NEWSLETTER
For those of you in New York, if you’re thinking about doing the sports betting thing, make sure you check out the pre-registration bonuses from DraftKings here and from FanDuel here. You get a $100 bonus just for signing up (and you still get all the usual new user bonuses after that), but the offer goes away when sports betting goes live in the state on Saturday morning. So it’s kinda today or bust on that. Full details on DraftKings here, on FanDuel here.
• It sounds like the A-Rodcast is coming to ESPN, as we previously discussed here. The NY Post reports that Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay would join Alex Rodriguez for the alternate broadcast a little less than half of the Sunday nights in the baseball season (so it’d be only about 10 to 12 shows total). And then the regular Sunday Night Baseball crew will be Karl Ravech on play by play, and David Cone and Eduardo Perez would be the color guys. I could see that crew being a good step up from the last few years, and – I’m in the minority, I know! – I can conceive of a version of the A-Rodcast that doesn’t suck. He was legitimately good for a long time when he was just doing in-studio stuff, and maybe an alternate broadcast would be closer to that? I’m willing to be open-minded.
• Instant update – ESPN just made it official:
⚾️ESPN Sunday Night Baseball update cont…
ESPN's newest, unique alternate presentation: "Sunday Night Baseball with Kay-Rod" to air 8 Sundays on ESPN2
World Series Champ & 3x MVP @AROD joins @RealMichaelKay
Telecasts to integrate fantasy baseball, analytics, special guests https://t.co/EdOAj74lD3
— Ben Cafardo (@Ben_ESPN) January 7, 2022
• Yu Darvish projects for a bounce back in 2022 in a number of ways, according to Eno Sarris’s dive into the metrics. (Cubs should get him back in a deal where the Padres have to send a prospect along with him just to get rid of the contract … )
• Speaking of which, the Padres ZiPS are out, and for as rough as their second half was, the team still projects to have a whole lot of talent in 2022. They could use another outfielder, but that’s about it. Darvish projects as only a little bit better than average overall, by the way. And in further confirmation that you’d have to receive a huge prospect (or package) in order to take on Eric Hosmer’s deal (as the Cubs have discussed), here’s how Hosmer projects in 2022: .257/.316/.387, 93 OPS+, 0.5 WAR. If you were targeting prospects in a deal like that, you’d really have to be OK with the idea that you might just have to release Hosmer and eat that money before even 2022 is complete.
• Some thoughts on LOUD-ness:
Since we're thinking about it anyway: pic.twitter.com/kMF9CVuf3j
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) January 7, 2022
Hmmm. Was there for both, and perspective matters. Right Field bleachers for Wood’s bomb was bedlam. But under the overhang for Miggy’s GS was terrifying. Acoustics make me say Miggy.
— M@ (@MattSpiegel670) January 6, 2022
Easy for me. It was Javy Báez's RBI single in the 9th inning of Game 4 of the 2016 NLDS against the Giants. Gave the Cubs the lead, completing that crazy comeback, and I couldn't help but run around and scream. Woke up the family. Not terribly sorry … https://t.co/MRiiIlj41N
— Brett Taylor (@Brett_A_Taylor) January 7, 2022
• Former Mets GM Zack Scott was formally acquitted in his DWI trial, based primarily on body camera footage that the judge determined could not show he actually failed the field sobriety tests conducted on the highway where Scott was found possibly sleeping in his car at 4 am. It’s not clear what his future holds after having been dismissed by the Mets, but I would think an acquittal could clear him up to get a job in another front office.
Statement from Zack Scott: pic.twitter.com/N5uZFFl9ZS
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) January 6, 2022
• Just offering the thought that many others have had already:
There's a reason so many folks are saying Theo Epstein. Not sure he wants the job, but I can't think of anyone quite as adept at understanding the game, the sport, the business at the level he does, while communicating with and about all the interested parties so well. https://t.co/mQuY7EMvgC
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) January 7, 2022
• The Athletic has been bought by the New York Times, which has said it intends to keep operating The Athletic separately for now:
Excited about the news that @TheAthletic has been purchased by The NY Times.
I know you have lots of questions. We do too.
One that’s been answered: The Athletic will continue to operate independently.
So I look forward to doing what I love most – telling great, fun stories.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) January 6, 2022
For those of us at The Athletic, it is an exciting, emotional day. We are all thrilled to join the New York Times Company. A big thank you to the subscribers who believed in us, and to our founders, Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann, who started this company only six years ago.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 6, 2022
• Things are getting bad for the Blackhawks:
Blackhawks Players Held “Closed Door Meeting” Following 6-4 Loss To Coyoteshttps://t.co/a7MgGhJead pic.twitter.com/a0Q9Ol3GAI
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) January 7, 2022
• Things are staying fun for the Bulls:
Ayo Dosunmu Officially Got His Illini Jersey in the Rafters (And DeMar Was There to See It!) https://t.co/qGnAKKWJW7
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) January 7, 2022
• And things are hopefully changing for the Bears:
Bears Reportedly Could Redefine Ted Phillips' Role, Which Could Help Kick-Start Much Needed Changes – https://t.co/bJBhh1yi6l pic.twitter.com/k1OeL1yxYq
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) January 7, 2022
