There are multiple reports that the Cubs and Angels have traded Carlos Marmol for Dan Haren.The Angels seemed reluctant to keep Haren on a $15.5m option year. Per Robothal, the Angels might kick in the $3.5m that they would have had to pay for Haren's buyout. Bruce Levine has confimed the deal, however there are conflicting reports that another team …
Epstein, Bush, and the coaching staff
Theo Epstein talked Cubs a year after his hiring was official. One year ago, the Cubs had one player who projected as part of the core Epstein and Co. are trying to develop and that was shortstop Starlin Castro. Today, Epstein said there are at least half a dozen in the organization, including pitcher Jeff Samardzija, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, …
Cubs acquire Marcelo Carreno from Tigers
Earlier today the Cubs completed the Jeff Baker trade with the Tigers as they acquired Marcelo Carreno. Fangraphs uses his first name, Josue, rather than the middle name, which I would guess is what he uses. The trade was announced on August 5th and it was reported at the time that the Cubs would receive 2 players to be named …
A rough estimate of Justin Upton's trade value
In the comments awhile back we were talking about the Cubs possibly going after Justin Upton. GW wrote about Towers postseason press conference in which he identified 3 areas the Dbacks will try to get better at. GW said this: The article also confirms they are trying to make room for Adam Eaton in their starting outfield, leaving Kubel, Gerardo …
Playoff play-in chaos scenarios
I'm a little annoyed that while the overall playoff field is set, only one "series" is set in stone right now (the Braves-Cardinals wild card play in game). Don't these teams realize that writers have series previews to write? Anyway here's how things stand right now, followed by what can happen tonight National League: 3rd seed: San Francisco Giants Wild …
The worst Cubs of 2012
In a season that has mostly sucked it seems appropriate to pay tribute to those who helped them suck even more than they would have otherwise. I haven't looked this over so I'm doing the work as I write along. We'll start with the position players and if I feel like I'll do one for the pitchers tomorrow. Joe Mather …
Hoyer: we will have financial flexibility
“We will have financial flexibility,” Hoyer said. “We’ve been diligent to make sure we do have flexibility and we’re efficient going forward. We’ll obviously be active in the free agent market. That’s a big part of our research and work now is evaluating free agents. We have some money to spend and we’ll focus on it heavily.” – Jed Hoyer …
Kerry Wood wants Sammy Sosa to return to Cubs
The Cubs celebrated Kerry Wood's career prior to the game today and Wood had a few interesting things to say. Wood wants to be a part of the team in the future, but wants to take an active part in some aspect of the team. “We’ve kicked some ideas around, (I’ve) met with and talked to Theo about it,” Wood …
Daily Facepalm 9.8.2012
The Cubs beat the Pirates 12-2 for the irony alone, a day after declaring a five-run lead "piling on." But we've probably beat that dead horse enough. Play of the Day Brett "Ghost of Reed Johnson" Jackson didn't adjust his competitive settings to autopilot just because the Cubs had a ridiculous lead (die, dead horse, die more!). He went after …
Samarj told tomorrow will be last start as Cubs cautious with career hi innings total. Some dude claimed off waivers today to take spot.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) September 7, 2012