Legendary Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman announced today that he’ll hang up his mic after the 2019 campaign, as John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer was among those to cover. It’ll be his 46th year in the booth, a remarkable run by any standard. Brennaman already received the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award way back in 2000, so it’s stating the obvious to call him an institution in Cincinnati. Fay honors his legacy in the above-linked piece, characterizing Brennaman as “a combination of celebrity and everyman.” As an acolyte of Vin Scully, I shared some admittedly sentimental words about the game when he wrapped up his remarkable career with the Dodgers. While I can’t add more that’s particular to Brennaman, there’s something universal in the idea I was trying to convey as it relates to long-tenured baseball announcers. MLBTR extends its best wishes to Brennaman as he prepares for one last 162-game run.
Here’s more from the central divisions …
- Cubs skipper Joe Maddon isn’t the one calling the shots in the Chicago baseball operations department, but it was nevertheless notable to see his response when asked by a fan whether there was any chance of the team landing star free agent Bryce Harper. As Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com tweets, Maddon replied simply and directly: “not going to happen.” Meanwhile, Jim Bowden of The Athletic tells David Kaplan of Sports Talk Chicago (Twitter link) that the Cubs “never engaged” on Harper in the first place. Of course, reports have indicated that the club did at least ask for a chance to get involved down the line, though it has never been clear how realistic such a scenario would be.
- The Twins are going to add at least one more arm before wrapping up their offseason, LaVelle E. Neal III tweets. Which? Well, that’d be good to know, of course, but the fact is that quite a few options still remain and it’s still entirely unclear where the front office might be looking. The Minnesota organization somehow still has yet to commit any salary beyond the season to come, so a reasonably significant addition surely can’t be ruled out. It’s arguable that the team most needs to pursue a quality reliever, though perhaps a move in the rotation is not out of the question entirely. Though it’s still anyone’s guess how this’ll play out, it’s notable that the team obviously still feels it has work to do. Certainly, some would argue that the Twins ought to be considering more than just a single hurler; the possibility of multiple impactful moves certainly still remains as well.
- New Brewers backstop Yasmani Grandal discussed why he chose to go to Milwaukee, as Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes. Grandal, of course, is known to have rejected a four-year deal with the Mets that would have paid him at a lower annual rate than the $18.25MM he’s guaranteed in Milwaukee ($2.25MM of which comes in the form of the buyout of a mutual option). While many would argue the lengthier term was the better deal, the veteran backstop says he felt it would have done a disservice to his fellow players to take less than he was worth for a given season. “I felt like part of my responsibility as a player was to respect the guys that went through this process before I did, those guys who established pay levels and markets for upper-tier catchers like me,” he said. Grandal talked about the “stressful” run through the open market; clearly, he thought hard about things not just for his personal benefit but from a broader perspective. Whether budging on years is preferable to taking a haircut on dollars is certainly debatable, but it’s interesting to note Grandal’s perspective on the subject regardless.
BlueJayFan1515
I’m still surprised Grandal settles for one year, but I suppose he just goes back on the market next season and hopes for more.
brandons-3
Same here. I don’t know if performances can fluctuate year-to-year anywhere more than catchers. Even if it wasn’t the $60 MM as reported, anything north of $50 MM would’ve been hard to turn down.
Vedder80
He can’t get another qualifying offer and is betting on himself to perform. Teams value the draft money now more than they will devalue him being one year older.
Senioreditor
If the past 2 post seasons are any indication, that’s a bet he’ll loose.
layventsky
Then he might want to get that tightened.
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
5TUNT1N
Like the workaholics are posting comments now!
jobusrum9
Technically he probably took the better deal.
If you give it more thought he realistically will probably end up making more over the next 4 years by going this route.
If his market doesn’t look like he will be able to get 3/42 after next season his option could allow him to stay with Milwaukee on a 2/32 deal.
It basically gives him 1 or 2 years in a better offensive ballpark to secure himself a deal without the QO attached.
Let’s say he has a great year next year and he leaves. It’s almost a guarantee he will get at least 3/42 next offseason.
