MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the death of Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch was a "blow to the sport, but the team is in good hands with his son." Ilitch Holdings President & CEO Chris Ilitch is "slated to take over responsibilities for the Tigers under a succession plan laid out last year." Manfred said, "Chris has become increasingly involved in Major League Baseball activities, attending owner meetings, really starting about the time I became commissioner" (MLIVE.com, 2/16).
ARE YOU COMING OR GOING? In DC, Thomas Boswell writes "nobody can figure out what" the Nationals are doing with their payroll or "why they are doing it." The Nationals this offseason made offers to free agent Ps Kenley Jansen ($85M) and Brad Ziegler ($14M). However, after Jansen re-signed with the Dodgers, the Nats "decided Ziegler was too expensive." Boswell: "This is when baseball shakes its head. This pattern of odd decision-making ... has gone on for 10 years." This is where the Nationals' "lack of a firm, fixed payroll comes into play -- it’s tough to decide what to buy in a store if you don’t know what’s in your bank account" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/17).
LOOKING FOR RELIEF: The Cubs are moving their bullpens to underneath the left field bleachers, and ESPN’s Michael Wilbon said he was against anything “that destroys or takes away from the aesthetic appeal of Wrigley Field.” He added MLB “should be against this” ("PTI," ESPN, 2/16). ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan said Wrigley Field “has the same problem" that Fenway Park has. MacMullan: "Everybody says, ‘We’ve got to keep it the same.’ But the people there have to make money. They’ve got to find a way to invent seats" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 2/16).
PURPLE REIGN: In Denver, Patrick Saunders notes the Rockies have updated the purple on their uniforms to a "lighter shade." The team is "searching for a consistent hue that will be used on everything from game jerseys, caps and T-shirts, to protective gear, alternative jerseys, jackets and hoodies." Rockies P Jon Gray said, "I love it! It’s really purple, it’s unique. Make it purple, not navy." However, Rockies 2B DJ LeMahieu said, "I’m still used to the older color. I’ll give it some time, but my first reaction is not good" (DENVER POST, 2/17).
