the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) Friday at 6:40 PM ET on BSOH. The Reds are listed as -124 favorites to snap their losing skid, while the...

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

    Coming off of a 3-1 series win over the Red Sox, the Cleveland Guardians (13-6) are -169 favorites to pick up the win in Game 1 of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics (8-11). The series begins at Progressive...

    Pirates vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Boston Red Sox (10-10) are the underdogs on the moneyline (-105) in Friday's contest versus the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8). The game starts at 6:40 PM ET on SportsNet PT. The Red Sox are favored against the spread in this...

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

    Jose Altuve, batting .388 this season, leads the Houston Astros (6-14) into a matchup with Jesse Winker (.364 AVG) and the Washington Nationals (8-10). The Astros are -166 favorites on the moneyline for the matchup at Nationals Park, beginning at...

    Phillies vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 19, 2024

    The Philadelphia Phillies (11-8) and Kyle Schwarber (2 HR in his last game) are favored (-182) on the moneyline for their matchup with the Chicago White Sox (3-15) on Friday at 6:40 PM ET on NBCS-PH.Spencer Turnbull takes the mound...

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

    Amed Rosario will look to extend his 10-game hitting streak when the Tampa Bay Rays (11-9) take on the New York Yankees (13-6). The Yankees are listed as -162 favorites on the moneyline for the contest, which starts at 7:05...

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

    Two of the league's top power hitters meet Friday when the Atlanta Braves (12-5) and Texas Rangers (11-9) take the field at 7:20 PM ET, live on Apple TV+. Marcell Ozuna has eight home runs for the Braves (-203 favorites...

    Orioles vs. Royals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

    After winning four games in a row, the Baltimore Orioles (12-6) play on the road against the Kansas City Royals (12-7) at 7:40 PM ET on Friday.The Orioles will give the ball to Dean Kremer (0-1, 4.96 ERA), who is...

    Brewers vs. Cardinals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

    The St. Louis Cardinals (9-10) kick off a three-game series on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers (11-6). The matchup begins at 8:15 PM ET at Busch Stadium.The Brewers will look to Freddy Peralta (2-0) against the Cardinals and Kyle Gibson...

    Twins vs. Tigers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 19

    The Detroit Tigers (10-9) begin a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins (6-11) on Friday at Target Field. First pitch is at 8:10 PM.The Twins will look to Joe Ryan (0-1) against the Tigers and Jack Flaherty (0-1).Twins vs. Tigers...

    more cubs news