Connect with us

Published

on

MESA, Ariz. — When the Chicago Cubs made the first bold move of the MLB offseason, luring manager Craig Counsell from the rival Milwaukee Brewers with a $40 million contract in mid-November, many across the sport figured it could be the start of a winter spree on the North Side — even though Jed Hoyer said that wouldn’t necessarily be the case.

Fast forward to the start of spring training and it looks like the team’s president of baseball operations might be right, as the roster looks very similar to the one that missed the playoffs by a single game last year. Sure, there were additions, like 30 year-old starter Shota Imanaga and 34 year-old reliever Hector Neris, but the biggest headlines have come from the moves the Cubs didn’t make.

While they were mentioned as players for Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Cubs didn’t land either of the most coveted free agents on the market — or any other elite level player. And to this point, they haven’t been able to retain the one who patrolled center field at Wrigley Field last season either, as Cody Bellinger is still a free agent.

That’s because, in part, their plan to compete revolves around promoting young players from their highly touted farm system (ranked No. 2 in MLB by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel) as much as opening their wallets for splashy veteran additions. So instead of cameras following every move made by a new star at spring training, the vibe at Sloan Park is about lauding an arriving wave of talent.

“We have a lot of young players and some young veteran players that I think have a chance to take real steps forward,” Hoyer said last week. “The most exciting thing for me is I think we have a deep roster. And we have a deep roster of players that have a chance to continue to get better. I think that gives me a lot of hope that we can accomplish this year what we couldn’t last year.”

But the question is whether those young players arriving with big hype — such as hitting prospects Owen Cassie and Pete Crow-Armstrong and pitchers Cade Horton and Ben Brown — will really be ready to fill the holes Chicago needs to plug in 2024. Currently there are question marks in center field, at both corner-infield positions and throughout the pitching staff.

“I look back where we were a year ago and some of the players that have stepped forward and now we’re considering those guys established big leaguers,” Hoyer said, referencing All-Star Justin Steele. “The hope is we look a year from now and there are five to six of those guys that establish themselves as Cubs.”

Despite that hope, there’s still a lingering disappointment from falling just short of the postseason that’s evident early in spring training, leaving players, such as second baseman Nico Hoerner, contemplating whether the Cubs are better now than they were last year.

“All of us are asking that question individually and as a group, and it’s up to us to answer that as the season plays out,” Hoerner said. “Any time you go too deep in predicting baseball, it’s usually not very accurate. Obviously, you want the best possible team you can have on the diamond.

“There’s still players out there, so I don’t know what that will look like, but as far as the group that we have here now, I think we definitely have what we need to compete as well as make a lot of improvements internally.”

Of course, the biggest improvement to the roster would come if Bellinger were to make a dramatic spring entrance announcing his return like Dexter Fowler did in 2016 — but don’t count on that happening anytime soon.

The Cubs and Bellinger’s camp have been at a standstill for the entire offseason and nothing has changed, according to sources familiar with the situation. That doesn’t mean a deal can’t still happen, but it does show that the Cubs are willing to enter 2024 without the 2019 MVP and that it is extremely unlikely the team changes its stance on offering a massive deal — especially considering the plan was always to transition to Crow-Armstrong in center. A shorter term stay with opt outs is always a possibility though, as the Cubs want to remain flexible as its young players mature into big leaguers.

But even if a Bellinger reunion never happens, the Cubs could also use the services of free agent third baseman Matt Chapman, and they’ve been linked to Miami Marlins starter Jesus Luzardo as a potential trade fit — so additions aren’t out of the question.

But it is getting late, and time may be running out. Hoyer said last month that they were only in the fourth or fifth inning of their offseason maneuvering, but he gave an update this past week that “the closer is warming up at this point.”

If the door does close on a noteworthy last-minute free agent addition, Counsell will be counted on as the biggest difference-maker for the season ahead.

Widely regarded as one of the best managers, if not the best, in the sport, Counsell takes over a team that missed the playoffs despite a plus-96 run differential. His impact could be enough to limit the bad stretches — like the one on offense in May or the string of September series losses — that had the Cubs watching from home in October.

Early-season projections have Chicago on the outside of the playoffs again, but maybe those systems can’t measure the combination of a new manager and a young hungry team with several players looking to break through. And if Counsell is able to do that — bring together a young roster and make it a little bit better — then perhaps nobody will remember the moves the Cubs didn’t make this winter.

