Monday was the one-year anniversary of Rob Manfred becoming MLB’s Commissioner. Fitting the Year of the Rookie was Manfred’s first on the job.
After saying last week at the Owners Meetings momentum was gaining for the National League adopting the designated hitter, Manfred told ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick on Monday, “The most likely result on the designated hitter for the foreseeable future is the status quo. I think the vast majority of the clubs in the National League want to stay where they are.”
Manfred explained to ESPN that he did not mean for his comments last week to “create the impression that NL clubs want to adopt the DH.” Manfred thinks the two leagues will continue to operate under different rules. Manfred said, “It is the single most important feature that defines the differences between the two leagues.”
Commissioner Manfred also talked to Jeff Passan over the weekend ahead of his one-year anniversary. Passan posted a very interesting Q&A with the Commissioner.
The current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expires on Dec. 1, 2016. Manfred said he is “going to do everything humanly possible to make sure” a labor stoppage doesn’t happen.
Ricketts Family – Wrigley Rooftops
The Ricketts family purchased three more rooftop buildings earlier this month. The announcement was made on Jan. 13 the family now owns nine of the 16 rooftops and the website ‘Wrigley Rooftops’ was launched to help fans purchase tickets to the rooftop clubs.
It was unknown at the time how much the family paid for the buildings located at 1010 W. Waveland Ave., 1038 W. Waveland Ave. and 1048 W. Waveland.
Danny Ecker tracked down what the Ricketts family paid for the three buildings earlier this month.
According to Ecker’s report, the Ricketts “paid $12 million for those three rooftop buildings” and have spent $19.2 million of six rooftops over the past year. Ecker added “that $19.2 million doesn’t include three more rooftops Ricketts family bought in May for undisclosed amounts, nor what they paid for the rooftop businesses themselves.”
• Ricketts Family Purchases Three Rooftops, Launches Wrigley Rooftops Website [Jan. 14]
News, Notes and Rumors
• DNA Info Chicago explained why the Cubs want to block off Clark and Addison during games.
• Jason Heyward told Kelly Crull in a one-on-one interview that everybody is hungry, everybody wants to win.
• Comcast SportsNet explained why the Cubs spent big this winter and won’t be major players next off-season.
• Rob Neyer posted a breakdown of the best remaining free agents. And so did the Washington Post.
• Former Cubs’ farmhand INF Ronald Torreyes has a new team. The Angels announced Monday they claimed Torreyes off waivers from the Yankees and DFA’d LHP Bobby LaFromboise to make room for him on the roster.
• The Padres and Marlins are two of “many teams” that have shown interest in RHP Tim Lincecum according to a report from Jon Heyman. Lincecum has a showcase scheduled for the first part of February.
• RHP Bronson Arroyo would like to return to the Reds according to Mark Sheldon. Arroyo threw a bullpen in Cincinnati and a video of the session with Reds’ catching coach Mike Stefanski was made for the team to watch. The Reds would be interested in Arroyo if the price is right. The Marlins, Padres and Pirates have also shown interest in Arroyo. Chris Cotillo reported a decision from Arroyo is expected this week.
• And speaking of old Cubs’ nemesis … LHP Chris Capuano is back in the NL Central. Capuano signed a minor league contract with the Brewers. Capuano received a non-roster invite to Spring Training and will compete for a spot in the Brewers’ rotation. The now 37-year old southpaw is 10-3 in 16 career games, 14 starts, versus the Cubs with a 3.12 ERA and 1.12 WHIP … at Wrigley Field he is 6-2 in 10 games, eight starts, with a 3.04 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.
• Adam McCalvy added the Diamondbacks to the list of teams Phil Rogers thinks would be the best fits for Jonathan Lucroy.
• Charlie Blackmon and the Rockies avoided arbitration Monday with a $3.5 million contract for the upcoming season.
• Hardball Talk asked why people make up fake trade rumors … Kyla Wall-Polin tried to explain why on The Hardball Times.
• Jake Arrieta turned the page on his Cy Young season. Arrieta tweeted Monday he is “ready to work on this 2016 campaign.”
• With the rather big game quickly approaching, it seems like the appropriate time to remind all of our readers to visit one of advertisers, Super Bowl 50 Commercials 2016.
This Day in Cubs History
2013 – Cubs signed free agent Carlos Villanueva to a two-year contract
2010 – Cubs signed free agent Xavier Nady
1986 – Cubs signed free agent Lary Sorensen
1983 – Ryan Rowland-Smith, born
1978 – Andres Torres, born
1963 – Kevin Blankenship, born
1932 – William Wrigley Jr. passed away at the age of 70. Controlling interest of the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League went to his son, P.K. Wrigley.