MLB trade rumors and news for October 28th, 2016

The MLB Daily Dish is a daily feature we're running here at MLBDD and rounds up roster-impacting news, rumors, and analysis. Have feedback or have something that should be shared? Hit us at @mlbdailydish on Twitter or @MLBDailyDish on Instagram.

TGIF, baseball fans! And what a good Friday it will be, because World Series baseball is back. Brush up on the hottest of takes before tonight’s game so you can impress all of your friends.

Here’s a roundup of what’s happening in the National League West.

We don’t mean to hit you with so much realness super early on a Friday morning, but yet again we totally do. A few months ago, when asked about why he wasn’t kneeling during the national anthem, he replied that, “Baseball is a white man’s sport.” Well, these words mean more than their journalistic real estate. Take time out of your morning commute to really sink your teeth into this article on why baseball is so white.

What should the Cubs next move be with Jason Heyward?

“But eventually this World Series will end, and the Cubs will be faced with difficult choices. And among the most perplexing is what they should do with Heyward. He can’t be a defensive replacement for the rest of his Cubs tenure, after all, right? But to get him back in the lineup, the Cubs would have to make other changes that have the potential to hurt that vaunted lineup that helped the Cubs to 103 wins this year.

Essentially the choice comes down to this: Does Heyward stay or does he go?”

In a move we all expected anyway, James Shields will be opting in to the last two years of his contract.

“Shields’ decision to return to the White Sox was widely expected, as the 34-year old posted a 6-19 record and 5.85 ERA in 33 starts last season. Despite a weak free-agent pitching class this winter, Shields is owed $44 million in guaranteed money over the next two seasons and would not have received offers of that caliber on the open market.”

In another turn that I’m sure no one can say they’re actively shocked about, Kyle Schwarber is not medically cleared to play the Cubs outfield. Le gasp.

“Not to put too fine a point on it, either, but Schwarber wasn’t the most graceful defensive outfielder around before he tore his knee apart, either, so that combined with his general inexperience at the position and the injury means too much is at risk here.”

If you ever think you’ve messed up big time, just remember that you haven’t messed up as bad as Max Scherzer’s wife, Erica May-Scherzer.

Yikes.

Important Links:

MLB Injury Tracker

The deeper we get into the postseason, the more managers will lose their jobs. Keep up with that game of chess in one place . Send us a thank you card later.

They say laughter is the best medicine, and we don’t want you taking any risks during this year’s cold and flu season. Better head on over to our Instagram, @MLBDailyDish, for your daily dose. And don’t worry, we’ll be sure to bill your insurance.

Today in baseball: On October 28th, 2011, after being down by 10.5 games in August for the NL Central Division lead, the Cardinals beat the Rangers in Game 7 of the World Series.

Question of the Day: What do you think about Vox’s article on the lack of diversity in baseball?