“In my experience, the way teams overachieve and have special seasons is by having guys do things they weren’t projected to do,” Counsell said. “We have a number of guys in this camp that have a chance to exceed expectations and make that step. That’s how you end up having a special season.”

Continue Reading

Sports

Filly Thorpedo Anna wins Horse of the Year

Published

on

By

Filly Thorpedo Anna wins Horse of the Year

PALM BEACH, Fla. — Thorpedo Anna won Horse of the Year honors at the Eclipse Awards on Thursday night, becoming only the second 3-year-old filly to beat male competition for the top trophy.

Trained by Ken McPeek, she earned six Grade 1 victories last year, including the Kentucky Oaks, and finished second in the Travers to Fierceness. She also claimed 3-year-old filly honors in the 54th annual ceremony at The Breakers Palm Beach.

Thorpedo Anna received 193 out of a possible 240 first-place votes. Sierra Leone finished second with 10 votes and Fierceness received five.

Filly Rachel Alexandra was the 2009 Horse of the Year.

Sierra Leone, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November, won 3-year-old male honors.

Chad Brown won his fifth career Eclipse as Trainer of the Year. He trains Sierra Leone, who lost a dramatic three-way photo finish to the McPeek-trained Mystik Dan in the Kentucky Derby and finished third in the Belmont Stakes. Brown was the leading money earner among North American trainers with over $30 million in purses.

“I finally beat Ken McPeek in a photo,” Brown joked. “If you want to trade photos, I’ll take the Derby.”

Flavien Prat, who won two Breeders’ Cup races last year including the Classic, was voted top jockey. The 32-year-old Frenchman broke Jerry Bailey’s record with 56 graded stakes victories in the year.

“It’s a lot of hard work, dedication and it couldn’t have been done without the support of all the owners, the trainers, their dedicated staff and horses, of course,” Prat said.

Erik Asmussen, the youngest son of North America’s all-time leading trainer, Steve Asmussen, earned apprentice jockey honors. The 22-year-old, who is based in Texas, rode his first career winner last January at Sam Houston Park. Asmussen’s uncle, Cash, won the same award in 1979.

“This game means everything to me,” an emotional Asmussen said. “Thank you to my family. I got the best group around me. Most importantly, just thank you to the horses. They’re special.”

Godolphin LLC was honored as outstanding owner for the fifth consecutive year, while Godolphin was voted as top breeder.

Citizen Bull was named the 2-year-old male champion, while 2-year-old filly honors went to Immersive.

Other winners were: National Treasure as older dirt male; Idiomatic as older dirt female; Straight No Chaser as male sprinter; Soul of an Angel as female sprinter; Ireland-bred Rebel’s Romance as male turf horse; Moira as female turf horse; and Snap Decision as steeplechase horse.

The awards are voted on by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters.

Continue Reading

Sports

Ichiro wants to have drink with lone HOF holdout

Published

on

By

Ichiro wants to have drink with lone HOF holdout

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Ichiro Suzuki wants to raise a glass with the voter who chose not to check off his name on the Hall of Fame ballot.

“There’s one writer that I wasn’t able to get a vote from,” he said through an interpreter Thursday, two days after receiving 393 of 394 votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. “I would like to invite him over to my house, and we’ll have a drink together, and we’ll have a good chat.”

Suzuki had been to the Hall seven times before attending a news conference Thursday with fellow electees CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner. The trio will be inducted July 27 along with Dave Parker and Dick Allen, voted in last month by the classic era committee.

Suzuki struggled to process being the first player from Japan elected to the Hall.

“Maybe five, 10 years from now I could look back and maybe we’ll be able to say this is what it meant,” he said.

BBWAA secretary-treasurer Jack O’Connell recalled Suzuki was at the Hall in 2001 when he called to inform the Seattle star he had been voted American League Rookie of the Year. Suzuki received 27 of 28 first-place votes, all but one from an Ohio writer who selected Sabathia.

“He stole my Rookie of the Year,” Sabathia said playfully.

Sabathia remembered a game at Safeco Field on July 30, 2005. He had worked with Cleveland pitching coach Carl Willis in a bullpen session on a pitch he could throw to retire Suzuki, which turned out to be a slider.

“I get two strikes on Ichi and he hits it off the window,” Sabathia said of the 428-foot drive off the second-deck restaurant in right field, at the time the longest home run of Suzuki’s big league career. “Come back around his next at-bat, throw it to him again, first pitch he hits it out again.”

