Good morning, all! It’s humppppp day!
I am hearing and reading that many Yankees fans are upset that the Yankees gave free agent outfielder Trent Grisham a qualifying offer of $22M and that he has accepted it. As I explain in the video, their concerns are misplaced. In fact, Grisham is the least of the Yankees problems.
Here are some other thoughts, as I contemplate whether Aaron Rodgers will start at QB for the Steelers on Sunday:
Major League baseball owners are meeting in New York City this week and among the topics of discussion, we are told, is the labor agreement between the owners and players association, which expires on Dec. 1, 2026.
We keep hearing that the owners will insist on a salary cap from MLBPA. If that is their goal, they are running a fool’s errand. The association will never agree to one. As I have repeatedly stated, maybe the owners are using the salary cap threat as a ploy to get the association to reduce the games played in the regular season and expand the playoffs.
I hope that is the case. Too much goodwill has been built up, thanks to the exciting playoff season that engaged and expanded television audiences. Now is not the time to go to the mattresses over a salary cap - something MLBPA will never agree to.
Baseball will have to solve the payroll disparity in house, by meeting Commissioner Manfred’s unannounced goal to bring local TV rights under the umbrella of MLB. Then a formula will need to be devised to equitably distribute that revenue, along with the national TV revenue.
The Mets are cutting ties with pitcher Frankie Montas and eating the $17M they still owe him. The free agent signing turned out be a bust, after he struggled with New York and then underwent Tommy John surgery. Clubs were making moves, as they had to get their 40-man rosters in place by 6 PM EST on Tuesday. This is the advantage clubs, who are owned by billionaires, have over the clubs which do not have the wiggle room the Mets have.
If there was ever a doubt there is a new sheriff in town with the Colorado Rockies, that was put to rest on Wednesday. With Paul DePodesta now heading the baseball operations, the Rockies cut two former first round draft choices in first baseman Michael Toglia and pitcher Ryan Rollison, as they compiled their 40-man roster. Look for both to get chances with other organizations.
From what I have been reading, the low-payroll Pittsburgh Pirates are prepared to open their wallets and sign some free agents this off season. I hope they do.
The New York Giants first round draft choice, Abdul Carter, did not start Sunday’s game against the Packers because he missed a walk-through practice, we were told. Sources claimed he was taking a nap. Carter vehemently denied this. And now the story has emerged Carter was not napping. This is a classic example of the media not getting all of the story. These entities, including the usually reliable The Athletic, owned by The New York Times, ran with the Carter-taking-a-nap story on the basis of “sources said.” Wouldn’t it have been a good idea to wait for Carter’s take on his own story, before running with it? I shake my head at the state of journalism today. In this click-mad world, it is all about how quickly a story can generate reaction, let the facts be damned.
For the record, Carter was in the medical tent receiving treatment. Yes, he missed the walk-through and was punished by interim head coach Mike Kafka. But it was a miscommunication on practice time, not because Carter was napping.
Deion Sanders says he is the right man to turn around Colorado’s 3-7 record. He came to the program with so much promise, generating a lot of buzz. His AD says he is not on the hot seat. After the Buffs went 4-8 in coach Sanders first season at the helm, they compiled a 9-4 record that included Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Now, however, they have dropped to 3-7 and 1-6 in the Big 12. AD Rick George, who is stepping down after this season, says the seat is not hot for Sanders. I hope not. Call me one of those who is rooting for Deion.
That is going to do it for today’s newsletter. Thank you so much for subscribing and have a wonderful Wednesday!
DAN
