The Shohei Ohtani and Giancarlo Stanton sagas feel like they happened in the blink of an eye compared to this, and those were not the shortest journeys, either. Sigh.
Here’s some news from around the league …
Among the many key contributors to poor pace-of-play is the constant – but arguably necessary – mound visits from catchers switching up signals to combat sign-stealing. And although it may not directly address the non-technology-aided thefts (technology-aided sign-stealing remains illegal in baseball), Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the league is installing new phones in every dugout, which will be “recording and monitoring all discussions with the goal of eliminating sign-stealing conversations.” So now, if a player is stealing signs in the replay room, he’ll have to walk out to the dugout, relay the sign to the runner on second base, who will then signal the hitter at the plate … which is obviously a big obstacle vis a vis just phoning the dugout and letting someone know. Hopefully, this cuts down on sign-stealing and reduces the need for as many mound visits.
Also, I don’t care if non-technology-aided sign-stealing isn’t technically illegal, just don’t do it (and you’re an absolute turd if you’re using watches/phones/tables in the process). I know there’s an incentive to get every edge you can, but how about you just go up there and swing the bat. Talk about not playing the game the way it was intended. Yeesh. Much more at The Athletic. [Brett: Eh, if you can steal signs with nothing but your eyes and brain, and can relay them without interfering with the pace-of-play, I’m fine with it in isolation. But if it’s a primary cause of excessive mound visits, then I suppose we’ve gotta talk about it.]
Before this next bullet, I want to re-state something I said on Twitter the other day, so as not to be misunderstood: In the context of player salary and this free agent ice out, I feel very much pro-labor/pro-players. The revenue split between the owners and salary is probably not where it should be, and that’s a problem that needs to be addressed. HOWEVER, the Players Association had a seat the table when the last CBA was negotiated. Things like the luxury tax threshold and associated penalties, free agent compensation, and the incentives to prioritize young players for cost-control reasons weren’t just thrust upon the players. They made concessions to get other things they wanted, and that’s sorta their fault (at least, the negotiators).
With that in mind, Oakland’s Brandon Moss echoes that sentiment in a very good interview on MLB Network:
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) January 30, 2018
You can’t really blame the teams for playing by the rules that the players helped set up. The way it’s played out sucks – there’s no doubt about it – but I just don’t think it’s fair to say the teams are being unreasonable within the confines of this CBA.
Among the most interesting projections, is impending free-agent A.J. Pollock. After a monster season in 2015 (6.5 WAR, 131 wRC+), Pollock was injured for most of 2016 and had a middling 2017 campaign. If he can repeat anything close to his 2015 success in 2018, he’ll get PAID next year. But if his 2.1 WAR 2017 season is a new expectation, oof. Incredible how quickly he fell off.
While there was really no doubt that Valdimir Guerrero was going to make it into Cooperstown, his *relatively* low WAR total (and a few other statistics) presented interesting criticisms. However, at FanGraphs, Jeff Sullivan explains that different players (and different types of player) add value in different ways. And sometimes scouting the final numbers at the end of someone’s career can be misleading. It’s just an interesting all-around read if you have the time.
And in case you’re wondering, last season, Pham slashed .306/.411/.520 with 23 homers, but in 2018, he’s projected to regress quite a bit: .267/.357/.442, with 21 homers. That’s still a pretty excellent line, but it’s clearly far less than his big breakout. Similarly, Domingo Santana slashed .278/.371/.505 last season, but is projected for just .258/.353/.472 in 2018. Again, very good numbers in isolation, but very big drop offs from a year earlier. And now I’ll ask you, as a Cubs fan, if you could lock in those triple-slashes for both players … would you? You lose the risk of them absolutely falling off, but protect against the potential upside.
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Given Pham’s age at the time of his breakout (29), his .368 BABIP, 51.7 GB%, and 26.1 FB% I would absolutely NOT lock that projection in. I’m guessing he regresses a lot. Santana, 25, on the other hand … he might be ready for another solid season at the plate. Thoughts?
Sticking with the NL Central, Cardinals starter (/prospect) Alex Reyes is eager to get back on the mound after a year of elbow rehabilitation. Reyes burst onto the scene in 2016 and was a threat to dominate in 2017, before going down with Tommy John surgery. But now, he’s healthy and in great shape (dropped about 10-15 pounds on purpose), and could turn into a thorn in the Cubs’ side for much of the season and many years to come. Speaking of which, Cardinals President John Mozeliak has a “soft date” of May 1 for Reyes’ return to the staff, but it’s not yet clear if he’ll start out in the rotation or bullpen. Obviously, Reyes can add value in the pen or rotation, but the latter is where his true upside remains. Hopefully, he’s out as long as possible, and then when he does return, he returns to the bullpen.