Suzuki’s second home run broke a sixth-inning tie in the Mariners’ 3-2 win.

As the trio discussed their favorite memorabilia, Suzuki mentioned a mock-up Hall of Fame plaque the Hall had created — not a design for the real one — that included his dog, Ikkyu.

“Our dog and then Bob Feller’s cat are the only animals to have the Hall of Fame plaque. That is something that I cherish,” Suzuki said, referring to a mock-up with the pitcher’s cat, Felix.

Sabathia helped the New York Yankees win the World Series in 2009 after agreeing to a $161 million, seven-year contract as a free agent. Sabathia started his big league career in Cleveland, finished the 2008 season in Milwaukee and was apprehensive about signing with the Yankees before he was persuaded by general manager Brian Cashman.

“Going into the offseason, I just heard all of the stuff that was going on, the turmoil in the Yankees clubhouse,” Sabathia said. “Pretty quick, like two or three days into spring training, me and Andy [Pettitte] are running in the outfield, I get a chance to meet [Derek] Jeter, we’re hanging out, and the pitching staff, we’re going to dinners, we’re going to basketball games together. So it didn’t take long at all before I felt like this was the right decision.”

Sabathia was on 342 ballots and Wagner on 325 (82.5%), which was 29 votes more than the 296 needed for the required 75%. While Suzuki and Sabathia were elected in their first ballot appearance, Wagner was voted in on his 10th and final try with the writers.

Even two days after learning of his election, Wagner had tears streaming down his cheeks when he thought back to the call. His face turned red.

“It’s humbling,” he said, his voice quavering before he paused. “I don’t know if it’s deserving, but to sit out 10 years and have your career scrutinized and stuff, it’s tough.”

Wagner, who is 5-foot-10, became the first left-hander elected to the Hall who was primarily a reliever. He thought of the words of 5-foot-11 right-hander Pedro Martínez, voted to Cooperstown in 2015.

“I hope kids around see that there is a chance that you can get here and it is possible, that size and where you’re from doesn’t matter,” Wagner said. “I think Pedro said it first, but if I can get here, anyone can get here.”

Continue Reading

Sports

Braves sign outfielder Profar to 3-year, $42M deal

Published

on

By

Braves sign outfielder Profar to 3-year, M deal

Outfielder Jurickson Profar and the Atlanta Braves agreed on a three-year, $42 million contract Thursday, uniting the veteran coming off a career year with a team that has struggled in recent years to find a suitable left fielder.

Profar, 31, was a revelation for the San Diego Padres last year, hitting .280/.380/.459 with a career-high 24 home runs and 85 RBIs. Once the top prospect in all of baseball, Profar made his first All-Star team and won a Silver Slugger — all on a one-year, $1 million deal.

He cashed in with the Braves, who outbid a number of teams interested in Profar’s on-base skills as well as his energy that invigorated Padres supporters and infuriated rival fan bases.

Profar will join center fielder Michael Harris II and right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr., the former National League MVP coming off a torn left ACL just three years after tearing the ligament in his right knee. Without Acuña for most of last season, the Braves’ offense suffered a deep regression from 2023, when they set a single-season team record with a .501 slugging percentage.

The switch-hitting Profar can slot almost anywhere in the lineup, though he figures to begin the season toward the top as Acuña continues to rehab his knee. Beyond Harris and Acuña, Atlanta’s lineup includes All-Star third baseman Austin Riley, second baseman Ozzie Albies and first baseman Matt Olson. Profar will receive $12 million this year and $15 million in 2026 and 2027.

Atlanta is typically one of the most aggressive teams in baseball, striking early in free agency and with trades. After trading slugger Jorge Soler in late October, the Braves dabbled in minor league deals and watched as starter Max Fried went to the New York Yankees, starter Charlie Morton went to the Baltimore Orioles and reliever A.J. Minter went to the New York Mets.

Profar is Atlanta’s first real addition this winter after sneaking into the postseason at 89-73 and promptly getting swept by San Diego. He has spent all 11 years of his major league career in the West divisions, debuting at 19 with the Texas Rangers. Profar never fulfilled his potential there and went to Oakland in 2019 before settling with the Padres, where he became a full-time outfielder. Over 1,119 games in his career, Profar has hit .245/.331/.395 with 111 home runs and 444 RBIs in 4,291 plate appearances.

Continue Reading

Trending