Baseball’s Turn, The In-Between Feeling, Pirates Sign Grandal, Duran, Yamamoto, Suzuki, and Other Cubs Bullets

For three-ish quarters, that was an ugly, sloppy, kinda boring game. The NFL scriptwriters got it right, though, because that made the fourth quarter and overtime all the more surprising and thrilling. Good game. Good time. And now IT’S BASEBALL SEASON.

  • … er, well, mostly. That’s kind of the line we always use as soon as the Super Bowl ends, because it always comes right before Spring Training starts. But for the Cubs, thanks to an offseason that has played out in especially protracted fashion, it’s still really hard to feel that “IT’S BASEBALL SEASON” energy. The Cubs still need another bat, and the best fit is still out there in Cody Bellinger. It sucks that the feeling of baseball’s arrival is forestalled for a lot of us, but I also have to keep reminding myself that there’s no good reason to assume Bellinger – or any of the remaining major free agents – is going to sign this week just to get a deal done for the “start” of Spring Training. This staring contest will almost certainly last much longer.
  • Which means we just have to deal with the weird half-feeling of baseball arriving without the offseason having been complete. I’ll keep on hoping for a Cody Bellinger re-signing sooner rather than later, and also perhaps an “opportunistic” pitcher signing (starter or bullpen would be fine and could be accommodated).
  • I really like this way of putting things, from the guys at The Athletic: “Depending on your perspective, the Cubs are either demonstrating prudence or lacking conviction. There are times when the Cubs appear to be focused on the best deals more than the best players, though their roster has enough question marks that they should be involved in all kinds of conversations. Staying in touch with agents, reading the markets and making a compelling offer before the deadline is how the Cubs signed Imanaga to a four-year, $53 million contract. Hiring Counsell and firing David Ross was a jaw-dropping moment that showed the Cubs can make big things happen. Having this much talent still left on the free-agent market — after failing to make the playoffs — is another opportunity that shouldn’t be wasted.”
  • None of that means the Cubs should materially damage future seasons by going crazy and signing all four Scott Boras clients right now, and it also doesn’t mean these guys will all sign deals that I’d have wanted the Cubs to do. But until they sign, they are sitting right there to be added to this roster and improve the Cubs’ chances of winning AN EXTREMELY WINNABLE NL Central. We’ll see what kind of contracts these guys get and when they get them. But if even one of Bellinger, Chapman, Montgomery, or Snell signs an extremely reasonable contract, and the Cubs get none of them, then it’ll be fair to be deeply frustrated about an opportunity missed. I get that this free agent class was really not great overall. But this February 12th class of free agents? Pretty freaking loaded for February.
  • It’s a ‘C’ for now, which sounds generous, but is probably about right if you include Craig Counsell as one of the moves:
  • Sign Cody Bellinger and Ryne Stanek, and this offseason for the Cubs becomes a pretty clear ‘B’ or ‘B+’ for me.
  • The Pirates are bringing in formerly-excellent catcher Yasmani Grandal:
  • Grandal, 35, has been pretty awful the last two years (offensively and defensively), and while that doesn’t assure awfulness in 2024, history hasn’t been kind to catchers in their 30s who’ve shown signs of decline. You’ll recall that the Pirates lost prospect Endy Rodriguez for the year due to a winter ball injury, so they had an extra need behind the plate. That said, I’m not sure Grandal is much of an improvement over the Jason Delay/Henry Davis combo the Pirates could’ve otherwise been running out there. Is the Grandal move a further indication that the Pirates just don’t see Davis – a former first overall pick – being a catcher in the big leagues?
  • Jarren Duran would be a very on-point addition for the Padres (apparently there are some trade rumors there between the Padres and Red Sox), because they (1) have no money left, and (2) have literally two outfielders on the 40-man roster. What would be very interesting, though, is what would happen after the Red Sox trade away their presumptive center fielder. Maybe they decide to go with a young guy like Wilyer Abreu or Ceddanne Rafaela, or maybe they decide to spend some real money on the best center fielder on the market. Gulp.
  • Apparently Yoshinobu Yamamoto is already impressing in Dodgers camp (NY Post): “Even in Yamamoto’s first bullpen session on Friday, Dodgers officials were stoked by the easy 95-96 mph fastball. The depth on his off-speed offerings had them holding two hands apart to emphasize the drop. Plus, a breaking ball ‘that seems to speed up as it approaches the plate,’ (Dodgers GM Brandon) Gomes said. All with pinpoint location.”
  • Yeah, he looks like a football player:
  • Seiya Suzuki is in Arizona, and he is running:
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    The Cubs Walk It Off on a Weird Play at the Plate!

    Whew. That game was kinda dumb, but I tell you, the ending sure was fun. And also weird! So, to set the stage, the Pirates and Cubs' offenses could do nothing all day long. The game was still 0-0 in...

    Brennen Davis FREAKING DID IT AGAIN! AND THEN HE DID IT AGAIN AFTER THAT!

