Bleed Cubbie Blue - The Yu Darvish free agent saga, offseason 2017-18A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2018-02-10T14:35:09-06:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/167623132018-02-10T14:35:09-06:002018-02-10T14:35:09-06:00We got Yu babe: What the Darvish signing means for the Cubs
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<p>Where does the rotation and payroll stand now that Yu Darvish is a Cub?</p> <p id="lDOEPY">At last, <span>Yu Darvish</span> is a Cub, signed by the team Saturday to what could be, if he meets all incentives, a six-year, $150 million contract.</p>
<p id="sRcNte">Here are some of the details we know now:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clarification: Darvish six-year guarantee with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> is $126M with ability to get to $150M, according to sources.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/962414455836626945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a>
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<p id="VAGftN">So with the guarantee $126 million over six years, that’s a $21 million AAV hit to the luxury tax limit. Further:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources: Chances of Darvish getting to $150M with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> quite slim; would need to win multiple Cy Young awards. His guarantee is $126M over six years, making contract the longest and richest free-agent deal of off-season.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/962416809617121281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a>
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<p id="jYrAlT">And even if Darvish makes all the incentives and gets to $150 million total, that’s still $5 million (total) less than the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> committed to <span>Jon Lester</span> three years ago. It’s a very, very reasonable contract for the No. 1 starting pitcher on the free agent market this winter. But then there’s this intriguing detail:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Yu Darvish $126 million deal with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> includes no trade provisions and opt outs</p>— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) <a href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/962419409238151168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a>
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<p id="o6x254">Without any detail given on when the opt outs happen, I’d guess there’s going to be one after three years. Why? Because three years would mean that every member of the Cubs’ current rotation is locked up for the next three seasons.</p>
<p id="7OC6wc">Jon Lester has three years remaining on that six-year deal. <span>Jose Quintana</span> has three years left on his contract (actually, one year, plus two option years which the Cubs will almost certainly pick up). <span>Kyle Hendricks</span> is arbitration-eligible for 2019 and 2020, after which he’ll be eligible for free agency. And Tyler Chatwood signed a three-year contract earlier this winter.</p>
<p id="G7F2Dk">Thus the Cubs send the clear sign that they are going to go for a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> title for at least the next three years, during which basically everyone on the 25-man roster is locked up, either by contract, by arbitration status, or being pre-arb over the period 2018-2020.</p>
<p id="oUK4ro">Now let’s have a look at payroll.</p>
<p id="qV3Qoi">Last month, <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/1/16/16896376/2018-cubs-payroll-luxury-tax">when I last took a look here</a> at the Cubs’ payroll figures for 2018, I had the total of payroll expenditures, minor-league payroll and other numbers that count against the luxury tax coming to approximately $160.6 million.</p>
<p id="FYUIn3">Add the $21 million tax hit for Darvish for 2018 and you’re at about $182 million, which is $15 million below the luxury tax limit for this year. That should allow plenty of money for incentives that could be hit and also for a mid-season acquisition if Theo & Co. decide they need someone to make the team a World Series contender.</p>
<p id="iwanSa">This is well done all the way around. It gives the Cubs a three-year window to win again before some of the big bills come due for guys like <span>Kris Bryant</span>, <span>Kyle Schwarber</span>, <span>Javier Baez</span> and <span>Addison Russell</span> as they approach free agency, and locks down a solid 25-man roster for those three seasons.</p>
<p id="YeyLkq">This also might begin to break the logjam of other free agents signing, as Darvish was widely considered the best pitcher on the market. Teams that were looking at him as a possibility might now turn their attention to <span>Jake Arrieta</span>, <span>Alex Cobb</span> and <span>Lance Lynn</span>, the next three hurlers on that FA list. We’ve still got a few days before spring camps officially open and I’d think there could be a flurry of signings this week.</p>
