NEWSLETTER
The Little Boy’s birthday is coming later this month, so we’re taking an early birthday boys trip this weekend. Terrible food, too much TV, video games, staying up late – he’s gonna be in heaven. And I’m not complaining …
• With big league camps already delayed, and no certainty about when they’ll get underway, and with the minor league seasons starting the first week of April, when it’s possible the lockout will still be going on, I think a lot about the prospects that are getting screwed. Recall, anyone on a 40-man roster cannot participate in anything whatsoever affiliated with an MLB organization. So that means prospects on the 40-man can’t do minor league spring training. They can’t do minor league games. They can’t talk to the organization about offseason training plans. They can’t work with the organization on health and nutrition work. They can’t even advise them about soreness or discomfort they’re feeling when they throw or swing. It’s a nightmare for them.
• The group of impacted Cubs prospects:
The Cubs have a real decent number of prospects on the 40-man roster. Obviously way more than in past years:
Amaya, Rivas, Morel, Canario, Velazquez, Deichmann, Abbott, Espinoza, Marquez, Roberts, Rodriguez, Rucker, Vizcaino https://t.co/LqjEmmaxmp
— Greg Huss (@OutOfTheVines) February 17, 2022
• It’s not hard to imagine how some of these guys could be seriously negatively impacted – the hitters all could miss the time when they can face live, professional pitching in advance of the season. A guy like Miguel Amaya who is trying to rehab from Tommy John surgery won’t get support. Anderson Espinoza is trying to put together a full season after so many years of missed time. Brailyn Marquez is trying to get into a physical place where he can be at his best for the first time in three years. Alexander Vizcaino has thrown 20 innings since 2019. I just hate this for all of them.
• (And, yes, a quick eyeball of – for example – the Brewers and Cardinals 40-man rosters indicates that they don’t have nearly the same volume of true, still-far-away prospects on their 40-man.)
• At least for non-40-man prospects, it’s business as usual. Their spring training starts in under two weeks.
• Another way to look at how ridiculous the league’s position on the luxury tax – no real increase, and harsher penalties – has been:
The feeling from players is MLB has to get serious with raising the base tax threshold in a big way (and reducing penalties) or stalemate continues. Both sides are dug in on this issue right now. Players moved $3 million in the previous offer. $0 today. https://t.co/q7EJls49tm pic.twitter.com/aevUhNHvBj
— Travis Sawchik (@Travis_Sawchik) February 17, 2022
• The embedded image might cut off for some of you, but there are revenue projections for 2022 and beyond, with growth continuing to dramatically outpace the increases in the base luxury tax threshold.
• The former Angels employee who had allegedly supplied players with drugs has been found guilty in connection with the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs:
Breaking News: Eric Kay, a former communications director for the Los Angeles Angels, was found guilty of providing pitcher Tyler Skaggs with the fentanyl that led to his death. https://t.co/MeTyEAtURq
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 17, 2022
• It’s funny, because he literally has:
I’m pretty sure I’ve had at bats longer than this meeting… https://t.co/fruWuAcjG7
— luis guillorme (@lguillorme13) February 17, 2022
• 18 years ago today, Greg Maddux came back to the Cubs. By then 38, Maddux was still a useful pitcher in the rotation for two and a half seasons with the Cubs before he was traded to the Dodgers at the deadline in 2006.
• These are just delightful videos:
Ichiro & Shohei. pic.twitter.com/SCz6uqdhHB
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 17, 2022
• What a picture:
⏪1971 @Cubs legend, Ernie Banks (nicknamed Mr. Cub) was a CTA board member from 1969 to 1981.
The sign pictured was used on the North-South Route and was double-sided, with readings for the Cubs and Sox ballparks, since the route passed both.#BHM #FromTheArchives pic.twitter.com/WGnLuozh5z
— cta (@cta) February 18, 2022
• The lockout might be getting to Jeff Passan:
JEFF THOSE MEN HAVE FAMILIES @JeffPassan @thekapman @JesseRogersESPN pic.twitter.com/B70fDnnlT1
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) February 17, 2022
• Just some good old fashioned fun right there:
LOL: A Ref at the Hawks Game Just Got Caught on a Hot Michttps://t.co/zjZ6Opnj6u pic.twitter.com/goAHM9EpVN
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) February 18, 2022
• Don’t forget, mobile sportsbook registration is finally returning to Illinois in two weeks. You can pre-register here at FanDuel for an extra $100 bonus, just for signing up.