If he doesn’t do as well next year and they keep him for the 2nd year that gives him another season to make his money.
There’s a really good chance this deal ends up making him more money and more importantly opens up his market to more teams.
themed
I hope now cub fans finally get IT. They have spent way to recklessly the lady several years and now they are overextended in the payroll department. The window is closing and before long we’ll probably see a complete tank job for several years. That’s the way they’ve done things in the past.
ohmy
Nope, they don’t get IT. Never will. Since last year the Cubs “had” Harper because of his friendship with Bryant……ya, NO!
justinept
Kaplan is a mouth piece for the team. He’s saying the Cubs never engaged on Harper either because the organization doesn’t want the public to know they tried and failed – or because the organization is in stealth mode. It’s probably the former, but the fact is that Kaplan is never right…
twentyforty
Every time you Cubs hating rubes see fit to publish your bitterness makes me laugh at just how insanely disappointed and broken you clowns were in 2016. And you certainly earned it.
chitown311
No one is hating, just stating the obvious that the rest of the baseball world sees. But keep living in your birdbox. In 2016.
Bryzzo2016
Yeah, Chicago’s a great city, I miss it. It gets a bad wrap because it’s straight trash once you go south of the loop, but nobody really goes there. Still desperately trying to give the South Side away to Indiana.
Anthony Princeton
I have been to 21 different MLB stadiums and you will not find a more ignorant, uninformed fan base outside the attendees at Wrigley. So slow down cupcake. Chicago hasn’t been a great city in a long time.
daved
Ignorant and uninformed fan base? Try STL. They still think Jay and Descalso won the WS for them in 2011. Some will tell you that Willie Jay was the actual catalyst that put the team over the top on their late summer run. That is how delusional they are. And if you think I’m kidding, it’s so bad here that some fans want both of these guys back on the Cardinals. It doesn’t stop with the fans. A few media dorks believe the crap too. At least going to Wrigley, Fenway and some other parks are fun.
Polymath
Non-sequiturs are ubiquitous on MLBTR.
meinhardt1992 2
I think that is completely wrong. Just because we are loyal to our team and may have some bias to them (what teams fans DONT have bias to their team) doesnt mean they are uninformed.
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
More ignorant fanbase than at Wrigley. Didn’t 3 Dodgers fans beat a giants fan to death. Because he was in their section at Dodger stadium? There isnt a more loyal fanbase than Cubs fans..unlike Dodgers or giants Yankees. No matter what the weather is. They sell out at least 75 of 81 games year in and year out. Hell when they go to Miller park coors field or even chase field most most other too they have 80+% seats filled. Milwaukee is so ignorant they tried to not allow Cubs in the park.
Dodgethis
Compared to how insanely jealous and petulant cubs fans were for the preceding 100+ years… go back to your bridge. Try not to get shot in what is certainly the worst city in America.
ChiSoxCity
The worst city? Ha! Hardly. The mass media’s programming folks like you to believe Chicago’s some kind of out-of-control hellhole. What they don’t tell you is Chicago is one of the top ten cities on the planet where ultra high net worth individuals ($30M+ of investable assets) prefer to live, along with Hong Kong, NY, LA, London, DC, Paris, Tokyo, Osaka, and San Francisco. I doubt that would be the case if they were all “getting shot”.
The areas where violent crime persists, unfortunately, are primarily in low income, crime ridden communities. Guess what… the same is true for every city in America. Endemic crime and class struggle go hand in hand in this country. Instead of glorifying it to advance some political agenda, or pay lip service to it, we should be doing something about it.
Bryzzo2016
Is Dodgethis referring to dodging a World Series ring? Also, the Dodgers have infamously spent waaay too much without the desired result, google hypocrisy. I live in LA, you can’t turn on 570am without fans and/or the hosts crucifying the inept Dodger front office, insane spending and still… NO RING. So like the other clown haters that pounce on anything Cubs, your obsession is transparent and even understandable.. but still pathetic. It could be worse, you could be themed or chisoxcity and get routinely made fun of…. or even worse, you could be a Northwest Indiana White Sux fan… they’ve literally never been relevant.
