The Cubs decision to slow play the free agent market may not be so aggravating after all. Teams used to use their fan conventions as a means of introducing new players and in some teams’ cases bumping season ticket sales.

For those of that wouldn’t mind seeing Cody Bellinger return for something less than 8 years, the Cubs inactivity might be a sign they are still interested. The Cubs are holding their love fest this weekend at a downtown hotel. The convention has probably been sold out since July. I’m not sure news of Bellinger resigning could bump sales anyway. However, it would give the fans the opportunity to celebrate his comeback season. Like most teams, the Cubs have introduced several new marquee players in the past.

Because we’ll never really know which teams, if any are interested in Bellinger for more than a handful of years at a few hundred million dollars, we’ll never know if the Jays, Giants or Mets were ever interested. 

Some teams use the fan fest as a means of introducing new ballpark features or amenities-even holding the convention on campus. Years ago, teams sold tables to memorabilia vendors and their minor league teams. Teams playing in the Midwest, used the fest to promote spring training travel, but by now, fans are curating their own ST vacations-avoiding the team-sponsored trips. Furthermore, teams have partnered with their bigger sponsors and are charging more for admission and autographs. Neither of which is deterring diehard fans and collectors from attending.

The promise of seeing the hot new prospects, the chance to speak your mind to owners or the front office and the chance to connect with favorite players is often too much to pass up for some fans.

Fan fests often provide a segment of fans their only opportunity to connect with the team on a more personal basis. Before I spent time on the field interviewing younger players, I usually was mistaken in how big or small particular players were. However, when you are standing next to a guy in a photo session, you get a better perspective. One need not stand in hours long, autograph lines to interact with the players and coaches, as they’ll have to walk the floors of the site or walk the streets of the city.

While not as recognizable as the players, the convention/fest is a great opportunity to meet the guys and girls calling games on the radio or television. Most of them are pretty ordinary looking and easy to overlook in the real world. Yet at some of these affairs, they’re more identifiable. 

It’s been a few years since I attended a ML fanfest, and unless I had credentials to cover one or had an opportunity to interview a few players, I wouldn’t rush back. However, I would like to get to Cincinnati for their annual Reds Fest (held in December). Having covered the Reds for 15 AFL seasons, I wondered what the vibe was like in December. 

I recently posted about the A’s fans DIY fan fest in Oakland, and how it’s a direct rebuke of the owner’s ill treatment of the fans. I think White Sox fans believe they’ll have a legit opportunity to air their gripes with management/ownership at their upcoming Winter Soiree. We’ll see.

Different teams find different ways to connect with their fans. I wanted to see what the Tigers are doing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their most recent World Series champions. According to their schedule, they’re doing something on Thursday, August 29th, an afternoon game against the Angels. Conversely, they are holding 13 unique heritage days. I have no idea how many different tickets these days will generate, but I expect each of the groups will appreciate the effort.

Obviously, most teams don’t feel they have to do anything special and that their fans will spend their money on merch and tickets regardless and for the most part, fans only want their team to spend money on players and show they want to win.

But until more than one team can win it all in a given season, 29 teams have to do something extra to show they care.

Here’s the lineup for the most recent Reds Fest. Redsfest Players & Staff Appearances | Cincinnati Reds (mlb.com)