The Cubs’ “Core” for Ohtani Purposes, MLB Might Be OK with Sports Betting, and Other Bullets

Dec 05, 2017

I checked out Winterland at the Park at Wrigley last night, and it was a cool spot for families and food-and-craft-likers. The ice skating rink was a literal pond because of the unseasonable warmth, so there was no ice skating (which is a bummer for you, because I was gonna bust out some twirls and backflips and stuff).

Checking out Winterland at the Park at Wrigley, and probably chanting "Ohtani, Ohtani" … let's chat! https://t.co/Wolz9yfgfN

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) December 4, 2017

That's an extremely large present under the tree at Wrigley. I'm not saying it's definitely Ohtani, but I'm poking some air holes just to be safe. pic.twitter.com/BRKVtaCZl1
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) December 5, 2017

Lots of Ohtani-specific rumors and bits this morning here, so catch up if you didn’t see it.

Luis noticed something in Bruce Levine’s write-up about the Cubs’ pitch to Ohtani, and Ben Finfer also pointed it out:

Might mean nothing, but @MLBBruceLevine mentions core that Cubs pitched to Ohtani and there are a few notable names missing… https://t.co/ePNBc24z0k pic.twitter.com/Thxh1l4qXv
— Ben Finfer (@BenFinfer) December 4, 2017

From Levine’s response to Finfer thereafter, it doesn’t sound like excluding Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ, and Albert Almora was necessarily intended to be a signal, though some do view those three as the most likely to go if there is a trade for pitching this offseason that involves a big league position player. That said, to me, to the extent the Cubs didn’t emphasize guys like Schwarber or Happ or Almora (or Jason Heyward for that matter), it could simply have been about not emphasizing all the outfielders the Cubs have. Since part of the pitch was that Ohtani could see time in the outfield, it might be in the Cubs’ interest to highlight that the outfield, unlike the infield, is much less “locked in.”

Mike Petriello writes about the hitting side of the equation for Ohtani – specifically, where would he *actually* see more plate appearances as a hitter, the AL or the NL? It turns out, even in an ideal AL setup, he would only see about 370-400 PAs, versus the *expected* setup in the NL (no starts in the field), where he’d see about 200. He’d more likely see much fewer PAs in the AL, and that could range all the way down to about nothing if his team decides it’s no longer worth having him as the DH. In the NL, he’s always going to have to hit when he starts, and he’ll also have far more opportunities to pinch hit.

The Supreme Court is entertaining a case that could lead to legalized sports gambling across the country (instead of solely in Nevada). For many, many years, the top sports leagues opposed legal gambling, ostensibly fearing it could threaten the integrity of their sports. But now, as Hardball Talk notes, the NBA is all for it, and MLB is possibly open to it. For me, it’s one of those ares that has to be handled with kid gloves, not so much because of the threat to the leagues (I actually think it would bring more energy and attention to sports), but because of the risks to individuals associated with gambling. For the most part, I’m a “let adults do what they want to do” person, so I’d support opening up legal sports gambling across the board. But I’d also want to see care devoted to support systems for people who are at risk for totally effing up their lives because of gambling.

Here’s the quote from Commissioner Rob Manfred from earlier this year, by the way, via the Hardball Talk piece: “There is this buzz out there in terms of people feeling that there may be an opportunity here for additional legalized sports betting. We are reexamining our stance on gambling. It’s a conversation that’s ongoing with the owners.”

Speaking of engaging fans, I find this extremely interesting in light of how incredibly fan-friendly the NBA is in all phases, including very lenient social media sharing policies:

The NBA's viewership is up 32 percent, the most since the 2010-2011 season.https://t.co/kK1bPvACBN

— SB Nation NBA (@SBNationNBA) December 5, 2017

Other leagues are much more restrictive with sharing clips and highlights because they are trying to protect TV viewership. Well, you know, just sayin’.

Willson Contreras won the home run derby in Venezuela’s highest professional league (h/t OGXRAYZ):

Willson Contreras se coronó como el rey del jonrón #Tigres https://t.co/btjw5GQxwt

— LVBP (@LVBP_Oficial) December 5, 2017

https://twitter.com/LasMayores/status/937901668594782208

Today’s 12 Days of Deals installment at Amazon involves beauty and style, so you can treat yourself. Also, here’s a lightning deal on a burger press with patty ejector, shared in part because I find that phrasing hilarious.

