MLB Hot Stove: The malaise before and even with movement

Cyber or Giving Tuesday

The following day ESPN initially refused to give Donaldson his Braves cap on their free agents chart. Perhaps they take physicals very seriously in Bristol, which is kind of charming in a rigorous way. No other names had been added to the signed column either. The MLB hot stove season suddenly seemed as sluggish as Uncle Oscar after dinner the previous Thursday.

In the lull of activity, Manny Machado’s remarks made the previous week, lost in holiday festivities, were discovered. ESPN’s no. 1 free agent had clarified his infamous Johnny No-Hustle remark made before the MLB hot stove season started: “When I was asked that question, I was definitely on the defensive, and I was wrong to answer it the way that I did, because looking back, it doesn’t come across how I meant it. For me, I was trying to talk about how I’m not the guy who is eye wash. There’s a difference between fake hustle for show and being someone who tries hard to win. I’ve always been the guy who does whatever he can to win for his team.”

Machado clearly knows November and December are about making money. The real question now is whether a new nickname for the infielder will trend on social media. It didn’t immediately appear so. Twitter returned nothing on a search for #NotJohnnyEyeWash.

MLB.com reported “multiple sources” said Madison Bumgarner is available.

More or less mid-afternoon, “Connections” Rosenthal reported the Pirates had signed Lonnie Chisenhall for $2.75 million for a year. Like Kang and Rosenthal, Chisenhall had not been a ranked free agent by ESPN.

Then, in Philadelphia, a mainstream, respected reporter wrote that Patrick Corbin was in town to talk with the Phillies. He credited a fan for tipping him off. An hour and twenty minutes later, the story hit MLB.com.