I hate shaving, and I also hate having a beard. I wish I could just convince my face that it doesn’t need any hair, and stop growing it.
• With Jordan Nwogu signed, the Cubs now have their full class inked:
Cubs have signed all 5 2020 draft picks.
Armed with a $6,721,600 bonus pool, Cubs spent a total of $6,871,300. The overage of $149,700 will be taxed, but no additional penalties will occur.
3 came in at slot (Howard, Nwogu, Little), one above (Moreno) and one below (Carraway).
— Cubs Prospects – Bryan Smith (@cubprospects) July 21, 2020
• As has always been the case with this front office, they use their full pool and then some, even in an abbreviated draft, which allowed them to pick up a high school arm (Koen Moreno) who slid to the fifth round and required a well-above-slot bonus to sign. Going over your pool, up to 5%, is subject only to a tax on the overage (beyond 5%, you lose draft picks). So it is always smart, from a baseball perspective, to be willing to spend a little extra money in the draft. I’m glad the Cubs do it every year.
• Fun fact, though: because the draft was so massively shrunk this year, the Cubs spent nearly as much to sign just Kris Bryant seven years ago ($6.7 million) as they spent on this year’s entire draft class.
• Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger, like the biz ops groups in many organizations, is holding out hope that some fans will be permitted at Miller Park at some point this year (Milwaukee Mag). And he adds, specifically, that the loss of *Cubs fans* is hurting the Brewers. “I hate to say this, but we are missing all those Cubs fans from Illinois who fill this ballpark and create a great rivalry,” Schlesinger said. “The reality is this is a temporary situation and we believe, long term, that the economic engine that is Miller Park will be revved up. If we can’t have fans this year, we’ll pivot and talk about how we get fans in 2021.” All those efforts to keep Cubs fans out via Wisconin-only pre-sales and the like? Not only do they not work, but the Brewers know they need Cubs fans to help the business. Which is totally fine. Just want to be on the same page here.
• Speaking of attendance at games, the Cubs are also hoping it becomes possible at Wrigley Field at some point – perhaps the 20% capacity permitted by the State of Illinois (but not yet permitted by the City of Chicago) – and they’re working with a technology company to figure out the social distancing aspect.
• Kris Bryant, kinda good:
Kris Bryant's early career has been EPIC
Among 3B*, only one player has at least a .280 BA, .900 OPS, and 135 HR in his first 5 seasons in MLB.
KRIS BRYANT
*Played at least 55% of games at 3B pic.twitter.com/nPJuGGay0u
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) July 22, 2020
• More Anthony Rizzo BP:
Found this guy hanging out in the bleachers.
We think he's got a bright future. pic.twitter.com/7zwnf9i9N5
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 21, 2020
• If he wakes up feeling OK through the day (back), Rizzo is expected to start at first base tonight for the Cubs in their final exhibition game, which is at 6pm CT at Wrigley Field against the Twins.
• Sunglasses, air fryers, pens, and more are your Deals of the Day at Amazon. Also, the Echo Plus is on a huge sale, too. #ad
• People forget that:
https://twitter.com/WheelofFortune/status/1285357570559885312
• A Chicago campaign features prominent Chicago athletes (and mascots) donning a mask:
A new campaign from @chicagosmayor features Kris Bryant masked up. #WearAMask pic.twitter.com/v1VmysF98B
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) July 21, 2020