It’s been a very busy time for us real life folks, and it’s getting to the busy time in the offseason for the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball, too. After a stressful job as I try to reach dees keeds, and the shenanigans that happened just down the street from where I live, blogging while binging old TV shows is quite a release. So I think it’s time to get back to what the Cubs have been up to, again!
First up, Cubs announcer Pat Hughes hung around Cubs Twitter to answer fan questions:
First World Series title for a #Cubs announcer. What a call. #AskPat pic.twitter.com/eY4PmgS7Mp
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) December 2, 2016
The Collective Bargaining Agreement was approved by MLB and MLBPA, although Jeff Passan and others have some very insightful words on the matter that I believe you should read. It’s not as ideal as we would like, but like everyone says, at least there will be baseball…for now.
There were a couple of major transactions already, as the Cubs added Jon Jay as a new outfielder to mentor Albert Almora, and much more recently, signed Brian Duensing as a LOOGY:
#Cubs and OF Jon Jay have agreed to terms on a one-year contract. Welcome, @jonjayU! pic.twitter.com/bQML4Iagyo
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 29, 2016
#Cubs and LHP Brian Duensing have agreed to terms on a one-year contract. Welcome, @BrianDuensing52! pic.twitter.com/DCEyOgG1ny
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) December 2, 2016
The Cubs also did some housekeeping, non-tendering four players while obviously keeping the four big names in Jake Arrieta, Justin Grimm, Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon.
Cubs non-tender LH pitchers Gerardo Concepcion and Zac Rosscup, RH pitcher Conor Mullee and infielder Christian Villanueva.
— Mark Gonzales (@MDGonzales) December 3, 2016
And then there was some very interesting news from San Diego:
Tyson Ross is non tendered by #Padres and immediately becomes prized free agent
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 3, 2016
You may have heard Tyson Ross‘ name in trade speculations as the Padres were floundering and the Cubs were always searching for pitching depth, something they’re very much pursuing in next week’s Winter Meetings. This non-tender might be as a result of the shoulder injury and subsequent surgery Ross underwent that kept him out of most of 2016, but he would be a very interesting gamble for a Cubs team that’s always looking for an angle.
There was also an old friend who is back on the market, as Welington Castillo also got non-tendered:
The D-backs were in need of a catcher after they decided earlier in the day to not tender a contract to Welington Castillo, who became a free agent. The team also lost catcher Tuffy Gosewisch recently when he was claimed off waivers.
Not that the Cubs will bring him back with Willson Contreras, Miguel Montero, and Kyle Schwarber still around, but just thought you might be interested. In the meantime, here’s something you might want to get for your Christmas stocking:
https://twitter.com/ClarktheCub/status/801239989241548800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
I’m looking forward to watching this soon. Heck, just find the condensed games on MLB.com and watch them all while you wait!
It was nice of LeBron James to live up to his bet, by the way.
LBJ pays up. #FlyTheW @Cubs pic.twitter.com/0iyUsWillf
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 2, 2016
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