This is the bracket: The Cubs, of course, finished a game (more like two with tiebreakers) out of a playoff spot so they don’t get to play anymore, but this is a pretty solid field that should generate lots of fun for this coming month before we ponder free agency and offseason trades.
Mets, Red Sox, Others Interested in Cuban Defector Ernesto Molinet
Ernesto Molinet is a 29 year-old first baseman who defected at some point after the 2013 Cuban National Series. Like Daniel Carbonell, Molinet's defection has mainly gone unnoticed in the press. Even Spanish-language accounts are difficult to find. Someone needs to direct his agent to Jesse Sanchez's twitter account. It's possible that Molinet "retired" early in Cuba and received permission to travel …
2014 IFA: Yankees Double Down, More Names Emerge
A surly Kiley McDaniel has followed up his original scoop about the Yankees' plans to to binge on this year's by putting some names out there: Dermis Garcia (3B, Dominican) is believed to have a deal for $3 million, Nelson Gomez (3B, Dominican) is also believed to have a deal for $3 million, Juan De Leon (CF, Dominican) is believed …
Best Moves of the MLB Offseason
There are probably places on the Internet where one can freely complain about the Cubs without pushback; Obstructed View is not one of them. Being an astute bunch, any mindless grumbling here is likely to be met with some pointed questions: Do you really want an aging corner-outfielder like Shin-Soo Choo on the roster for the next seven years, especially …
Carlos Pena ——> TB, Sandwich Round Pick ———-> Cubs
According to CBS's Jon Heyman, Carlos Pena signed a 1-year, $7.25m deal with Tampa Bay today. Since Pena was a Type B free agent and declined the arbitration offer from the Cubs, the Cubs get a free sandwich round pick in this year's draft. In retrospect it's puzzling that Pena declined arbitration. He was paid $10m last year (though $5m …
Series Preview: Tampa Bay Rays (91-71) at Texas Rangers (96-66)
I’m going to write my usual previews for each of the playoff series. I’ll say flat out that I don’t follow the AL at all, so any of you Rays fans who aren’t still in a daze should feel free to chime in with comments/inevitable corrections to anything I say here. Before we get to the Rays, let’s stop and …
Cubs Now Getting Beat in Marketing Overhype Department Too
Just when I thought the Cubs were best at something, along comes another team to take away their prize. I didn’t think any team anywhere could top the Cubs in over-hyping players the way Vine Line and Cubs.com and Ricketts’ puppet blogger have in the past, but they are going to have to step up their game to catch up …