Meanwhile, I’ll take the ring in 2016, the 3 straight NLCS appearances and the 4 straight (and counting) playoff appearances, especially considering the Cubs core is still under team friendly, club control and many of them haven’t even hit their peak years yet. So, thanks for the concern trolls, but Cubs fans are good. They don’t need to add 100 mil + contracts EVERY offseason to compete. Again, there’s a reason why those that ACTUALLY GET PAID for their opinion consider Theo one of the smartest front office minds in the game. The proof is in the results, did it Boston… did it in Chicago. Wait… I thought one of you clowns was gonna explain something to Cubs fans?!? Hahaha
ChiSoxCity
This is a perfect example of why everyone hates Cubs fans. I can see why a Yankees fan would be arrogant and smug. The Cubs get one freaking ring in 108 years, and suddenly they act as if the whole baseball world is in awe. Guess what Cubs fans… It’s 2018. Nobody cares about 2016. Try to win another championship this century, then you can run your mouths like you did something.
daved
I don’t know what’s worse? Not winning a title in 108 years, or listening to Charlie Brown’s teacher day after day tell us about the titles a team won in the 1920’s or 1940’s?
2id
Bro, sorry the Brewers used up all the Cubs’s pixie dust last September. Maybe in another 100 years the Cubs can get it back
jd396
Jesus weeps every time a Cubs troll comes in acting as if they personally defeated non-Cubs fans as a result of the Cubs winning the World Series in 2016
daved
How long did you spend thinking up this gem of a line?
CalcetinesBlancos
For every smart Theo move, there’s a really dumb move he’s made. And yeah, Kaplan is irritating; he’s one of those creepy Cubs fans who defends the team to a disturbing degree no matter what happens lol.
ChiSoxCity
Ever try talking to a Cubs fans about some negative aspect of the team? It’s like telling a 6 year old there’s no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny. It’s REALLY annoying. lol
thegreatcerealfamine
There’s your inferiority complex showing again.
Android Dawesome
ChiSoxCity is just bitter because life peaked when he stormed Comiskey shirtless with his dad to beat up Gamboa
ChiSoxCity
lol!
Bryzzo2016
Really? 1 for 1? Hmmm, so… hitting on 4 straight 1st round picks? Who else has done that in the modern era? All champions, no longer “prospects” but, graduated, proven MLB champs. THEN the trades fleecing GMs for Arrieta, Hendricks, Edwards, Strop, Russell, etc… for NOTHING, then the FA signings GOOD Lester, Zobrist, Ross… BAD Jackson, Heyward INC (tbd) Yu and Morrow. What about what he accomplished in Boston (BTW, many of the studs in Boston that just won a ring… YEP, Theo guys)
Again, it’s pathetic enough to be a miserable troll, but at least try to be clever about it.
ChiSoxCity
Eloy Jimenez snd Gleyber Torres said hi.
CluHaywood
Dont forget Cease.
Simple answer is no GM is perfect, mistakes are gonna happen. Theo is much more good than bad. But his FA have ALWAYS been a question mark, even is Boston.
themed
How did they get 4 straight number 1 draft picks? Oh yeah I remember. They tanked on purpose. Trying to finish last and over all worst team in baseball to be awarded number 1 picks. They should change that rule and only allow the first pick for one year only. Then maybe those teams that lose purposely like the cubs did for years won’t be rewarded.
sjwil1
I don’t recall a number 1…you mean round 1? Big difference
CalcetinesBlancos
Dave is that you? Lol.
