I understand that the Cubs and the Giants are or have been ‘engaged’. I wish them long happy lives together. But I don’t think Nico Hoerner will be the ring-bearer. The idea has mileage because reputable people have talked about it, but the season was pretty silly before the meetings. I doubt Jeff Passan or Ken Rosenthal were talking out of their posteriors, but GIGO. Justin Dean will have to do as a wedding gift. Or consolation prize.
The usual local suspects are floating bogus trade proposals, but the tail doesn’t wag the dog. Mike Axisa is the latest on the National dogpile.
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- Jeff Passan (ESPN*): MLB free agency: Offseason winners, teams in need of a move. “With less than a month until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, Major League Baseball’s free agent pool remains flush with talent.”
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): The Chicago Cubs have a new Assistant General Manager, among other Front Office moves. “Every year in the offseason we see movement…”
- Michael Baumann (Fangraphs*): The Cubs should sign Brendan Rodgers next. “Is this a joke?” I hear you asking. MLB.com has more.
- David Adler (MLB.com*): Bregman is exactly the type of hitter the Cubs wanted. Here’s why. “… it just so happens that pulling the ball in the air is Bregman’s signature skill as a hitter.” Randy Holt has questions.
- Joe Trezza (MLB.com*): New teammates Alex Bregman, Dansby Swanson linked since prospect days. “Both players were known quantities in high school…”
- Matt Ostrowski (North Side Baseball*): Like Dansby Swanson, Alex Bregman was always Cubs’ top target. “In hindsight, this move was always likely to happen.“
- Mike Petriello (MLB.com*): Making sense of Bellinger’s latest complicated free agency. “It feels like we’ve been here before.”
Food For Thought:
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