Spent a healthy chunk of yesterday, pre-OSU game, researching how to weatherproof windows with additional insulation. 2025 already off to a rousing start for Maximum Dad Mode.
New Chicago Cubs reliever Caleb Thielbar is clearly better than his 2024 ERA, as we discussed in his signing post, but I’ll still register my surprise at the size of his deal with the Cubs:[image or embed]
— Jordan Bastian (@bastianmlb.bsky.social) December 31, 2024 at 6:46 PM That’s not a huge contract, but it’s “real money.” It means the Cubs definitely buy into the argument that Thielbar was basically his usual effective self last year with the Twins, but got bit by some bad luck on BABIP and LOB% (which the underlying data does support). The pitch-level data also indicates he was still quite good in 2024:Thielbar is huge on Pitch Movement 109 Movement+, 107 Location+, 97 Velocity+ 43% 4-Seam – 93% Move+ 31% Sweeper – 87% Move+ 25% Curveball – 99% Move+ Had a down year in 2024 (95.6 wOBA+) but fantastic underlying stats that adds upside in a much needed Bullpen LHP option for the Cubs[image or embed]
— Tim (@timfro.bsky.social) January 1, 2025 at 12:10 PM More on Thielbar, who was drafted in 2009 by the Brewers, was out of affiliated baseball just a year later, came back to affiliated ball with the Twins, but then was out of affiliated ball again, then worked his way through various minor leagues, and finally re-established himself in the big leagues at age-33:Caleb Thielbar is the latest Twins free agent to sign elsewhere, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Cubs.Here's what I wrote about Thielbar at the beginning of the offseason: t.co/m1ufoUPskG pic.twitter.com/silClXGXA4
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) December 31, 2024 Optimistic take on the money, by the way? If you’re spending nearly three million bucks on Thielbar, it does seem like the Cubs do want to spend to make sure they get the pitching upgrades they want. Thus, maybe it gives you a fraction more confidence that they will go out and get a high-quality starting pitcher (which they need!), and/or a truly impactful late-inning reliever (which they also need!). So many possible directions to take:Teams that are still in on Roki Sasaski: Dodgers Padres Cubs Yankees Mets Rangers maybe Giants not the White Sox others could be added to list
— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) January 1, 2025 Those are basically just the teams who’ve had meetings reported, with “others could be added.” So I don’t think this is actually any kind of new inside info, and thus I wouldn’t really get excited about the Cubs being named. Their non-zero chance at Roki Sasaki remains quiiiiite small. That said: lol at just randomly sneaking “not the White Sox” into the report. A lot of teams have a chance, but not the White Sox. Specifically not the White Sox. Fun fact: Dansby Swanson has been in the top-35 of WAR for all players (position and pitching combined) for three straight seasons now. He will never show up on lists like this, however:New year, new season! Here are my Top 50 players for the upcoming 2025 MLB season(Inspired by @Brooks_Gate) pic.twitter.com/fd7xTulx8Q
— Dalton Feely (@dfeely14) January 1, 2025 With Wrigley Field all set up for hockey thanks to the Winter Classic (didn’t go great for the Blackhawks … ), why not have a little more? The Frozen Confines series for the Big Ten is this weekend:We’ll be at the Frozen Confines with the @bigten ECH ALL ACCESS at Wrigley Field coming soon! pic.twitter.com/wnUs7rJnRZ
— EVERYTHING COLLEGE HOCKEY (@TeamECH) January 1, 2025MORE FROM BLEACHER NATION: Check Out BN Fantasy | Subscribe to The BN Newsletter
Jaylon Johnson is a Pro Bowler again. The Bulls kicked off the new year by getting stomped. A big money Bedard jersey, eh? Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( More on the Thielbar Signing, Sasaki, Swanson, and Other Cubs Bullets )
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