Cubs News and Notes: El Mago is tops, third base market, Brandon Kintzler, Hot Stove, more |
Next Game: Next Game: 44 days – Saturday, February 22, 2020: Athletics vs Cubs (Sloan Park) Opening Day: 77 days – Thursday, March 26, 2020: Cubs vs. Brewers (Miller Park) If it’s not enough that I’m not reminding you every day, the Cubs are now on the bandwagon (No pun intended. #SpringTraining will be here before you know it! El Mago: What does baseball need, besides a new metric? I’m actually OK with this one, called Outs Above Average. I haven’t had time to figure it all out yet, but Javier Baez leads the thing in its maiden year, ranking above all other MLB infielders. Javier Báez stands alone atop the new Infield Outs Above Average leaderboard. Javy says… He’s gonna get a lot out of these players, just by his personality. Just the fact that he comes in hungry everyday…” -Tommy Hottovy on David Ross. Now pitching for the Marlins…: According to Craig Mish of SiriusXM Radio, the Marlins are hunting for relievers and former Cubs Brandon Kintzler and Pedro Strop (along with Hector Rondon) are on their radar. Fish looking for relief arms: https://t.co/Ew4hRW0ghG pic.twitter.com/xA4QcOMsQu Have I mentioned recently that re-signing Brandon Kintzler would greatly behoove the Cubs? I can understand them bypassing Pedro Strop after last year’s performances, but to deny Kintzler? After a half-season in 2018 that went horrifically bad, Kintzler wisely exercised his $5M player option last year, then turned it around to become the best player in the bullpen. I have no objection to the Cubs looking at becoming a younger and more controllable team, but they’re going to need veteran leadership in the bullpen. Due to his closer role, I’m not sure Craig Kimbrel is that guy, making the re-signing of Kintzler all the more important. Third base watch: Fans are already getting a little optimistic over trade rumors that say Nolan Arenado might be the man for Chicago… Even with a picture, I’m still not seeing it! Make it happen @Cubs pic.twitter.com/FOKL9HIQM7 Then again, other fans do see that Kris Bryant doesn’t seem to be the answer- not sure why this guy called him Kris K… I continue to maintain that despite the All-Star Game appearances and a 2016 MVP Award, Kris Bryant’s offense is not all that great. Yes, he’s come up with some clutch hits, but consistency remains a problem. I’m tired of watching Kris K with RISP pic.twitter.com/tdUkBYBMXZ An MLB Network radio poll on SiriusXM asked which Cub fans would be most willing to trade. Kris Bryant won this poll, but in fairness, the other choices were Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez. If the #Cubs were going to trade one of the following players, who would you be most willing to trade? From a buddy: “Who did the Cubs pick up this offseason?” pic.twitter.com/GbUi8yEADA Cubs history: Today’s lesson: Ernie was the man. In 1955 Chicago #Cubs legend Ernie Banks became the first SS (min 120 gm) to post a season of 350+ Total Bases. Proving it wasn't a fluke “Mr. Cub” repeated the feat in 1958 and 1959 pic.twitter.com/2ZQluL9gjz Cubs’ Birthdays: Celebrating yesterday were ex-Cubs James Russell (34), Bruce Sutter (67), and posthumously, Geremi González (45), Marv Rickert (99), and Walker Cooper (105). Happy 67th Birthday Bruce Sutter! ~ The Baseball Hall of Fame split-finger fastball specialist was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on this day in 1953. #MLB #Cubs #STLCards #Braves #History pic.twitter.com/hzAzg1GWIi Baseball Quotes: “There are so many people who tell you that you can't. What you've got to do is turn around and say, 'watch me.” -Bryce Harper Barry Bonds talks his three secrets to hitting, and why you should catch the ball on the barrel of the bat ?? NL Central News: Brewers: Milwaukee has signed manager Craig Counsell to a three-year extension (good through 2023). Brewers To Extend Craig Counsell https://t.co/97J4kRPuEJ pic.twitter.com/Ce0irZu8MZ Reds: The Reds have designated OF Nick Martini for assignment, to make room for Shogo Akiyama. Martini was a waiver claim from earlier this winter. From the Rest of MLB: Tigers: Detroit has outrighted IF/OF Brandon Dixon to Triple-A Toledo. The team has also acquired catcher Eric Haase from the Indians for cash. To make room, they designated RHP Daria Agrazal for assignment. Gerrit Cole: Even Cole’s teammates realize Cole is getting some serious money: Hey, the Yankees had the same reaction to the Gerrit Cole deal that you did:@ChadGreen24 | @Yankees | #Yankees pic.twitter.com/2oYWZecBPs Indians: Terry Francona (Indians’ manager) says don’t believe the rumors about Cleveland trading Francisco Lindor. Francona says, “We can’t control the trade rumors. I would say from this winter, 99.9% were false.” Diamondbacks: Arizona has reached a deal to sign RHP Hector Rondon. This is a one-year deal worth $4M and an additional million in incentives. Yankees: NY has signed RHP Nick Tropeano to a minor league deal. CUBS NEWS AND NOTES
???? https://t.co/pmJXRbo1ZL pic.twitter.com/R5vtehoIrr
Check out the full breakdown and explanation here: https://t.co/7sAZz6nkBh pic.twitter.com/vXRkYqTpKj
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) January 8, 2020
pic.twitter.com/GJ9pA7ln5X MLB and the Hot Stove