I’m so sick of people referring to anyone that upsets them as a troll. Thicken your skin up a little bit.
larry48
Really the cubs hitting on draft pick or not doesn’t change much, but sign stupid contracts like Heyward for 10 years (he really suck as a hitter) really does. If a normal player u could pay half his contract and trade him but not Heyward. The real problem is Cubs signed to many long contract to large contract that suck. Yankees, Dodgers or Astros could not handle 4 or 5 over payed players that suck. What will happen to cubs is what happen to Giants they will get old and suck for years if they don’t get out of some of these contracts. It will get worse each year Morrow is trade able to some teams but I dought the others are.
daved
You mean like most GMs do? Shall I count the smart move to dumb move ratio for John Mozeliak, or Dombrowski, or Cashman or Sabean?
SLL
Now I understand! I never realized that players asking for more money are just being self-less. Grandal is doing it for the other guys. It would be selfish to accept one penny less than you can get.
Megatron2005
His sacrifice shall never be forgotten.
reflect
I hope MLB retires his number in honor of his philanthropy.
smrtrtanur
I just don’t understand why guys are getting run down for wanting to be paid. It’s bizarre.
JPADA
It seems pretty obvious to me. Look what it costs to go to a ballgame, way too much. Seems to me that the fans blame the player salaries for the high cost of going to a game.
Dodgethis
Because players union has skyrocketed costs. The cost of a game isn’t so some rich guy can make billions off a team. Cost is going up because players seem to think they can legislate their right to 300 million dollars to play a game. Not a coincidence the price of games skyrocketed at at the start of the free agent era and after every successive cba.
smrtrtanur
Then don’t go. I mean, salaries have nothing to do with ticket prices, so watch it in tv then.
Vanilla Good
What it costs to go to a ballgame? I live 5 minutes from Miller Park, don’t pay a cent for parking unless I want to tailgate, and can find tickets within an hour before the game starts for less than $10. If I want good seats maybe I pay $30. Seriously, download the Gametime app, it’ll change your life.
joeshmoe11
The cost skyrocketed because owners had to actually spend some of the revenue the players generated for them on the players who generated the revenue. I hate that we know every players’ contract because to us average folk making an average wage they make Monopoly money; it’s not real. But to blame them and not the billionaire owners who control ticket prices, concession prices, etc is short sighted. If they were to somehow force owners to open their books and show how much money they actually make then we’d see who’s greedy. There’s a reason people line up every time a franchise is for sale; it’s a good investment.
jdgoat
Salaries do not go up because of ticket prices. Ticket prices are based off of supply and demand.
stymeedone
who do you think ends up paying the salaries, or for the tv broadcasts? Its the Fans. You cant watch the games for free in Detroit. gotta pay to see them on TV. If you dont believe rising salaries have a relationship with ticket prices, you’re only fooling yourself.
nymetsking
“In other -completely unrelated- news, I’m firing my agent. In all honesty, if it were up to me, I’d keep him, but it’s to honor those upper-tier catchers that came before me.”
astros_fan_84
I think Grandal is full of crap. He made a mistake, and he’s trying to talk his way out if. He may make the same or more money for his career, but it’s a huge gamble. Someday, his grandchildren may ask him some questions.
GB85
Like, “Hey Grampy, which color Lamborghini should I buy?”
nymetsking
LOL!
dugdog83
I totally agree. I’m calling BS
WouldSettleForWildcard
Or maybe what Grandal said is easier than publicly saying, “I’d rather not live in New York City” or “I’d rather not play for the Mets.” Any chance of that?
reflect
So then he can just say… nothing?
Priggs89
And then he’d get torn apart by everyone for not talking to the media. Everyone will talk about how bitter he is because he had to “settle” for a 1 year deal.
It’s a no win for him.
VegasSDfan
I really cant stand this guy. Hopefully he ends up at about 5 milion in 2020.
seamaholic 2
He just didn’t want to play for the Mets and is too classy to say it
bitterpadresfan
Probably found a new “supplement” that he thinks can boost his value for next year.
Cincyshawn
Marty is the best
Listening to Reds Baseball will never be the same after this year
captainchaos55
I am in my mid 40’s and I have never listened to Reds baseball without Marty. I knew this day would come but man do I hate it. We have been so spoiled to have Marty all these years. It will never ever be the same. Having his son Thom helps but it’s still not the same. Cheers Marty, and thanks. It’s been a heck of a ride.
