This past week we saw what can happen when reporters hurry too quickly (and also when teams leak information to said reporters before the deal is really finalized.)
There are few reporters in the baseball beat whose accuracy is respected as much as the likes of Ken Rosenthal and Jeff Passan, but even those who are so frequently right and so careful to vet their information can be wrong.
It was reported shortly after the Blue Jays signed George Springer that the Jays had also signed his teammate Michael Brantley, the reports seemed to suggest it was a done deal. But then, within hours, it was reported that Brantley had actually re-signed with the Houston Astros.
The embarrassing gaffe certainly put a bit of a smudge on reporter credibility, and perhaps should offer a moment for reporters to reflect on whether it matters more to be first or to be right.
Now onto the links!
- Michael Rosenberg touches on the Jared Porter firing as he acknowledges it’s far beyond time for the treatment of women in sports to change.
- The Kansas City T-Bones of the American Association will be renamed to the Monarchs in a nod to the great Negro Leagues team.
- Joe Musgrove pens a touching farewell letter to Pirates fans, shares Michael Clair.
- The free agent catcher market thins out as Jason Castro re-signs with the Astros. Story by Ben Clemens.
- Joe Posnanski’s just-missed Hall of Fame series is winding down, narrowing its focus on Lou Whitaker (a HoF hill I will die on), Scott Rolen, and Roger Clemens. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Might we see an empty 2021 Hall of Fame class? Matt Snyder looks at the very real possibility.
- Oh NOW they don’t want to vote for him?
Source: Numerous National Baseball HOF voters have reached out to the Hall hoping to amend their ballots, removing their votes for Curt Schilling after he supported the seditious acts in Washington D.C. 2 weeks ago. HOF officials are concerned about the precedent this could set.
— M@ (@MattSpiegel670) January 21, 2021
- Britt Ghiroli looks at why the Nationals signing Jon Lester makes a lot of sense.
- Trevor Bauer was said to be looking for a multi-year deal, but R.J. Anderson suggests a few options for teams who could use him on a one-year deal.
- And since we’re on the topic of Bauer, Nick Selbe has put together an all unsigned free agent team.
- A limiting factor for Bauer might be his desire to pitch every four days, which Bradford Doolittle digs deeper into.
- The Athletic staff debate whether or the George Springer signing can turn the Blue Jays into contenders. (The Athletic subscription required.)
- Michael Baumann, on the other hand, wonders if the White Sox are the team to beat in the AL Central.
- Matt Monagan brings us the delightful news that the very meme-able moment of chilly Bernie Sanders at the Inauguration is now a Topps card.
- Speaking of Bernie memes...
“I am once again asking for run support” pic.twitter.com/Fw6z9DtiYm
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) January 21, 2021
And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster. Make it so.