The Cubs are eyeing their own television network for when their current deal expires in 2020, writes Jesse Rogers of ESPN. If the team goes the route of running their own network, they could launch something as soon as 2018. For now they continue to talk to outside suitors. President of business operations Crane Kenney said, “as we have conversations, which are ongoing, if someone offers us something dramatically better we’ll look at it.” He also noted that ongoing issues in the cable universe would be monitored.
Here’s more from the NL Central:
- Theo Epstein sees himself “staying in the exact same role for a long time,” reports Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. Epstein’s contract with the Cubs expires after the 2016 season, but it doesn’t sound as though there’s any chance he’ll go elsewhere. Notably, ace pitcher Jake Arrieta is the club’s only unsigned arbitration player. Per Epstein, “I’m more worried about the team. Honestly, I want to take care of the players first, and then we’ll go from there.” Reading between the lines, it sounds like owner Tom Ricketts and Epstein may resolve their talks once Arrieta’s contract is finalized.
- The Cardinals hope catcher Yadier Molina will be available for Opening Day, but they’re hunting for backups just in case, writes Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. Molina had a setback recovering from a thumb injury which has put his early season status in jeopardy. The team does have reliable backup Brayan Pena on the roster, but the only other catcher on the 40-man is minor leaguer Mike Ohlman.
- Jon Niese could be Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage’s next project, writes Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Searage has developed a reputation as a pitching “wizard” after working with Francisco Liriano, Edinson Volquez, J.A. Happ, and others. The Pirates have benefited greatly from Searage’s tutelage as they’ve maximized the value of their buy-low trades and free agent pitching contracts. I’d add that Juan Nicasio is another reclamation project to watch.
Niese will benefit from having confidence in his defense. Too many times a mistake by the Mets stellar MI would cause him to unravel. His body language would say “here we go again”
Agreed. Any big Met fan knows that Niese is a ground ball pitcher and we have him the worst IF defense last year in the majors. Should improve especially with the shift friendly Pirates.
The other issue is his shoulder. When ever that’s hurt his velocity goes down and he gets killed
Don’t want to bring Niese’s confidence down but…
The Pirates pitchers did the same thing last year. Morton and Locke especially who seem to have their confidence easily shattered by a bad or missed play.
Pirates defense isn’t the greatest either. Other than Mercer the range of their infield isn’t all that big. Hopefully a better right side of the infield and a healthy Kang at third will help that. Outfield is one of the better ones in base ball though.
The Cardinals should claim Tony Sanchez like yesterday
Yeah i want to see Tony playing again.. not sure if for the cards or not though. With the speed the central has on the bases it probably wouldn’t be a good thing for them, Unless Molina or the cards staff can improve tony’s arm they should pass.
No we are right we Melina
Seriously, enough with the status of Theo’s contract. Everyone that reads MLBTR knows it runs only through 2016. I must have read about it in at least 20 articles so far this offseason. He isn’t going anywhere. Men don’t build a monstrous 110 story skyscraper from scratch and then walk away after 108 have been built. I’m from St. Louis and will be the first to state how incredibly impressed I am by the job he has done. This team has the potential be truly special for quite some time. I’ve been calling it since he arrived in Chi-town. I really don’t get the nastiness between Cards and Cubs fans I’ve seen on here either. This was always a “respectful” rivalry. Sure, the ribbing and giving each other the business has always been there, but never this mean natured. Any true Cardinals fan around here has been pining for the Cubs to compete. The only thing could have made the last decade or so of success better is if we’d been battling it out with Chicago every year. Good luck in 16″, Chicago. Hopefully we can have another playoff series.
What a great post. As a lifelong Cubs fan, I welcome both teams at their best, as well. Although the rivalry is long-running and quite deep, as a Cubs fan, I cannot help but respect what the Cards organization has done over the years.
This is going to be good for baseball.
I absolutely love this post. I’m a Cubs fan and I’ve always respected the Cardinals. They build from within and coach up their players. I’m looking forward to some healthy competition this year. I will say though it was satisfying to beat the cards in the playoffs last year.
As a cards fan I agree I’ve been to wrigley it’s the best place for a game. The rilvary has always been fun cub fans say we suck we say they suck the Cubs will win one of these days just don’t beet the cards in the playoffs to do it
I didn’t realize that a pitching coach only fixes one pitcher a year. Best of luck to Niese and Nicasio in their battle for attention.
Niese really doesn’t ‘need’ fixed he just needs a defense that won’t fail him so much. If he can keep up the 50% GB rate and the pirates infield is better than last year, his WHIP and ERA should both come down.
The only Concern i really have is his HR/FB rate but I’m not too worried about that… should be a solid 3 guy.
Neise has a 2cent head. U learn how to pitch thru mistakes n high school. Not act like a 10 year old on the mound.
Maybe the cardinals make a trade with Tampa for a backstop?
Like I said the Cardinals a battle of the way they are