Published by
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The problem with having a hot stove league without the hot stove is it doesn’t deter baseball fans from pretending the stove still exists. This became apparent recently when a rumor began to circulate about a certain team in a certain city having interest in a prominent free-agent shortstop. Signing this player, who was alleged to be part of a sign-stealing scheme that tarnished the reputations of many individuals, undoubtedly would make many of that team’s fans cry for joy. He’s that good of a player, and he would immediately lift the hopes of the fan base after a season of misery. But this i…