Although the players are already back on the field for Spring Training, many offseason stories remain incomplete.
For example, the Players Association and the League (via the Commissioner) have been going back and forth on a number of attempted rule changes lately, and the public dialogue has become … a little less friendly.
Take, for example, the Commissioner’s recent comments which sternly suggest that MLB will “modernize,” regardless of what the players want. At Sports Illustrated, Tom Verducci responds to the commissioners plan to make the game crisper with or without the Players Association’s involvement using one word: Hallelujah. But how does Manfred plan on creating and enforcing rules without the players blessing? Through a provision in the CBA that “allows the commissioner to unilaterally impose new rules after notifying the union a year in advance,” it seems like the league can do almost anything it wants (provided MLB gives the Players Association enough advance notification). According to Verducci, then, some rule changes (perhaps a pitch clock, limiting visits to the mound, etc.) can go into effect as soon as next year (2018). More at Sports Illustrated.
One of the most curious bits about the level of fundamental disagreement here is that the two sides just recently came together on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement in December.
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The funny thing about that CBA, however, is that the Clark recently suggested that it’s not yet actually been finalized:
This was MLBPA chief Tony Clark today on the status of the collective-bargaining agreement: pic.twitter.com/KaXgPOZzvj
I’m not entirely sure what to make of this, but I’m hoping this is just one of those formalities that typically gets swept under the rug. I suppose we’ll see.
Despite the many advancements and ever-increasing success rate of Tommy John surgery, players are still seeking out alternatives and other preventative measures (naturally). While many are eagerly waiting to see how Seth Maness looks this year after opting for a non-TJS treatment plan, others are trying stem cells. The Angels’ Garrett Richards, for one example, is the most recent pitcher to use orthobiologics to deal with a tear in his UCL – the injury that almost always precedes Tommy John surgery. You can read more about his story at Yahoo Sports, which includes the most fantastic quote: “Science, bro. I’m a believer now.”
Although the Diamondbacks Front Office has gone through some rough times/iterations in recent years, things are beginning to look brighter in the near future. At FanGraphs, David Laurila writes that the former Boston, now Arizona four-some of Amiel Sawdaye (Senior VP, Assistant GM), Mike Hazen (GM), Jared Porter (Director of Professional Scouting (formerly with the Cubs too)), and Torey Lovullo (Manager) are looking to shake things up quite a bit. More specifically, Sawdaye explained that the foursome is looking to increase its use of analytics and adapt a flat hierarchy (not unlike what we’ve seen with Theo Epstein/Jed Hoyer/Jason McLeod, if I understand correctly). Laurila has plenty more on their plans and expectations at FanGraphs.
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And finally, Eno Sarris has a list of Ten Bold Predictions for the Coming Season, and, well, those are always fun to read. One thing I’d like to respectfully disagree on comes out of point #5: The Red Sox will have the best record in baseball. To be clear, I don’t think that is a crazy leap to make at all, especially as a bold prediction, but I do disagree with the reasoning. According to Sarris, the Cubs may be the more obvious choice, but could witness a step back in defense. More specifically, he suggests that more Kyle Schwarber in left, more Willson Contreras behind the plate, more Jon Jay in center, and an older Ben Zobrist will conspire to weaken the Cubs defense. From where I sit, I could see Contreras being a lateral move behind the plate, more Javy Baez at second base making up for any Zobrist decline, the Almora/Jay tandem being at least as good overall as Dexter Fowler, and Schwarber may yet be just fine out in left field.
All in all, can I see the Cubs not finishing with the best record in baseball? Of course. I’m just not sure a big defensive regression is going to be the primary reason.
Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL.
In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy.
You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami
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NEWSLETTER
Although the players are already back on the field for Spring Training, many offseason stories remain incomplete.
