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It’s Monday morning, which means it’s time for corn flakes and MLB Bullets.
- I’ll start with this article because I think it can get a good discussion going and it ties into something we discussed in Friday’s comments. Ryan Davis asks which team is the biggest threat to a Cubs dynasty? I’m going to say the Dodgers, but I see the arguments for other teams. It would be nice if the Cubs and Dodgers switched the balance of power in the leagues back to the National League.
- Then David Schoenfield asks the flipside to that question: which teams should just give up on 2017 and start the rebuild? His candidates are the Tigers, Mariners and Orioles.
- This will also attract some comments. The details of the criminal case against former Cardinals farm director Chris Correa were released last week. Bottom line is that this looks really terrible for the Cardinals—much worse that we had been led to believe. The excuse that Correa was just looking for stuff that belonged to the Cardinals is clearly false from the information that was accessed. (h/t Hardball Talk)
- Braves utilityman Sean Rodriguez was unharmed after a car accident in Miami. His wife and two children were both hospitalized, however. The children are in serious but stable condition.
- Former Cy Young Award winner Randy Jones has throat cancer, which he attributes to his years of tobacco use.
- Free agent Brandon Moss has a home as he’s agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Royals.
- The Mariners acquired reliever Dillon Overton in a trade with the Athletics.
- Craig Edwards argues that the Indians are winning the offseason. I guess I’d rather win the World Series and lose the offseason though, but maybe it’s the other way around in Cleveland.
- The Indians are reportedly working with commissioner Rob Manfred about a “solution” to Chief Wahoo. I don’t think there’s much to discuss, but I’m sure they’ll try to find some way for the Indians to save face.
- Last time we saw Jeff Manship, he was pitching to Javier Baez in game six of the World Series. He had a good season last year with a 3.12 ERA and a 0.92 ERA the year before. So why is he going to pitch in Korea next season? Ben Lindbergh has a fascinating article about how the changes in baseball led Manship to KBO in 2017. The NC Dinos are thrilled to have him.
- First baseman Ike Davis signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers. Paul Lebowitz traces how Davis went from the future of the Mets to a minor-league deal in just a few short seasons.
- Ken Rosenthal reports that several remaining free agent relievers should sign deals soon.
- Speaking of which, reliever Craig Breslow is in talks with the Blue Jays, Indians and Twins.
- Three teams are reportedly interested in signing catcher Matt Wieters.
- Justin Morneau could rejoin the Twins on a minor-league deal.
- Chris Bahr has five trades that he feels still should happen this winter.
- Yasiel Puig wants to stay with the Dodgers and took responsibility for his poor 2016. #puigyourfriend
- Shawn Windsor looks at Justin Verlander’s return to elite status in 2016.
- Verlander’s teammate Victor Martinez had hernia surgery in October.
- Free agent Henderson Alvarez, who hasn’t pitched since 2015, could be ready to return to the mound by May.
- Travis Shawchik thinks the Rockies should get creative with their pitching staff to survive pitching half their games at Coors Field.
- Orioles first baseman Chris Davis apparently is not much of a fan of Jose Bautista.
- Matt Snyder makes up an all-time postseason all-star team. I’m disappointed that Buddy Biancalana didn’t make the list.
- The Royals had a private gathering to remember Yordano Ventura.
- Danny Duffy bought a Ventura bobblehead on eBay to give to Ventura’s mother for $100. When the seller found out who had bought it, he refused to take the money and gave it to Duffy for free.
- The Padres will let you trade in your Chargers clothing for a credit on Padres stuff.
- The new pinstriped-bill on the Yankees new Spring Training cap is causing some controversy.
- Randy Johnson almost called his home run shot at a USC alumni game.
- Jim Weeks looks at the history of Welshmen playing in MLB. Although the 1884 Union Association should not be considered a major league, and I don’t think it will be for much longer.
- And finally, Nomar Garciaparra thinks it’s “cool” that Nomar Mazara means he’s no longer the only Nomar in major league history.
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.