I had form of purchased into the magic of the Winter Conferences 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 considering that offers will happen within the foyer or the bar the place they’ll witness them come collectively over drunken arguments between GMs. It’s not the Eighties anymore and Dallas Inexperienced and Gene Michael or whoever else aren’t throwing again a bath of scotch and deciding they hate their centerfielder as a result of they’ll’t bear in mind his title anymore.
No less than some individuals are discovering methods to entertain themselves:
To fill within the backstory, early within the day good ol’ Boob had tweeted out that the Cubs had been principally out of the Shohei Ohtani three-legged race. Later within the day, in USA As we speak, it was written that the Cubs had balked on the $50 million for 10 years deal that it might take to get Ohtani to even speak 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 constructive 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 needed to look within the race to seize Ohtani’s signature with out actually wanting to truly signal him. The baseball model of simply trying busy. As a result of 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’s not seemingly what he’ll signal for. If the Cubs had been unwilling to match even the doorway price, then they had been by no means severe about the entire thing, Which given how Tom Ricketts operates, is extra more likely to be the reality than not. However 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 listing.
Whereas 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 within the precise negotiations. He could also be a instrument of these people, however that data comes from someplace. Hoyer seems to be pissy that it’s completely outed his con.
In the meantime, 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 onerous their job is for a pair months per yr. Olney isn’t getting spoon-fed data in regards to the largest free agent in historical past, so he’s moaning about the way it’s “dangerous for baseball.” Don’t know, but it surely looks as if followers are nonetheless fairly engaged, even when Olney has to wrestle to provide you with one thing to write down about in the present day.
When has Ohtani ever been an open e-book? He by no means talks to native media and infrequently talks to nationwide media. So why would he flip his free company into a derivative of “The Bachelor?” Fairly 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 primary being that Ohtani and/or his reps know what an excellent portion of followers are likely to assume once they hear about sure numbers and provides being rejected. Yeah, it’s onerous for all of us to understand telling a workforce 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 provide coming the following week. We’re additionally not probably the most distinctive baseball participant of all-time.
Additionally, how did most followers really feel about “The Resolution?” Really stunning that one other participant at that stage is doing his finest to keep away from that type of backlash, don’t you assume?
Sorry, this isn’t a recreation present that makes your job simpler, Buster. Simply strive working a bit more durable. It gained’t kill you.
Somebody please hand me the tissues
Now for an honest cry:
Comply with Sam on Twitter @Felsgate and on Bluesky @Felsgate.bsky.social