MLB Screwed Cubs Pitcher Carl Edwards Jr.
Remember Carl Edwards Jr.’s new delivery that he worked on all offseason and spring training? Well, MLB waited until the last second to say it’s illegal. How is this even possible? Joe Maddon and the Cubs deserve some blame because they should have made sure that it was all good to go, but still, all spring training long and no one told Edwards or the Cubs that his new delivery was illegal?
This was a big deal for Edwards.
This throwing group includes Edwards, Lester, Hendricks, Darvish, Robinson and Chatwood. pic.twitter.com/C04SxpiE7x
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 13, 2019
He pitched six innings during spring training and was using the new Kenley Jansen inspired delivery. No one said anything.
Carl's new delivery. pic.twitter.com/hiFfpR5tHS
— Aldo Soto (@AldoSoto21) March 1, 2019
It wasn’t until Saturday’s game against the Rangers that someone brought up the delivery. To be fair, this delivery from Saturday’s game did have a full stop, which is illegal. It was slightly different than his delivery from spring training that had only a hesitation.
Here's a look at the Carl Edwards Jr. hesitation delivery from Saturday, which features an (illegal) full-on stop, plant, and then deliver. It has to be a little more smooth than this, as he was properly doing in the Spring. pic.twitter.com/ECDZ6Ce85k
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) April 1, 2019
This is what the delivery is supposed to look like, by the way. Pretty obvious difference there from Carl on Saturday night.
More here: https://t.co/j5kqFMPRko pic.twitter.com/dpPARTA6wc
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) April 1, 2019
Anyway, Edwards pitched again on Monday against the Braves and just went back to his normal delivery, something he was doing anyway with runners on base. After the game, Maddon let everyone know that MLB informed them that the delivery Edwards worked on all offseason and during spring training was illegal the entire time.
Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr. has been informed that his hesitation move is against MLB rules: “It would have been nice if they would have told me in spring training. But it is what it is.”
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) April 2, 2019
This is where Maddon deserves some of the blame. Not sure if there was a communication error because Maddon says they knew about it at the end of spring training, while Edwards said he wished he would have been told in spring training. So, when exactly where the Cubs told?
So Carl Edwards Jr delivery has been deemed illegal despite using it all spring. Maddon said he was told at the very end of spring training and then it came up the other day in Texas. So he's back to his old delivery.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) April 2, 2019
Regardless, how do the Cubs let it go that far without making sure Edwards delivery was OK?
The issue with Edwards was his foot hitting the ground twice but Maddon countered that mentioning past players who have done the same
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) April 2, 2019
But hey, it might actually be a blessing in disguise for Edwards because again, even with the new delivery he couldn’t use it with a runner on base. So, now Edwards is back to his old delivery.
What a shit show to begin the season for the Cubs.