The White Sox still due not sit on their winter laurels.
Gordon Beckman, traded to the Angels last August, has re-signed with
Chicago on a one-year, $2 million deal.
And to make room for Beckham’s return to the roster the White Sox designated for assignment outfielder Dayan Viciedo, for whom the Sox just signed a $4.4 million deal to essentially back up new LF Melky Cabrera.
The White Sox have been trying to trading Viciedo, so the idea of signing him to avoid arbitration then DFA him to sign Beckman, who is really a bench player under the current roster.
Beckham figures to compete with Emilio Bonifacio was signed as insurance for the second base position that may be given to rookies Leury Garcia, Micah Johnson or Carlos Sanchez. Bonifacio can also play the outfield, so he would be the team's super-sub.
Beckham is known for playing good defense at second base but he came up as a natural shortstop. He may be slotted as Alexi Ramirez's back-up on the depth chart.
Clearly, the move takes away the power of Viciedo (even off the bench) for better defense in Beckham. Still, it is a surprising move because it is doubtful any team will trade for Viciedo now. If the White Sox cut him, Chicago will still be on the hook for part of the 2015 salary (approximately $775,000.) Even if a team would claim Viciedo, and make a trade with the White Sox (with the Sox eating some of that contract money).
If the White Sox were interested in Beckham, they could have non-tendered Viciedo and avoided the arbitration settlement, in essence saving $6 million in salary budget. However, Viciedo may have been insurance for RF A. Garcia, coming back from last season's injuries. Either way, GM Rick Hahn continues to tinker with the roster, which White Sox players at the fan convention appreciated the strong work to improve the team's competitiveness.
January 30, 2015
January 29, 2015
CORPORATE SHILLING
Patrick Mooney reports on a notion tossed around by baseball agent Scott Boras.
Having seen the media circus and national attention the NFL gets for its Super Bowl Week, Boras wants MLB to adopt the same format: have a World Series Week at a rotating neutral site.
“Baseball is serving up great steaks and we’re serving it in a drive-thru window,” Boras said. “We’ve got to change that. We need a ‘World Series Week.’ We need the World Series in one city, so that all journalists, from all over the world, can plan a year in advance and come to one place, stay there and watch these two teams go at it for seven days in one spot.”
“We’re talking about the betterment of baseball,” Boras said. “If we continue to do this on a regional scale, we’re going to lose something that baseball deserves. And what it deserves is world attention. And to keep the product at that level, you’ve got to create a platform (so) the world can attend.
“Most corporations and most journalists and most everyone involved — because you don’t know where the World Series is going to be until a day or two in advance — they have not budgeted (for it). They have not funded it. There’s no plan for the attention required to go and focus (on it).
“There’s so much more we can do when we know where the World Series is at. We can have so many events. We can involve corporations. We can have national media, international media. (But not knowing) where the World Series is going to be is making it a regional event.”
But one needs to realize that Boras is talking from a bias. He would like to see MLB generate a ton more money for the league and teams so the money pool grows to pay his clients more money in free agency. As we have seen, professional sports franchises are hitting the ceiling on broadcast revenue channels. Actual fan attendance will probably go down as many teams continue to price the average family out of baseball as an entertainment option.
Adopting another sports "championship set up" can lead to disaster. When the PGA adopted NASCAR's end of season points qualifying system to pare down the field to a small championship chase, it continues to be a confusing disaster. It was so much easier to crown a golf champion based upon earnings rather than a made up point system.
The greatest obstacle to a World Series Week would be the possibility it would take away a national fan base of Cub loyalists the opportunity to see a World Series played at Wrigley would be anarchy at its highest level.
Having seen the media circus and national attention the NFL gets for its Super Bowl Week, Boras wants MLB to adopt the same format: have a World Series Week at a rotating neutral site.
“Baseball is serving up great steaks and we’re serving it in a drive-thru window,” Boras said. “We’ve got to change that. We need a ‘World Series Week.’ We need the World Series in one city, so that all journalists, from all over the world, can plan a year in advance and come to one place, stay there and watch these two teams go at it for seven days in one spot.”
“We’re talking about the betterment of baseball,” Boras said. “If we continue to do this on a regional scale, we’re going to lose something that baseball deserves. And what it deserves is world attention. And to keep the product at that level, you’ve got to create a platform (so) the world can attend.
“Most corporations and most journalists and most everyone involved — because you don’t know where the World Series is going to be until a day or two in advance — they have not budgeted (for it). They have not funded it. There’s no plan for the attention required to go and focus (on it).
“There’s so much more we can do when we know where the World Series is at. We can have so many events. We can involve corporations. We can have national media, international media. (But not knowing) where the World Series is going to be is making it a regional event.”
But one needs to realize that Boras is talking from a bias. He would like to see MLB generate a ton more money for the league and teams so the money pool grows to pay his clients more money in free agency. As we have seen, professional sports franchises are hitting the ceiling on broadcast revenue channels. Actual fan attendance will probably go down as many teams continue to price the average family out of baseball as an entertainment option.
Adopting another sports "championship set up" can lead to disaster. When the PGA adopted NASCAR's end of season points qualifying system to pare down the field to a small championship chase, it continues to be a confusing disaster. It was so much easier to crown a golf champion based upon earnings rather than a made up point system.
The greatest obstacle to a World Series Week would be the possibility it would take away a national fan base of Cub loyalists the opportunity to see a World Series played at Wrigley would be anarchy at its highest level.
January 28, 2015
EXPANSION
With a new commissioner, there is always renewed debate in whether MLB should expand to 32 teams. The main reason is to balance out the leagues and scheduling issues. The other side is that more teams mean a more diluted product (lesser talent).
Yes, the U.S. population has grown since the last expansion, but that does not equate to fist full of dollars baseball fanatics. Most of the growth in the population are in the lower middle class, which is continually hard hit by the endless mild recession.
Still, the proponents like the idea because more teams means more coverage and more league revenue. If MLB can franchise two more teams, that means maybe a billion or two dollars split among the 30 owners, or maybe $33 million of free money per team.
Expansion to new cities will be hard with the Athletics and Rays already looking to relocate. Some possible new locations: in California near Sacramento, in Texas at Austin and San Antonio. Brooklyn or north New Jersey, if you can get the Yankees and Mets to play ball (good luck with that). It might be time to finally move a team to Las Vegas … maybe. The South is lacking for teams, with Charlotte, Nashville, Memphis or Louisville being possibilities. Also another team could be in Canada, with Montreal getting a long look. The league has often thought international expansion into the Latin market (Mexico, San Juan, even Havana if diplomatic relations are opened).
But not lost in this discussion is the fact that contraction is probably the better answer. MLB continues to subsidize a half dozen teams already through revenue sharing. MLB gives smaller market teams who struggle to compete bonus provisions like protected picks in the draft, and capping spending by big market money teams on international player signings.
It would make more sense to contract the 30 teams down to 28.
Miami and Tampa Bay play to low attendance crowds. Combine the two clubs and move the franchise to Orlando, where you can get the excess tourist trade on a game by game basis.
The powers that be have been kicking Houston around for being a mismanaged bottom feeder for a long time (being exiled from the NL Central to the harder AL West for example). So why not improve the franchise by merging it with the Oakland A's who want out of the Bay Area. Plunk the new Houston A's in San Antonio if Houston can't support a team.
The players union will balk at losing 80 40-man roster spots with contraction. But on the flip side, that means more money for the players on the newer 28 team rosters.
Most likely nothing will happen for a long time.
Yes, the U.S. population has grown since the last expansion, but that does not equate to fist full of dollars baseball fanatics. Most of the growth in the population are in the lower middle class, which is continually hard hit by the endless mild recession.
Still, the proponents like the idea because more teams means more coverage and more league revenue. If MLB can franchise two more teams, that means maybe a billion or two dollars split among the 30 owners, or maybe $33 million of free money per team.
Expansion to new cities will be hard with the Athletics and Rays already looking to relocate. Some possible new locations: in California near Sacramento, in Texas at Austin and San Antonio. Brooklyn or north New Jersey, if you can get the Yankees and Mets to play ball (good luck with that). It might be time to finally move a team to Las Vegas … maybe. The South is lacking for teams, with Charlotte, Nashville, Memphis or Louisville being possibilities. Also another team could be in Canada, with Montreal getting a long look. The league has often thought international expansion into the Latin market (Mexico, San Juan, even Havana if diplomatic relations are opened).
But not lost in this discussion is the fact that contraction is probably the better answer. MLB continues to subsidize a half dozen teams already through revenue sharing. MLB gives smaller market teams who struggle to compete bonus provisions like protected picks in the draft, and capping spending by big market money teams on international player signings.
It would make more sense to contract the 30 teams down to 28.
Miami and Tampa Bay play to low attendance crowds. Combine the two clubs and move the franchise to Orlando, where you can get the excess tourist trade on a game by game basis.
The powers that be have been kicking Houston around for being a mismanaged bottom feeder for a long time (being exiled from the NL Central to the harder AL West for example). So why not improve the franchise by merging it with the Oakland A's who want out of the Bay Area. Plunk the new Houston A's in San Antonio if Houston can't support a team.
The players union will balk at losing 80 40-man roster spots with contraction. But on the flip side, that means more money for the players on the newer 28 team rosters.
Most likely nothing will happen for a long time.
January 27, 2015
TOO HARD
With the passing of Cub legend Ernie Banks, people have got an opportunity to reflect at one of the great players and human beings in Chicago history. Banks is remembered as a jovial, high spirited, fun loving, nice and exceptionally talented man who in Cub tradition never made it to the post-season stage. He played the game like he did as a kid, with youthful exuberance. Every day he had a chance to play baseball, he felt joyous. It was not a job to him, it was his pleasure.
Banks was the rare individual who performed at a high level playing a child's game with a childlike innocence, respect and intelligence.
Many current players may have started their paths with the same childlike zest for the sport, but over time, the pressure, expectations and money turns the game into dreary work. Being a professional is being able to balance all the conflicting elements of being a highly paid athlete while tapping the inner child's passion for the game.
MLB.com reported that Joe Maddon went to Puerto Rico to see Javy Baez in winter ball. “He’s trying way too hard,” says Maddon. “I want him to back off. The last thing I want him to do is try to impress me tonight. … I said, ‘Hit a couple singles and, above all, I want to see you smile.’”
