MLB Bullets Has A New Rivalry

You’re gonna make it after all.

• I’ll get this out of the way right away, because I reported on it last time and I was uncomfortable about it. But the report that Yordano Ventura was robbed after his car accident has been officially denied.
• On the other hand, the home of Felix Hernandez was burglarized.
• The stuff from Hernandez’s home was recovered when the thieves were apprehended. But there was a question to why among the items stolen was a Yankees 2000 World Series ring. It turns out, the ring was a replica that Hernandez’s son got as a ballpark promotion.
• The Royals will wear a patch memorializing Ventura this upcoming season.
• The Rockies have signed free agent reliever Greg Holland.
• Travis Sawchuk wonders why Holland chose to sign with the Rockies.
• Mark Townsend thinks that the Rockies chance of contending hinges on Holland solidifying the bullpen.
• Michael Klopman thinks that the Rockies need to do more and has some suggestions.
• The Reds have signed former Cubs starter Scott Feldman to a one-year deal. Maybe they can trade him for something.
• Grant Brisbee looks at the Angels offseason and thinks that they maybe, kind-of, sort-of have a chance of contending in 2017.
• Kate Morrison projects the Athletics and thinks that their chance of competing in 2017 is “slim.”
• Jonah Keri thinks the Dodgers have surpassed the Cubs and are the team to beat in 2017. He does at least think that the Cubs and Dodgers “could be the best rivalry in baseball.”
• Phil Rogers agrees that the Cubs and Dodgers are going to be a great rivalry, but he still thinks the Cubs are better.
• The Dodgers may also leave starter Julio Urias in extended Spring Training to start the season in order to limit his innings.
• Mark Saxon argues that shortstop Aledmys Diaz is the key to the Cardinals 2017 plans.
• Gabe Lacques list five teams he feels had a disappointing offseason. He puts the Cubs on his list.
• Matt Kelly has five free agent starting pitchers who are still available and could help some teams.
• Mike Axisa has three bargain free agents who are still available.
• Zach Kram wonders why more teams are not interested in free agent Joe Blanton.
• Phillies minor leaguer Matt Imhof has retired after losing his eye in a freak training accident last summer.
• Imhof wrote an essay talking about the accident, his recovery and how he faces the future without looking back.
• Rangers pitcher Jake Diekman had his colon removed. He is expected to make a return to the mound, although he will miss significant time.
• Mike Petrillo writes that the Astros have the deepest lineup in baseball.
• R.J. Anderson expects the Rays to trade Jake Odorizzi this year and predicts where he might go. The Cubs are one of the teams on the list.
• Ken Rosenthal predicts that the trade deadline this July is going to be wild and he explains why. Never too early to start “Hug Watch.”
• Anthony Castrovince has an all-underrated team for 2017.
• David Schoenfield lists one player from each team who is a big question mark in 2017. I’m pretty sure you can guess who the Cubs question mark is. He lives in right field most days.
• Grant Brisbee makes up a (really terrible) team out of the remaining free agents.
• MLB is expected to announce this morning that Cleveland will be awarded the 2019 All-Star Game.
• Craig Calcaterra wonders what this announcement means for the fate of Chief Wahoo.
• In what should be a surprise to no one, the Atlanta Braves want more money from Cobb County for transportation improvements to their new stadium.
• The Triple-A Louisville Bats will wear special Muhammed Ali-tribute jerseys this summer.
• Mike Oz continues his series of opening baseball cards with baseball figures as he opens a pack with Bruce Bochy.
• And finally, as you no doubt know, we lost one of the true giants of television this week in the passing of Mary Tyler Moore. While Moore was a native New Yorker, she, and her character of Mary Richards from her eponymous show, will forever be associated with Minnesota. So here’s Moore throwing out the first pitch at a Twins game in 2002. Yes, she throws her cap up in the air.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. “A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants.”