Yesterday the Cubs signed Kohl Stewart, who was originally picked 4th (just two behind Kris Bryant) in the 2013 draft, but has a career (okay, 62 innings) ERA of 4.79.
Semi-yawn. I mean, the Cubs have sort of beat my Cub Fan Brain with a baseball bat lately, so I'm not expecting much at all.
A super low risk (I think $700,000 for next year) guy who... the Cubs have had success in the past with taking guys others have given up on and made them into something. So who knows, maybe Stewart turns into something.
And now... this signing of Joc Pederson (pending physical)?
Kinda shook me awake just because he's got a name.
One year, $7 mil, and surely the Cubs told him he'd start, which he wasn't doing so much in LA.
A couple years older than Ian Happ, I bet trying to re-define his career.
So... on one hand this is FANTASTIC.
On the other it's kind of weird.
He's a lefty bat mediocre outfielder with the same kind of numbers as Kyle Schwarber.
I thought the new thing was contact.
Guys who get on base.
I mean, this time of year nobody knows what Jed Hoyer's plans are, really. Does this signing make that picture any clearer?
Don't think so, but it's a positive sign.
The Ricketts' have supposedly increased the budget for next year (I love Brett Taylor at Bleacher Nation and he's got a good take on this).
There's chatter with the Cubs being interested in Chris Archer, Jeff Samardzija, and maybe even Jake Arrieta.
None of those are Nolan Arenado, who the Cards are supposedly talking to, but whatever.
(BTW, the Cards just signed Adam Wainwright to another year at $8 mil.)
I guess I was feeling like the Cubs were resembling a flat balloon, and maybe there's a little air blowing in now.
So... awesome.
The Central is supposed to be rotten next year, but even so, it would be nice to continue being atop the division.
The painting at the top - if you recognize it that's because it was in one of my old sketchbooks. I'm taking some old sketchbook stuff and making big paintings out of it. Fun.
The guy in the painting passed away years ago. I last parked in that alley in 2019. Will again, too. Those alley parking people... most think they're creepy robbers. But I think they're part of a dying culture around Wrigley, and I'm happy to help them stay in business.