Jorge Soler a Cub, then Jorge Soler not a Cub Reports that the Cubs had signed Jorge Soler yesterday proved to be premature. Could he be signed today? It could go either way. The Yankees have been added to the mix of interested teams, but given how this offseason has played out I'm betting on Mystery Team Cubs transactions MB21 …
Taking a closer look at the Cubs supersized rotation
The Cubs currently have 6 starting pitchers on the roster*. Those 6 include Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Paul Maholm, Travis Wood, Chris Volstad and Randy Wells. Jeff Samardzija is also going to be stretched out in spring training, but may return to the bullpen when the season begins. The Cubs also have Andy Sonnanstine and Casey Coleman. If Trey McNutt …
“You better know who your ninth starter’s going to be”
I’ve been a bit confused by one of Theo’s comments since taking over as President of Baseball Operations. “We need starting pitching. You can’t take your chances very seriously as a club if you go in to the season without, not just five guys you can point to, but six, seven and eight guys. You better know who your ninth …
What the Cubs have to consider at the Winter Meetings
We haven’t talked a lot about what the Cubs need to do this offseason. When the season ended they were without a GM so it made no sense. After they hired Theo and he assembled his front office it was difficult to know which direction the Cubs may go. There have been indications they’re willing to trade anybody and everybody, …
What kids?
Every year the Cubs struggle the masses come out and say the Cubs should play the kids. It happens every single time. It happens when a veteran is struggling. It’s happened a lot as the 2011 season has progressed. Who exaclty are the kids on the Cubs? Generally speaking, we refer to kids as being younger than 18. Often times …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (64-82) at Cincinnati Reds (71-75)
The Cubs played the Reds just last week, and five of the six starters from that series are pitching this series. I’m just going to make a few minor tweaks to the last preview (laughing). Team overview As always, these are team stats with NL ranks in parentheses. Reds Cubs wOBA .322 (4th) .315 (8th) UBR 14.2 (1st) -11.4 (16th) …
Lollygagging Chicago Cubs (56-71) vs. Fun-Having Atlanta Braves (76-52)
Bobby Valentine doesn’t think much of the Cubs, particularly Starlin Castro. He must have just watched bull Durham or something. Bobby would definitely support the Cubs’ strict “no dinners” policy, so I fully expect to see him named to be the next manager as long as the Cubs include an expense acount for his disguises. Meanwhile, the Cubs are going …
33rd Spot Start Game Thread
Rodrigo Lopez is the starting pitcher tonight and it is the 33rd game started by one of the following pitchers: Doug Davis (9), Casey Coleman (9), Rodrigo Lopez (8), James Russell (5) and Ramon Ortiz (2). It’s the 117th game of the season. 28.2% of all Cubs games have been started by one of those pitchers above who have combined …
Midseason look at the Cubs top prospects, part 4
Over the last week we’ve looked at the top 20 Cubs prospects according to John Sickels and how they’re performing this season. We’ve also looked at 15 or 16 additional players worthy of some discussion for one reason or another. Many of the 2010 draft picks, especially the high school ones, have very little playing time to their name. Few …
Cashner to the bullpen when he returns
No decision has been made on what type of a role he will have long term with us. I will leave all of that up to Dr. Gryzlo and Dr. Yocum who are treating him for his shoulder injury. I will tell you that I think that if he is out for a while it is probably unrealistic to think …