<p id="cOiZRe">Oh, and one last thing: I’m guessing <span>Drew Smyly</span> is going to give up the No. 11 he was assigned for this year. Darvish has worn No. 11 his entire career, all the way back to Japan, except for his two months with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>, where he took No. 21 because No. 11 was taken by <span>Logan Forsythe</span>.</p>
<p id="bvS0Ic">Congratulations, Theo & Co. Well done.</p>
<p id="vMwwmJ">And welcome to the Cubs and six years of puns, Yu Darvish.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/2/10/16999602/yu-darvish-signing-cubs-payrollAl Yellon2018-02-10T13:55:00-06:002018-02-10T13:55:00-06:00Cubs sign Yu Darvish
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<p>At last, it’s happened!</p> <p id="2OcgSf">We have been waiting... and waiting... and patiently waiting.</p>
<p id="I3whWF">I’ve posted <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/2/9/16998272/the-daily-darvish-free-agency-for-yu-2017-18">almost three weeks here of the Daily Darvish</a>, both for a bit of fun and to keep up with all the rumors and talk about <span>Yu Darvish</span> and where he would finally end up.</p>
<p id="YxvXce">Fortunately for us, that destination is now the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a>:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Yu Darvish to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a>, six year-deal in $150M range, sources tell The Athletic. Pending physical.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/962413578119794690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clarification: Darvish six-year guarantee with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> is $126M with ability to get to $150M, according to sources.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/962414455836626945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2018</a>
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<p id="IqzkuW">This contract seems eminently reasonable and will help keep the Cubs fulfill their stated desire to stay under the luxury tax payroll limit of $197 million for 2018. It’s quite similar to the six-year, $155 million deal <span>Jon Lester</span> signed three years ago.</p>
<p id="25xdvG">For the team, this gives them one of the best rotations in baseball. Add Darvish to Lester, <span>Jose Quintana</span>, <span>Kyle Hendricks</span> and <span>Tyler Chatwood</span>, and if all of them can pitch up to their best level, this might even be <em>the</em> best starting rotation in the major leagues.</p>
<p id="VPXdX6">Theo Epstein & Co. don’t make moves specifically to counter other teams, but this signing, coming just one day after the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> upgraded their offense with the acquisition by trade of <span>Christian Yelich</span> and the signing of <span>Lorenzo Cain</span>, certainly means the Cubs and Brewers will be fighting it out for the N.L. Central title in 2018, just as they did last year. (And don’t count the improved <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> out of this race, either.)</p>
<p id="LKAGKn">I’ll have more on this signing later, but for now, I give it a big thumbs-up — and happily retire the Daily Darvish series.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/2/10/16936112/cubs-sign-yu-darvishAl Yellon2018-02-10T08:15:02-06:002018-02-10T08:15:02-06:00The Daily Darvish: The way Yu look tonight
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<figcaption>♪ ♬ The way Yu look tonight... ♪ ♬ | Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Another day of non-signings.</p> <p id="rcYVhz">Tom Verducci wrote <a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/02/07/derek-jeter-miami-marlins">a long profile of Derek Jeter</a> in this week’s Sports Illustrated, which also appeared online.</p>
<p id="pG3C7U">In it, Jeter made this claim:</p>
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<p id="qZ7e2p">“When we were at the town hall,” says Jeter, referring to an event when he took questions from season ticket holders last December, “one of the fans said, ‘All you needed to do was sign two pitchers.’ I said, ‘Okay, who are those two pitchers?’ He couldn’t answer. You could have added two pitchers to this team and they still wouldn’t have won.”</p>
<p id="NLahpv">Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish, the top free agent pitchers?</p>
<p id="oJFxZ8">“No,” Jeter says. “They still wouldn’t have won. So you just dig a bigger hole, and eventually you have to get out of it. That’s a lot of work.”</p>
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<p id="37UcRo">I thought that was ridiculous when I read this article. Sign both of those pitchers and just about <em>any</em> team would be a contender. This is backed up by facts:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">they just traded away 15 wins in the OF, meaning they would have been projected to be better than or even with the Mets right now. Yu and Arrieta? Another 6.5 wins? They’d be projected to be between the Angels and Cardinals. Top ten team in bigs going in. Horse poop.</p>— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/enosarris/status/961831008092876801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2018</a>