    This guy. What do I even say? I was already kinda buzzy when Brennen Davis homered again - a grand slam - for the fifth time in six games, and sixth time in eight games. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. https://twitter.com/IowaCubs/status/1791967453888598441 Truly...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 1, Pirates 0 – May 18, 2024

    What matters most is that the Cubs won the game. And it was a fun ending, too. So I'm happy. But I also do feel a little frustrated - or concerned might be the better word - as I'm sure...

    Pre-Gamin’: Pirates at Cubs (1:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — Losing to the Braves (and then Jared Jones and Paul Skenes), when you have 10 people on the IL, including your entire middle infield, is not really that concerning to me. It sucks and banking losses is...

    REPORT: Cubs Trade Richard Lovelady to the Rays

    When the Chicago Cubs traded Jake Slaughter to the Seattle Mariners for reliever Tyson Miller, they needed to open a spot on both the active roster and the 40-man roster. They did that in one move by designating reliever Richard...

    Cubs Set a Target Date for Dansby Swanson’s Return, Daniel Palencia Also On His Way

    First, a quick update I kept out of the headline: Nico Hoerner is not in the Cubs lineup today, as he continues to deal with left hamstring tightness. The Cubs have now blown past the maximum IL backdate optimization, which...

    Hendricks Will Get More Chances, Many Injury Updates, A Possible New Scandal, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Sports Saturday around the Taylor household, so it's time to run all over to soccer fields and baseball fields and dance centers. First, Cubs Bullets ... Kyle Hendricks may not have made a load of terrible pitches in yesterday's game...

    Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 9, Cubs 3 – May 17, 2024

    For six hitless, profoundly dominant innings, Paul Skenes today looked like the best pitching prospect I've seen since maybe Stephen Strasburg. The other two who came to mind as I watched were Matt Harvey and Jose Fernandez. Those three, when...

    MLBits: Elly De La Cruz Continues to Electrify, Yanks Want Soto for Long Haul, More

    Elly De La Cruz continues to dazzle and the Yankees want Juan Soto in New York for the rest of his career. That and more in today's MLB Notes! Elly De La Cruz's Four Steal Night Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly...

    Cubs Farm Report | May 17, 2024: I-Cubs’ Homer Party Helps Cade Horton Get His First Triple-A Win

    The Iowa Cubs mashed four home runs and scored 10 runs, as Cade Horton made his best start at Triple-A on Thursday. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | May 17, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs...

    Latest News

    Braves vs. Padres: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Sunday, Bryce Elder will start for the Atlanta Braves (26-15) against Yu Darvish and the San Diego Padres (23-24), with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at Truist Park.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for...

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: Western Conference Semifinals Game 7 – Sunday, May 19, 2024

    The Denver Nuggets are 5-point favorites heading into a decisive Game 7 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena on Sunday, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on TNT. The series is...

    Washington Mystics vs. Seattle Storm: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Washington Mystics (0-2) take the court against the Seattle Storm (0-2) on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET on Monumental, FOX13+, and Prime Video.Watch the WNBA all season long on Fubo!How to Watch Mystics vs. StormGame Day:...

    Mystics vs Storm Prediction: Picks, Live Odds & Moneyline – May 19

    The Seattle Storm (0-2) face the Washington Mystics (0-2) at St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena on Sunday, May 19, 2024. The game tips at 3:00 PM ET on Monumental, FOX13+, and Prime Video.Mystics vs. Storm Prediction & OddsFavorite:...

    Dodgers vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (31-17) host Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (19-27) on Sunday, with first pitch at 4:10 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Los Angeles-Cincinnati matchup below.When is Dodgers vs. Reds...

    Diamondbacks vs. Tigers: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Riley Greene and the Detroit Tigers (23-22) visit the Arizona Diamondbacks (21-25) on Sunday, with first pitch at 4:10 PM ET, and the Tigers aiming for a series sweep.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Detroit matchup in...

    How to Watch Red Sox vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

    Jarren Duran and the Boston Red Sox (22-24) visit Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (20-25) on Sunday, with first pitch at 1:05 PM ET.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Boston-St. Louis matchup below.When is Red...

    How to Watch Royals vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

    The Kansas City Royals (28-19), who will give the start to Brady Singer, host the Oakland Athletics (19-29) with JP Sears on the hill, Sunday at 2:10 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch...

    Astros vs. Brewers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Sunday, Spencer Arrighetti will start for the Houston Astros (20-26) versus Colin Rea and the Milwaukee Brewers (27-18), with first pitch scheduled for 2:10 PM ET at Minute Maid Park.Keep reading to find out all the details on how...

    Rangers vs. Angels: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Texas Rangers (24-23), led by Marcus Semien, host Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (17-29) at 2:35 PM ET on Sunday in the rubber match of the series.See how to watch the Texas-Los Angeles matchup below.When is Rangers...

    more cubs news