Cubs gear at the MLB Shop is 20% or 25% off today, depending on the size of your order.

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

Cubs Announce (Part of) the Rotation for Atlanta

Meaning no offense to Kyle Hendricks, but if you had to choose a veteran right-handed in the Cubs' rotation to face the Atlanta Braves this week, you're probably going with Jameson Taillon. We may never know if that was part...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Wake Up and Watch the Cubs Make Their Mothers Proud

There is something about seeing Cubs players homer with pink bats that makes me smile extra wide. I suppose it's PROBABLY at least a little because this is one of my favorite Cubs memories: https://twitter.com/ChiSportsDay/status/1788291377333170611 Javy Báez, with the pink...

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 5, Pirates 4 – May 12, 2024

It's Mother's Day. I'm hanging with the family. I don't feel like being as pissed off as a game like that threatened to make me. So I am QUITE relieved by that 10th inning (and the fact that the Cubs...

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Christopher Morel Kicks Off Mother’s Day With Some Love

I'll just presume he was sending this one out for mom. And I'll also presume that the knee is indeed feeling good. Home run number nine on the season for Christopher Morel: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1789713524052087082

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (12:35 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

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...

Michael Cerami

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

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...

Michael Cerami

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Horrible History, Morel’s Knee, Almonte’s Shoulder, Hoerner, Wesneski, Hendricks, Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

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...

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Kyle Hendricks Will Start for the Big League Cubs Tomorrow

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:...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 10, Cubs 9 – May 11, 2024

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...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (3:05 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

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:...

Michael Cerami

May 11, 2024

Picks

Tigers vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – May 13

The Detroit Tigers (20-20) and the Miami Marlins (11-31) face off at Comerica Park on Monday at 6:40 PM ET, beginning a three-game series.The probable starters are Matt Manning for the Tigers and Sixto Sanchez (0-1) for the Marlins.Tigers vs....

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Braves vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – May 13

The Chicago Cubs (24-17) kick off a three-game series on Monday against the Atlanta Braves (24-13). The contest begins at 7:20 PM ET at Truist Park.The Braves will look to Reynaldo Lopez (2-1) versus the Cubs and Shota Imanaga (5-0).Braves...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – May 13

The New York Mets (19-20) kick off a four-game series on Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies (28-13). The matchup begins at 7:10 PM ET at Citi Field.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Phillies will send Cristopher Sanchez (2-3)...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Red Sox vs. Rays Probable Starting Pitchers – May 13

The Tampa Bay Rays (20-21) kick off a four-game series on Monday against the Boston Red Sox (21-19). The contest starts at 7:10 PM ET at Fenway Park.The probable starters are Kutter Crawford (2-1) for the Red Sox and Zach...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Best NBA Prop Bets Today – Monday, May 13, 2024

The NBA playoff schedule today, which includes the Boston Celtics squaring off against the Cleveland Cavaliers as one of two matchups, is not one to miss.If you're looking for NBA prop bets for today's games, we're here to assist you....

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Announce (Part of) the Rotation for Atlanta

Brett Taylor

May 13, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard is Dominating the World Championship, Reichel Arrives, Bruins Lose, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Another day, another load of Connor Bedard highlights from the World Championships in Czechia. Remember when the Blackhawks' star rookie scored twice in his first appearance of the tournament and we were all like "whoa that's cool!" Well, he did...

Tab Bamford

May 13, 2024

Picks

Best MLB Prop Bets Today, May 13, 2024

The Chicago Cubs versus the Atlanta Braves is a game to catch on a Monday MLB slate that has 14 thrilling matchups.MLB prop bets for today's games are available, so if you're interested in placing a bet or building a...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Orioles vs. Blue Jays Probable Starting Pitchers – May 13

The Toronto Blue Jays (18-22) kick off a three-game series on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles (26-13). The matchup begins at 6:35 PM ET at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.The probable starters are Corbin Burnes (3-2) for the Orioles and...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Celtics vs. Cavaliers: Live Stream or on TV

The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers are playing in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, with Game 4 next to come.Last time out, the Celtics bested the Cavaliers 106-93 on Saturday. Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 33 points,...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

The Cubs’ “Core” for Ohtani Purposes, MLB Might Be OK with Sports Betting, and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular