Robo Umps Coming in Spring Training, Wrigley North, Javy the Star, and Other Cubs Bullets

My computer is always lousy with tabs, which eventually cause a whole lot of drain on system and browser resources. But I just can’t quit my tab habit. So I’m trying out this Chrome extension – The Great Suspender – which “suspends” your tabs if you haven’t used them in the last X hours. It seems to be working as it’s supposed to, because I’ve got about 10 suspended tabs up there, theoretically NOT using resources at the moment, but I also don’t have to go anywhere else to find them – they’re still right up there when I want to finally access them. Like, for example, to put these Bullets together …

  • Per the Commissioner, we’re going to see our first flashes of the electronic strike zone in a few weeks:
  • I presume the system will be utilized for data-gathering purposes, since the stakes in Spring Training are limited. The system is expected to be deployed in some parts of the minor leagues this year, and the best guess on big league timeline is 2022, when the new CBA kicks in. But obviously it could come sooner than that if there aren’t serious kinks to work out and if the players are on board. The umpires have already said they won’t fight it. I’m definitely curious to see how it looks in Spring Training.
  • As expected, Miller Park is changing its name, but incredibly, they are not going by the name everyone knows:
  • American Family Field will have its first season in 2021, and Miller Park will get its retirement tour this season. Not that any self-respecting Cubs fan will call it anything other than Wrigley North.
  • At the Houston Sports Awards, which honored him and Alex Bregman, Astros owner (and current GM!) Jim Crane tried to speak for the players who didn’t say anything useful or contrite this past weekend about the sign-stealing scandal:
  • It’s kind of amazing that the plan is to get them together for a PR lesson, craft a statement they can all adopt, and then hope it goes away. Nah. Without actual human candor, it’s all just gonna linger throughout the season (as it probably should).
  • By this argument, aren’t you being a GOOD teammate to your CURRENT teammates by stopping some other teams from having an unfair, cheating advantage:
  • Meanwhile, I’m dead:
  • https://twitter.com/amanda522/status/1219820660479926273

  • New Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna is probably much worse defensively than some of the advance metrics suggest:
  • Good stuff here, even if it remains such a black eye for professional baseball:
  • A reminder that Theo Epstein said this weekend that the Cubs care about minor league wages, and the Blue Jays’ across-the-board raise last year got their attention: “Stay tuned … we are working on it. Keep your ear to the ground for a change in policy.”
  • Javy, the superstar:
  • Extend that Magician.
  • Amazon’s Fire tablets are on sale today, looking like 30% off. #ad
  • If you want a deeper look at minor league Rule 5 selection Jerrick Suiter, and why the Cubs are converting him to the mound:
  • We finally dropped a new podcast episode (we had been waiting on the Cubs to do something … lol):
  • 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

    Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

    The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

    Blake Snell’s Reasonable Price Tag? Why Jordan Montgomery Might Wait a Little Longer?

    A couple updates on the top remaining - yup, still - free agent starting pitchers, lefties Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery. Although rumors picked up on Snell and the Astros late last week, no signing news dropped. It was surprising,...

    Garrett Crochet Will Start on Opening Day for the White Sox, Marking an Extreme Rarity

    We don't cover the White Sox around here in a particularly close way - maybe a touch more than other non-NL-Central clubs because of the intracity interest - but this was surprising and interesting enough for me to note. The...

    Chicago Cubs Shortstop Prospect Jefferson Rojas Wants to Be Javy Báez

    I haven’t exactly made it a secret that Jefferson Rojas is one of my favorite prospects in the Chicago Cubs’ farm system. After debuting in the DSL at 17, Rojas skipped complex ball and wound up at Low-A Myrtle Beach...

    Taillon Throwing and a Roster Benefit, Amaya Catching, Friedl Wrist, Williams, Alonso, and Other Cubs Bullets

    You know, if Seiya really rakes, and Cody hits again, and if Nico and Happ get on base a ton and Busch turns out to be a stud, and if Dansby is above average and Amaya breaks out and Morel...

    Spring Training Miscellany: Celebrate With a Green Beer, Happ Returns, Assad Solid, Cubs Win

    The Cubs won their St. Patrick's Day game over the Rangers 8-6 today, and it's time to tip back a green one in celebration ... About what you'd want to see from Javier Assad today as he continues to stretch...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ is Back!

    *SHORT COURTS: It's Time To Bring The Home Court, Home! Looking for a unique way to celebrate your athlete or team before you peruse this Chicago Cubs lineup? Don't miss out! For a limited time only, RECEIVE 10% OFF your...

    The Third Cut Includes Mervis, Four Others

    (Hear the song in your mind - it still fits!) The Chicago Cubs made their next set of cuts from big league camp today, sending out five players who were generally not expected to make the Opening Day roster. The...

    Spring Leaders, Key Injuries, Rays Payroll, Luck of the Irish, and Other Cubs Bullets

    A mighty fine St. Patrick's Day to you all. Although I've got a good bit of Irish in my blood, it's never been something I've connected to all that much. You can't really force it, but I kinda want to...

    Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs Sweep the Split-Squad Day

    It was a split-squad day for the Cubs today, and they won both by a total of two runs. It was 4-3 over the Angels and 8-7 over the Royals. The only teams with a better spring record than the...

    Latest News

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are underdogs (+7) as they try to build on a three-game win streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) at 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The game airs on...

    Mavericks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    Southwest Division opponents square off when the Dallas Mavericks (39-29) visit the San Antonio Spurs (15-53) at AT&T Center, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The Mavericks are 8.5-point favorites in the game, the fourth...

    Pelicans vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Brooklyn Nets (26-42) will try to break a three-game losing streak when they host the New Orleans Pelicans (41-26) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Barclays Center as 8.5-point underdogs. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM ET on YES....

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are 7-point underdogs as they try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The contest airs at 9:00 PM ET on NBA....

    Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Vancouver Canucks are -198 favorites over the Buffalo Sabres (+164) playing on home ice on Tuesday at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Canucks (-198)Underdog: Sabres (+164)Total: 6Best Canucks vs. Sabres Promo Codes[lasso type="table" id="1"]How to...

    OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

    Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

    De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

    Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

    Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

    more cubs news