Arbitration Day, Convention Question Rabble, Cubs Instructs, and Other Bullets

The Little Girl has taken an interest in historical mysteries, and she expects me to regale her with a new one every night. It’s fun as heck, because I love that stuff, but I find myself scrambling to do last-minute research before her bedtime. Last night’s installment: the Eilean Mor Lighthouse Mystery.

  • Today’s focus will very likely be on the arbitration deals shaking out, and we’ll be tracking them here. There’s a small chance of a longer-term extension being announced today, but it’s far more likely that one-year deals will be put in place, and then the Cubs will continue to try to lock down a youngster or two. In the meantime, we may still see rumors aplenty, but I’m not sure how many actual signings will break while teams are focused on getting these arbitration deals finished through the early afternoon.
  • Also, just like last year, with all teams now trial-and-file, you can expect to see two things happening: (1) lower deals than projected for players, in general, because of the time pressure and leverage advantage of teams; and (2) more players than usual wind up going to arbitration. If you missed it yesterday, there’s an excellent read on the arbitration process, and how it is shaping up to be a big new battleground.
  • This looks like it will be very cool:
  • https://twitter.com/ihapp_1/status/1083476160145690629?s=21

  • Speaking of the Cubs Convention, which is one week away, some thoughts on the climate:
  • The Cubs have moved their instructional ball – for the very young prospects – from the end of the season to before Spring Training:
  • The idea is that while it makes the season longer at the front end for the players, maybe they’ll be in a better place to work on and deploy the changes they’ve been instructed upon if their season starts right away after that, rather than a few months later.
  • My dude just wanted to retire as a Cub:
  • A roster note tied to the announcement of the Cubs’ reporting dates:
  • Throwback –  remember when this was going on:
  • This conversation is not going away any time soon:
  • The Cubs’ 6th round pick in 2015 was an extremely-successful, side-arming college reliever, but it didn’t work out for him in the minor leagues. He ascended to AAA in 2017, but didn’t pitch last year, and is now a coach at his alma mater:
  • If you hit a walk-off homer in the playoffs, this is what it should look like:
  • https://twitter.com/LIDOMRD/status/1083595210007986176

  • Heads up to a big sale today at the Cubs shop, plus free shipping:
  • And a heads up that you can get an Echo Dot today for just 25 bucks.
  • written by

    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

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 6, Brewers 5 – May 4, 2024

    Thank goodness for the power today, and the Patrick Wisdom insurance run late. The Cubs needed every bit of it, and the game ended with the tying run on second and lead run on first. Exhale. Jameson Taillon was brilliant,...

    Feeling for Alzolay But Also Needing to Figure It Out and Other Cubs Bullets

    May the Fourth obviously has Star Wars on the brain, which makes me want to watch something Star Wars-y today. The very best thing is probably 'Andor,' but I keep resisting re-watching it until we're MUCH closer to season two...

    Nico Hoerner with the Lead-Off Homer!

    That's how you start the day, my friends. Ni-co, we-go: https://twitter.com/CubsZone/status/1786824886956036172 That's Hoerner's first homer of the year, and hopefully it'll stand up a little better than yesterday's solo homer from Christopher Morel for a 1-0 lead ... https://twitter.com/Taylor_McGregor/status/1786824978710630498

    Cody Bellinger *AND* Seiya Suzuki Might Be Back VERY Soon

    Well isn't that just wonderful news. As the Cubs took the field before today's game for warmups, some positive news dripped out. Jordan Wicks was playing long toss (amazing, love to hear that), Justin Steele was throwing a bullpen (a...

    Matt Mervis Demoted to Triple-A Iowa

    Although this was absolutely warranted, how can you not be disappointed. After a second, golden opportunity to prove that his fantastic Triple-A numbers would translate to the big leagues, Matt Mervis has come up short and is headed back to...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: A New DH

    CUBS LINEUP — I don't disagree - at all - that the Cubs have a bullpen (and specifically, an Adbert Alzolay) problem at the moment. But it's really hard for me to even think about the bullpen when the Cubs...