Dbird777
Marty > > > > > > > > tHom
daved
Marty >>>>>than 99% of the broadcasters in the game, not just his son.
petrie000
And let’s be honest, Marty>>>>>>Harry Caray right now>>>>>>Thom
ChiSoxCity
Sure, declare someone better than a legend who’s been dead for 30 years. That only flies if you were born yesterday.
petrie000
To say you missed the joke would be a criminal understatement
ksoze
Wow, has it been that long? I liked watching him lead the song Take Me Out to the Ballgame. Tempus fugit
citizen
you talk about crap, thom brenneman is still broadcasting.
daved
So are Dan McLaughlin, Al Hrabosky, Ricky Horton, Mike Claiborne, and John Rooney. Here’s the best part. Local STL media are pushing for Dan McLaughlin to be considered for the HOF. That’s a gem!
geejohnny
Sorry but I don’t believe Grandal. He very well knows that being a catcher he’s only one foul tip away from becoming damaged merchandise. He has to realize that he may have overestimated his 4 yr value. Nice one yr contract but I doubt he’ll settle for another.
Ejemp2006
Martin had big contract turned bad fast and start Blue Jays to division bottom. Teams see now and learn. Know catcher is for young men.
Grandal not a victim of owner greed but product of smarter front office evolve faster than player agents.
larry48
agent is gave him bad advise , will know if he changes agent about all star break.
allweatherfan
Keuchel to the Twins.
twinkietime
Apparently only if it’s a one year deal. Two year deals are just nonsense.
TwinsTrio
Considering the Twins have zero dollars committed after this season, they could sign Kimbrel, Keuchel, and why not Bryce ?
Instead, they’ll probably re-sign Ervin Santana. Nobody’s really talking about Gio Gonzalez, after coming off a sub-par season. Might be worth the risk.
brandons-3
I think the perfect system is somewhere between the way the NBA and MLB operate salaries, contracts, cap, luxury tax, etc.
Le Grande Orangerie
And this one, belongs to the Reds
Cubbie75
I’m so sick of hearing about Bryce Harper. Just sign with somebody already.
slpdajab55
Amen
smrtrtanur
What’s his hurry? What would we be talking about if machado and Harper signed?
Priggs89
Realmuto and Kluber trades that aren’t going to happen anytime soon.
George Ruth
Sorry Yasmani you aren’t a top tiered catcher because your defense sucks & you are at best a mediocre hitter & top tiered catchers are better at both than you are.
Remember Yasmani you lost your starting job the last 2 seasons due in large part to your extremely poor defense & then throw in your lack of hitting & the Dodgers couldn’t handle you being terrible at both defense & hitting so they played Austin Barnes who was a lot better defensively than you.
andrewf
8.0 % BB, 23.5 % K, .140 ISO, .284 babip, .232 avg, .304 obp, .372 slg,.296 wOBA, 84 wrc+. Average hitting catcher last year.
13.9 % BB, 23.9 % K, .225 ISO, .278 babip, .241 avg, .349 obp, .466 slg, .352 wOBA, 125 wrc+
Yasmani Grandal last year. Definitely not a mediocre at best hitting catcher
Prospectnvstr
Wow! Facts to actually substantiate what you think/believe . What a concept, maybe it’ll catch on.
empirejim
Lots of stats Andrew. They don’t show anything about how his MANY passed-balls, missed catches, failure to block balls in the dirt stressed the pitching staff. Think of a guy with a good curve like Kershaw or Hill being forced to use another pitch because they have no confidence Grandal will keep it in front of him. Stats all you like, but the eye test was a major fail for all the years Grandal was in LA. Yes. he hit some, but was extremely streaky both good and bad. After watching him, I’m willing to bet the Brewers fans will be glad it was one year when all is said and done.
George Ruth
He was at best average at the plate & even worse on defense & you can go with all your over analytical crap all you want because the eye test says otherwise.
