NEWSLETTER
I need a new book. I understand that I’m the problem – I’m extremely picky about what I’m interested in committing to read – but it just seems so hard to find, like, a category to peruse. As I type that, I realize there’s gotta be some site or algorithm out there where I can input books I like, and it’ll spit out recommendations, right?
• Last night, Jeff Passan reported that, in its latest CBA proposal, MLB had requested the ability to reduce the stateside minor league roster cap from 180 players to 150 players (the ability to reduce would also include the ability to expand the roster cap, but that seems unlikely). Updating his report, Passan notes that MLB has sought this before, and the MLBPA has rejected it, which it is expected to do again this time.
Updating: The MLBPA has rejected past offers from MLB that would agree the league can control the number of domestic minor league playing jobs and plans to formally reject the proposal that would allow MLB to cut from 180 per organization to as few as 150. https://t.co/ZkKNE7LhsG
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 15, 2022
• If I had to guess, this request was pushed by a handful of owners/organizations that don’t want to maintain large minor league rosters ($$$), and the rest of the owners compromised to accept it so that other preferred elements could be included. That’s a reminder right there that the owners aren’t all entirely on the same page with every issue, and when you’ve gotta get at least 23 of 30 owner votes on the CBA, there will be negotiating EVEN WITHIN the ownership ranks.
• Meanwhile, the workers and businesses that rely on Spring Training each year – the ones who’ve been crushed by two years of the pandemic – are about to get crushed again because of the lockout:
Time for AZ and FL business owners and workers, gameday employees and fans to get nervous -again. https://t.co/FucfG16Lni
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) February 15, 2022
• A whole lotta fans have foregone making Spring Training plans this year – me included – because there is no certainty about whether there will actually be a big league Spring Training happening when those plans would take place. So that stings for the fans – again, for a third straight year – and it stings for the local businesses and employees.
• Bit of a wild, but real, situation developing for Brewers fans: they can root for their team to reach the World Series this year, or root to keep their rock star president after this season … but probably not both. Turns out, Brewers President David Stearns is signed through 2023, BUT he can opt out if the Brewers reach the World Series in 2022. If that happens, it just seems so obvious that the Mets and Steve Cohen would make Stearns, who grew up in New York as a Mets fan, an offer he could not refuse.
Would you rather win the pennant and have Stearns leave after 2022 or not advance to WS and have him for 2022 and 2023? For what it’s worth, Brewers wont discuss employee contracts and despite requests, this instance has been no different. https://t.co/QTFhvAEtDC
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) February 14, 2022
• I’m assuming Brewers fans would choose the World Series? That’s roughly a 50/50 shot at a championship, and it’s not a *guarantee* that Stearns would leave (he almost certainly would, though), or that his replacement wouldn’t be just as successful. I mean, the whole point of having a rockstar president is to get you to the World Series in the first place. Am I off base on this?
• Check out the logo for Dominic Smith’s high school team, the Cavs:
Lol what the? pic.twitter.com/xt87hffNmi
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) February 14, 2022
• Future Cub, confirmed. I joke, but the Mets really might deal Smith after the lockout ends, given their positional glut on guys who are mostly bat-only and their desire to add another starting pitcher. Not sure the Cubs could really help them on that front, but I do really like Smith’s potential as a buy-low candidate coming off a really down 2021 (but with huge signs of breakout potential in 2019-20, and he’s just 26).
• A heads up, Illinois, because it’s finally coming back:
HEADS UP ILLINOIS FOLKS!
Mobile registration for sports betting FINALLY RETURNS March 5. You can get a $100 pre-registration bonus at FanDuel before launch just by signing up now: https://t.co/Szh3JSLYl6— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 15, 2022
• Well this is cool:
Chicago Cubs
art by David O'Keefe pic.twitter.com/BkFGtHQrXz
— OldTimeHardball (@OleTimeHardball) February 14, 2022
• Matt Harvey is due to testify today in the trial about the death of Tyler Skaggs, and it will probably be ugly:
My wrap-up of an eventful day in court in the trial over Tyler Skaggs’ death. And Matt Harvey will be taking the stand tomorrow. https://t.co/oJkZyF8syb
— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) February 15, 2022
• The Blackhawks are getting trade interest, but are hesitant (probably doesn’t help not to have your full-time GM in place):
REPORT: Blackhawks Have Received Big Offers for Brandon Hagel, But Don’t Want to Trade Himhttps://t.co/HbUd3ZXRDs pic.twitter.com/UyjVJmcoVK
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) February 14, 2022
• DeMar DeRozan is out of his mind right now:
DeMar DeRozan tonight: 40 PTS, 7 AST, 3 REB… AND:
• 7th straight 30+ point game.
• 6th straight 35+ point game.
• 19 PTS in the 4th
• Third 40+ point game in his last 13 games.
• 37.5 PTS, 6.0 REB, 5.5 AST over his last 7 games.#BullsNation pic.twitter.com/GlnlA4BmmP— Patrick K. Flowers (@PatrickKFlowers) February 15, 2022
DeMar DeRozan’s last 7 games:
31pts
45pts
38pts
36pts
35pts
38pts
40ptsNot only playing some of the best basketball of his career, but playing some of the best basketball in the NBA.
He’s a true MVP candidate, and it’s been truly special to watch.
— Elias Schuster (@Schuster_Elias) February 15, 2022