The 22-year-old Baez’s 2014 stat line (.169/.227/.324 in 229 plate appearances) was a concern, but written off as understandable given his youth. But he needs to improve his strikeout rate before he can make an impact in the big leagues. That is what a professional has to accomplish: adapt to better competition at the final level. As a result of the ramped up expectations on the Cubs, many believe all the Theo-Jed prospects are going to be instant All-Stars. But statistically, that is impossible.
If players like Baez "are trying too hard" to make contact, hit the glamorous home run, and become a star like their press clippings before their time, they will be doomed. The Cubs have a history of touting five-tool, "can't miss" prospects. There are times just to let things play out naturally on the field, like Banks' approach to playing his game.
Banks was the rare individual who performed at a high level playing a child's game with a childlike innocence, respect and intelligence.
Many current players may have started their paths with the same childlike zest for the sport, but over time, the pressure, expectations and money turns the game into dreary work. Being a professional is being able to balance all the conflicting elements of being a highly paid athlete while tapping the inner child's passion for the game.
MLB.com reported that Joe Maddon went to Puerto Rico to see Javy Baez in winter ball. “He’s trying way too hard,” says Maddon. “I want him to back off. The last thing I want him to do is try to impress me tonight. … I said, ‘Hit a couple singles and, above all, I want to see you smile.’”
The 22-year-old Baez’s 2014 stat line (.169/.227/.324 in 229 plate appearances) was a concern, but written off as understandable given his youth. But he needs to improve his strikeout rate before he can make an impact in the big leagues. That is what a professional has to accomplish: adapt to better competition at the final level. As a result of the ramped up expectations on the Cubs, many believe all the Theo-Jed prospects are going to be instant All-Stars. But statistically, that is impossible.
If players like Baez "are trying too hard" to make contact, hit the glamorous home run, and become a star like their press clippings before their time, they will be doomed. The Cubs have a history of touting five-tool, "can't miss" prospects. There are times just to let things play out naturally on the field, like Banks' approach to playing his game.
January 26, 2015
ICHIRO
41 year old Ichiro Suzuki is about to sign with Miami for probably one last season in the majors.
He is only 156 hits short of 3,000 as a U.S. MLB player, the milestone that still gets an automatic berth in the Hall of Fame. If you add in his Japanese hit totals, he is well over 4,000 professional hits.
He was an old school professional hitter, taking his hard swings and taking his choppy infield singles. He also was an above average outfielder with a good arm for his size. His success in Seattle opened the doors for many more Japanese ball players to be scouted and signed in the U.S.
He has led the league in hits for 7 of his 14 seasons in the U.S. He sports a career BA of .317. He won two batting titles. He hit 117 HR, 717 RBI and 487 RBI. He has a career war of 59.3.
When one goes by the standard of whether a HOF candidate was an "impact" player during his era, Ichiro would qualify. He probably will fall just short of 3,000 hits and 500 SB so some writers may put him in the "very good" player category like a Kenny Lofton.
He is only 156 hits short of 3,000 as a U.S. MLB player, the milestone that still gets an automatic berth in the Hall of Fame. If you add in his Japanese hit totals, he is well over 4,000 professional hits.
He was an old school professional hitter, taking his hard swings and taking his choppy infield singles. He also was an above average outfielder with a good arm for his size. His success in Seattle opened the doors for many more Japanese ball players to be scouted and signed in the U.S.
He has led the league in hits for 7 of his 14 seasons in the U.S. He sports a career BA of .317. He won two batting titles. He hit 117 HR, 717 RBI and 487 RBI. He has a career war of 59.3.
When one goes by the standard of whether a HOF candidate was an "impact" player during his era, Ichiro would qualify. He probably will fall just short of 3,000 hits and 500 SB so some writers may put him in the "very good" player category like a Kenny Lofton.
January 24, 2015
PUT THE HAMMERS DOWN
for allegedly making inflammatory statements against the rooftoppers at a
Cubs convention. Recall, many rooftop businesses have sued the city for violating due process
and the landmark ordinance in approving the 7 signs and new scoreboards.
Now, Crain's reports today that several rooftops sued the Cubs for breach of
contract, including the provision in the settlement against disparaging remarks
by either side, so there may be a construction injunction in offing soon, as well
as some triple damages federal claims to hit the Cubs in the wallet:
Crain's reports that two rooftop businesses overlooking Wrigley Field sued the Chicago Cubs and owner Ricketts in federal court, accusing them of attempted monopolization in violation of the Sherman Act, as well as breach of contract, defamation, consumer fraud and deceptive practices.
The lawsuit is the latest legal skirmish in a long-running battle between the Ricketts family, which plans major renovations to the historic ballpark and the surrounding neighborhood, and owners of nearby buildings who believe plans to erect advertising signs will unlawfully obstruct their views. It is the second recent lawsuit to allege the Cubs are shifting planned outfield signs to block the views of rooftops that refuse to sell their properties to the Ricketts family.
The present contractual agreement states that the Cubs are prevented from erecting "windscreens or other barriers to obstruct the views of the rooftops," the copy of one contract reads. In return, rooftops businesses pay the team 17 percent of their pre-tax revenues. The Cubs argue that the outfield signs constitute an "expansion" of Wrigley Field that is allowed under the terms of rooftop contracts.
The new suit by the right field rooftoppers seeks an injunction to block the Cubs' most recent plan for signage, as well as unspecified monetary damages. The rooftop owners argue that their 20 year 2004 settlement agreement requires an unobstructed view of Wrigley as part of the revenue sharing deal. Now, the owners believe that the Ricketts are using the new signage to destroy their businesses, and burn down the value of their businesses while trying to buy up the properties around
Wrigley. In other words, the Ricketts are attempting to bully the rooftop owners into selling their properties at fire sale prices. Ricketts family just concluded purchasing several properties with rooftops.
“The Cubs decided to put up giant signs to block the rooftops halfway into a 20-year contract to guarantee the rooftops' unobstructed views,” the rooftop owners attorney said in a statement. “The Cubs are blocking the rooftops that refused to sell their properties for a fraction of market value, and who refused to participate in a price-fixing scheme the Cubs demanded to raise ticket prices. It's unfortunate the rooftops have been forced to take legal action, but they're confident the legal system will protect their rights.”
But the boiling point has come recently with Ricketts actions. Crain's reports the plaintiffs accuse the Cubs of anti-competitive conduct, as well as defaming the rooftop owners by accusing them of stealing the Cubs' product. The rooftop plaintiffs allege that after the Cubs announced their seven-sign plan, they met with Crane Kenney in July 2014 and offered to sell the rooftops at fair market value, according to the complaint. In offering a much smaller figure, Kenney told McCarthy “once we put up the signs, you don't have a rooftop business,” according to the complaint.
The complaint said that in offering a “grossly unfair” price, Kenney asked the rooftop owners: “How hard is it going to be to sell tickets when you have no glimpse of Wrigley Field?” Kenney added, according to the complaint: “Whatever (rooftop businesses) we don't buy, we're going to block.”
The complaint also references a statement by Tom Ricketts at the 2014 Cubs Convention, which the owners believe was defamatory.
“So you're sitting in your living room watching, say, Showtime. All right, you're watching 'Homeland.' You pay for that channel, and then you notice your neighbor looking through your window watching 'Homeland.'" Ricketts told fans, according to the complaint. "And then you turn around, and they're charging the other neighbors to sit in the yard and watch your television. So then you get up to close the shades, and the city makes you open them. That's basically what happened.”
For the past two years, the Cubs and the rooftop business owners have been fighting over the team's plan to put up signage above the Wrigley Field bleachers as part of a $375 million ballpark renovation. The Cubs have been fast and loose with specifics in their rebuilding plans, signage and the changing verbage of their projects. The Cubs said that no public money would be involved, but after approval it was reported that the Cubs are seeking a $75 million federal tax credit for "landmark" rehabilitation costs. However, the new bleachers and electronic scoreboard and advertising signage are not historic preservation but new, modern improvements that defeat the notion that Wrigley is still a historic landmark. But the Cubs want to make these massive changes, then get a new "landmark" status with the changes, in order to collect the $75 million in public tax breaks.
Now baseball has had a long standing exemption to federal Anti-Trust rules, based on a Supreme Court opinion that stated that baseball was not in "interstate commerce," so the Sherman Act does not apply. However, the same act has been applied to all other various professional sports. The Supreme Court has reasoned that since Congress did not amend the law to reverse its past decision, that decision stands as the lone sports exemption to federal anti-trust law. Many other courts have taken exception to the exemption - - - trying to limit it to the old reserve clause. However, MLB won a ruling recently allowing it to block the move of the A's to San Jose from Oakland. But that decision could have easily been based on the league charter and rules rather than approved by an anti-trust exemption.
A pleading in federal court filed without a justifiable basis can lead to sanctions. The plaintiffs counsel must have various arguments to counter the blanket anti-trust exemption defense, considering that Wrigley Field itself is owned by a separate legal entity than the baseball franchise. But common ownership and affiliation may mute that argument. But the strongest position may be the simplest: the anti-trust exemption solely deals with internal baseball operations and decisions, not matters dealing with the public or third parties (such as rooftops).
With the announcement that the bleachers will not be ready until late May, 2015, season ticket holders were only given 10 days to decide what to do with their tickets: exchange them, get a refund or if they missed the deadline, the Cubs would hold their money "on credit" for future game purchases. In other words, the Cubs don't want to give back the cash, but bait and switch bleacher seats for unused grandstand seats for April and May contests.
But there still is another open issue with the delayed bleacher completion. The historic brick walls are just supported by 2 x 4s. It is doubtful that the walls have the structural integrity if a ball player hits it while trying to make a catch. Also, since this is still an active construction site, the city could red tag the area as being unsuitable to the public or players. This is like the ill-planned Northwestern football game when the Big Ten officials called the field unplayable because it was configured with too small end zones ending in the brick walls. (The game was played on in one direction).
But nothing seems to matter to the Cubs organization except to bulldoze ahead with their various plans.
January 23, 2015
MADDENING JOE
As upbeat, laid back, humorous and gracious that Joe Maddon was at the Cubs fan convention, the expectations placed upon his shoulders is the weight of Sears Tower.
He was labeled one of the best managers in his generation. When he suddenly opted out of his Tampa contract, it was felt it was a heavenly godsend that the Cubs could pick up an experienced, winning coach to lead the young prospects to the promised land.
The Cubs have had a long line of saviors since the last World championship.
Maddon had two interim gigs with the Angels, in 51 games managed, he went 27-24. It took almost a decade before he became a full time manager with the Rays. In the 9 seasons with Tampa, 1459 games managed, his record was 754-705 in line with career .517 winning percentage. His teams averaged in 3rd place in their division. His club only won divisions twice, in 2008 and 2010. In 2008, his team was 5 games better than projected, winning the AL pennant but losing to the Phillies in the World Series, 4-1. Maddon won his only AL manager of the year award in 2008.