    HOLY WOW: Marlins Reportedly Trading Luis Arraez to the Padres

    LUIS ARRAEZ TRADED — Never underestimate the aggressiveness of Padres President AJ Preller or the willingness-to-be-awful of the Miami Marlins. Tonight, those two forces came together to deliver - by far - the biggest, early-season trade I can remember. Luis Arraez...

    Final Update: Carlos Zambrano is NOT Pitching in the WBC

    Ah, technology. I have no idea why this post, and it's twin are showing up as posted on New Year's Day, 1970. So we'll let the mystery linger. Finally we get word from Zambrano, himself, that he will not be...

    Final Update: Zambrano Not Pitching in WBC

    Finally we get word from Zambrano, himself, that he will not be pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, despite Venezuela's stated belief that he is. I'd love to find out the details from behind the scenes as to...

    Mark DeRosa is an Indian, Aaron Miles is a Cub

    By now you've heard the twin pieces of news buzzing around the 'net today (aside from the imminent Marquis-to-Rockies deal and the probably-going-to-sign-Milton-Bradley news). Mark DeRosa has been dealt to the Indians for a trio of ho-hum minor league pitching...

    Latest News

    Braves vs. Dodgers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 5, 2024

    Two of the league's top power hitters will meet Sunday when the Atlanta Braves (20-11) and Los Angeles Dodgers (22-13) take the field at 4:10 PM ET, live on BSSE. Marcell Ozuna has nine home runs for the Braves (-135...

    Athletics vs. Marlins Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 5, 2024

    The Oakland Athletics (17-17) will look to Brent Rooker, who is coming off a two-homer game, to lead them in a matchup with the Miami Marlins (9-26) Sunday at 4:07 PM ET on NBCS-CA. The Athletics are -130 favorites for...

    Diamondbacks vs. Padres Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 5, 2024

    The Arizona Diamondbacks (14-20) are favored on the moneyline (-119) in Sunday's contest versus the San Diego Padres (18-18). First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET on SDPA. The Padres, with +154 odds, are favored against the spread (1.5).Arizona's Ryne...

    Reds vs. Orioles Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 5, 2024

    The Baltimore Orioles (22-11) are the underdogs on the moneyline (-106) in Sunday's contest with the Cincinnati Reds (16-17). Game time is set for 4:10 PM ET on MASN2. The Orioles are favored against the spread in this one (1.5)...

    Reds vs. Orioles Probable Starting Pitchers – May 5

    The Cincinnati Reds (16-17) host the Baltimore Orioles (22-11) on Sunday following a streak of four losses. First pitch is at 4:10 PM ET.The Reds will give the nod to Nick Lodolo (3-0) versus the Orioles and Dean Kremer (2-2).Reds...

    Braves vs. Dodgers Probable Starting Pitchers – May 5

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (22-13) enter a matchup against the Atlanta Braves (20-11) on Sunday following a three-game winning streak. The game is set to begin at 4:10 PM ET at Dodger Stadium.The Braves will call on Max Fried (2-0)...

    Athletics vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – May 5

    After winning their past six games, the Oakland Athletics (17-17) host the Miami Marlins (9-26) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Sunday at 4:07 PM ET.The probable starters are Joseph Boyle (2-4) for the Athletics and Sixto Sanchez (0-1) for the...

    Diamondbacks vs. Padres Probable Starting Pitchers – May 5

    The San Diego Padres (18-18) bring a four-game winning streak into a contest against the Arizona Diamondbacks (14-20) at 4:10 PM ET on Sunday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Diamondbacks will send Ryne Nelson (1-2) to the mound,...

    Rays vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 5, 2024

    The Tampa Bay Rays (16-18) hope to complete a three-game sweep of the New York Mets (16-17) when the teams meet at 1:40 PM ET Sunday. The Rays are -126 favorites to keep the Mets out of the win column...

    Rangers vs. Royals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Sunday, May 5, 2024

    Expect the long ball when Adolis Garcia (8 HR) and the Texas Rangers (18-16) take on Salvador Perez (8 HR) and the Kansas City Royals (20-14) at Kauffman Stadium, beginning at 2:10 PM ET live on BSKC. The Rangers are...

    more cubs news