I feel like I should be more fired up for this series than I am. The Cubs swept the Mets in both regular season series last year, and we saw how much that meant in the playoffs. Now both teams are coming off a 4-6 stretch with injury problems. For the Mets, the scariest sounding one is that Noah Syndergaard …
Addison Russell: A Love Story
When the Cubs traded Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel for Addison Russell (plus some other goodies!), I started getting pretty excited for the 2017 Cubs. They had just drafted Kris Bryant, Albert Almora seemed like a surefire average CF, and the farm system as a whole looked ready to provide a steady stream of value. It's a year early, and …
Projecting the 2016 Cubs: Shortstop
As was done in days of yore, dm and I are rolling out projection posts going into the season. We're not doing anything too complicated – just doing some simple averaging of the systems out there with some tweaks of our own if we see them. There will be inherent flaws in this – each system presumably makes different less …
Winter Meetings 12/7 through 12/10
The Winter Meetings start today. This year, the Winter Meetings are in Nashville. Nashville is on Central time so expect any news to drop during more normal hours of the day than last year. The hot stove is already cooking and quite a few rumors have already begun in regards to your Chicago Cubs. What happened since the last update? …
The Cubs’ offseason plans
Not that the Cubs have been eliminated from the postseason, it's time to look towards 2016. This will be a short post on some of the relevant things. Should the Cubs re-sign Dexter Fowler? Here are dmick's thoughts on this issue. I'd just extend a QO to him, expect him to decline it, and reap the 1st round pick reward (for …
Should the Cubs pursue Evan Gattis?
The rumor around the water cooler is that the Braves are aggressively shopping Evan Gattis. The Cubs are in the market for an upgrade at catcher, kicking the tires on Russell Martin (who wants a 5/75 deal. move along, little doggie.). Martin is known for great pitch framing and plate discipline. Evan Gattis isn’t known for either, though he has …
Cubs’ 2014 trades in retrospect
The Cubs were fairly active at the trading deadline this year. How did they do? All numbers are post-trade. July 5 Cubs trade Jeff Samardzija (5-5, 2.92 ERA, 3.23 FIP, 16 GS) Jason Hammel (2-6, 4.52 ERA, 5.44 FIP, 11 GS) for Addison Russell (.295/.333/.539, .390 wOBA, 204 PA) (AA) Billy McKinney (.301/.390/.432, .379 wOBA, 210 PA) (A+) Dan Straily …
DFP: The Night They Drove Old Dixie 450 Feet In Coors Field
What? The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down was J. Baez’ only #1 hit. Tonight, another J. Baez is (hopefully) going to get his #1 hit as well. Did The Cubs Win? It’d be hard to say otherwise. Javier Baez is being called up today. For a measured take on expectations, look to Brett’s take on Bleacher Nation for now. I …
DFP: How Badly Did the Rays Screw Up?
The most striking aspect of yesterday’s deadline was just how many trades involved major league players. The classic mode of deadline dealing is this: sellers send soon-to-be free agents to buyers in return for prospects. Yesterday, by contrast, sellers picked up Yoenis Cespedes, Joe Kelly, Allen Craig, Drew Smyly, Nick Franklin, and Tommy Milone. Of the bunch, only Franklin is …
Cubs Acquire Victor Caratini
I can’t remember a trade deadline as eventful as the one that just past. Good luck to all the analysts trying to process (with the exception of Phillies watchers). Ruben Amaro, pit crew chief. “One more lap, boys. One more!” pic.twitter.com/yMZq7RiUgn — Chris Sprow (@SprowESPN) July 31, 2014 The Cubs only made one move today, acquiring Victor Caratini and …