Yandy Diaz looks to be in Cleveland in 2017

All of the students are back on campus, so I now have significantly more to do at work than I did last week. If only winter break could last all year. To make matters worse, there is hardly anything new from the Cleveland camp, making every day just another monotonous link in a chain of seemingly never-ending moments we’re forced to live through until pitchers and catchers report.

Indians news

Tribe could promote prospect Zimmer in 2017 | MLB

Recently voted as the #2 prospect by LGT readers, Bradley Zimmer, the #21 overall pick from the 2014 draft, could find his way to Cleveland sooner rather than later if he can get his strikeouts in check. Oh, and if Michael Brantley doesn’t return to form. But let’s hope that Brantley returns to form. Please, Michael, please return to form.

Former pitcher, coach Brown dies at 73 | MLB

While he only played two seasons in Cleveland (‘75-’76), Jackie Brown was seen by many as an incredible friend and a source of unwavering positivity and joy for his teammates. He would later go on to coach for multiple teams, including being a pitching coach for the Chicago White Sox when they won the AL West title in 1993.

Big leagues on horizon for Tribe prospect Diaz | MLB

If you aren’t actively involved in the #FreeYandy movement, I’m not quite sure what you’re doing with your life. Yandy Diaz deserved to be on the team months ago, so it’s no surprise that his sights are set on Cleveland this upcoming spring.

Around the League

• It was recently reported that Max Scherzer will not pitch in the World Baseball Classic. It looks like the injury that his keeping him from the WBC has been ongoing for a few months.
• Colby Rasmus will be playing with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017 after agreeing to a contract worth between 5-7 million.
• The Association of Minor League Umpires recently came to an agreement on a new five-year labor contract that includes hotel upgrades, new terms for family leave, and raises.
• Unsurprisingly, MLB talent evaluators are realizing that Noah “Thor” Syndergaard is good at baseball.
• And finally, the Dodgers and the Twins are still discussing a trade revolving around Brian Dozier. I’m pulling for the Dodgers on this one.