In his 48 replay challenges, he got 21 overturned for a .4375 winning percentage.
Maddon hauntingly compares well with former savior, Lou Piniella.
Piniella managed 19 seasons prior to the Cubs with four different teams. He had compiled a career .517 winning percentage as a manager. In his 23 seasons as a manager, 6 of his clubs finished in first place (twice with the Cubs) and he had one world series title (1990 Reds). His teams prior to the Cubs placed around 3rd in their division.
The numbers are historically close. Piniella got off to a fast start with a veteran club and got to the post-season. The expectations of the former Yankee (and the reputable glory of that franchise) were through the roof. But the Cubs bombed in the worst way. Piniella would later say that being the Cubs manager drained him like no other tenure had ever done. The fans and the team put so much pressure to end the alleged curse that the weight of the baseball world crushed him.
Now, Piniella had nothing to prove when he came to Chicago. He had his playing career and excellent reputation as a manager. He had his championships, he had his personal glory. He liked baseball. He was an old school lifer. He was jovial, likeable, spoke his mind, got along with most of his players, kept things loose - - - until the wear and tear of the Cubs broke his baseball spirit.
In some respects, Maddon is at the same crossroads as Piniella. The Cubs job will probably be his last managerial one in baseball for Maddon. He could cement his eternal legacy by giving the Cubs a century due championship. Or it could grind him up like a Chicago red hot sausage.
The only difference between Maddon and Piniella is that Maddon is taking over a younger Cub squad. Maddon and Piniella both managed second tier organizations to the post-season. Both managed in Tampa prior to becoming the Cub skipper. Only time will tell if this is deja vu.
He was labeled one of the best managers in his generation. When he suddenly opted out of his Tampa contract, it was felt it was a heavenly godsend that the Cubs could pick up an experienced, winning coach to lead the young prospects to the promised land.
The Cubs have had a long line of saviors since the last World championship.
Maddon had two interim gigs with the Angels, in 51 games managed, he went 27-24. It took almost a decade before he became a full time manager with the Rays. In the 9 seasons with Tampa, 1459 games managed, his record was 754-705 in line with career .517 winning percentage. His teams averaged in 3rd place in their division. His club only won divisions twice, in 2008 and 2010. In 2008, his team was 5 games better than projected, winning the AL pennant but losing to the Phillies in the World Series, 4-1. Maddon won his only AL manager of the year award in 2008.
In his 48 replay challenges, he got 21 overturned for a .4375 winning percentage.
Maddon hauntingly compares well with former savior, Lou Piniella.
Piniella managed 19 seasons prior to the Cubs with four different teams. He had compiled a career .517 winning percentage as a manager. In his 23 seasons as a manager, 6 of his clubs finished in first place (twice with the Cubs) and he had one world series title (1990 Reds). His teams prior to the Cubs placed around 3rd in their division.
The numbers are historically close. Piniella got off to a fast start with a veteran club and got to the post-season. The expectations of the former Yankee (and the reputable glory of that franchise) were through the roof. But the Cubs bombed in the worst way. Piniella would later say that being the Cubs manager drained him like no other tenure had ever done. The fans and the team put so much pressure to end the alleged curse that the weight of the baseball world crushed him.
Now, Piniella had nothing to prove when he came to Chicago. He had his playing career and excellent reputation as a manager. He had his championships, he had his personal glory. He liked baseball. He was an old school lifer. He was jovial, likeable, spoke his mind, got along with most of his players, kept things loose - - - until the wear and tear of the Cubs broke his baseball spirit.
In some respects, Maddon is at the same crossroads as Piniella. The Cubs job will probably be his last managerial one in baseball for Maddon. He could cement his eternal legacy by giving the Cubs a century due championship. Or it could grind him up like a Chicago red hot sausage.
The only difference between Maddon and Piniella is that Maddon is taking over a younger Cub squad. Maddon and Piniella both managed second tier organizations to the post-season. Both managed in Tampa prior to becoming the Cub skipper. Only time will tell if this is deja vu.
January 22, 2015
NEW ARMS RACE
With Max Scherzer out of Detroit, the White Sox rotation clearly has closed the talent gap with Detroit.
The Tigers projected rotation is:
1. David Price, 6.1 WAR in the last year before free agency.
2. Justin Verlander, has lost velocity and ERA shot up last season.
3. Anibal Sanchez, injury prone, only 21 starts last season.
4. Alfredo Simon, who had one break out year for the Reds.
5. Shane Greene, acquired from the Yankees has only made 14 starts in career.
The White Sox counter with this rotation:
1. Chris Sale, a Cy Young candidate with overpowering stuff.
2. Jeff Samardzija, an innings eater who can be a steady influence.
3. Carlos Quintana, the most underrated starter in the AL last season.
4. John Danks, who is still slowly coming back from arm issues.
5. Hector Noesi (caretaker) until Carlos Rodon is called up from AAA with his electric stuff.
The staffs are very comparable. Price and Sale are legitimate aces. Samardizja is a more consistent pitcher than Verlander at this point. Quintana over Sanchez on health concerns. Simon may be slightly better than Danks, depending if his Reds year is no fluke. And Rodon is the real deal.
The Tigers projected rotation is:
1. David Price, 6.1 WAR in the last year before free agency.
2. Justin Verlander, has lost velocity and ERA shot up last season.
3. Anibal Sanchez, injury prone, only 21 starts last season.
4. Alfredo Simon, who had one break out year for the Reds.
5. Shane Greene, acquired from the Yankees has only made 14 starts in career.
The White Sox counter with this rotation:
1. Chris Sale, a Cy Young candidate with overpowering stuff.
2. Jeff Samardzija, an innings eater who can be a steady influence.
3. Carlos Quintana, the most underrated starter in the AL last season.
4. John Danks, who is still slowly coming back from arm issues.
5. Hector Noesi (caretaker) until Carlos Rodon is called up from AAA with his electric stuff.
The staffs are very comparable. Price and Sale are legitimate aces. Samardizja is a more consistent pitcher than Verlander at this point. Quintana over Sanchez on health concerns. Simon may be slightly better than Danks, depending if his Reds year is no fluke. And Rodon is the real deal.
January 21, 2015
STILL BETTER
Despite the encouragement, laughter and high expectations at the Cubs convention, most professional scouts believe the White Sox have had a much better off-season than their North Side rivals.
The White Sox post-season report card showed various critical needs that needed to be corrected, so the front office checked them off one by one.
The White Sox post-season report card showed various critical needs that needed to be corrected, so the front office checked them off one by one.
The team needed a left handed middle of the order hitter, so they signed free agent Adam LaRoche, who improves defense at first base as well.
The lefty dominated rotation needed a right-handed starter, so they traded for Jeff Samardzija, who is in his walk year (with the year to try to sign him to an extension).
The Sox bullpen was a disaster last season, partially by injury and youth, so bullpen help was a priority. The Sox signed free agent closer David Robertson, lefty Zach Duke and trade for lefty Dan Jennings.
The Sox wanted more consistent production from their outfield, especially in left field. So they signed Melky Cabrera.
With the coming of young middle infielders who could hit or miss after trading Marcus Siemen, the Sox went for some veteran versatility and speed by signing Emilio Bonifacio.
By adding Samardzija, Robertson, Cabrera, Duke, LaRoche and Bonifacio to a young core that includes Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Jose Abreu and Adam Eaton changed the perception of the Sox. Having Robertson to lock down the ninth inning removes a sense of doom that languished last season.
“I wasn’t a big Robertson guy until this year,” the NL scout told the Sun-Times. “He has improved with a little cutter that he didn’t have before. He’s not a real hard thrower but he knows how to pitch. Samardzija is scratching the surface — he gives them a great one and two with Sale. And Quintana will get over the hump this year. He’s a solid third starter.
“They will be a contender this year. I think they will be a surprise in the Central. Detroit has murderers row [with Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez in the middle of the lineup] but they need a closer. So it’s going to be interesting.”
“They solved a lot of their problems,” a scout said. “I have to give [general manager Rick] Hahn credit. He did some good things patching up their holes.’’
“Nowadays nobody knows what they are planning,” an American League scout said. “They did a great job playing their cards close to the vest. And they hit so hard and fast this winter … everybody thought this was going to be the Cubs’ winter but the Sox stole their thunder. By the time the Cubs signed [Jon] Lester the Sox had reshaped their club.’’
“They head to Glendale as a contender for the AL Central in my eyes,” the AL scout said. “They can beat Detroit. It’s not inconceivable.”
The lefty dominated rotation needed a right-handed starter, so they traded for Jeff Samardzija, who is in his walk year (with the year to try to sign him to an extension).
The Sox bullpen was a disaster last season, partially by injury and youth, so bullpen help was a priority. The Sox signed free agent closer David Robertson, lefty Zach Duke and trade for lefty Dan Jennings.
The Sox wanted more consistent production from their outfield, especially in left field. So they signed Melky Cabrera.
With the coming of young middle infielders who could hit or miss after trading Marcus Siemen, the Sox went for some veteran versatility and speed by signing Emilio Bonifacio.
By adding Samardzija, Robertson, Cabrera, Duke, LaRoche and Bonifacio to a young core that includes Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Jose Abreu and Adam Eaton changed the perception of the Sox. Having Robertson to lock down the ninth inning removes a sense of doom that languished last season.
“I wasn’t a big Robertson guy until this year,” the NL scout told the Sun-Times. “He has improved with a little cutter that he didn’t have before. He’s not a real hard thrower but he knows how to pitch. Samardzija is scratching the surface — he gives them a great one and two with Sale. And Quintana will get over the hump this year. He’s a solid third starter.
“They will be a contender this year. I think they will be a surprise in the Central. Detroit has murderers row [with Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez in the middle of the lineup] but they need a closer. So it’s going to be interesting.”
“They solved a lot of their problems,” a scout said. “I have to give [general manager Rick] Hahn credit. He did some good things patching up their holes.’’
“Nowadays nobody knows what they are planning,” an American League scout said. “They did a great job playing their cards close to the vest. And they hit so hard and fast this winter … everybody thought this was going to be the Cubs’ winter but the Sox stole their thunder. By the time the Cubs signed [Jon] Lester the Sox had reshaped their club.’’
“They head to Glendale as a contender for the AL Central in my eyes,” the AL scout said. “They can beat Detroit. It’s not inconceivable.”
January 20, 2015
A WEAK DEAL
The Cubs traded 3B Luis Valbuena and SP Dan Straily to Houston for CF Dexter Fowler.
Fowler, 28, is in his last arb contract year (he is asking $10.5 million compared to an $8.5 million Houston counter). Valbuena hit .249, 15 HR, 51 RBI for the Cubs in 2014. Fowler hit .276 BA, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 11 SB, .375 OBP. The WAR numbers are about the same: Fowler 1.8, Valbuena 1.6.
Fowler is a bad outfielder. He had a negative 1.8 dWAR last season. He had a .983 fielding percentage. His career dWAR is negative 3.2.
The trade makes little sense. Fowler displaces Alcantara in CF (who has shown some power despite his small frame) and displaces Valbuena's power at third (until Bryant is called up). Yes, the Cubs have new potential power sources in Baez, Soler and Bryant to make up that difference (approx. 30 HR deficit).
Since Bryant is not going to be on the opening day roster, the Cubs will weaken their defense by playing someone else at third. Candidates including moving Baez to third (opening the second slot for LaStella and/or Alcantara) or giving the job back to Olt. Rumors have it that Alcantara is going to be the super-sub like Bonifacio was early last year.
Whether new manager Maddon can figure out a consistent line up card is doubtful. It looks like another mash-up of platoon type bench players.
Projected starters:
1. Fowler CF
2. Castro SS
3. Rizzo 1B
4. Soler RF
5. Baez/Olt 3B
6. Coghlan/Denorfia LF
7. Montero C
8. LaStella/Alcantara 2B
Fowler, 28, is in his last arb contract year (he is asking $10.5 million compared to an $8.5 million Houston counter). Valbuena hit .249, 15 HR, 51 RBI for the Cubs in 2014. Fowler hit .276 BA, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 11 SB, .375 OBP. The WAR numbers are about the same: Fowler 1.8, Valbuena 1.6.
Fowler is a bad outfielder. He had a negative 1.8 dWAR last season. He had a .983 fielding percentage. His career dWAR is negative 3.2.
The trade makes little sense. Fowler displaces Alcantara in CF (who has shown some power despite his small frame) and displaces Valbuena's power at third (until Bryant is called up). Yes, the Cubs have new potential power sources in Baez, Soler and Bryant to make up that difference (approx. 30 HR deficit).
Since Bryant is not going to be on the opening day roster, the Cubs will weaken their defense by playing someone else at third. Candidates including moving Baez to third (opening the second slot for LaStella and/or Alcantara) or giving the job back to Olt. Rumors have it that Alcantara is going to be the super-sub like Bonifacio was early last year.
Whether new manager Maddon can figure out a consistent line up card is doubtful. It looks like another mash-up of platoon type bench players.
Projected starters:
1. Fowler CF
2. Castro SS
3. Rizzo 1B
4. Soler RF
5. Baez/Olt 3B
6. Coghlan/Denorfia LF
7. Montero C
8. LaStella/Alcantara 2B
January 19, 2015
THE OTHER OFF-SEASON
The Toronto Blue Jays have been an aggressive front office for some time. But it seems the high powered owner, Rogers Communications, wants to add some real quality bench support to the management ranks.
Numerous reports indicate that the Jays are trying to hire Dan Duquette from the Orioles. The team wants Duquette to become the new President of the club. However, Duquette is under contract with the Orioles thorough 2018. In order to get Duquette, Toronto would have to "trade" for him.
Orioles owner Peter Angelos adamantly denied that the Orioles are in negotiations with the Blue Jays regarding Duquette. Angelos told the Baltimore Sun:
Current president Paul Beeston is still set to represent the Jays at the upcoming owner’s meetings, Morosi adds. Of course, it would be a stretch to expect Duquette to be up and running in such short order, and a transition period will obviously be necessary regardless of when (and with whom) a contract is signed.
Duquette is the unsung hero in the Boston Red Sox championship seasons, He was ousted prior to the first championship season due to conflicts with Red Sox executives. He has been credited with the fine turnaround with the Orioles franchise in recent years. He has a good resume of rebuilding clubs, so it makes sense for the Blue Jays to be interested in his services.
Numerous reports indicate that the Jays are trying to hire Dan Duquette from the Orioles. The team wants Duquette to become the new President of the club. However, Duquette is under contract with the Orioles thorough 2018. In order to get Duquette, Toronto would have to "trade" for him.
Orioles owner Peter Angelos adamantly denied that the Orioles are in negotiations with the Blue Jays regarding Duquette. Angelos told the Baltimore Sun:
“We are not negotiating with them in any way. They have expressed interest in Dan Duquette, which we understand because Dan is an exceptional GM. But we are not in any negotiations with Mr. Rogers. We have a contract [with Duquette], and that’s the end of it.”Angelos did concede that if the Blue Jays made an offer, he would take a look at the proposition, but he is not actively negotiating and has no intent on allowing Duquette to leave for a division rival. It is believed that the Orioles would have to be blown away to part with Duquette, and historically speaking, compensation for parting with executives has been minimal.
Current president Paul Beeston is still set to represent the Jays at the upcoming owner’s meetings, Morosi adds. Of course, it would be a stretch to expect Duquette to be up and running in such short order, and a transition period will obviously be necessary regardless of when (and with whom) a contract is signed.
Duquette is the unsung hero in the Boston Red Sox championship seasons, He was ousted prior to the first championship season due to conflicts with Red Sox executives. He has been credited with the fine turnaround with the Orioles franchise in recent years. He has a good resume of rebuilding clubs, so it makes sense for the Blue Jays to be interested in his services.
A SURPRISE
MLBTR reports The Nationals have agreed to sign top starting pitcher Max Scherzer to a seven-year deal, via CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman.
The contract will carry through 2021, which will be Scherzer’s age-36 season for more than $180 million. This is less than the original $200 million demand for the former Tiger starter.
The Nationals were not thought to be a team with an interest in Scherzer. The team was trying to sign their young starter, Jordan Zimmerman, who now looks to become a free agent after this season.
Scherzer, 30, went 18-5, 3.15 ERA, 1.175 WHIP, 6.7 WAR in 2014, after a stellar 2013 campaign of 21-3, 2.90 ERA, 0.970 WHIP, 6.0 WAR. In his seven seasons, he has a career 24.0 WAR (3.43 average WAR/year).
The Nationals now have the strongest starting rotation in baseball. Stephen Strasburg, Zimmerman, Gio Gonzalez, Doug Fister and Scherzer are quite a powerhouse of #1 and #2 starters. The signing also bumps promising youngster Tanner Roark from the rotation.
Perhaps the move was signaled by last week's trade of Tyler Clippard (and his large salary for a relief pitcher).
There is some thoughts out of D.C. that the Nationals will now trade Zimmerman, who is in his walk year, for prospects.
UPDATE:
To make up for the loss with the deferrals – because of inflation and lost interest-earning opportunity, future money is worth less than present – Scherzer will receive $50 million in the form of a signing bonus spread over multiple years, the source said. The benefit to structuring the contract as such is that because his permanent residence is outside the District, Scherzer will not be subject to a state income tax on money earned in Washington, D.C.
The contract will carry through 2021, which will be Scherzer’s age-36 season for more than $180 million. This is less than the original $200 million demand for the former Tiger starter.
The Nationals were not thought to be a team with an interest in Scherzer. The team was trying to sign their young starter, Jordan Zimmerman, who now looks to become a free agent after this season.
Scherzer, 30, went 18-5, 3.15 ERA, 1.175 WHIP, 6.7 WAR in 2014, after a stellar 2013 campaign of 21-3, 2.90 ERA, 0.970 WHIP, 6.0 WAR. In his seven seasons, he has a career 24.0 WAR (3.43 average WAR/year).
The Nationals now have the strongest starting rotation in baseball. Stephen Strasburg, Zimmerman, Gio Gonzalez, Doug Fister and Scherzer are quite a powerhouse of #1 and #2 starters. The signing also bumps promising youngster Tanner Roark from the rotation.
Perhaps the move was signaled by last week's trade of Tyler Clippard (and his large salary for a relief pitcher).
There is some thoughts out of D.C. that the Nationals will now trade Zimmerman, who is in his walk year, for prospects.
UPDATE:
$210 million is the new figure for the contract that has provisions that take
advantage of District tax laws to save Scherzer money and keep the
team’s present-day payments down via historic deferrals, according to Yahoo Sports.
Scherzer will get $15 million a year for the
next 14 years, sources said, deferring half the money until after the
contract expires. It is by far the largest sum ever deferred in a deal,
not quite matching Bobby Bonilla’s 25-year deferral from the Mets in
length but more than tripling it in value.
To make up for the loss with the deferrals – because of inflation and lost interest-earning opportunity, future money is worth less than present – Scherzer will receive $50 million in the form of a signing bonus spread over multiple years, the source said. The benefit to structuring the contract as such is that because his permanent residence is outside the District, Scherzer will not be subject to a state income tax on money earned in Washington, D.C.
The Home Rule Act, established
in 1973, exempts nonresidents from paying state income taxes at the
capital’s 8.5 percent rate. In practice, it means Scherzer would save
more than $4.25 million of the $50 million bonus he’ll receive in
Washington, D.C. – though just how much of that would be subject to tax
elsewhere depends on the state in which he earns the money and where he
resides.
Additionally, none of the $105 million in deferred money would
be subject to state taxes, potentially saving Scherzer another $8.92
million. All told, the lack of state income tax in D.C., when compared
to playing in tax-heavy states, could save Scherzer eight figures. One
source said the tax advantages could end up at more than $20 million,
offsetting much of the money lost via deferrals.
January 17, 2015
ROSTER PUZZLE
Despite what Anthony Rizzo will say at the fan convention, the Cubs are not ready to contend. The 2015 team is still the 2014 team with some new window dressing. Jon Lester was a major signing, but he merely takes the place of tough luck Jeff Samardzija at the top of the rotation. Jason Motte takes a veteran presence in the bullpen over an effective youngster in Justin Grimm. The rest of the new Cubs are merely different journeymen replacing other journeymen.
The roster is a puzzle with many broken pieces.
As it stands now, three or four pitchers are on the outside looking in, considering that new manager Joe Maddon is moving to an NL club that needs to manufacture runs to win (and means a longer bench).
The starting rotation is pretty well set by contract restrictions: (* left hander)
1. Lester *
2. Arrieta
3. Hammel
4. Hendricks
5. E. Jackson
Jackson will continue to be a starter because there is no need for a pouty reliever. Jackson may be so damaged with control issues as to be untradeable by spring training. Jackson's presence in the rotation will displace either Wood, Wada, Doubront, Turner and Grimm from starting role. Likewise, the five out of luck starters are vying for only two spots in the bullpen.
Bullpen:
6. Closer: Rondon
7. Set Up: Motte
8. 7th/8th: Strop
9. 6/7th: Ramirez
10. Long relief: Wada *
11. Long relief: T. Wood *
Having both Wada and Wood as long reliever/spot starters may be necessary as the Cubs are still short on proven lefty relievers. Ortiz or Rosscup are not better than Wada or Wood.
Now, the Cubs could try to stock pile starters in Iowa with Wood, Doubront, Turner and Grimm. but that begins to be an expensive AAA rotation.
As for the position players, there are some serious weakness throughout. As many writers have pointed out, the Cubs really only have two set position players: Castro and Rizzo. The rest of the position players have yet to prove themselves as long term viable solutions on a competitive club.
The projected starters are:
12. Montero, C
13. Rizzo, 1B
14. Baez, 2B
15. Castro, SS
16. Valbuena, 3B
17. Coghlan, LF
18. Alcantara, CF
19. Soler, RF
The bench seems to fall like this:
20. Ross, C
21. Castillo, C
22. La Stella, 2B/IN
23. Olt, 3B/1B
24. Denorfia, LF
25. Sweeney, OF
There are two many catchers on this roster. Ross stays as Lester's personal catcher. The trade for Montero does not appear to be an upgrade over Castillo. Unless Castillo can learn first base, he is more valuable than Olt long term, especially when Kris Bryant is promoted in May (Olt would be the cut). Valbuena would become the super-infield sub taking time away from La Stella. The outfield platoon of Coghlan/Denorfia is still weak, and Alcantara is still better suited to play second base than center field and move Castro to LF and Baez to shortstop.
Projected: Alternative:
OF: Coghan/Denorfia, Alcantara, Soler OF: Castro, Coghlan, Soler
3B: Valbuena 3B: Bryant
SS: Castro SS: Baez
2B: Baez 2B: Alcantara
1B: Rizzo 1B: Rizzo
C: Montero C: Castillo
The alternative line-up in my opinion is better defensively than the projected one. And for those who agree that keeping Bryant down on the farm for two weeks to two months to add a contract year of control is contrary to the team's "statement" that the Cubs will contend in 2015. To contend, you have to play your best players, period. Not hold them back to get another arbitration year. Besides Castillo, no one on the Cubs projected bench could start for any NL team, let alone make most of them.
I would expect at least two more key moves to sort out the roster. One has to center around keeping/sending Jackson and Wood. The other is trading Castillo for hopefully, a solid outfield starter.
The roster is a puzzle with many broken pieces.
As it stands now, three or four pitchers are on the outside looking in, considering that new manager Joe Maddon is moving to an NL club that needs to manufacture runs to win (and means a longer bench).
The starting rotation is pretty well set by contract restrictions: (* left hander)
1. Lester *
2. Arrieta
3. Hammel
4. Hendricks
5. E. Jackson
Jackson will continue to be a starter because there is no need for a pouty reliever. Jackson may be so damaged with control issues as to be untradeable by spring training. Jackson's presence in the rotation will displace either Wood, Wada, Doubront, Turner and Grimm from starting role. Likewise, the five out of luck starters are vying for only two spots in the bullpen.
Bullpen:
6. Closer: Rondon
7. Set Up: Motte
8. 7th/8th: Strop
9. 6/7th: Ramirez
10. Long relief: Wada *
11. Long relief: T. Wood *
Having both Wada and Wood as long reliever/spot starters may be necessary as the Cubs are still short on proven lefty relievers. Ortiz or Rosscup are not better than Wada or Wood.
Now, the Cubs could try to stock pile starters in Iowa with Wood, Doubront, Turner and Grimm. but that begins to be an expensive AAA rotation.
As for the position players, there are some serious weakness throughout. As many writers have pointed out, the Cubs really only have two set position players: Castro and Rizzo. The rest of the position players have yet to prove themselves as long term viable solutions on a competitive club.
The projected starters are:
12. Montero, C
13. Rizzo, 1B
14. Baez, 2B
15. Castro, SS
16. Valbuena, 3B
17. Coghlan, LF
18. Alcantara, CF
19. Soler, RF
The bench seems to fall like this:
20. Ross, C
21. Castillo, C
22. La Stella, 2B/IN
23. Olt, 3B/1B
24. Denorfia, LF
25. Sweeney, OF
There are two many catchers on this roster. Ross stays as Lester's personal catcher. The trade for Montero does not appear to be an upgrade over Castillo. Unless Castillo can learn first base, he is more valuable than Olt long term, especially when Kris Bryant is promoted in May (Olt would be the cut). Valbuena would become the super-infield sub taking time away from La Stella. The outfield platoon of Coghlan/Denorfia is still weak, and Alcantara is still better suited to play second base than center field and move Castro to LF and Baez to shortstop.
Projected: Alternative:
OF: Coghan/Denorfia, Alcantara, Soler OF: Castro, Coghlan, Soler
3B: Valbuena 3B: Bryant
SS: Castro SS: Baez
2B: Baez 2B: Alcantara
1B: Rizzo 1B: Rizzo
C: Montero C: Castillo
The alternative line-up in my opinion is better defensively than the projected one. And for those who agree that keeping Bryant down on the farm for two weeks to two months to add a contract year of control is contrary to the team's "statement" that the Cubs will contend in 2015. To contend, you have to play your best players, period. Not hold them back to get another arbitration year. Besides Castillo, no one on the Cubs projected bench could start for any NL team, let alone make most of them.
I would expect at least two more key moves to sort out the roster. One has to center around keeping/sending Jackson and Wood. The other is trading Castillo for hopefully, a solid outfield starter.
January 16, 2015
OAKLAND LOSES
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that a federal appeals court on Thursday rejected efforts by the Oakland A’s and the city of San Jose to force major league baseball to let the team move to the South Bay, saying only Congress or the U.S. Supreme Court can overturn the sport’s nearly century-old exemption from antitrust laws.
The Ninth Circuit's ruling leaves the A’s and San Jose with the remaining option of asking the high court to repeal the antitrust exemption, which it established in 1922 and reaffirmed in 1953 and 1972. The exemption requires a team that wants to move outside its territory to seek the major leagues’ approval, which hasn’t been forthcoming since the A’s first floated the San Jose possibility.
“Like Casey, San Jose has struck out here,” the opinion said in the 3-0 ruling. “Only Congress and the Supreme Court are empowered to question continued vitality (of the 1972 ruling) , and with it, the fate of baseball’s singular and historic exemption from the antitrust laws.”
The appellate court described the antitrust exemption as “one of federal law’s most enduring anomalies,” acknowledging that the original 1922 ruling was based on a “soon-to-be-outmoded interpretation” of the Constitution. But he said Congress, which has the power to rewrite the antitrust law to include relocation of major league teams, has left the ruling and its successors intact.
The A's have been trying to move out of Oakland for years. The stadium is in poor condition. Oakland is the ugly sister economically to neighbor-across-the-bay, San Francisco, whose Giants own the territory rights on the east side of the bay all the way down through Silicon Valley.
Territorial rights used to be important considerations when teams joined a league. By having an exclusive presence in a town, it meant the club had a better chance of profitability. Two team towns had divided loyalties, and usually one team got the short end of the stick (politically, socially or in attendance).
But since baseball, like most major sports, has now grown past mere attendance as being the life blood of a team, the concept of territorial monopoly seems to be outdated. But teams still guard those territories so as to keep the mystic of fan serfdom. The great gnawing peeve for fans is the territorial black out rules where fans of a team just outside the club's broadcast rights territory cannot pick up their club's games.
It is still money, or the perception of losing a single dollar to a competitor, that keeps the MLB team ownership rules and restrictions in place.
The Ninth Circuit's ruling leaves the A’s and San Jose with the remaining option of asking the high court to repeal the antitrust exemption, which it established in 1922 and reaffirmed in 1953 and 1972. The exemption requires a team that wants to move outside its territory to seek the major leagues’ approval, which hasn’t been forthcoming since the A’s first floated the San Jose possibility.
“Like Casey, San Jose has struck out here,” the opinion said in the 3-0 ruling. “Only Congress and the Supreme Court are empowered to question continued vitality (of the 1972 ruling) , and with it, the fate of baseball’s singular and historic exemption from the antitrust laws.”
The appellate court described the antitrust exemption as “one of federal law’s most enduring anomalies,” acknowledging that the original 1922 ruling was based on a “soon-to-be-outmoded interpretation” of the Constitution. But he said Congress, which has the power to rewrite the antitrust law to include relocation of major league teams, has left the ruling and its successors intact.
The A's have been trying to move out of Oakland for years. The stadium is in poor condition. Oakland is the ugly sister economically to neighbor-across-the-bay, San Francisco, whose Giants own the territory rights on the east side of the bay all the way down through Silicon Valley.
Territorial rights used to be important considerations when teams joined a league. By having an exclusive presence in a town, it meant the club had a better chance of profitability. Two team towns had divided loyalties, and usually one team got the short end of the stick (politically, socially or in attendance).
But since baseball, like most major sports, has now grown past mere attendance as being the life blood of a team, the concept of territorial monopoly seems to be outdated. But teams still guard those territories so as to keep the mystic of fan serfdom. The great gnawing peeve for fans is the territorial black out rules where fans of a team just outside the club's broadcast rights territory cannot pick up their club's games.
It is still money, or the perception of losing a single dollar to a competitor, that keeps the MLB team ownership rules and restrictions in place.
January 15, 2015
CONVENTIONS
There is a fundamental question that has no real answer.
What is more important five years down the road - - - hitting or pitching?
The obvious answer for a contender is both, but that really cannot happen without a major bit of luck and massive overproduction from your roster.
Teams have started to guard their prospects like gold bars in a inflationary world. When teams trade veterans for prospects, they would like to get young arms with high ceilings in return. Teams pay a premium for quality starting pitchers in the free agent market. So pitching is more important than hitting?
Not really, In the post-steroid era, hitting especially natural power hitters, are becoming a scarce commodity. No longer do you find a herd of 30 home run second basemen littering All-Star ballots. In fact, we are back to the days where hitting 30 HRs in a season is a real accomplishment. Every major league roster is filled with .230 hitters. When did that become acceptable? So finding quality hitting is more important than pitching?
