When the Cubs put Carlos Zambrano on the disqualified list, it was assumed by everyone that eventually they’d have to pay him the money they aren’t intending to pay. While I think the Cubs certainly have a strong case to even void the entire contract, i don’t think it would ever happen. I was less certain as some that the …
Zambrano ————> gone
One way or another, Carlos Zambrano has thrown his final pitch as a Chicago Cub. After giving up eight runs on five homers in four innings and change, he threw at Chipper Jones and was ejected. The Braves got pissed and came out of the dugout, but Z was already off the field. After the game, he cleaned out his …
Aramis Ramirez caused the US debt downgrade (also, mini Cubs-Braves preview)
Cubs Legend Todd Hollandsworth shot his mouth off on the radio today (recap at HBT). Then you bring into question effort and that’s one thing in the game of baseball that really is inexcusable. One hundred percent effort all the time, there’s really no reason for you not to have 100 percent effort. He’s got impressionable kids around him right …
Series Preview: Cincinnati Reds (54-57) at Chicago Cubs (47-65)
BREAKING NEWS: I heard the 49ers are shopping Taylor Mays Just 18 more wins in a row until the Cubs are back at .500! It’s Gonna Happen. Where have things gone wrong with the Reds? It seemed like just about everyone (smugly: not me) was picking them to win the division in the preseason. Let’s look at their team stats …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (43-65) at Pittsburgh Pirates (54-52)
The Untouchables (h/t @thecubreporter) head to Pittsburgh to lose in beautiful PNC Park. Pittsburgh improved itself at the deadline by adding former foes Derrek Lee and Ryan Ludwick to the squad. The Pirates picked up Lee for an unranked by BA A-ball first baseman, and Ludwick was acquired for a PBTNL. The Cubs largely failed to improve their farm system, …
Series Preview: Iowa Cubs of Chicago (42-60) at Milwaukee Brewers (54-49)
Team Matchups NL ranks in parens Cubs Brewers wOBA .316 (7th) .322 (6th) UBR -11.6 (16th) -3.6 (13th) UZR -17.7 (13th) 4.7 (5th) SP FIP 4.07 (10th) 3.71 (7th) RP FIP 4.05 (14th) 3.65 (5th) It’s almost comical how bad the Cubs are at baserunning. There’s almost a win’s difference separating them from the Brewers, who are the 4th worst …
2012 NL Central Champion Cubs, part 3
Wreckard took a look at how the 2007 Cubs improved compared to the 2006 team and what kind of improvements this current team would need to make for next year. In the first part of this series. we took a look at payroll and named several players the Cubs should keep if they plan to contend next season. The second part …
2012 NL Central Champion Cubs, part 2
In part 1 we found that there were currently 13 players on the Cubs roster that the Cubs want to keep assuming they try to contend next year, which they will. We left off talking briefly about Aramis Ramirez and the club option the Cubs hold for $16 million (or a $2 million buyout). Using Ramirez’s .354 rest of season …
2012 NL Central Champion Cubs, part 1
As much as I’ve written about the need to rebuild, it’s not going ot happen. The Cubs have some decent players on their roster and some you’d really like to get rid of. Since they’re planning on contending, we have to first figure out which of the current players on the roster are worth keeping around. To do that, we …
Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood working on stuff
I’m not sure why it made me laugh, but I saw on cubs.com today that Kerry Wood was working on stuff to regain his form. CHICAGO — Kerry Wood has been a little inconsistent, but Cubs manager Mike Quade said the right-hander is healthy and just needs time. “He’s obviously capable of dominating and pitching a lot more efficiently than …