Indianapolis, IN

Colts have very little to gain by actually trading unhappy star RB Jonathan Taylor

Published

1 year ago

July 30, 2023

Colts have very little to gain by actually trading unhappy star RB Jonathan Taylor

According to The MMQB’s Albert Breer, Indianapolis Colts team owner Jim Irsay has responded to Jonathan Taylor and his representation’s recent request for a trade—with an emphatic ‘not going to happen’:

Text from @Colts owner @JimIrsay on Jonathan Taylor’s trade request (as reported by @RapSheet): “We’re not trading Jonathan… end of discussion. Not now and not in October!”
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) July 30, 2023

After meeting with Irsay privately on his bus during Saturday’s training camp practice, Taylor (and his camp) reportedly requested a trade shortly thereafter.

Obviously, this contentious contract negotiation (and now we know, clear lack thereof) between the two sides is fluid—and could even still get worse? (*If that’s remotely possible):

So now the #Colts and owner Jim Irsay can watch the impact and possible spiral of having a disgruntled star lingering on the roster subsequent to Jonathan Taylor’s trade demand….
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) July 30, 2023

From the Colts perspective, the franchise has little to gain from actually trading Taylor at this time—aside from improving locker room morale in the short-term by moving on from a seemingly disgruntled star player.

When fully healthy, Taylor’s one of the league’s best running backs and while the position is still devalued contractually, he has a significant impact on the team’s success offensively—as the unit’s undisputed top playmaker and a rare workhorse in the ground game.

Let’s not forget his 2021 regular season Week 15 performance when the Colts upset the New England Patriots (9-5) at home, and Taylor absolutely carried the Colts offensively with 29 carries for 170 total rushing yards—including the game-clinching, electric 67 yard touchdown run late in the game.

The Colts would also not get fair draft pick compensation from a running back needy suitor for Taylor given: A) NFL trades are rarely equal for a player (i.e., look at the recent A.J. Brown trade), especially for a running back, and B) That same suitor would then likely be compelled to fork over big money for a lucrative contract extension which diminishes Taylor’s apparent value in such a deal.

It’s also in the Colts best interests to retain Taylor given that they have a top rookie quarterback, Anthony Richardson, under center—who could really lean heavily on Taylor’s legs to ease his initial transition into the NFL. (After all, look at how instrumental Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James were to a young Peyton Manning early on in his illustrious career).

It really is a shame that what was set to already be a tough contract negotiation, given the league’s current valuation of elite running backs, had to become so public and personal.

Honestly, both sides share some blame here for not sticking to business, and it may take a miracle to patch things up—despite Irsay’s posturing, and with Taylor’s clear unhappiness.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indiana Grown: 8th Day Distillery

Published

7 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Each and every Saturday, WISH-TV highlights a local company together with our partners at Indiana Grown.

This week, Jaime and Matt Lamping with 8th Day Distillery in Indianapolis joined News 8 at Daybreak.

The Lampings share with News 8 what started their passion for the distillery, and elaborate on how Indiana’s state laws at the time impacted their plans.

They also share more about their Bottle Shop & Cocktail Bar, which recently celebrated its sixth anniversary. They discuss their various workshops and show off new releases ready to hit your shelves this year.

Watch the full interview above to learn more.

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Indianapolis, IN

Report: Pirates Promote Top Pitching Prospect to Indianapolis

Published

14 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Report: Pirates Promote Top Pitching Prospect to Indianapolis

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly promoting one of their top pitching prospects in their minor league system, getting him closer to the MLB.

Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reported that the Pirates will promote right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler from Double-A Altoona Curve to Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.

Sources: Top Pirates prospect Bubba Chandler is being promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis.
Chandler tossed seven innings of one run ball tonight for Altoona. He has pitched to a 2.61 ERA with 10.6 K/9 since the start of June.
Chandler is ranked as @MLBPipeline‘s No. 49 prospect.
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— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) August 3, 2024

Chandler played for North Oconee High School in Bogart, Ga., 60 miles east of Atlanta. He starred in multiple sports, including basketball, golf, football and baseball. He originally committed to Georgia to play baseball, but then decommitted and committed to Clemson to play both football and baseball.

He had a fantastic senior season for North Oconee, going 8-1 with just a 1.25 ERA, plus 96 strikeouts in 44.2 innings pitched, while hitting .411 with eight home runs, 12 doubles and 35 RBI.

The Pirates would select Chandler with the No, 72 overall pick in the Third Round of the 2021 MLB Draft and signed him for $3 millon signing bonus, an over slot signing.

He pitched and also played shortstop for the Rookie-Level Florida Complex Pirates in 2021 and 2022 and then earned promotion to the Bradenton Marauders in the Single-A Florida State League.

Chandler chose to focus on pitching heading into the 2023 season, which would show his best talents. He started 24 games for the Greensboro Grasshoppers in High-A, with a 9-4 record, 4.75 ERA in 106.0 innings pitched, making 120 strikeouts to 51 walks and holding hitters to a .265 batting average.

He made it up to Altoona for just one game in 2023, allowing just one hit in five innings of work and getting the win.

Chandler has played all of 2024 in Double-A, starting 16 of 19 games, a 6-7 record, one save, one shutout. He also had a 3.70 ERA in 80.1 innings pitched, allowing 55 hits, 33 earned runs and 26 walks, while making 94 strikeouts and holding hitters to a .192 batting average, along with having a 1.01 WHIP.

His last start came Friday night against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, allowing just two hits and one run in 6.0 innings pitched, while making six strikeouts on 80 pitches.

Chandler has also pitched great since the start of June, with a 2.61 ERA and 10.6 K/9.

MLB Pipeline ranks Chandler as the No. 49 prospect in their top 100 across baseball, the No. 9 right-handed pitcher and No. 12 pitcher. They also rate him as the highest Pirates prospect.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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Indianapolis, IN

National discount retailer to make it's way to downtown Indianapolis

Published

21 hours ago

August 2, 2024

Press Room

National discount retailer to make it's way to downtown Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS — The downtown Indy building Claypool Court is getting a new retailer.

Officials hope major names like Burlington will bring more Hoosiers and visitors to Mile Square.

WRTV

“There’s definitely a lot of higher-end restaurants right around this area, so I think bringing in some retail stores isn’t a bad idea,” Wesley Slaughter, who lives downtown, said.

The store will sit at Washington and Illinois Streets, an area Slaughter says will be a good fit because it’s a heavily trafficked intersection.

“I could see it being beneficial to get more people in the area because otherwise you have to drive outside of 465 just to hit one of those stores,” Slaughter said.

TJ Maxx has been a big part of the downtown retail scene for many years, but now there is some competition with the Burlington that’s going to be a couple of doors down.

WATCH RELATED COVERAGE | Downtown Indy’s Future Plans announced

Downtown Indy’s future plans announced

“We’re excited anytime that there’s a new addition to the retail landscape here in downtown Indianapolis,” Taylor Schaffer, with Downtown Indy Inc., said.

Schaffer says this is just part of a pipeline of new projects and development coming to the area.