The Cubs have made a real effort to draft hitting prospects high in the draft, then overloading with pitchers in the middle rounds in a Vegas attempt to roll a hard eight. However, as a prospect works his way through the system, it gets harder to hit better pitching. A hitter's mechanics may get changed four or five times before his call up from AAA. On the other hand, pitchers throw like they have thrown since high school. Coaches may add nuances and new grips to add variety to the pitcher's arsenal, but basically a pitcher is an organic machine throwing the baseball to home plate. A pitcher with good control will find work over a flamethrower with no command.
The problem with the Cubs is that if the convention they are vested in, hitting, as the long term plan for success, the team has more "swingers" than hitters. Free swingers like Soler, Baez, Castro may connect for the long ball more often than an average player, but their batting average will suffer. The team really does not have a solid .310 hitter in the middle of the line up. The team really does not have high on-base percentage guys either.
So do you use flawed swing hitters to acquire high quality pitching, like Cole Hamels? Perhaps, but then you have the problem of replacing hitting with less potential.
It is a vicious cycle that needs balance in order to succeed. The easiest way to get balance is to draft well year after year without complaining about the new CBA restricting loop holes. The best way to build a roster is to develop major league ready talent. But that is easier said than done. Only a hand full of franchises have that long term reputation of developing good talent year after year.
What is more important five years down the road - - - hitting or pitching?
The obvious answer for a contender is both, but that really cannot happen without a major bit of luck and massive overproduction from your roster.
Teams have started to guard their prospects like gold bars in a inflationary world. When teams trade veterans for prospects, they would like to get young arms with high ceilings in return. Teams pay a premium for quality starting pitchers in the free agent market. So pitching is more important than hitting?
Not really, In the post-steroid era, hitting especially natural power hitters, are becoming a scarce commodity. No longer do you find a herd of 30 home run second basemen littering All-Star ballots. In fact, we are back to the days where hitting 30 HRs in a season is a real accomplishment. Every major league roster is filled with .230 hitters. When did that become acceptable? So finding quality hitting is more important than pitching?
The Cubs have made a real effort to draft hitting prospects high in the draft, then overloading with pitchers in the middle rounds in a Vegas attempt to roll a hard eight. However, as a prospect works his way through the system, it gets harder to hit better pitching. A hitter's mechanics may get changed four or five times before his call up from AAA. On the other hand, pitchers throw like they have thrown since high school. Coaches may add nuances and new grips to add variety to the pitcher's arsenal, but basically a pitcher is an organic machine throwing the baseball to home plate. A pitcher with good control will find work over a flamethrower with no command.
The problem with the Cubs is that if the convention they are vested in, hitting, as the long term plan for success, the team has more "swingers" than hitters. Free swingers like Soler, Baez, Castro may connect for the long ball more often than an average player, but their batting average will suffer. The team really does not have a solid .310 hitter in the middle of the line up. The team really does not have high on-base percentage guys either.
So do you use flawed swing hitters to acquire high quality pitching, like Cole Hamels? Perhaps, but then you have the problem of replacing hitting with less potential.
It is a vicious cycle that needs balance in order to succeed. The easiest way to get balance is to draft well year after year without complaining about the new CBA restricting loop holes. The best way to build a roster is to develop major league ready talent. But that is easier said than done. Only a hand full of franchises have that long term reputation of developing good talent year after year.
January 14, 2015
SURPLUS
Surplus is good. It means you have more than one needs.
The White Sox have a surplus of outfield talent after signing Melky Cabrera to play left field.
The White Sox avoided an arbitration hearing with outfielder Dayan Viciedo, agreeing to a one-year, $4.4 million contract.
Viciedo, 25, batted .231 with 21 home runs, 58 RBI and a career-high 65 runs scored in 145 games with the Sox in 2014. He’s a career .254 hitter with 66 home runs and 211 RBI in 483 games.
Viciedo might not figure in the Sox’ plans for 2015. He certainly doesn’t figure to have a starting role after the Sox signed free agent Melky Cabrera to a three-year, $42 million deal in December. Cabrera will take over in left field, Avisail Garcia is in right and Adam LaRoche and Jose Abreu will share designated-hitter duties.
The Sox have been exploring trade possibilities for the right-handed-hitting Viciedo, who might have some value after hitting 20-plus homers three times in the last four seasons. He is young and hits for power which could bring back several top prospects in trade (including pitching). But it seems the Sox may be content on holding onto Vicideo as the 4th OF/DH in case of injury to another starter.
The White Sox have a surplus of outfield talent after signing Melky Cabrera to play left field.
The White Sox avoided an arbitration hearing with outfielder Dayan Viciedo, agreeing to a one-year, $4.4 million contract.
Viciedo, 25, batted .231 with 21 home runs, 58 RBI and a career-high 65 runs scored in 145 games with the Sox in 2014. He’s a career .254 hitter with 66 home runs and 211 RBI in 483 games.
Viciedo might not figure in the Sox’ plans for 2015. He certainly doesn’t figure to have a starting role after the Sox signed free agent Melky Cabrera to a three-year, $42 million deal in December. Cabrera will take over in left field, Avisail Garcia is in right and Adam LaRoche and Jose Abreu will share designated-hitter duties.
The Sox have been exploring trade possibilities for the right-handed-hitting Viciedo, who might have some value after hitting 20-plus homers three times in the last four seasons. He is young and hits for power which could bring back several top prospects in trade (including pitching). But it seems the Sox may be content on holding onto Vicideo as the 4th OF/DH in case of injury to another starter.
January 13, 2015
THE STEALTH PLAYER
He is probably the least known All-Star caliber baseball player in the major leagues.
He got a headline this week when his old team, the Rays, traded him to Oakland.
The Rays have announced that they’ve traded IN/OF Ben Zobrist and SS Yunel Escobar to the Athletics for catcher/DH John Jaso, shortstop prospect Daniel Robertson (BA rank #85 in baseball), outfield prospect Boog Powell (Oakland's #11 prospect), and $1.5 million in cash.
The 33-year-old Zobrist has been one of baseball’s best players over the past several seasons, with four straight seasons of an fWAR of above 5.0. While his offense the past two years has been down from his 2008-2012 pace (slipping somewhat to .272/.354/.395 in 2014), his defensive talents and ability to play second base, shortstop and outfield make him tremendously valuable. He will be eligible for free agency after making $7.5 million in the last option season on the team-friendly extension he signed with Tampa in 2010. The Athletics can also extend Zobrist a qualifying offer after the season, potentially netting themselves a draft pick if he signs elsewhere.
Zobrist's 9 year average WAR is an outstanding 4.07. He has had two seasons in which his WAR was more than 8! In 2009 (8.9) and 2011 (8.7). In the last three seasons, his WAR has been 5.7, 4.8, and 5.0. In 2014 he hit 16 HR, 52 RBI, .272 BA and 10 SB. In his 9 year career, he has hit 114 HR, 511 RBI, .264 BA with 102 SB.
Playing in Tampa certainly had dampened Zobrist's national reputation. But Billy Beane continues to find value in re-tolling his Oakland club for another post-season run in 2015, acquiring young talent like infielder Marcus Semien, which some scouts compare favorably to a young Zobrist.
He got a headline this week when his old team, the Rays, traded him to Oakland.
The Rays have announced that they’ve traded IN/OF Ben Zobrist and SS Yunel Escobar to the Athletics for catcher/DH John Jaso, shortstop prospect Daniel Robertson (BA rank #85 in baseball), outfield prospect Boog Powell (Oakland's #11 prospect), and $1.5 million in cash.
The 33-year-old Zobrist has been one of baseball’s best players over the past several seasons, with four straight seasons of an fWAR of above 5.0. While his offense the past two years has been down from his 2008-2012 pace (slipping somewhat to .272/.354/.395 in 2014), his defensive talents and ability to play second base, shortstop and outfield make him tremendously valuable. He will be eligible for free agency after making $7.5 million in the last option season on the team-friendly extension he signed with Tampa in 2010. The Athletics can also extend Zobrist a qualifying offer after the season, potentially netting themselves a draft pick if he signs elsewhere.
Zobrist's 9 year average WAR is an outstanding 4.07. He has had two seasons in which his WAR was more than 8! In 2009 (8.9) and 2011 (8.7). In the last three seasons, his WAR has been 5.7, 4.8, and 5.0. In 2014 he hit 16 HR, 52 RBI, .272 BA and 10 SB. In his 9 year career, he has hit 114 HR, 511 RBI, .264 BA with 102 SB.
Playing in Tampa certainly had dampened Zobrist's national reputation. But Billy Beane continues to find value in re-tolling his Oakland club for another post-season run in 2015, acquiring young talent like infielder Marcus Semien, which some scouts compare favorably to a young Zobrist.
DEFENSE
Defensive Runs Saved
NL teams in 2014
| Cardinals | 76 |
| Reds | 71 |
| Padres | 43 |
| Pirates | 41 |
| Diamondbacks | 29 |
| Dodgers | 25 |
| Braves | 22 |
| Mets | 22 |
| Rockies | 17 |
| Nationals | 9 |
| Giants | 9 |
| Brewers | 0 |
| Marlins | -11 |
| Cubs | -20 |
| Phillies | -29 |
Some say pitching and defense wins championships. As the chart above shows, the Cubs were nearly dead last in defensive runs saved in 2014.
Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) is a defensive statistic calculated by The Fielding Bible, an organization run by John Dewan, that rates individual players as above or below average on defense. Much like UZR, players as measured in “runs” above or below average, and Baseball Info Solutions data is used as an input.
In simple terms, SI's baseball writer Joe Posanski wrote:
“…as I understand it, the numbers determines (using film study and computer comparisons) how many more or fewer successful plays a defensive player will make than league average. For instance, if a shortstop makes a play that only 24% of shortstops make, he will get .76 of a point (1 full point minus .24). If a shortstop BLOWS a play that 82% of shortstops make, then you subtract .82 of a point. And at the end, you add it all up and get a plus/minus.”It is really simple to why the Cubs were so far behind the rest of the NL on defense. You had a second baseman learning to play center field on the fly. You had various utility infielders starting positions at third and second. You had a platoon of below replacement level outfielders. You had a shortstop with concentration lapses. You had a catcher which most scouting and stat guys said was below average defensively (which I tend to disagree with; Castillo was on par with other NL catchers).
Have the Cubs upgraded anything defensively this off-season. Some say that Montero and Ross are better defensive catchers than Castillo, but Montero does not impress me as a better overall catching solution. The outfield is still in platoon hell, and Bryant's eventual call up to play third harks back to scouting reports saying the Cubs probably would move him to LF. But Bryant wants to play third and to avoid putting adding pressure of learning a new position, I would let him play third and hit.
