Another Top 100 With No Cubs, the First Mention of Players Striking, and Other Bullets

Jan 28, 2018

We are between games and more swimming – The Little Boy has developed a particular affection for Skee-Ball and Space Invaders with no prompting from dad, so that’s awesome – and I’m gonna try to pump out these Bullets while we eat pizza for breakfast …

Another top 100 came out last night, and the Cubs were not represented. The Cubs had zero prospects in MLB Pipeline’s top 100, joining just two other teams:

Breaking down the updated @MLBPipeline Top 100 Prospects by team. pic.twitter.com/w7QwzZKNlU

— Daren Willman (@darenw) January 28, 2018

Not that rankings like this are the be-all, end-all, but one thing: congrats on the two top 100 prospects after trading Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, and Christian Yelich, Marlins.

OK, so the Cubs were probably close to having a couple guys in the top 100, though, right? Well, not according to MLB Pipeline:

Neither was right on the cusp of #Top100Prospects. Alzolay could crack the list at midseason if he continues to progress like he did last year. Don't sleep on Jose Albertos. @Cubs https://t.co/27NKkDPsMN
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) January 28, 2018

So, again we fall back to: (1) Cubs have a lot of prospect-aged-ish talent already in the big leagues, and (2) Cubs have some guys who could be top 100 by midseason if X, Y, and Z things happen.

It was only a matter of time before we started seeing this:

Amid chill in free-agent market, #Dodgers' Kenley Jansen says: 'Maybe we have to go on strike' https://t.co/AzWNdfNRXh

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) January 27, 2018

It’s not entirely cynical support either, since even a guy who’s landed a big contract like Jansen would still be forgoing a ton of money to strike (and it’s money he probably wouldn’t make up on the back end when his current deal expires). The reality, as we’ve discussed, is that this CBA is a relative disaster for the players, they are seeing it now, and they are understandably pissed. It will probably lead to change in the union, change in the relationship with ownership (either by way of a formal strike or an agreed re-opening of the CBA), and change in the way revenues are distributed in the game. Until this CBA concludes after the 2021 season, though, the players’ options will be limited.

Sahadev Sharma writes about how the Cubs will or will not react in the face of big moves by the Brewers. As you’d hope and expect for this front office, the Cubs are gonna do what they’re gonna do – sticking to their plan – regardless of what happens elsewhere in the division. And there figures to be more happening, as it’s almost impossible to imagine the Brewers not adding another starting pitcher at this point.

Imagining the uniforms in the NL Central as hockey uniforms is freaking awesome:

MLB x Hockey Jerseys Part 2: NL CENTRAL (minus the Cards cuz I can’t stand them) pic.twitter.com/vPiJtTgUJs

— DesignsByRL (@designs_rl) January 27, 2018

It’s especially awesome, because #AtReds had a comment that precipitated #AtCubs to bust out one of the best moments in Cubs history – the Kyle Farnsworth spear takedown:

We just need to make a quick phone call. pic.twitter.com/URGiyiVfHn

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) January 27, 2018

You’re welcome: Amazon’s Deal of the Day is tailgating gear, so you can get yourself ready for the warmer sporting months to come.

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

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Red Sox 1 – April 26, 2024

Cubs win again! And it was a breezy 7-1 road victory over the Red Sox ... perfect for a relaxing Friday night. I don't think it'll be this easy forever, but the Cubs are really buying themselves some breathing room...

Michael Cerami

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Red Sox (6:10 CT) – Lineups, Pitching Matchup, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are starting a new series tonight against the Red Sox, with Shota Imanaga going up against Boston's righty Kutter Crawford. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for game one at Fenway. Chicago Cubs...

Michael Cerami

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 26, 2024: South Bend Shutout the Lone Victory on Thursday

Brody McCullough, Sam Armstrong and Chase Watkins teamed up to throw a shutout for the South Bend Cubs in the only victory of the day for the system on Thursday. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Hayden Wesnasty Is Back and Looking Sharper Than Ever

Hayden Wenseski is not the only scoreless member of the Cubs bullpen right now. In fact, both Mark Leiter Jr. (12.1 IP, 0ER) and Keegan Thompson (7.0 IP, 0ER) technically have Wesneski beat (6.1 IP, 0ER). Heck, even Yency Almonte...

