MLB Bullets Is Chasing A Dream

It’s a weird day when the top story in baseball is a public workout by a 29-year-old who hasn’t played baseball since he was a junior in high school. But this is where we are. You would think the proper move for someone pursuing a baseball career with little experience would be to start in one of the independent leagues. But I guess not.

• Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow held a workout for 28 of the 30 major league teams as he attempts to start a baseball career at age 29. Pretty much everyone thought he was “better than expected” although that comes from some pretty low expectations. Note: The Cubs and the Athletics were the two teams who didn’t bother to send any scouts to see Tebow’s showcase. I’m sure this disappoints some of you and comes as a relief to others.
• Bob Nightengale notes that reviews of Tebow’s performance were mixed.
• One AL scout called the showcase “a waste of time” but an NL scout was impressed with his power, although he couldn’t show it against an actual pitcher.
• Tebow showed impressive batting practice power and speed, but not much else.
• On to actual baseball players. The Indians are expected to conclude a deal today to acquire Athletics outfielder Coco Crisp. No word on who would go back to the Athletics before tomorrow’s deadline for postseason eligibility.
• Jon Heyman reports that Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig was claimed on waivers. The Dodgers will try to make a deal, but Heyman expects that they will pull him back and try to trade Puig in the offseason.
• Marly Rivera has an interview with Puig on what went wrong this season and how things are going in Oklahoma City.
• Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw felt “really good” after a simulated game as he tries to make his way back to the team for the pennant race.
• Blue Jays manager John Gibbons texted free agent pitcher Mark Buehrle, who hasn’t officially retired, that “rosters expand in September.” Buehrle texted back a picture of a lake.
• It’s an ESPN Insider article, but Keith Law has a nice piece on why September call-ups aren’t what they used to be. For those who can’t read it, it’s a combination of salary and service time requirements, along with contending teams not hesitating to call up players who can help them long before September.
• The Orioles have been trying to make a deal before the postseason deadline, but the Yankees keep blocking all their waiver claims.
• Grant Brisbee has three mostly-forgotten deals that are having a big impact on the 2016 pennant chase.
• Ben Diamond believes that the Yankees should not regret selling at the trade deadline, despite the team’s strong August.
• Patrick Dubuque looks at how the Marlins went from a joke without a punchline last season to a wild card contender this year.
• Rick Paulus has a look at how the internet has changed the system of trade rumors. He’s also got some hints as to how to decipher the rumors you read on the internet.
• Jonah Keri has a big piece on the new breed of managers who emphasize putting fun back into the game. Yes, Joe Maddon is covered extensively. Also coaches from other, inferior sports.
• Kate Morrison has a piece on determining who the MVP is by the meaning of the word “value.”
• Ken Rosenthal thinks history could be made this year with second basemen winning the MVP Award in both leagues. Methinks Rosenthal is burying the lede here, if he thinks it’s possible that Kris Bryant could be moving to second base.
• Tom Verducci notes that the best player in the game is still Mike Trout. So why is Trout not getting more attention?
• Robert O’Connell calls the Angels “baseball’s purgatory” and baseball’s “most un-fun bunch,” despite having Trout.
• O’Connell notes that Josh Donaldson is “quietly” keeping the Blue Jays in first place.
• The Pirates placed Gerrit Cole on the disabled list.
• Anthony Castrovince notes that the Pirates are staying afloat despite their rash of injuries and deadline sell-off.
• Cardinals pitcher Mike Leake went on the DL with shingles.
• Dayn Perry lists what injured player each contender needs to get back the most.
• Eno Sarris talks with Braves rookie Dansby Swanson and notes that Swanson is being pitched to as if he were a veteran slugger.
• Michael Baumann explains why injured Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock is trying hard to get back on the field before the end of the season.
• After all these years, the Yankees may finally turn a profit! (Yeah, I don’t buy it either.)
• Ben Lindbergh is in love with a script called MLB.tv Game Changer that automatically switches you to the most dramatic game.
• Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes delivered a pretty first-rate bat flip.
• Cespedes was using “The Circle of Life” from The Lion King as his walk-up song when he crushed a home run that was caught by a guy wearing a lion costume. The Circle of Life, indeed.
• Adrian Beltre put his batting helmet on backwards to face Pat Venditte.
• And finally, Indians pitcher Zach McAllister made an incredible kick save on this line drive back to the mound and caught the liner in the air for an out. People are also calling it a “hacky sack” catch.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.