It’s Wednesday March 12th and the news is pretty light for a couple reasons – most notably the Cubs traveled to Japan yesterday and are in the final stage of preparing for Opening Day next Tuesday March 18th.
Roster decisions have been made. We’ve crossed the pacific ocean. Set the starting rotation and overhauled the bullpen in the process.
It would be nice if Nico Hoerner made the trip but otherwise I don’t think we could be firing on more/all cylinders better than we are right now.
With that in mind, let’s get into some brief Cubs ancillary news from around the internet today.
Keegan Thompson Is Probably Getting DFA’d
With Matt Shaw coming up tot he 40-man, you’re going to have to get rid of someone before opening day in late March. This is for sure a step in that direction for Keegan Thompson, which gives his agent some time to start talking to other teams around the league behind the scenes. And while it’s unfortunate to see his time end, there’s really no attachment here whatsoever. He was a good reliever for a little bit. He was often injured and I think he’s still got a bright future if he can stay healthy can command his fastball better. But to act like this is some sad story would be severely out of place. If anything I’m happy we can just move on with more certainty in the bullpen.
And of course – good luck to Keegan in his future endeavors.
Also Good Luck To Travis Jankowski I Guess?
He opted out of his Cubs contract so he could sign with the White Sox, which isn’t a bad idea if you want playing time in the outfield. That’s because the White Sox stink and he’s much better off getting opportunities to play on the south side than he is cracking the Cubs lineup. That’s obvious and there’s really no point hammering that home.
What I will say instead is that Jankowski is the best White Sox last name since Konerko. It’s such a classic polish heavy hitter that’s gonna sound so good coming out of every White Sox dad’s mouth this summer.
I think Jankowski played for Hurry at Carmel if I’m not mistaken
How many guys walking around town know a Jankowski?
I played semi-pro with your uncle Peter
So classic. So perfect.
It makes me very happy for White Sox fans knowing how many foul mouthed Jankowskis were gonna get and it’s only mid March.
We need more Jankowskis
Amen.
Finally – This Graphic from MLB Trade Rumors Makes Me Sick
That’s the Cubs total offseason spend this year. Two deals over 1-year and they’re for a combined $41M for a backup catcher and #4 starting pitcher.
It honestly makes me sick to my stomach that Tom Ricketts is willing to do this shit to us and then pretend like he’s some competitive guy that wants to win.
Fuck that noise.
That’s what it is.
Noise.
Tom better grow some balls and overpay for Kyle Tucker if he wants to continue to harbor anything better than pure disgust from me. Because right now I think he’s completely full of shit and all you have to do is look at those 6 names. Then tell me he’s actually trying to win another championship?
Come on Tom.
Those are fine ball players but this was one of the best free agent classes in recent memory. The ticket prices aren’t getting cheaper and the extensions throughout the core are expiring soon. The fact he’s limp-dicking his way through the winter like this should piss everybody off. Not just the lunatics like me.
The reality is that Tom Ricketts wants the maximum for the minimum. That’s the shitty business man in him and he thinks it’s some smart competitive advantage. Truthfully, he’s not that smart. Just highly capitalized and well connected and unfortunately the present day owner of the Cubs.
A decade ago this would sound blasphemous but a decade ago I didn’t think he’d regress to the middle of the pack. I didn’t think we’d get to 2025 and still Craig Counsell’s contract would be the crown jewel of another offseason.
Even with the Kyle Tucker trade – we had to surrender what certainly looks like a perennial all star caliber talent to get one season of Tucker. So don’t throw Tom a parade as much as you should question where the money went. That’s a much better use of your time although you probably already know the answer.
Could they be worse?
Absolutely.
It could always be worse:
But that doesn’t mean it can’t be better, and that’s the primary source of my resentment.
Tom Ricketts should spend more money, and until he does, I’ll be pissed off.
These are your news and notes.
Drive home safe.