Jed Hoyer had some interesting things to say during the GM panel at SABR. ON THE ROLE OF SCOUTS Hoyer: "The scouts they know that I have an analytical bent, and that my bosses have that. The worst thing you can do is change their mindset. You're hiring them for their eyes and their instincts, and you want them to …
Dale Sveum tries to compliment someone
He's [Brian Bogusevic] been the Joe Mather of camp so far — Dale Sveum I'm pretty sure Dale Sveum meant this as a compliment, but saying someone is the Joe Mather of anything is kind of the opposite. I'll just repost what I already did about Mather. Joe Mather was the worst player in baseball last year. Baseball Reference only thought …
Baseball America Top 100 Prospects
Don't forget to check out the OV Bunt Tournament Contest if you haven't already entered. The Baseball America top 100 prospects are out today and Javier Baez is the highest ranked Cub, at 18. Albert Almora is 33rd and Jorge Soler 34th. Arodys Vizcaino is the final Cub in the top 100 at 83. This is an improvement over last …
Garza Leaves Throwing Live BP Early with Trainers
Everybody was in the best shape of their lives and having fun watching Jed and Theo try their hand at bunting. Good times were had by all. That was yesterday. Today, Matt Garza stepped up on the mound to face live hitters for the first time since July. It did not go well. He ended up leaving early after getting a …
Cubs players who are out of options
There are 6 Cubs players who are out of options meaning they cannot be optioned to the minor leagues. They would have to be placed on waivers instead. Those players are: Michael Bowden, Welington Castillo, Rafael Dolis, Jeff Samardzija, Luis Valbuena and Travis Wood. There are no concerns that Jeff Samardzija would need to be optioned to the minors, but …
Brett Jackson discusses his new swing
Brett Jackson discusses his new swing in this video from ESPN. Last season was his worst season as a professional and hpefully the change in swing will put him on the right track. If the Cubs could get an above average CF in Brett Jackson for dirt cheap it would go a long way toward their rebuilding process.
Cubs Playoff Odds
The 2013 Cubs playoff odds are now available on Baseball Prospectus. These odds are based on preliminary depth charts, with teams still having many roster moves to make before the season starts. Thus, they aren’t etched in stone, they’re etched in sand. And these are PECOTA’s estimates of what would happen if the season were played thousands of times. PECOTA …
Carrie Muskat: Prospect Jackson takes hitting session to heart
Best shape of his life? An intense week of hitting in November may help Brett Jackson become the hitter the Cubs think he can be. Jackson and teammate Darwin Barney spent time with Cubs manager Dale Sveum, hitting coach James Rowson and assistant hitting coach Rob Deer at Fitch Park. After striking out 59 times in 120 big league at-bats …
Last year Joe Mather, this year Brent Lillibridge?
Last season Joe Mather was signed to a minor league contract and then made the team. Joe Mather was not any good. Not before he signed with the Cubs and especially not with the Cubs. Despite this, he still had nearly 250 plate appearances. Joe Mather was the worst player in baseball last year. Baseball Reference only thought he was …
Scott Feldman will be the 4th starter
Dale Sveum said yesterday that Scott Feldman will be the 4th starter for the Cubs. He also confirmed what we already knew in that Scott Baker won't be ready to start the season. Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Scott Baker, coming back from Tommy John surgery last year, most likely will not be ready by Opening Day, and that Scott …