I had form of purchased into the magic of the Winter Meetings there for a second, and I do know higher. These haven’t been a factor for a while and but many a author present up pondering that offers will happen in the foyer or the bar the place they’ll witness them come collectively over drunken arguments between GMs. It’s not the Nineteen Eighties anymore and Dallas Green and Gene Michael or whoever else aren’t throwing again a tub of scotch and deciding they hate their centerfielder as a result of they’ll’t keep in mind his title anymore.
At least some persons are discovering methods to entertain themselves:
To fill in the backstory, early in the day good ol’ Boob had tweeted out that the Cubs had been mainly out of the Shohei Ohtani three-legged race. Later in the day, in USA Today, it was written that the Cubs had balked at the $50 million for 10 years deal that it will take to get Ohtani to even discuss to a membership. Apparently, Mr. Hoyer didn’t take kindly to that form of factor.
There’s solely two causes Hoyer could be upset at Nightengale over this and neither are optimistic for Cubs followers. One, Hoyer thought he had some form of confidentiality with Nightengale, which might make Hoyer a Grade-A moron. Two, Hoyer was upset that Nightengale was eradicating the veil that the Cubs merely wished to seem in the race to seize Ohtani’s signature with out actually wanting to really signal him. The baseball model of simply wanting busy. Because each baseball fan has recognized for a very long time now that $50 million per yr was merely the buy-in to get into the room. It shouldn’t be doubtless what he’ll signal for. If the Cubs had been unwilling to match even the entrance charge, then they had been by no means critical about the complete factor, Which given how Tom Ricketts operates, is extra more likely to be the reality than not. But that doesn’t imply the Cubs need their followers to know that, particularly when they’ve burned by what was as soon as a meaty season-ticket holder ready record.
While Nightengale bounces between a complete stooge for GMs and brokers, and only a full airhorn, typically his data comes straight from the mouth of somebody concerned in the precise negotiations. He could also be a software of these people, however that data comes from someplace. Hoyer seems to be pissy that it’s completely outed his con.
Meanwhile, right here’s some pure baseball author ooze.
There’s nothing baseball followers love than studying people who find themselves paid to speak about baseball and receives a commission to observe baseball bitch about how exhausting their job is for a pair months per yr. Olney isn’t getting spoon-fed data about the greatest free agent in historical past, so he’s moaning about the way it’s “bad for baseball.” Don’t know, however it looks as if followers are nonetheless fairly engaged, even when Olney has to battle to provide you with one thing to put in writing about right now.
When has Ohtani ever been an open guide? He by no means talks to native media and infrequently talks to nationwide media. So why would he flip his free company into a by-product of “The Bachelor?” Pretty apparent he’s a personal particular person, sufficient that he doesn’t need the media all up in his enterprise.
And there’s loads of causes, the first being that Ohtani and/or his reps know what a superb portion of followers are likely to suppose once they hear about sure numbers and gives being rejected. Yeah, it’s exhausting for all of us to grasp telling a crew that $52 million a yr or no matter it’s going to be isn’t sufficient, however we’re not additionally on the receiving finish of a $55 or $60 million a yr supply coming the subsequent week. We’re additionally not the most unusual baseball participant of all-time.
Also, how did most followers really feel about “The Decision?” Truly surprising that one other participant at that degree is doing his finest to keep away from that sort of backlash, don’t you suppose?
Sorry, this isn’t a recreation present that makes your job simpler, Buster. Just attempt working somewhat more durable. It received’t kill you.
Someone please hand me the tissues
Now for a good cry:
Follow Sam on Twitter @Felsgate and on Bluesky @Felsgate.bsky.social
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