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<p id="s3odNm">Eno Sarris is correct, I think. The Marlins won 77 games last year and as late as August 27 were three games over .500 and only 4½ games out of a wild-card spot. If they had kept the guys they traded and signed both those pitchers, they’re absolutely wild-card contenders in 2018.</p>
<p id="WeZ1zQ">Want to do a rebuild, Derek? Fine, but don’t be disingenuous about it.</p>
<p id="e4JbKq">We have heard previously about new Cubs catcher Chris Gimenez’ friendship with Darvish from their time together with the Rangers. <a href="http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2018/02/08/chris-gimenez-recruiting-yu-darvish-to-cubs/">Gimenez told a Chicago radio show</a> he’s still trying to recruit Yu to play for the Cubs:</p>
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<p id="xgFquO">Gimenez has given Darvish a pitch to join him with the Cubs, though he also has given context to what the Twins could offer. He has been respectful of the decision Darvish will have to make but also is working to recruit him for the Cubs.</p>
<p id="SlzMYj">“I was honest with (Darvish),” Gimenez said. “And I think that’s kind of my job as a friend, to kind of lead those guys in the direction where I might feel they have the best opportunity to be successful, because that’s kind of the ultimate goal. He’s going to make the best decision for him. I wish he would make it already, because I think that could help a lot of things going down here down the line in the trickle-down effect. But I give him credit to sticking to his guns.”</p>
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<p id="PiKOc4"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/yu-darvish-free-agent-rumors/c-266029528">Then, there’s this:</a></p>
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<p id="zE94wY">The Cubs are “the team that’s sort of laying in the weeds” in the Darvish sweepstakes, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported on MLB Network, saying that the sources he’s spoken to seem to believe that the right-hander will end up with Chicago.</p>
<p id="n6sVDK">According to Feinsand, it seems like Darvish wants to go to a big-market team like the Cubs, Yankees or Dodgers -- and that, while Darvish has been waiting for New York and Los Angeles to get involved, neither has jumped into the bidding and don’t appear likely to do so.</p>
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<p id="FPPT1j">If it’s true that Darvish wants to play in a big market, that would seem to eliminate the Brewers and Twins from consideration.</p>
<p id="2ZTnnn">As always, we await developments.</p>
<p id="7DxyoT">Friday night, I created <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/2/9/16998272/the-daily-darvish-free-agency-for-yu-2017-18">this StoryStream</a> which contains (and will continue to contain in the future) all the Daily Darvish posts, so you can look back on them if you are so inclined. I didn’t realize until I went back to create the stream that today’s edition is the 19th Daily Darvish.</p>
<p id="oTd2ad">Lastly, Mike Bojanowski, whose tastes run toward classic movies, suggested that I go back in time for a classic old standard for this series.</p>
<p id="oMx4O5">My latest attempt at parody lyrics:</p>
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<p id="IiAGtc">Some day, when I’m awfully low<br>Wrigley Field’s so cold<br>I will feel a glow just thinking of Yu<br>The way Yu’d look as a Cub</p>
<p id="PrswFY">Yes, Yu can pitch, in Japan or here<br>With a great fastball<br>There is nothing for me, but to want Yu<br>As a Cub when baseball starts</p>
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<p id="jeRmJ1">And thus, today’s music selection (scroll in about one minute if you just want to hear the song):</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/2/10/16997728/yu-darvish-cubs-free-agent-rumorsAl Yellon2018-02-09T09:00:03-06:002018-02-09T09:00:03-06:00The Daily Darvish: Yu can’t always get what Yu want
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<figcaption>Yu pitching for Japan in the 2009 World Baseball Classic | Photo by Rich Pilling/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>... but maybe Yu will get what he needs.</p> <p id="WeO40t"><a href="https://www.fanragsports.com/inside-baseball-no-end-in-sight-to-baseballs-messy-winter/">This long article</a> written Thursday by Jon Heyman covers pretty much all of the current offseason standoff and is worth reading. In particular I want to call your attention to these paragraphs about <span>Yu Darvish</span>:</p>
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<p id="7jCPxx">Darvish, who playfully hinted at interest with clever tweets only a couple weeks ago, has been thought to be getting closer to a deal in each of the preceding couple weeks, with none to be had. One team source suggested they offered $110 million over five years, and was surprised to be told “thanks, but no thanks.”</p>
<p id="xFcebz">Darvish had been hoping to duplicate the $175 million, seven-year deal signed by <span>Stephen Strasburg</span> in-season, but there are signs, at least in his case, that he might be willing to consider something in the range of $130 million, or Johnny Cueto-money in baseball parlance.</p>
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<p id="DvqAub">I don’t see why the Cubs couldn’t make a 5/120 or 5/125 offer, with a sixth team option year with, say, a $5 million buyout. That sort of offer would still keep the Cubs well under the luxury tax threshold and would still leave room for a midseason pickup. It would be close to the $130 million noted in Heyman’s article.</p>
<p id="4uPaPr">The article doesn’t identify which team made the 5/110 offer; it could very well have been the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>, who were stated to have made an offer a couple of weeks ago.</p>
<p id="20m97K">Also Thursday, the rumors of that unsigned player training camp came closer to fruition:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source: Signed players likely to appear at union-sponsored training camp for unsigned free agents as show of support. Appearances would occur before signed players report to their teams. Unsigned Scott Boras clients will not attend the camp, per <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jcrasnick</a>.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/961662532393095173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources: Spring-training camp for unsigned free agents will be at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fl.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/961685429568274432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">According to E-mail sent to agents, training camp for unsigned free agents will be led by former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Astros</a> manager Bo Porter. Players’ personal trainers will not be permitted. Travel and housing arranged by union. Players given daily per diem. General liability insurance provided.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/961686419382169603?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Unsigned free agents will be able to report to the spring-training camp on Tuesday. The first workout will be Wednesday. The site will remain open until March 4, but based on attendance, arrangements can be made to extend until the end of March.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/961686753571680256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Scott Boras has no plans to send his clients to a proposed free agent camp. "Boras Corp has two sport fitness institutes with diamonds, cages and weight facilities,'' he said. "We have resources and staffing to make sure our players are prepared when they reach agreements.''</p>— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/961651971496267777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a>
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<p id="fpDl6i">Not very convenient for the players who don’t live in Florida, even if the union pays travel and housing expenses. If an Arizona or California based player travels to this camp and then signs with an AZ-based spring training team, then that player has to go back west and find housing for the month in the Phoenix area.</p>
<p id="7Sn1Qi">I also find it interesting that Scott Boras clients won’t participate. Ken Rosenthal’s tweets indicate this camp could go all the way through the end of March; even if it doesn’t it will (apparently) be open for about four weeks. </p>
<p id="RZE5WN">Bradenton, Florida is the spring home of the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> and several other teams (<a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a>, <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a>, <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a>, <a href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Orioles</a>, <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a>) train within easy driving distance. It’s not clear whether these workouts (or games, if they have any) will be open to the public.</p>
<p id="YpV1OZ">This isn’t the way I think anyone wanted the 2018 season to begin.</p>
<p id="8MwZSK">A bit of humor:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I think <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cavaliers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cavaliers</a> have now cleared enough roster and cap space to sign Yu Darvish.</p>— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/status/961671117265166336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a>
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<p id="LmFLRI">Another attempt by me at parody lyrics:</p>
<p id="ZChmpq">Yu Darvish would get quite the reception<br>If he joined the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>’ merry band<br>Cubs fans would give him so much affection<br>He’d be Joe Maddon’s No. 1 man</p>
<p id="IdVhlv">No, Yu can’t always get what Yu wants<br>Yu can’t always get what Yu wants<br>Yu can’t always get what Yu wants<br>But if Yu tries sometime Yu’ll find<br>Yu gets what Yu needs</p>
<p id="oGU5a1">Today’s song selection!</p>
<div id="qZzvWK"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7S94ohyErSw?rel=0&showinfo=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/2/9/16992090/yu-darvish-cubs-free-agent-rumorsAl Yellon2018-02-08T09:00:04-06:002018-02-08T09:00:04-06:00The Daily Darvish: So Yu want to be a rock & roll star
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<figcaption>Yu Darvish in his days with the Nippon Ham Fighters in 2008 | AFP/AFP/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Actual Yu Darvish rumors within!</p> <p id="1sUL1c">This morning, we have another team <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/02/twins-rumors-offer-yu-darvish-rays-trades.html">actually “in” on an official offer</a> to <span>Yu Darvish</span>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="7lb0fM">After several months of back and forth negotiations, the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> have submitted a formal offer to <strong>Yu Darvish</strong>’s camp, reports Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN in the latest episode of his podcast (<a href="http://www.1500espn.com/the-scoop-2/2018/02/darvish-twins-update-wolves-trade-deadline-vikings-oc-search-ep-126/">audio link</a>, Twins talk starting up at the 2:25 mark and running through 11:00).</p>
<p id="gG6ArH">Exact parameters of the offer aren’t known, but Wolfson cites multiple sources in reporting that the offer is four or five years in length. <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F233002%2F2018%2F02%2F06%2Frosenthal-red-sox-monitoring-martinez-options-royals-motive-on-hosmer-boras-15-update-more-notes%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bleedcubbieblue.com%2F2018%2F2%2F8%2F16988122%2Fyu-darvish-cubs-free-agent-rumors" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic</a>(subscription required) reported yesterday that Darvish has received multiple offers worth $100M+, while <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fmlb%2Fcolumnist%2Fbob-nightengale%2F2018%2F02%2F07%2Fmlb-free-agency-unsigned-players-yu-darvish-jd-martinez-jake-arrieta-eric-hosmer%2F315148002%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bleedcubbieblue.com%2F2018%2F2%2F8%2F16988122%2Fyu-darvish-cubs-free-agent-rumors" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Bob Nightengale of USA Today</a> reported earlier today that he has “several” five-year offers. Given all three of those reports, it certainly seems plausible that the Twins have put forth a nine-figure offer to Darvish, which would easily be the largest commitment they’ve ever made to a free agent.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="WxuZeL">So at this point, it appears that there are at least three firm, five-year, nine-figure offers to Darvish, from the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>, <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> and Twins. Groundhog Day was last week, but the story that Darvish is waiting on the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> to clear salary so they can sign him is still making the rounds. That isn’t likely to happen, because even if the Dodgers can pull off that unlikely feat, they’re still mandated to stay under the luxury tax limit because of debt service.</p>
<p id="ZpMajo">The <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> and <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a>, other teams rumored to be interested in Darvish, have been mostly quiet, except for the Rangers saying they’re not likely to sign any top FA this winter, and the Yankees continuing to say they’re also going to stay under the tax limit unless they can move the mountain known as <span>Jacoby Ellsbury</span>’s contract.</p>
<p id="DtYjfb">Here’s the other bit of big news this morning:</p>
<div id="PfGHNV">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Been told the union is considering starting a camp as soon as Tuesday — the day pitchers and catchers report to some team sites. Some prominent players still have not been informed, and it’s unclear just how many would participate. One free agent told me he’d rather stay home. <a href="https://t.co/CSFEUlmr2Y">https://t.co/CSFEUlmr2Y</a></p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/961413645912518656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2018</a>
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<p id="VOVdLM"><a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-mlbpa-preparing-conduct-spring-training-camps-free-agents-010746795.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw">Tim Brown’s Yahoo article</a> on this topic says:</p>
<blockquote><p id="ADU58s">With 30 camps set to open early next week and an unusual number of players still without contracts – some among the top free agents on the market – the union is investigating sites in Florida and Arizona in case it determines a 31st camp is necessary. The IMG baseball academy in Bradenton, Florida, was believed to be among at least three options. The union also is identifying coaches and other personnel to staff the facility.</p></blockquote>
<p id="vKdJ2s">Many players live in either Florida or Arizona so they can be home during spring training and with their families. If Florida is chosen, the AZ players are likely left out because of the distance, travel expenses, housing expenses, etc. and vice versa if Arizona is chosen.</p>
<p id="okrUsy">I’m not sure which “coaches and other personnel” the MLBPA would be able to sign up at this late date. It takes more than a couple of practice fields to put together a spring-training camp. I remain skeptical that this will actually happen.</p>
<p id="B1UCaq">And I keep hoping one big signing will break the logjam. Six days until Cubs pitchers and catchers have their first workout.</p>
<p id="6bAiy7">For today’s song selection I bring you the Tom Petty version of the classic Byrds song:</p>
<div id="4MlZss"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75.0019%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5q3dXiQJukM?rel=0&showinfo=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/2/8/16988122/yu-darvish-cubs-free-agent-rumorsAl Yellon2018-02-07T09:00:03-06:002018-02-07T09:00:03-06:00The Daily Darvish: Yu can call me Al
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zEYGP3suBwUy0kT7mPVwnMxuRtU=/0x92:2487x1750/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58604497/686139050.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Write your own caption | Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>If we’re not in silly season, we’re getting close.</p> <p id="h0cdPW">News item: <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> pitcher <span>Ervin Santana</span> has had a “capsular release/debridement procedure to his right 3rd finger MCP joint.”</p>
<p id="eWllG2">This sounds pretty painful, but according to this, Santana could be back by the end of April or beginning of May:</p>
<div id="FuLRnP">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/Twins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Twins</a> medical update on Ervin Santana. <a href="https://t.co/RyxL03GzFF">pic.twitter.com/RyxL03GzFF</a></p>— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) <a href="https://twitter.com/morsecode/status/961005480306008065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a>
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<p id="JZVE3I">That hasn’t <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ervin-santanas-injury-proves-much-twins-need-another-pitcher-232211733.html">stopped</a> <a href="https://puckettspond.com/2018/02/05/minnesota-twins-yu-darvish/">speculation</a> that this somehow means the Twins are more likely to go after <span>Yu Darvish</span>. The Twins were interested in Darvish before this injury was announced; I doubt this makes them any more desperate to sign him than they already were, especially since this tweet and statement (it’s from the Twins’ director of communications) indicates that Santana might only miss four or five starts.</p>
<p id="xHjdu5">Ken Rosenthal today <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F233002%2F2018%2F02%2F06%2Frosenthal-red-sox-monitoring-martinez-options-royals-motive-on-hosmer-boras-15-update-more-notes%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bleedcubbieblue.com%2F2018%2F2%2F7%2F16981492%2Fyu-darvish-cubs-free-agent-rumors" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">repeats the earlier report</a> that Darvish is “believed to be weighing multiple $100 million-plus offers,” but offers no elaboration on that. Given what we know right now, it would appear that the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> likely have made one of those offers.</p>
<p id="8NrDnp">Apart from all that, here we sit, one week from the Cubs’ first pitcher/catcher workout, with the same players still unsigned. I remain hopeful that Darvish will be one of those pitchers working out as a Cub next Wednesday.</p>
<p id="6JBOu2">Gonna try my hand at parody lyrics:</p>
<p id="4fDMgl">A man walks down the street<br>He says why am I still unsigned now<br>Why am I still unsigned now<br>The rest of my life in Chicago?<br>I need a pitching opportunity<br>I want a shot at redemption<br>Don’t want to end up a failure<br>A <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> flop<br>Tipping pitches? No more!<br>Wrigley in the daylight?<br>Far from my home in Japan<br><a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>? <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>? <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a>? Twins?<br>Get these teams away from me<br>You know I don’t find this stuff amusing anymore</p>
<p id="dZfXsV">If you’ll be my baseball team<br>I will be your ace, brand-new <br>I will call you, Theo<br>And Theo when you call me<br>Please just call me Yu</p>
<p id="NpSoRf">Today’s song selection:</p>
<div id="hwUTop"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uq-gYOrU8bA?rel=0&showinfo=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/2/7/16981492/yu-darvish-cubs-free-agent-rumorsAl Yellon2018-02-06T09:00:05-06:002018-02-06T09:00:05-06:00The Daily Darvish: Did Yu ever have to make up your mind?
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SytdSfi6fn5Wr0HjLf88XKaxWsw=/0x530:2432x2151/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58588641/859570088.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The waiting is the hardest part | Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Eight days until the first Cubs pitcher and catcher workout.</p> <p id="LqQGwP">Late Monday, one of the bigger-name free agents signed a contract:</p>
<div id="1Vim4L">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mets?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mets</a> in agreement with free-agent 3B Todd Frazier on two-year, $17M contract, sources tell The Athletic. Pending a physical.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/960690951982379009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a>
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<p id="eVlqri">Back in November, <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/2017-18-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html">MLB Trade Rumors</a> predicted that <span>Todd Frazier</span> would get three years and $33 million — from the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>, so they got that part right. The AAV of the actual contract is lower than the predicted MLBTR AAV. Perhaps this will begin to break the logjam.</p>
<p id="eLcAS1">One thing this signing might mean is that the Mets are almost certainly not counting on the return of <span>David Wright</span>, who hasn’t played a full year since 2014 and didn’t play at all in 2017, except for three rehab games. Wright’s career has been ruined by injuries and he might, at age 35, be done. Frazier, of course, could also play first base.</p>
<p id="geeOYE">Oh, yes. <span>Yu Darvish</span>. There simply isn’t any new Darvish news this morning. His Twitter account has been quiet, except for a couple of retweets, and even the national writers haven’t had much to say on the topic.</p>
<p id="0OFzGd">The calm before the storm? Perhaps. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardcole/2018/02/05/contract-suggestions-for-top-20-remaining-mlb-free-agents/#bb58bd06c967">Here are some suggestions of contracts</a> for some of the top remaining free agents. The writer has Darvish going to the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> at 5/125. The Rangers have pretty much said they’re not going to spend like that; if the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> could get Darvish at 5/125, I’d say they ought to do it. The article also has <span>Jake Arrieta</span> to the Cubs at 4/80 (unlikely) and <span>Jon Jay</span> to the Cubs on a one-year, $5 million deal. Much as I like Jay, I don’t see this happening, mostly because there simply isn’t room on the current projected 25-man roster for him.</p>
<p id="oSYWK5">We go back to the 1960s for today’s musical selection, and lyrics that must be going through Darvish’s mind even if he has never heard the Lovin’ Spoonful song:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="WEDunN">Did Yu ever have to make up your mind?<br>And pick up on one and leave the other behind?<br>It’s not often easy and not often kind.<br>Did Yu ever have to make up your mind?</p>
<p id="vEf2MZ">Did Yu ever have to finally decide?<br>And say yes to one and let the other one ride?<br>There’s so many changes and tears Yu must hide.<br>Did Yu ever have to finally decide?</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="3E7ZWG">Today’s song:</p>
<div id="TA00dP"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 75.0019%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wgliV9I101k?rel=0&showinfo=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<div id="iFkfxP"><div data-anthem-component="poll:881909"></div></div>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/2/6/16976318/yu-darvish-cubs-free-agent-rumorsAl Yellon2018-02-05T09:00:08-06:002018-02-05T09:00:08-06:00The Daily Darvish: Yu wreck me
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5i5fbt7BW3r0oWtUsTrTLUqOKuI=/0x223:2045x1586/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58573959/139604234.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Perhaps today will be the day Yu Darvish signs with the Cubs. </p> <p id="kuJyue">I come here this morning to report that there is absolutely no news on <span>Yu Darvish</span>.</p>
<p id="pHXqcj">I had thought perhaps Theo Epstein would troll all of us by announcing he’d signed Darvish — during the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/a/super-bowl-2018-coverage">Super Bowl</a>. No such luck.</p>
<p id="pjUNB5"><a href="https://www.fanragsports.com/inside-baseball-mlb-notes-betts-arb-win-could-affect-others/">There is this, from Jon Heyman:</a></p>
<blockquote><p id="BCEBKq">The <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> are still in the mix for Yu Darvish but for now seem to be hoping that Darvish will choose them for reasons that are not economic. The Cubs are a very attractive team/organization and Chicago is a great city so it is entirely possible they win this, but they appeared to be running behind in terms of the offer, quite likely to at least the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>.</p></blockquote>
<p id="77xQzy">That’s ... good? Bad? I can’t even tell anymore.</p>
<p id="tx6dxJ">And so, what we have for actual baseball news this morning is the signing of Bartolo, Texas Ranger. That’s right, <span>Bartolo Colon</span>, who will turn 45 in May, <a href="http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/22322489/rangers-sign-44-year-old-bartolo-colon-minor-league-deal">has been signed to a minor-league contract</a> with a spring training invitation by the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a>.</p>
<p id="99gtzE">Colon had a pretty good year in 2016 with the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets</a>, but was pretty bad last year split between the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> and <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a>. Since the Rangers appear to now be out on Darvish, and <a href="http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/team/depth_chart/index.jsp?c_id=tex">their starting rotation depth chart</a> seems kind of thin, Colon appears to have a decent chance to make the Rangers Opening Day roster.</p>
<p id="PRZSJN">Colon was a rookie with the 1997 <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a>; one of his teammates was <span>Julio Franco</span>, who made his major-league debut in 1982.</p>
<p id="wLdCle">And then there’s this, which now needs two updates (Twins and Rangers):</p>
<div id="QTSjD6">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This gif of Bartolo Colon through the years is everything <a href="https://t.co/Xrrk6lvSwG">pic.twitter.com/Xrrk6lvSwG</a></p>— Eric Fawcett (@Efawcett7) <a href="https://twitter.com/Efawcett7/status/867495157196664832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2017</a>
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<p id="dMNRRH">The Cubs’ first spring training home game, 19 days from now, Saturday, February 24, is against the Rangers. Perhaps we’ll be treated to Bartolo pitching against the Cubs.</p>
<p id="1z3Ar1">Also, while Darvish isn’t likely to return to the Rangers, I thought I’d share with you this cool drawing of him in Rangers garb I found on Twitter:</p>
<div id="ebKBuS">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="ja" dir="ltr">「ダルビッシュ有投手×午(ウマ)」<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/darvish?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#darvish</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%8D%81%E4%BA%8C%E6%94%AF?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#十二支</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TexasRangers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TexasRangers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Texas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rangers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rangers</a> <a href="https://t.co/NsW29hqbXC">pic.twitter.com/NsW29hqbXC</a></p>— りおた (@riota2gaoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/riota2gaoe/status/960468302265909248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a>
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<p id="Vh5NY8">Today’s song selection:</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2018/2/5/16973394/yu-darvish-cubs-free-agent-rumorsAl Yellon