Defensively Grandal is a terrible catcher & with his lack of hitting makes him a mediocre catcher. Grandal hit ..241 in 440 AB’S.
He’ll be lucky to find a multi year deal in 2020 if his defense continues to be absolutely horrible.
petrie000
The eye test is only valid for anything if that same eye is watching everybody else with the same intensity and evaluating them by a set of objective metrics so one can be sure bias does not play a part
Basically if done by a computer, ironically…
Priggs89
Yah, that’s why he’s been the third best catcher in baseball based on fWAR over the last 3 years. I forgot it’s like golf – the lower the better.
kenleyfornia2
Grandal is absolutly a top tier catcher. Look at the position and name 5 better hitters. You can’t. And for the love of god don’t say Yadier Molina
Senioreditor
Posey, Perez, Gomes, Suzuki and Cervelli all had good seasons last year and none of them have ever been benched in the postseason TWICE because of offense AND defensive issues. Milwaukee is understand right after the all star break why the Dodgers let him walk. He’ll strike our 40% of the time and throw no one out. He’ll wish he took the “lesser” 60 million next off season when he’ll get 5 with incentives.
xabial
But, but, but… What about the Cubs’ TV deal???!!
Keep hearing “Cubs print their own money.”
Heyward and Darvish are owed $100M+ No chance
twentyforty
And the Cubs will win 90+ games again…your point?
Priggs89
And that couldn’t have any less to do with them “printing money” like Cubs fans claim… So… Your point?
Cubs fans get so defensive when their team is criticized. Sheesh.
ChiSoxCity
I doubt the Cubs win “90+” games. The Brewers and Cardinals are shutting the Cubs’ window sooner than Theo planned, and unlike the Cubs, those clubs aren’t done dealing yet.
CluHaywood
I still think they will be 90+ this year. Alot of that offense vanished in the 2md half last year. And they did get a new pitcher for 2019. Yu Darvish!
ChiSoxCity
Give a three weeks into the season, Darvish will be back on the DL. Best case scenario for the Cubs, he retires instead of milking out his contract with endless health issues.
megaj
Wow, lots of hate here towards the Cubs. I will try to be neutral, so don’t abuse me too badly. Look, the Cubs DO have the best starting 5 rotation in the central division. Last year it was injured Darvish and bust Chatwood. This year they start the season with Hamels and healthy Darvish. Right now I would give the Brewers the best bullpen, but if somehow the Cubs get Ottavino and Morrow comes back strong then I give the edge back to the Cubs, but only slightly because Hader is a beast. I would also argue that their lineup (other than Baez) underperformed and were mismanaged a bit by Maddon. If Bryant truly does come back strong, I still give an edge to Cubs for the strongest lineup but the Brewers, Cards, and Reds are all close. IF IF IF they stay healthy, AND Maddon doesn’t get in the way, they should be strong. I wouldn’t bet against Contreras rebounding and having a better year than Grandal either. I am really looking forward to the season to see how it pans out. Will you guys be back on here in Semptember saying we told you so? OR will you be eating crow?
petrie000
The Cubs were a 95 win team last year and haven’t changed substantially since then. Just fired a bad hitting coach…
But I’m sure you have some tenuous theory to support your claims….
daved
The Cardinals haven’t even contended for a division title since 2015, so how are they shutting that window? As long as the Cubs have Rizzo, Bryant, Baez, Schwarber, Hendricks, Lester, Zobrist, Contreras, Almora and Happ, they will be sniffing or surpassing 90 wins every year. And like all teams, they have question marks that could help them more or hurt them a little. The main thing the Cardinals have going for them this year, and it has barely been mentioned, is they get a FULL year without the little league manager.
mrkinsm
It’s a sad day here in Cincinnati. I can remember traveling to play ball as a young man and listening to Marty and Joe on the radio – it brings back great memories. He’ll be missed.
tv 2
I know I will make it a point to listen extra this year. so glad his style has been passed down. people out side of nati have no idea how to really call a game.
Rich Hill’s Elbow
If the Twins don’t sign Cody Allen I’ll forever be confused.
