Still thinking about how the Bears haven’t even trailed for a second in a game since Caleb Williams came back. It makes me feel better when I start to instead think about the latest round of MLB labor unease …
- Let me say this after a day to reflect on that latest MLB owner proposal. I stand by my cynicism that nothing meaningful will happen in the bargaining while a cap/floor system is still in the offers (or while the players say unequivocally that they will not discuss a cap whatsoever), but I suppose I do appreciate that there were some additional moves. Not a enough of them and not far enough for me to have optimism that a deal can be struck to avoid a lockout entirely, and there were plenty of little loopholes when you drill down on the details. But at least it’s dialogue a month out from the expiration of the CBA. Maybe if things keep up like that this month, then *MAYBE* a deal in, say, February or March is more possible.
- I do think it’s very funny to consider the possibility of the cap and floor kicking in after just one year, without any grandfathering in:
- The Dodgers would have to trade so many guys to so many low-spending teams. Just straight up for the purposes of satisfying the cap/floor the following year. It’s silly, and it’s not ever actually going to play out like that. There will be a much longer phase-in period *IF* a cap/floor were ever to be agreed upon, but then, that’s just another of the many terms upon which the sides can’t even really agree to negotiate right now.
- At the proposed cap level, by the way, the Cubs would be one of the teams slightly over the cap. Now, that’s never, ever going to actually be the initial cap level, and it’s also not coming immediately, etc., etc. But that’s perhaps useful perspective on how not-super-duper-high this cap level proposal is.
- Given that the Orioles’ new GM just came over from the Cubs, this seems modestly notable:
- That said, the Orioles are primarily looking to upgrade their rotation, outfield, and catcher depth, so I’m not sure how much of a fit the Cubs would actually be. Still, maybe picking someone off at the margins who is otherwise squeezed out?
- Similarly, with Cubs farm director Jason Kanzler being hired as the Mariners’ new manager, it’s not impossible to imagine him getting in Jerry Dipoto’s ear about bringing over a preferred position player/prospect or two. Given that we know the Cubs and Mariners have discussed pitching for years, that’s certainly something to watch.
- I will not STAND for this Anthony Rizzo bashing:
- In all seriousness, there are probably two schools of thought there. On the one hand, it is almost definitionally accurate to say that it is impossible for any first baseman to be the most valuable defender on the field over the course of a season. The rate at which such a player can contribute above and beyond the average first baseman is just too limited. On the other hand, we COULD treat the Platinum Glove as not rewarding the most valuable defensive contributor, but instead the guy who was the best defender at his position when considering all that is inherent in the position. To me, that actually seems more in the spirit of the award, or else the winner would mathematically always have to be a shortstop, catcher, or center/right fielder.
- All that said, Pete Crow-Armstrong is the dang Platinum Glove winner this year, and if he doesn’t get the votes, I’ll stomp my feet.
- Oof, that chase rate in particular could be what sinks Teruaki Sato:
- It’s one thing to have so much swing and miss, as Munetaka Murakami does. But if you have elite plate discipline as he does AND elite contact quality as he does, there’s at least a very small needle you can thread toward productivity in MLB. If if you have swing and miss PLUS you chase at a well below average rage, as Sato apparently does, that combination will absolutely crush you in MLB. Why? Because not only will you have the elevated strikeout rate, you will also see your contact quality hammered by some of the contact you’re making on chase pitches. Sato turns 28 next year, and, historically, guys tend not to fundamentally transform their plate discipline in their late-20s. Improve a little? Sure. Improve against a significant step up in pitchers you’re facing? Much harder.
- That is all to say: the Cubs haven’t been reported in on Sato anyway (he’s more of a third baseman than a corner outfielder), but even if they were, I have some big questions on how he’ll translate against MLB pitching.
- A general life approach is, don’t be a jerk and you don’t have to worry about trying to explain these things after the fact:
- The Cubs’ victory parade and rally were 10 years ago today, with MILLIONS in attendance. One of the largest sports-related gatherings in human history: