So, am I the only one who grew up playing checkers where kings can jump their own pieces? Apparently that’s not a legit rule, but it makes the game SO much more strategic if you’ve gotta be wary of your opponent setting up his own pieces so he can double jump you. I was taught that way, and I taught The Little Girl that way. So when she tried to pull the move on The Wife and was told it was not legit, she lost her mind and threw me under the bus (appropriately). Again: am I the only one who grew up playing that way?

• Well dang. Anthony Bass is moving on, having signed a minor league deal with the Reds. The 31-year-old righty was very effective in middle relief for the Cubs over 15.1 IP last year (2.93 ERA, even better peripherals), and I really would have liked to see him return on a minor league deal. He must have felt his chances are better in Cincinnati to see big league action, but right now? I’m sure that’s a safe bet.
• MLB named its top defensive play for each team in 2018, and it was always a safe bet that the honor would go to Javy Baez, but on which play? There are so many options. This is the one they chose:

• Fair by me, and you pretty much can’t go wrong with an El Mago play. You could argue for Addison Russell’s literal jaw-dropping play late in the year against the Brewers, but with his suspension and the circumstances that precipitated it, I don’t feel like making the argument myself.
• Cubs.com beat writer Jordan Bastian answers a variety of questions (and ain’t havin’ none of your batting average citations), including what Joe Maddon’s “new” more-hands-on role is going to look like. Among the things Maddon expects to be doing is working more closely with his new, younger coaches: “I’m really into coaching the coaches. With the young coaches, that’s something also that I think is going to be important to get back into that. The best way I could describe it, I’ve pretty much put my Minor League hat back on, which I really love to do. The developmental component. The instructional league component. Try to challenge myself on that level. And again, it’s kind of fun to think about it.”
• Michael, sans tie, was on the Sports Feed last night offering knowledge:

Are the last two years in MLB free agency a trend that could continue? @Michael_Cerami discussed that & more on the Cubs' offseason during his latest appearance on Sports Feed Sunday with @Josh_Frydman. Watch the segments here: https://t.co/D1RY1aaxhz pic.twitter.com/pcySzfvKxc

— @CLTVSportsFeed (@CLTVSportsFeed) December 31, 2018

• Don’t sleep on Alec Mills (not just for this tweet, mind you, but this is in there):

Alec Mills threw 38 change ups to big league RHH in 2018:

– 11 were balls
– 2 were called strikes
– 14 foul balls
– 9 drew whiffs
– 2, just two, were put in play. Both outs.

The slider had similar success. His rep needs recalibration. Might not have velo, does have stuff.

— Cubs Prospects (@cubprospects) December 31, 2018

• Congrats to the Rizzos:

Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes, it was a magical day. Happy New Year from The Rizzo’s. 🥂🍾 pic.twitter.com/YzLpaWo9O2

— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) December 31, 2018

• Even more nasty sliders, including the World Series finisher from Chris Sale:

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1079722725369888769

• DA BEARS are hosing a playoff game this weekend and I am over the moon:

Still wrapping my head around the fact that the Bears finished the season 12-4. TWELVE AND F***ING FOUR.

We believed they could win 10, especially after the Mack trade. But man alive. This regular season was incredible.

Now: NEXT.

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 31, 2018

It’s Happening: Bears to Host the Eagles in the First Round of the Playoffs https://t.co/NpR7tWsyG9 pic.twitter.com/eryE6cGYam

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) December 31, 2018