Jjbeach
They obviously should sign him.
Unless they aim a little higher for one of the top relievers still out there.
empirejim
Grandal’s comments sound a lot like agent-speak for, “Ya, we screwed-up but we’re going to paint it like it was our higher calling”…..
zachgwest
A lot more players should rethink qualifying offers in my opinion… they value the pick so much now. Ryu made a good choice. Pollock will regret his
xabial
Pollock will sign with the Mets. BVW keeps splashing.
If they’re crazy enough to give Grandal a $55M+ offer…
Maybe sign with the Braves? Too rich for Cleveland..
He wants five year 80M, but think he’ll get Grandal pillow deal. Just hard to trust the guy to stay healthy.
Nnnjjjjjhhjj
Grandall called himself an upper tier catcher. Hahahahahahahahahahaha
zachgwest
Yea, upper tier but got benched in the most important time of the year 2x in a row
GrandpaBaseball
If he is “upper tier” the Angels would have signed him, you know, nothing is to good for the Halos.
Shawn40
The Harper thing really doesn’t hurt as much as they being too cheap to add to the bullpen and letting Wilson and Chavez walk. The cubs will have a poor BP and shakey rotation with Darvish and Chatwood. If we don’t slug 8 runs a game were in deep doo. Mark my words we will be fighting the bucs for last place with the pitching we have.
petrie000
As far as starting pitcher options the Cubs have Lester, Hamels, Hendricks, Quintana and Montgomery… That’s not exactly a shakey rotation even if they get nothing from Darvish or Chatwood…
Kinda’ doubting yout Cubs fan credentials right now…
ChiSoxCity
The Cubs BP lacks depth and a real closer. Nothing haterish or trollish about rational analysis and facts. If the intends planned on addressing any needs this offseason, they would have done so already. As is, the Cubs are a 86 win team. I don’t see them getting a WC berth, so that might end their playoff run, and Maddon’s tenure. We’ll see.
petrie000
The Cubs do need a few BP pieces, that is obvious
It’s not enough to cost them 10 whole wins though.
And you’re probably well aware of how little value I put in what you see based on our previous interactions and your aversion to statistical proof…
ChiSoxCity
You don’t need statistical proof to explain what happened the last few weeks of the season. The Cubs stopped scoring runs, and the bullpen couldn’t get outs. Staring at 95 wins and season long stats are leading you to think the Cubs are as good as said their record would indicate. Factor in the improvement and growth of rival clubs in their division and the Cubs state of inertia, and it’s easy to see them falling off dramatically.
Shawn40
Quintana is shakey as is Lester of last year. We lack a true ace and we have many aging arms. We have no closer and no dominating left-handed specialists. The Reds have got a lot better as have the cards.
petrie000
Reds are still a 4th place team because the only pitching the have is an extremely fragile Alex wood at the Cardinals rotation isn’t even close to the Cubs
Shawn40
The Cardinal rotation is equal to if not better than ours plus they boast several guys who hit 100 or more mph. Be a realistic cub fan. Goldschmidt kills our left-handed starters too. We don’t have an ace.
petrie000
I am being realistic. The Cubs have proven starters, the Cardinals do not.
Realistic is assuming each rotation has an average year from all the players involved, not assuming one will fail and the other excel simply because it fits a narrative.
Be a realistic Cubs fan, not a fatalistic one. The offense failed last season, not the rotation, so your predictions of doom have little basis in fact.
Shawn40
Unless our starters can pitch nine innings a game or we slug 8 runs a game our BP will hurt us.
daved
Do we even know who the starting 5 are for STL?
petrie000
Or they won’t, ‘cuz let’s be honest, you never know with bullpens.
tv 2
Marty and vin are the 2 best broadcaster in history. if you have never listened to a reds game you are missing out. Marty’s style will always be felt. he made calling a game a work of art. Cincinnati broadcasting like no one else!
stratcrowder
‘Titanic struggle’….what a great line. WLW broadcasts….I remember his first year in the booth. His voice will be sorely missed.