January 12, 2015
CONTINGENCY PLAN?
The Cubs will announce soon "contingency" plans if the bleachers are not completed by
Opening Night.
I thought, maybe that contingency plan is to move the games to the Cell.
Because, based upon the construction photographs I have seen, the brick outfield walls
are not structurally sound - - - meaning an outfielder racing to catch a deep fly ball
may actually bend, break or tumble through the bricks like an old Charlie Chaplin movie.
And since the brick and ivy is THE most important landmark feature at the park,
why risk it? Perhaps the Ricketts do not believe any damage to the brick facade will
do any more damage to their own reputations as gravediggers, oh, caretakers, of Wrigley Field.
And what city inspector is going to approve games in an active "construction site?"
Construction safety standards require fencing and hard hat areas to be secure from
the general public, which during games would include the players on the field.
It has all the foresight of the failed Northwestern football game at Wrigley, where the
conference and officials on game day said the field was unsafe to play because the end zones
were too small (and players could get hurt running into the brick walls).
With the harsh aspects of Winter in Chicago bearing outdoor construction to a crawl, it is really doubtful that the debut of the "new" Wrigley on national television is going to be the glittering success that the Cubs PR department had hoped for. . . and as I had said before, and now confirmed by a few die hard baseball fans who visited the site during the holiday season, that the gut fan reaction is going to be negative.
January 11, 2015
NEW LEVEL OF PRESSURE
Lou Piniella, the veteran of the Bronx Zoo and many stress filled playoff games, never saw it coming. Laid back Dusty Baker was ground up like hamburger meal.
Now, Joe Maddon gets a hint of the Monster that will envelop his life.
CSNChicago reported:
A trip to New York reminded Joe Maddon of the nowhere-to-hide scrutiny that comes with this job. But having no OFF switch must sound ideal to someone who loves the bright lights.
“I’m walking down the street in Times Square to go to this cocktail party,” Maddon said, recalling his visit for the Lafayette-Lehigh college football game at Yankee Stadium in late November.
“There was the restaurant with the big windows. And all of a sudden a bunch of people start pounding on the window, from the inside out, because they’re all Cubs fans, pointing at Cubs stuff. You get a sense or feel of that very fast.”
>>> YOU THINK???
You are as far away from the epicenter of Cub fandom in NYC, and you are accosted by monkeys in a zoo!!
This is pressure you have never even imagined, now that the front office has rolled a pulled-pin grenade down the expectation aisle of the team bus.
Maddon has never had the scrutiny, pressure to win and the rabid fan base that is Cub nation. Maddon had been off the radar screen (doing good work by all accounts) in the literal backwater of baseball, Tampa Bay. How he handles the first failures is going to be the litmus test for his future in Chicago.
Now, Joe Maddon gets a hint of the Monster that will envelop his life.
CSNChicago reported:
A trip to New York reminded Joe Maddon of the nowhere-to-hide scrutiny that comes with this job. But having no OFF switch must sound ideal to someone who loves the bright lights.
“I’m walking down the street in Times Square to go to this cocktail party,” Maddon said, recalling his visit for the Lafayette-Lehigh college football game at Yankee Stadium in late November.
“There was the restaurant with the big windows. And all of a sudden a bunch of people start pounding on the window, from the inside out, because they’re all Cubs fans, pointing at Cubs stuff. You get a sense or feel of that very fast.”
>>> YOU THINK???
You are as far away from the epicenter of Cub fandom in NYC, and you are accosted by monkeys in a zoo!!
This is pressure you have never even imagined, now that the front office has rolled a pulled-pin grenade down the expectation aisle of the team bus.
Maddon has never had the scrutiny, pressure to win and the rabid fan base that is Cub nation. Maddon had been off the radar screen (doing good work by all accounts) in the literal backwater of baseball, Tampa Bay. How he handles the first failures is going to be the litmus test for his future in Chicago.
January 10, 2015
PITCH CLOCK
Baseball owners will discuss putting in a "pitch clock" into games
to speed up play.
Like the shot clock in basketball, the Pitch clock is supposed to get
pitchers to throw the ball quickly like Mark Buehrle does.
I don't like the idea.
Pitching is an artform not a mechanical machine.
There are reasons why a pitcher wants to change the timing
of his deliveries - - - to keep the batter off balance.
If a pitcher is taking too much time now, the ump can warn him.
The system has worked for more than a century, why change it?
Oh, to be like the NFL which needs new rules every week so
the league office can justify its hefty salaries.
to speed up play.
Like the shot clock in basketball, the Pitch clock is supposed to get
pitchers to throw the ball quickly like Mark Buehrle does.
I don't like the idea.
Pitching is an artform not a mechanical machine.
There are reasons why a pitcher wants to change the timing
of his deliveries - - - to keep the batter off balance.
If a pitcher is taking too much time now, the ump can warn him.
The system has worked for more than a century, why change it?
Oh, to be like the NFL which needs new rules every week so
the league office can justify its hefty salaries.
January 9, 2015
WHY PROSPECT LISTS ARE TENUOUS
Baseball America, the publication guru of all things baseball prospects, has revised its current Cub top prospect list:
1. Kris Bryant
2. Addison Russell
3. Jorge Soler
4. Kyle Schwarber
5. C.J. Edwards
6. Billy McKinney
7. Albert Almora
8. Gleyber Torres
9. Pierce Johnson
10. Duane Underwood
Compare to the 2013 list:
1. Baez, on major league roster, potential starter at 2B
2. Bryant
3. Edwards, starting to fall
4. Almora, falling for a #1 pick
5. Soler, on major league roster, RF starter
6. Johnson, falling
7. Alcantara, must no longer a prospect but average CF in 2015
8. Jeimer Candelario, fallen
9. Dan Vogelbach, fallen and blocked by Rizzo
10. Arodys Vizcaino, out of the organization.
Only three of the top prospects made it to the Cubs roster (30%), perhaps a higher percentage than normal because the Cubs 25 Man Roster was nothing more than AAA talent for the last three years.
1. Kris Bryant
2. Addison Russell
3. Jorge Soler
4. Kyle Schwarber
5. C.J. Edwards
6. Billy McKinney
7. Albert Almora
8. Gleyber Torres
9. Pierce Johnson
10. Duane Underwood
Compare to the 2013 list:
1. Baez, on major league roster, potential starter at 2B
2. Bryant
3. Edwards, starting to fall
4. Almora, falling for a #1 pick
5. Soler, on major league roster, RF starter
6. Johnson, falling
7. Alcantara, must no longer a prospect but average CF in 2015
8. Jeimer Candelario, fallen
9. Dan Vogelbach, fallen and blocked by Rizzo
10. Arodys Vizcaino, out of the organization.
Only three of the top prospects made it to the Cubs roster (30%), perhaps a higher percentage than normal because the Cubs 25 Man Roster was nothing more than AAA talent for the last three years.
January 8, 2015
TEN MILLION GAME OF CHICKEN
Dan Haren is not an "elite" pitcher. He went 13-11, 4.02 ERA last year, but he does not have a positive WAR since 2011. But he comes across as a player who believes he is entitled to demand where he wants to play, even though he is not a free agent.
Haren was traded by the Dodgers to the Miami Marlins in December. Haren previously told the world that he wanted to remain on the West Coast, close to his family.
The Marlins made the move to appease Giocarlo Stanton, who signed the back loaded mega deal this off-season. Stanton wants to play for a winning team, and Haren qualifies as a pitching staff upgrade. That is, if he shows up to camp.
Most teams try to avoid headaches and bad public relations. This trade and its fall out seems to fail on both counts.
Haren was traded by the Dodgers to the Miami Marlins in December. Haren previously told the world that he wanted to remain on the West Coast, close to his family.
The Marlins acquired Haren (for free), second baseman Dee Gordon and infielder Miguel Rojas in exchange for prospects Andrew Heaney, Chris Hatcher, Enrique Hernandez and Austin Barnes. At the time,
In fact, Haren reaffirmed his stance in a statement soon after the trade was agreed to.
"I have been notified of the trade to Miami. My strong desire to remain in Southern California has been well-documented. I will have to evaluate my options carefully before making any decisions."
Miami had hoped Haren would
reconsider. It's becoming increasingly clear, however, that Haren is set
in his ways. The Miami Herald reported that the Marlins have been exploring options, but are finding no takers.
At his request, the Marlins have been trying to trade pitcher Dan Haren to a team closer to his Southern California home but have found no takers. The Marlins have no intention of parting with the $10 million that the Dodgers are giving them to pay Haren’s salary or to keep if he retires.
The threat of retirement is aimed at the Marlins, a dysfunctional club that adds to the confusion by actively trading for a player who does not want to be a Marlin. But the price was right, with the Dodgers paying the 2015 salary. But more and more players have been putting partial "no trade" provisions in their contracts to avoid "bad" teams or bad locations. Apparently, Haren did not have the leverage to keep his trade options solely to the Western US. Teams hate to tie their hands with no-trade deals, because in the case of LA, it needed to restock its system with new prospects.If Haren retires, the Marlins will allocate that money toward Mat Latos’ estimated $8.4 million salary.
The Marlins made the move to appease Giocarlo Stanton, who signed the back loaded mega deal this off-season. Stanton wants to play for a winning team, and Haren qualifies as a pitching staff upgrade. That is, if he shows up to camp.
Most teams try to avoid headaches and bad public relations. This trade and its fall out seems to fail on both counts.
January 7, 2015
BACK TO THE WELL
The Cubs have crawled back to WGN-TV to broadcast the last 45 games of their schedule,
through the 2019 season. The games will not be televised on the WGN America superstation.
The Tribune reports that last season, WGN-Ch. 9 paid about $250,000 per game and lost $200,000 per game because of weak advertising revenue, sources said. The new rights agreement is likely more favorable for WGN and could play out better than last year’s deal, sources said, despite a later start on ad sales.
Launching a regional sports network in 2020 could mean big bucks for the Cubs, who earned about $60 million last season as the team split its schedule between Comcast SportsNet Chicago and WGN-TV.
The loss of 45 games would equate to losing 27 percent of potential local broadcast revenues. Even if the Cubs take substantially less (which WGN had previously offered only a "profit sharing deal" on game telecasts, i.e. meaning nearly nothing based on last season's poor ad sales), it is still better than losing fan interest.
