Cubs fans smarting over Len Kasper's jump to the White Sox radio booth probably aren't hurting as much now.
Marquee Sports Network announced a ... well, marquee hire to fill their play-by-play vacancy, bringing over Boog Sciambi from ESPN to handle everyday broadcasting duties up north. Sciambi will still handle some national baseball duties for ESPN, but Marquee's general manager said 130 games is "a reasonable number to expect."
Assuming Kasper and Sciambi assimilate into their new team's daily duties as well as expected, the settling of the broadcast carousel is a boon for the city's baseball reputation. The White Sox and Cubs now employ three of the most recognized progressive voices in the game, and while Pat Hughes doesn't flaunt such a fluency in FanGraphs, his status as a venerable game-caller has Chicago going 4-for-4 in quality listens.
Hughes is also the one broadcaster you couldn't swap with the others and generate the same vibe, although Benetti's chemistry with Steve Stone gives him a defining edge. I suppose it's one of those good problems when the concern is that every broadcaster is prepared in the same professional way, but different approaches are also welcome.
PERTINENT: Len Kasper wants to do this
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Liam Hendriks, who has been tied to the White Sox with varying levels of intimacy over the winter, stepped up his courtship with other suitors. He visited the Blue Jays' spring training complex in Dunedin, Fla., on Monday, which is more than any other team can say thus far, and interest from the Dodgers has also spiked, at least allegedly.
However, the White Sox remain linked:
PERTINENT: How badly do the White Sox need Liam Hendriks?
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Other assorted notes:
*The Giants signed one of my preferred backup catcher candidates, Curt Casali, to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Sandy León, who was not among my choices to back up Yasmani Grandal, landed a minor-league deal with the Marlins that's worth $1.25 million if he makes a roster.
PERTINENT: Sox Machine 2020-21 Offseason Plan Project: Second catcher
*The MLB season is expected to open spring training on schedule, according to Evan Drellich of The Athletic. Unlike last spring and early summer, there aren't government restrictions prohibiting teams from conducting operations. Moreover, the NBA has opened its season despite an unusually short offseason, and the NHL is set to do the same, so the league looks like it lacks the legal standing to unilaterally impose a shorter schedule to save money.
PERTINENT: Report: 2021 MLB season might require delay
*Baseball America posted a very, very early mock draft, and once scrolling down more than I'm used to in order to find the White Sox, I see they're tied to Wake Forest righty Ryan Cusick at No. 22.
(Photo of the 1906 World Series from the Boston Public Library)