Yekatman
With all due respect, if you’re going to talk about legendary baseball broadcasters, Bob Uecker is still going strong!
ksoze
He was great in Mr. Belvedere
vannzee
Zach Elflin to Minnesota for Max Kepler, who says no?
CluHaywood
As a Sox fan, I’d love to see Kepler leave MN. I’ll pack his bags, cause eff that guy against my team.
ChristianR
1 for 1? Twins say hell no.
daved
Eflin is one of those guys that might blossom in 2019. I could see him having a Top 10 CYA season. Don’t give away good, young pitching unless he brings back a major return. Kepler is NOT a major return.
ChristianR
Kepler is one of the premier defenders in the league at the moment, in both RF and CF. Last year he produced 10 DRS and 10.8 UZR (8th and 3rd respectively in the majors among qualified outfielders).
Every year his bat has continued to improve, with 2018 seeing an increase in exit velocity and walk rate, while also lowering his strikeout-rate (15.7). What hurt Kepler was a low BABIP (.236), and he made his fair share of very loud outs.
When the Twins and Rays discussed a deal to bring Chris Archer to MN, the Rays wanted Kepler as the front-piece of that deal. The Twins didn’t want that to happen, and the Twins have received numerous phone calls this winter asking for Kepler.
Another thing: Kepler had a DRC+ of 111 last year. That puts him above Springer, Beltre, Cron, Ramos, Turner, Kris Bryant, etc. He is better than the batting average suggests.
daved
“Every year his bat has continued to improve”. Really? Here are his 3 year OPS/OPS+. 2016- .734/96. 2017- .737/95. 2018- .727/96. Where’s the improvement? Why would a team like the Twins want to give up on a 25 year old player who you think is so good? I think he’s a decent player with good defense, but in no way do I trade Eflin for him 1 for 1. That is all my point was in my original comment.
ChristianR
“Why would a team like the Twins want to give up on a 25 year old player who you think is so good?”
….they don’t. If you’d read above you’d notice that Kepler was unlucky in 2018 with a .236 BABIP, and also that the Twins do not want to trade him.
Also, get back to me when Eilflin throws more than 131 innings at any level of minor or major league ball.
daved
Kepler was unlucky? Yes, he’s so unlucky. 2016- BABIP was .261. 2017- it was .276. 2018- .236. So unlucky, yet his OPS was almost identical every year. Maybe he’ll get lucky this year and get to a .300 BABIP? Get back to me when you learn how to spell EFLIN. He’s 24. I’m glad he’s not throwing a ton of innings. Now he’s ready to have a breakout year.
Melchez
Remember when the Cubs called themselves a dynasty? That was a good year.
daved
There are no dynasties in baseball any longer.
ksoze
Lol, And the winner of the internet is….. Melchez!
daved
Maybe Melchez can put that accomplishment on his resume, right below the day he spent as a comedian?
TwinsTrio
Yes, and the Cubs then went and inked Heyward to the identicle 7 year deal as Joe Mauer received (well Heyward got more if you count the signing bonus).
Yet Cubs fans don’t whine about Heyward’s performance since signing the contract, as Twins fans did constantly about Mauer.
It’s hard not to like the Cubs.
Shawn40
Quintana is shakey as is Lester of last year. We lack a true ace and we have many aging arms. We have no closer and no dominating left-handed specialists. The Reds have got a lot better as have the cards.
bbatardo
I don’t really buy Grandal’s response, but if he has a good year he will get paid next off-season and if not, then it’d be interesting to see his take. I think the Brewers made a wise choice though because they know he will give it everything he has to have a good year.
titanic struggle
As a kid, baseball saved my life. It allowed me to escape an ugly environment for 2-3 hours a day, that I had no choice but to exist in. Since 1974, Marty Brennaman has been there almost every day of the summer, inviting me in to spend a little time with he and his family, his Reds family with the words…”Good afternoon everyone, and welcome once again to Reds baseball.” Win or lose, this will without question be an emotional season for myself and many Reds fans…