The Cubs need the 45 games broadcast more than WGN needs to show them. People are still creatures of habit; if a fan does not have the opportunity to watch a non-televised Cub game, he or she will find something else to do. And if that something else is just as enjoyable, then he or she may stop watching games on TV in order to experience different forms of entertainment. This is the problem the Dodgers will face in 2015 after 75% of the their local fan base could not watch 2014 Dodger games due to cable operators balking at the Dodgers license fee demands.
If the Cubs are going to launch their own network in 2020, it needs to keep its loyal base in tact and grow the Millennials.
Millennials are defined as the generation of people born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s. Perhaps the most commonly used birth range for this group is 1982-2000. The Millennial Generation is also known as Generation Y, because it comes after Generation X — those people between the early 1960s and the 1980s. It has also been called "the Peter Pan or Boomerang Generation" because of the propensity of some of them to move back in with their parents, perhaps due to economic constraints, and a growing tendency to delay some of the typical adulthood rites of passage like marriage or starting a career.
Millennials have been characterized in a number of different ways. On the negative side, they've been described as lazy, narcissistic and prone to jump from job to job. The 2008 book "Trophy Kids" by Ron Alsop discusses how many young people have been rewarded for minimal accomplishments (such as mere participation) in competitive sports, and have unrealistic expectations of working life.
Time magazine said polls show that this group demands flexible, unrealistic work schedules and more 'me time' on the job, while needing nearly nonstop feedback and career advice from their managers. In the story, "The Me Me Me Generation," it begins: "They’re narcissistic. They’re lazy. They’re coddled. They’re even a bit delusional. Those aren’t just unfounded negative stereotypes about 80 million Americans born roughly between 1980 and 2000. They’re backed up by a decade of sociological research."
A 2012 study found Millennials to be "more civically and politically disengaged, more focused on materialistic values, and less concerned about helping the larger community than were GenX (born 1962-1981) and Baby Boomers (born 1946 to about 1961) at the same ages," USA Today reported. "The trend is more of an emphasis on extrinsic values such as money, fame, and image, and less emphasis on intrinsic values such as self-acceptance, group affiliation and community." The study was based on an analysis of two large databases of 9 million high school seniors or entering college students.
They have also been described in positive ways. They are generally regarded as being more open-minded, and more supportive of gay rights and equal rights for minorities. Other positives adjectives to describe them include confident, self-expressive, liberal, upbeat and receptive to new ideas and ways of living.
The next generation fan base is going to be a tough sell for traditional sports leagues. They do not crave escapism through sports fanaticism, since they view the world already revolving around themselves.
They may be more adapt at new technology and how to consume new forms of entertainment like short YouTube video content created by their peers, or streaming web shows on demand. Whether they have the patience to sit and watch a three hour baseball game is suspect.
through the 2019 season. The games will not be televised on the WGN America superstation.
The Tribune reports that last season, WGN-Ch. 9 paid about $250,000 per game and lost $200,000 per game because of weak advertising revenue, sources said. The new rights agreement is likely more favorable for WGN and could play out better than last year’s deal, sources said, despite a later start on ad sales.
Launching a regional sports network in 2020 could mean big bucks for the Cubs, who earned about $60 million last season as the team split its schedule between Comcast SportsNet Chicago and WGN-TV.
The loss of 45 games would equate to losing 27 percent of potential local broadcast revenues. Even if the Cubs take substantially less (which WGN had previously offered only a "profit sharing deal" on game telecasts, i.e. meaning nearly nothing based on last season's poor ad sales), it is still better than losing fan interest.
The Cubs need the 45 games broadcast more than WGN needs to show them. People are still creatures of habit; if a fan does not have the opportunity to watch a non-televised Cub game, he or she will find something else to do. And if that something else is just as enjoyable, then he or she may stop watching games on TV in order to experience different forms of entertainment. This is the problem the Dodgers will face in 2015 after 75% of the their local fan base could not watch 2014 Dodger games due to cable operators balking at the Dodgers license fee demands.
If the Cubs are going to launch their own network in 2020, it needs to keep its loyal base in tact and grow the Millennials.
Millennials are defined as the generation of people born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s. Perhaps the most commonly used birth range for this group is 1982-2000. The Millennial Generation is also known as Generation Y, because it comes after Generation X — those people between the early 1960s and the 1980s. It has also been called "the Peter Pan or Boomerang Generation" because of the propensity of some of them to move back in with their parents, perhaps due to economic constraints, and a growing tendency to delay some of the typical adulthood rites of passage like marriage or starting a career.
Millennials have been characterized in a number of different ways. On the negative side, they've been described as lazy, narcissistic and prone to jump from job to job. The 2008 book "Trophy Kids" by Ron Alsop discusses how many young people have been rewarded for minimal accomplishments (such as mere participation) in competitive sports, and have unrealistic expectations of working life.
Time magazine said polls show that this group demands flexible, unrealistic work schedules and more 'me time' on the job, while needing nearly nonstop feedback and career advice from their managers. In the story, "The Me Me Me Generation," it begins: "They’re narcissistic. They’re lazy. They’re coddled. They’re even a bit delusional. Those aren’t just unfounded negative stereotypes about 80 million Americans born roughly between 1980 and 2000. They’re backed up by a decade of sociological research."
A 2012 study found Millennials to be "more civically and politically disengaged, more focused on materialistic values, and less concerned about helping the larger community than were GenX (born 1962-1981) and Baby Boomers (born 1946 to about 1961) at the same ages," USA Today reported. "The trend is more of an emphasis on extrinsic values such as money, fame, and image, and less emphasis on intrinsic values such as self-acceptance, group affiliation and community." The study was based on an analysis of two large databases of 9 million high school seniors or entering college students.
They have also been described in positive ways. They are generally regarded as being more open-minded, and more supportive of gay rights and equal rights for minorities. Other positives adjectives to describe them include confident, self-expressive, liberal, upbeat and receptive to new ideas and ways of living.
The next generation fan base is going to be a tough sell for traditional sports leagues. They do not crave escapism through sports fanaticism, since they view the world already revolving around themselves.
They may be more adapt at new technology and how to consume new forms of entertainment like short YouTube video content created by their peers, or streaming web shows on demand. Whether they have the patience to sit and watch a three hour baseball game is suspect.
January 6, 2015
ADDING PIECES
The White Sox continue to shore up the roster by adding veteran depth.
Multiple reports state that utility infielder Emilio Bonifacio has signed with the South Siders. He will earn $3 million in 2015, and the option is valued at $4 million with a $1 million buyout.
Bonifacio will give the White Sox another option at second base following the trade of Marcus Semien to Oakland in the Samardzija deal. Prospects Micah Johnson and Carlos Sanchez are the front runners to take the second base job, but the 29-year-old Bonifacio could conceivably earn the positio if the Sox want to continue their development in the minors.
If Johnson or Sanchez is the preferred choice out of Spring Training, the Sox will have a highly versatile utility player on their hands in Bonifacio at a reasonable price for someone that can handle a wide array of positions. The switch-hitting Bonifacio played second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions between the Cubs and Braves last season, batting .259/.305/.345 with 26 steals in 426 plate appearances along the way.
It seems to be a reasonable pick-up for the White Sox, since he can fill in at multiple positions, and can lead off with some reasonable stolen base speed as he did with the Cubs in early 2014.
Multiple reports state that utility infielder Emilio Bonifacio has signed with the South Siders. He will earn $3 million in 2015, and the option is valued at $4 million with a $1 million buyout.
Bonifacio will give the White Sox another option at second base following the trade of Marcus Semien to Oakland in the Samardzija deal. Prospects Micah Johnson and Carlos Sanchez are the front runners to take the second base job, but the 29-year-old Bonifacio could conceivably earn the positio if the Sox want to continue their development in the minors.
If Johnson or Sanchez is the preferred choice out of Spring Training, the Sox will have a highly versatile utility player on their hands in Bonifacio at a reasonable price for someone that can handle a wide array of positions. The switch-hitting Bonifacio played second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions between the Cubs and Braves last season, batting .259/.305/.345 with 26 steals in 426 plate appearances along the way.
It seems to be a reasonable pick-up for the White Sox, since he can fill in at multiple positions, and can lead off with some reasonable stolen base speed as he did with the Cubs in early 2014.
January 5, 2015
THE LOSS OF A PICK
One of the governors on the free agent market is the qualifying offer, where an old team offers a free agent to be a contract (last year it was $15.3 million) for one year. If the player declines, he is a full free agent. If another team signs him, that team must forfeit an unprotected first round draft pick.
Except for the elite, elite, the forfeiture of a draft pick stings general managers who now covet their draft picks for cheaper, long term control over talent.
James Shields finds himself in such a squeeze. He is ranked the third best FA pitcher on the market, but he has the yoke of the qualifying offer.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX reported that free agent starter Shields has a five-year, $110 million offer on the table from an unknown team, most likely the Yankees, Tigers, and Angels. These high budget teams would make the most sense if they are willing to forfeit a draft pick for the privilege of signing the right-hander.
The Yankees are the one team that does not mind losing draft picks to sign FA talent, because most likely they will receive draft picks when their free agents go on the open market. In essence, the Yankees are merely moving down 5 or 6 slots to the supplemental round to pick up one or two more bodies prior to the second round.
Shields rap is that he is a final injury away from being shut down for good. Jon Lester already hit is jackpot with the Cubs ($155 million) and Max Scherzer is holding out for an unattainable sum of $200 million, so Shields seems the most "reasonable" #1 starter left on the market since the Dodgers filled out their rotation depth with two second tier starters, Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson.
Except for the elite, elite, the forfeiture of a draft pick stings general managers who now covet their draft picks for cheaper, long term control over talent.
James Shields finds himself in such a squeeze. He is ranked the third best FA pitcher on the market, but he has the yoke of the qualifying offer.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX reported that free agent starter Shields has a five-year, $110 million offer on the table from an unknown team, most likely the Yankees, Tigers, and Angels. These high budget teams would make the most sense if they are willing to forfeit a draft pick for the privilege of signing the right-hander.
The Yankees are the one team that does not mind losing draft picks to sign FA talent, because most likely they will receive draft picks when their free agents go on the open market. In essence, the Yankees are merely moving down 5 or 6 slots to the supplemental round to pick up one or two more bodies prior to the second round.
Shields rap is that he is a final injury away from being shut down for good. Jon Lester already hit is jackpot with the Cubs ($155 million) and Max Scherzer is holding out for an unattainable sum of $200 million, so Shields seems the most "reasonable" #1 starter left on the market since the Dodgers filled out their rotation depth with two second tier starters, Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson.
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