Opening Day is Not Far Away

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March 2, 2019

With the dismal seasons the Chicago Blackhawks and Bulls are having I’m glad baseball is back. This is the time of year when hope springs eternal. I have positive vibes for both the Cubs and White Sox. I can’t wait for spring training exhibitions games to end. Then I’ll be able to see if my optimism is well-founded.

I have been telling people that if the White Sox signed Manny Machado I would fall off my chair. However, they once again operated like a small-market team. It was well known that Machado wanted $300 million for 10 years. The Sox cockamamie offer was $250 million for eight years with bonuses, which if achieved would net the difference.

Machado wanted the guaranteed money. If the Sox really wanted Machado, they should have offered the contract that he was looking for. Instead they thought the signing of his brother-in-law Yonder Alonso and good friend Jon Jay would entice him to sign.

However, one thing you can bet on in professional sports is that it’s all about the money. So when the San Diego Padres offered what he was looking for, Machado signed on the dotted line. It would have been nice to see Machado in hitter-friendly Sox Park (I hate the name Guaranteed Rate Field) and he’ll probably adjust to the spacious Petco Park.

Although there are a couple of decent pitchers who are free agents, the White Sox should stay
the course of the rebuild. This year the three starters should develop and make this team better. Next year you add Michael Kopech and Dylan Cease, who are probably better then free agent pitchers still not signed. In 2020 the White Sox should be contenders for the World Series.

The big news surrounding the Cubs is next year’s launch of their own network. Is anybody bothered by the fact that they are working with ultra-right Sinclair Broadcast Network to help with distribution? I’m really not sure how this works. No matter the cost, most Cub fans in my community would gladly fork over the money to watch their beloved Cubbies. Will it be sold to cable companies increasing the cost to cable subscribers? They also need to come up with winter programming. Will it be replays of Cub games or highlights of the 2016 season ad 
nauseam?

Addison Russell was booed in his first appearance in a Cub uniform. This will probably occur when he returns from a 40-game suspension. Why do the Cubs insist on keeping a wife abuser on the roster? He’s not better at shortstop than Javier Baez. If Russell does return, Baez moves to second base. The previous second baseman is probably better offensively than Russell.

Kris Bryant has stop carping about slow free agency. He should concentrate on returning to form. If he does, then in 3 years when is a free agent he will become one the highest paid players.

Extra Innings – Baseball is trying implement rules to speed up the games. One of the beauties of baseball,  it’s the only sport with no clock. Therefore, the 20 second clock for pitchers to throw is ridiculous. This will never come to pass based on initial player reaction. Managers don’t like the proposal of relievers pitching to a minimum of three batters. This causes them to think more about match-ups, not strictly based on the carbon copy righty-lefty strategy, so this will never happen.

Most games last approx. 3 hours and change. This will not change with the proliferation of strikeouts. The replay system has to be revamped so it doesn’t take forever to make a call. For me the way baseball is currently being played is fine by me. The only change I like is the designated hitter in both leagues