Is today your birthday?
If you were born on January 31st, chances are you are pretty good at baseball. pic.twitter.com/ARmrPrQsq3
If you haven’t seen/don’t remember the events that lead to the following collage, trust me and give it a watch. This has got to be one of the most insane and exciting endings to a game I’ve seen in a while. So much madness. So much chaos. So much fun:
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
After missing all of spring training and the start of the season with a back injury, Jameson Taillon returned to the Chicago Cubs rotation yesterday against the Marlins in impressive fashion: 5.0 IP, 3H, 0BB, 4Ks. He looked good, he...
In the top of the seventh inning of today's 8-3 win over the Miami Marlins, Alexander Canario trotted out to left field in place of Ian Happ. At first, we thought (or maybe just hoped) that Craig Counsell was giving...
And just like that the Chicago Cubs are the first team in the NL Central to reach 12 wins! They're not technically in first place yet because the Brewers (11-6) have played fewer games, but we're talking about a matter...
With a lefty Marlins starter on the mound this afternoon, Nico Hoerner lead off today's game for the Chicago Cubs. And he did it in style, ripping a leadoff double to the left-center field wall, before coming into score a...
*The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...
Happy Friday! Well, for everyone except for the pilots who were supposed to be manning the Colorado Rockies flight last week but instead allowed a member of the Rockies coaching staff to hop in the pilot's seat for a fun...
Justin Steele, arguably the single most irreplaceable player on the Chicago Cubs 2024 roster, went down with a hamstring injury just 4.2 innings into his Opening Day start against the Rangers on March 28. In his place, the Cubs sixth...
If you do this job long enough, it's really wild to see the range of topics that can somehow become attached to sports. That is to say, I did not envision myself at some point writing about flight safety, cockpit...
The Iowa Cubs were rained out, but the rest of the farm was in action, and so was Kevin Alcántara, who picked up four hits and now has seven in his last three games as he breaks out of an...
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...
Coming off a three-homer game last time out, Travis d'Arnaud leads the Atlanta Braves (13-5) into action as -157 favorites against the Texas Rangers (11-10). First pitch from Truist Park is set for 7:20 PM ET Saturday, live on BSSW.Charlie...
The Cincinnati Reds (10-9), led by the red-hot Elly De La Cruz and his two-game homer streak, are -127 favorites to pick up a win over the Los Angeles Angels (9-11) Saturday at 6:40 PM ET, live from Great American...
Cedric Mullins (10 games) will look to add to his hitting streak when the Baltimore Orioles (12-7) and Kansas City Royals (13-7) meet Saturday at 7:10 PM ET, live on MASN2 from Kauffman Stadium. Mullins and the Orioles are favored...
The Colorado Rockies (4-15) face the Seattle Mariners (9-10) at 8:10 PM ET on Saturday following a five-game losing streak.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Mariners will send Luis Castillo (0-4) to the mound, while Dakota Hudson (0-3)...
After missing all of spring training and the start of the season with a back injury, Jameson Taillon returned to the Chicago Cubs rotation yesterday against the Marlins in impressive fashion: 5.0 IP, 3H, 0BB, 4Ks. He looked good, he...
The Los Angeles Angels (9-11) play on the road against the Cincinnati Reds (10-9) at Great American Ball Park. The game is set to start at 6:40 PM ET on Saturday.The Reds will call on Graham Ashcraft (2-1) versus the...
The Atlanta Braves (13-5) look to add to a five-game winning streak as they host the Texas Rangers (11-10) at 7:20 PM ET on Saturday.The Braves will look to Charlie Morton (1-0) against the Rangers and Nathan Eovaldi (1-1).Braves vs....
The Baltimore Orioles (12-7) visit Kansas City to face the Kansas City Royals (13-7) at 7:10 PM ET on Saturday.The Orioles will call on Corbin Burnes (2-0) versus the Royals and Cole Ragans (0-1).Orioles vs. Royals Pitcher Matchup and Game...
The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin today. It's the most exciting time of year for 16 cities in the NHL because every one of them -- yes, even the Islanders and Capitals -- have a chance to win it all....
The Cleveland Guardians (14-6) are favorites (-172) on the moneyline when they take on the Oakland Athletics (8-12) Saturday at 6:10 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA.Cleveland's Logan Allen and Oakland's Alex Wood have been named the starters for this contest.Guardians...
NEWSLETTER
