As Brett reminded us just after the benches cleared on Saturday, the Cubs and Reds have a recent history of tumult, much of which revolves around Reds reliever Amir Garrett and Cubs shortstop Javy Báez. Those feelings crescendoed on Saturday, after Garrett struck out Anthony Rizzo, which resulted in both benches clearing (here are Báez’s comments on why he did what he did, if you’re interested).
In any case, we knew this interaction was going to result in discipline for both sides, which it now has, but the Cubs – and Báez – were pretty lucky to miss the worst of it.
MLB suspends Amir Garrett 7 games for "inciting a benches-clearing incident" vs. Cubs on Saturday.
Javy Báez received an undisclosed fine for "his role in the on-field incident."
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) May 4, 2021
Do I think 7 games is a bit much? Uh, yeah, I do. Aroldis Chapman got a LOT less for throwing at a guy’s head. But I suspect the league is still especially sensitive to COVID-related concerns of the benches clearing, and this also isn’t Garrett’s first incident. He’ll appeal it, the league will bring it down to something less than 7 games, and that’ll be that.
As for Baez, I’m actually pleasantly surprised he didn’t get even a one-game suspension *considering that Garrett got 7 freakin’ games*. I don’t want to see him suspended and I don’t think he should be, but the punishments don’t exactly match there. I’m not complaining. Baez will pay a fine (or he’ll appeal and pay less of a fine), we’ll never know what the amounts were and that’ll be that.