Indianapolis, IN

Report: Colts’ Jonathan Taylor meets Jim Irsay on private bus; Team not planning on extension right now

Published

1 year ago

July 29, 2023

Report: Colts’ Jonathan Taylor meets Jim Irsay on private bus; Team not planning on extension right now

According to multiple sources, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor met with team owner Jim Irsay in his private bus during Saturday’s training camp practice.

Irsay later clarifying to the media afterwards that his franchise is not currently planning on a contract extension for its star running back (via ESPN’s Stephen Holder):

Jim Irsay, after meeting w Jonathan Taylor, says a contract extension is still not something the team is planning on.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) July 29, 2023

Given Irsay’s precarious social media comments, which weren’t actually directed at Taylor, but nevertheless struck a nerve with Taylor’s representation, it seemed like this would be a good initial step in trying to help clear the air and smooth things over in contract negotiations.

That being said, it doesn’t appear that the Colts have much interest in extending Taylor right now. Not only has Indianapolis not reportedly made an offer yet, but they seemingly have no plans to do so at the present time:

More Irsay:
-Talked mainly about this year (“we expect JT to have a great year”) nothing about a future relationship
-Mentioned several times how his job is to rep every player get fair piece of cap
-Irsay very defensive of how organization treats their players, present/past https://t.co/gEnCIyfqsw
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) July 30, 2023
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It’s a little peculiar that the Colts—and Irsay in particular, are being so transparent with the ongoing negotiations, or as we know now, the clear lack thereof on the Colts’ side of things.

In fairness to the Colts though, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense as to why they would extend Taylor right now given: A) He’s coming off an injury limited season with a surgically repaired ankle, B) He’s in the last year of his rookie contract, and C) The elite running back market is clearly deflated, so they would be essentially bidding against themselves.

This is a little different than the recent tumultuous Saquon Barkley negotiations with the New York Giants because Taylor is still under team contract for at least another year.

The Colts don’t have to do anything, and while yes, you have to understand the major concern for Taylor—namely putting his body on the line for the franchise and risking a potential significant injury in the process, Indianapolis did not make the rules, they’re just playing within the confines of them and looking out for their best interests long-term.

It would still be surprising if a deal with the Colts doesn’t ultimately get done—likely next offseason, especially since Indy has the cap space flexibility and a young quarterback that Taylor can assuredly help aid in his initial development. After all, look what Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James did for a young Peyton Manning.

However, both sides need to take the ‘personal’ out of it and recognize it’s just business—and unfortunately from Taylor’s perspective, sometimes an even cold, calculated one.

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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.