Michael Cerami

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Sign Righty Pitching Prospect Nico Zeglin

The Chicago Cubs keep adding to the farm system, signing 24-year-old righty Nico Zeglin out of Mexico. Formerly at Gonzaga and then Long Beach State, Zeglin was not drafted in 2023, despite ranking as the 408th best prospect in the...

Brett Taylor

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Javier Assad Has Kinda Been the Best Pitcher in Baseball Since June of Last Year

It's become so routine at this point that you almost accept it as a given each time he takes the ball: Javier Assad was really dang solid once again yesterday. Facing a struggling Astros team that nevertheless still has a...

Brett Taylor

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Heading East: Cubs vs Red Sox Series Preview

Cubs vs Red Sox — The Brewers keep winning, but the Chicago Cubs are on a roll. Even without Seiya Suzuki, Justin Steele, Cody Bellinger, and Julian Merryweather (among others), the Cubs have won three games in a row, 7...

Michael Cerami

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Players Weekend Is Coming Back … But Without the Best Part

I remember a time when Ben Zobrist — of all players — received a formal warning and faced a fine from Major League Baseball, all because he wore ... gasp! All black cleats (a violation of MLB's uniform regulations). Fortunately,...

Michael Cerami

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Brewers Keep Winning, Cubs Bullpen Turning Way Up (But They Still Need a Closer), and Other Cubs Bullets

The Brewers are so annoying. Even though the Cubs (16-9) are seven games over .500 and winners in 9 of their last 12 games, including a three-game sweep of the Astros, there's Milwaukee (16-8) ... just quietly sitting there a...

Michael Cerami

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Cubs

More Fun with Pete Crow-Armstrong’s First-Hit Home Run

It is CORRECT to say that an 0-fer to start a player's big league career, even a long 0-fer, does not alone represent who that player is. Young players are going to have adjustment periods. Also hitless stretches happen for...

Brett Taylor

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Bears

Bears Draft Yale Offensive Tackle Kiran Amegadjie With Pick 75 in the 2024 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears used their first pick on quarterback Caleb Williams and their second on wide receiver Rome Odunze. So it makes sense to see the Bears continue their offseason trend of building around the quarterback with their third pick....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Bears

The Story Behind the Michael Penix Jr. Pick is One Bears Fans Know All Too Well

While Chicago Bears fans bask in the glow of two highly celebrated top-10 picks, the Atlanta Falcons are straight-up having a weird draft. First, they selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick. One day later, the...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Red Sox 1 – April 26, 2024

Michael Cerami

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Bears

The 2024 NFL Draft (6:00 CT): Bears Picks, Needs, Broadcast Info, More

Who's ready for another round of NFL Draft watching as a Bears fan? OK, well, how about two rounds? We've got Rounds 2 and 3 coming up. Let's get it popping, friends! 2024 NFL Draft Info Location: Detroit Dates and rounds:...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pacers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Friday, April 26, 2024

Brook Lopez must make two 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Milwaukee Bucks face the Indiana Pacers on Friday at 5:30 PM ET, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Karl-Anthony Towns Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Suns – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Friday, April 26, 2024

On Friday at 10:30 PM ET, the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Karl-Anthony Towns' 3-pointer prop for this matchup requires two treys.Karl-Anthony Towns' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Kevin Durant Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Friday, April 26, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Kevin Durant needs to make three from downtown on Friday, when his Phoenix Suns play the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Kevin...

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Anthony Edwards Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Suns – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Friday, April 26, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Anthony Edwards must make three from downtown on Friday, when his Minnesota Timberwolves face the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Anthony Edwards'...

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Devin Booker Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Friday, April 26, 2024

Devin Booker needs to make three 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Phoenix Suns meet the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at 10:30 PM ET, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Devin Booker's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Giants vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 26, 2024

The San Francisco Giants (12-14) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-13) on Friday to begin a three-game series, with the first pitch at 10:15 PM ET from Oracle Park. The Giants are listed as -144 favorites, while the underdog Pirates have...

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Another Top 100 With No Cubs, the First Mention of Players Striking, and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular