The awards just kept coming for the Cubs as Kris Bryant received the NL MVP. Anthony Rizzo took home more hardware. And Theo Epstein collected his second Executive of the Year Award.
Kris Bryant has a new commercial and says this is only the beginning for the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs added four players to the 40-man roster and claimed a left-handed reliever off waivers from the Mariners.
The Mesa Solar Sox ended their championship drought in the AFL with help from Ian Happ.
And what would this time of the year be without lots and lots of rumors.
Here are the headlines from the last three-plus days with all of the news, notes, video and rumors to get you caught up before taking time to give thanks …
Kris Bryant Named 2016 National League Most Valuable Player
Kris Bryant, in his first full-season in the big leagues, was named National League Most Valuable Player on Thursday night. Bryant came within one vote of winning the award unanimously a year after receiving all of the first place votes for NL Rookie of the Year.
Bryant is the first player to ever be named the College Player of the Year, Minor League Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player.
Click on the report for lots of really good numbers.
Anthony Rizzo finished fourth in the voting for NL MVP. Addison Russell received one sixth place vote and Kyle Hendricks received one ninth place vote.
MLB Moves Cubs Opening Day to April 2
Major League Baseball and the Cubs officially announced the first game of the 2017 season was moved up a day.
The Cubs will open the 2017 season on April 2 in St. Louis at Busch Stadium on Sunday night, April 2. ESPN will have the moving pictures of the Cubs first game of the season.
The Daily CCO: KB The MVP and Other Cubs News
Kris Bryant won the NL MVP Award in a landslide over the Nationals’ Daniel Murphy. The report includes video of Bryant talking about being named MVP on the MLB Network right after he found out he won.
Kris Bryant has put up impressive numbers and the player comps are even more impressive. And this report has details.
Information on the Cubs Spring Training schedule has started to surface. And the Cubs will return to Las Vegas for the 18th straight spring.
Brian McCann and Josh Reddick are now Astros.
And the Daily Report includes all of the news, notes, links and rumors, plus This Day in Cubs History.
Report: Major League Baseball, MLBPA Discussing a 26-Man Active Roster
As part of the negotiations for the new CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement), MLB and the Players Association are discussing the active roster for April through August changing from 25 to 26 players.
This report has all of the details.
Kris Bryant Says This is Just the Beginning in New Commercial
A day after Kris Bryant took home the NL MVP Award, Red Bull released his new commercial. And, of course, it is pretty darn cool.
Click on the report to see Kris Bryant’s new commercial.
From the Wire: Cubs Claim David Rollins Off Waivers from the Mariners
The Cubs added a pitcher to the organization prior to Friday’s deadline to add players to the 40-man roster in order to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft.
The Cubs claimed lefty reliever David Rollins off waivers from the Mariners.
Cubs Add Caratini, Hannemann, Leathersich, Underwood Jr. to 40-Man Roster
The Cubs added C Victor Caratini, OF Jacob Hannemann, LHP Jack Leathersich and RHP Duane Underwood Jr. to the 40-man roster prior to Friday’s deadline. The Cubs’ 40-man roster now has 39 players. And this report has all of the details on each player.
Cubs World Series Film and Collector’s Edition Blu-Ray, DVD Sets Available Soon
Just in time for the holidays, the Cubs and Major League Baseball are releasing commemorative videos to celebrate The World Series victory and the end of the team’s 108-year drought.
The details and release dates for the film and eight-disc sets are included in the report.
These DVDs and Blu-ray sets will become must-haves for all Cubs fans.
Theo Epstein, Anthony Rizzo Win MLB Esurance Awards
The 2016 Esurance MLB Awards were announced Friday night. And The World Series Champs received five awards, second to only the Indians for the most of any team.
Theo Epstein was named executive of the year. Anthony Rizzo took home the award for defensive play of the regular season.
The report includes video and a list of all the winners of the 2016 MLB Esurance Awards.
Mesa Solar Sox Wins Arizona Fall League Championship
The Mesa Solar Sox punched their ticket to the championship game on the final day of the 2016 AFL season. The Solar Sox featured the league’s best offense and on Saturday, the Cubs’ Ian Happ helped Mesa win its first AFL title in 13 years.
Brian Anderson gave Mesa an early 3-0 lead before the Cubs’ top prospect, Ian Happ, went yard twice which accounted for the Solar Sox’s other three runs in the 6-1 victory over Surprise.
The report includes videos of Ian Happ hitting homers from both side of the plate. And James Farris recording the final out.
- Mesa Solar Sox Playing for Arizona Fall League Championship (Pre-Game)
- Mesa Solar Sox Wins Arizona Fall League Championship (Includes Videos)
Cubs Have Reportedly Done Background Work, Mainly Due Diligence on Kenley Jansen
Kenley Jansen has been linked to the Cubs ever since Joe Maddon’s team took care of the Dodgers in the NLCS. The front office is exploring ways to improve the bullpen, especially the backend, and has at least done their homework on Jansen.
The Cubs know Jansen well and the impact he could have on the bullpen. Paying the price and taking the risk to add Jansen to the roster, well those are different issues.
The Daily CCO: Rizzo Finishes Fourth for NL MVP, Receives Pay Increases and Cubs News and Rumors
If it is possible for a Cubs’ player to be underrated, Anthony Rizzo might fit in that category. Rizzo has been one of the best players in the National League, if not in the game, the last two to three years. Rizzo finished fourth in the voting for NL MVP and received significant pay increases on his salaries for the 2019 season and two option years.
Travis Wood is garnering attention. The Marlins view him as a possible option to start games.
Andrew Cashner received a very nice, one-year deal to pitch in Texas.
The Cardinals gave Brett Cecil way, way, way too much money and too many years.
Gleyber Torres took home the MVP award for the AFL.
The Daily Report includes video, news, notes, rumors and two days worth of This Day in Cubstory.
Cubs Reportedly a Possible Destination for Brett Gardner
It’s the rumor season and Brett Gardner has been linked to the Cubs again.
The front office has shown a lot of interest in Gardner in recent years. The level of the Cubs interest in Gardner this time around is unknown at this point.
But Gardner could fit the role the Cubs are looking to fill in the outfield.